1956 Opel Caravan & Wagon Tires

The 1956 Opel Caravan & Wagon uses either a 640-13 bias-ply tire or a 175R13 radial tire. Both sizes are associated with the same vehicle and both use a 13-inch rim, so the main difference is the sizing format and tire construction rather than wheel diameter.

Choosing between them starts with the setup already on the car and the result you want. A wagon restored around a traditional look may stay with 640-13, while a car already using radial-format tires may point you toward 175R13. Confirm the actual wheel width and inspect for suspension or wheel changes before selecting a tire.

The tire fitments for the 1956 Opel Caravan & Wagon are built around a 13-inch rim diameter. Both the 640-13 bias-ply size and the 175R13 radial size share that same rim diameter, so the basic wheel diameter remains consistent across the supported tire choices.

That makes wheel diameter simpler than construction choice, but diameter alone is not the whole fitment story. Wheel width still matters, especially when comparing bias-ply and radial alternatives. It is smart to measure the wheels currently on the wagon and verify that they have not been changed during restoration or through later aftermarket modifications.

The 1956 Opel Caravan & Wagon Base shares the same fitment pattern as the covered model range, using either 640-13 in bias-ply form or 175R13 in radial form. That means the Base model does not introduce a separate wheel diameter or a unique tire-size requirement.

The practical question is which construction suits the individual car. A Base model restored with period-style priorities may stay closer to the 640-13 bias-ply format, while a road-driven example may be evaluated around the radial option. Looking at the wheels currently installed is still important before assuming either size is already appropriate.

640-13 is the numeric bias-ply tire size used on the 1956 Opel Caravan & Wagon. It is the vintage-format fitment on a 13-inch rim, and it differs from the wagon’s 175R13 radial option in both construction style and sizing convention.

That distinction matters because a bias-ply tire influences both appearance and tire selection. Owners pursuing a traditional visual presentation often begin with 640-13, especially when a period-style whitewall is part of the plan. A car already set up around radial tires should be checked carefully rather than assuming the two constructions can be exchanged without reviewing wheel width and clearance.

Radial equivalents for 640-13 include 175R13 as the 80-series metric radial option, P175/75R13 as the 75-series P-metric option, P185/70R13 as the 70-series P-metric option, and 650R13 as a bias-look radial equivalent. These are alternative radial-format choices tied specifically to the original 640-13 fitment.

Each option represents a different sizing convention and, in the case of 650R13, a different visual approach. The associated rim-width range is 4-6 inches, which is a useful starting point when evaluating wheel compatibility. Clearance at the fenders and suspension should still be checked before moving from the original bias-ply format to any radial equivalent.

Start by confirming the wagon’s actual wheel diameter and width, then compare the intended radial size with the existing 13-inch wheel setup. The 640-13 bias-ply size has several radial equivalents, including 175R13, P175/75R13, P185/70R13, and 650R13, but the conversion decision should be based on the complete wheel-and-vehicle setup.

A careful inspection should include steering clearance, fender clearance, suspension condition, and any signs that the car has been lowered or fitted with aftermarket wheels. It also helps to decide whether appearance is the priority, since a bias-look radial serves a different visual purpose than a standard metric radial. Collector cars often hide old modifications that affect fitment.

Begin with the correct size and construction for the way the wagon is set up. The 1956 Opel Caravan & Wagon can use either a 640-13 bias-ply tire or a 175R13 radial, so the first decision is whether the car is staying with a traditional bias-ply format or moving to a radial-format tire on the same 13-inch rim diameter.

After that, compare the tire’s visual character and wheel compatibility with your goals for the car. A restoration-minded owner may focus on period-style proportions and sidewall appearance, while a road-use owner may concentrate on the radial alternatives tied to 640-13. Actual wheel width, any chassis changes, and the wagon’s intended use should guide the final choice.

The available sidewall style in the 640-13 product selection for the 1956 Opel Caravan & Wagon is a wide whitewall. That sidewall treatment appears on a BFGoodrich bias-ply tire in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, making it the visible appearance choice among the currently covered products for this fitment.

Sidewall style matters because it changes the wagon’s overall presentation just as much as the tire size itself. A wide whitewall leans into a traditional mid-century look, while a radial conversion may change the visual character even if the rim diameter stays the same. Buyers comparing appearance should weigh sidewall treatment alongside construction, not as a separate decision.

BFGoodrich is represented in the available product selection for the 1956 Opel Caravan & Wagon. The covered product offering is centered on the 640-13 bias-ply size, where BFGoodrich appears in a restoration-oriented format rather than across a broad mix of competing brands and constructions.

That means the buying decision is less about comparing many brand names and more about deciding whether the bias-ply product path matches the car’s goals. If the wagon is being evaluated around a radial conversion, the more important questions become equivalent size, wheel compatibility, and how much traditional appearance you want to retain in the finished setup.

A period-style 1956 Opel Caravan & Wagon usually starts with the 640-13 bias-ply size, since that preserves the vintage sizing format associated with the car. In the available product mix, that size is offered as a BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tire, which keeps the selection aligned with a traditional restoration-oriented presentation.

Construction and sidewall style both shape how authentic the finished wagon feels visually. The wide whitewall option supports a distinctly mid-century look, while a radial conversion moves the car toward a different visual and driving character. When exact originality matters, it is worth checking marque-specific references before settling on a particular sidewall treatment.

Tire construction changes more than road feel on a restored 1956 Opel Caravan & Wagon; it also changes the car’s visual character. A 640-13 bias-ply tire keeps the vintage numeric size format and a more traditional presentation, while a 175R13 or other radial equivalent introduces a later-looking sizing convention even on the same 13-inch rim diameter.

That difference becomes especially noticeable on a compact wagon where sidewall shape and overall stance are easy to see. Owners building a restoration around period-style appearance often begin with the bias-ply format first, then refine the look through sidewall choice. Radial options still have a place, especially when road use matters, but they create a different overall impression.

Yes, modifications can change tire fitment on a 1956 Opel Caravan & Wagon even when the intended tire size is otherwise correct. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, altered offsets, suspension changes, or bodywork repairs can all influence whether a 640-13 or 175R13 setup clears properly on the actual car.

That is why a visual fitment check matters before committing to a tire, especially on older vehicles that may have gone through decades of repairs or upgrades. Look at steering clearance, inner-fender space, and the relationship between the tire and the wheel opening. Even a mild change in wheel hardware can alter how a vintage wagon sits and turns.

Inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and general suspension condition before putting a 1956 Opel Caravan & Wagon on new tires. It also helps to confirm the wheels are true, the tire size matches the intended setup, and there are no sharp edges, rubbing points, or old mechanical issues that could damage a fresh tire.

Once the tires are mounted, recheck air pressure, sidewall clearance, and turning clearance from lock to lock. A short, careful test drive can reveal vibration, pull, or contact issues early. On a collector vehicle that has been parked for long periods, wheel bearings, brakes, and aging rubber elsewhere on the chassis deserve attention too.

Tires on a collector 1956 Opel Caravan & Wagon should be inspected regularly for cracking, flat spotting, bulges, cuts, and gradual air loss. Even when tread wear is minimal, age and storage conditions matter because many collector cars spend long periods parked and may look usable long after rubber condition has started to decline.

Storage habits make a real difference. Keeping the wagon away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, extreme heat, and ozone sources helps protect the sidewalls and casing. Pressure should be checked before any road outing, not just at seasonal intervals. A car driven only occasionally still benefits from frequent walk-around inspections and periodic professional evaluation.