The 1958 Fiat 1400 belongs to the postwar European sedan era, when practical family cars were beginning to blend everyday usability with more refined road manners and styling. For owners today, that makes tire choice more than a simple replacement exercise, because the car can be kept in a traditional bias-ply presentation or fitted with period-appropriate radial sizing depending on the exact version. The 1958 Fiat 1400 uses 14-inch tires, with both bias-ply and radial fitments appearing across the range. Available choices stay centered on blackwall tires, with several well-known European tire lines represented. The key step is matching the correct size to the specific A & B or A & B Diesel configuration before comparing construction and appearance.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1958 Fiat 1400
The 1958 Fiat 1400 uses four primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the specific sub-model rather than wheel diameter, since all of them fit a 14-inch rim. The main decision is first confirming whether the car is an A & B or an A & B Diesel, then choosing between the bias-ply and radial size associated with that version.
165R14 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 165 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, R identifies radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1958 Fiat 1400, this size serves the A & B configuration for owners who want a radial tire rather than a bias-ply fitment. Available choices include Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein products in blackwall form, with series such as Cinturato CA67, Michelin XAS, and Sprint Classic. It is a useful size to evaluate when the goal is preserving a European touring character while staying with the proper 14-inch wheel format.
5.90-14 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 5.90 indicating nominal section width in inches and 14 identifying the wheel diameter. On the 1958 Fiat 1400, this is the bias-ply fitment associated with the A & B version and it suits buyers who want a more traditional construction type. Bias-ply sizing like this reflects the period format originally common on many European sedans of the era. It is the size to consider when maintaining a restoration-oriented appearance matters more than moving to a later radial-style specification.
175R14 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 175 gives the nominal section width in millimeters, R marks radial construction, and 14 is the rim diameter in inches. For the 1958 Fiat 1400, this radial size applies to the A & B Diesel version rather than the standard A & B cars. Michelin and Vredestein options are available in blackwall form, including XAS, Sprint Plus, and Sprint Classic lines, so the choice can be guided by series preference and wheel-width compatibility. This size deserves a close look when the car is the diesel variant and the owner wants to stay with the radial fitment tied to that sub-model.
6.40-14 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 6.40 representing nominal section width in inches and 14 indicating the wheel diameter. On the 1958 Fiat 1400, this bias-ply size is associated with the A & B Diesel version, making it distinct from the smaller bias-ply size used on the non-diesel A & B cars. Numeric bias-ply sizes like this are especially relevant for buyers who want a traditional construction and period-style stance on a diesel-model restoration. It should be matched carefully to the correct sub-model before comparing any radial alternatives.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1958 Fiat 1400 because the standard A & B cars and the A & B Diesel cars do not use the same tire sizes. Once the exact version is confirmed, the remaining choice is whether to stay with its associated bias-ply size or select its radial fitment.
1
1958 Fiat 1400 A & B
The 1958 Fiat 1400 A & B uses either 165R14 in radial construction or 5.90-14 in bias-ply construction. That gives the owner a choice between a traditional period-style tire format and a radial option while remaining within the proper 14-inch fitment family for this sub-model.
The 1958 Fiat 1400 A & B (Diesel) uses either 175R14 in radial form or 6.40-14 in bias-ply form. Tire selection starts with that larger diesel-specific fitment, then moves to construction choice, wheel-width confirmation, and the kind of road use or restoration presentation the car is being prepared for.
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 Fiat 1400 Tires for Sale
Available 14-inch Fiat 1400 tire choices center on radial blackwall designs from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein. The product range varies by size and includes familiar series such as Cinturato CA67, Michelin XAS, Sprint Classic, and Sprint Plus, with some rim-width and load-capacity differences worth comparing.
Common 1958 Fiat 1400 tire questions usually come down to sub-model-specific sizing, 14-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial construction, and how to choose among the available blackwall radial options. Restoration goals and pre-drive inspection also matter on a collector-era Fiat.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1958 Fiat 1400?
The 1958 Fiat 1400 does not use one universal tire size across every version. The A & B uses either 165R14 in radial form or 5.90-14 in bias-ply form, while the A & B Diesel uses either 175R14 in radial form or 6.40-14 in bias-ply form.
That means the first step is identifying the exact sub-model before choosing a tire. Since all of these sizes mount on 14-inch wheels, the real difference is sub-model fitment and construction type, so it is important to confirm the car's current wheel setup and whether the goal is a traditional bias-ply presentation or a radial-equipped road car.
What size rim does a 1958 Fiat 1400 use?
The tire fitments associated with the 1958 Fiat 1400 all use a 14-inch rim diameter. That includes the 165R14 and 175R14 radial sizes as well as the 5.90-14 and 6.40-14 bias-ply sizes tied to the two covered sub-model groups.
