1959 Opel Caravan & Wagon Tires

The 1959 Opel Caravan & Wagon uses two applicable tire sizes: 640-13 in bias-ply construction and 175R13 in radial construction. Both sizes are built for 13-inch rims, so the fitment question is less about wheel diameter and more about which construction type matches the car’s current setup and intended use.

That distinction matters because a bias-ply and a radial can change the car’s appearance and feel even when they share the same rim diameter. Start by checking the tires currently on the car, then confirm wheel width, overall clearance, and whether the goal is a traditional restoration-style presentation or a more modern radial approach.

The applicable tire sizes for the 1959 Opel Caravan & Wagon are built around a 13-inch rim diameter. Both the 640-13 bias-ply size and the 175R13 radial size use that same 13-inch wheel diameter, which keeps the main fitment decision centered on tire construction rather than wheel diameter changes.

Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, though. Wheel width should also be checked, especially if the car has replacement wheels or has been off the road for many years. Verifying the actual wheel dimensions on the vehicle helps avoid choosing a tire that matches the diameter but does not suit the wheel or body clearance.

Yes. The 1959 Opel Caravan & Wagon Base uses the same two applicable tire sizes as the model core: 640-13 in bias-ply construction and 175R13 in radial construction. That makes sub-model fitment straightforward, with no separate wheel diameter split inside the covered Base configuration.

Even with shared fitment, the car still needs to be checked as it sits today. Older wagons are often fitted with replacement wheels, mixed tire sets, or later-service substitutions, so the practical next step is confirming the current wheel and tire combination before choosing a traditional bias-ply or a radial-based alternative.

640-13 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1959 Opel Caravan & Wagon. It uses a vintage numeric sizing format and represents the traditional construction choice for this vehicle, while 175R13 is the radial size associated with the same 13-inch rim diameter.

That means choosing 640-13 usually comes down to preserving a more period-style look and construction. A switch away from it should not be treated as automatic just because another tire shares the same rim diameter. Wheel width, clearance, and the overall stance of the car still deserve a careful check before making a construction change.

Radial equivalents for 640-13 include 175R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P175/75R13 as a 75-series P-metric radial, P185/70R13 as a 70-series P-metric radial, and 650R13 as a bias-look radial equivalent. Each one provides a different sizing convention while remaining a recognized radial alternative to the original bias-ply size.

Those options should be compared carefully rather than treated as direct substitutes. The recommended rim-width range for these equivalents is 4 to 6 inches, and the vehicle should also be checked for wheel compatibility and clearance. That helps keep the conversion aligned with the Opel’s actual wheel setup instead of relying on size code alone.

Yes, a 650R13 bias-look radial is one of the radial-equivalent options for the 1959 Opel Caravan & Wagon when starting from the 640-13 bias-ply size. It gives owners a radial construction alternative while aiming for a more traditional visual presentation than a modern-looking metric size may provide.

That can be useful when the goal is to keep a vintage appearance without staying with a pure bias-ply tire. Even so, the choice still needs a proper fitment check. Rim width, overall dimensions, and body or suspension clearance should be confirmed before making the change from a 640-13 bias-ply setup.

Start with the correct size and construction for the way the car is set up now. A 1959 Opel Caravan & Wagon can use 640-13 bias-ply tires or 175R13 radial tires, so the real decision is whether the car is being kept in a traditional configuration or fitted with a radial-based alternative on the same 13-inch rim diameter.

After size and construction, compare the visual character and the practical details. A bias-ply option such as a wide whitewall can suit a restoration-oriented look, while a radial may better match a driver-style setup. Wheel width, clearance, and the condition of the suspension and steering should all be part of the final decision.

A wide whitewall sidewall style is available in the 640-13 bias-ply fitment for the 1959 Opel Caravan & Wagon. That gives the car a distinctly vintage appearance and is especially relevant for owners who want the tire to contribute strongly to the wagon’s period-style visual character.

Sidewall style should be chosen as part of the total look of the vehicle rather than by appearance alone. A wide whitewall can suit a restoration-oriented presentation, while a radial conversion may lead the buyer toward a different visual balance. Matching the tire’s sidewall treatment to the car’s trim, wheels, and intended use usually gives the best result.

BFGoodrich is available in the 640-13 bias-ply size for the 1959 Opel Caravan & Wagon. That product appears in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series and uses a wide whitewall sidewall treatment, giving buyers a clear bias-ply option with a strong vintage visual emphasis.

Brand is only one part of the decision, especially on a vehicle that can be approached as either a traditional restoration or a radial-converted driver. Size, construction, and wheel compatibility should still lead the process. Once those are settled, brand and sidewall treatment help refine the look and character of the finished tire choice.

For a period-style 1959 Opel Caravan & Wagon, the 640-13 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it preserves the vintage sizing format and traditional construction. That makes it the better fit for buyers who want the tire itself to reflect the car’s late-1950s character rather than moving immediately to a radial-style presentation.

Appearance goals should then narrow the choice further. A wide whitewall bias-ply tire can reinforce a distinctly restoration-oriented look, but exact originality questions deserve vehicle-specific historical confirmation through marque references or period documentation. That approach helps separate a sympathetic period-style selection from a claim of exact factory authenticity.

Tire construction changes more than ride feel on a restored 1959 Opel Caravan & Wagon; it also changes how the car presents visually. A 640-13 bias-ply keeps the vintage numeric size format and a more traditional tire character, while a 175R13 radial gives the car a more modern sizing language even on the same 13-inch rim.

That visual difference matters on a compact late-1950s wagon where the tire sidewall is easy to notice. Buyers focused on restoration appearance often stay closer to the bias-ply format, while those building a road-use driver may accept a more modern look. The decision should match the car’s purpose rather than follow construction preference alone.

Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1959 Opel Caravan & Wagon even when the tire size itself is otherwise appropriate. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered ride height, brake conversions, or body and suspension work can all affect how a 640-13 or 175R13 tire sits and clears the car.

That is why the current vehicle setup should always be checked before settling on a tire. The important points are actual wheel diameter and width, steering clearance, fender clearance, and how the tire behaves at full lock and suspension movement. A collector car that has been modified should never be judged by original assumptions alone.

Before driving a 1959 Opel Caravan & Wagon on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and the general condition of the suspension and steering. The tires themselves should be checked for proper inflation, even seating on the rims, and any signs of interference once the car is back on the ground.

A short, careful test drive is a smart next step, especially on a car that has seen limited use. Listen for rubbing, feel for wandering or vibration, and recheck pressure after the first drive. Older wagons can hide worn bushings, tired shocks, or alignment issues that become more noticeable once fresh tires are installed.

Tires on a collector 1959 Opel Caravan & Wagon should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and periodic movement of the vehicle so one area of the tire is not carrying the load for too long. Sidewall cracking, tread separation signs, bulges, cuts, and slow air loss all deserve prompt attention.

Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage on an older collector vehicle. Keeping the Opel away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment helps protect the rubber over time. Even a car driven sparingly should have its tires inspected before road use rather than assuming low miles mean low risk.