The 1958 Lancia Aurelia sits in an important place in postwar Italian grand touring, known for its advanced engineering and refined road manners rather than sheer ornament. On a car like this, tire choice shapes both the visual stance and the way the chassis feels on the road. The 1958 Lancia Aurelia uses 165-400 and 165R400 radial millimetric sizing, a format that calls for close attention to the wheel itself before selecting a tire. Available choices include Michelin radial options in blackwall and narrow whitewall form. For restoration-minded owners, the key is balancing authentic period presentation with the exact millimetric fitment your Aurelia is wearing.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1958 Lancia Aurelia
The 1958 Lancia Aurelia uses two closely related primary tire sizes, and both are radial millimetric fitments associated with the same covered sub-model. The first step is confirming which size marking appears on the car now and verifying that the wheel is the proper 400mm millimetric type. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to tire style, rim-width compatibility, and the kind of appearance you want from the finished car.
The 165-400 size uses a metric width designation, with 165 referring to nominal section width in millimeters and 400 referring to a 400mm wheel. This is a radial fitment, which suits the Aurelia's period European tire specification rather than a domestic inch-based size system. In practice, this size belongs to a specialized millimetric wheel and tire arrangement, so identification matters more than broad replacement assumptions. It is the right size to evaluate when the car is already set up around 165-400 markings and the goal is to keep the tire and wheel relationship true to that millimetric layout.
The 165R400 designation indicates a 165-millimeter radial tire built for a 400mm wheel, with the R calling out radial construction directly in the size code. On a 1958 Lancia Aurelia, this is a classic European millimetric format that differs from more familiar inch-based American sizing. Michelin options in this size include both blackwall and narrow whitewall presentations within the Michelin X Radial family, with differing rim-width compatibility. This size is the one to focus on when you want a road-ready radial in the proper millimetric format while still choosing between a more understated or more decorative sidewall look.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1958 Lancia Aurelia sub-model, since the same two millimetric radial sizes are associated with it. Checking the exact sub-model still matters because Aurelia owners often prioritize both correct visual proportion and the proper relationship between tire size and wheel type.
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1958 Lancia Aurelia B20 & GT 2500
The 1958 Lancia Aurelia B20 & GT 2500 uses the same 165-400 and 165R400 radial millimetric tire fitment. That keeps selection centered on confirming the wheel setup, then choosing the right radial option for the car's intended appearance, rim-width range, and road use.
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 Lancia Aurelia Tires for Sale
Available 165R400 options center on Michelin millimetric radials, with a choice between Michelin X Radial blackwall and narrow whitewall presentations. The main comparison points are sidewall appearance, tire series character, and the rim-width range each version is built to suit.
These 1958 Lancia Aurelia tire FAQs focus on the millimetric radial sizes used on the car, how to confirm the correct wheel setup, and how to choose among available Michelin options for restoration-minded driving and presentation.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1958 Lancia Aurelia?
The 1958 Lancia Aurelia uses 165-400 and 165R400 radial tire sizes. Both are millimetric fitments rather than conventional inch-based American sizes, and both are associated with the covered Aurelia B20 & GT 2500 application.
The practical step is confirming the exact size marking on the tire already on the car and making sure the wheel is the proper 400mm millimetric wheel. A 400mm rim is not the same thing as a 15-inch or 16-inch rim, so size selection should begin with the actual wheel and tire combination currently fitted to the Aurelia.
What size rim does a 1958 Lancia Aurelia use?
The 1958 Lancia Aurelia uses a 400mm millimetric rim with its 165-400 and 165R400 radial tire fitment. This is a specialized metric wheel diameter rather than a standard inch-based rim diameter commonly seen on many American classics.
That distinction matters because a tire built for a 400mm rim cannot be treated as interchangeable with a tire intended for a similarly sized inch-based wheel. Before choosing a replacement, confirm the wheel itself, inspect the rim condition, and compare the wheel width to the tire's intended rim-width range so the finished setup remains appropriate for the car.
Does the 1958 Lancia Aurelia B20 & GT 2500 use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1958 Lancia Aurelia B20 & GT 2500 application uses the same 165-400 and 165R400 radial millimetric tire sizes. That means the sub-model does not introduce a separate inch-based or alternate-construction tire fitment within this page's covered configuration.
Even with shared fitment, the right replacement still depends on what is on the car now and how the wheel has been set up over time. On collector cars, wheel changes, old conversions, or mixed tire markings can complicate the decision, so it is worth verifying the tire code on the sidewall and the actual rim dimensions before ordering.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165R400 tire for a 1958 Lancia Aurelia?
