The 1958 BMW 507 sits in a rare corner of postwar European motoring, blending hand-built grand touring style with a distinctly sporting BMW character. For collectors, it is the kind of car where tire choice affects not only road manners, but also the visual balance of the whole car. The 1958 BMW 507 uses two 16-inch tire formats: a 600-16 bias-ply fitment and a 175R16 radial fitment. That gives owners a meaningful choice between traditional bias-ply presentation and a radial option in the correct rim diameter. The right decision comes down to how the car is equipped today, how original the appearance needs to remain, and how it will actually be driven.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1958 BMW 507
The 1958 BMW 507 uses two primary tire sizes, and both mount on a 16-inch rim. The key decision is confirming whether your car is set up for the 600-16 bias-ply fitment or the 175R16 radial fitment, since construction differs as much as size format. Once that is settled, the choice becomes more about appearance, driving character, and selecting among the available brands, series, and sidewall styles.
A 175R16 tire uses a metric section width of 175 millimeters, radial construction, and a 16-inch rim diameter. In this older Euro-metric format, the aspect ratio is not stated in the size itself, and it is commonly treated as a tall-profile radial. On a 1958 BMW 507, this size represents the radial path rather than the traditional numeric bias-ply route. It is the size to evaluate if the car is already running radial-compatible wheel and suspension settings, while still preserving the proper 16-inch wheel diameter.
A 600-16 tire is a vintage numeric bias-ply size, with the leading number indicating an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width and the final number indicating a 16-inch rim. This is the traditional sizing language many 1950s sports and touring cars used, and it keeps the period-style look that many 507 owners want. Available choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall treatments from brands such as BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Goodyear, Avon, and others across several bias-ply series. It is the size to study closely when appearance, construction style, and vintage presentation matter as much as simple fitment.
The 1958 BMW 507 Base uses the same two 16-inch tire fitments found at the model level, so sub-model fitment is straightforward here. The important step is confirming whether the car is on the 600-16 bias-ply setup or the 175R16 radial setup before comparing tire options.
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1958 BMW 507 Base
The 1958 BMW 507 Base can use either the 600-16 bias-ply size or the 175R16 radial size, both on 16-inch wheels. That makes tire selection less about trim differences and more about confirming the car's actual wheel and construction setup before choosing a period-style bias-ply tire or a radial alternative.
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 BMW 507 Tires for Sale
Available 600-16 choices cover a wide range of brands, tire series, and sidewall presentations, including blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. Buyers can compare BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Goodyear, Avon, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and others across restoration-oriented bias-ply, military, and specialty tread patterns.
Owners of a 1958 BMW 507 usually need to sort out the correct 16-inch tire size first, then decide between bias-ply appearance and radial construction. These FAQs focus on fitment, rim compatibility, product selection, restoration concerns, and road-use checks.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1958 BMW 507?
The 1958 BMW 507 uses two primary tire sizes: 600-16 in a bias-ply format and 175R16 in a radial format. Both sizes are built for 16-inch wheels, but they are not simply different labels for the same tire construction or driving feel.
The first thing to verify is how the car is equipped today. A restored or modified 507 may be wearing one setup while an owner expects the other, so checking the actual wheel diameter, tire construction, and overall clearance is more important than choosing by appearance alone.
What size rim does a 1958 BMW 507 use?
The tire sizes used on the 1958 BMW 507 both mount on a 16-inch rim. That applies to the 600-16 bias-ply fitment and the 175R16 radial fitment, so the wheel diameter stays consistent even though the sizing systems and constructions differ.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on a collector car. It still makes sense to confirm actual wheel width and the car's current setup before choosing a tire, since many older cars have seen wheel changes, suspension work, or older replacement parts over time.
Does the 1958 BMW 507 Base use the same tire size?
The 1958 BMW 507 Base follows the same fitment pattern as the model overall, using either 600-16 bias-ply tires or 175R16 radial tires. There is no separate sub-model-only tire size to sort out here, which keeps the fitment question fairly straightforward.
That does not eliminate the need to inspect the car itself before ordering tires. A BMW 507 that has been restored, converted to radials, or fitted with different wheels years ago may need a different decision today than one being returned to a more traditional bias-ply presentation.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 600-16 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1958 BMW 507?
On the 1958 BMW 507, 600-16 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the vintage numeric sizing system common to the era, and it represents the traditional construction choice for owners who want a more period-style tire format on a 16-inch wheel.
That matters because a bias-ply 600-16 and a radial 175R16 do not present the same look or behavior even though both fit 16-inch rims. Owners should confirm which construction the car is set up for now, especially if the suspension, wheels, or alignment settings have changed during restoration.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1958 BMW 507?
