The 1957 Daimler Century comes from a period when British luxury and sporting character often met in one distinguished touring car. Buyers drawn to this model today are usually balancing graceful period presentation with the realities of modern road use. Tire fitment for the 1957 Daimler Century centers on two 15-inch choices: a 670-15 bias-ply for a traditional vintage setup and a 185R15 radial for a more modern construction. That opens the door to blackwall, whitewall, and redline appearances across several brands and tire series. The right choice depends on whether the priority is restoration-minded character, radial road manners, or preserving the proper look on the car’s existing wheels.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1957 Daimler Century
The 1957 Daimler Century uses two primary tire sizes, and the first step is deciding whether the car is staying with a traditional 670-15 bias-ply setup or using a 185R15 radial on the same 15-inch rim diameter. Since the Base & Coupe configuration is associated with both sizes, the real decision is construction, appearance, and wheel compatibility rather than sub-model separation alone.
185R15 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 185 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, R identifies radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1957 Daimler Century, this size represents the radial path and suits owners looking for a more modern tire construction while keeping a 15-inch fitment. Available choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and redline styles from brands such as Michelin, Avon, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire. It is the size to evaluate when road-use priorities point toward radial construction but the car still needs a period-aware overall presentation.
670-15 is a numeric bias-ply size, with the 670 designating an approximate 6.70-inch nominal section width and the 15 identifying the wheel diameter. For the 1957 Daimler Century, this is the traditional vintage construction and the size most closely aligned with an authentic mid-century tire look. Choices span blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall treatments across Firestone, US Royal, BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Excelsior, Universal Vintage Tire, Coker Classic, Avon, and STA series. It is the size to consider when visual character, restoration-oriented appearance, and classic bias-ply presentation are central to the car’s final stance.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the 1957 Daimler Century Base & Coupe is associated with the same two 15-inch tire choices. Checking the exact configuration still matters, since the main decision is whether the car is set up for the 670-15 bias-ply fitment or the 185R15 radial alternative.
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1957 Daimler Century Base & Coupe
The Base & Coupe configuration is associated with both the 670-15 bias-ply size and the 185R15 radial size on 15-inch wheels. That means tire selection comes down to the car’s current wheel setup, the look you want to preserve, and whether traditional bias-ply construction or radial construction better suits the intended use.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1957 Daimler Century
For the 670-15 primary size, four radial-equivalent options are available. They 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 equivalent. Together, these choices range from traditional metric radial sizing to a lower-profile P-metric alternative, with the 670R15 aimed at a more vintage visual presentation. A recommended rim width range of 5-7 inches is associated with these equivalents, and wheel fit, overall dimensions, and clearance should be checked before changing from the original size.
Modern Radial Equivalents
195R15
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (670-15)
P205/75R15
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (670-15)
P215/70R15
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (670-15)
670R15
Bias-look Radial Equivalent (670-15)
Important Considerations When Replacing Bias Ply With Radial
Compare overall diameter and section width carefully to ensure proper fit.
Verify recommended rim range (5-7 in) and load needs match your vehicle specifications.
Check fender clearance, steering clearance, and stance before installation.
Consider suspension condition and intended road use when choosing equivalents.
Important Fitment Notes
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.
Best 1957 Daimler Century Tires for Sale
Available 1957 Daimler Century tire choices cover both 185R15 radial and 670-15 bias-ply fitments, with brands including Michelin, Avon, Firestone, BFGoodrich, Goodyear, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, Excelsior, and STA. The main comparison points are construction, tire series, and sidewall style, from blackwall and narrow whitewall to wide whitewall and redline.
Common 1957 Daimler Century tire questions usually come down to the two 15-inch fitments, how bias-ply and radial choices differ, which sidewall style best suits the car, and what should be checked before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1957 Daimler Century?
The 1957 Daimler Century uses two primary tire sizes: 670-15 in bias-ply construction and 185R15 in radial construction. Both are 15-inch fitments, so the key difference is not wheel diameter alone but the tire sizing system and construction type being used on the car.
The practical next step is confirming which setup is actually on the vehicle now. A car restored around a vintage bias-ply look may be better matched to 670-15 choices, while a car already running radial-compatible wheels and a more road-focused setup may point toward 185R15. Construction, wheel width, and clearance deserve a quick check before selecting a tire.
What size rim does a 1957 Daimler Century use?
The 1957 Daimler Century uses a 15-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. That applies whether the car is using the 670-15 bias-ply fitment or the 185R15 radial fitment, so the wheel diameter remains consistent across both tire choices.
Diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially when comparing bias-ply and radial tires. Radial products in 185R15 and equivalents tied to 670-15 can call for different rim-width ranges, so measuring the actual wheel is worthwhile before making a change. That helps avoid pairing a correct diameter tire with a wheel width that does not suit the intended construction.
What does 670-15 mean on a 1957 Daimler Century?
670-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size. The 670 refers to an approximate 6.70-inch nominal section width, while the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1957 Daimler Century, it represents the traditional bias-ply fitment and gives the car a distinctly mid-century tire profile and appearance.
Understanding that format helps when comparing it to a radial option like 185R15. The two sizes are not just different labels for the same construction; they reflect different tire families and different visual character. If the goal is to keep the car looking period-minded, 670-15 is often the starting point, while radial alternatives should be checked more carefully for wheel and clearance compatibility.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 670-15 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1957 Daimler Century?
670-15 is the bias-ply tire size associated with the 1957 Daimler Century. It uses the older numeric sizing system and is separate from the 185R15 radial fitment, which follows a Euro-metric radial format on the same 15-inch wheel diameter.
