1958 Metropolitan 1500 Tires

The 1958 Metropolitan 1500 uses two primary tire sizes: 520-13 and 560-13. Both are vintage numeric bias-ply sizes built for 13-inch rims, and both appear on the Metropolitan 1500 Base. That means the correct choice is not determined by model name alone, because either size may be appropriate depending on the wheel and current vehicle setup.

A close look at the tires already on the car, plus the wheel width, is the best starting point before selecting between the two. On a collector car, wheels may have been changed over time, so matching the tire to the actual rim and confirming body and steering clearance matters more than assuming every Metropolitan 1500 should use the same size.

Both primary tire sizes for the 1958 Metropolitan 1500 are built for 13-inch rims. The 520-13 and 560-13 fitments share that same rim diameter, so buyers do not need to choose between different wheel diameters at the model level. The real fitment question is which tire width category matches the wheels and tire setup already on the car.

Rim diameter is only one part of the decision, because wheel width also affects whether a given tire is appropriate. Since these are small vintage bias-ply sizes, it helps to confirm the actual wheel dimensions before changing size, especially if the Metropolitan has replacement wheels, older restoration work, or a different tire size than the one it carried previously.

The 1958 Metropolitan 1500 is associated with both 520-13 and 560-13, even though both are 13-inch bias-ply fitments. That does not mean both sizes are automatically interchangeable on every car. It means the model is commonly encountered with more than one correct fitment path, and the difference centers on tire width within the same basic vintage sizing system.

For a buyer, that makes wheel confirmation more important than simply ordering by model name. Checking the size on the current tires, verifying the wheel width, and looking at clearance around suspension and bodywork will help determine whether the car should stay with its present fitment or whether the other primary size deserves a closer evaluation.

For the 1958 Metropolitan 1500, 520-13 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses a vintage numeric sizing format rather than a modern radial metric format, and the available 520-13 products follow that traditional bias-ply construction. That makes it the right reference point for buyers who want to keep the car in its established period-style tire category.

A radial alternative can still be considered, but it should be treated as an equivalent size choice rather than the same construction. Buyers comparing a bias-ply 520-13 to a radial option should verify wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance, especially on a compact car like the Metropolitan where even small fitment differences can matter at the fenders and steering.

Radial equivalents for 520-13 include 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13. The 155R13 is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, P155/75R13 is the 75-series P-metric radial equivalent, and P155/70R13 is the 70-series P-metric radial equivalent. These alternatives keep the buyer in the same general fitment conversation while shifting from vintage bias-ply sizing to modern radial sizing conventions.

A 4-5 inch rim-width range is associated with these radial equivalents, so wheel measurement should come before any conversion. It also helps to compare the actual tire dimensions and check clearance at full steering lock and through suspension movement, since an equivalent size is a useful alternative reference but not an automatic one-for-one replacement.

Start by identifying whether the car is using 520-13 or 560-13, then match that size to its radial equivalents: 155R13, P155/75R13, or P155/70R13. Both primary sizes share those radial alternatives and a 4-5 inch recommended rim-width range. The Metropolitan’s 13-inch rim diameter stays the same, but construction and sizing format change when moving from bias-ply to radial.

A careful conversion check should include wheel width, tire-to-body clearance, steering clearance, and the condition of suspension and steering components. Driving goals matter too. A restoration-focused owner may prefer the look of bias-ply construction, while a road-use owner may simply want to compare radial options without assuming that every equivalent will suit the exact wheel and chassis setup.

The first step is choosing the correct primary size, since the 1958 Metropolitan 1500 uses both 520-13 and 560-13 in bias-ply form. After size is confirmed, selection comes down to the product differences within that size, such as brand, tire series, sidewall appearance, and the wheel-width specification tied to each tire.

A buyer restoring the car may focus on a traditional stance and whitewall presentation, while a road-use owner may care more about matching the tire to the actual wheels now on the car. It also helps to compare load figures where they are given, along with rim-width suitability, rather than choosing only by appearance or assuming every 13-inch bias-ply option serves the same role.

