The 1959 Citroen CV belongs to the postwar French small-car tradition that valued light weight, efficiency, and supple road manners over sheer size or power. Its character depends heavily on narrow tall tires that suit the car’s modest dimensions and distinctive chassis behavior. For this model, the tire conversation centers on radial fitment, with 155-380 and 155R15 appearing as the applicable sizes. That keeps the choice focused on radial interpretation rather than a bias-ply-versus-radial decision, while still leaving room to compare brands and series such as Michelin, Firestone, Avon, and Vredestein. The right selection starts with confirming which of the two size formats is on the car today and matching that choice to wheel fitment, driving use, and restoration priorities.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1959 Citroen CV
The 1959 Citroen CV uses two primary tire sizes, and the first step is confirming which wheel setup is on the car. Both are radial fitments used on the Citroen CV Base, and both relate to the same narrow, tall-tire theme that suits the car’s original character. Once the size is confirmed, the decision shifts to tire series, brand preference, and the kind of road use or restoration presentation the car is being prepared for.
155-380 is a millimetric radial size, with 155 indicating the nominal section width in millimeters and 380 referring to the wheel dimension in millimeters rather than a conventional inch-marked rim. That makes it a distinctly European sizing format from the period and one that should be matched carefully to the wheel actually fitted to the car. Its relevance on a 1959 Citroen CV is largely about preserving the proper sizing convention and stance. Choosing this size calls for close confirmation of the wheel specification before assuming interchangeability with inch-designated alternatives.
155R15 is a Euro-metric radial size, with 155 giving the nominal section width in millimeters, R identifying radial construction, and 15 indicating a 15-inch rim. This is the supported inch-rim radial fitment for the 1959 Citroen CV and it opens the door to a broader selection of available tire series. Blackwall options appear across Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein lines, including touring-oriented and classic-performance-style offerings. This size is the practical path when the car is equipped with 15-inch wheels and the goal is to compare among several established radial choices.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered 1959 Citroen CV Base uses the same two radial tire sizes already associated with the model core. Even so, checking the exact wheel setup still matters, since the two sizes use different sizing conventions and should not be treated as automatic substitutes.
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1959 Citroen CV Base
The 1959 Citroen CV Base is associated with both 155-380 and 155R15 radial fitments. That means tire selection starts with identifying whether the car is running the millimetric wheel setup or a 15-inch wheel, then choosing the tire series and brand that best matches intended road use and appearance.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1959 Citroen CV Tires for Sale
Available 155R15 choices for the 1959 Citroen CV span Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein, all in blackwall radial form. The main differences are tire series, rim-width compatibility, load specification where stated, and whether the goal is traditional touring character, winter use, or a more performance-oriented classic radial.
Common 1959 Citroen CV tire questions usually come down to size format, 15-inch wheel fitment, choosing among available 155R15 radial series, and checking the car carefully before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1959 Citroen CV?
A 1959 Citroen CV uses either 155-380 or 155R15, and both are radial tire sizes. The Citroen CV Base is associated with both of those fitments, so the correct choice depends on which wheel setup is on the car rather than on a different tire construction style.
The important distinction is that 155-380 is a millimetric size while 155R15 is an inch-rim Euro-metric size. Before choosing a tire, confirm the wheel marking and actual rim dimension on the car so the selected tire matches the wheel correctly and maintains proper clearance and overall presentation.
What size rim does a 1959 Citroen CV use?
The supported inch-designated fitment for a 1959 Citroen CV is 155R15, which uses a 15-inch rim. Product options in that size are built around 15-inch wheel compatibility, with several tires also listing usable rim-width ranges in the narrow 4-inch to 5.5-inch range.
A separate 155-380 size is also used on this model, and that uses a millimetric wheel designation rather than the standard 15-inch format. The safest approach is to inspect the wheels already on the car and confirm whether it has inch-marked or millimetric rims before choosing between the two size systems.
Does the 1959 Citroen CV Base use the same tire size?
The 1959 Citroen CV Base is associated with the same two tire sizes used for the model overall: 155-380 and 155R15. Both are radial fitments, so the Base model does not introduce a separate construction type or a different primary sizing family.
