1959 Austin 850 Tires

The 1959 Austin 850 uses two primary tire sizes: 145R10 in radial construction and 5.20-10 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are built for a 10-inch rim, so the main difference is the sizing system and tire construction rather than wheel diameter.

That means the real decision is whether the car is being kept in a traditional bias-ply setup or run with the radial size. On a collector car of this age, it is smart to confirm the actual wheel dimensions and inspect for later wheel changes before choosing between the two formats.

The primary tire sizes for the 1959 Austin 850 are both built around a 10-inch rim diameter. That applies to the 145R10 radial and the 5.20-10 bias-ply size, which keeps the wheel-diameter question fairly simple for this model.

Rim diameter is only one part of fitment, though. A car that has had wheel swaps over the years may still need its wheel width and overall tire clearance checked before mounting new tires, especially when moving between a vintage numeric bias-ply size and a metric radial size.

The covered 1959 Austin 850 sub-model grouping of Base, Super Mini, and Seven shares the same two primary tire-size paths: 145R10 radial and 5.20-10 bias-ply. There is no separate tire-size split within that covered sub-model group.

That consistency makes selection easier because trim identification is less important than construction choice. The next step is confirming how the individual car is currently set up, since decades of ownership can bring wheel changes, suspension work, or a switch from traditional bias-ply sizing to radial tires.

5.20-10 is the bias-ply tire size used on the 1959 Austin 850. It uses a vintage numeric sizing system, where 5.20 is the nominal section width in inches and 10 is the rim diameter.

That matters because a bias-ply tire changes both the look and the setup path compared with a 145R10 radial. Owners considering this size usually do so for a more traditional presentation, and it is still worth confirming wheel width, tire age, and overall clearance before putting an older small car back into service.

145R10 is the radial tire size used on the 1959 Austin 850. In that code, 145 is the nominal section width in millimeters, R identifies radial construction, and 10 is the rim diameter in inches.

Choosing 145R10 keeps the car on the same basic wheel diameter while moving into a modern radial size format. Since collector cars are often altered over time, the safest approach is to verify the actual wheel setup and compare tire-to-body and tire-to-suspension clearance before settling on radial construction.

The 1959 Austin 850 can be approached either with the traditional 5.20-10 bias-ply size or the 145R10 radial size. The right choice depends on whether the priority is maintaining a more period-style construction or using the radial fitment available for this model.

Construction choice affects more than appearance, so the decision should match how the car is used and how closely it is being restored. A car with later wheels, suspension changes, or long-stored components deserves a careful wheel and clearance inspection before changing from one construction type to the other.

Start with the two correct fitment paths: 5.20-10 for bias-ply or 145R10 for radial, both on a 10-inch rim. Once the size and construction are narrowed down, the choice becomes more about how closely the tire suits the car's restoration direction and intended road use.

A practical comparison should include brand, tire series, sidewall presentation, and any available load or weight details that matter to your setup. It also helps to look closely at the actual wheels on the car, since a long-owned Austin may no longer have the same wheel arrangement it once carried.

The available 145R10 radial products for the 1959 Austin 850 are offered in blackwall form. That gives the current radial assortment a clean, understated appearance that suits buyers looking for a simple traditional look rather than a decorative sidewall treatment.

Sidewall style should be considered alongside construction and overall presentation, especially on a small collector car where tire appearance is very noticeable. A blackwall radial can look quite different from a vintage bias-ply tire even when both fit the same 10-inch rim, so the visual result deserves attention before choosing.

The 145R10 radial size for the 1959 Austin 850 is available from Firestone, Kings, Camac, Dunlop, and Vredestein. Those brands appear across several radial series, giving the buyer more than one path within the same basic 10-inch radial fitment.

Brand alone should not decide the purchase. It is more useful to compare the exact tire series, the sidewall presentation, and any specification details that matter to the car's intended use, while also making sure the Austin's wheels and overall setup still match the size being selected.

For a period-style 1959 Austin 850, the traditional starting point is the 5.20-10 bias-ply size because it retains the vintage numeric format and earlier construction style associated with cars of this era. The 145R10 radial is also a correct fitment path, but it presents the car differently.

The best choice depends on whether the goal is restoration-minded appearance or more regular road use with radial construction. When exact originality matters, it helps to compare the car against marque references, period photos, or other vehicle-specific documentation instead of assuming any one modern product is factory-correct.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1959 Austin 850 as much as the size itself. A 5.20-10 bias-ply keeps the car in a traditional vintage format, while a 145R10 radial introduces a more modern metric designation and a different overall tire presentation.

Because the Austin 850 is such a compact car, even small appearance changes at the tire can stand out quickly. Restoration-focused owners usually do best by deciding early whether the project is aiming for period flavor, practical road use, or a blend of both before choosing between bias-ply and radial construction.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1959 Austin 850 even though both primary tire choices use a 10-inch rim. Wheel-width changes, suspension alterations, ride-height changes, or bodywork differences can all influence how either a 5.20-10 bias-ply or 145R10 radial sits on the car.

A small car leaves less room for assumptions, so any Austin with aftermarket wheels or altered suspension deserves careful checking at full steering lock and through suspension travel. It is also smart to confirm that all four wheels match before ordering a full set of replacement tires.

Before driving a 1959 Austin 850 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, make sure the tires are properly seated, and verify that there is no rubbing at the fenders, suspension, or steering components. Tire pressure should also be checked before the first road miles.

A collector car that has spent long periods parked should also have its wheel hardware, brakes, and suspension condition reviewed so the new tires are not being asked to compensate for unrelated problems. A short, cautious test drive can reveal pull, vibration, or clearance issues before regular use begins.

Tires on a collector 1959 Austin 850 should be inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Proper inflation and clean storage conditions matter because long parked periods can age tires as much as road miles do.

Collector-car maintenance also includes watching for changes in how the car sits or steers, since those signs can point to tire or wheel problems early. Keeping the Austin away from prolonged sunlight, excess moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors helps preserve tire condition between drives.