The 1957 Citroen CV belongs to a class of lightweight European economy cars that earned their reputation through simplicity, efficiency, and practical road manners rather than excess power or ornament. That character makes tire choice especially important, because a small, lightly built car responds noticeably to the correct dimensions and construction. For this model year, the 1957 Citroen CV uses a 125-400 radial tire, a classic millimetric fitment that differs from more familiar inch-based American sizing. The main decision is less about multiple fitments and more about selecting a tire that respects the car’s original proportions and wheel compatibility. That matters whether the goal is careful restoration, casual touring, or simply getting the car back on the road properly.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1957 Citroen CV
The 1957 Citroen CV uses one primary tire size: 125-400, and it is a radial fitment. Because this is a millimetric radial size rather than a modern inch-based size, the key decision is not choosing between multiple original sizes but confirming the correct wheel setup and selecting the right tire within that period-style format.
The 125-400 size is a classic millimetric radial format in which 125 refers to the nominal section width in millimeters and 400 refers to the wheel diameter in millimeters rather than inches. That makes it very different from modern P-metric and vintage American numeric sizing, so careful size identification matters. On a 1957 Citroen CV, this radial fitment suits the car’s lightweight design and narrow-tire proportions. Choosing this size keeps the focus on preserving the proper visual scale, wheel compatibility, and handling balance that a small French economy car depends on.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1957 Citroen CV covered here. The Base model uses the same primary tire size, so the main task is confirming that the car still has the proper millimetric wheel setup before selecting a replacement tire.
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1957 Citroen CV Base
The 1957 Citroen CV Base uses the 125-400 radial tire size. That keeps tire selection centered on staying with the correct millimetric radial fitment and checking that the wheels on the car have not been changed to a different diameter or sizing system.
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 CV usually need clarity on the unusual 125-400 millimetric radial size, wheel compatibility, restoration-minded tire selection, and the checks that matter before putting a lightly used collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1957 Citroen CV?
The 1957 Citroen CV uses a 125-400 radial tire. That is the primary fitment for this model and it belongs to an older millimetric sizing system rather than the inch-based numeric and alphanumeric sizes many collectors know from American cars.
Using the correct size matters because 125-400 is tied to a specific wheel diameter measured in millimeters. A car that has been modified at some point may no longer have its original wheel setup, so the safest next step is to confirm the wheels on the car before choosing a replacement tire.
What size rim does a 1957 Citroen CV use?
A 1957 Citroen CV with the original tire fitment uses a 400-millimeter wheel, which is built into the 125-400 tire size itself. This is not the same as a 15-inch or other inch-based rim, even if the dimensions may look close at a glance.
That distinction is important because a millimetric tire must match the proper millimetric wheel. Before ordering tires, inspect the wheels already on the car and make sure the vehicle has not been converted to a different diameter, especially if it has been restored, stored for years, or altered by a previous owner.
Does the 1957 Citroen CV Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1957 Citroen CV Base uses the same 125-400 radial tire size. That keeps fitment simple at the sub-model level, since there is not a separate original size to sort out within the covered CV lineup here.
Even with shared fitment, it is still worth checking the actual wheel setup on the individual car. Older European economy cars were often repaired and modified over time, so the practical question is less about trim level and more about whether the car still carries the correct millimetric wheels for 125-400 tires.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 125-400 tire for a 1957 Citroen CV?
Start with the basic fitment points: the 1957 Citroen CV uses a 125-400 radial, and that size must match the correct 400-millimeter wheel. Because it is a narrow millimetric tire, maintaining the proper format is usually more important than trying to adapt the car to a more familiar modern size.
After size confirmation, think about how the car will be used. A restoration-oriented owner may prioritize original-looking proportions, while a driver preparing the car for regular road use may focus on overall condition, wheel integrity, and how closely the replacement tire preserves the CV’s light, narrow-tire character.
How do I choose between the available 125-400 tires for a 1957 Citroen CV?
The first filter is staying with the proper 125-400 radial size for the 1957 Citroen CV. Once that is established, compare the tires on practical points such as overall presentation, intended driving use, and whether the tire suits a careful preservation car or a vehicle that will see more regular road miles.
Wheel condition and vehicle setup should influence the decision as much as the tire itself. A CV with original-style wheels, stock ride height, and a restoration focus may call for a different choice than a car that has seen years of repairs or changes, so inspect the full setup before making the final selection.
What rim-fitment details should I compare when choosing 1957 Citroen CV tires?
The most important rim-fitment detail on a 1957 Citroen CV is wheel diameter, because the 125-400 tire is built for a 400-millimeter rim. That measurement is fundamental and should be confirmed before looking at any other replacement details.
Beyond diameter, examine the wheel’s overall condition and make sure all four wheels match the tire format you plan to use. Collector cars sometimes end up with mixed wheels or later substitutions, and a proper tire decision depends on matching the tire to the actual wheels rather than assuming the car still has its original setup.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1957 Citroen CV?
For a period-style 1957 Citroen CV, the right starting point is the original-size 125-400 radial. That keeps the car in the proper millimetric format and preserves the narrow, light visual character that suits a small French economy car from the late 1950s.
A restoration-minded choice should support the car’s proportions as much as its road use. If exact historical authenticity matters beyond size alone, compare the tire’s appearance with marque literature, period photos, and model-specific restoration references so the finished car looks consistent with its era and intended presentation.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1957 Citroen CV restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1957 Citroen CV restoration. A small, lightly styled car can look noticeably wrong when it sits on the wrong diameter, the wrong width, or a modern replacement format that changes the visual scale of the wheel and tire package.
Proper fitment also affects how the car behaves on the road, especially with a lightweight chassis that depends on modest tire dimensions. Even if the CV is mainly a display or occasional-use car, confirming the correct 125-400 millimetric setup helps preserve both appearance and the car’s intended stance.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1957 Citroen CV?
Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1957 Citroen CV, especially if the car has been converted from its original millimetric wheel setup to a different wheel diameter or a more common modern tire system. Even small changes matter on a compact vehicle with narrow original tires.
Check the wheels first, then look at ride height, suspension condition, and clearance around the fenders and steering components. A CV that has been altered over the years may need a more careful inspection before any tire purchase, because the original 125-400 fitment depends on the correct wheel foundation.
What should I inspect before driving a 1957 Citroen CV on new tires?
Before driving a 1957 Citroen CV on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, verify that all four rims match the intended 125-400 fitment, and make sure the tires are seated properly and inflated evenly. On an older collector car, wheel condition is just as important as the tires themselves.
A short road check should also include steering response, brake feel, and any signs of rubbing or unusual vibration. Since many lightly used classics spend long periods parked, it is wise to look over suspension bushings, wheel fasteners, and general chassis condition before putting the car back into regular motion.
How should 125-400 tires on a collector 1957 Citroen CV be maintained?
125-400 tires on a collector 1957 Citroen CV should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Look for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss, especially on a vehicle that may spend much of its time parked rather than driven frequently.
Storage conditions make a real difference on an older specialty size. Keep the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources, and inspect the tires again before each drive after long layups. A lightly used tire can still age out, even when tread wear looks minimal.
