1958 Allard Zepher Tires

The 1958 Allard Zepher uses two primary tire sizes: 590-15 and 600-15. Both are bias-ply sizes for 15-inch rims, and the Base sub-model is associated with both fitments rather than one exclusive size tied to a separate trim.

That makes the real decision less about model identification and more about confirming the car’s existing wheel and tire setup. Checking the size already installed, the wheel width, and the car’s present stance will help determine whether 590-15 or 600-15 is the better match before moving on to sidewall style or radial-equivalent choices.

The 1958 Allard Zepher uses a 15-inch rim diameter with both primary tire sizes. That applies to the 590-15 and 600-15 fitments, so the rim diameter remains consistent even though the car is associated with more than one tire size.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on a specialty car. Wheel width still needs to be checked before choosing between the available tires, since some products are intended for narrower 15-inch rims while others allow a slightly broader width range within the same general size family.

The 1958 Allard Zepher is associated with both 590-15 and 600-15, which means more than one period-style bias-ply fitment is in play for the same model year. Both sizes share the same 15-inch rim diameter, but they differ slightly in nominal section width.

On a low-production collector car, that usually means the buyer should verify the actual wheel and tire setup on the individual car rather than assuming one size applies universally. Looking at the current tires, measuring wheel width, and checking clearance around the fenders and steering components are the most practical next steps.

For the 1958 Allard Zepher, 590-15 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing convention and belongs to the period-style fitment family associated with this car, not to a modern radial construction as a primary specification.

That matters because keeping a bias-ply tire preserves the original-style sizing format and visual character of the car. A radial can still be considered through an equivalent size, but the wheel width, tire dimensions, and available clearance should be reviewed first instead of treating a radial alternative as an automatic substitute.

Radial equivalents for 590-15 include 165R15, P165/75R15, and P175/70R15. Those correspond to an 80-series metric radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, and a 70-series P-metric radial, giving you several modern-format alternatives to compare.

Each option keeps the 15-inch rim diameter but uses a different radial sizing convention and profile family. The recommended rim-width range is 4 to 5 inches, and the next step is checking how the chosen size relates to the car’s wheels, overall tire dimensions, and steering or fender clearance before making the conversion.

Start by confirming the Zepher’s current primary size, then compare the intended radial equivalent against the car’s 15-inch wheels. For either 590-15 or 600-15, the radial equivalents include 165R15, P165/75R15, and P175/70R15, with a recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches.

A radial conversion should also account for wheel width, tire-to-body clearance, and steering clearance at full lock. It is wise to inspect suspension condition and verify that the car has not been altered with different wheels or stance changes, since those factors can affect whether an equivalent radial remains a sensible option.

A 590-15 tire choice for a 1958 Allard Zepher starts with confirming that 590-15 is the size already suited to the car’s wheel setup. Within that size, the main variables are brand, tire series, sidewall treatment, and wheel-width compatibility rather than a change in primary construction.

BFGoodrich and Avon both appear in this fitment range, and the available look can shift from blackwall to wide whitewall depending on the product selected. Comparing the intended visual style, rim-width specification, and load capacity at the stated pressure helps narrow the field without turning the decision into a brand-ranking exercise.

The available sidewall styles for 1958 Allard Zepher tires are blackwall and wide whitewall. Those styles appear across the two primary bias-ply sizes, giving the car either a more understated sporting look or a more formal, restoration-oriented presentation.

Sidewall style changes the car’s visual character even when the tire size stays the same, so it is worth deciding whether the Zepher should lean toward a cleaner blackwall appearance or a more decorative period-style whitewall look. That choice should be made after the correct size and wheel compatibility have already been confirmed.

BFGoodrich and Avon offer tires in the size range associated with the 1958 Allard Zepher. BFGoodrich appears in both 590-15 and 600-15, while Avon appears in the 590-15 range through the Turbospeed Mk4 line.

Brand choice is only one part of the buying decision on a car like this. It still makes sense to compare the exact tire size, sidewall style, tire series, rim-width suitability, and load specification tied to the product, since those details often matter more than the brand name alone on a specialty collector vehicle.

For a period-style 1958 Allard Zepher, the starting point is staying with one of its primary bias-ply sizes, either 590-15 or 600-15, on the correct 15-inch rim diameter. That preserves the vintage sizing format and the traditional construction type associated with the car.

The next decision is visual presentation. Blackwall tires keep the look restrained and sporting, while wide whitewalls create a more formal period impression. If exact restoration authenticity matters beyond general period style, it is worth checking marque-specific references or surviving historical documentation before settling on one sidewall treatment.

Tire construction changes more than ride and handling feel on a restored 1958 Allard Zepher; it also affects how the car looks. A bias-ply tire keeps the vintage size format and traditional visual character, while a radial equivalent introduces a more modern sizing convention even when the rim diameter remains 15 inches.

That difference becomes noticeable on a hand-built collector car where tire shape and sidewall presentation contribute strongly to the overall stance. Owners aiming for a restoration-oriented appearance often begin with the original-style bias-ply format, then weigh any radial alternative against the car’s visual goals as carefully as its road-use needs.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1958 Allard Zepher even when the tire size appears correct on paper. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, ride-height adjustments, or body modifications can all influence whether 590-15, 600-15, or a radial equivalent remains appropriate.

That is especially important on a specialty collector car where small setup changes can alter clearance at the fender edge or during steering movement. A good practice is to verify actual wheel diameter and width, then inspect tire clearance with the suspension loaded and the steering turned through its full range.

Before driving a 1958 Allard Zepher on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct 15-inch diameter, confirm that the chosen tire size matches the car’s setup, and make sure the tires are mounted and inflated properly. It is also smart to look over the valve stems, wheel condition, and basic suspension health.

A first road outing should include a careful check for rubbing, unusual steering feel, and any sign of air loss after the tires have settled in. On a collector car that may spend long periods parked, it also helps to recheck tread condition, sidewalls, and pressure before each drive rather than assuming everything remains unchanged.

Collector-car tires in 590-15 or 600-15 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and periodic reviews for cracking, bulges, cuts, or uneven wear. Because the 1958 Allard Zepher may see limited use, tire age and storage conditions deserve just as much attention as tread depth.

Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help protect the sidewalls during storage. It also pays to move the car occasionally and inspect for slow air loss, since specialty vehicles often develop tire issues from sitting long before they wear out from road mileage.