1959 Facel Vega HK 500 Tires

The 1959 Facel Vega HK 500 uses a 670-15 tire as its primary fitment. This is a vintage numeric bias-ply size mounted on a 15-inch rim, and the covered Base sub-model uses that same size as well.

That makes the main choice less about sorting through multiple primary sizes and more about selecting the right version of 670-15 for the car. Sidewall style, brand, tire series, and possible radial-equivalent alternatives become the important decisions, especially if the car has replacement wheels or a restoration goal that emphasizes a certain period-style appearance.

The 1959 Facel Vega HK 500 uses a 15-inch rim with its primary 670-15 tire fitment. That rim diameter is central to both the original-style bias-ply tire and the available radial-equivalent alternatives tied to this size.

Rim diameter is only part of the check, though. Wheel width also matters, especially when comparing among bias-ply products or considering a radial equivalent with a recommended 5-7 inch rim-width range. A car that has been restored or modified may no longer have its original wheels, so measuring the actual wheel before ordering is the safest approach.

Yes. The 1959 Facel Vega HK 500 Base uses the same 670-15 bias-ply tire size as the overall model fitment. There is no separate primary size to sort out for the covered Base sub-model.

That consistency simplifies tire selection, but it does not remove the need to confirm the car's current wheel setup. If the HK 500 has aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, or prior fitment changes, those factors can affect how any replacement tire sits in the wheelwell and how closely it matches the intended stance and appearance.

For the 1959 Facel Vega HK 500, 670-15 is the primary bias-ply tire size. It is the traditional construction associated with this fitment and is the basis for the period-style options available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall forms.

That matters because a buyer deciding between original-style presentation and a radial alternative is really making a construction choice first. Bias-ply and radial tires can have different wheel-width preferences and road feel, so the wheel dimensions and the car's current setup should be checked before changing away from the original-style construction.

Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15. Those represent an 80-series metric radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, a 70-series P-metric radial, and a bias-look radial alternative in the same general fitment family.

Each option follows a different sizing convention, so the decision is not simply radial versus bias-ply. A 5-7 inch rim-width range is tied to these equivalents, and the owner should confirm wheel width, overall package suitability, and clearance at the fenders and steering before choosing one of these alternatives for road use.

Start by confirming the actual wheel diameter and width on the car, then compare the radial-equivalent size you are considering against the HK 500's available space. For this fitment, 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15 are the relevant radial-equivalent paths to evaluate.

The next step is to inspect steering and fender clearance, especially if the car has replacement wheels, suspension work, or a changed ride height. A radial equivalent can be a useful alternative, but it should be chosen only after verifying that the wheel setup and the car's present condition support the change without rubbing or mismatch.

Begin with the correct primary size, which is 670-15, and confirm that the tire matches the car's 15-inch wheel setup. From there, the important variables are bias-ply construction, sidewall style, brand, tire series, and the wheel-width range associated with the specific product being considered.

A restoration-oriented car may call for a very different visual presentation than a driver that is meant for regular touring. Blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options can change the look substantially, while product specifications such as rim-width suitability and load figures help narrow the field to tires that make sense for the vehicle's actual use.

The 1959 Facel Vega HK 500's 670-15 tire choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Those options appear across multiple brands and classic bias-ply series, giving the owner room to shape the car's visual character without leaving the primary fitment size.

Sidewall style is one of the most noticeable appearance decisions on a late-1950s grand touring car. A blackwall creates a restrained presentation, while narrow and wide whitewalls move the look in different period-style directions. The right choice depends on how the car is restored, how formal or sporting the owner wants it to appear, and which product specifications match the wheels.

Available 670-15 tires for the 1959 Facel Vega HK 500 come from Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, BFGoodrich, Excelsior, Avon, Goodyear, and STA. These brands cover a mix of blackwall and whitewall bias-ply options, along with several different classic tire series.

Brand choice should be treated as part of a broader fitment and appearance decision, not as a shortcut. Comparing sidewall treatment, rim-width suitability, tire series character, and load figures where stated will usually tell the buyer more than the brand name alone, especially on a collector car where visual presentation matters as much as size accuracy.

A period-style approach for a 1959 Facel Vega HK 500 starts with the correct primary 670-15 bias-ply size. From there, the visual direction comes from the brand, tire series, and whether the car looks right to you on blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall rubber.

Because this is a restoration-sensitive grand touring car, appearance should be weighed alongside fitment and intended use. If exact originality matters, period photos, marque-club guidance, and the car's own history are useful references. For many owners, the right answer is the tire that preserves the car's stance and era-appropriate character without straying from the proper size.

On a restored 1959 Facel Vega HK 500, tire construction affects more than road feel. The original-style 670-15 bias-ply fitment gives the car a traditional sidewall shape and overall visual character that many collectors associate with a late-1950s luxury-performance car.

A radial equivalent can change that presentation, especially when the goal is to keep the car looking thoroughly period-minded. The exception is a bias-look radial such as 670R15, which offers a radial construction in a more traditional visual format. Even then, wheel width and vehicle clearance still need to be checked before making the switch.

Yes. Even though the 1959 Facel Vega HK 500 uses a single primary tire size, modifications can still affect how that size or a radial equivalent works on the car. Aftermarket wheels, altered suspension height, brake conversions, or body changes can all change available clearance and wheel compatibility.

That is especially important when the car no longer has its original wheel setup. Measuring actual wheel diameter and width, then checking steering travel and fender space, helps avoid selecting a tire that is correct in name but mismatched to the car's present configuration. Collector cars often accumulate changes over time that are easy to overlook.

Before road use, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and sound condition, then confirm that the new tires are seated properly and inflated appropriately for the product being used. It also makes sense to check suspension wear, steering components, and any visible clearance concerns around the fenders or inner wheelhouse.

A collector car can reveal problems only after it starts moving again. Look for rubbing at full steering lock, unusual vibration, air loss, or signs that the car has an old alignment issue. A short initial drive followed by a second inspection is a practical way to catch issues before putting more miles on the HK 500.

Collector-car tires should be inspected regularly even if the 1959 Facel Vega HK 500 is driven only occasionally. Check the 670-15 tires for cracking, cuts, bulges, tread wear, and slow air loss, and keep them at a stable pressure appropriate to the tire in use.

Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage. Keeping the car away from prolonged sun, heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires, while periodic movement helps prevent long stationary periods in one spot. On a low-use grand tourer, age and condition often become more important than tread depth alone.