The 1959 Facel Vega Excellance came from a brief but memorable French grand touring era, blending formal coachwork, luxury presentation, and American V8 power in a way few cars ever attempted. Its character is substantial and elegant, so tire choice has a visible effect on both stance and road manners. This Excellance uses 15-inch bias-ply fitments in 8.45-15 and 815-15, making size confirmation the first step before choosing a replacement. Within the available 815-15 options, sidewall treatment becomes part of the decision, with traditional whitewall and whitewall-redline styles offered in the same series. For a restoration-minded car, appearance, wheel compatibility, and intended use should stay in balance.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1959 Facel Vega Excellance
The 1959 Facel Vega Excellance uses two primary tire sizes, both in bias-ply construction on 15-inch rims. Because both sizes appear on the Excellance Base, the key step is confirming which size is actually on the car before choosing a replacement, then narrowing the decision by sidewall style, series, and wheel-width compatibility where applicable.
An 8.45-15 size uses a vintage numeric bias-ply format, with the first number indicating a nominal section width of about 8.45 inches and the final number identifying a 15-inch rim. That makes it part of the traditional sizing language used on many mid-century luxury and touring cars. For a 1959 Facel Vega Excellance, this size keeps the tire decision rooted in original-style bias-ply construction rather than a modern metric format. It is the right size to evaluate only after confirming the car's existing wheel and tire setup, especially on a collector car that may have seen changes over time.
The 815-15 designation is also a vintage numeric bias-ply size, with an approximate 8.15-inch nominal section width paired with a 15-inch rim diameter. On the 1959 Facel Vega Excellance, it supports a traditional bias-ply replacement approach and is the size tied to available BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply offerings. Those 815-15 choices include a narrow whitewall or a whitewall-redline treatment, giving the buyer an appearance decision within the same basic fitment. This size deserves a close look when the goal is to match the car's current wheel setup and period-style presentation.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered Excellance Base uses the same two primary tire sizes. Even so, checking the exact size already on the car still matters, since both 8.45-15 and 815-15 appear within this model coverage.
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1959 Facel Vega Excellance Base
The 1959 Facel Vega Excellance Base uses 15-inch bias-ply fitments, with both 8.45-15 and 815-15 associated with the model. That means tire selection starts with confirming the car's present size, then choosing the replacement approach that best suits its appearance goals and wheel setup.
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 Facel Vega Excellance Tires for Sale
Available 815-15 choices center on BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires, with appearance differences between a narrow whitewall and a whitewall-redline version. Both share the same basic bias-ply construction, 15-inch rim fitment, and 5.00 to 6.50-inch rim-width range.
Owners of a 1959 Facel Vega Excellance usually need to sort out size confirmation first, then decide how closely the replacement should follow a traditional bias-ply look. The questions below focus on tire size, 15-inch rim fitment, sidewall choices, restoration appearance, and pre-drive checks.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1959 Facel Vega Excellance?
The 1959 Facel Vega Excellance uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 8.45-15 and 815-15. Both sizes are associated with the Excellance Base and both are built for 15-inch rims, so the car's tire selection stays within a traditional mid-century bias-ply format.
The practical question is not just whether the car is an Excellance, but which of those two sizes is already on it. On a collector vehicle, wheels and tires may have been changed over the years, so checking the sidewall size marking and confirming the wheel dimensions before ordering helps keep fitment, appearance, and clearance aligned.
What size rim does a 1959 Facel Vega Excellance use?
The tire fitments associated with the 1959 Facel Vega Excellance use a 15-inch rim diameter. That applies to both 8.45-15 and 815-15, so wheel diameter remains consistent even though more than one primary tire size is associated with the model.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, especially on a car of this age. It is still worth checking the actual wheel width and the tire currently mounted, since a 15-inch wheel can carry different period sizes and a changed wheel setup can affect which replacement tire makes the most sense.
Does the 1959 Facel Vega Excellance Base use the same tire size?
The 1959 Facel Vega Excellance Base is associated with both 8.45-15 and 815-15 bias-ply tires. In other words, the covered sub-model does not narrow the fitment to just one size, so size confirmation still has to happen at the car itself.
That matters because choosing by model name alone could leave you deciding between two valid vintage sizes without knowing which one is on your wheels now. Reading the sidewall markings and checking the wheel setup is the simplest way to move from broad compatibility to the right replacement for the car in front of you.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 815-15 tire for a 1959 Facel Vega Excellance?
