The 1959 Maserati 300 comes from an era when Italian competition and grand touring machinery still relied heavily on tire construction as part of the car’s character. For an owner researching a 1959 Maserati 300 S, the key fitment question is not just wheel diameter, but whether to stay with the traditional 600-16 bias-ply size or consider the 175R16 radial alternative, both on 16-inch rims. That choice shapes the car’s stance, appearance, and driving feel. Available 600-16 options also vary widely by brand, tire series, and sidewall style, so the right selection depends on whether the goal is restoration-minded presentation, road use, or a balance of both.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1959 Maserati 300
The 1959 Maserati 300 uses two primary tire sizes on a 16-inch rim: 600-16 in bias-ply construction and 175R16 in radial construction. On the 300 S, the first step is deciding whether the car is being kept in a more traditional bias-ply format or set up around a radial fitment, since both the construction type and the overall tire presentation affect the final choice.
175R16 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 175 indicates the nominal section width in millimeters, R identifies radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1959 Maserati 300 S, this size represents the radial fitment path rather than the traditional bias-ply route. Its sizing format is more familiar to later European-car owners and helps frame the car around a radial-style setup. This is the size to evaluate when the car already runs radial-compatible wheels or when the goal is a 16-inch radial fitment that still suits the car’s vintage proportions.
600-16 is a numeric bias-ply size, with the 600 indicating an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width and the 16 identifying the wheel diameter. For a 1959 Maserati 300 S, this is the traditional bias-ply fitment and the size most closely associated with period-style tire construction. Available choices span brands such as BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Goodyear, Avon, Lester, Excelsior, Ford Script, STA, and Camac, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall presentations across several tire series. This is the size to study closely when appearance, construction authenticity, and traditional tire character matter more than simply choosing a modern format.
The covered sub-model fitment is straightforward because the 1959 Maserati 300 S uses the same two 16-inch tire-size paths. What matters most is confirming whether the car is being kept on the traditional 600-16 bias-ply setup or matched to the 175R16 radial fitment.
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1959 Maserati 300 S
The 1959 Maserati 300 S uses both the 600-16 bias-ply size and the 175R16 radial size on 16-inch wheels. That means tire selection centers on construction choice first, followed by the appearance and product differences within the size that best matches the car’s wheels and intended 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 Maserati 300 Tires for Sale
Available 600-16 choices cover a broad mix of brands including BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Goodyear, Avon, and others, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles across several bias-ply series. The product grid is most useful for comparing construction details, tire series, and rim-width compatibility within this traditional 16-inch size.
Owners of a 1959 Maserati 300 usually need clarity on size, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial selection, appearance choices, and the checks that matter before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1959 Maserati 300?
The 1959 Maserati 300 uses two primary tire sizes: 600-16 in bias-ply construction and 175R16 in radial construction. For the covered 300 S sub-model, both sizes are associated with the car, so the decision is tied to the tire construction and wheel setup rather than to different trim levels using different diameters.
That means the buyer should confirm whether the car is staying with a traditional bias-ply presentation or has been set up for radial tires. Both sizes use a 16-inch rim, but construction choice, wheel width, and clearance should still be checked before settling on a final tire.
What size rim does a 1959 Maserati 300 use?
The 1959 Maserati 300 uses a 16-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. The 600-16 bias-ply size and the 175R16 radial size are both tied to that same 16-inch wheel diameter, so the main difference is the tire construction and sizing system rather than a change in rim diameter.
Knowing the rim diameter is only the starting point on a collector car. Actual wheel width, wheel design, and any changes made over the years can affect which tire works best, so it is worth checking the wheels on the car before choosing between the bias-ply and radial paths.
Does the 1959 Maserati 300 S use the same tire size?
The 1959 Maserati 300 S is associated with both 600-16 bias-ply and 175R16 radial fitments. That means the sub-model does not split into separate tire sizes by trim within the covered fitment, but it does present two valid construction routes built around the same 16-inch wheel diameter.
In practical terms, the question becomes how the specific car is equipped today. A restoration-minded car may stay with 600-16 bias-ply tires, while a car set up for radial use may be evaluated around 175R16, with wheel dimensions and clearance checked before any change is finalized.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 600-16 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1959 Maserati 300?
On the 1959 Maserati 300, 600-16 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric bias-ply sizing convention, where the first number refers to nominal section width and the final number indicates the 16-inch rim diameter, making it the traditional construction choice for this application.
That matters because bias-ply construction affects both the look and the way the car presents itself compared with a radial setup. Owners choosing 600-16 should focus on the available brands, sidewall styles, and tire series in that size, while also confirming wheel width and the car’s intended road use.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1959 Maserati 300?
