1956 Standard Ten Tires

The 1956 Standard Ten is associated with two tire sizes: 560-13 in bias-ply construction and 155R13 in radial construction. Both are 13-inch fitments, so the main distinction is not wheel diameter but the tire sizing system and construction style used on the car.

That means the first step is deciding whether the Standard Ten is being kept in a more traditional bias-ply format or moved to a radial-style fitment. After that, check the actual wheel width on the car, since the available products for these sizes do not all use the same rim-width range.

The recognized tire fitments for the 1956 Standard Ten use a 13-inch rim diameter. Both 560-13 and 155R13 are built around that same wheel diameter, which keeps rim size straightforward even though the car can be fitted with either bias-ply or radial construction.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a car like this. Wheel width still matters, especially when comparing a narrow bias-ply setup with a radial alternative, so it is worth confirming the actual wheels on the car before choosing between the available 13-inch tire options.

The Base and Estate versions of the 1956 Standard Ten are both associated with the same two recognized tire sizes: 560-13 bias-ply and 155R13 radial. In practical terms, sub-model fitment does not split into separate wheel diameters or unique tire-size families here.

That consistency makes selection easier, but it does not remove the need to inspect the car itself. Older vehicles are often fitted with replacement wheels over time, so confirming wheel width, current tire clearance, and whether the car is set up for bias-ply or radial use is still a smart final check.

On the 1956 Standard Ten, 560-13 is the bias-ply tire size. It uses a vintage numeric sizing format and is the more traditional fitment style for owners who want a period-oriented tire presentation, especially when choosing among the available whitewall bias-ply products.

The radial counterpart associated with this car is 155R13, which keeps the same 13-inch rim diameter but changes the construction and sizing convention. Moving between the two is more than a label change, so the wheel width and overall vehicle setup should be confirmed before deciding which direction suits the car best.

Radial equivalents for 560-13 include 155R13 as the 80-series metric radial option, P155/75R13 as the 75-series P-metric alternative, and P155/70R13 as the 70-series P-metric alternative. No bias-look radial equivalent is identified for this particular fitment.

Those options give a useful range of radial formats, but they should be treated as alternatives rather than automatic substitutes. A 4- to 5-inch rim-width range is tied to these equivalents, and the final choice should still be checked against wheel width, clearance, and the car's overall stance before conversion.

Start by confirming the existing wheel diameter and width, since the 1956 Standard Ten keeps the same 13-inch rim diameter but not every tire choice uses the same rim-width range. Then compare the intended radial size, such as 155R13 or one of the P-metric equivalents, with the car's actual wheel setup.

Steering clearance, fender clearance, and suspension condition all deserve attention on an older compact car before the change is made. It also helps to decide whether the goal is a traditional appearance or a radial-style road setup, because that choice affects both the look of the car and the tire selection path.

The main decision for a 1956 Standard Ten is whether to use 560-13 bias-ply tires or 155R13 radials. Both sizes use a 13-inch rim, but they differ in construction, sizing convention, available sidewall treatments, and the wheel-width ranges tied to the products in each group.

A restoration-minded owner may focus first on the traditional look of the bias-ply options, while a driver may prefer the radial format. After choosing the construction path, compare brand, tire series, sidewall style, and wheel compatibility so the selected tire suits both the car's appearance and its actual wheel setup.

The available 1956 Standard Ten tire choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Blackwall appears in the 155R13 radial selections, while the 560-13 bias-ply options include both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall treatments.

That spread gives the car very different visual personalities depending on the tire selected. A blackwall radial keeps the presentation understated, while the whitewall bias-ply options lean more heavily into a mid-1950s restoration look, so the right choice depends on whether the priority is appearance, construction type, or both.

Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone all offer applicable tire options for the 1956 Standard Ten. Michelin and Dunlop appear in the 155R13 radial category, while BFGoodrich and Firestone cover the 560-13 bias-ply side with different whitewall presentations and tire series.

Brand comparison on this car works best when tied to the size and construction you plan to use. Once that is settled, look at the differences in tire series, sidewall treatment, load specification where stated, and wheel-width compatibility rather than assuming every brand choice serves the same purpose.

For a period-style 1956 Standard Ten, the 560-13 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it preserves the vintage numeric format and traditional construction associated with the era. Within that size, the choice shifts to appearance details such as narrow whitewall or wide whitewall presentation.

That does not mean every 560-13 tire is automatically the right restoration answer for every car. Owners pursuing exact originality should compare the tire's look against marque references, period photos, or other vehicle-specific documentation, while also making sure the wheel width on the car matches the intended bias-ply option.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1956 Standard Ten more than many owners expect. A 560-13 bias-ply gives the car a more traditional small-sedan stance, especially in whitewall form, while a 155R13 radial usually creates a more restrained blackwall presentation.

That visual difference matters because the tire sits high in the car's overall profile despite its compact size. Choosing between bias-ply and radial should therefore reflect the restoration goal as much as the driving plan, with wheel width and overall fitment checked carefully before settling on one approach.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1956 Standard Ten even when the nominal tire size appears correct. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or bodywork repairs can all change how a 560-13 or 155R13 tire sits within the fender and steering envelope.

A modified car should be checked at full steering lock and through normal suspension movement before finalizing the tire choice. This matters especially when moving between bias-ply and radial construction, since the wheel setup that suits one type may not match the preferred rim-width range of the other.

Before putting a 1956 Standard Ten back on the road with new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the wheel width suits the selected tire, and make sure the tires are mounted in the intended size and construction. It also helps to check valve stems, balance, and general suspension condition.

Once the car is on the ground, look for steering clearance, fender clearance, and any signs of rubbing during low-speed movement. A short initial drive followed by another inspection is worthwhile on a collector vehicle, especially if the car has been stored for long periods or recently changed from bias-ply to radial.

Tires on a collector 1956 Standard Ten should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Even low-mileage vintage cars can develop tire problems from age, heat, sunlight, ozone exposure, or long stationary periods rather than from tread wear alone.

Routine checks should include looking for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss. Keeping the car in a clean, dry storage space and inspecting the tires before each season or longer drive helps preserve both bias-ply and radial fitments, especially on a small classic that may spend much of its life parked.