1958 Ford Consul Tires

A 1958 Ford Consul uses either a 165R13 radial tire or a 590-13 bias-ply tire. Both sizes are associated with the car on a 13-inch rim, so the key difference is not wheel diameter but the tire’s sizing system and construction type.

Choosing between them depends on how the car is equipped and how it will be used. A 590-13 bias-ply suits a more traditional vintage presentation, while 165R13 opens the door to radial options in blackwall form. Before selecting either one, confirm the actual wheel width on the car, especially if the wheels have been changed during past restoration or maintenance work.

The 1958 Ford Consul uses a 13-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. That applies to the 165R13 radial fitment and the 590-13 bias-ply fitment, so rim diameter remains consistent even though the tire constructions are different.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a vintage car. Wheel width still matters, particularly when comparing the narrower bias-ply setup with radial alternatives that may call for a broader wheel. Measuring the wheels on the car is worthwhile before ordering tires, especially if the Consul has replacement wheels or a mixed set accumulated over time.

Yes. The 1958 Ford Consul Base uses the same two fitment paths as the model core: 165R13 in radial construction and 590-13 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are built around a 13-inch rim, so the question is mainly which construction and appearance direction best suits the car.

That makes tire selection simpler, but not automatic. A Base model running original-style narrow wheels may point naturally toward the 590-13 bias-ply setup, while a car already configured for radial use may be better matched to 165R13. Looking at wheel width, current suspension condition, and the look you want on the finished car will help settle the choice.

590-13 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1958 Ford Consul. It uses the older numeric sizing system common to many vintage cars, and on this application it represents the traditional tire construction choice rather than the radial one.

That matters because bias-ply and radial tires affect both appearance and setup. A 590-13 bias-ply is tied to a narrower wheel-width range than the radial alternatives, and it also gives the car a more traditional period-style presentation. Owners considering a switch should compare the wheel currently on the car and decide whether originality of look or a radial-format alternative is the bigger priority.

Radial equivalents for 590-13 include 165R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P165/75R13 as a P-metric 75-series radial, and P175/70R13 as a P-metric 70-series radial. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches is associated with these equivalent radial options.

Those sizes give different ways to move from an older numeric bias-ply format into radial sizing, but they should not be treated as automatic substitutes. Wheel width, tire clearance, and the car’s overall stance still need to be checked carefully. On a collector vehicle like the Consul, the choice also affects visual character, since the radial options here are blackwall rather than a wide-whitewall bias-ply presentation.

Start by confirming that the wheel diameter is 13 inches and that the wheel width matches the radial size under consideration. For a 590-13 conversion path, the available radial equivalents include 165R13, P165/75R13, and P175/70R13, with a 4 to 5 inch recommended rim-width range tied to those equivalents.

The next step is checking the car itself rather than only the tire label. Steering clearance, fender clearance, suspension condition, and the actual wheel fitted to the car all matter when changing construction. A vintage Consul that has seen wheel replacements or suspension work over the years may respond differently than an untouched car, so a careful physical inspection is the right final check.

The first decision is whether the car should run the traditional 590-13 bias-ply size or the 165R13 radial size. From there, the important factors are wheel-width compatibility, sidewall appearance, available tire series, and whether the Consul is being set up for restoration-oriented display, casual road use, or a blend of both.

A 590-13 bias-ply with a wide whitewall gives the car a distinctly vintage look, while 165R13 radial choices are available in blackwall form from Michelin and Dunlop. It also helps to compare any published load figures, tire weight, and wheel-width ranges that apply to the specific product. Matching the tire to the car’s actual wheels and intended use matters more than choosing by size name alone.

The available sidewall styles for the 1958 Ford Consul are blackwall and wide whitewall. Blackwall appears with the 165R13 radial options, while the 590-13 bias-ply offering is available as a 2.375-inch wide whitewall for a more traditional visual presentation.

That sidewall difference can shape the whole character of the car. A blackwall radial tends to suit a more understated driver-oriented setup, while a wide whitewall bias-ply leans harder into period-style appearance. Sidewall style should still be chosen after confirming the correct size and wheel-width match, since appearance only works well when the tire also suits the wheel and overall fitment.

Michelin, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich all offer tires for the 1958 Ford Consul within the sizes associated with this car. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 165R13 radial route, while BFGoodrich appears in the 590-13 bias-ply fitment with a wide-whitewall presentation.

Brand choice should be considered alongside construction type and styling, not as a shortcut to the final answer. Michelin XAS-FF, Michelin XAS, and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet each represent a radial approach, while BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply serves a very different restoration-oriented purpose. Comparing wheel-width requirements, sidewall style, and the look you want on the completed Consul will narrow the field effectively.

For a period-style 1958 Ford Consul, the 590-13 bias-ply tire is the natural starting point because it preserves the vintage numeric sizing format and traditional construction. The available option in that size also uses a wide whitewall, which gives the car a distinctly mid-century presentation.

A radial can still be considered if the goal is regular road use with a more modern construction, but it changes the visual character. Buyers aiming for higher-level originality work should compare tire choices against marque references, restoration photos, and vehicle-specific historical documentation. That extra step matters because period-style and exact factory-delivered appearance are not always the same thing.

Tire construction changes more than ride feel on a restored 1958 Ford Consul; it also changes how the car sits visually. A 590-13 bias-ply presents the car in a more traditional vintage manner, especially with the available wide whitewall, while a 165R13 radial gives a more understated blackwall appearance.

That difference is important on a small late-1950s sedan, where tire sidewall shape and whitewall treatment contribute heavily to the finished look. Construction choice should be made alongside wheel width and restoration goals, not after the fact. Owners who want the car to look convincingly of its era often begin with bias-ply appearance, then decide whether that priority outweighs a radial-format alternative.

Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1958 Ford Consul even when the tire size itself is correct. Aftermarket wheels, wheel-width changes, suspension alterations, ride-height changes, or body repairs around the wheel openings can all influence how a 590-13 or 165R13 tire sits and clears.

That is especially important on an older car that may have passed through several owners over the decades. A Consul with changed wheels may suit one construction better than the other, and clearance at full steering lock is always worth checking. Taking a few measurements before mounting new tires is far easier than discovering rubbing or wheel mismatch once the car is back on the road.

Before driving a 1958 Ford Consul on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, make sure the tires are seated properly, and confirm that nothing contacts the sidewall or tread through the steering range. It is also smart to look over the valve stems, wheel fasteners, and general suspension condition.

A collector car often has issues that are not obvious until it starts moving again after long storage. Uneven ride height, worn steering parts, or old wheel hardware can affect how the new tires behave. Tire pressure should be checked regularly from the beginning, and a short, cautious road test can reveal pull, vibration, or clearance issues before a longer drive.

590-13 or 165R13 tires on a collector 1958 Ford Consul should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections for cracking, cuts, bulges, and air loss, and periodic checks for uneven tread wear. Low-mileage vintage cars still age their tires, even when the tread looks fresh.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as road use. Keeping the Consul away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, standing moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the sidewalls and casing over time. It also helps to inspect the tires before every longer outing rather than assuming a seldom-driven car is automatically road-ready just because it spends most of its life parked.