1959 Allard Jag Tires

The 1959 Allard Jag uses two primary tire sizes: 590-15 and 600-15. Both are bias-ply sizes designed for 15-inch rims, and both are associated with the 1959 Allard Jag Mark II Jaguar covered here. That means the car does not point to just one universal size without checking its current wheel-and-tire setup.

The practical next step is to confirm which size is already on the car and whether the wheels match that setup. Since both sizes are valid primary fitments, the decision usually comes down to present wheel width, the car's visual stance, and whether the goal is a traditional bias-ply replacement or a move toward one of the listed radial-equivalent sizes.

The primary tire fitments for a 1959 Allard Jag use a 15-inch rim diameter. Both 590-15 and 600-15 are built around that same wheel diameter, so rim diameter does not change between the two covered sizes. The main fitment difference is the tire size itself rather than a switch to another wheel diameter.

Rim diameter is only part of the equation on a collector car like this. Wheel width should also be checked before choosing a tire, especially if the car has been altered over the years or if the existing wheels are not original to its present setup. That step becomes even more important when comparing a bias-ply tire to a radial-equivalent alternative.

A 590-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size. The 5.90 figure refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches, while the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is an older sizing system that was common on period sports and specialty cars, and it differs from modern metric radial sizing formats.

Understanding that older format helps when comparing replacement choices. A buyer looking at 590-15 should focus first on staying within the correct 15-inch wheel diameter, then compare the available sidewall styles, tire series, and construction options tied to that size. If a radial alternative is being considered, the equivalent size should still be checked against the actual wheel and clearance setup.

For the 1959 Allard Jag, 590-15 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It belongs to the older numeric sizing system and is offered here in bias-ply construction rather than as a primary radial fitment. That makes it the traditional construction choice for maintaining the period tire type associated with this car's original-era setup.

Construction affects more than appearance, so the decision should match the car's use and wheel setup. Buyers who want to retain a vintage presentation may prefer to stay with a bias-ply tire in 590-15, while anyone considering a radial alternative should compare the equivalent sizes carefully and verify wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance before making the change.

Both 590-15 and 600-15 share the same radial-equivalent options: 165R15 as the 80-series metric radial, P165/75R15 as the P-metric 75-series radial, and P175/70R15 as the P-metric 70-series radial. No bias-look radial equivalent appears for either primary size, so the available alternatives are modern radial formats rather than a bias-look radial presentation.

Those equivalents give a buyer several ways to approach radial sizing, but they should not be treated as automatic substitutes. Wheel width matters here, and the recommended rim-width range is 4 to 5 inches. Comparing the car's actual wheels, present tire size, and available clearance is the safest way to decide which radial-equivalent format makes the most sense.

Start by identifying whether the car is currently using 590-15 or 600-15, then match that primary size to its listed radial equivalents. Both sizes point to 165R15, P165/75R15, and P175/70R15, with a recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches. The wheel must still match the tire's rim diameter and width requirements before any conversion is considered.

A careful conversion also means checking overall fit on the car as it sits today. Steering travel, inner-fender space, suspension condition, and any aftermarket wheel changes can all influence results. A collector car that has seen decades of changes may no longer mirror its earlier setup, so verifying the actual wheel-and-clearance package is more useful than relying on assumptions.

The most important factors are using the correct primary size for the car's current setup, keeping the 15-inch rim diameter in mind, and deciding whether a traditional bias-ply tire is the right direction. Since both 590-15 and 600-15 are valid fitments, the choice starts with identifying which size the car is actually built around today.

Once size is confirmed, compare the available sidewall style, tire series, and rim-width specifications for that size. A narrower or wider vintage fitment can change the visual balance of the car, and the construction choice affects the overall character of the setup. Buyers considering a radial equivalent should evaluate that separately rather than treating it as the same decision.

The available sidewall styles for 1959 Allard Jag tire fitments include blackwall and wide whitewall. Both styles appear within the primary bias-ply sizes used on this vehicle, although the exact sidewall options vary by tire size and product line. That gives the car owner a meaningful appearance choice even when staying within the correct vintage size family.

Sidewall style should be chosen with the car's presentation in mind rather than as a simple cosmetic afterthought. A blackwall usually delivers a more understated sporting look, while a wide whitewall creates a more formal period-style statement. It still makes sense to confirm the exact size first, since the available sidewall treatment is tied to the specific tire size being selected.

Tire options for the 1959 Allard Jag are available from BFGoodrich and Avon in the covered sizes. BFGoodrich appears in both 590-15 and 600-15, while Avon appears in 590-15. The available tire series include Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Turbospeed Mk4, giving buyers a few different ways to approach a vintage replacement.

Brand choice should be considered alongside size, construction, sidewall treatment, and wheel compatibility rather than in isolation. The better comparison is whether the tire supports the look and use planned for the car, and whether its rim-width specification matches the actual wheel. That approach helps narrow the field without turning the decision into a simple brand preference.

A period-style direction for a 1959 Allard Jag starts with one of its primary bias-ply sizes, either 590-15 or 600-15, depending on the wheel-and-tire setup already on the car. Staying with bias-ply construction preserves the vintage sizing format and the traditional tire profile associated with cars from this era.

The final choice depends on how the car is being presented. Blackwall and wide whitewall options create very different visual effects, even when the size is right. Buyers focused on historical accuracy beyond general period style should compare the car against marque references, photos, and restoration records, since appearance details should not be assumed from size alone.

Tire construction has a noticeable effect on the look of a restored 1959 Allard Jag because bias-ply and modern radial tires do not present exactly the same visual character. A bias-ply tire keeps the car in its original-era construction family and generally aligns more closely with the traditional proportions expected on a late-1950s specialty sports car.

That does not automatically rule out a radial-equivalent alternative, but it does make the visual decision more deliberate. A radial can change the presentation even when the wheel diameter remains correct, so restoration-minded buyers should weigh appearance, intended use, and wheel setup together. Choosing construction first often makes the sidewall and series decision much easier afterward.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1959 Allard Jag even when the nominal tire size looks correct. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered suspension height, brake conversions, and body or fender work can all change the space available for a 590-15, 600-15, or any radial-equivalent alternative built around the same rim diameter.

A car with a long restoration history or mixed components deserves a physical check rather than a paper assumption. Measuring wheel width, confirming the 15-inch diameter, and checking steering and fender clearance are smart steps before replacing tires. That matters most when moving between the two primary sizes or when converting from a bias-ply tire to a radial-equivalent format.

Before putting a 1959 Allard Jag back on the road with new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm the wheel diameter and width, and make sure each tire is seated and inflated correctly. It also helps to check that the selected size matches the car's present setup, whether that means 590-15, 600-15, or a carefully chosen radial equivalent.

A short inspection drive should include attention to steering feel, clearance at full lock, and any sign of rubbing over bumps. Collector cars can also reveal unrelated issues once they return to motion, so checking suspension condition, wheel hardware, and air retention is worthwhile. A new tire performs best when the rest of the running gear is equally ready for road use.

Collector-car tires in 590-15 or 600-15 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and attention to age-related condition as much as tread wear. A 1959 Allard Jag may not accumulate many miles, so cracking, flat-spotting, bulges, cuts, or slow air loss can matter more than simple mileage when judging tire readiness.

Good storage habits help preserve tires between drives. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can reduce avoidable deterioration, and moving the car periodically can help limit flat-spotting on low-use vehicles. An inspection before each driving season is a sensible routine, especially for a specialty collector car with vintage-size tires.