That still does not mean every Base car will be on the same wheel setup today. Some cars remain on the millimetric arrangement, while others may be running 15-inch wheels, so the practical next step is checking the wheel dimension before selecting among the available radial tire choices.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 155R15 tire for a 1959 Citroen CV?
Start with the basics: the car must actually be on 15-inch wheels, and the tire should suit the wheel width being used. In 155R15, the available choices are all radial blackwall tires, but they differ by brand, tire series, and in some cases rim-width range, load specification, and intended character.
A touring-oriented restoration may lead toward a traditional classic radial series, while a car driven more actively may call for a different tread and casing approach. Comparing series details matters more here than searching for a different size, because the main decision is which 155R15 best matches the car’s wheel setup and use.
What brands offer tires for the 1959 Citroen CV?
In 155R15, the 1959 Citroen CV has available tire options from Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein. Those brands cover several distinct radial series, including Firestone F560 Radial, Michelin X, Michelin XAS, Michelin XAS-FF, Avon CR6ZZ, Vredestein Snow Classic, and Vredestein Sprint Classic.
Brand choice should be treated as part of a broader fitment decision rather than a shortcut. It helps to compare each series for wheel-width compatibility, sidewall presentation, and whether the tire is aimed more at traditional road use, winter conditions, or a more sporting classic application.
What tire series are available for the 1959 Citroen CV?
The 1959 Citroen CV has several 155R15 radial series available, including Firestone F560 Radial, Michelin X, Michelin XAS, Michelin XAS-FF, Avon CR6ZZ, Vredestein Snow Classic, and Vredestein Sprint Classic. All of them keep to a blackwall presentation, but they represent different classic radial approaches within the same basic size family.
That means the decision is less about whether the size fits the model and more about which series suits the car’s intended role. A lightly driven restoration, a regular road car, and a seasonal-use vehicle may all point toward different series once wheel compatibility and overall fitment have been confirmed.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1959 Citroen CV?
A period-style 1959 Citroen CV usually starts with preserving the proper narrow radial look and choosing the correct size format for the wheels on the car, whether 155-380 or 155R15. Within the available 155R15 options, classic radial series such as Michelin X or Firestone F560 Radial can support a traditional presentation.
Exact originality and restoration goals are not always the same. Some owners want a tire that closely reflects the visual era of the car, while others prioritize drivability within the correct size family, so it helps to balance appearance, wheel compatibility, and intended use before settling on a final tire series.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1959 Citroen CV restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1959 Citroen CV because the car’s proportions, stance, and road character are closely tied to its narrow radial tire format. Using the proper size family helps preserve the look of the car and keeps the wheel-and-tire relationship closer to what this type of Citroen was designed around.
Restoration-minded buyers should also remember that size format matters as much as appearance. A millimetric 155-380 setup and a 15-inch 155R15 setup are not the same thing, so checking the actual wheels before choosing a tire is an essential part of keeping the finished car visually and mechanically coherent.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1959 Citroen CV?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1959 Citroen CV, especially if the car has different wheels, altered ride height, or suspension work that changes clearance. Even with a narrow tire size such as 155R15, wheel width and the actual wheel standard on the car can change what is appropriate.
A car that has been converted from millimetric wheels to 15-inch rims needs to be treated differently from one that remains in its earlier configuration. Checking steering clearance, fender space, and wheel dimensions before mounting new tires helps avoid choosing a size that suits the model generally but not the specific car.
What should I inspect before driving a 1959 Citroen CV on new tires?
Before driving a 1959 Citroen CV on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct size and condition, confirm that the tires are seated properly, and make sure inflation is set appropriately for the tire being used. It is also wise to look over valve stems, wheel hardware, and the general condition of the suspension and steering components.
A short initial road test can reveal rubbing, vibration, or pull that may not show up while the car is parked. Collector cars often spend long periods off the road, so a careful pre-drive check should also include brakes, wheel bearings, and any signs of interference as the suspension settles under motion.
How should 155R15 tires on a collector 1959 Citroen CV be maintained?
155R15 tires on a collector 1959 Citroen CV should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and periodic driving or repositioning so the car does not sit in one spot for too long. Sidewalls and tread should be checked for cracks, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, or signs of slow air loss.
Storage conditions matter on a low-use vintage car. Keeping the Citroen away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition, and it is smart to inspect the tires before each outing rather than assuming low mileage means the tires are automatically road-ready.
