The 1959 Lancia Flaminia came from an era when Italian grand touring cars balanced engineering sophistication with restrained styling, and tire choice remains part of that character today. As a flagship-era Lancia, the Flaminia rewards owners who pay attention to details that preserve both appearance and road manners. Tire fitment on this model centers on classic millimetric radial sizing, with 165-400, 165R400, 175-400, and 175R400 appearing across different Flaminia sub-models. That makes size confirmation especially important before comparing Michelin options, sidewall style, or wheel compatibility. For a restoration-minded car or a touring driver, the right decision starts with the exact sub-model and the correct 400mm fitment.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1959 Lancia Flaminia
The 1959 Lancia Flaminia uses four primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model. All of these are classic millimetric radial fitments built around a 400mm rim, so the first step is confirming whether the car is a 2.8 & 3B, Base, or Coupe. Once that is established, the decision shifts to choosing the appropriate millimetric size and the tire style that suits the car's intended appearance and use.
175-400 is a classic millimetric radial size in which 175 refers to nominal section width in millimeters and 400 refers to the rim diameter in millimeters. On the 1959 Lancia Flaminia, this size belongs with select sub-model applications that use the wider of the two primary Flaminia fitments. Its appeal is tied to keeping the car in a proper period-style millimetric radial format rather than substituting a modern inch-based size. This is the size to evaluate when the car carries the corresponding 400mm wheel setup and the exact sub-model calls for the broader 175-width fitment.
175R400 is a euro-metric style radial size that uses 175 millimeters as the nominal section width, radial construction in the center of the code, and a 400mm rim diameter. For a 1959 Lancia Flaminia using this fitment, the size keeps the car in the traditional millimetric radial family associated with many European cars of the period. It is best considered by owners who want to stay with the correct sizing convention while confirming that their wheels are true 400mm rims. This choice makes the most sense when the sub-model and wheel setup both align with the 175-width application.
165-400 is a classic millimetric radial size, with 165 indicating nominal section width in millimeters and 400 identifying the wheel diameter in millimeters. On the 1959 Lancia Flaminia, this narrower primary fitment applies to certain sub-models and preserves the distinctly European sizing convention used by the car. It serves buyers who are focused first on matching the proper millimetric fitment before moving on to appearance or brand considerations. This size should be chosen only after confirming that the car's specific Flaminia configuration uses the 165-width 400mm setup.
165R400 uses a nominal 165-millimeter section width, radial construction, and a 400mm rim diameter, making it one of the key Flaminia millimetric radial sizes. Michelin options in this size include blackwall and narrow whitewall presentations within the Michelin X Radial family, giving owners a meaningful appearance choice without leaving the correct millimetric format. Rim-width specifications also vary by product, so wheel compatibility matters as much as the size itself. This is the fitment to review when the car is a Base or Coupe and the goal is a traditional radial tire suited to a 400mm wheel.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1959 Lancia Flaminia because tire size is not the same across the full range. The 2.8 & 3B uses the 175-width millimetric fitments, while the Base and Coupe use the 165-width versions, so identifying the exact model is the first step before choosing a tire.
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1959 Lancia Flaminia 2.8 & 3B
The 1959 Lancia Flaminia 2.8 & 3B uses the 175-width millimetric radial fitments, placing it in the wider of the two Flaminia tire groups. Tire selection here starts with confirming the 400mm wheel and then choosing a period-style radial in the proper sizing convention rather than an approximate modern substitute.
The 1959 Lancia Flaminia Base uses the 165-width millimetric radial fitments, which differ from the 175-width application used on the 2.8 & 3B. That makes proper size confirmation important before comparing available 165R400 products, sidewall presentation, or rim-width compatibility.
The 1959 Lancia Flaminia Coupe shares the 165-width millimetric radial fitment used on the Base model. For tire selection, that means focusing on the correct 400mm radial size first and then deciding whether a blackwall or narrow whitewall presentation better suits the car's restoration style and intended road use.
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 Lancia Flaminia Tires for Sale
Available 165R400 products center on Michelin and stay within the classic millimetric radial theme of the Flaminia. Buyers can compare blackwall and narrow whitewall presentation, Michelin X Radial family styling, and differing rim-width compatibility within the proper 400mm fitment.
Owners researching 1959 Lancia Flaminia tires usually need to sort out the exact millimetric size, the correct 400mm wheel fitment, and how sub-model differences affect tire choice. The questions below focus on fitment, product selection, appearance, and road-use checks for this specific car.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1959 Lancia Flaminia?
The 1959 Lancia Flaminia uses four primary millimetric radial sizes: 175-400, 175R400, 165-400, and 165R400. The exact size depends on the sub-model. Flaminia 2.8 & 3B applications use the 175-width versions, while Flaminia Base and Coupe applications use the 165-width versions.
The key point is that these are 400mm wheel fitments, not common inch-based sizes. A buyer should confirm the exact sub-model first, then verify that the car still has the proper 400mm wheels before choosing a tire. On collector cars, wheel changes made years ago can easily blur what belongs on the car now.
What size rim does a 1959 Lancia Flaminia use?
The tire fitments used on the 1959 Lancia Flaminia are built around a 400mm rim diameter. That applies across the millimetric radial sizes associated with this model, including the 165 and 175 width variations used by different Flaminia sub-models.
