1958 AC Saloon Tires

The 1958 AC Saloon uses two primary tire sizes: 670-16 in bias-ply construction and 185R16 in radial construction. Both sizes are associated with the model, and the covered Base sub-model can use either one on a 16-inch rim.

That means the main decision is not hunting for a hidden third size, but choosing the construction and look that suit the car. A 670-16 keeps the vintage numeric bias-ply format, while 185R16 moves to a classic Euro-metric radial. Before settling on either one, confirm the wheel size on the car now, especially if the vehicle has seen wheel changes over the years.

The 1958 AC Saloon uses a 16-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. The 670-16 bias-ply and the 185R16 radial are both built around that same wheel diameter, so the difference between them is construction and sizing format rather than rim diameter.

Wheel diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it still helps to check the wheel width before choosing a specific tire. Some 185R16 radial products note wider acceptable rim ranges than the bias-ply options, which can matter on a car that has had replacement wheels fitted. Matching the tire to the actual wheel on the car helps avoid avoidable clearance and appearance issues.

Yes. The 1958 AC Saloon Base uses the same two tire-size paths as the model overall: 670-16 in bias-ply construction and 185R16 in radial construction. Both are tied to a 16-inch rim, so there is no separate Base-only wheel diameter to sort out.

That keeps sub-model selection simple and shifts attention to the car’s current setup and intended use. An owner preserving a traditional mid-century look may lean toward the bias-ply size, while someone prioritizing radial construction may focus on 185R16. It is still smart to inspect the wheels already on the car, since collector vehicles are often altered long after they left their original era.

670-16 is the bias-ply tire size used on the 1958 AC Saloon. It is a vintage numeric bias-ply format, with the 670 figure indicating an approximately 6.70-inch nominal section width and the 16 identifying the wheel diameter.

That matters because a bias-ply tire affects both appearance and construction choice. Owners usually consider 670-16 when they want a more traditional presentation that matches the period language of the car. Before choosing one, check that the wheel width suits the tire and remember that changing from bias-ply to a radial setup is not just a size question; it is also a construction decision.

A 1958 AC Saloon can be approached either way, since 670-16 bias-ply and 185R16 radial fitments are both associated with the model. Bias-ply construction supports a more traditional period-style look, while 185R16 gives the car a classic radial format on the same 16-inch rim diameter.

The better choice depends on how the car is used and how closely the owner wants to stay with a vintage presentation. Switching construction should prompt a closer look at wheel width, the overall stance of the car, and any suspension or steering changes. Keeping all four tires matched in size and construction is also part of building a consistent setup.

Start by confirming that the car’s wheels are still 16-inch rims and that their width suits the 185R16 radial being considered. The 1958 AC Saloon uses both 670-16 bias-ply and 185R16 radial fitments, but sharing a rim diameter does not make every wheel-and-tire combination automatically equivalent.

A careful conversion also includes checking clearance at the fenders and steering components, along with the condition of suspension and steering parts on an older car. The car’s current stance matters too, especially if it has replacement wheels or any chassis changes. A radial can be a valid alternative, but the complete wheel and vehicle setup should be reviewed before making the change.

Start with the two correct fitment paths: 670-16 if the car is staying with a bias-ply setup, or 185R16 if the goal is a radial setup on the same 16-inch rim diameter. That choice shapes the car’s visual character, sizing language, and the range of products available.

After construction, compare wheel-width suitability, brand, tire series, and how the tire will be used. A restoration-minded owner may prefer the traditional look of the numeric bias-ply size, while a road-driven car may lead the owner toward the radial offerings. It also helps to inspect what wheels are actually on the car now, since classic vehicles are often no longer on their original setup.

The 1958 AC Saloon has tire options from Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, and Firestone. The 185R16 radial size is available from Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein, while the 670-16 bias-ply size is available from Firestone and Avon.

Brand choice matters most after the correct size and construction have been settled. Once that is clear, compare the tire series within the appropriate size, since the radial and bias-ply groups serve different buyer priorities. The best comparison is not brand against brand in the abstract, but each tire’s construction, wheel compatibility, and how well its appearance suits the way the Saloon is being finished or driven.

The 1958 AC Saloon can be equipped with several distinct tire series depending on size and construction. In 185R16 radial form, choices include Michelin X Radial, Turbosteel CR6D, and Sprint Classic. In 670-16 bias-ply form, available series include Firestone Classic Bias Ply and Turbospeed Mk4.

Those series names help separate the product grid into meaningful groups rather than just a list of part numbers. The radial series are useful when the car is being set up around classic radial construction, while the bias-ply series support a more traditional mid-century presentation. Once the size path is chosen, compare each series against the wheel on the car and the appearance you want the Saloon to carry.

For a period-style 1958 AC Saloon, the 670-16 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it uses the vintage numeric sizing format and traditional construction associated with many cars of the era. It preserves the older visual language of the tire itself in a way a modernized size code does not.

That does not automatically make every 670-16 the exact historical match for every restoration goal, since exact originality can depend on marque-specific history and surviving records. Buyers aiming for a strong period impression should first settle the correct size and construction, then compare available series and sidewall presentation. The 185R16 radial remains a valid option when road use matters more than a fully traditional tire look.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1958 AC Saloon as much as it changes the technical description on the sidewall. A 670-16 bias-ply keeps the car in a traditional vintage sizing format, while 185R16 presents the car through a later radial convention even though both use the same 16-inch wheel diameter.

That difference matters to owners who want the car’s tire profile and sidewall language to feel consistent with its era. On this model, all of the available products are blackwalls, so the restoration choice is driven more by construction and tire series than by whitewall or stripe treatment. If a highly exact restoration is the goal, period photos and marque guidance are worth consulting before the final decision.

Yes. A 1958 AC Saloon may be associated with 670-16 bias-ply and 185R16 radial fitments, but wheel and suspension changes can still alter what works properly on the car. Aftermarket wheels, non-original wheel widths, suspension work, or body changes can all affect how a tire sits and clears.

That is especially important on older collector cars, where decades of repairs and upgrades are common. A car lowered from stock height or fitted with replacement wheels deserves a fresh measurement rather than assumptions based on the model name alone. Checking wheel width, steering clearance, and fender space before mounting new tires helps keep a size choice from turning into a fitment problem.

Inspect the wheels, valve stems, and the condition of the suspension and steering components before putting a 1958 AC Saloon back on the road with new tires. It also helps to confirm that all four tires match the intended size and construction choice, whether the car is staying with 670-16 bias-ply or moving to 185R16 radial.

A short, careful road test is useful for checking clearance and general behavior after installation. Tire pressure should be set correctly for the chosen tire, and any sign of rubbing, vibration, air loss, or uneven stance deserves immediate attention. On a low-use collector car, this is also a good time to inspect brake condition and wheel hardware before trusting the car on a longer outing.

Tires on a collector 1958 AC Saloon should be inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and air loss, even if the car is driven only occasionally. That applies whether it is fitted with 670-16 bias-ply tires or 185R16 radials, since age and storage conditions matter as much as mileage on an older vehicle.

Proper inflation and clean, dry storage make a real difference for a car that spends long periods parked. Keeping the Saloon away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, and ozone sources helps protect the sidewalls over time. Before any longer drive, a quick walk-around and pressure check can catch problems early and help confirm that the tires are still ready for road use.