The 1958 Simca Aronde belongs to the postwar European small-car era, when practical family sedans were becoming more refined in ride quality, road manners, and everyday usability. For enthusiasts and restorers today, it is a distinctive French-market design with character that comes through in details, including its tire presentation. The 1958 Simca Aronde 1300 Series uses either a 560-14 bias-ply tire or a 155R14 radial, both on 14-inch rims. That gives owners a meaningful choice between traditional bias-ply appearance and classic radial road use, with blackwall and whitewall treatments available in the bias-ply size. The right selection depends on whether the goal is restoration style, driving feel, or a balanced roadgoing setup.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1958 Simca Aronde
Two primary tire sizes apply to the 1958 Simca Aronde, and both use a 14-inch rim. The main difference is construction: 560-14 is a bias-ply fitment, while 155R14 is a radial fitment. Since the 1958 Simca Aronde 1300 Series is associated with both sizes, the real decision is choosing the construction and tire style that best suit the car's current wheels, appearance goals, and intended road use.
155R14 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 155 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1958 Simca Aronde, this size suits owners who want a radial-format tire on the correct 14-inch rim. Available choices include Michelin and Firestone blackwall tires in classic 80-series metric radial form, with some variation in rim-width specification and load details. It is a useful choice when the car is set up for radial use and the owner wants a more modern radial sizing convention without moving away from the period wheel diameter.
560-14 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 5.60 representing the nominal section width in inches and 14 identifying the wheel diameter. For a 1958 Simca Aronde, this is the traditional bias-ply format and gives the car a distinctly vintage tire profile and presentation. BFGoodrich options are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions within the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, which makes appearance a major part of the selection process. It is the size to evaluate when period-style look, original-type construction, and compatibility with narrower vintage wheel widths are part of the goal.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered 1958 Simca Aronde 1300 Series is associated with the same two primary tire sizes. Checking the sub-model still matters because the buyer must then decide between bias-ply and radial construction on the existing 14-inch wheel setup.
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1958 Simca Aronde 1300 Series
The 1958 Simca Aronde 1300 Series is associated with both the 560-14 bias-ply size and the 155R14 radial size on 14-inch rims. That makes the choice less about trim differences and more about whether the car should retain a traditional bias-ply look or move toward a classic radial-style setup.
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 Simca Aronde Tires for Sale
Available 1958 Simca Aronde tires create two clear paths: radial blackwall choices from Michelin and Firestone in 155R14, or BFGoodrich 560-14 bias-ply tires in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. Tire series, construction, sidewall treatment, and rim-width compatibility are the main comparison points.
Common 1958 Simca Aronde tire questions usually come down to size, 14-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial construction, appearance choices, and the checks worth making before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1958 Simca Aronde?
A 1958 Simca Aronde uses two recognized tire sizes: 155R14 in radial construction and 560-14 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are associated with the 1958 Simca Aronde 1300 Series and both are built for 14-inch wheels, so the fitment question is really about construction type as much as size.
Choosing between them starts with the wheel and the car's intended use. A 560-14 bias-ply tire keeps a more traditional vintage format, while 155R14 follows a classic Euro-metric radial layout. Checking actual wheel width, overall tire condition elsewhere on the car, and clearance on any modified suspension or wheel setup helps avoid mismatching the tire to the vehicle.
What size rim does a 1958 Simca Aronde use?
The 1958 Simca Aronde uses a 14-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes, 155R14 and 560-14. That means wheel diameter stays consistent even though the car can be fitted with either a radial or a bias-ply tire format.
Diameter is only the first check, especially on an older European car. Wheel width also matters because the available 155R14 and 560-14 products are designed around different rim-width ranges. Before selecting a tire, confirm the actual wheel dimensions on the car, particularly if replacement wheels were installed at some point during the vehicle's life.
Does the 1958 Simca Aronde 1300 Series use the same tire size?
The 1958 Simca Aronde 1300 Series is associated with the same two tire sizes used on this application: 155R14 as a radial and 560-14 as a bias-ply. In other words, fitment does not split into separate size groups within this covered sub-model.
That simplifies the search, but it does not eliminate the need to inspect the car. Since both a radial and a bias-ply size are relevant, the owner still needs to decide which construction matches the wheels, the look of the car, and the way it will be driven. Existing wheel width and any previous tire conversion are worth confirming first.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 560-14 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1958 Simca Aronde?
560-14 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1958 Simca Aronde. It uses the older numeric sizing system common on many vintage vehicles, and in this application it is offered in bias-ply construction rather than radial construction.
That matters because a bias-ply tire affects both appearance and wheel compatibility decisions. The available 560-14 products are built around narrower rim widths than the 155R14 radial options, and they also offer blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styling. Owners pursuing a more traditional presentation often start here, then confirm wheel width and clearance before final selection.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1958 Simca Aronde?
A 1958 Simca Aronde can be fitted with either a 560-14 bias-ply tire or a 155R14 radial, both on 14-inch rims. The better choice depends on the car's present wheel setup and on whether the priority is traditional vintage presentation or a classic radial-format road tire.
