1959 Fiat 600 Tires

A 1959 Fiat 600 uses two primary tire sizes: 520-12 in bias-ply construction and 135R12 in radial construction. Both sizes are associated with this exact vehicle and both use a 12-inch rim, so the fitment question is less about wheel diameter and more about which construction and appearance direction suits the car.

The practical next step is to confirm what is actually on the car now. Many Fiat 600s have been restored, modified, or converted over the years, so checking wheel width, current tire size, and clearance around the body and suspension helps prevent choosing a tire that changes the setup more than expected.

The 1959 Fiat 600 uses a 12-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. That applies whether the car is fitted with the 520-12 bias-ply size or the 135R12 radial size, which keeps the main wheel-diameter requirement consistent across the available fitment choices.

Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture on a compact car like the Fiat 600. It is still important to confirm the actual wheel width and condition before selecting a tire, especially if the car has replacement wheels or if you are changing from a traditional bias-ply tire to a radial alternative.

Yes. The 1959 Fiat 600 Base and 1959 Fiat 600 Multipla share the same two tire-size paths: 520-12 bias-ply and 135R12 radial. That means sub-model identification is simpler here than on vehicles where one trim uses a completely different wheel and tire package.

Even with shared sub-model fitment, the car itself should still be inspected before choosing tires. A restored Multipla or Base model may be running different wheels than expected, and an owner deciding between bias-ply and radial construction should compare wheel compatibility, appearance goals, and how the vehicle will actually be driven.

520-12 is a bias-ply tire size on the 1959 Fiat 600. It uses the older numeric sizing format commonly seen on vintage cars, and on this Fiat it represents the more traditional tire construction and appearance compared with the 135R12 radial option.

That distinction matters because construction affects both presentation and setup decisions. A buyer choosing 520-12 is usually leaning toward a period-style look, while someone considering a radial alternative should verify wheel width and overall vehicle clearance rather than assuming every 12-inch tire option behaves the same on the car.

Radial equivalents for 520-12 include 125R12 and P125/75R12. The 125R12 size is an 80-series metric radial equivalent, while P125/75R12 is a 75-series P-metric radial equivalent, giving the 1959 Fiat 600 two clearly defined radial alternatives to the original numeric bias-ply format.

Each equivalent stays in the 12-inch rim family, but that does not make the conversion automatic. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches is part of the equivalent-size guidance, and owners should also compare the wheel setup, available space in the wheelhouse, and the car's current suspension condition before making the change.

Start by confirming the actual wheel diameter and width on the car, then compare the intended radial size against the existing 520-12 setup. For a 1959 Fiat 600, the recognized radial alternatives to 520-12 are 125R12 and P125/75R12, and both should be evaluated as alternatives rather than assumed replacements.

A small rear-engined car can be sensitive to tire changes, so practical checks matter. Look at steering clearance, fender clearance, wheel condition, and overall suspension health, especially on a collector vehicle that may have seen long storage or prior modifications. Those details help determine whether the conversion suits the car's current setup.

The main decision is whether the car should stay with a 520-12 bias-ply tire or move to a 135R12 radial, since both are associated with the 1959 Fiat 600. That choice affects not just construction, but also the overall visual character of the car and the type of product selection available.

After size and construction are settled, compare the details that matter to your car's use. Sidewall style, tire series, wheel compatibility, and the condition of the current rims all deserve attention, especially on a light vintage Fiat where small fitment changes can noticeably affect both appearance and confidence behind the wheel.

Available sidewall styles for the 1959 Fiat 600 include blackwall and wide whitewall. The 135R12 radial option appears in blackwall form, while the 520-12 bias-ply range includes both a blackwall tire and a 2.00 inch wide whitewall version for buyers who want a stronger vintage visual statement.

That sidewall choice can change the personality of a small car more than many owners expect. Blackwall tends to keep the look clean and restrained, while a wide whitewall creates a more deliberate restoration-oriented appearance. The right choice depends on whether the goal is subtle period style, show presentation, or everyday collector use.

Firestone and BFGoodrich offer tire choices for the 1959 Fiat 600. Firestone appears in the 135R12 radial category through the F560 Radial series, while BFGoodrich covers the 520-12 bias-ply fitment in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line with more than one sidewall treatment.

Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor on this car. It is more useful to compare which size each brand supports, whether the tire is radial or bias-ply, and what appearance options come with it. On a Fiat 600, construction and look usually matter at least as much as the name on the sidewall.

For a period-style 1959 Fiat 600, the 520-12 bias-ply size is the most natural starting point because it preserves the vintage numeric sizing format and traditional construction associated with the car. Within that size, blackwall and 2.00 inch wide whitewall versions create two distinct visual directions without leaving the basic bias-ply presentation.

The final choice depends on how strictly the restoration is being approached. A buyer focused on broad vintage character may simply choose the sidewall style that best suits the car, while someone pursuing exact historical accuracy should compare period photographs, marque-club guidance, and vehicle-specific restoration references before settling on a final look.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1959 Fiat 600 as much as the size itself. A 520-12 bias-ply tire gives the car a more traditional small-car presentation, while a 135R12 radial introduces a later-style radial format that can subtly alter how the Fiat sits and reads visually.

That makes construction an appearance decision as well as a functional one. Owners restoring the car for period flavor often gravitate toward the bias-ply option, while owners who expect more routine road use may accept the radial look. Either way, matching the tire to the car's intended era impression usually produces the most coherent result.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1959 Fiat 600 even when the tire size itself is correct. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, lowering, or body repairs can influence how a 520-12 or 135R12 tire sits in the wheel opening and how much clearance remains during steering and suspension movement.

That is why an owner should inspect the car itself rather than relying only on the nominal size. On a compact vehicle with limited space, even small changes can matter, so wheel measurements, tire-to-body clearance, and the condition of springs and steering components deserve a careful look before finalizing a tire choice.

Before driving a 1959 Fiat 600 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm the tires are seated correctly, and check for adequate clearance around the fenders, suspension, and steering components. It also helps to verify that the selected size matches the car's intended setup, whether bias-ply 520-12 or radial 135R12.

A road-ready inspection should also include tire pressure, lug security, and a close look at the rest of the chassis if the car has been sitting. On an older collector car, fresh tires cannot compensate for worn steering parts, weak shocks, or aged wheel hardware, so those supporting pieces deserve attention before regular use.

Tires on a collector 1959 Fiat 600 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Whether the car runs 520-12 bias-ply tires or 135R12 radials, owners should watch for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss, especially if the vehicle sees only occasional use.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a lightly used vintage Fiat. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the sidewalls, and moving or driving the car periodically can help prevent long-term flat spotting. Routine inspection is the simplest way to catch problems early.