The 1958 Citroen DS stood apart from its contemporaries with advanced engineering, distinctive styling, and a road-going character that still feels unusually modern for its era. For collectors and restorers, that makes tire choice more than a simple replacement decision, because the car’s stance and driving feel are closely tied to its original millimetric setup. The 1958 Citroen DS uses a 165-400 radial tire, a classic metric size built around a 400-millimeter rim rather than a conventional inch-based wheel. That keeps the focus on selecting the right radial in the correct format for the car’s appearance and road use. Verifying the wheel specification first is especially important before any replacement is chosen.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1958 Citroen DS
The 1958 Citroen DS uses one primary tire size: 165-400, and it is a radial fitment. This size is shared by the covered DS 19 Sedan configuration, so the key question is not which primary size fits, but whether the car still has the proper 400-millimeter wheels and whether the replacement tire suits your restoration goals and intended road use.
The 165-400 size is a classic metric or millimetric radial designation, with 165 indicating nominal section width in millimeters and 400 referring to the wheel diameter in millimeters rather than inches. That millimetric construction is a defining part of how this 1958 Citroen DS is fitted, and it differs from more familiar inch-based vintage tire sizes. For a buyer, the practical takeaway is that wheel specification matters as much as tire size, because a 400-millimeter tire must be matched to the correct wheel. This size is the right starting point for maintaining the DS’s intended proportions and radial presentation.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1958 Citroen DS covered here. The DS 19 Sedan uses the same primary tire size, so confirming the car’s sub-model helps verify consistency while wheel specification remains the more important fitment check.
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1958 Citroen DS 19 Sedan
The 1958 Citroen DS 19 Sedan uses the 165-400 radial tire size. That keeps tire selection centered on choosing the proper millimetric radial format and confirming that the car still carries the correct 400-millimeter wheel setup before replacement.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Owners shopping tires for a 1958 Citroen DS usually need clarity on the 165-400 millimetric radial size, wheel compatibility, restoration-minded selection, and the basic checks that matter before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1958 Citroen DS?
The 1958 Citroen DS uses a 165-400 radial tire. For the covered fitment here, that is the primary tire size associated with the car, including the DS 19 Sedan configuration.
The important detail is that 400 refers to a millimetric wheel diameter, not a 15-inch or 16-inch rim. Tire selection starts with confirming that the car still has the correct 400-millimeter wheels, especially if it has been restored, modified, or stored for a long period with mixed parts.
What size rim does a 1958 Citroen DS use?
A 1958 Citroen DS fitted with 165-400 tires uses a 400-millimeter wheel. That is a millimetric rim specification, which makes it different from the inch-based wheel diameters many vintage-car owners expect to see.
This matters because a tire built for a 400-millimeter rim cannot be treated as though it were meant for a similarly sized inch-diameter wheel. Before replacing tires, check the actual wheels on the car and make sure the rim marking and tire size format match the millimetric DS setup.
Does the 1958 Citroen DS 19 Sedan use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1958 Citroen DS 19 Sedan uses the same 165-400 radial tire size. That keeps sub-model fitment straightforward for the DS covered here and avoids the multiple-size questions that come up on some other vintage vehicles.
Even with consistent sub-model fitment, the wheel check still matters because the DS uses a specialized millimetric format. A buyer looking at an older restoration should confirm the car has the proper 400-millimeter wheels and not assume that any vintage radial with a similar section width belongs on the car.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165-400 tire for a 1958 Citroen DS?
Start with the fundamentals: the tire must be a 165-400 radial built for the DS’s millimetric wheel setup. That preserves the correct basic fitment format and avoids the confusion that can come from comparing the car to more common inch-based vintage tire sizes.
After confirming size and wheel type, think about how the car will be used. A restoration-minded owner may focus on maintaining the proper visual proportions, while a driver-oriented owner may put more emphasis on road use and overall tire condition. Wheel condition, age of the existing tires, and clearance should all be checked before installation.
How do I choose between the available 165-400 tires for a 1958 Citroen DS?
The first filter is always fitment: a true 165-400 radial for the correct 400-millimeter wheel. Once that is established, the best comparison points are the tire’s intended presentation, its suitability for a restoration-oriented car, and any product-level construction or appearance differences that may be available.
A carefully preserved DS may call for a tire that keeps the car’s traditional stance and visual character intact, while a regularly driven example may make condition and road-use confidence the bigger priority. It also helps to inspect the wheels themselves for age, corrosion, or previous repairs before selecting a replacement set.
Why is the 165-400 size important on a 1958 Citroen DS?
The 165-400 size is important because it reflects the DS’s millimetric radial fitment, which is part of what makes this car different from many other vehicles of the period. It is not simply a width number paired with a familiar inch-based wheel diameter.
Using the proper size format helps preserve the car’s intended proportions and prevents wheel-mismatch problems. Anyone replacing tires on a long-owned or recently purchased DS should confirm the wheel specification directly, since older collector cars sometimes accumulate substituted parts that can complicate tire selection.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1958 Citroen DS?
A period-style starting point for a 1958 Citroen DS is a 165-400 radial in the proper millimetric format. That keeps the tire selection aligned with the car’s original type of fitment and supports the distinct visual balance that helps define the DS.
For many restorations, staying with the correct size and wheel format matters more than chasing a modern substitute. If exact originality is the goal, it is worth checking marque-specific historical references and restoration records as well, since appearance details can matter just as much as the basic tire dimensions.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1958 Citroen DS restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters significantly on a 1958 Citroen DS restoration. The car’s 165-400 radial setup is part of its overall presentation, and the unusual millimetric wheel diameter makes fitment accuracy especially important compared with many inch-rim classics.
A DS can look noticeably off if the tire and wheel relationship is not right, even before road behavior is considered. Restorers should verify the actual wheels on the car, inspect their condition carefully, and avoid assuming that a close-looking modern size will preserve the same stance or fitment relationship.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1958 Citroen DS?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1958 Citroen DS, especially if the car has replacement wheels, altered suspension settings, or body changes from a past restoration. Even when the intended tire size remains 165-400, the actual hardware on the car can change what works safely.
A smart check includes wheel specification, wheel condition, steering clearance, and the space around the fenders and suspension at full movement. Cars that have been off the road for years deserve extra attention, since an older modification or mixed-parts repair can create fitment problems that are not obvious at first glance.
What should I inspect before driving a 1958 Citroen DS on new tires?
Before driving a 1958 Citroen DS on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, corrosion, and proper bead-seating condition, and confirm the car is wearing the correct 400-millimeter rims. It also helps to look over the suspension and steering for looseness that could affect how the car behaves on the road.
Once the tires are mounted, check inflation, verify that there is no contact at steering lock, and make sure the car tracks properly at low speed before taking a longer drive. A collector car that has sat for extended periods should also be checked for aged brake, wheel-bearing, and alignment issues.
How should 165-400 tires on a collector 1958 Citroen DS be maintained?
165-400 tires on a collector 1958 Citroen DS should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, bulges, and slow air loss, because low-use collector cars often age tires out long before they wear them out.
Good storage makes a difference. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition over time. It is also wise to inspect the tires before every meaningful drive rather than relying only on mileage, since age-related deterioration can develop quietly on seldom-driven cars.