Bias-ply and radial tires are not just different labels for the same setup, so the decision should be made carefully. Wheel width, overall clearance, suspension condition, and the way the car will be used all deserve attention before changing construction. Keeping one consistent tire type across the car is also important for predictable behavior and a balanced appearance.
What should I check before converting my 1958 Simca Aronde from bias-ply to radial tires?
A move from 560-14 bias-ply to 155R14 radial on a 1958 Simca Aronde starts with confirming that the car's 14-inch wheels are also suitable in width for the radial tire being considered. The Firestone 155R14, for example, is intended for a wider rim range than the 560-14 bias-ply options.
Beyond wheel width, inspect steering clearance, fender clearance, and overall suspension condition before making the switch. Any prior wheel changes, lowered stance, or worn steering components can affect how a radial tire works on the car. Matching all four tires in construction and rechecking air pressure and tire age after installation are sensible final steps.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 560-14 tire for a 1958 Simca Aronde?
A 560-14 tire for a 1958 Simca Aronde should be chosen first by confirming that the car is staying with bias-ply construction and that the wheel width suits this older numeric size. Once that is settled, the main differences are sidewall style and the traditional visual character the tire gives the car.
The available 560-14 choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions in the same Silvertown Classic Bias Ply family. That means the decision is less about changing the size and more about matching the tire's look to the car's presentation. Rim-width specification and load information are also worth comparing before selecting a particular product.
What sidewall styles are available for 1958 Simca Aronde tires?
Sidewall choice varies by size on the 1958 Simca Aronde. The 155R14 radial options are available as blackwalls, while the 560-14 bias-ply options expand the appearance choices with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions.
That makes sidewall style an important part of choosing the tire, especially on a compact late-1950s car where the tire contributes noticeably to overall presentation. A whitewall can create a more restoration-oriented look, while a blackwall keeps things more restrained. The choice should still begin with the correct size and construction for the car's current wheels.
What brands offer tires for the 1958 Simca Aronde?
Tires for the 1958 Simca Aronde are available from Michelin, Firestone, and BFGoodrich. Michelin and Firestone cover the 155R14 radial size, while BFGoodrich supplies the 560-14 bias-ply options.
Brand is only one part of the decision, because the available products also differ by construction type, tire series, sidewall treatment, and wheel-width compatibility. A buyer comparing options should first decide whether the car will stay with a bias-ply setup or use a radial-format tire. From there, appearance and wheel specifications become more meaningful comparison points.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1958 Simca Aronde?
For a period-style 1958 Simca Aronde, the 560-14 bias-ply tire is the natural starting point because it preserves the older numeric sizing format and the traditional visual character associated with vintage small cars. That size is also available in several sidewall treatments, which broadens the appearance choices without moving away from bias-ply construction.
A restoration-oriented selection still needs to match the actual wheel setup on the car. Blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions can all change the look substantially, so the right choice depends on the presentation being pursued. When exact originality matters, marque-specific historical references and period photos are useful checks before settling on a sidewall style.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1958 Simca Aronde?
Tire construction has a visible effect on a restored 1958 Simca Aronde because the car can be fitted with either a 560-14 bias-ply or a 155R14 radial. Bias-ply construction generally preserves the older style of sizing and visual character, while the radial option presents the car in a later, more modernized tire format.
That difference goes beyond looks alone, since the available sidewall treatments also vary by construction. The 560-14 bias-ply range includes blackwall and whitewall options, while the 155R14 radial choices are blackwall tires. A buyer trying to balance road use with restoration style should compare construction, sidewall appearance, and wheel compatibility together rather than treating them as separate decisions.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1958 Simca Aronde?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1958 Simca Aronde even when the tire size itself is correct. Aftermarket wheels, wheel-width changes, altered offset, suspension lowering, or bodywork changes can all influence how either a 560-14 bias-ply or a 155R14 radial sits and clears the car.
That is especially important on older vehicles that may have been changed over time. Before choosing tires, verify the actual wheel diameter and width already on the car, then inspect steering and fender clearance at full lock and through suspension movement. A tire that matches the nominal fitment still needs to suit the vehicle's current mechanical setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1958 Simca Aronde on new tires?
Before driving a 1958 Simca Aronde on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter, condition, and width, then confirm that all four tires match in size and construction. It is also wise to check valve stems, wheel hardware, and overall suspension and steering condition on a car of this age.
Road readiness goes beyond the tires themselves. Air pressure should be set correctly for the tires being used, and the owner should look for any rubbing at the fenders or steering components once the car is on the ground. A short initial drive followed by another inspection can reveal clearance issues, air loss, or settling that was not obvious during installation.
How should tires on a collector 1958 Simca Aronde be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1958 Simca Aronde should be inspected regularly for cracking, flat spotting, bulges, cuts, tread wear, and gradual air loss, especially if the car spends long periods parked. Collector cars often age tires by time and storage conditions rather than by mileage alone.
Proper storage makes a real difference. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber, and maintaining correct pressure reduces stress on the casing during downtime. Periodic movement of the car and visual checks before each drive are sensible habits whether it wears 560-14 bias-ply tires or 155R14 radials.