The 1959 Renault CV comes from an era when small European cars were valued for efficiency, simple engineering, and remarkably compact packaging. That character makes tire choice especially important, because the right size affects both the car’s light-footed appearance and how it sits on its 15-inch wheels. This Renault CV can be fitted with either a 135R15 radial or a 5.0-15 bias-ply, giving owners a clear choice between traditional construction and a later-style radial format. Available options lean toward blackwall presentation, with Michelin and Firestone radial offerings in the mix. The key is deciding whether the car’s goal is period-style authenticity, easier road use, or a balance of both.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1959 Renault CV
The 1959 Renault CV uses two primary tire sizes, and both mount on a 15-inch rim. The main distinction is construction rather than wheel diameter: 135R15 is a radial fitment, while 5.0-15 is a bias-ply fitment. Since the Base sub-model accepts both, the real decision is whether to keep a traditional bias-ply presentation or choose a radial tire with a more modern sizing format and available product variety.
135R15 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 135 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1959 Renault CV, this size represents the radial choice for owners who want a later-style fitment on the original 15-inch wheel diameter. Available examples include Michelin and Firestone products, all in blackwall form, with series such as Michelin X M+S 89, Michelin ZX, and Firestone F560 Radial. It is a useful size to evaluate when road use, radial construction, and period-appropriate small-car proportions all matter.
5.0-15 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 5.0 denotes nominal section width in inches and 15 identifies the wheel diameter. For the 1959 Renault CV, this is the traditional bias-ply sizing format and suits buyers who want a tire presentation closer to the car’s original era. Bias-ply construction also preserves the vintage sizing language that many restoration-minded owners expect to see on a late-1950s European economy car. This size deserves consideration when appearance, period-style construction, and an older driving feel take priority over choosing a radial format.
Fitment is straightforward on the covered 1959 Renault CV sub-models because the Base can use both primary tire sizes. Checking the sub-model still matters so the tire choice stays focused on the correct vehicle while the real decision shifts to construction, appearance, and intended road use.
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1959 Renault CV Base
The 1959 Renault CV Base can be fitted with either the 135R15 radial or the 5.0-15 bias-ply on a 15-inch rim. That gives the owner room to choose between a more traditional period-style bias-ply presentation and a radial option with blackwall product choices from established vintage tire lines.
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 Renault CV Tires for Sale
Available 135R15 choices for the 1959 Renault CV include Michelin and Firestone radial products in blackwall form. The product grid is most useful for comparing tire series, radial construction details, and rim-width specifications where stated.
Owners of a 1959 Renault CV usually want clarity on the two primary tire sizes, the difference between radial and bias-ply construction, and what to inspect before putting a lightly used vintage car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1959 Renault CV?
A 1959 Renault CV uses two primary tire sizes: 135R15 in radial construction and 5.0-15 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are associated with the same 15-inch rim diameter, so the choice is centered on tire type and format rather than switching to a different wheel diameter.
That means the first step is deciding whether the car should stay with a traditional bias-ply presentation or move to a radial size already associated with this model. Wheel width, current wheel condition, and overall clearance should still be checked before installation, especially if the car has been modified or fitted with replacement wheels over the years.
What size rim does a 1959 Renault CV use?
The 1959 Renault CV uses a 15-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. The radial 135R15 and the bias-ply 5.0-15 are both built around that same 15-inch wheel diameter, which keeps the wheel-size question simple even though two tire constructions are available.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it helps to confirm wheel width as well before selecting a tire. That matters most when comparing radial products, since some 135R15 offerings include a stated rim-width range, and an older car may no longer be wearing its original wheel set.
What does 5.0-15 mean on a 1959 Renault CV?
On a 1959 Renault CV, 5.0-15 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 5.0 refers to the nominal section width in inches, while 15 indicates the wheel diameter in inches. It is the vintage-style sizing format used for the bias-ply fitment associated with this car.
Understanding that format helps separate the traditional bias-ply option from the 135R15 radial option. Even though both fit a 15-inch wheel, they represent different construction types and different tire-sizing eras, so the right choice depends on whether the goal is period-style appearance, familiar vintage feel, or broader use on modern roads.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 5.0-15 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1959 Renault CV?
