1959 Allard Tourist Tires

The 1959 Allard Tourist uses two primary tire sizes: 590-15 and 600-15. Both are bias-ply tires designed for 15-inch rims, and the covered Base sub-model can use either of those sizes.

The practical question is not just which sizes belong to the model, but which one belongs on the particular car in front of you. Checking the tire size already installed, measuring wheel width, and confirming that the car has not been altered with different wheels or suspension parts will help narrow the correct choice before comparing brands or sidewall styles.

The 1959 Allard Tourist uses 15-inch rims with its primary tire fitments. Both 590-15 and 600-15 are built around that same 15-inch wheel diameter, so rim diameter stays consistent even though the nominal section width changes between the two sizes.

That consistency helps, but it does not mean every 15-inch wheel is automatically suitable for either tire. Wheel width still matters, especially when moving between 590-15 and 600-15 or when considering a radial equivalent, so the safest next step is confirming the actual wheel width and overall wheel setup on the car before making a final selection.

A 590-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply tire size. The 590 refers to an approximate 5.90-inch nominal section width, and the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches.

That older numbering system reads differently from modern metric radial sizing, so it helps to treat it as a period tire designation rather than trying to compare it casually with current passenger-car sizes. Once the size is understood, the next step is deciding whether to keep the traditional bias-ply format or compare one of the radial equivalents while checking wheel width and clearance.

For the 1959 Allard Tourist, 590-15 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It belongs to the vintage numeric bias-ply sizing system and is offered in period-style bias-ply products rather than as a primary radial fitment.

That distinction matters because staying with a bias-ply tire keeps the car in its original sizing language and traditional construction style. Moving to a radial equivalent is a separate decision that should include a check of wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and fender and steering clearance, especially on a specialty sports car where wheel and suspension setups may have changed over time.

Radial equivalents for 590-15 include 165R15 as the 80-series metric radial option, P165/75R15 as the 75-series P-metric option, and P175/70R15 as the 70-series P-metric option. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches applies to these equivalent sizes.

Those alternatives give you more than one radial sizing format, but they should be treated as comparison choices rather than automatic substitutions. The important checks are wheel width, actual wheel diameter, and available clearance at the fender and steering components, since changing construction or profile can alter how the tire sits on the car even when the equivalent size is appropriate.

Start by confirming the car's present tire size, wheel diameter, and wheel width, then compare those measurements against the radial equivalent you are considering. For a 590-15 or 600-15 fitment, the radial equivalents include 165R15, P165/75R15, and P175/70R15, with a recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches.

Construction changes can affect how the tire works with the car's existing setup, so clearance at the fenders, suspension, and steering should be checked carefully. It also helps to inspect the condition of the wheels themselves and confirm that the car has not been lowered or otherwise modified, since collector cars often differ from their original wheel and suspension configuration.

The first consideration is whether the car should use 590-15 or 600-15, since both are primary sizes for the 1959 Allard Tourist. After that, compare construction type, sidewall style, brand, tire series, and the rim-width specification attached to the tire you are considering.

A buyer focused on traditional presentation may lean toward a bias-ply tire with the sidewall treatment that best suits the car's look, while someone planning more regular road use may also want to review the available radial equivalents separately. Matching the tire to the actual wheel width and current vehicle setup matters more than choosing by appearance alone.

The 1959 Allard Tourist tire choices include blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments. Both styles appear within the primary 15-inch bias-ply fitments, so the visual choice can be made without leaving the correct size family for the car.

That makes sidewall style a meaningful appearance decision rather than a fitment shortcut. Blackwall tires usually give the car a more understated sporting look, while a 2.625-inch wide whitewall creates a brighter late-1950s presentation, but the final choice still needs to be made within the tire size and wheel-width requirements that match the car.

Tires for the 1959 Allard Tourist are available from BFGoodrich and Avon in the applicable 15-inch bias-ply sizes. The available product range includes BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply offerings and an Avon Turbospeed Mk4 option in the narrower primary fitment.

Brand choice should be considered alongside size, series, sidewall treatment, and wheel compatibility rather than as a stand-alone decision. On a specialty car like the Allard Tourist, selecting the right overall combination usually matters more than choosing a brand first, especially if the car's current wheels point you toward one tire size more clearly than the other.

A period-style 1959 Allard Tourist usually starts with one of its correct primary bias-ply sizes, 590-15 or 600-15, mounted on the proper 15-inch wheel diameter. That keeps the car in the vintage sizing and construction family that matches its late-1950s character.

The finer decision is then about appearance and setup rather than just size. Blackwall and wide whitewall choices create different visual results, and exact restoration goals may call for checking period photos, marque references, or other vehicle-specific historical sources before settling on a sidewall style that best suits the car's presentation.

Tire construction affects more than ride and handling on a restored 1959 Allard Tourist; it also changes the car's visual character. A bias-ply tire keeps the car in a traditional late-1950s format, while a radial equivalent introduces a more modern sizing convention and presentation.

That means the construction choice should support the restoration's purpose. A road-focused car may justify radial-equivalent consideration, but a restoration centered on period appearance often begins with the original bias-ply size family and then narrows the look through blackwall or wide whitewall styling rather than changing the construction first.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1959 Allard Tourist even when the tire size itself is correct for the model. Changes to wheels, wheel width, suspension height, steering components, or body clearance can all influence how a 590-15, 600-15, or radial equivalent sits on the car.

That is why a collector car should always be checked as an individual vehicle, not just by catalog size. An Allard with aftermarket wheels or altered suspension may need more careful measurement at the fenders and steering range, and those checks become even more important when moving from a bias-ply tire to a radial alternative.

Before driving a 1959 Allard Tourist on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition and correct diameter, verify lug hardware, and make sure the tires have proper clearance throughout the steering range. It also helps to confirm inflation, look for any suspension or alignment issues, and check that the chosen tire size matches the car's actual setup.

A short, careful test drive is a sensible next step on a low-volume collector car. Watch for rubbing, unusual steering response, vibration, or uneven stance, since those can point to wheel-width mismatch, clearance issues, or chassis problems that were already present before the new tires went on.

Collector-car tires in 590-15 and 600-15 sizing should be inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, flat spotting, and signs of slow air loss. Pressure should be checked before use, and tread and sidewall condition deserve attention even if the car covers very few miles each year.

Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage on a car like the 1959 Allard Tourist. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires, and routine inspection is especially important because aging often becomes a bigger issue than wear on lightly used collector vehicles.