The 1958 Citroen ID came from the same forward-thinking French design movement that made Citroen’s mid-century large cars stand apart for their shape, ride, and engineering approach. Even in a collector setting, an ID asks for tire fitment that respects that distinctive chassis character rather than treating it like a conventional American sedan of the period. For this model year, the 1958 Citroen ID uses a 165-400 radial tire, a millimetric radial format tied to a 400-millimeter wheel. That keeps the tire decision centered on the correct size and period-appropriate radial construction. From there, the focus shifts to confirming the wheel setup, preserving proper appearance, and preparing the car for safe road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1958 Citroen ID
The 1958 Citroen ID uses one primary tire size: 165-400, and it is a radial fitment. That size is shared by the covered ID 19 Sedan sub-model, so the main decision is not between multiple primary sizes, but between staying true to the proper millimetric radial format and confirming that the car still has the correct 400-millimeter wheels before choosing a tire.
The 165-400 size uses a classic millimetric radial format, with 165 indicating nominal section width in millimeters and 400 indicating the wheel diameter in millimeters rather than inches. Its radial construction is a defining part of the fitment story for the 1958 Citroen ID, since this car was built around a radial tire rather than a traditional bias-ply setup. That makes size accuracy especially important, because a 400-millimeter wheel is not the same as a common 15-inch wheel. Choosing this size starts with confirming the wheel and preserving the intended relationship between tire, ride, and overall vehicle presentation.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1958 Citroen ID covered here. The ID 19 Sedan uses the same 165-400 radial size, so the key step is confirming that the car still carries the correct millimetric wheel setup rather than sorting through multiple primary tire sizes.
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1958 Citroen ID 19 Sedan
The 1958 Citroen ID 19 Sedan uses the 165-400 radial tire size. That keeps tire selection focused on choosing the proper millimetric radial fitment and verifying that the wheels have not been changed to a more common inch-based diameter over the years.
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
Common 1958 Citroen ID tire questions usually center on the 165-400 size, the millimetric wheel requirement, period-appropriate radial fitment, and what to inspect before putting a collector Citroen back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1958 Citroen ID?
The 1958 Citroen ID uses a 165-400 radial tire. For the covered fitment here, that is the primary size for the 1958 Citroen ID 19 Sedan as well, so the tire-size question is fairly direct once the vehicle has its correct original-type wheel setup.
The important detail is that 400 refers to a millimeter-based wheel diameter, not a 15-inch or 16-inch rim. A car that has been modified over time may no longer have its original wheel type, so the smartest next step is to check the actual wheel diameter standard on the car before selecting a tire.
What size rim does a 1958 Citroen ID use?
The 1958 Citroen ID uses a 400-millimeter wheel with its 165-400 tire size. That wheel measurement is part of the tire size itself, which is why this fitment cannot be treated the same way as a more familiar inch-based classic tire size.
That distinction matters because a millimetric wheel requires a matching millimetric tire. Before replacing tires, check the wheel itself and confirm that the car has not been converted to another diameter or to aftermarket wheels, since that would change the tire options and could affect proper seating and clearance.
Does the 1958 Citroen ID 19 Sedan use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1958 Citroen ID 19 Sedan uses the same 165-400 radial tire size. That makes fitment simpler than on vehicles where body style, trim, or wheel package changes create multiple primary tire sizes within the same year and model line.
Even with shared size fitment, it is still worth confirming the actual wheels on the car before ordering tires. Collector vehicles are often changed over decades of use, and a wheel swap can matter more than the badge on the body when the original fitment depends on a specific millimetric rim standard.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165-400 tire for a 1958 Citroen ID?
Start with the correct size and construction: the 1958 Citroen ID uses a 165-400 radial. That means the first priority is preserving the proper millimetric radial fitment rather than substituting a familiar inch-based classic size that only looks close at a glance.
From there, evaluate the actual wheel setup and the car’s intended use. A regularly driven ID may call for especially careful attention to tire age and condition, while a restoration-focused car may place more emphasis on maintaining the proper period-style radial appearance that suits the vehicle’s original engineering character.
How do I choose between the available 165-400 tires for a 1958 Citroen ID?
The right choice begins with staying in the 165-400 radial size and confirming the car still uses the correct 400-millimeter wheels. Once that foundation is in place, selection becomes a matter of matching the tire to the car’s condition, presentation goals, and how often it will actually be driven.
A carefully restored ID may call for a tire that preserves a traditional visual balance, while a road-driven car puts more emphasis on overall condition, uniformity across all four tires, and confidence in the wheel-and-tire combination already on the vehicle. Consistency matters as much as size when maintaining a composed, predictable classic-car setup.
What rim-fitment details should I compare when choosing 1958 Citroen ID tires?
The most important rim-fitment detail on a 1958 Citroen ID is the wheel diameter standard itself. A 165-400 tire is built for a 400-millimeter wheel, so the tire choice starts with confirming that the wheel is still the correct millimetric type and not an inch-based substitute.
After that, inspect the wheel’s condition and verify that the tire and wheel combination sits properly on the car. Any previous wheel changes, bent rims, or non-original hardware can affect how confidently a replacement tire can be mounted and used, even when the tire size appears correct on paper.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1958 Citroen ID?
A period-style starting point for a 1958 Citroen ID is the correct 165-400 radial size. Because this Citroen was built around a millimetric radial fitment, keeping that size and construction aligns more closely with the car’s original engineering character than converting it to a generic classic-car tire format.
Appearance and authenticity are not only about sidewall style; they also depend on preserving the proper overall fitment language of the car. Owners pursuing a highly exact restoration should also compare their tire choice against marque-specific references and the actual wheel setup on the vehicle before making a final decision.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1958 Citroen ID restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1958 Citroen ID restoration. The 165-400 radial size is part of what gives the car its proper stance and preserves the distinctive relationship between the tire, wheel, and chassis that sets this model apart from many other cars of its era.
Restoration-minded owners should look beyond whether a tire merely mounts and holds air. Wheel diameter standard, overall visual proportion, and consistency with the car’s intended presentation all matter, especially on a design as unconventional as the ID. Getting the fitment right supports both appearance and the integrity of the finished car.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1958 Citroen ID?
Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1958 Citroen ID, especially if the car has had its original wheels replaced. Since the proper size is a 165-400 radial on a 400-millimeter wheel, a conversion to inch-based wheels changes the fitment question immediately and may alter how the car sits and steers.
Suspension changes, wheel swaps, or body repairs can also influence clearance around the tire. A modified ID should be checked at the wheel, not assumed from the badge alone, and clearance should be inspected through steering travel and normal suspension movement before returning the car to regular road use.
What should I inspect before driving a 1958 Citroen ID on new tires?
Before driving a 1958 Citroen ID on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition and confirm that they are the correct 400-millimeter type for the 165-400 radial size. It is also wise to check valve stems, look for uneven mounting issues, and make sure the tires are seated properly.
The rest of the inspection should cover basic roadworthiness items such as visible clearance, suspension condition, steering response, and stable air retention after installation. A short test drive followed by a second look at pressure and tire position helps confirm that the car is ready for normal use rather than simply mounted and parked.
How should 165-400 tires on a collector 1958 Citroen ID be maintained?
165-400 tires on a collector 1958 Citroen ID should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age as well as tread. A lightly used collector car can still have tire problems from long storage, so cracking, flat spotting, cuts, bulges, and slow air loss all deserve attention.
Storage conditions matter too. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition over time. Even if the tires look presentable, a car that has been sitting should be inspected carefully before a longer drive so the tire condition matches the confidence the car inspires.
