1958 Hillman Minx II Tires

The 1958 Hillman Minx II uses two 15-inch tire sizes: 560-15 in bias-ply construction and 155R15 in radial construction. Those sizes represent two different fitment approaches for the same car, with the numeric bias-ply size preserving a more traditional presentation and the Euro-metric radial providing a radial-format alternative.

The important next step is confirming which construction the car is set up to use now, especially if it has already been converted from bias-ply to radial tires. Even though both sizes use a 15-inch rim, wheel width, tire clearance, and the overall look of the car should still be checked before choosing between them.

The 1958 Hillman Minx II uses a 15-inch rim with both of its supported tire sizes. That applies whether the car is running the 560-15 bias-ply size or the 155R15 radial size, so the wheel diameter remains consistent across the fitment choices covered here.

Diameter is only part of the picture on a vintage car. It is still worth verifying the actual wheel width on the car, especially if the wheels have been replaced over the years, because bias-ply and radial products in these sizes can have different rim-width requirements and may affect how the tire sits on the wheel.

Yes. The 1958 Hillman Minx II Special uses the same two tire size paths as the core 1958 Hillman Minx II fitment: 560-15 in bias-ply form and 155R15 in radial form. That keeps sub-model fitment fairly simple and avoids a separate wheel-diameter question for this covered version.

The real distinction is not between Minx II and Minx II Special, but between the tire constructions and the type of look or driving setup the owner wants. A restoration-minded car may stay with bias-ply and whitewalls, while a driver-oriented car may be evaluated around the 155R15 radial format and its compatible wheel width.

560-15 is the bias-ply tire size for the 1958 Hillman Minx II. It uses the older numeric sizing format common to the period, and it is the traditional construction choice among the two supported fitments for this car, alongside the 155R15 radial alternative.

Choosing 560-15 usually centers on maintaining a period-style appearance and traditional tire construction. That said, buyers should still compare the actual product details, because this size appears in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions, and rim-width specifications vary slightly depending on the individual tire selected.

The radial equivalents for 560-15 are 155R15 and 560R15. The 155R15 is an 80-series metric radial equivalent, while 560R15 is the bias-look radial equivalent for owners who want radial construction with a more traditional visual character.

Both alternatives deserve a careful fitment check before conversion. The recommended rim-width range for these equivalents is 4 to 5 inches, and the car’s actual wheel width, tire clearance, and overall setup should be confirmed so the new construction and size format work with the Minx rather than simply matching the rim diameter.

Start by confirming the radial size being considered, which for a 560-15 fitment includes 155R15 or the bias-look radial 560R15. Both use the same 15-inch wheel diameter, but the recommended rim-width range for those radial equivalents is 4 to 5 inches, so the actual wheel width matters before making the change.

A conversion is also a good time to inspect steering clearance, suspension condition, and the space available inside the fenders. Many older cars have had wheel changes, ride-height changes, or brake work over the years, and those details can affect how a radial alternative sits and behaves once mounted on the car.

Start with the kind of car you are building or maintaining. A 560-15 tire keeps the 1958 Hillman Minx II in its traditional bias-ply size, so the main choices become sidewall appearance, brand, tire series, and the wheel-width specification of the individual product rather than a different wheel diameter.

This size is available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions from brands such as Firestone, US Royal, and Coker Classic, with one Pro-Trac front runner option also present. The right choice depends on whether the car is meant to look more restrained, more dressy, or more specialized while staying within the proper size family.

The 1958 Hillman Minx II has meaningful sidewall variety in its 560-15 bias-ply size, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options. The 155R15 radial choices are blackwall tires, so the visible styling difference is concentrated mainly in the bias-ply side of the fitment range.

That gives buyers a clear appearance decision. Blackwall usually delivers a simpler, more understated look, while narrow and wide whitewalls can shift the car toward a more distinctly late-1950s presentation. The best match depends on the style of the restoration, the trim level of the car, and whether visual authenticity matters more than construction choice.

Tires for the 1958 Hillman Minx II are available from Firestone, Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Pro-Trac. Brand choice depends partly on size, since the 155R15 radial assortment includes Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein, while 560-15 bias-ply options include Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Pro-Trac.

The practical way to compare them is by size first, then by construction, tire series, and sidewall treatment. A buyer looking for a whitewall presentation will naturally focus on the 560-15 bias-ply range, while someone committed to 155R15 radial construction will be comparing blackwall radial series and their wheel-width compatibility.

A period-style 1958 Hillman Minx II usually starts with the 560-15 bias-ply size, because it preserves the traditional construction and visual proportions associated with many cars of this era. That size also opens the door to blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall presentations, depending on the look the owner is after.

The best restoration-oriented choice depends on whether authenticity of appearance matters more than the move to radial construction. When exact originality is important, it is smart to compare the tire choice with marque-specific references or period photos, since a tire can be very appropriate visually without automatically being the exact assembly-line specification.

Tire construction changes more than ride behavior on a restored 1958 Hillman Minx II; it also changes how the car presents visually. A 560-15 bias-ply tire gives the Minx a more traditional period-style look, while a 155R15 radial introduces a later-style radial format even though it remains within a narrow 15-inch vintage-friendly size.

Sidewall treatment matters just as much as construction. Whitewall versions in 560-15 can make the car look more formal and era-conscious, while blackwall tires keep the presentation simpler and more restrained. Owners balancing authenticity, driving use, and personal taste should consider all three elements together: size, construction, and sidewall style.

Yes. Even when a 1958 Hillman Minx II is using one of its supported 15-inch tire sizes, later changes to wheels, suspension height, brakes, or bodywork can affect clearance and tire selection. That matters whether the car remains on 560-15 bias-ply tires or is being evaluated around the 155R15 radial alternative.

A vintage car may have accumulated decades of changes that are easy to overlook. Checking the actual wheel width, the space near the fenders and steering components, and the tire’s position at full lock can prevent surprises, especially when the car no longer sits exactly as it did when it first left service.

Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and the general condition of the steering and suspension. Tire pressure should be set correctly for the chosen tire, and each tire should be checked for proper seating, visible damage, and any sign of interference once mounted on the 1958 Hillman Minx II.

A short test drive followed by a second inspection is a sensible step on an older car. Listen for rubbing, look for fresh scuff marks inside the wheelhouse, and recheck air pressure after the first miles. That kind of follow-up matters especially on collector vehicles that may spend long periods parked between drives.

Collector-car tires on a 1958 Hillman Minx II should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Whether the car is on 560-15 bias-ply tires or 155R15 radials, owners should watch for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and air loss, especially after long periods of inactivity.

Storage conditions matter as much as mileage on an infrequently driven car. Keeping the Minx away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and routine inspections before each outing are wise because low annual mileage can hide age-related deterioration that does not show up as tread wear.