Rim diameter alone does not settle the fitment, because both the standard and diesel versions share that 14-inch wheel diameter while using different tire sizes. It still helps to check the actual wheel width on the car, especially when selecting among radial options, since some products carry specific rim-width ranges that should be matched to the wheel in use.
Do all 1958 Fiat 1400 sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1958 Fiat 1400 A & B and the 1958 Fiat 1400 A & B (Diesel) use different size groups even though both use 14-inch rims. The A & B uses 165R14 or 5.90-14, while the diesel version uses 175R14 or 6.40-14.
That size split makes sub-model identification the most important fitment check on this page. A buyer looking only at rim diameter could assume interchangeability, but the diesel and non-diesel cars are associated with different radial and bias-ply sizes, so tire choice should follow the exact version of the car and its current wheel setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1958 Fiat 1400 tire?
Start by confirming whether the car is an A & B or an A & B Diesel, because each uses its own radial and bias-ply size pair. After size is settled, the next decision is construction type: bias-ply for a more traditional period-style presentation, or radial for buyers who want to stay with the radial fitment associated with that sub-model.
Once those basics are set, compare the details that separate available products, such as tire series, rim-width compatibility where stated, load capacity where stated, and overall appearance. On a collector Fiat, the right choice is usually the one that matches the intended use of the car, the wheel dimensions actually installed, and the visual style the owner wants.
What sidewall styles are available for 1958 Fiat 1400 tires?
The available radial products for the 1958 Fiat 1400 are blackwall tires. That applies across the radial choices in 165R14 and 175R14, including Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein offerings where those brands appear in the covered fitments.
For many owners, that keeps the selection focused more on size, construction, and tire series than on decorative sidewall treatment. Since sidewall style is not the variable driving most of the choice here, attention is better placed on selecting the correct sub-model size first and then comparing the product characteristics that affect compatibility with the wheel and intended use.
What brands offer tires for the 1958 Fiat 1400?
The radial tire choices for the 1958 Fiat 1400 include products from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein. In the covered sizes, the A & B radial fitment includes all three brands in 165R14, while the diesel radial fitment in 175R14 includes Michelin and Vredestein options.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It helps more to compare the tire series available in the needed size, along with any stated rim-width range, load figure, and the overall look the tire gives the car. That approach keeps the selection grounded in the actual fitment requirements of the specific Fiat 1400 version.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1958 Fiat 1400?
For a period-style 1958 Fiat 1400, the most traditional starting point is usually the bias-ply size associated with the exact sub-model. That means 5.90-14 for the A & B and 6.40-14 for the A & B Diesel, while the radial sizes represent an alternative fitment path within the same 14-inch wheel family.
Appearance goals should be balanced against how the car will actually be used. A restoration intended for show-style presentation may favor the bias-ply route, while a regularly driven car may lead the owner toward the radial size tied to that version. When exact originality matters, marque-club references and vehicle-specific historical material are worth reviewing before making a final selection.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1958 Fiat 1400 restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1958 Fiat 1400 restoration because the car's stance, visual balance, and period character are all influenced by using the proper size family for the exact sub-model. The non-diesel and diesel versions do not share the same tire sizes, even though both use 14-inch rims.
Using the right sub-model fitment also helps keep the restoration decision disciplined when comparing bias-ply and radial construction. A tire can look appropriate in isolation yet still be the wrong size group for the car, so restoration-minded buyers should confirm the exact version first and then evaluate construction, series, and wheel compatibility from there.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1958 Fiat 1400?
Yes. A 1958 Fiat 1400 can be affected by wheel, suspension, or body changes just like any other collector vehicle, even when the nominal tire size matches the proper fitment family. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, changed offset, or suspension work can all influence how a 14-inch tire sits and clears.
That is especially important when choosing between the Fiat's bias-ply and radial fitments, or when comparing among radial products with stated rim-width ranges. A car with replacement wheels should have both wheel dimensions and clearance checked at the front and rear before road use, rather than assuming the original size group will behave the same on a modified setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1958 Fiat 1400 on new tires?
Before driving a 1958 Fiat 1400 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, verify that the tires are seated properly, and confirm that inflation pressure is set appropriately for the tire in use. It also helps to look over valve stems, lug hardware, and the visible clearances around fenders and steering components.
A short, careful first drive is useful for catching rubbing, pulling, vibration, or any sign that the car's alignment or suspension needs attention. On an older Fiat, road readiness depends on more than the tires alone, so checking for loose steering components, tired bushings, and uneven brake behavior is a smart part of the process.
How should 1958 Fiat 1400 tires be maintained?
Tires on a 1958 Fiat 1400 should be checked regularly for air loss, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, and signs of age-related hardening. Collector cars often see limited use, so condition can decline from storage time as much as from mileage, especially if the car sits for long periods.
Good maintenance also includes keeping the car stored away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources, then inspecting the tires again before a longer drive. Consistent pressure checks and occasional review of wheel alignment and suspension condition help protect whichever correct size the Fiat is using, whether bias-ply or radial.
