The 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII sits in a very specialized corner of postwar sports-car history, blending Bristol mechanical pedigree with distinctive coachbuilt character and low-volume collector appeal. Whether the car is a Coupe or a Roadster, owners tend to approach details carefully because stance and period presentation matter as much as road manners. This exact model uses a 550-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, keeping the fitment firmly in traditional vintage territory. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall treatments from brands such as Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. The real decision is balancing authentic visual character, intended driving use, and proper wheel compatibility before putting the car back on the road.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII
The 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII uses one primary tire size: 550-16, a bias-ply fitment for a 16-inch rim. That same size carries across both the Coupe and Roadster, so the main decision is not which size fits, but which version of the size best suits the car's appearance, wheel setup, and intended road use.
A 550-16 numeric bias-ply size uses the first number to indicate a nominal section width of about 5.50 inches, while the final number identifies a 16-inch rim. On the 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII, that keeps the tire in the traditional vintage construction the car was designed around. Within this size, there is meaningful choice in brand, tire series, and sidewall presentation, including blackwall and wide whitewall versions from Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. Choosing among them comes down to the kind of period-style look you want and confirming that the wheel width matches the tire's intended rim range.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII sub-models because both use the same primary size. Checking the exact body style still helps confirm that the car retains its proper wheel setup and has not been altered over time.
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1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII Coupe
The 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII Coupe uses the same 550-16 bias-ply tire as the rest of the covered model range. That keeps tire selection focused on sidewall style, brand, and wheel-width compatibility rather than sorting through different primary fitment sizes.
The 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII Roadster also uses the 550-16 bias-ply size on a 16-inch rim. For Roadster owners, the key choice is usually whether to maintain a simple blackwall presentation or choose a more restoration-oriented wide whitewall look within the correct size.
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 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII Tires for Sale
Available 550-16 choices span Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone, with differences in tire series, blackwall versus wide whitewall styling, and rim-width specifications. All remain bias-ply options, making the product grid more about appearance and wheel compatibility than construction changes.
These 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII tire FAQs focus on the 550-16 fitment, 16-inch rim use, bias-ply selection, sidewall and brand choices, and the checks worth making before driving a collector car that may have seen wheel, suspension, or storage-related changes.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII?
The 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII uses a 550-16 tire size. This is a vintage numeric bias-ply fitment, and it applies to both the Coupe and Roadster covered here, so there is one primary size to focus on rather than multiple original fitments.
That makes the real choice a matter of selecting the right version of 550-16 for the car's needs. Sidewall style, brand, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility deserve as much attention as the size itself, especially on a specialty sports car where stance and period character are part of the ownership experience.
What size rim does a 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII use?
The 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII uses a 16-inch rim with its 550-16 tire size. That rim diameter is part of the tire code itself, and the available products for this fitment are built around that 16-inch wheel diameter.
Rim diameter is the first point to confirm on any collector car, especially one that may have changed hands several times or received wheel swaps along the way. After confirming the wheel is 16 inches, check actual wheel width as well, since some available 550-16 products are intended for narrower vintage rim widths.
Do all 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. Both the 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII Coupe and the 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII Roadster use the same 550-16 bias-ply tire size. There is no split here between body styles, so the primary fitment remains consistent across the covered sub-models.
Even with shared sizing, it still helps to inspect the car's actual wheel and tire setup before replacement. Older specialty cars are often restored or modified over time, and a non-original wheel width or changed ride height can affect how comfortably a new 550-16 tire sits and clears once installed.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 550-16 tire for a 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII?
Start with the correct primary size, which is 550-16, and make sure the tire remains a bias-ply construction if the goal is to stay with the original fitment type. From there, compare brand, tire series, sidewall style, and any stated rim-width guidance among the available options.
The right choice depends on how the Arnolt-Bristol will be used and presented. A simple blackwall may suit a more understated sporting look, while a wide whitewall changes the car's visual character considerably. On a low-volume collector car, wheel compatibility and desired appearance often matter as much as the size itself.
What sidewall styles are available for 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII tires?
The available 550-16 tires for the 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII come in blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Both sidewall treatments stay within the correct primary size, so the difference is visual presentation rather than a change in the vehicle's basic fitment.
That choice can significantly affect how the car reads at a glance. Blackwalls usually give the MKII a leaner, more competition-oriented look, while wide whitewalls create a brighter restoration-oriented appearance. Once the visual direction is clear, confirm that the tire also matches the wheel width and intended use of the car.
What brands offer tires for the 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII?
The 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII has 550-16 tire options from Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. Those choices appear across several vintage-style tire series, including Excelsior Bias Ply, Tourist Crossply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, and Firestone Classic Bias Ply.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor on a car like this. Compare the sidewall style you want, review any stated rim-width range, and look at other specifications such as weight or load information when it is available. The best match is the one that aligns with both the car's setup and its intended presentation.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII?
A period-style 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII should begin with the correct 550-16 bias-ply size. That preserves the vehicle's traditional tire format, after which the choice usually comes down to whether a blackwall or wide whitewall presentation better suits the car's restoration direction.
The Arnolt-Bristol occupies a niche where small visual details make a noticeable difference, so sidewall treatment deserves careful thought. If exact historical presentation matters, compare the car against period photos, marque-club guidance, or restoration records. That helps narrow the right appearance without assuming every tire sold in the size reflects original delivery.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII?
On a restored 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII, tire construction affects both visual character and stance. The primary fitment is a 550-16 bias-ply tire, and that construction carries the traditional profile and vintage presentation most buyers expect to see on a car from this period.
Appearance is not determined by construction alone, though. Sidewall style plays a major role, and the difference between blackwall and wide whitewall can shift the car from sporting understatement to a more formal restoration look. Keeping the correct size and a wheel-compatible tire helps that visual effect read properly on the finished car.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII?
Yes. Even though the primary size is 550-16, modifications can change how that tire fits on a 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, body repairs, or ride-height changes can all influence clearance and how the tire sits on the rim.
That is especially important with low-volume collector cars, where decades of ownership can bring changes that are not immediately obvious. Measure the actual wheel diameter and width, check steering and fender clearance, and inspect for interference at full lock and under compression before assuming a replacement tire will behave like the previous set.
What should I inspect before driving a 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII on new tires?
Before driving a 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and mounting condition, then verify proper inflation and confirm there is no rubbing at the fenders or steering components. It also helps to check that the tires seat evenly and that the car tracks normally at low speed.
A collector car deserves a broader inspection before regular road use. Look over suspension bushings, steering play, brake condition, and any signs of fluid leaks or chassis settling that could affect tire behavior. A short shakedown drive followed by another visual check can catch clearance or inflation issues before a longer outing.
How should 550-16 tires on a collector 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII be maintained?
550-16 tires on a collector 1958 Arnolt-Bristol MKII should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Watch for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, flat spotting, uneven wear, or slow air loss, especially if the car spends long periods parked between drives.
Collector-car tires often age out before they wear out, so condition matters more than tread depth alone. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the rubber. A quick inspection before each drive is worthwhile on a specialty car that may not be used every week.
