The 1957 Citroen 11 belongs to the long-running Traction Avant family, a car remembered for its advanced front-wheel-drive layout, low stance, and distinctly French engineering character. By the late 1950s, it remained a practical and sophisticated choice whose road manners depended heavily on keeping the correct millimetric tire fitment. This model uses radial tires in specialized 400-millimeter sizes, with fitment varying by sub-model rather than one universal size across the range. That makes the real choice less about converting construction and more about confirming whether the car is an 11 B, 11 BL, or 11 F before selecting the proper tire. For restoration-minded owners, preserving the right proportions and stance starts with that exact size match.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1957 Citroen 11
The 1957 Citroen 11 uses three primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model. All three are radial millimetric fitments, so the first step is identifying whether the car is an 11 B, 11 BL, or 11 F rather than choosing among different constructions. Once that is confirmed, the focus shifts to selecting the proper size to preserve the car’s intended proportions and wheel compatibility.
165-400 is a classic millimetric radial size in which 165 refers to nominal section width in millimeters and 400 refers to the wheel diameter in millimeters. On the 1957 Citroen 11, this is a true radial fitment rather than a later conversion choice, which is important for maintaining the car’s intended stance and road presentation. With an approximate section width of 6.5 inches, it sits in the middle of the covered sizes for this model family. This size should be chosen only for the sub-model that uses it, after confirming the actual wheel setup on the car.
155-400 is a millimetric radial size that uses a 155-millimeter nominal section width and a 400-millimeter wheel diameter. Its radial construction matches the 1957 Citroen 11 fitment style directly, so the key issue is selecting the correct sub-model application rather than deciding between bias-ply and radial construction. At about 6.1 inches section width, it is the narrowest of the three sizes associated with this vehicle family. Buyers considering this size should confirm they are working with the 11 BL and that the wheels remain in the correct millimetric configuration.
185-400 is a classic metric radial size, with 185 denoting nominal section width in millimeters and 400 indicating wheel diameter in millimeters. For the 1957 Citroen 11, it is a primary radial fitment used on a specific sub-model rather than an alternate sizing choice for the whole range. Its approximate 7.28-inch section width makes it the widest of the three covered sizes, which gives it a distinctly different fitment role from the narrower 155-400 and 165-400 options. Choosing this size starts with confirming the car is the sub-model intended to use it and that wheel dimensions have not been changed.
Sub-model identification matters on the 1957 Citroen 11 because tire fitment is not shared across the full range. Each covered version uses its own radial millimetric size, so selecting tires starts with confirming the exact model designation on the car.
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1957 Citroen 11 B
The 1957 Citroen 11 B uses the 165-400 radial size, placing it in the middle of the three fitments associated with this model family. Tire selection here is mainly about preserving the proper millimetric fitment and confirming that the wheels have not been changed from their intended configuration.
The 1957 Citroen 11 BL uses the narrower 155-400 radial size. That makes careful size confirmation especially important, since moving to a different covered Citroen 11 size would change the vehicle’s presentation and should not be assumed appropriate without checking the wheel setup.
The 1957 Citroen 11 F uses the 185-400 radial size, the widest primary fitment among the covered sub-models. Owners should verify the exact sub-model and wheel configuration first, because this is a distinct fitment choice rather than a general Citroen 11 replacement size.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Owners of a 1957 Citroen 11 usually need clarity on exact sub-model sizing, millimetric wheel fitment, radial construction, and what to inspect before putting a collector-era Citroen back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1957 Citroen 11?
A 1957 Citroen 11 can use 155-400, 165-400, or 185-400, depending on the sub-model. The 11 BL uses 155-400, the 11 B uses 165-400, and the 11 F uses 185-400. All three are radial millimetric sizes rather than modern inch-based fitments.
The key step is matching the tire to the exact model designation on the car. A Citroen 11 does not use one universal size across the range, so owners should confirm the sub-model and inspect the wheels carefully before ordering replacement tires, especially if the car has been altered or stored for many years.
Do all 1957 Citroen 11 sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1957 Citroen 11 range uses different tire sizes by sub-model. The 11 BL uses 155-400, the 11 B uses 165-400, and the 11 F uses 185-400. Even though all three are radial millimetric fitments, the sizing itself is not shared across the covered versions.
That difference matters because a tire that suits one Citroen 11 sub-model should not automatically be treated as correct for another. Before replacing tires, verify the model designation, confirm the wheel dimensions on the vehicle, and compare the existing setup carefully if the car has a restoration history or prior owner modifications.
What does 165-400 mean on a 1957 Citroen 11?
On a 1957 Citroen 11, 165-400 is a classic metric radial size. The 165 refers to the tire’s nominal section width in millimeters, while 400 refers to the wheel diameter in millimeters. It is not the same sizing language used by modern inch-based American fitments.
