1958 Standard Ten Tires

The 1958 Standard Ten uses two fitment paths: 560-13 in a bias-ply construction and 155R13 in a radial construction. Both sizes use a 13-inch rim, so the key difference is not wheel diameter, but the tire’s sizing system, construction, and how each choice affects the car’s period character.

That means the first step is confirming which style of tire the car has now and whether the wheels match the intended tire’s width requirements. A restoration-oriented car may stay with 560-13 bias-ply tires, while a road-driven Standard Ten may be evaluated for 155R13 radials after checking wheel width, clearance, and overall setup.

The 1958 Standard Ten uses a 13-inch rim diameter with both of its applicable tire sizes. That shared diameter is important because 560-13 bias-ply tires and 155R13 radial tires are both built for 13-inch wheels, even though the two sizes follow different sizing conventions.

Rim diameter alone is not the whole fitment picture, so the wheel’s actual width should also be checked before selecting a tire. Some 560-13 bias-ply options are intended for narrower wheels than some 155R13 radial options, and that difference can matter when a car has replacement wheels or has been updated over time.

The 1958 Standard Ten Base can use the same two tire-size paths found on the model overall: 560-13 in bias-ply form and 155R13 in radial form. There is no separate alternate wheel diameter to sort through, so the main fitment question is construction rather than trim-specific sizing.

That simplifies sub-model selection, but it still leaves an important decision about how the car is used and presented. A buyer should compare the current wheels, desired sidewall look, and whether the goal is a traditional bias-ply appearance or a radial-style setup before choosing between the available Standard Ten tire options.

For the 1958 Standard Ten, 560-13 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric bias-ply sizing format, and the available products in this size are traditional bias-ply tires rather than radials, making it the vintage-style choice for owners who want to preserve an earlier tire presentation.

That matters because a bias-ply tire affects both appearance and wheel-width requirements compared with a radial alternative. Before replacing tires, confirm the wheel width, inspect the overall stance of the car, and decide whether maintaining a period-style look matters more than moving to one of the radial-equivalent sizing options available from the same 13-inch wheel diameter.

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. Those sizes provide several ways to compare a modern radial sizing format with the original 560-13 bias-ply fitment on the 1958 Standard Ten.

The recommended rim-width range attached to that equivalent path is 4 to 5 inches, which makes wheel measurement especially important before a conversion. It is also worth checking tire clearance at the fenders and steering components, since an equivalent size is a useful alternative reference point rather than an automatic one-size-fits-all replacement.

A 1958 Standard Ten owner considering a change from 560-13 bias-ply tires to a radial should start by confirming the 13-inch wheel diameter and the wheel’s actual width. The most relevant radial alternatives tied to the bias-ply size are 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13, each of which should be matched to the wheel and car carefully.

The next step is to compare the tire choice against the car’s current setup, including steering clearance, fender space, suspension condition, and intended use. It also helps to decide whether the car is being restored for a traditional visual presentation or prepared for regular road use, since that often guides the bias-ply-versus-radial decision.

Choosing a 560-13 tire for a 1958 Standard Ten starts with the fact that it is a bias-ply size on a 13-inch rim. The main variables are brand, sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility, since available choices include BFGoodrich and Firestone options with narrow whitewall or wide whitewall presentations.

A buyer should also think about how the car will be used and how authentic a vintage look is to the project. Checking the wheel width matters because some 560-13 products suit narrower rims than others, and that detail can affect whether a specific bias-ply tire makes sense for the wheels currently on the car.

The 1958 Standard Ten has several visible sidewall choices across its available tires. The 155R13 radial options are blackwall tires, while the 560-13 bias-ply choices include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall designs, giving the buyer a distinctly different visual direction depending on the tire size and construction selected.

That means appearance is closely tied to the broader fitment decision. A blackwall radial tends to suit an understated radial conversion, while a whitewall bias-ply tire creates a much more overt period-style presentation. Matching the sidewall to the car’s restoration theme and current wheels usually leads to a better result than choosing by looks alone.

Tires for the 1958 Standard Ten are available from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 155R13 radial side of the fitment, while BFGoodrich and Firestone provide 560-13 bias-ply choices, so the brand decision is closely connected to the size and construction path being considered.

That makes it useful to choose the tire type first and the brand second. Once the buyer decides between a radial or bias-ply approach, the next comparisons become sidewall style, tire series, rim-width suitability, and the overall look the car should carry rather than assuming one brand serves every Standard Ten owner equally well.

For a period-style 1958 Standard Ten, the 560-13 bias-ply size is the strongest starting point because it preserves the older numeric size format and traditional construction associated with the era. Available choices in that size include classic bias-ply series from BFGoodrich and Firestone with whitewall treatments that create a distinctly vintage presentation.

The right choice depends on how formal or understated the finished car should look, especially when comparing narrow whitewall and wide whitewall options. If exact originality matters beyond a general period-style appearance, it is worth checking marque-specific references or historical vehicle documentation before settling on a particular sidewall treatment.

Tire construction changes the visual impression of a restored 1958 Standard Ten more than many owners expect. A 560-13 bias-ply tire keeps the older numeric format and supports a traditional small-sedan look, while a 155R13 radial brings a later-style metric radial presentation that can look less vintage even on the same 13-inch rim.

Sidewall treatment reinforces that difference. Blackwall radials tend to give the car a cleaner, more road-focused appearance, while whitewall bias-ply tires place more emphasis on period character. Selecting the construction first usually helps narrow the visual direction of the project before brand and tire-series details even come into play.

Modifications can absolutely affect tire fitment on a 1958 Standard Ten, even when the nominal tire size seems correct. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body repairs can influence how a 560-13 bias-ply tire or 155R13 radial sits within the car’s available space.

A modified car should be checked at the wheels rather than judged only by the size stamped on the old tires. Measuring wheel width, confirming 13-inch rim diameter, and checking clearance at the fenders and steering components are all worthwhile before choosing between bias-ply and radial options for a car that may no longer match stock dimensions exactly.

Before driving a 1958 Standard Ten on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter, visible damage, and bead-seat condition, then confirm that the selected tire matches the wheel width being used. It is also wise to look over the steering and suspension for looseness or wear that could affect how either a 560-13 bias-ply or 155R13 radial behaves.

The tire itself still needs routine checks once installed. Verify inflation, look for any signs of rubbing during full steering travel, and recheck clearance after the car is set on the ground. A short, careful test drive followed by another visual inspection can catch fitment issues before they become more serious on the road.

Collector-car tires on a 1958 Standard Ten should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Whether the car wears 560-13 bias-ply tires or 155R13 radials, owners should watch for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss, especially on a vehicle that may spend long periods parked.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a lightly used car. Keeping the Standard Ten away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the rubber over time. It also makes sense to inspect the tires before every drive, because age-related issues can develop even when tread wear appears minimal.