A 1958 BMW 507 can be fitted with either a 600-16 bias-ply tire or a 175R16 radial tire, so the choice depends on the car's present configuration and your ownership goals. Bias-ply usually suits a more traditional visual presentation, while the radial option gives the car a different construction approach in the same 16-inch wheel diameter.
The better choice depends on how original-looking the car needs to be, how it is driven, and whether the wheels and chassis are already set up around one construction type. Clearance, wheel width, and overall tire dimensions should all be checked before changing from one construction style to the other.
What should I check before converting my 1958 BMW 507 from bias-ply to radial tires?
A 1958 BMW 507 using 600-16 bias-ply tires should be checked carefully before moving to the 175R16 radial fitment. Both use a 16-inch rim, but the construction is different, so the decision is more involved than matching wheel diameter alone.
Wheel width, tire clearance at the fenders and steering components, suspension condition, and the car's actual ride height all deserve attention before conversion. It also helps to inspect how the car has been restored or modified already, since prior wheel or suspension changes can influence whether a radial setup is appropriate.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-16 tire for a 1958 BMW 507?
Choosing a 600-16 tire for a 1958 BMW 507 starts with confirming that the car is staying with the bias-ply fitment rather than the 175R16 radial setup. From there, the real differences are brand, tire series, sidewall style, and whether the tire's intended character matches a restoration-focused sports car rather than a truck-style application.
The strongest comparison points are visual presentation and wheel compatibility. Some 600-16 options are blackwall, some use wide whitewalls or double-whitewalls, and rim-width figures also vary slightly, so it pays to match the tire not just to size, but to the car's appearance goals and wheel setup.
What sidewall styles are available for 1958 BMW 507 tires?
In 600-16, the 1958 BMW 507 has access to several sidewall styles, including blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall options. Those choices matter visually because the 507's body lines and wheel openings make the tire sidewall a very visible part of the car's overall presentation.
A blackwall usually gives the cleanest sporting look, while whitewall treatments lean more toward a formal period-style appearance. The best choice depends on how the car is trimmed and restored today, and it is worth checking archival photos or marque-specific references if exact presentation matters to the project.
What brands offer tires for the 1958 BMW 507?
The 600-16 fitment for a 1958 BMW 507 is available from several brands, including BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. Those options span multiple bias-ply and specialty series, giving owners more than one path within the same vintage size.
Brand alone should not decide the purchase. It makes more sense to compare the sidewall style, tire series, rim-width compatibility where stated, and the overall look you want on the car, especially since some offerings are clearly restoration-oriented while others reflect military or utility tread patterns.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1958 BMW 507?
For a period-style 1958 BMW 507, the 600-16 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it preserves the vintage numeric format and traditional construction associated with the era. Within that size, the visual choice becomes more specific: blackwall for a restrained sporting look, or whitewall treatments for a more formal presentation.
The best restoration decision depends on how closely the car is being returned to a particular historical presentation. Exact originality claims should be checked against marque references, period photography, and vehicle-specific documentation, since sidewall treatment and brand preference can vary even when the size itself is settled.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1958 BMW 507?
Tire construction changes the look of a restored 1958 BMW 507 as much as the size code does. A 600-16 bias-ply tire keeps the vintage numeric format and a more traditional visual character, while a 175R16 radial introduces a later-style metric designation even though it still uses the proper 16-inch rim diameter.
That difference matters on a car with such clean, exposed wheel openings and elegant proportions. Owners focused on authenticity or a strong period impression usually weigh construction carefully, not just ride preferences, because the tire's profile language and sidewall presentation become part of the finished restoration.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1958 BMW 507?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1958 BMW 507 even when the tire still appears to be the correct 16-inch size. Changes to wheel width, wheel offset, suspension height, steering components, or body clearance can alter how a 600-16 bias-ply or 175R16 radial actually sits and moves on the car.
A car that has been restored over several decades may also have mixed parts from earlier repair work. Checking the real wheel dimensions, lock-to-lock clearance, and fender space before choosing tires helps prevent surprises, especially when moving between bias-ply and radial constructions.
What should I inspect before driving a 1958 BMW 507 on new tires?
Before driving a 1958 BMW 507 on new tires, inspect wheel condition, valve stems, mounting hardware, and the tire's seated fit on the rim. It also makes sense to confirm that the chosen size and construction match the car's present setup, whether that is 600-16 bias-ply or 175R16 radial.
A short test drive should follow a check for rubbing, unusual vibration, and even steering response. Collector cars often sit for long periods, so it is also wise to inspect suspension bushings, alignment condition, and air retention after the first miles rather than assuming the tire is the only variable.
How should tires on a collector 1958 BMW 507 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1958 BMW 507 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related condition as much as tread depth. Bias-ply and radial tires alike can develop issues from long storage, including cracking, flat spotting, air loss, or sidewall deterioration that may not appear on a frequently driven car.
Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and periodic movement or repositioning can reduce stress from sitting in one spot for too long between drives.