Start with the correct size and construction: 165R400 is a radial millimetric fitment for a 400mm wheel. From there, compare sidewall style, tire series, and the rim-width range that matches the wheel on the car, since available 165R400 options are built around different wheel-width windows.
Appearance also plays a large role on an Aurelia. A blackwall tire gives a cleaner, more understated presentation, while a narrow whitewall changes the visual character noticeably without changing the basic size. Matching the tire to the car's wheel dimensions and restoration direction usually matters more here than trying to chase a broader modern tire substitute.
What sidewall styles are available for 1958 Lancia Aurelia tires?
The available 165R400 options for the 1958 Lancia Aurelia include both blackwall and narrow whitewall sidewall styles. Those choices give the car two distinct visual presentations while keeping the same basic millimetric radial size and Michelin-based tire family.
Sidewall style should be chosen with the car's overall finish in mind. A blackwall generally suits a restrained, functional look, while a narrow whitewall can add a more formal period flavor. Since both options still require the correct 400mm wheel and appropriate wheel width, appearance should be balanced with fitment checks rather than treated as a purely cosmetic decision.
What brands offer tires for the 1958 Lancia Aurelia?
Michelin is the brand represented in the available 165R400 tire choices for the 1958 Lancia Aurelia. The current selection includes Michelin millimetric radial offerings within the Michelin X Radial family, giving buyers an option set that stays close to the car's European tire character.
Because the brand choice here is focused rather than broad, the real comparison is between configuration details such as sidewall treatment and rim-width suitability. That makes the decision less about brand shopping and more about matching the specific Michelin tire to the wheel on the car and to the kind of restored appearance you want to preserve.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1958 Lancia Aurelia?
A period-style approach for a 1958 Lancia Aurelia starts with keeping the car in its proper millimetric radial size family, using 165-400 or 165R400 as appropriate for the wheel and sidewall markings. Staying within that format preserves the specialized European character of the car better than shifting immediately to a more familiar inch-based tire approach.
Once the size and wheel format are confirmed, the choice becomes one of presentation and setup. A narrow whitewall can create a more formal vintage look, while a blackwall keeps the car visually cleaner and more restrained. Owners pursuing strict originality should compare tire appearance against marque-specific historical references before settling on a final sidewall style.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1958 Lancia Aurelia?
On the 1958 Lancia Aurelia, construction is less about choosing between bias-ply and radial because the covered primary fitments are radial millimetric sizes. The visual effect comes more from keeping the correct size format and wheel relationship than from switching to a completely different construction style.
That means restoration appearance is shaped by details such as the proper 400mm wheel fitment, the sidewall treatment, and the tire's overall presentation on the car. A tire in the right millimetric family tends to preserve the Aurelia's intended stance more convincingly than a substitute chosen only for convenience, especially on a carefully restored grand touring car.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1958 Lancia Aurelia?
Yes. Any wheel change, brake conversion, suspension alteration, or body modification can affect tire fitment on a 1958 Lancia Aurelia, especially because the car uses a specialized 400mm millimetric wheel and tire format. Even small changes can complicate replacement when the original wheel specification is no longer in place.
A modified Aurelia should be checked for actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at the fender and suspension before a tire is selected. Cars that have been altered over time may no longer match period fitment assumptions, so measuring the hardware on the vehicle is more reliable than relying on appearance alone.
What should I inspect before driving a 1958 Lancia Aurelia on new tires?
Before driving a 1958 Lancia Aurelia on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, verify that the tire size matches the wheel, and make sure the tires are mounted and inflated properly. A general safety check should also include tread condition, valve stems, and signs of air loss after installation.
Collector cars deserve a broader inspection before regular road use. Look at brake condition, steering response, suspension wear, and any evidence of rubbing once the car is on the ground and turned lock to lock. A brief low-speed test drive can reveal vibration, clearance issues, or alignment concerns before the car is taken farther from home.
How should 165R400 tires on a collector 1958 Lancia Aurelia be maintained?
165R400 tires on a collector 1958 Lancia Aurelia should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection, and attention to storage conditions. Because collector cars are often driven infrequently, tire age and condition can become more important than simple tread depth when judging whether the car is ready for road use.
Good maintenance includes watching for sidewall cracking, flat-spotting, bulges, cuts, and gradual air loss. The car should be stored away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources when possible. Periodic movement, careful cleaning, and routine pre-drive inspections help preserve both the tire and the overall driving confidence of a lightly used Aurelia.
