1957 AC Saloon Tires

The 1957 AC Saloon is associated with two primary tire sizes: 185R16 in radial construction and 670-16 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes use a 16-inch rim, so the fitment question is less about wheel diameter and more about which construction the car is set up to use.

That distinction matters because a radial and a bias-ply tire can place different demands on wheel width, clearance, and overall setup. A car kept in a restoration-oriented, period-style configuration may stay with 670-16, while a car configured for radial use may use 185R16. Checking the actual wheels on the car is the best next step before choosing between the two.

The 1957 AC Saloon uses a 16-inch rim with both of its associated tire sizes, 185R16 and 670-16. That shared rim diameter makes wheel size more straightforward than construction choice, since the main fitment split comes from radial versus bias-ply rather than from different wheel diameters.

Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, though. Wheel width still needs to match the tire being considered, especially when comparing a radial like 185R16 with a narrower-spec bias-ply such as 670-16. Looking at the actual wheel dimensions on the car helps avoid selecting a tire that suits the diameter but not the wheel's usable width.

The 1957 AC Saloon Base is associated with the same two tire sizes used at the model level: 185R16 radial and 670-16 bias-ply. In practice, that means the Base does not introduce a separate sub-model-only tire size or a different rim diameter within this fitment group.

Even with shared sub-model fitment, the right selection still depends on how the individual car is equipped today. A Base model on wheels intended for bias-ply service may point toward 670-16, while a car already set up around radial use may be better matched to 185R16. Confirming the current wheel and suspension setup keeps the choice grounded in the car itself.

Start with the correct construction path. A 670-16 is a traditional numeric bias-ply size, while 185R16 is a Euro-metric radial, and both are used on 16-inch rims for the 1957 AC Saloon. That makes construction, not just size code, the first buying decision.

After that, compare the car's wheel dimensions with the tire's rim-width requirements and think about how the car will be used. A restoration-oriented owner may prefer the period-style look and feel of bias-ply construction, while a road-use-focused owner may lean toward a classic radial. Brand, tire series, load figures, and overall presentation can then narrow the final choice.

The available 1957 AC Saloon tire choices are offered in blackwall sidewall style across both the 185R16 radial and 670-16 bias-ply fitments. That gives the car a restrained, traditional presentation without introducing whitewall or stripe variations into this particular selection.

Because sidewall style does not vary here, the visual decision shifts toward construction and tire series. A blackwall bias-ply still presents differently from a blackwall radial, especially on a 1950s saloon where sidewall shape and tread profile influence the overall stance. Owners focused on appearance can use that difference to guide the choice without having to sort through multiple decorative sidewall treatments.

Tires for the 1957 AC Saloon are available from Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, and Firestone. The radial 185R16 fitment includes Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein options, while the 670-16 bias-ply fitment includes Firestone and Avon choices.

That brand spread gives buyers a useful way to compare products once the correct size and construction have been decided. Some differences come through tire series, rim-width suitability, and load-related specifications rather than sidewall style, since the available products are blackwall. The best comparison starts by separating radial options from bias-ply options, then narrowing the field to the tire that matches the car's setup and intended use.

For a period-style 1957 AC Saloon, the 670-16 bias-ply fitment is the natural starting point because it keeps the car in a traditional numeric bias-ply size and construction. That approach generally suits owners who want the tire's shape and visual character to stay closer to what a 1950s saloon would have worn.

A 185R16 radial can still be appropriate on a collector car, but it changes the construction story even though the rim diameter remains the same. Owners aiming for a restoration-oriented result usually weigh appearance first, then road use. If exact originality matters beyond general period style, marque-specific references and vehicle history are the right places to confirm the finer details.

Tire construction can noticeably change how a restored 1957 AC Saloon sits and presents, even when both choices use a 16-inch wheel. A 670-16 bias-ply delivers a more traditional vintage tire format, while a 185R16 radial introduces a later-style radial look within a classic size range.

That visual difference matters on a car with restrained 1950s proportions, where tire profile and sidewall shape influence the overall stance. Since the available products are blackwall, the construction itself becomes a major part of the appearance decision. Buyers balancing restoration character with practical road use often find that this choice matters as much as the brand name on the sidewall.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1957 AC Saloon even when the nominal tire size appears correct. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body clearance differences can all influence whether a 670-16 bias-ply or 185R16 radial is the better match.

That is especially important on a collector vehicle that may have been updated at some point in its life. A car fitted with non-original wheels may still use a 16-inch diameter but need a different wheel-width check than a stock setup. Looking at steering clearance, fender space, and the wheel's actual dimensions helps avoid choosing by size code alone.

Before driving a 1957 AC Saloon on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and sound condition, then confirm that the tires are mounted and inflated properly. It also makes sense to look over suspension and steering components, because worn parts can affect how a fresh bias-ply or radial tire behaves on the road.

A careful walk-around should include checking for adequate fender and steering clearance, especially if the car has had wheel or suspension changes over the years. After the first miles, recheck air pressure and look for any signs of rubbing or uneven settling. That basic routine helps the tires and the chassis work together the way they should.

Collector-car tires on a 1957 AC Saloon should be inspected regularly for air loss, tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and age-related deterioration. That applies whether the car is running 670-16 bias-ply tires or 185R16 radials, since low annual mileage does not prevent rubber from aging.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a vintage car. Keeping the Saloon away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives, and maintaining proper inflation helps protect both ride quality and casing shape. Owners who use the car only occasionally should still inspect the tires before every meaningful road outing.