The 1959 Maserati 300 can be approached in either direction here, with 600-16 as the bias-ply fitment and 175R16 as the radial fitment. The choice depends less on a simple right-or-wrong answer and more on whether the car is being kept in a traditional presentation or configured around radial construction.
Bias-ply tires suit owners focused on vintage appearance and period-style construction, while radial tires may appeal to those evaluating a different road-use setup. The important step is to confirm the actual wheels on the car, then compare fitment, clearance, and overall compatibility before changing construction.
What should I check before converting my 1959 Maserati 300 from bias-ply to radial tires?
Before converting a 1959 Maserati 300 from 600-16 bias-ply tires to a 175R16 radial setup, start by confirming that the car’s 16-inch wheels are appropriate for the radial tire being considered. The wheel width, tire dimensions, and available space around the suspension, steering, and fenders all need to be checked carefully.
A collector car may also have older wheels, prior modifications, or uneven suspension condition that changes the fitment picture. Looking at the complete vehicle setup before the switch helps avoid assuming that the same rim diameter alone makes the conversion automatically suitable.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-16 tire for a 1959 Maserati 300?
Choosing a 600-16 tire for a 1959 Maserati 300 starts with recognizing that it is the traditional bias-ply size for this application. From there, the meaningful differences are brand, tire series, sidewall treatment, and the wheel-width specification tied to the individual product rather than the basic size code alone.
A blackwall tire may suit a more understated competition-style look, while wide whitewall or double-whitewall versions change the car’s visual character significantly. It also helps to compare load figures where stated and confirm that the selected tire matches the wheel and intended driving use of the car.
What sidewall styles are available for 1959 Maserati 300 tires?
For the 1959 Maserati 300, the available 600-16 product range includes blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall sidewall styles. Those choices are all within the bias-ply product assortment, and they give the buyer a much different visual result even when the tire size and rim diameter remain the same.
Sidewall style should be chosen with the car’s presentation in mind rather than treated as a cosmetic afterthought. A restoration-oriented build, a competition-inspired appearance, or a more formal touring look can all point toward different sidewall treatments within the same 600-16 fitment.
What brands offer tires for the 1959 Maserati 300?
The 600-16 fitment for the 1959 Maserati 300 is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. Those brands appear across several bias-ply series, so the buyer is not limited to one style or one product character within the traditional 16-inch size.
Brand choice should be considered alongside series, sidewall style, rim-width specification, and the overall look being pursued. Rather than trying to rank brands, it makes more sense to compare how each product aligns with the car’s intended use and the appearance the owner wants to preserve.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1959 Maserati 300?
For a period-style 1959 Maserati 300, the 600-16 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it preserves the traditional construction and sizing format associated with the car’s era. Within that size, the buyer can then narrow the choice by tire series, brand, and sidewall treatment to suit the car’s intended presentation.
Appearance goals still matter because a blackwall competition-style look reads very differently from a wide whitewall or double-whitewall presentation. When exact restoration accuracy is important, the final choice should be cross-checked against marque history, period photos, or other vehicle-specific references.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1959 Maserati 300?
Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1959 Maserati 300 more than many buyers expect. A 600-16 bias-ply tire keeps the car in an earlier numeric size format and traditional construction style, while a 175R16 radial moves the car into a later Euro-metric radial presentation on the same 16-inch diameter.
That difference can influence how authentic, purposeful, or modern the car feels at a glance, even before it is driven. Owners restoring for historical flavor often begin with construction first, then choose a sidewall treatment that supports the overall look without assuming every period-style option is identical.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1959 Maserati 300?
Modifications can absolutely affect tire fitment on a 1959 Maserati 300, even when the tire size itself is correct on paper. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, altered suspension height, brake conversions, or bodywork adjustments can all change how a 600-16 or 175R16 tire sits within the car.
That is why the actual vehicle should be checked before final tire selection, especially on an older car that may have been rebuilt more than once. Steering clearance, fender space, and wheel dimensions deserve attention before assuming the current setup matches the car’s original configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1959 Maserati 300 on new tires?
Before driving a 1959 Maserati 300 on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and mounting condition, then confirm proper tire pressure and basic clearance at the fenders, suspension, and steering components. It is also smart to look over the car’s alignment condition and make sure the tires seat correctly on the rims being used.
A short initial drive should be treated as a check for vibration, rubbing, or unexpected handling changes rather than a full shakedown run. Collector cars that have sat for long periods often reveal suspension or wheel issues only after fresh tires are installed and road use resumes.
How should 600-16 tires on a collector 1959 Maserati 300 be maintained?
600-16 tires on a collector 1959 Maserati 300 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. The important things to watch are tread wear, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and slow air loss, since low-mileage collector cars can age tires out long before they wear them out.
Storage conditions matter just as much as miles driven, so keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires. A car that is exercised occasionally should still have its tires inspected routinely before road use, especially before a longer outing.
