1958 Borgward Hansa Tires

The 1958 Borgward Hansa uses two primary tire sizes: 195R15 in radial construction and 670-15 in bias-ply construction. Both are built for a 15-inch rim, so the fitment question is less about wheel diameter and more about which construction and size format the car is using now.

That distinction matters because a Euro-metric radial size and a vintage numeric bias-ply size are not simply different ways of writing the same tire. A Hansa that has been restored, converted, or fitted with different wheels may need one path or the other, so the safest next step is to confirm the current wheel width, the existing tire size, and clearance before replacing all four tires.

The 1958 Borgward Hansa uses a 15-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes, 195R15 and 670-15. That common diameter simplifies one part of the selection process because both fitment paths stay within the same wheel diameter family.

Rim diameter alone does not settle the whole fitment question, though. Tire construction, wheel width, and the actual wheel currently on the car still affect what should be chosen, especially if the Hansa has been changed from its earlier setup. Measuring the wheel and comparing it against the intended tire's width requirements helps avoid clearance issues and keeps the tire choice aligned with the car's present configuration.

The covered 1958 Borgward Hansa 2400 Series uses the same two fitment paths as the model core: 195R15 in radial construction and 670-15 in bias-ply construction. There is not a separate sub-model-only size split here within the covered Hansa 2400 Series listing.

That means the buyer's main job is not sorting through multiple trim-specific tire sizes, but identifying which setup is on the car today. A Hansa 2400 Series wearing bias-ply tires may call for a different visual approach than one already running radials, and wheel width should still be confirmed before selecting a replacement or moving to a radial equivalent.

670-15 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1958 Borgward Hansa. It uses the older numeric sizing system common to the period, and it represents the traditional fitment path on a 15-inch rim rather than the Euro-metric radial format used by 195R15.

That matters because the choice is not only about dimensions, but also about how the car presents and how the tire is constructed. Owners aiming for a more traditional late-1950s look often start with 670-15, while those considering a change in construction should verify wheel width, dimensions, and clearance instead of assuming every 15-inch alternative behaves the same way on the car.

Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15 as an 80-series metric radial, P205/75R15 as a P-metric 75-series radial, P215/70R15 as a P-metric 70-series radial, and 670R15 as a bias-look radial equivalent. Each of these keeps the conversation within a radial alternative rather than another bias-ply tire.

Those options differ in sizing format and profile family, so the decision should not be made by rim diameter alone. The recommended rim-width range for these equivalents is 5 to 7 inches, and the Hansa should be checked for wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and body or steering clearance before changing from the original-style 670-15 bias-ply fitment.

Start by confirming the current wheel diameter and width, then compare the intended radial equivalent against the tire now on the car. For a 670-15 bias-ply Hansa, radial alternatives include 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15, but each should be treated as an alternative that needs to be evaluated on the car itself.

Clearance at the fender, steering components, and suspension matters just as much as the size code. The car's present condition also matters, especially if it has aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, or a stance different from stock height. Confirming wheel compatibility and checking for rubbing through full steering travel helps keep a construction change from turning into a fitment problem.

A 670-15 tire for a 1958 Borgward Hansa should first be chosen as a bias-ply fitment for a 15-inch wheel, then narrowed by appearance and wheel compatibility. Available options vary by brand, sidewall treatment, tire series, rim-width specification, and in some cases load figures tied to inflation pressure.

That means the best comparison points are not just price or brand recognition, but whether the tire matches the car's intended look and the wheel already on the vehicle. A blackwall gives a more restrained presentation, while narrow or wide whitewalls create a more dressy period-style appearance, so the right choice depends on restoration goals and how the Hansa will be used.

For 670-15 tires on a 1958 Borgward Hansa, available sidewall styles include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall. Those choices appear across several classic bias-ply lines, giving owners flexibility in how formal, understated, or period-styled they want the finished car to look.

Sidewall style changes the visual impression of the car more than many buyers expect, especially on a late-1950s European sedan. A whitewall may suit a restoration-oriented presentation, while a blackwall can feel more restrained. Since sidewall treatment does not change the need for correct size and wheel compatibility, appearance should be chosen only after the tire's basic fitment is confirmed.

The 670-15 size for a 1958 Borgward Hansa is available from Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, BFGoodrich, Excelsior, Avon, Goodyear, and STA. Those brands span several classic bias-ply series and sidewall treatments rather than a single uniform style of replacement.

Brand choice should be used as one part of the decision, not the only one. It helps to compare the tire series, sidewall style, and wheel-width suitability alongside the overall look you want for the car. That approach is especially useful on a collector vehicle like the Hansa, where visual presentation and period character often matter just as much as basic size matching.

For a period-style 1958 Borgward Hansa, the 670-15 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it preserves the vintage numeric sizing format and traditional construction associated with the era. Within that size, the visual direction can then be shaped through blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall offerings.

The right choice depends on how the car is being restored and how authentic the finished presentation needs to feel. A buyer focused on historical appearance may stay with bias-ply construction, while someone balancing appearance with a different driving setup may also look at a bias-look radial. For exact originality, marque-specific historical references remain the best final check.

Tire construction influences both the visual stance and the character of the tire on a restored 1958 Borgward Hansa. A 670-15 bias-ply keeps the car in a traditional late-1950s sizing language, while a 195R15 or another radial alternative shifts the presentation into a more modern construction format even when the rim diameter remains 15 inches.

That difference is often noticeable before the car even moves. Buyers restoring for a stronger period impression usually pay close attention to whether the tire looks like a classic bias-ply, a later radial, or a bias-look radial. Sidewall style then adds another layer, so construction and sidewall choice should be considered together rather than as separate cosmetic decisions.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1958 Borgward Hansa even when the tire size appears correct on paper. Wheel changes, altered offset, suspension work, ride-height changes, and body repairs can all influence whether a 195R15, 670-15, or a radial equivalent has proper clearance once mounted.

A collector car that has been restored over decades may no longer match its original wheel and suspension setup exactly. That is why the car should be checked at the wheel openings, near steering components, and through full steering travel before replacing tires in volume. Confirming actual wheel dimensions helps prevent rubbing or an unintended change in stance.

Before driving a 1958 Borgward Hansa on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm the tires are seated properly, and make sure inflation is set appropriately for the tire being used. It is also wise to look over the suspension and steering for looseness that could mask itself as a tire problem on the road.

A short local test drive is the right first step after installation. Listen for rubbing, feel for pull or vibration, and recheck air pressure after the tires have settled. On a car of this age, seemingly minor issues such as worn bushings, uneven wheel condition, or stale alignment settings can affect how a fresh set of tires behaves once the Hansa is back in motion.

670-15 tires on a collector 1958 Borgward Hansa should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and careful storage habits during long periods of inactivity. Sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and unexplained air loss deserve attention even if the car is driven only occasionally.

Collector cars often age their tires through time and storage conditions as much as mileage. Keeping the Hansa away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, excess heat, and ozone-producing equipment helps preserve the tires between drives. It also helps to move the car periodically or monitor flat-spotting, then inspect the tires again before any longer outing after storage.