That measurement matters because a 400mm wheel is not the same as a nearby inch-based diameter. Before selecting tires, inspect the wheels already on the car and confirm that they are true 400mm rims. This is especially important on restored or driver-quality examples, where earlier replacement wheels may have changed the original setup.
Do all 1959 Lancia Flaminia sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1959 Lancia Flaminia does not use one tire size across every covered sub-model. The 2.8 & 3B uses 175-400 or 175R400, while the Base and Coupe use 165-400 or 165R400, so size selection changes with the exact version of the car.
That difference means a buyer should not assume that any Flaminia tire will suit every 1959 Flaminia. Matching the sub-model to the right width class is the first step, then wheel diameter and actual wheel condition should be checked before purchase. It is a simple fitment family, but only once the specific Flaminia variant is confirmed.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165R400 tire for a 1959 Lancia Flaminia?
A 165R400 tire for a 1959 Lancia Flaminia should first match the correct sub-model, since this size belongs with Base and Coupe applications. From there, the main considerations are staying with the proper 400mm millimetric radial format, selecting the preferred sidewall style, and checking the tire's stated rim-width compatibility.
Michelin options in 165R400 include both blackwall and narrow whitewall styles, so appearance can be part of the decision. Rim-width specifications differ by product, which makes wheel measurement worthwhile before ordering. For a road-driven collector car, it also helps to inspect the current tires and confirm whether the existing wheel setup remains original to the fitment.
What sidewall styles are available for 1959 Lancia Flaminia tires?
Within the available 165R400 fitment for the 1959 Lancia Flaminia, sidewall choices include blackwall and narrow whitewall. Both stay within the traditional millimetric radial presentation of the car, but they create a noticeably different visual effect once mounted on a Flaminia wheel.
A blackwall typically gives the car a cleaner, understated look, while a narrow whitewall adds a more formal period-style accent. The better choice depends on how the car is being presented and the look the owner wants to preserve. Appearance should still come after confirming the correct sub-model size and wheel compatibility.
What brands offer tires for the 1959 Lancia Flaminia?
The available 165R400 tires for the 1959 Lancia Flaminia come from Michelin. That keeps the product selection focused on a brand strongly associated with classic European millimetric radial fitments and gives buyers a clear path when they are sourcing a traditional 400mm radial tire.
Even within one brand, there is still a meaningful choice to make. Buyers can compare sidewall appearance, tire series presentation, and rim-width suitability rather than assuming every 165R400 option is the same. That kind of comparison is especially useful on a Flaminia, where maintaining the proper millimetric look matters as much as basic size matching.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1959 Lancia Flaminia?
A period-style 1959 Lancia Flaminia tire choice starts with the correct millimetric radial size for the exact sub-model. That means 175-width 400mm fitments for the 2.8 & 3B and 165-width 400mm fitments for the Base and Coupe, rather than shifting immediately to a modern inch-based alternative.
Once the correct size family is confirmed, appearance becomes the next decision. On available 165R400 options, blackwall and narrow whitewall treatments create different period-style impressions without changing the car's traditional millimetric character. For strict originality questions, marque-specific references and restoration documentation remain the best guide beyond basic fitment.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1959 Lancia Flaminia?
On the 1959 Lancia Flaminia, tire construction is part of the car's visual authenticity because the fitments are classic millimetric radials. Keeping the car on the proper 400mm radial format helps preserve the European stance and presentation that suits a restored Flaminia more naturally than an obviously modern tire format.
Sidewall style has a strong effect as well. A blackwall tends to look restrained and technical, while a narrow whitewall can add a more formal touring feel. The right choice depends on the car's restoration direction, but the appearance discussion only makes sense after the sub-model and the correct 400mm wheel fitment have been confirmed.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1959 Lancia Flaminia?
Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1959 Lancia Flaminia even when the original size is known. Aftermarket wheels, suspension alterations, brake changes, or body work can all affect how a 165-400, 165R400, 175-400, or 175R400 tire sits on the car.
The most important checks are wheel diameter, wheel width, and available clearance through steering travel and suspension movement. A Flaminia that has been lowered or fitted with non-original wheels deserves extra scrutiny before new tires are mounted. On an older restoration, it is wise to verify the actual setup rather than relying on assumptions about what is still on the car.
What should I inspect before driving a 1959 Lancia Flaminia on new tires?
Before driving a 1959 Lancia Flaminia on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct 400mm diameter, check that the tires are mounted in the proper size for the sub-model, and look over the suspension and steering for obvious wear. Basic pressure checks and a visual review of valve stems and wheel condition are also worthwhile.
A short, careful test drive is a sensible next step after installation. Pay attention to clearance at full steering lock, any unusual vibration, and whether the car tracks consistently. On a collector car that has seen limited recent use, tire replacement is also a good time to revisit alignment, brake condition, and overall chassis readiness.
How should 165R400 tires on a collector 1959 Lancia Flaminia be maintained?
165R400 tires on a collector 1959 Lancia Flaminia should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and attention to age-related condition even if the car is driven sparingly. Sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss deserve prompt attention on a low-use vintage car.
Storage conditions matter as much as mileage on collector tires. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber over time. It also helps to move the car periodically and inspect the contact patch area, since older cars often spend long stretches parked between drives.
