1959 Ford Anglia Tires

A 1959 Ford Anglia uses two primary tire sizes: 520-13 in bias-ply construction and 145R13 in radial construction. Both sizes are built for 13-inch rims, so the main difference is not wheel diameter but the tire sizing system and construction style attached to the car.

That means the first thing to confirm is whether the Anglia is staying with a traditional bias-ply setup or has already been converted to radials. Once that is clear, the choice becomes much easier, because sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility can be compared within the correct size instead of mixing two different fitment approaches.

The 1959 Ford Anglia uses a 13-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes, 520-13 and 145R13. Even though the tire codes look different, each one is intended for the same basic wheel diameter rather than separate 12-inch or 14-inch wheel setups.

Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, so it is still important to check actual wheel width before selecting a tire, especially when moving between bias-ply and radial construction. Many collector cars have had wheels changed over the years, and confirming the wheel on the car prevents buying a size that matches diameter but not the full setup.

Yes. The 1959 Ford Anglia Deluxe follows the same basic fitment pattern, with 520-13 available in bias-ply construction and 145R13 available in radial construction. That keeps the Deluxe aligned with the model-level tire choices rather than requiring a unique size of its own.

Even with shared fitment, the practical choice still depends on how the car is being kept and driven. A Deluxe aimed at a restoration-style presentation may lean toward bias-ply whitewall or blackwall options, while a road-use-oriented car may be better served by staying within the radial path and confirming wheel width before making the switch.

520-13 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1959 Ford Anglia. It uses the older numeric sizing format common to many period small cars, and on this application it represents the traditional construction choice rather than a radial interpretation of the same size code.

That matters because a bias-ply tire affects both the look and the overall setup of the car. Buyers usually choose 520-13 when they want a more period-style presentation, including blackwall or whitewall sidewall options, while also confirming the wheel width and the car's actual condition before deciding whether to keep bias-ply construction or move toward a radial alternative.

Radial equivalents for 520-13 include 155R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P155/75R13 as a P-metric 75-series radial, and P155/70R13 as a P-metric 70-series radial. These are equivalent-size options for the original bias-ply fitment, not additional primary factory-style sizes for the 1959 Ford Anglia.

Each option should be treated as a comparison point rather than an automatic substitute. A recommended rim width range of 4 to 5 inches applies to these radial equivalents, and the car should also be checked for wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and steering or fender clearance before replacing a 520-13 bias-ply tire with any radial alternative.

Start by confirming the wheel diameter and width on the car, then compare the intended radial size to the current 520-13 bias-ply setup. For this Anglia, radial alternatives tied to the bias-ply size include 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13, with a recommended rim width range of 4 to 5 inches.

The next checks are practical ones: steering clearance, fender clearance, suspension condition, and whether the car has aftermarket wheels or ride-height changes. Converting construction can also change the car's feel and appearance, so owners balancing road use against a period-style presentation should verify the whole setup before choosing a radial size.

The first decision is whether the car should stay with 520-13 bias-ply construction or use the 145R13 radial size. Both work on 13-inch rims, but they lead to different tire families, different appearance choices, and different wheel-width considerations once actual products are compared.

After size and construction are sorted out, compare sidewall style, tire series, brand, load figures where they are stated, and the wheel dimensions already on the car. A restoration-minded Anglia may point toward the bias-ply path, while a driver-focused car may point toward radial options, provided wheel compatibility and clearance are checked first.

1959 Ford Anglia tire choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles, depending on the size and product selected. The 145R13 radial choices are blackwall, while 520-13 bias-ply options expand the visual range with both narrow and wider whitewall presentations in addition to blackwall.

That makes sidewall style an appearance decision tied closely to construction. Owners chasing a cleaner late-1950s look often start in the 520-13 bias-ply category because it offers the broadest cosmetic variety, while those choosing 145R13 radial tires are usually prioritizing the radial format first and accepting a simpler blackwall presentation.

Tires for the 1959 Ford Anglia are available from Michelin, Firestone, and Premium Sport. Michelin appears in the 145R13 radial size, Firestone spans both 145R13 radial and 520-13 bias-ply offerings, and Premium Sport appears in 520-13 bias-ply options with whitewall-oriented presentation.

Brand is only one part of the choice, so it helps to compare each option by construction, sidewall style, and tire series rather than picking by name alone. A buyer considering Firestone, Michelin, or Premium Sport should still start with the correct size path for the car and then narrow the field by appearance goals and wheel compatibility.

A period-style 1959 Ford Anglia usually starts with the 520-13 bias-ply size because it preserves the narrow vintage sizing format and opens up traditional sidewall treatments. That route aligns more closely with the visual character many owners expect from a small late-1950s British car than a later-style radial presentation does.

Within that size, the choice can still vary between blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall depending on the look you want. Exact originality can depend on market, trim, and historical documentation, so buyers pursuing a highly accurate restoration should compare tire appearance against marque references and period photos before deciding.

Tire construction changes the visual stance of a restored 1959 Ford Anglia as much as it changes the driving setup. A 520-13 bias-ply tire gives the car a more traditional small-car profile, while a 145R13 radial reads as a later-style fitment even though it still uses the same 13-inch rim diameter.

Construction also affects which sidewall styles are available. Bias-ply choices in this application include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions, so a restoration-focused owner has more room to shape the car's final presentation there. A radial choice may still suit the car well, but it generally points the build in a different visual direction.

Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1959 Ford Anglia even when the nominal tire size is correct. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel widths, suspension changes, lowering, or body modifications can all affect how a 520-13 or 145R13 tire sits and clears during steering and suspension movement.

A car that has been changed from stock should be measured, not assumed, before a tire is chosen. Wheel diameter, wheel width, and visible clearance at the fender, inner wheelhouse, and steering components all deserve attention. That is especially important when moving between bias-ply and radial construction because the overall setup may no longer mirror stock conditions.

Before driving a 1959 Ford Anglia on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the beads seat properly, and verify that the tires match the wheel diameter and intended construction choice. It is also smart to check valve stems, lug hardware, and inflation against the tire's own specification where that is stated.

A short, careful first drive should be used to confirm that nothing rubs at full steering lock or over suspension movement. Collector cars deserve extra attention to brake condition, steering play, and suspension wear because a fresh set of tires cannot compensate for underlying chassis problems that affect how the car behaves on the road.

Tires on a collector 1959 Ford Anglia should be inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and slow air loss, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Storage matters as well, because long periods of inactivity and exposure to heat, sunlight, moisture, or ozone can age collector-car tires faster than mileage alone suggests.

Pressure should be checked before road use, and the car should not sit indefinitely on underinflated tires. It also helps to look over the wheels and suspension at the same time, since alignment or worn components can shorten tire life quickly. Any Anglia that has been stored for an extended period deserves a thorough inspection before a longer drive.