1957 Austin A 95 Tires

The 1957 Austin A 95 uses 670-15, 185R15, or 640-15 depending on sub-model and tire setup. The Countryman uses 670-15 bias-ply, while the Westminster appears with either 185R15 radial or 640-15 bias-ply, all on 15-inch rims.

That means the first job is identifying the exact sub-model and confirming what is currently on the car. A Westminster with radial tires should not be treated the same as one still using 640-15 bias-ply, and any long-stored or modified car deserves a close wheel and clearance check before replacement.

The 1957 Austin A 95 uses a 15-inch rim with its primary tire sizes. The fitments covered here are 670-15, 185R15, and 640-15, and each one is built around a 15-inch wheel diameter.

Rim diameter is only part of the decision, especially on a car that may have seen wheel changes over the years. It still helps to verify wheel width and make sure the tire construction you choose matches the current setup, since a Westminster may be running either a bias-ply or radial arrangement.

No. The 1957 Austin A 95 Countryman uses 670-15 bias-ply, while the 1957 Austin A 95 Westminster is associated with either 185R15 radial or 640-15 bias-ply. Tire fitment changes by sub-model and by construction.

That variation matters because it changes more than the size printed on the sidewall. It also affects the kind of replacement you should compare, the sidewall styles available, and whether a radial-equivalent discussion even applies, so identifying the exact version of the car avoids choosing from the wrong part of the product range.

For the 1957 Austin A 95, 670-15 is a bias-ply tire size. It is the primary fitment associated with the Countryman and represents the traditional construction style used on many mid-century vehicles of this period.

That matters because a 670-15 bias-ply replacement keeps the car in its original construction family, while a radial alternative changes the tire type even if the rim diameter stays the same. Owners considering that move should confirm wheel width, overall dimensions, and body or steering clearance before making the switch.

Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15 as an 80-series metric radial, P205/75R15 as a 75-series P-metric radial, P215/70R15 as a 70-series P-metric radial, and 670R15 as a bias-look radial. The recommended rim-width range for these equivalents is 5 to 7 inches.

Those options give different sizing conventions and profile families, so they should be treated as alternatives rather than automatic substitutions. A buyer should compare the chosen radial against the car's wheel width, the space around the fenders and steering components, and the overall look desired for the vehicle.

Start by confirming the car's actual tire size, wheel diameter, and wheel width, then compare the available radial equivalent for that bias-ply fitment. On a 1957 Austin A 95, the relevant conversions are tied to the original 670-15 or 640-15 size rather than to the model name alone.

A careful conversion also means checking clearance at the fenders, suspension, and steering range, especially if the car has non-original wheels or suspension changes. Road-use goals matter too, because some owners want a radial alternative for driving while others prefer to keep the traditional appearance and construction of a bias-ply tire.

A 670-15 choice starts with confirming that the car is the Countryman or another A 95 setup already using that size. From there, the main factors are bias-ply construction, 15-inch wheel compatibility, sidewall style, tire series, and whether the car is being kept in a restoration-oriented presentation or driven with a more practical replacement plan.

The available 670-15 range includes blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options from several brands, so appearance can change substantially even within the correct size. Wheel width should still be checked against the chosen tire, and load figures may matter if the car is expected to carry passengers or luggage regularly.

The 1957 Austin A 95 has several sidewall treatments available across its tire sizes, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline. The exact sidewall choices depend on whether the car is using 670-15, 185R15, or 640-15 and which tire series is being considered.

That makes sidewall choice as much an appearance decision as a fitment decision. A whitewall can reinforce a formal mid-century look, while blackwall or redline gives a different visual character, so it helps to decide whether the priority is a subdued road look, a more traditional presentation, or a restoration-oriented finish.

Tires for the 1957 Austin A 95 are available from Firestone, BFGoodrich, US Royal, Goodyear, Michelin, Avon, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, Excelsior, and STA. Brand availability varies by size, with the broadest assortment appearing in 670-15 and more focused groups in 185R15 and 640-15.

The better way to use that brand variety is to narrow the search by correct size and construction first, then compare sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility. That approach keeps the selection grounded in the car's actual fitment instead of choosing a brand first and trying to force the tire choice afterward.

A period-style 1957 Austin A 95 usually starts with the primary size and construction used by the specific sub-model. That means 670-15 bias-ply for the Countryman, and either 640-15 bias-ply or 185R15 radial for the Westminster, depending on the car's configuration.

Once the size is settled, the visual character often comes from the sidewall treatment and tire series rather than from size alone. Buyers focused on exact originality should compare their choice against marque-specific references or restoration documentation, since a period-style tire can look appropriate without necessarily matching every original delivery detail.

Tire construction can change the whole visual stance of a restored 1957 Austin A 95. Bias-ply tires usually preserve the traditional mid-century presentation associated with sizes like 670-15 and 640-15, while a radial such as 185R15 gives the car a more modern tire format even when the rim diameter remains 15 inches.

That distinction matters most when the restoration aims for a strongly period-oriented look. Sidewall choice also plays a major role, since blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline treatments create very different impressions, so construction and sidewall should be chosen together rather than as separate decisions.

Yes. Any wheel, suspension, ride-height, or body change can affect tire fitment on a 1957 Austin A 95, even when the tire size itself is correct for the model. Clearance at the fenders, steering components, and suspension travel can change enough to matter.

That is especially important when moving between bias-ply and radial choices or when the car no longer carries its original wheels. A quick check of wheel width, tire-to-body clearance, and steering lock travel can prevent rubbing issues and helps confirm that the selected tire still suits the vehicle's current setup.

Before driving a 1957 Austin A 95 on new tires, inspect wheel condition, valve stems, tire pressure, lug hardware, and basic suspension condition. It also helps to look for any obvious clearance concerns with the chosen size, especially if the car has been stored for long periods or recently changed from one tire construction to another.

A short, careful test drive is a smart follow-up after installation. During that first run, listen for rubbing, watch for steering pull or vibration, and recheck pressure once the tires have settled in, since collector cars often reveal wheel or alignment issues only after they return to regular road use.

Collector-car tire care for a 1957 Austin A 95 starts with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and watching for cracking, bulges, cuts, or unexplained air loss. That applies whether the car is using 670-15 bias-ply, 640-15 bias-ply, or 185R15 radial tires.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a low-use car. Keeping the Austin away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and occasional inspection of tread wear and sidewall condition is worthwhile even when the car spends most of its time parked rather than on the road.