1959 Allard Zepher Tires

The 1959 Allard Zepher uses two primary tire sizes: 590-15 and 600-15. Both are bias-ply tire sizes built for 15-inch rims, and the covered Base sub-model is associated with both sizes rather than just one fixed fitment.

That makes the first step a physical check of the car's current wheel and tire setup. A replacement should match the actual wheel diameter and should also make sense for the wheel width, tire clearance, and overall appearance goal, especially if the car has been restored, modified, or has had wheels changed at some point.

The primary tire fitments for the 1959 Allard Zepher are built around a 15-inch rim diameter. Both 590-15 and 600-15 are 15-inch vintage bias-ply sizes, so wheel diameter remains consistent even though the tire width designation changes slightly between the two fitments.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a collector car like this. Before choosing a tire, it helps to confirm the actual wheel width as well, since product options within these sizes carry different rim-width ranges and a car that has been altered over the years may no longer be wearing its earlier wheel setup.

On a 1959 Allard Zepher, 590-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply tire size. The 590 portion refers to an approximate 5.90-inch nominal section width, while the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches.

That older size format matters because it differs from modern metric radial sizing. A buyer comparing tires should not treat 590-15 as just a number on the sidewall; it also points to the tire's vintage construction style, visual proportions, and wheel compatibility, all of which should be considered before moving to another size or a radial equivalent.

For the 1959 Allard Zepher, 590-15 is a bias-ply tire size. It is one of the two primary vintage fitments used on the model, and the available products in that size follow the traditional bias-ply construction associated with period-style replacement tires.

That distinction matters because a bias-ply tire affects both appearance and setup decisions. Someone keeping the car visually closer to its era may want to stay with bias-ply construction, while an owner considering radial alternatives should separately review equivalent sizes, wheel-width compatibility, and available clearance rather than assuming the original and modern constructions behave the same way.

Radial equivalents for 590-15 on a 1959 Allard Zepher include 165R15 as an 80-series metric radial, P165/75R15 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P175/70R15 as a 70-series P-metric radial. No bias-look radial equivalent is associated with this size here.

Those sizes provide different radial-format alternatives rather than one automatic substitute. The recommended rim-width range tied to these equivalents is 4-5 inches, so the wheel width should be checked first, then the owner should verify how the chosen radial compares in overall dimensions and clearance before changing from the original-style bias-ply fitment.

Start with the car's actual wheel diameter and width, then compare that setup to the radial equivalent being considered for either 590-15 or 600-15. For these equivalents, a 4-5 inch rim-width range is associated with the modern radial alternatives.

A careful conversion also includes checking steering clearance, fender clearance, suspension condition, and the car's intended road use. Radial equivalents such as 165R15, P165/75R15, and P175/70R15 should be treated as alternatives to evaluate, not as automatic replacements, especially on a low-volume vintage car where wheel changes and prior modifications may already affect fitment.

Choosing a 590-15 tire for a 1959 Allard Zepher starts with confirming that 590-15 is the size the car is actually set up to use. From there, the main considerations are bias-ply construction, blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, brand choice, and the difference between BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Avon Turbospeed Mk4 offerings.

Wheel compatibility is also part of the decision, not just sidewall style. Some 590-15 products are associated with a 4.00-4.50 inch rim-width range, so the tire should suit the actual wheel on the car, and the final choice should match whether the goal is a more understated blackwall presentation or a more restoration-oriented whitewall look.

The available sidewall styles for 1959 Allard Zepher tires are blackwall and wide whitewall. Both treatments appear within the correct bias-ply fitments, giving owners a clear visual choice without leaving the period-style tire sizes used on the car.

That choice has as much to do with the character of the finished car as it does with pure fitment. A blackwall typically gives a more restrained sporting look, while a wide whitewall creates a more formal vintage presentation, so the best option depends on the way the car is being restored, displayed, and driven rather than on size alone.

Tires for the 1959 Allard Zepher are available from BFGoodrich and Avon within the covered fitments. BFGoodrich appears in both 590-15 and 600-15 through the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line, while Avon appears in 590-15 through the Turbospeed Mk4 series.

Brand choice should be considered alongside the exact tire size, construction, and appearance wanted for the car. Rather than treating brand alone as the decision, it helps to compare which size each brand offers, whether the tire is blackwall or wide whitewall, and how the product's wheel fitment details line up with the actual wheel on the vehicle.

A period-style 1959 Allard Zepher starts with the original-format bias-ply fitments, which in this case are 590-15 and 600-15 on 15-inch rims. Staying within those sizes preserves the vintage sizing language and traditional tire profile that suit a specialist British car from the late 1950s.

The final choice depends on how the car is being presented. Blackwall and wide whitewall options create very different visual results, and exact restoration standards can vary, so owners pursuing strict historical accuracy should compare the car against marque-specific references, event standards, or period photos before settling on one sidewall treatment over another.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1959 Allard Zepher because a bias-ply tire presents the car in a more traditional vintage format than a modern radial. Since the primary fitments here are 590-15 and 600-15 bias-ply sizes, keeping that construction generally supports a stronger period-style presentation.

A radial equivalent can still be considered, but its modern sizing convention and profile family may alter the overall impression even when the rim diameter stays appropriate. For a restoration-minded owner, construction is not only about road feel; it is also part of how convincingly the finished car reflects its era when viewed at a glance.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1959 Allard Zepher even when the car still uses a 15-inch wheel. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body and fender revisions can all influence whether 590-15, 600-15, or a radial equivalent remains a sensible choice.

A vintage specialty car should be measured rather than assumed. Checking the actual wheel dimensions, steering sweep, and tire-to-body clearance is especially important before ordering replacement tires, because small changes made years ago can leave the car wearing a setup that differs from the period-style sizes normally associated with the model.

Before driving a 1959 Allard Zepher on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm the tires are seated correctly, and make sure there is no interference at full steering lock. It also helps to verify valve stems, balance, and inflation before putting road miles on a freshly mounted set.

Collector vehicles deserve a broader check beyond the tire itself. Suspension wear, loose steering components, brake condition, and any signs of rubbing should be addressed early, since a new tire can reveal existing problems that an old or mismatched set may have masked during slower, shorter use around the garage or show field.

590-15 tires on a collector 1959 Allard Zepher should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, and uneven wear, and checked for air loss during storage periods. A low-use vintage car can develop tire issues from age and environment long before tread depth becomes the main concern.

Storage habits matter almost as much as mileage on a specialty car. Keeping the Zepher away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires, and an owner planning a longer drive should reassess condition, pressure, and wheel security beforehand rather than assuming rarely used tires remain road-ready simply because they still look clean.