Understanding that format helps prevent ordering the wrong tire for a millimetric wheel. Owners should treat the 400 measurement as a wheel-size requirement, then confirm that the car is the 11 B sub-model before choosing this size, since other Citroen 11 variants in the same year use different millimetric radial dimensions.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165-400 tire for a 1957 Citroen 11?
Start by confirming that the car is a 1957 Citroen 11 B, since 165-400 is tied to that sub-model. This is a radial millimetric fitment, so the main priority is preserving the correct wheel relationship and overall visual proportions rather than choosing between vintage bias-ply and modern radial construction.
A careful buyer should also inspect whether the wheels remain in their intended millimetric format and whether the car has been modified over time. On an older Citroen, previous repairs, wheel substitutions, or long storage can complicate fitment, so matching the sub-model and wheel dimensions matters as much as selecting a fresh tire.
How do I choose between the available 1957 Citroen 11 tire sizes?
The three covered tire sizes for a 1957 Citroen 11 are not optional alternatives for the same car. Each one belongs to a different sub-model: 155-400 for 11 BL, 165-400 for 11 B, and 185-400 for 11 F. The correct choice comes from vehicle identification first, not personal preference.
Once the sub-model is confirmed, inspect the wheels actually on the vehicle and compare them with the intended millimetric setup. That step is especially important on collector cars, where a previous owner may have changed wheels or tires long ago. Choosing by appearance alone can lead to the wrong size for the car.
What rim-fitment details should I compare when choosing 1957 Citroen 11 tires?
The most important rim-fitment detail on a 1957 Citroen 11 is that these are 400-millimeter wheel applications, not ordinary inch-based fitments. A 155-400, 165-400, or 185-400 tire must match the correct wheel diameter in millimeters as well as the proper sub-model application.
Owners should also inspect the wheel itself for prior replacement, damage, or mismatched components before installing new tires. On an older car, the safest approach is to confirm the wheel size stamped or measured on the vehicle and to check clearance at the fenders and steering range if any suspension or wheel changes are present.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1957 Citroen 11?
A period-style 1957 Citroen 11 should start with the exact sub-model size rather than a general Citroen replacement. That means 155-400 for an 11 BL, 165-400 for an 11 B, or 185-400 for an 11 F. Because these are radial millimetric fitments, keeping the proper dimensions plays a major role in the car’s overall look.
Appearance on a Traction Avant is strongly affected by tire proportions, so choosing the wrong width can alter the stance noticeably. Owners seeking a highly authentic restoration should compare the tire choice with marque references, period photographs, or restoration documentation, especially if the car has changed hands or undergone earlier refurbishment.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1957 Citroen 11 restoration?
Yes. Correct tire fitment matters on a 1957 Citroen 11 because the car’s low, streamlined profile is closely tied to its wheel and tire proportions. Using the proper 155-400, 165-400, or 185-400 size for the specific sub-model helps maintain the intended visual balance and avoids a mismatched presentation.
Restoration-minded owners should look beyond tread alone and verify that the wheel setup still matches the car’s original-style millimetric arrangement. A Citroen that has been converted, modified, or stored for decades may need careful measurement before new tires are installed, since an incorrect wheel can undermine both appearance and fitment.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1957 Citroen 11?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1957 Citroen 11, especially if the car has had wheel substitutions, suspension work, brake changes, or body repairs over the years. Since this model uses specialized 400-millimeter radial sizes, even a seemingly minor change can complicate replacement-tire selection.
A smart check includes verifying the actual wheel diameter on the car, confirming the sub-model, and inspecting steering and fender clearance before mounting fresh tires. Older restorations do not always retain their original-style wheel setup, so the vehicle should be evaluated as it sits rather than assumed to remain exactly as built.
What should I inspect before driving a 1957 Citroen 11 on new tires?
Before driving a 1957 Citroen 11 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, corrosion, and correct millimetric sizing, then confirm that all four tires match the intended sub-model fitment. It also makes sense to check valve stems, wheel hardware, and whether the tires seat properly on the rims.
A roadworthy inspection should continue with tire pressure, visible clearance at full steering travel, and the condition of suspension and steering components. On a collector-era Citroen, long storage can hide issues such as stiff bushings, loose hardware, or uneven wheel alignment, all of which can affect how the new tires behave once the car is moving.
How should 400-millimeter tires on a collector 1957 Citroen 11 be maintained?
400-millimeter tires on a collector 1957 Citroen 11 should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and protected from long exposure to heat, sunlight, and ozone sources. Even a car driven only occasionally still needs routine tire checks because age can matter as much as mileage.
Storage habits play a major role in preserving specialized tires on an older Citroen. Keeping the car in a clean, dry space and watching for slow air loss can help catch problems early. Before any longer drive, inspect tread and sidewalls closely and confirm that the tires still match the vehicle’s current wheel setup.
