1959 Allard Palm Beach Tires

The 1959 Allard Palm Beach uses two primary tire sizes: 590-15 and 600-15. Both are bias-ply sizes designed for 15-inch rims, and the Palm Beach Base is associated with both fitments rather than a single universal size.

That means the next step is checking the actual wheels and tires already on the car before ordering replacements. Since both sizes belong to the same vintage sizing family, the choice usually comes down to the individual car’s wheel width, current setup, and whether the goal is to stay with a traditional bias-ply tire or compare one of the available radial equivalents.

The 1959 Allard Palm Beach uses 15-inch rims with its primary tire fitments. Both 590-15 and 600-15 are built around a 15-inch wheel diameter, so confirming that diameter is straightforward even though the car is associated with two different tire sizes.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a collector car like this. Wheel width still matters, especially when comparing 590-15 and 600-15 products or evaluating radial equivalents. A car that has had wheel changes at some point may not match its earlier setup, so a quick check of the wheels on the car prevents choosing the right diameter but the wrong overall fitment.

On a 1959 Allard Palm Beach, 590-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size. The 5.90 portion refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches, and the 15 identifies the wheel diameter the tire is built to fit.

That older numbering system is different from modern metric radial sizes, so it helps to translate the format before comparing tires. Once the size is confirmed, the real decision becomes choosing the right construction and appearance for the car, such as a blackwall or wide whitewall bias-ply tire, or reviewing the metric and P-metric radial equivalents that correspond to this vintage fitment.

For the 1959 Allard Palm Beach, 590-15 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It belongs to the vintage numeric sizing system and reflects the traditional construction style associated with late-1950s sports and specialty cars.

That matters because a buyer deciding on 590-15 is really choosing whether to keep the original-style construction or consider a radial equivalent in a different size format. Bias-ply and radial tires should not be treated as automatic substitutes just because they serve a similar role. Wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance need to be reviewed before changing construction on a Palm Beach.

Radial equivalents for 590-15 include 165R15, P165/75R15, and P175/70R15. Those represent an 80-series metric radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, and a 70-series P-metric radial, giving the Palm Beach owner more than one modern sizing format to compare.

Each of those sizes should be treated as an alternative rather than a guaranteed swap. The recommended rim-width range for these equivalents is 4 to 5 inches, so the wheel should be measured before making the change. It is also wise to compare the vehicle’s current setup for body, steering, and suspension clearance, especially on a specialty car that may have seen wheel or chassis changes over time.

Start by confirming which primary size the car uses, either 590-15 or 600-15, and then match that size to the appropriate radial equivalents. For both Palm Beach sizes, the available radial alternatives are 165R15, P165/75R15, and P175/70R15, with a recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches.

Conversion also calls for a close look at the actual wheel width, the tire’s relationship to the fenders, and steering and suspension clearance throughout travel. A Palm Beach that has been modified over the years may not respond the same way as one on its earlier setup. Construction choice also affects presentation, so owners often balance road-use preferences against the traditional look of a bias-ply tire.

The first consideration is confirming that 590-15 is the size already suited to the car’s wheel and setup, since the 1959 Allard Palm Beach is also associated with 600-15. Once size is confirmed, the main choices within 590-15 are construction style, brand, sidewall appearance, and the product’s rim-width and load specifications.

BFGoodrich and Avon both appear in this size, and the available presentation includes blackwall plus a wide whitewall option. Those differences matter as much visually as they do functionally on a small-displacement collector sports car. Matching the tire to the wheel width and to the look you want from the Palm Beach usually leads to a better result than choosing by brand name alone.

The 1959 Allard Palm Beach has both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall choices within its applicable tire sizes. Blackwall options appear in both 590-15 and 600-15, while a 2.625-inch wide whitewall is also available in both sizes.

That gives the car two distinct visual directions. A blackwall generally supports a more understated sports-car presentation, while a wide whitewall creates a brighter period-style look that can change the Palm Beach’s overall character. Since sidewall treatment does not change the need for proper fitment, the appearance decision should come after confirming whether the car is set up for 590-15 or 600-15.

BFGoodrich and Avon offer tires for the 1959 Allard Palm Beach within the applicable bias-ply sizes. BFGoodrich appears in both 590-15 and 600-15 through the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line, while Avon appears in the 590-size range through the Turbospeed Mk4 series.

Brand matters most when it reflects a meaningful difference in the tire choices available to you. On this car, that usually means comparing which size you need first, then deciding whether the appearance should be blackwall or wide whitewall, and finally reviewing series details such as rim-width and load specifications. The best comparison starts with the correct Palm Beach fitment rather than the brand name alone.

A period-style 1959 Allard Palm Beach generally starts with one of its primary bias-ply sizes, 590-15 or 600-15, rather than moving immediately to a modern radial format. Staying in the correct vintage size family helps preserve the visual proportion and traditional character expected from a late-1950s hand-built sports car.

The final choice depends on the car’s existing wheel setup and the look you want to achieve. Blackwall and wide whitewall options create very different presentations even within the same size. If strict originality matters, it is worth checking marque-specific historical references or restoration records for the individual car, since period-style fitment and exact as-delivered appearance are not always the same thing.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1959 Allard Palm Beach as much as the sidewall style does. A bias-ply tire keeps the car within its traditional size and construction family, which usually supports a more authentic late-1950s stance and overall presentation.

A radial equivalent can still be considered, but it introduces a more modern sizing format and may alter the way the tire looks on the wheel even when the rim diameter stays the same. That is why many restoration-minded owners decide on appearance first, then compare radial alternatives more cautiously. The Palm Beach’s low-volume, specialty-car nature makes those visual details especially noticeable.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1959 Allard Palm Beach even when the car still uses a 15-inch wheel. Changes to wheel width, wheel offset, ride height, suspension components, or body clearance can influence whether a 590-15, 600-15, or radial equivalent remains a sensible choice.

That is especially important on low-production collector cars, where earlier owners may have made changes that are not obvious at first glance. Measuring the wheels on the car and checking clearance at the fenders and steering stops helps prevent surprises. Any Palm Beach wearing aftermarket wheels or altered suspension should be inspected as an individual setup rather than assumed to match an earlier configuration.

Before driving a 1959 Allard Palm Beach on new tires, inspect the wheels, lug hardware, valve stems, and the tire’s seated fit on the rim. It also helps to confirm proper inflation, look over brake and suspension condition, and make sure the tires clear the body and steering range without rubbing.

Collector cars often spend long periods parked, so road readiness depends on more than fresh rubber alone. A short initial drive followed by another inspection can reveal air loss, contact marks, or settling issues that were not obvious in the shop. Giving the Palm Beach that extra check is worthwhile whether it stays on bias-ply tires or moves to one of the available radial-equivalent sizes.

Collector-car tires on a 1959 Allard Palm Beach should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Whether the car uses 590-15 or 600-15, look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, unusual wear, and gradual air loss, especially if the car is driven infrequently.

Storage conditions matter because heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone can age tires long before the tread is worn. Moving the car occasionally, keeping the tires properly inflated, and inspecting them before each outing helps catch problems early. A Palm Beach that sees only occasional road use still benefits from routine tire attention, since age and inactivity can be as important as mileage.