1958 Opel Olympia Tires

A 1958 Opel Olympia is associated with two tire sizes: 560-13 in bias-ply construction and 155R13 in radial construction. Both sizes use a 13-inch rim, so the main difference is not wheel diameter but the tire’s sizing system, construction type, and appearance.

The practical choice is deciding which format belongs on the car as it sits today. A restoration-minded owner may start with 560-13, while a driver evaluating radial options may look at 155R13. Since older cars are often fitted with replacement wheels over time, checking the wheel width and current clearance is still important before making the final call.

The 1958 Opel Olympia uses a 13-inch rim with both of its associated tire sizes. That applies to the 560-13 bias-ply fitment and the 155R13 radial format, so the wheel diameter remains consistent even though the tire constructions differ.

Diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a vintage Opel. Wheel width matters too, especially when comparing a 560-13 bias-ply tire with a 155R13 radial or one of the radial-equivalent sizes tied to 560-13. Measuring the actual wheel on the car helps prevent choosing a tire that is correct in diameter but mismatched to the wheel’s usable width range.

The covered 1958 Opel Olympia Base & Rekord grouping shares the same two tire-size paths: 560-13 bias-ply and 155R13 radial. That means sub-model fitment is consistent here, with both sizes tied to the same 13-inch wheel diameter.

Even with shared fitment, the best choice still depends on how the car is being used and presented. An owner preserving a more traditional look may stay with the numeric bias-ply size, while another may prefer the radial-format option for a different road feel and appearance. It is still wise to confirm the actual wheels on the car, especially if it has been restored or modified in the past.

On a 1958 Opel Olympia, 560-13 is the bias-ply tire size. The radial-format size associated with the car is 155R13, which uses a different sizing system even though it stays on the same 13-inch rim diameter.

That distinction matters because construction affects both appearance and setup. A bias-ply 560-13 keeps the car in a traditional vintage tire format and is available with whitewall options, while a 155R13 radial shifts the Olympia into a metric radial presentation. Before changing constructions, confirm wheel width, tire-to-body clearance, and whether the car’s suspension and alignment are in suitable condition.

Radial equivalents for 560-13 include 155R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P155/75R13 as a P-metric 75-series radial, and P155/70R13 as a P-metric 70-series radial. A bias-look radial equivalent is not associated with this size, so the radial alternatives stay within modern metric and P-metric formats.

Those equivalents give a buyer several ways to move from numeric bias-ply sizing into radial sizing, but they should be treated as alternatives rather than automatic replacements. The recommended rim-width range tied to the equivalents is 4-5 inches, and overall dimensions, steering clearance, and wheel compatibility should all be checked before choosing one for a specific Olympia.

Start by confirming the current wheel diameter and width, then compare the intended radial size against the Olympia’s available space at the fenders, steering components, and suspension. For a car using the original 560-13 bias-ply format, the radial alternatives include 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13.

A conversion also changes more than just the size code on the sidewall. The car should be inspected for worn steering parts, aging suspension components, and alignment issues that may have been tolerated with older tires. Looking closely at the wheel condition itself is just as important on a collector-era car, especially if the car has sat for long periods or has replacement wheels.

Choosing a 560-13 tire for a 1958 Opel Olympia starts with confirming that the car is staying with the bias-ply size path rather than moving to a radial alternative. Within 560-13, the meaningful differences include brand, tire series, whitewall treatment, rim-width compatibility, and load specification at the stated pressure.

The decision often comes down to how the car will be presented and driven. A narrow whitewall and a wide whitewall create very different visual results on a small late-1950s Opel, even within the same size. It also helps to compare the wheel-width range of the specific tire against the actual wheels on the car instead of assuming every 13-inch wheel is suited to every 560-13 product.

The available sidewall styles for the 1958 Opel Olympia include blackwall in the 155R13 radial offerings, plus narrow whitewall and wide whitewall in the 560-13 bias-ply offerings. That gives the car two very different visual directions depending on whether the goal is a more understated radial look or a traditional whitewall presentation.

Sidewall choice should match the overall character of the car rather than being treated as a minor detail. On a restoration-oriented Olympia, the width of the whitewall can strongly change the visual balance of the wheel opening and trim. Blackwall radials, by contrast, create a cleaner later-service look that may suit a driver-focused car using the radial size path.

Tires for the 1958 Opel Olympia are available from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. Michelin and Dunlop appear in the 155R13 radial size, while BFGoodrich and Firestone appear in the 560-13 bias-ply size, so brand selection is tied closely to the construction and size path being considered.

That means the first decision is not really brand alone. It is whether the car should remain with a bias-ply 560-13 or use a 155R13 radial format, because that determines which brands and tire series are even relevant. After that, compare sidewall presentation, wheel-width compatibility, and the overall look that best suits the Olympia’s current restoration or road-use role.

For a period-style 1958 Opel Olympia, the 560-13 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it keeps the car in its traditional numeric bias-ply format and is available with whitewall presentations that suit the era. The 155R13 radial path can still be relevant, but it changes both the construction and the visual language of the tire.

The right choice depends on how strictly the car is being restored and what look is being pursued. A narrow or wide whitewall can alter the Olympia’s character noticeably, even within the same size. When exact originality matters, compare the tire choice against marque references, period photography, or other vehicle-specific historical sources instead of relying on appearance alone.

Tire construction changes the look of a restored 1958 Opel Olympia as much as it changes the driving setup. A 560-13 bias-ply keeps the car in a more traditional vintage format, especially with narrow or wide whitewall options, while a 155R13 radial presents a more modern blackwall profile and metric sizing convention.

That visual difference can influence how authentic or updated the finished car feels at a glance. Owners trying to maintain a restoration-oriented presentation often focus on the sidewall style and the overall stance the tire creates within the wheel opening. A driver-oriented Olympia may still use the radial route, but it will usually project a different era of service and upkeep.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1958 Opel Olympia even when the tire size itself is appropriate. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, altered offset, suspension changes, or body work around the wheel openings can all change how a 560-13 or 155R13 tire sits on the car.

That matters most on older vehicles that may have had decades of repairs or upgrades. A tire that suits an original-style 13-inch wheel may not behave the same way on a replacement wheel with different dimensions. Before mounting new tires, inspect for steering clearance, fender clearance through full travel, and any signs that the car’s current setup differs from a stock-style wheel-and-tire package.

Before driving a 1958 Opel Olympia on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm proper air pressure, and make sure the tires clear the suspension, steering, and bodywork through their normal range of movement. It also helps to check wheel fasteners, valve stems, and the general condition of the braking and suspension components.

Collector cars often spend long periods parked, so age-related issues elsewhere on the car can show up quickly once new tires are installed and the car goes back on the road. A short test drive followed by a second inspection is a smart step. Watch for rubbing, unusual vibration, wandering, or uneven contact that could point to alignment or wheel-condition problems.

Tires on a collector 1958 Opel Olympia should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Whether the car uses 560-13 bias-ply tires or 155R13 radials, look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, bulges, cuts, irregular wear, and slow air loss, especially if the car is driven only occasionally.

Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage on an older vehicle. Keeping the Opel away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, excess heat, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires between drives. It is also wise to move the car periodically or adjust how it is parked so one section of the tire is not carrying the same load for long stretches.