1958 Fairthorpe Electron Tires

The 1958 Fairthorpe Electron is associated with two 13-inch tire sizes: 560-13 in bias-ply construction and 155R13 in radial construction. The Electron Minor uses these same fitment paths, so the size choice is tied to the construction and presentation you want rather than to a different wheel diameter.

That makes the real decision less about finding a missing size and more about confirming the car’s current wheel setup and intended use. A bias-ply 560-13 keeps a more traditional look, while 155R13 moves into a radial format. On a lightweight vintage sports car, it is smart to verify wheel width, tire clearance, and any past modifications before settling on one route.

Both tire sizes associated with the 1958 Fairthorpe Electron use a 13-inch rim diameter. That applies to the 560-13 bias-ply fitment and the 155R13 radial fitment, so the tire decision stays within the same basic wheel diameter even though the sizing systems are different.

Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment check on an older sports car. The available 560-13 and 155R13 products do not share identical wheel-width ranges, so it helps to measure the wheel before choosing a tire. A 13-inch wheel can still vary enough in width to affect mounting suitability, tire profile, and clearance at the fenders or suspension.

Yes. The 1958 Fairthorpe Electron Minor is associated with the same two 13-inch tire sizes used on this vehicle line: 560-13 in bias-ply construction and 155R13 in radial construction. That means the sub-model does not introduce a separate rim diameter or a different primary fitment family.

Even with shared fitment, the best choice still depends on how the car is equipped today. A Minor wearing original-style narrow wheels may point more naturally toward a bias-ply setup, while a car already configured around radial use may favor 155R13. It is worth checking the actual wheel width and the car’s stance before replacing a matched set.

On the 1958 Fairthorpe Electron, 560-13 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing format common to the period, and the available tires in this size are traditional bias-ply offerings with whitewall sidewall treatments rather than modern radial construction.

That matters because construction affects both appearance and wheel compatibility. A bias-ply 560-13 keeps the car in a more period-style presentation, especially if whitewalls are part of the look you want. Before moving away from that size, compare the wheel width, the car’s current ride height, and the available radial-equivalent formats rather than assuming every 13-inch tire behaves the same.

Radial equivalents for 560-13 include 155R13 as the 80-series metric radial option, P155/75R13 as the P-metric 75-series radial option, and P155/70R13 as the P-metric 70-series radial option. These are alternative radial formats related to the original bias-ply size, not separate primary bias-ply fitments.

Each option uses a slightly different sizing convention, so the comparison should go beyond the code on the sidewall. A recommended rim-width range of 4-5 inches is associated with this equivalency group, which makes wheel width an important checkpoint. It also helps to compare clearance around the fenders and suspension before converting from the original bias-ply format.

Start by confirming the wheel diameter and width on the car, then compare the radial size you are considering against the original 560-13 fitment path. For the 1958 Fairthorpe Electron, radial-equivalent choices include 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13, with a 4-5 inch recommended rim-width range tied to that equivalency set.

The practical checks are clearance, wheel suitability, and the car’s present condition rather than simply matching a 13-inch rim. Steering travel, suspension movement, and body clearance deserve attention on a compact vintage car. It also helps to decide whether the goal is a traditional appearance or a radial-format driving setup, since that choice will influence which equivalent deserves the closest look.

The first decision is whether the car should stay with 560-13 bias-ply tires or use the 155R13 radial format. Both use a 13-inch rim, but they differ in construction, sidewall presentation, and product character. On this car, that choice shapes the look of the vehicle as much as the tire specification itself.

Once the size path is clear, compare wheel-width compatibility, sidewall style, and tire series. The bias-ply options focus on traditional whitewall presentation, while the radial options are blackwall tires from Michelin and Dunlop. It is also worth considering how the car is driven, since a garage-kept restoration and a regularly road-driven sports car may point toward different priorities.

The available sidewall styles for the 1958 Fairthorpe Electron include blackwall in the 155R13 radial size, plus narrow whitewall and wide whitewall in the 560-13 bias-ply size. That gives the car two very different visual directions depending on whether the goal is a cleaner sporting look or a more traditional late-1950s presentation.

Sidewall choice should follow the overall character you want from the finished car, not just the tire size alone. A blackwall radial tends to suit a simpler, road-use-focused appearance, while whitewall bias-ply tires push the look toward period styling. Before deciding, look at the wheel design, ride height, and the rest of the restoration so the tire does not feel visually out of place.

Brands available for the 1958 Fairthorpe Electron include Michelin and Dunlop in the 155R13 radial size, along with BFGoodrich and Firestone in the 560-13 bias-ply size. Those choices span both construction types used on the car, so brand selection is tied closely to the fitment path you want to follow.

The useful comparison is not which brand is best, but which brand offers the right combination of size, construction, and appearance for your car. Michelin and Dunlop focus the Electron toward blackwall radial options, while BFGoodrich and Firestone cover period-style bias-ply whitewall choices. Checking wheel-width compatibility and the intended visual result will narrow the field quickly.

For a period-style 1958 Fairthorpe Electron, the 560-13 bias-ply size is the most natural starting point. It matches the vintage numeric bias-ply format associated with the car and is offered in traditional whitewall treatments, which support a more restoration-oriented visual presentation than the blackwall radial alternatives.

That does not automatically make every whitewall or every brand historically exact for every car. When originality matters at a very high level, details such as sidewall treatment and overall presentation should be checked against marque references, period photos, or other vehicle-specific history. For most restoration-minded owners, the key is keeping the tire size and construction aligned with the car’s era.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1958 Fairthorpe Electron more than many owners expect. A 560-13 bias-ply tire presents the car in a distinctly traditional way, especially with narrow or wide whitewall styling, while a 155R13 radial blackwall gives the Electron a later, more understated sporting appearance.

That visual shift matters on a compact British sports car because the tire sidewall is a noticeable part of the overall stance. Choosing between bias-ply and radial should be done alongside decisions about wheel finish, ride height, and how authentic the restoration needs to feel. The right answer depends on whether the project prioritizes period flavor, regular road use, or a blend of both.

Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1958 Fairthorpe Electron even when the tire still carries the correct 13-inch rim diameter. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, brake conversions, or body repairs can all affect how a 560-13 or 155R13 tire sits within the car’s available space.

That is why it helps to inspect the actual car rather than relying only on the nominal size. A wheel that is wider than stock or positioned differently can alter sidewall clearance and steering travel. On a small sports car, even modest changes may matter, so checking lock-to-lock clearance and suspension movement before replacement is a sensible step.

Before driving a 1958 Fairthorpe Electron on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and the overall condition of the suspension and steering components. Make sure the tires are mounted on the correct 13-inch wheels, verify that sidewalls clear the body and suspension, and confirm that the tires hold air properly after installation.

A short, careful road test is a smart follow-up on any collector car. Listen for rubbing, check that the steering returns smoothly, and look again for marks inside the fender openings after a few miles. It also helps to recheck inflation and fastening hardware once the tires have settled, especially if the car has spent long periods parked.

Tires on a collector 1958 Fairthorpe Electron should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Low-use vintage cars can develop tire issues from age and inactivity as much as from mileage, so sidewall cracking, flat spotting, air loss, cuts, and bulges deserve attention even when tread wear looks minimal.

Storage conditions matter as well. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the rubber over time, and moving the car periodically can reduce stress from long stationary periods. Before any longer drive, inspect each tire closely and confirm that the wheel and tire combination still matches the car’s current setup.