The 1958 Bristol 405 comes from a distinctive British grand touring tradition, blending restrained coachwork with the engineering character that made Bristol such an enduring name among postwar enthusiasts. Buyers looking after one today are usually balancing road use, preservation, and the visual tone of a very specific period car. This application uses a 500-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, which keeps the fitment conversation focused and traditional. Available choices in this size center more on tire character than on multiple fitment paths, including a Blackwall Firestone Dirt Track option. For a restoration-minded owner, the key is confirming the wheel setup and choosing a tire that suits the car's intended use and presentation.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1958 Bristol 405
The 1958 Bristol 405 uses one primary tire size: 500-16. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and the covered Base sub-model uses the same size, so the main decision is not between multiple factory-type fitments but between the available tire style, intended use, and overall presentation you want from the car.
The 500-16 size uses a vintage numeric bias-ply format in which the 500 indicates an approximate 5.00-inch nominal section width and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1958 Bristol 405, that keeps the car in its traditional bias-ply fitment rather than shifting it into a later radial sizing convention. In the available product selection, this size appears as a Firestone Dirt Track tire with a Blackwall sidewall and Dirt Track series construction. It is the right size to evaluate when the goal is preserving the car's period-style tire profile while still confirming wheel width and intended use.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1958 Bristol 405. The covered sub-model uses the same 500-16 bias-ply tire size, so checking the exact sub-model is mainly a way to confirm the car has not been changed from its expected wheel and tire setup.
1
1958 Bristol 405 Base
The 1958 Bristol 405 Base uses the 500-16 bias-ply tire size on a 16-inch rim. That keeps tire selection focused on choosing the right period-style product character and confirming that the wheels still match the expected width and diameter before installation.
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 Bristol 405 Tires for Sale
Available 500-16 tires for the 1958 Bristol 405 focus on traditional bias-ply construction rather than multiple size paths. The current option is a Firestone Dirt Track Blackwall, so the main comparison points are series character, rim-width suitability, and whether that style matches the car's intended use.
These FAQs for the 1958 Bristol 405 focus on the 500-16 tire size, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply construction, product choice, restoration-minded appearance, and the wheel and condition checks worth making before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1958 Bristol 405?
The 1958 Bristol 405 uses a 500-16 tire size. That is a vintage numeric bias-ply size, and the covered Base sub-model uses the same fitment, so there is one primary size to focus on rather than several factory-type alternatives within this application.
The practical next step is confirming that the car still has 16-inch wheels in the expected configuration. Many collector cars have seen wheel changes over time, so checking the actual wheel diameter and width on the car helps ensure the 500-16 remains the right path before choosing among the available tire options.
What size rim does a 1958 Bristol 405 use?
The 1958 Bristol 405 uses a 16-inch rim with its 500-16 tire fitment. In the available product specification for this size, the rim-width range is 4.00 to 5.00 inches, which gives a useful reference point when evaluating whether the wheel on the car matches the tire being considered.
Rim diameter is the first confirmation, but wheel width matters too. A car that still has 16-inch wheels can still present a fitment issue if the wheel width has changed, so measuring the wheel and comparing it to the tire's usable range is an important step before mounting a new set.
Does the 1958 Bristol 405 Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1958 Bristol 405 Base uses the same 500-16 bias-ply tire size as the core fitment for this application. That makes sub-model selection fairly simple, because tire fitment does not split into multiple primary sizes within the covered 1958 Bristol 405 range.
Even with shared sub-model fitment, it is still worth checking the car's actual wheel setup. A long-kept restoration, an older wheel replacement, or a previous owner modification can change what is on the car today, so verifying wheel diameter and width prevents ordering around assumptions rather than the vehicle itself.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 500-16 tire for a 1958 Bristol 405?
Start with the basics: correct size, correct construction, and wheel compatibility. For the 1958 Bristol 405, that means a 500-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, then narrowing the choice by the product's intended character, rim-width range, load specification, and the overall look you want on the car.
Appearance and use matter just as much on a collector Bristol. A traditional Blackwall may suit a restrained period presentation, while a more specialized series may better match limited-use or event driving. It also helps to compare the tire to the car's actual wheels and driving plans instead of choosing only by size code.
What sidewall styles are available for 1958 Bristol 405 tires?
The available 500-16 product for the 1958 Bristol 405 uses a Blackwall sidewall. That gives the car a simple, traditional presentation and keeps the visual emphasis on the wheel and body rather than on a contrasting stripe or whitewall treatment.
Sidewall style is more than a cosmetic detail on a restoration-minded car. It affects how formal, sporting, or understated the finished vehicle looks, so the right choice depends on the kind of period-style appearance you want to preserve and whether the rest of the car leans toward touring presentation or competition flavor.
What tire series are available for the 1958 Bristol 405?
The available 500-16 product for the 1958 Bristol 405 is in the Firestone Dirt Track series. It is also described as a Ribbed Front tire and carries a Performance & Racing attribute, which makes the series character a meaningful part of the selection rather than a minor catalog detail.
Series choice matters because it shapes how the tire presents visually and how closely it matches the car's intended role. A Bristol kept for show, light touring, or a more competition-influenced presentation may call for different priorities, so the series should be considered alongside fitment, wheel width, and the car's actual use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1958 Bristol 405?
A period-style approach for a 1958 Bristol 405 starts with the correct primary size and construction, which here means a 500-16 bias-ply tire. Staying with that vintage sizing format helps preserve the car's traditional stance and visual character more faithfully than jumping immediately into a modern-looking fitment path.
From there, the right choice depends on how exacting the restoration goal is. A Blackwall presentation often suits a restrained postwar touring car, but owners pursuing strict historical accuracy should compare tire appearance against period photos, marque-club guidance, and any surviving vehicle-specific documentation before settling on a final look.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1958 Bristol 405 restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment plays a major role in how a 1958 Bristol 405 looks and sits. The right size and construction influence proportions, wheel opening fill, and the overall visual balance of the car, so using the proper 500-16 bias-ply format helps maintain a historically appropriate presentation.
Fitment also affects how believable the restoration feels to an informed enthusiast. Even when the car is not being judged formally, an incorrect diameter, width, or sidewall style can change the character of the whole vehicle. Wheel measurements and tire appearance should be checked together rather than treated as separate restoration decisions.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1958 Bristol 405?
Yes. Even though the primary fitment is straightforward at 500-16 on a 16-inch rim, a 1958 Bristol 405 can still present fitment issues if it has aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, or body changes that affect clearance around the tire.
The safest approach is to inspect the car as it sits today rather than assume it remains in stock configuration. Wheel diameter, wheel width, inner and outer clearance, and any signs of rubbing at steering lock or suspension travel are all worth checking before choosing a new tire for road use.
What should I inspect before driving a 1958 Bristol 405 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect wheel condition, valve stems, inflation pressure, and the mounted tire's seating and clearance. It is also wise to look over the car for suspension looseness, brake issues, and any interference points that might not appear until the vehicle is rolling and steering under load.
A collector car that sees occasional use deserves an especially careful first drive. Recheck pressure after the tires have settled, listen for rubbing, and watch for pull or vibration that may point to wheel or chassis issues rather than the tire itself. Catching those details early protects both drivability and the new tire.
How should 500-16 tires on a collector 1958 Bristol 405 be maintained?
500-16 tires on a collector 1958 Bristol 405 should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss, and stored away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment when the car is parked for extended periods.
Low annual mileage can hide tire aging, so condition matters as much as tread depth on a Bristol that is driven sparingly. Periodic wheel inspection and occasional movement of the car can help reduce long-term stress on one spot, and any questionable tire should be evaluated before the next road outing.
