1959 Bentley S-Type Tires

The 1959 Bentley S-Type uses an 820-15 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment mounted on a 15-inch rim, and it is the primary size associated with the model, including the Base sub-model.

That means the buying decision is centered more on tire style than on sorting through multiple original sizes. Once 820-15 has been confirmed on the car, the next step is choosing the sidewall treatment and tire series that best suits the Bentley’s intended use and appearance, while also checking that the wheels still match the original diameter and appropriate width.

The 1959 Bentley S-Type uses a 15-inch rim with its primary 820-15 tire size. That rim diameter is consistent with the vehicle’s original tire format and is the first measurement to confirm before comparing any tire choices.

Rim diameter matters because a correct 15-inch tire can still be the wrong match if the car has been changed to another wheel size over the years. It is also worth checking wheel width before moving to a radial equivalent, since radial options are associated with a 6-8 inch rim-width range and the actual wheel setup may affect fitment and clearance.

The 820-15 size is a vintage numeric bias-ply designation. In plain terms, 820 refers to an approximate 8.20-inch nominal section width, while 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches.

For a 1959 Bentley S-Type, that older sizing format is part of understanding how the car was originally shod and why modern-looking metric sizes are not the starting point for a restoration-minded search. It also explains why a radial equivalent is described separately rather than treated as the same thing as the primary fitment.

On the 1959 Bentley S-Type, 820-15 is a bias-ply tire size. That is the primary construction tied to this fitment, and the available products in that size are centered on classic bias-ply designs and period-style sidewall treatments.

Staying with bias-ply construction generally preserves the traditional tire profile and visual character that suit a late-1950s Bentley. Owners considering a change should treat radial sizing as an alternative path rather than the same fitment, then verify wheel width, overall dimensions, and chassis clearance before making the switch.

Radial equivalents for 820-15 include 235R15, P235/75R15, P255/70R15, and 820R15. Those cover an 80-series metric radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, a 70-series P-metric radial, and a bias-look radial equivalent.

Each option keeps the same basic 15-inch wheel diameter idea, but the sizing convention and profile family are different enough that they should not be treated as automatic substitutes. A 6-8 inch rim-width range is associated with these equivalents, and the owner should also confirm wheel width, vehicle stance, and fender or steering clearance before converting from bias-ply.

A bias-look radial equivalent is available for the 1959 Bentley S-Type in size 820R15. It offers a radial construction approach while aiming to retain a more traditional appearance than a modern metric radial usually presents.

That makes it a useful option for owners who want a classic visual presentation without staying strictly with bias-ply construction. Even so, it should still be evaluated as an alternative tire choice, not as an automatic swap, with attention paid to the wheel dimensions on the car and to clearance around suspension and bodywork.

Start with the confirmed primary size, 820-15, then decide whether the car’s priorities are visual authenticity, touring use, or a compromise between the two. In this size, the available choices are largely classic bias-ply tires with different sidewall treatments and series names rather than different original fitments.

A restoration-oriented owner may focus first on the sidewall presentation that best matches the car’s period look, while a road-use owner may compare construction approach and wheel specifications more closely. Rim-width compatibility, load figures where stated, and the car’s actual wheel setup all deserve a look before narrowing the choice.

The 1959 Bentley S-Type has 820-15 tire options in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. Those appearance choices span several classic tire lines and make a noticeable difference in how formal, understated, or distinctly late-1950s the car looks.

Choosing among them is usually more about presentation than basic fitment, since the tire size remains the same. A blackwall can give the car a restrained touring look, while narrow and wide whitewalls move the appearance further toward period-style luxury. The right answer depends on the Bentley’s restoration direction and the wheel-and-trim combination already on the car.

Tires for the 1959 Bentley S-Type in 820-15 are available from BFGoodrich, Firestone, US Royal, Universal Vintage Tire, and Avon. Those brands appear across several bias-ply product lines, including traditional blackwall and whitewall offerings.

Brand choice is best treated as one part of a larger decision rather than the whole answer. It helps to compare the sidewall style, tire series, load information where shown, and the wheel specifications tied to each option, then match those details to whether the Bentley is being judged, shown, or driven regularly on the road.

A period-style 1959 Bentley S-Type usually starts with the original-format 820-15 bias-ply size. That keeps the car in the correct vintage sizing system and opens up blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall choices that suit a late-1950s luxury saloon presentation.

The right tire then depends on how strictly the car is being restored and what visual statement the owner wants. For a highly exact restoration, vehicle-specific history and marque guidance are worth consulting before settling on a sidewall treatment. For a general period-style result, the correct size and an appropriate whitewall or blackwall look are the main priorities.

Tire construction can change the look of a restored 1959 Bentley S-Type even when the wheel diameter stays the same. A bias-ply tire preserves the original-style sizing format and generally aligns more closely with the visual character expected on a Bentley of this era.

A modern radial equivalent can still be worth considering, especially if road use matters, but it may present the car differently depending on the sizing format chosen. Owners who want the most traditional appearance often begin with 820-15 bias-ply options, while those considering radial alternatives should evaluate both appearance and wheel compatibility together.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1959 Bentley S-Type even when the tire size itself appears correct. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body repairs can all influence how an 820-15 tire or radial equivalent sits on the car.

That is especially important on collector cars that may have had decades of ownership changes. A buyer should confirm wheel diameter first, then inspect wheel width and available clearance at the fenders and steering components. Those checks become even more important when comparing bias-ply tires to radial alternatives that follow different sizing conventions.

Before driving a 1959 Bentley S-Type on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and general condition, then confirm that each tire is seated properly and inflated to the pressure appropriate for that tire and vehicle setup. A quick look at valve stems, wheel hardware, and visible suspension condition is also worthwhile.

Collector cars benefit from a slow and careful first road test. Pay attention to steering feel, any pull or vibration, and whether there is enough clearance through turns and over bumps. It is also smart to recheck pressure and look for any signs of rubbing or uneven contact after the first drive.

820-15 tires on a collector 1959 Bentley S-Type should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Low-mileage use does not prevent aging, so sidewall cracking, tread separation signs, bulges, cuts, and slow air loss all deserve attention even if the car is driven only occasionally.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on an older luxury car. Keeping the Bentley away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the tires between drives. It is also wise to inspect them before longer outings rather than assuming that a lightly used collector tire is automatically road-ready.