1959 BMW 507 Tires

The 1959 BMW 507 is associated with two primary tire sizes: 175R16 in radial construction and 600-16 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes use a 16-inch rim, so the fitment question is less about diameter and more about which construction and size format your specific car is currently using.

A 507 that has stayed close to an earlier-style setup may be running 600-16 bias-ply tires, while another may already be using 175R16 radials. Checking the tire sidewall, wheel width, and overall clearance before choosing a replacement helps keep the new set aligned with the car’s present configuration and intended use.

The primary tire fitments for the 1959 BMW 507 both use a 16-inch rim diameter. That applies to the 175R16 radial size and the 600-16 bias-ply size, so the wheel diameter remains consistent even though the construction and sizing systems differ.

Rim diameter is only part of the picture on a collector sports car like the 507. It is still worth confirming actual wheel width and checking the current tires on the car, especially if the wheels have been changed at some point or if the car is moving from one construction type to another.

The 1959 BMW 507 Base is associated with both of the model’s primary tire sizes: 175R16 radial and 600-16 bias-ply. Rather than splitting by a different trim or body variation, the Base model can appear with either construction path on the same 16-inch rim diameter.

That makes the practical task straightforward but important: identify what is actually on your car now. Looking at the sidewall markings, wheel dimensions, and overall stance will tell you whether you should continue with a traditional 600-16 bias-ply setup or evaluate a 175R16 radial approach instead.

On the 1959 BMW 507, 600-16 is the numeric bias-ply fitment. The size uses the older inch-based naming convention, and the available tires in this fitment are built in bias-ply construction rather than radial construction.

That matters because bias-ply tires influence both the car’s appearance and the way replacement choices are narrowed. A buyer looking at 600-16 should compare sidewall style, series, and wheel compatibility, while anyone thinking about a different construction should first confirm the wheel setup and the clearance around the tire.

A 1959 BMW 507 can be approached either with the 600-16 bias-ply fitment or the 175R16 radial fitment. The decision usually comes down to whether the priority is a more traditional period-style presentation or a setup built around radial construction on the same 16-inch wheel diameter.

Construction choice should be made after checking the actual wheels on the car, not by size name alone. Cars that have seen restoration work or later wheel changes may already be configured around one approach, and matching the new tires to that setup helps avoid avoidable issues with compatibility, stance, and clearance.

Start by confirming that the car is currently on a 600-16 bias-ply setup and that the wheels are suitable for the 175R16 radial fitment. The 1959 BMW 507 uses a 16-inch rim in either case, but diameter alone does not settle whether the wheel width and overall tire dimensions are appropriate for a change in construction.

A careful conversion check should include wheel width, tire-to-fender clearance, steering clearance, and the general condition of suspension and steering components. It also helps to compare the look you want from the car, since a radial changes more than construction alone and can alter how the 507 presents visually.

The first step is choosing the correct fitment path: 600-16 bias-ply or 175R16 radial. Once that is settled, the meaningful comparisons are wheel compatibility, construction type, sidewall presentation, load specification where shown, and whether the tire suits a restoration-oriented appearance or a more road-use-focused setup.

A 507 is the kind of car where visual proportion matters almost as much as fitment accuracy. Looking at the wheel width already on the car, the stance you want, and how the car will actually be driven makes it easier to narrow the field without treating every tire in the correct size as the same choice.

For the 1959 BMW 507, the visible sidewall choices appear in the 600-16 bias-ply fitment and include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. Those choices can change the car’s overall presentation significantly even when the size and basic construction stay the same.

Blackwall tires usually keep the look more restrained and sporting, while whitewall treatments create a more decorative period-style effect. Since sidewall style is an appearance decision rather than a fitment shortcut, it should be chosen after confirming the correct size and construction for the wheels and setup already on the car.

The 600-16 fitment for the 1959 BMW 507 is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. These brands appear across several bias-ply series and sidewall treatments, giving the buyer more than one path within the traditional 16-inch numeric size.

Brand choice should be considered alongside the tire’s series, sidewall style, and wheel specifications rather than as a stand-alone decision. For a car like the 507, the right comparison is usually which brand offers the presentation and specifications that best match the vehicle’s current wheel setup and intended use.

For a period-style 1959 BMW 507, the 600-16 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it preserves the older numeric fitment format and the traditional construction associated with many restoration-minded choices. Within that size, the visible differences come from brand, tire series, and sidewall treatment rather than from a change in wheel diameter.

Choosing the most appropriate version depends on how formal or sporting you want the finished car to look. Buyers focused on strict historical accuracy should compare the tire decision against marque-specific references and restoration records, while others may simply choose the 600-16 presentation that best suits the car’s overall character.

Tire construction affects more than ride and handling on a restored 1959 BMW 507; it also influences the visual character of the car. A 600-16 bias-ply setup keeps the vintage numeric sizing format and a more traditional appearance, while a 175R16 radial introduces a later-style metric presentation.

That difference is especially noticeable on a hand-built sports car where wheel and tire proportion play a large role in the finished look. Buyers restoring for shows, marque events, or a distinctly period-style profile often start by deciding whether they want the visual language of bias-ply or radial construction before comparing individual tire choices.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1959 BMW 507 even when the tire still carries a 16-inch designation. Wheel-width changes, aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, brake upgrades, or bodywork differences can all influence how well a 600-16 bias-ply or 175R16 radial works on the car.

That is why the current setup should be checked before ordering replacement tires. Measuring the actual wheel dimensions and looking closely at steering and fender clearance helps prevent problems that may not be obvious from the size marking alone, especially on a collector car that may have been restored or modified years ago.

Before driving a 1959 BMW 507 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm that all four tires match the intended fitment, and check inflation, valve stems, and lug hardware. A quick visual review of tread seating, sidewall condition, and clearance at full steering lock is also worthwhile.

Collector cars deserve a second look beyond the tires themselves. Suspension bushings, steering parts, shocks, and brake condition all influence how a freshly fitted tire behaves on the road, so making sure those systems are in sound order helps the 507 feel composed and avoids blaming a new tire for a chassis issue.

Tires on a collector 1959 BMW 507 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspections, and attention to age-related deterioration even if tread wear is low. Sidewall cracking, flat spotting from long storage, cuts, bulges, and gradual air loss all deserve attention on a low-mileage sports car.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a rarely driven car. Keeping the 507 away from prolonged sun, heat, moisture, and ozone sources, then checking the tires again before each outing or longer drive, helps preserve both appearance and roadworthiness regardless of whether the car runs bias-ply or radial tires.