That distinction matters because a bias-ply tire affects both appearance and setup decisions. Buyers often stay with 670-15 when the goal is a traditional profile and sidewall presentation, especially with blackwall or whitewall bias-ply offerings. Changing to a radial path calls for more than matching wheel diameter; wheel width and vehicle clearance should be reviewed as part of the decision.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 670-15?
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 equivalent. These alternatives give the 1957 Daimler Century owner several radial sizing formats to compare against the original bias-ply size.
Each equivalent should be treated as an alternative rather than an automatic substitute. The recommended rim width range associated with these equivalents is 5-7 inches, which makes wheel measurement especially important before conversion. Overall tire dimensions, steering clearance, and the car’s intended use all deserve attention before settling on one radial equivalent over another.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1957 Daimler Century?
The answer depends on how the 1957 Daimler Century is being used and how closely you want to preserve a traditional presentation. A 670-15 bias-ply keeps the car in a vintage tire format, while 185R15 and the radial equivalents tied to 670-15 provide modern radial construction within the same general 15-inch fitment family.
Buyers focused on restoration-minded appearance often start with the bias-ply size and then choose a sidewall treatment that suits the car. Owners planning more regular road use may prefer to evaluate the radial options, but only after checking wheel width and clearances. The better choice is the one that matches the car’s setup, visual goals, and intended driving habits.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 670-15 tire for a 1957 Daimler Century?
Start with the reason for choosing 670-15 in the first place. This size is the traditional bias-ply fitment for the 1957 Daimler Century, so the main considerations are preserving that vintage construction, selecting a sidewall style that suits the car, and confirming the wheel matches the tire’s intended rim-width range.
Product differences in this size include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles along with several classic tire series from Firestone, US Royal, BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Universal Vintage Tire, and others. Load figures and wheel-width specifications also vary by product. Those details matter when the car is being restored for appearance, prepared for touring, or fitted with wheels that may not be original.
What sidewall styles are available for 1957 Daimler Century tires?
The 1957 Daimler Century has access to several sidewall presentations depending on size and construction. Blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall are available in 670-15 bias-ply, while 185R15 radial choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and redline options.
That gives the car noticeably different visual directions without changing the overall year-make-model focus. A wide whitewall can lean into a formal mid-century presentation, while blackwall keeps the look simpler and more understated. Redline introduces a sportier appearance on the radial side. The best choice depends on the car’s trim, finish, and whether the goal is a restrained touring look or a stronger period-style statement.
What brands offer tires for the 1957 Daimler Century?
The 1957 Daimler Century has tire options from several brands across its two primary sizes. Radial choices in 185R15 include Coker Classic, Michelin, Avon, and Universal Vintage Tire. Bias-ply choices in 670-15 include Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, BFGoodrich, Excelsior, Goodyear, Avon, and STA.
Brand choice works best as part of a broader comparison rather than the only deciding factor. Tire series, sidewall style, construction, rim-width compatibility, and load figures can vary within the same size. A buyer narrowing the field should first settle on radial versus bias-ply, then compare the available brands in that construction for the look and specification range that best suits the car.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1957 Daimler Century?
For a period-style 1957 Daimler Century, the 670-15 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it keeps the car in a vintage numeric tire format. Within that size, blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall variations are available, allowing the final look to be tailored without leaving the traditional construction family.
Exact originality can depend on details beyond size alone, so a serious restoration benefits from checking marque references or historical vehicle documentation before settling on a brand or sidewall treatment. For many owners, though, the main visual decision is simpler: retain the classic bias-ply profile and then choose the sidewall style that best matches the car’s trim and intended presentation.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1957 Daimler Century?
Tire construction changes more than ride character on a restored 1957 Daimler Century; it also changes the car’s visual impression. A 670-15 bias-ply gives a more traditional vintage presentation, while a 185R15 radial or radial equivalent can shift the look slightly even when the wheel diameter stays at 15 inches.
That difference is why many restoration-minded owners decide on construction before choosing brand or sidewall style. If the goal is to preserve the car’s mid-century character, the bias-ply route usually provides the most familiar period-style profile. If regular road use is the priority, a radial may still suit the project, but it is worth comparing how the finished car will look from the curb.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1957 Daimler Century?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1957 Daimler Century even when the tire size itself is correct. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension alterations, or bodywork differences can all influence how a 670-15 or 185R15 sits in the wheel opening and how much clearance remains during steering and suspension travel.
A modified car should be measured rather than assumed to match stock dimensions. Wheel diameter may still be 15 inches, but offset, width, and tire section shape can change the result. Checking clearance at the fender edge, inner wheelhouse, and front steering range is especially important before moving from a bias-ply setup to a radial or one of the radial-equivalent sizes.
What should I inspect before driving a 1957 Daimler Century on new tires?
Before driving a 1957 Daimler Century on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm lug hardware is appropriate, and make sure the tires are seated and inflated properly. It is also wise to check for suspension looseness, brake drag, and any interference that could affect a new 670-15 bias-ply or 185R15 radial installation.
A short, careful road test helps reveal issues that are easy to miss in the garage. Listen for rubbing, note whether the car tracks evenly, and recheck pressure after the first drive. Collector cars often spend long periods parked, so this is also a good moment to inspect steering components, aging rubber parts, and wheel balance before taking the car on a longer trip.
How should 670-15 or 185R15 tires on a collector 1957 Daimler Century be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1957 Daimler Century should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspections, and attention to age as well as tread depth. Whether the car wears 670-15 bias-ply tires or 185R15 radials, look for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and signs of slow air loss before each driving season.
Storage conditions matter just as much on a low-mileage car. Keeping the Daimler away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber over time. Occasional movement can also help avoid long-term flat spotting. Any tire that shows visible damage or age-related deterioration deserves professional evaluation before the car returns to regular road use.
