The 1959 Citroen ID belongs to the same forward-thinking French family that made hydropneumatic suspension, front-wheel drive, and streamlined body design feel years ahead of much of the industry. Even in the more accessible ID form, it remains a distinctly engineered collector car whose tire fitment is part of that identity. This model uses a 165-400 radial, a classic metric millimetric size that differs from the inch-based sizing many American collectors expect. Tire choice here is less about sorting through multiple factory sizes and more about preserving the car’s intended stance, wheel compatibility, and road manners while staying true to the character of a late-1950s Citroen.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1959 Citroen ID
The 1959 Citroen ID uses one primary tire size: 165-400, and it is a radial fitment. That makes the key decision less about choosing between multiple sizes and more about understanding the millimetric sizing system, confirming the car still has its correct wheel setup, and selecting the right tire for restoration appearance and actual road use.
The 165-400 size is a classic metric millimetric radial, with 165 indicating nominal section width in millimeters and 400 referring to the wheel diameter in millimeters rather than inches. That sizing is closely tied to the Citroen ID’s original-era engineering and should not be confused with a modern inch-rim radial. Because this is already a radial application, the focus is on getting the correct metric fitment rather than converting from bias-ply to radial construction. For a restoration-minded owner, keeping the proper 165-400 format helps preserve the car’s intended proportions and avoids guesswork with mismatched wheel diameters.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the covered 1959 Citroen ID range. The ID 19 Sedan uses the same primary tire size, so the main task is confirming the car still retains the correct millimetric wheel setup before choosing a replacement tire.
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1959 Citroen ID 19 Sedan
The 1959 Citroen ID 19 Sedan uses the same 165-400 radial fitment associated with the model core. That keeps tire selection focused on maintaining the proper metric wheel-and-tire combination and choosing a tire that suits restoration goals as well as regular collector-car driving.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Owners of a 1959 Citroen ID usually need clarity on the unusual 165-400 size, the millimetric wheel it fits, and what to inspect before putting a collector car back on the road. These FAQs focus on fitment, wheel compatibility, appearance, and road-use checks.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1959 Citroen ID?
A 1959 Citroen ID uses a 165-400 radial tire. That is the primary fitment for this model, and the covered ID 19 Sedan uses the same size rather than a different alternate size within the range shown here.
The important detail is that 165-400 is a millimetric size, not a modern inch-rim radial. Before replacing tires, confirm the car still has the proper wheels for that size and has not been changed to another wheel setup over the years. That check matters more than simply matching the section width.
What size rim does a 1959 Citroen ID use?
The 1959 Citroen ID uses a 400-millimeter rim with its 165-400 radial tire. That wheel diameter is part of the tire size itself, which is why this fitment stands apart from more familiar 15-inch or 16-inch collector-car applications.
A 400-millimeter wheel should not be treated as the same thing as a nearby inch-based wheel size. Owners should verify the actual wheel diameter on the car before ordering tires, especially if the car has passed through several owners or has seen restoration work, wheel changes, or long-term storage.
Does the 1959 Citroen ID 19 Sedan use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1959 Citroen ID 19 Sedan uses the same 165-400 radial tire size as the model core fitment shown for the 1959 Citroen ID. There is no separate alternate size indicated for that sub-model within this covered application.
That consistency simplifies tire selection, but the car should still be checked for non-original wheel changes before replacement. On a specialty European collector car, the correct size on paper is only part of the decision. The actual wheel on the car, overall condition, and intended road use still need to line up.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165-400 tire for a 1959 Citroen ID?
Start with the correct 165-400 size and radial construction, since that is the primary fitment for the 1959 Citroen ID. The main priority is preserving the proper millimetric wheel-and-tire relationship instead of trying to substitute a more familiar inch-based size without careful verification.
A good buying decision also reflects how the car will be used. A restoration-focused owner may want the tire that best preserves the car’s original visual proportions, while a driver should also pay close attention to wheel condition, tire age, and overall compatibility with the car’s present setup.
How do I choose between available 165-400 tires for a 1959 Citroen ID?
Choosing between 165-400 tires for a 1959 Citroen ID starts with staying inside the correct size and radial construction. From there, the meaningful differences usually center on how closely a tire suits the car’s intended appearance, how it complements a restoration, and whether it matches planned road use.
It helps to look beyond size alone and inspect the rest of the car at the same time. Wheel condition, suspension condition, alignment, and storage history can all affect how satisfying a new set of tires feels in service. A carefully chosen tire works best when the surrounding components are equally ready.
Why does the 165-400 size matter so much on a 1959 Citroen ID?
The 165-400 size matters because it is not just a width designation; it also identifies a wheel diameter measured in millimeters. On a 1959 Citroen ID, that format is part of the car’s specialized engineering and should be respected as a fitment requirement, not treated as a casual styling choice.
That means replacement decisions should begin with wheel confirmation rather than assumption. A tire that seems visually similar can still be wrong if it is intended for an inch-based rim or alters the wheel-and-tire relationship too much. On a collector Citroen, proper sizing supports both appearance and usable road manners.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1959 Citroen ID?
For a period-style 1959 Citroen ID, the right starting point is the proper 165-400 radial size. Keeping the original millimetric format helps preserve the car’s distinctive stance and engineering character in a way that generic inch-based substitutes often do not.
Appearance-minded owners should think about more than tread alone. The wheel-and-tire proportion is especially important on a late-1950s Citroen, so preserving the correct format usually matters as much as the brand itself. When exact originality is the goal, marque-specific references and restoration records are worth consulting before final selection.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1959 Citroen ID restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1959 Citroen ID restoration. The 165-400 radial size is part of the car’s specialized European specification, and keeping that format helps maintain the proportions and technical character that make the car look and feel right.
Restoration results can suffer when tires are chosen only by approximate width or appearance. An incorrect wheel diameter or an improvised conversion can change the presentation of the car and complicate serviceability. Matching the proper size is one of the simplest ways to keep the restored car coherent and mechanically sensible.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1959 Citroen ID?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1959 Citroen ID, especially if the car has been changed to different wheels, altered ride height, or had suspension work that changes its original stance. Even when the intended tire size remains 165-400, the actual vehicle setup still matters.
A careful owner should inspect wheel diameter, wheel condition, and clearance before fitting replacement tires. Specialty collector cars sometimes pick up non-original parts over decades of use and repair, so it is wise to confirm what is physically on the car rather than assume it still matches its original configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1959 Citroen ID on new tires?
Before driving a 1959 Citroen ID on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall tire seating, then check for proper inflation and any signs of rubbing at the fenders or steering components. It is also smart to look over the suspension and alignment if the car has been off the road for a long time.
Collector cars often need a broader readiness check than daily drivers. A test drive should begin gently, with attention to pull, vibration, unusual noises, and any contact under turning or suspension movement. Catching those issues early helps protect both the new tires and the car’s uncommon wheel-and-tire setup.
How should 165-400 tires on a collector 1959 Citroen ID be maintained?
165-400 tires on a collector 1959 Citroen ID should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Watch for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss, especially if the car is driven infrequently or spends long periods parked.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a specialty collector tire. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition over time. Routine inspections before each drive are a good habit, since age-related issues can appear before tread wears out.