Start by confirming that 815-15 is the size actually fitted to the car, then focus on construction, wheel compatibility, and appearance. The available 815-15 options are bias-ply BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires, and they fit a 15-inch rim with a 5.00 to 6.50-inch rim-width range.
Once the size and wheel dimensions are confirmed, the main choice becomes presentation. A narrow whitewall gives one traditional look, while the whitewall-redline version creates a more distinctive period-style accent. It also helps to compare load capacity, current vehicle use, and overall condition of the wheels before settling on the final tire.
What sidewall styles are available for 1959 Facel Vega Excellance tires?
For the available 815-15 products used on a 1959 Facel Vega Excellance, sidewall choices include a narrow whitewall and a whitewall-redline treatment. Both are offered within the same BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, so the difference is primarily visual rather than a change in basic construction.
That makes sidewall style an important part of how the car presents itself. A narrow whitewall tends to suit a formal touring look, while a redline-accented version adds a stronger period-style cue. Either way, the sidewall choice should follow after confirming the car is actually using 815-15 rather than the alternate 8.45-15 size.
What brands offer tires for the 1959 Facel Vega Excellance?
The available products tied to this fitment are BFGoodrich tires in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. Those choices appear in 815-15 and stay within traditional bias-ply construction, which suits buyers who want a period-style replacement path for a 1959 Facel Vega Excellance.
Brand is only one part of the decision on a car like this. It still makes sense to compare the exact size on the vehicle, the wheel width, the sidewall treatment you want, and whether the tire's visual character matches the car's restoration direction. On a limited-production grand tourer, those details can matter as much as the brand name.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1959 Facel Vega Excellance?
A period-style approach for a 1959 Facel Vega Excellance starts with staying in one of its primary bias-ply sizes, either 8.45-15 or 815-15, depending on the car's actual setup. That keeps the tire choice aligned with the era and preserves the visual character expected from a large late-1950s French luxury performance car.
Once the correct size is confirmed, appearance becomes more specific. In 815-15, the available BFGoodrich options include a narrow whitewall and a whitewall-redline treatment, each giving the car a different presentation. If exact originality matters, compare the finished look against marque references or period photographs before making the final selection.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1959 Facel Vega Excellance?
Tire construction has a visible effect on a restored 1959 Facel Vega Excellance because the car was built in an era when bias-ply proportions and sidewall styling were part of the overall design language. Using one of its primary bias-ply sizes maintains that traditional visual relationship between wheel opening, sidewall shape, and stance.
Appearance is not just about size code; sidewall treatment matters too. On the available 815-15 fitment, a narrow whitewall gives a restrained formal look, while a whitewall-redline adds more visual emphasis. For a restoration-oriented car, tire construction and sidewall style should support the same goal rather than pulling the presentation in different directions.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1959 Facel Vega Excellance?
Yes, modifications can change tire fitment on a 1959 Facel Vega Excellance even when the tire size itself is one of the correct primary sizes. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension changes, brake conversions, or bodywork repairs can all influence how an 8.45-15 or 815-15 tire sits and clears.
A collector car should be checked as it exists today, not just as it may have left the factory decades ago. Measuring the actual wheel dimensions, inspecting steering and fender clearance, and looking for signs of rubbing at full lock or under compression will give a much clearer picture before a new set of tires goes on.
What should I inspect before driving a 1959 Facel Vega Excellance on new tires?
Before road use, inspect wheel condition, lug hardware, valve stems, tire pressure, and basic clearance around the suspension and body. It is also smart to look over the steering components and make sure the car tracks properly, especially on a heavy, powerful grand touring car where small issues can become more noticeable at speed.
A first drive should include a cautious check for vibration, pulling, unusual noise, or any sign of contact inside the wheel opening. After a short run, recheck pressure and examine the sidewalls and tread for scuffing. That early inspection helps confirm that the tire and wheel setup is behaving as expected on the car.
How should 815-15 tires on a collector 1959 Facel Vega Excellance be maintained?
815-15 tires on a collector 1959 Facel Vega Excellance should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and protected from long periods of heat, sunlight, and ozone exposure. On low-use cars, age and storage conditions can matter just as much as tread depth.
Routine checks are especially important when the car spends more time parked than driven. Rolling the vehicle occasionally, keeping the tires clean, and watching for slow air loss can help preserve both appearance and service condition. Before any longer drive, inspect the tires closely rather than assuming low mileage means they are road-ready.
