1959 Austin A 95 Tires

The 1959 Austin A 95 uses more than one primary tire size. The Countryman uses 670-15 bias-ply, while the Westminster is associated with either 640-15 bias-ply or 185R15 radial, all on 15-inch rims. That means there is not one universal answer for every A 95 wearing its original badging.

The practical first step is identifying the exact sub-model and then checking what wheels are actually on the car today. Many collector cars have been changed over the years, so confirming the tire size already in service, the wheel width, and the construction type you want to keep or change will prevent a mismatch.

The tire fitments used on the 1959 Austin A 95 are built around a 15-inch rim diameter. That applies across the 670-15 bias-ply, 640-15 bias-ply, and 185R15 radial sizes associated with this model year and model line.

Rim diameter is only part of the picture, especially if the car has replacement wheels or has been converted from one construction type to another. It is worth measuring wheel width and comparing it with the intended tire's approved rim-width range so the tire profile, clearance, and road manners stay in line with the car's setup.

No. The 1959 Austin A 95 Countryman uses 670-15 bias-ply, while the 1959 Austin A 95 Westminster is tied to 640-15 bias-ply and 185R15 radial fitment. The sub-model matters because the fitment path changes with it.

That difference affects more than the number stamped on the sidewall. It influences whether the car is staying with a traditional bias-ply presentation or using a radial configuration, and it changes which product families, sidewall styles, and equivalent-size options make sense to review before making a final selection.

On the 1959 Austin A 95, 670-15 is a bias-ply tire size. It is the primary fitment used on the Countryman, and the available products in that size follow traditional bias-ply construction rather than a standard modern radial construction.

That matters because selecting a 670-15 usually means deciding how traditional you want the car to feel and look, not just what size will mount on a 15-inch wheel. If a radial-style driving setup is the goal, the available radial-equivalent sizes should be compared carefully with the current wheel width and the car's clearance before changing construction.

Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15 as an 80-series metric radial, P205/75R15 as a 75-series P-metric radial, P215/70R15 as a 70-series P-metric radial, and 670R15 as a bias-look radial. The recommended rim-width range attached to these equivalents is 5 to 7 inches.

Those choices give different sizing conventions and visual directions rather than one automatic replacement. The 195R15 stays in a traditional metric radial format, the P-metric options introduce later sizing styles, and the 670R15 keeps a more vintage presentation. Wheel width, overall vehicle clearance, and the car's intended use should all be confirmed before making the switch.

Start by confirming which sub-model you have, which primary size the car uses, and whether the current wheels are still 15-inch wheels with suitable width for the radial size being considered. For 670-15 and 640-15 bias-ply fitments, the radial-equivalent options should be treated as alternatives that require wheel and vehicle verification.

A careful conversion check should include wheel width, section clearance at the fenders and steering components, and the condition of suspension and steering parts. Tire construction changes can also alter the look of the car, so owners balancing drivability with restoration appearance should compare both the fitment details and the visual style before settling on a radial setup.

Choosing a 670-15 tire starts with keeping the fitment correct for the Countryman and staying with a bias-ply construction unless you are intentionally evaluating a radial equivalent. Within that size, the meaningful differences are brand, tire series, sidewall style, approved rim width, and load specification where it is given.

A buyer focused on restoration appearance may lean toward blackwall, narrow whitewall, or one of several wide whitewall treatments, while a driver concerned with wheel compatibility should pay closer attention to the rim-width specification. It also helps to compare the car's actual wheel dimensions rather than assuming every 15-inch wheel used on an Austin A 95 is the same.

The 1959 Austin A 95 has strong sidewall variety across its available tire sizes. Depending on size and construction, choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline, which gives owners room to keep the presentation understated, more formal, or slightly sportier within the correct fitment family.

The key is matching the sidewall style to both the sub-model and the construction you plan to run. A Westminster using 185R15 radial opens a different appearance mix than a Countryman on 670-15 bias-ply, so confirming the tire size first keeps appearance decisions from drifting into styles that belong to a different fitment path.

Tires for the 1959 Austin A 95 are available from Firestone, BFGoodrich, Goodyear, US Royal, Michelin, Avon, Universal Vintage Tire, Coker Classic, Excelsior, and STA. Brand availability changes by size, so the mix is broader in 670-15 bias-ply than it is in 185R15 radial or 640-15 bias-ply.

Brand should be considered alongside size, construction, sidewall treatment, and tire series rather than as a standalone decision. Once the correct fitment path is confirmed, the useful comparison is whether a particular brand offers the visual style, radial or bias-ply construction, and wheel-compatibility details that suit how the Austin will actually be restored or driven.

A period-style 1959 Austin A 95 usually starts with the tire size and construction associated with the specific sub-model. That means 670-15 bias-ply for the Countryman, while the Westminster may point toward 640-15 bias-ply or 185R15 radial depending on the setup being followed on the car.

After the correct fitment is established, the appearance decision often comes down to blackwall versus whitewall width, and in some radial offerings, redline. Buyers seeking exact historical accuracy should compare their car against marque references or restoration documentation, since a period-style tire can be visually appropriate without necessarily being proven factory-original.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1959 Austin A 95 as much as the driving feel. A bias-ply tire keeps the traditional sidewall and tread-era presentation associated with late-1950s fitment, while a radial can shift the car toward a more modern look even when it remains on a 15-inch wheel.

That distinction is especially important on a car with whitewall or redline options, because the sidewall treatment and construction work together in the finished appearance. Owners restoring for display often pay close attention to that balance, while owners building a road car may accept a more modern look in exchange for the tire format they prefer.

Yes. A 1959 Austin A 95 can be affected by aftermarket wheels, wheel-width changes, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body alterations just like any other collector car. Those changes matter even when the tire size appears correct on paper, because the car may no longer match the original wheel and clearance relationship.

A modified car should be checked at full steering lock and through normal suspension travel before settling on a tire choice. It is also smart to confirm the actual wheel diameter and width rather than relying on assumption, especially when considering a radial equivalent for a bias-ply size or switching between Westminster fitment paths.

Before driving a 1959 Austin A 95 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm lug hardware is right for the wheels being used, and make sure the tires clear the fenders and steering components. The suspension and steering should also be in sound condition so the tires are not asked to compensate for worn parts.

A road-ready check should also include inflation pressure, visible sidewall condition, bead seating, and any signs of rubbing after a short test roll. On a collector car that may have sat for long periods, it is worth rechecking balance and air retention after initial use so the fresh tires settle into service properly.

Tires on a collector 1959 Austin A 95 should be inspected regularly for pressure loss, tread wear, cracking, bulges, cuts, and signs of age, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Collector vehicles often spend long periods parked, which makes routine visual checks just as important as mileage-based maintenance.

Storage conditions play a major role in preserving both bias-ply and radial tires. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the rubber, and moving the car or adjusting support during long storage can reduce flat-spotting concerns before the next road outing.