1959 Jaguar Mark Tires

The 1959 Jaguar Mark uses two primary tire sizes: 185R16 in radial construction and 670-16 in bias-ply construction. Both are 16-inch fitments, so the main difference is the tire's sizing system and construction type rather than rim diameter.

Choosing between them starts with the car's current wheel setup and the type of driving or restoration goal involved. A car kept in a more traditional period-style configuration may stay with 670-16 bias-ply tires, while a car set up for radial use may use 185R16. It is smart to verify wheel width, tire clearance, and whether the car has already been converted before making a final choice.

The 1959 Jaguar Mark uses a 16-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. That applies whether the car is fitted with a 670-16 bias-ply tire or a 185R16 radial tire.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a collector Jaguar. Wheel width still matters, especially when comparing radial and bias-ply options, and some available 185R16 products include stated rim-width ranges. A good next step is measuring the actual wheel on the car, since older vehicles may have had wheels changed over time even when the diameter remained at 16 inches.

Yes. The covered 1959 Jaguar Mark 7, 8 & 9 sub-models share the same two primary fitment paths: 185R16 in radial construction and 670-16 in bias-ply construction. That keeps the fitment question simpler than on vehicles where sub-models split into different diameters or widths.

The real decision is determining which construction your car is set up to use rather than sorting through different trim-specific sizes. A Jaguar that has remained close to a traditional setup may favor the numeric bias-ply size, while one already using radial tires may stay with the metric radial. Checking the wheels actually on the car is still worthwhile before choosing between the available product options.

670-16 is a bias-ply tire size on the 1959 Jaguar Mark. It uses the older numeric sizing format associated with period bias-ply construction, and it is distinct from the 185R16 radial fitment also used on this model.

That matters because construction affects both the look of the car and the way the tire choice is approached. A buyer considering 670-16 should compare classic bias-ply offerings, while a buyer seeking a radial should look at the separate 185R16 fitment instead. Matching the tire to the car's existing wheel setup and intended use is more important than assuming the two constructions can be exchanged without additional checks.

Either can be appropriate on a 1959 Jaguar Mark because both a 670-16 bias-ply fitment and a 185R16 radial fitment are used on this model. The choice usually comes down to whether the car is being kept in a more traditional period-style configuration or set up around radial construction.

A bias-ply tire preserves the older sizing format and vintage presentation, while a radial option may suit owners who prioritize radial construction in road use. The decision should be made around the wheels on the car, the condition of the suspension and steering, and how closely the owner wants the finished appearance to reflect the era. Mixing goals without checking the setup can create avoidable fitment issues.

Start by confirming that the car is moving from 670-16 bias-ply tires to the 185R16 radial fitment used on the 1959 Jaguar Mark. Both are 16-inch sizes, but conversion is still a wheel-and-vehicle setup decision rather than a simple matter of matching rim diameter.

Wheel width is one of the first things to verify, especially because some 185R16 radial products include stated rim-width ranges. It is also worth checking steering clearance, fender clearance, suspension condition, and the actual wheel type installed on the car today. On an older Jaguar that may have seen wheel changes over time, those checks are more useful than assuming any 16-inch tire choice will behave the same.

The first decision is whether the car should use the 670-16 bias-ply fitment or the 185R16 radial fitment. That choice determines not only the tire size but also the construction type, the visual character of the car, and which product families are relevant.

After that, compare the available brands, tire series, and any stated rim-width or load details that apply to the size you are considering. A restoration-oriented car may lean toward the traditional bias-ply path, while a road-driven car already set up for radials may stay with 185R16. The best selection process is one that starts with correct fitment and then narrows the field by intended use and appearance.

The 1959 Jaguar Mark has tire options from Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, and Firestone across its two primary sizes. Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein appear in 185R16 radial fitment, while Firestone and Avon appear in 670-16 bias-ply fitment.

Brand choice matters only after the correct size and construction have been settled. A buyer comparing 185R16 radials may look across different classic radial series, while someone keeping the car on 670-16 bias-ply tires is comparing a different group of products entirely. It helps to decide first whether the car's mission is restoration-oriented presentation, regular touring, or a blend of the two.

The available tire series for the 1959 Jaguar Mark include Michelin X Radial, Turbosteel CR6D, Sprint Classic, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, and Turbospeed Mk4. Those series are split between the 185R16 radial fitment and the 670-16 bias-ply fitment rather than all competing within one construction type.

That means the series name should be considered after size and construction, not before. A radial buyer is comparing classic radial offerings in 185R16, while a bias-ply buyer is comparing traditional 670-16 products. Once the fitment path is chosen, series differences can help narrow the selection by period-style character, rim-width compatibility where stated, and how closely the tire aligns with the overall plan for the car.

For a period-style 1959 Jaguar Mark, the 670-16 bias-ply fitment is the most traditional starting point because it uses the older numeric size format and bias-ply construction associated with the era. That makes it a natural choice for owners focused on preserving a vintage overall presentation.

A radial 185R16 setup may still suit a well-sorted collector car, but it shifts the look and construction approach away from the older bias-ply format. The better path depends on whether appearance, driving character, or broader touring use matters most. When exact originality is important, marque-club guidance and model-specific historical references are worth checking before deciding on a brand or tire series.

Tire construction changes the visual impression of a restored 1959 Jaguar Mark because a 670-16 bias-ply tire presents the car in a more traditional period-style way, while a 185R16 radial introduces a later-style metric radial look. Even with both offered as blackwalls, the sizing format and construction still influence the car's stance and character.

That difference is especially important on a formal British saloon where proportions and presentation matter as much as the tire itself. Owners building a restoration often choose the construction first, then compare brands and series within that path. A car restored mainly for display may benefit from staying visually closer to the period, while a car restored for regular road use may justify a different balance.

Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1959 Jaguar Mark even when the intended size is one of the correct 16-inch options. Wheel width changes, aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, suspension work, or body changes can all influence how either a 670-16 bias-ply or 185R16 radial tire sits on the car.

That is why the actual car should be checked rather than relying only on model-year fitment. A Jaguar with replacement wheels may have different width or offset than expected, and that can matter more once radial tires enter the picture. Clearance at the fenders and steering range should be reviewed carefully, especially on older cars that may have been updated over many decades.

Before driving a 1959 Jaguar Mark on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the tires are mounted in the right size and construction, and check inflation pressure, valve hardware, and general installation quality. It is also smart to look over suspension and steering components on a collector car before putting fresh tires into service.

A new set of tires cannot compensate for loose front-end parts, wheel damage, or poor alignment. The first road test should include a careful check for rubbing, vibration, unusual pull, or air loss after installation. On a large vintage Jaguar, catching those issues early helps protect the tires and gives a clearer sense of whether the car is truly ready for normal road use.

Tires on a collector 1959 Jaguar Mark should be inspected regularly for air loss, tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and signs of age-related deterioration. That applies whether the car is running 670-16 bias-ply tires or 185R16 radials, since low annual mileage does not prevent rubber from aging.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as road use on a vintage saloon. Keeping the car away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, standing moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires between drives. It also helps to check pressures before each outing and to look closely at the tires before longer trips, since collector vehicles often sit longer than modern daily drivers.