The 1958 Metropolitan 1500 has several sidewall styles available across its two bias-ply sizes. Depending on size and product, choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall. That range gives the car very different visual character, from a plainer small-car presentation to a brighter late-1950s look with more whitewall showing.

Appearance should still be matched to the correct tire size and wheel setup, not chosen in isolation. Narrow and wide whitewalls can both suit a restoration-oriented Metropolitan, but exact originality questions are best checked against marque references or period photography if authenticity matters. For many owners, the practical decision is simply which sidewall style best complements the car’s trim and intended use.

Tires for the 1958 Metropolitan 1500 are available from Firestone, Premium Sport, and BFGoodrich. Brand availability varies by size, with 520-13 offered through Firestone and Premium Sport, while 560-13 appears through BFGoodrich and Firestone. Those brand differences also bring changes in tire series and sidewall choices rather than changing the model’s underlying bias-ply fitment category.

Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It is smarter to compare which size each brand supports, the sidewall treatment you want, and whether the tire’s wheel-width specification matches the car. On a Metropolitan, where fitment is compact and visually noticeable, the best match is usually the tire that aligns with the wheel setup and the appearance goal together.

A period-style 1958 Metropolitan 1500 starts with one of its two bias-ply sizes, 520-13 or 560-13, because both keep the car in the traditional construction and sizing language of its era. From there, the choice depends on the wheel setup already on the car and the kind of visual presentation you want, whether understated or more whitewall-focused.

For many restorations, the more important question is not brand first, but size, construction, and sidewall style together. If exact originality matters, period photos, marque-club references, and restoration documentation are worth checking before deciding on whitewall width. For a driver-quality restoration, choosing the correct bias-ply size and a sidewall treatment that suits the car usually matters most.

On a restored 1958 Metropolitan 1500, bias-ply construction preserves the most traditional visual character because the car’s primary sizes, 520-13 and 560-13, are both bias-ply fitments. That construction works naturally with the narrow proportions and period sidewall options available for the car, especially when the goal is a restoration-oriented look rather than a modernized presentation.

A radial equivalent can change the visual impression even when the wheel diameter remains 13 inches, simply because the sizing format and tire shape are different. Buyers who want the car to read as distinctly late 1950s often stay focused on bias-ply choices first, then use sidewall style to fine-tune the look without moving away from the original fitment type.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1958 Metropolitan 1500 even though the model’s primary sizes are compact 13-inch bias-ply fitments. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body repairs can all influence whether 520-13 or 560-13 remains the better match for the car.

A Metropolitan with non-stock wheels should be measured rather than judged by model name alone. Verifying wheel width, steering clearance, and fender clearance is especially important before changing between the two primary sizes or moving to a radial equivalent. Small vintage cars tend to show fitment differences quickly, so even modest changes deserve a careful check.

Before driving a 1958 Metropolitan 1500 on new tires, inspect the wheels for proper diameter and width, make sure lug hardware and wheel seating surfaces are in good condition, and confirm the tires clear the body and suspension through a full steering sweep. It also helps to check the spare, valve stems, and overall condition of the suspension and steering system.

Once the tires are mounted, watch for any rubbing, uneven stance, or unusual steering feel during the first short drive. Collector cars that sit for long periods deserve extra attention to alignment condition, air retention, and brake behavior as well. A careful road test after installation is one of the best ways to confirm the tire choice suits the car’s actual setup.

Collector-car tires on a 1958 Metropolitan 1500 should be checked regularly for air pressure, tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and signs of aging from long storage. That applies whether the car runs 520-13 or 560-13. Because collector vehicles are often driven less, visual condition and age-related deterioration can matter as much as tread depth.

Storage conditions also affect tire life. Keeping the Metropolitan away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the rubber between drives. Regular movement can reduce flat-spotting on bias-ply tires, and a quick inspection before each outing is smart practice. Any sign of persistent air loss or sidewall damage deserves attention before the car returns to the road.