The 1958 Facel Vega Excellance came from a brief but memorable period when French coachbuilt luxury met American V-8 power, creating a grand touring sedan with unmistakable presence. Its long, formal proportions and highly tailored presentation make tire choice an important part of how the car sits, looks, and drives. For this model year, the Excellance uses 15-inch bias-ply tires in 8.45-15 and 815-15 sizes. Available choices lean toward traditional BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply styling, including narrow whitewall and whitewall-redline treatments. The real decision is confirming which of the two period-style sizes suits the car and selecting the sidewall appearance that best matches its restoration goals.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1958 Facel Vega Excellance
The 1958 Facel Vega Excellance uses two primary tire sizes, and both are bias-ply fitments for 15-inch rims. Since the Base sub-model is associated with both sizes, the key step is confirming which size is on the car now, checking wheel width, and deciding whether appearance details such as whitewall or redline treatment matter to the way the car is being restored or presented.
An 8.45-15 tire uses the older numeric bias-ply sizing system, where 8.45 refers to the nominal section width in inches and 15 refers to the wheel diameter. On a 1958 Facel Vega Excellance, this is a traditional bias-ply fitment suited to the car's period character and 15-inch wheel setup. Bias-ply construction is often chosen by owners who want the visual stance and road feel associated with collector-era touring cars. This size is worth evaluating carefully against the actual wheel and body setup on the car before choosing between the two supported primary sizes.
An 815-15 tire is also an older numeric bias-ply size, with 8.15 indicating nominal section width and 15 identifying the rim diameter in inches. For the 1958 Facel Vega Excellance, this size is available in BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply form with a narrow whitewall or a whitewall-redline sidewall treatment. Both options keep the car in a period-style bias-ply construction while allowing a meaningful appearance choice. This size deserves a close look if the goal is to match the car's existing wheel width and achieve a specific restoration-oriented sidewall presentation.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered Excellance Base is associated with both primary tire sizes. Checking the exact tire already on the car still matters, since the buying decision centers more on size confirmation, wheel compatibility, and period-style appearance than on trim differences.
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1958 Facel Vega Excellance Base
The 1958 Facel Vega Excellance Base is associated with both 8.45-15 and 815-15 bias-ply tires on 15-inch rims. That makes size verification especially important before selection, followed by a closer look at wheel width and whether a narrow whitewall or whitewall-redline presentation better suits the car.
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 Facel Vega Excellance Tires for Sale
Available 815-15 choices center on BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires with two distinct sidewall presentations: narrow whitewall and whitewall-redline. Both use bias-ply construction for 15-inch rims, so the comparison is mainly about appearance and wheel-width compatibility.
Common 1958 Facel Vega Excellance tire questions usually come down to confirming whether the car uses 8.45-15 or 815-15, understanding bias-ply fitment on a 15-inch rim, and choosing the right sidewall style for restoration and road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1958 Facel Vega Excellance?
The 1958 Facel Vega Excellance uses two primary tire sizes: 8.45-15 and 815-15. Both are bias-ply fitments and both use a 15-inch rim, so the basic fitment family stays consistent even though the numeric size designation differs.
The practical next step is confirming which size is actually on the car now and whether the wheel width matches the tire being considered. Since both sizes are associated with the Excellance Base, selection should be guided by the existing wheel setup, the car's present stance, and the appearance goal for the restoration or road presentation.
What size rim does a 1958 Facel Vega Excellance use?
The supported primary tire sizes for the 1958 Facel Vega Excellance use a 15-inch rim diameter. That applies to both 8.45-15 and 815-15, so wheel diameter does not change between the two listed sizes.
Wheel diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a collector car like this. It is still smart to confirm actual wheel width, inspect for aftermarket wheel changes, and make sure the current tire size and wheel combination clear the body and suspension properly before mounting a replacement set.
Does the 1958 Facel Vega Excellance Base use the same tire size?
The 1958 Facel Vega Excellance Base is associated with both 8.45-15 and 815-15 bias-ply tire sizes. In other words, the covered sub-model does not narrow the choice to one single size by itself.
That means the buyer should not rely on the sub-model name alone when choosing tires. Checking the size on the car, measuring wheel width if needed, and looking at how the vehicle currently sits will do more to guide the decision than trim identification, especially on a hand-built luxury car that may have seen changes over time.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1958 Facel Vega Excellance?
