1957 Opel Olympia Tires

The 1957 Opel Olympia uses two primary tire sizes: 560-13 in bias-ply construction and 155R13 in radial construction. Both sizes use a 13-inch rim diameter, so the basic fitment question is less about wheel diameter and more about which tire construction and sizing system matches the car’s current setup and intended use.

A 560-13 tire suits owners who want a more traditional vintage appearance, especially with whitewall options. A 155R13 moves the car into a radial format and is commonly chosen for road-driving use. Before selecting either one, confirm the wheel width on the car, since the available bias-ply and radial products are built around different rim-width ranges.

The covered 1957 Opel Olympia fitments use a 13-inch rim diameter. That applies to both of the primary tire sizes associated with the car, whether the vehicle is running the 560-13 bias-ply size or the 155R13 radial size.

Rim diameter is only the first part of the fitment check. Wheel width matters too, because the available 560-13 bias-ply tires are built around narrower wheels than the 155R13 radial options. If the car has replacement wheels or a past tire conversion, measuring the wheel before ordering helps prevent choosing a correct diameter with an unsuitable width.

The 1957 Opel Olympia Base & Rekord uses the same covered tire choices as the model core: 560-13 bias-ply and 155R13 radial. That means the sub-model does not introduce a separate wheel diameter or a unique size that changes the basic fitment path.

The practical decision is choosing which of those two fitment styles belongs on the particular car in front of you. A restoration-oriented car may lean toward the 560-13 bias-ply presentation, while a driver may be set up around 155R13 radials. Looking at the wheels already on the vehicle helps confirm which size family makes the most sense.

On the 1957 Opel Olympia, 560-13 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing convention common to the period, and the available products in this size are traditional bias-ply tires rather than radials.

That matters because a bias-ply setup affects both the car’s appearance and the way tire options are presented. In 560-13, the available choices focus on vintage-style series and whitewall treatments. Anyone considering a switch away from 560-13 should compare wheel width, overall fitment space, and the car’s restoration goals before moving into a radial equivalent.

Radial equivalents for 560-13 include 155R13 as the 80-series metric radial option, P155/75R13 as the P-metric 75-series radial option, and P155/70R13 as the P-metric 70-series radial option. A bias-look radial equivalent is not part of the available 560-13 mapping.

These sizes are useful alternatives, but they are still alternatives rather than automatic substitutions. The equivalent fitment references a 4 to 5-inch rim-width range, so wheel width should be checked first. After that, compare the actual wheel and tire package to the car’s available clearance before converting from the original-style bias-ply setup.

Start by confirming that the car’s wheels are compatible with the radial size under consideration. For a 560-13 conversion path, the equivalent radial options include 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13, and the equivalent fitment references a 4 to 5-inch rim-width range.

After wheel width, compare the full installed package on the car. Look at steering clearance, fender clearance, suspension condition, and whether the Opel still has stock wheels and ride height. A radial conversion can be a sensible option, but it should match the car’s actual setup rather than being chosen only because the rim diameter is the same.

The main decision on a 1957 Opel Olympia is whether the car should run the 560-13 bias-ply fitment or the 155R13 radial fitment. That choice affects the tire’s construction, appearance, and the wheel-width range the tire is intended to work with.

Once the size family is settled, compare the remaining details that shape the ownership experience. Sidewall treatment matters on a restoration-style bias-ply car, while tire series and brand may be more important on a radial-equipped driver. The cleanest selection process is to match the tire to the car’s current wheels, intended road use, and visual goal.

Sidewall style depends on which fitment path the 1957 Opel Olympia is using. The 155R13 radial options are blackwall tires, while the 560-13 bias-ply choices include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions.

That makes sidewall style one of the biggest visual decisions on this car. A blackwall radial gives a cleaner European touring look, while the whitewall bias-ply choices create a more distinctly vintage presentation. Since sidewall appearance is tied to tire construction here, choose the style only after deciding whether the Olympia will stay bias-ply or move to radial.

The available 1957 Opel Olympia tire choices include Michelin and Dunlop in the 155R13 radial size, along with BFGoodrich and Firestone in the 560-13 bias-ply size. Those brands are spread across different constructions, sidewall treatments, and tire series rather than all offering the same style of replacement.

Brand choice should be considered alongside the tire’s overall role on the car. Michelin and Dunlop options center on blackwall radial fitment, while BFGoodrich and Firestone cover classic bias-ply whitewall presentations. A useful comparison is to look at construction, rim-width suitability, sidewall appearance, and any load figures that matter to the way the car will be used.

For a period-style 1957 Opel Olympia, the 560-13 bias-ply size is the natural starting point. It keeps the car in a vintage numeric sizing format and is available in classic bias-ply series with both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments.

That does not automatically make one whitewall width historically right for every restored Olympia, since appearance details can vary with the car’s market, trim, and restoration target. Owners pursuing exact originality should verify period references specific to the car. For a restoration-oriented street car, 560-13 bias-ply choices preserve the traditional look more closely than the blackwall radial alternatives.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1957 Opel Olympia in a noticeable way. A 560-13 bias-ply tire keeps the car in a more traditional period-style format, especially when paired with narrow whitewall or wide whitewall sidewalls, while a 155R13 radial gives the car a more modern blackwall presentation.

That difference matters because the tire is one of the first details seen at curb level. Owners restoring for show-oriented authenticity often prefer the older sizing and sidewall character, while owners building a road car may accept the more contemporary radial look. Matching the tire’s construction to the restoration goal usually produces a more coherent finished result.

Yes. Even when the 1957 Opel Olympia is being fitted with a correct 13-inch tire size, modifications can change whether a particular tire works well on the car. Wheel width changes, aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, suspension wear, or body repairs can all influence clearance and overall fitment.

A tire choice that suits a stock-style wheel may not suit a modified one. Cars converted from 560-13 bias-ply to 155R13 or other radial equivalents deserve an especially careful look at inner clearance and steering movement. Checking the car at full lock and under normal loaded ride height helps catch issues before the tires go into regular service.

Begin with the basics: verify the wheel diameter and width, confirm that the tires seat correctly, and inspect for adequate clearance around the fenders, suspension, and steering components. Tire pressure should be set appropriately for the tire and vehicle setup, and the wheels themselves should be checked for damage, corrosion, or other age-related issues.

A collector-era car also benefits from a broader once-over before road use. Look at brake function, steering play, and suspension condition so the new tires are not being asked to compensate for unrelated problems. After the first short drive, recheck air pressure and inspect the sidewalls and tread area for any signs of rubbing or unusual contact.

Collector-car tires should be inspected regularly even if the 1957 Opel Olympia is driven only occasionally. Watch for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, tread separation, and gradual air loss, and keep the tires properly inflated so the car is not sitting for long periods on underinflated casings.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect both bias-ply and radial tires over time. It also helps to move the car periodically so one section of the tire is not carrying the load in the same spot for months at a time.