Start by confirming whether the car is set up for 8.45-15 or 815-15, since both are primary bias-ply sizes for the 1958 Facel Vega Excellance. From there, the key factors are 15-inch wheel compatibility, the intended visual style, and whether the car is being kept close to a traditional period presentation.
Product differences matter once size is settled. On 815-15, available BFGoodrich options share the same Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series and load specification, so the meaningful distinction is sidewall appearance. Matching the tire's look to the car's trim, stance, and restoration direction often matters as much as the size itself on a formal collector sedan.
What sidewall styles are available for 1958 Facel Vega Excellance tires?
For the 1958 Facel Vega Excellance, the available 815-15 products include a narrow whitewall and a whitewall-redline sidewall style. Both are bias-ply BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires, so the main difference is visual presentation rather than tire construction.
That appearance choice can change the car's overall character more than many buyers expect. A narrow whitewall tends to support a formal luxury look, while a whitewall-redline treatment creates a more stylized period impression. The best choice depends on how the car is trimmed, how it is being restored, and whether authenticity research points toward one presentation over another.
What brands offer tires for the 1958 Facel Vega Excellance?
The available 815-15 tire options for the 1958 Facel Vega Excellance are from BFGoodrich. They are offered in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, with sidewall variation rather than multiple brand choices driving the comparison.
With one brand represented, the decision becomes narrower and more appearance-focused. Instead of comparing brand reputations, it makes more sense to verify the correct primary size first, then compare the whitewall treatments, confirm the wheel-width range suits the car, and choose the option that best matches the Excellance's intended restoration or display style.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1958 Facel Vega Excellance?
A period-style approach for a 1958 Facel Vega Excellance starts with staying in one of its primary bias-ply sizes, either 8.45-15 or 815-15, on a 15-inch rim. That keeps the construction and general visual character aligned with the kind of tire presentation buyers expect to see on a late-1950s luxury touring car.
Once the correct size is confirmed, the appearance decision becomes more specific. An 815-15 BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply is available with either a narrow whitewall or a whitewall-redline treatment. Buyers chasing exact originality should compare those style choices against marque history, surviving photos, and trusted Facel Vega restoration references before settling on a final look.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1958 Facel Vega Excellance?
Tire construction has a visible effect on a restored 1958 Facel Vega Excellance because bias-ply tires contribute to the car's period stance and overall presentation. Since the primary fitments here are bias-ply sizes, keeping that construction preserves the traditional visual relationship between the sidewall, wheel opening, and body shape.
Sidewall treatment then fine-tunes the look. On 815-15, a narrow whitewall gives the car a refined grand touring feel, while a whitewall-redline option introduces a more expressive period accent. Construction and sidewall style should be considered together so the finished car looks intentional rather than simply wearing a tire that happens to fit.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1958 Facel Vega Excellance?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1958 Facel Vega Excellance even when the tire size itself is correct. Changes to wheel width, wheel offset, ride height, suspension components, or body clearances can alter how an 8.45-15 or 815-15 bias-ply tire sits and moves inside the wheel opening.
A car that has been lowered, fitted with aftermarket wheels, or rebuilt with non-original suspension parts deserves a closer check before replacement tires are chosen. Looking at steering clearance, fender space, and the current tire-to-body relationship helps prevent choosing a size that is historically appropriate on paper but problematic on the car as it sits today.
What should I inspect before driving a 1958 Facel Vega Excellance on new tires?
Before driving a 1958 Facel Vega Excellance on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, make sure the tire size matches the car's setup, and confirm proper inflation. It is also wise to check for suspension looseness, uneven ride height, and any contact risk at the inner fender, outer fender, or steering components.
Collector cars often spend long periods parked, so the tire itself is only part of the road-readiness picture. Freshly mounted tires should be followed by a careful road test, a recheck of air pressure, and another visual inspection for rubbing or unusual wear. Those steps help confirm that the tire and the vehicle are working together properly.
How should 815-15 tires on a collector 1958 Facel Vega Excellance be maintained?
815-15 tires on a collector 1958 Facel Vega Excellance should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracks, bulges, cuts, and uneven wear, and stored away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources when the car is parked for long periods. Occasional pressure checks matter even when the car is rarely driven.
Maintenance also means paying attention to how the car is used. A vehicle that sits for months can develop issues that are not obvious at a glance, so the tires should be checked before every drive rather than only at seasonal intervals. Looking at wheel condition and watching for slow air loss can prevent trouble on the road.