For the 1959 Renault CV, 5.0-15 is the bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing format typical of many period applications, and it differs from the 135R15 fitment, which is the radial option associated with the same vehicle and wheel diameter.
Choosing 5.0-15 usually comes down to preserving a more traditional appearance and construction style. Buyers should still confirm the actual wheels on the car, because decades-old vehicles are often changed from original specification, and a bias-ply decision should also account for intended use, storage habits, and the condition of the suspension and steering components.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1959 Renault CV?
Either can be appropriate on a 1959 Renault CV because both 5.0-15 bias-ply and 135R15 radial fitments are associated with the model. The better choice depends on the purpose of the car: a restoration-oriented owner may prefer the traditional look of bias-ply, while a driver-focused owner may prefer staying within the radial fitment already used on this application.
Construction choice affects more than appearance, so it helps to look at the whole setup before deciding. Wheel width, wheel condition, alignment, suspension health, and how the car is actually driven all matter, especially on a light vintage car where tire construction can noticeably shape both presentation and road feel.
What should I check before converting my 1959 Renault CV from bias-ply to radial tires?
A 1959 Renault CV owner moving from 5.0-15 bias-ply to 135R15 radial should confirm the 15-inch wheel setup first, then verify wheel width, clearance, and the condition of the suspension and steering. The car already has a radial fitment associated with it, but that does not remove the need to inspect the actual hardware on the vehicle.
Older cars are often running replacement wheels, worn bushings, or altered ride height, all of which can affect how a radial tire sits and clears. It also makes sense to inspect for rubbing marks, uneven wear, and any signs of wheel damage before making the change so the new tires are matched to a sound chassis.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 135R15 tire for a 1959 Renault CV?
Start with the basics: the tire should be a true 135R15 radial for the 1959 Renault CV’s 15-inch wheel diameter, and the wheel width should match the tire’s requirements where stated. From there, the meaningful differences are product series, brand, blackwall presentation, and details such as weight or load specification when those matter to the car’s intended use.
Michelin and Firestone both appear in this size, so the choice is less about naming a single correct product and more about selecting the tire character that suits the car. A lightly shown restoration may prioritize traditional appearance, while a road-driven car may benefit from carefully comparing rim-width guidance and overall product construction details.
What brands offer tires for the 1959 Renault CV?
The available 135R15 radial products for the 1959 Renault CV come from Michelin and Firestone. Michelin offerings include the X M+S 89 and ZX series, while Firestone appears with the F560 Radial. All of those radial choices are blackwall tires sized for the Renault’s 15-inch wheel diameter.
Brand alone should not make the decision. It is more useful to compare the specific tire series, any stated rim-width range, and whether the tire supports the appearance and use planned for the car. On a small vintage Renault, staying focused on the correct size and wheel compatibility matters more than chasing a brand name by itself.
What tire series are available for the 1959 Renault CV?
In 135R15 radial form, the 1959 Renault CV has product series including Michelin X M+S 89, Michelin ZX, and Firestone F560 Radial. Those series all stay within the same general size family, but they give buyers a useful way to compare available radial options without changing the basic fitment.
Series choice is most helpful when narrowing a tire to the car’s purpose rather than searching for a different size. Looking at the series alongside wheel-width guidance, construction details, and the car’s desired presentation helps keep the choice grounded in fitment first, whether the Renault is mainly shown, occasionally driven, or used more regularly.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1959 Renault CV?
For a period-style 1959 Renault CV, the 5.0-15 bias-ply is the most natural starting point because it uses the vintage numeric sizing format associated with the car. That format better reflects the tire language and construction style many buyers expect to see on a late-1950s small European vehicle.
Appearance goals can still vary within a restoration, so the final choice should match how strictly original the project needs to be. When exact historical accuracy matters, it is wise to compare the car against marque references, period photographs, or restoration documentation rather than assuming any tire in the correct size is automatically the exact original presentation.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1959 Renault CV?
Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1959 Renault CV as much as the size itself. A 5.0-15 bias-ply keeps the older numeric designation and a more traditional vintage presentation, while a 135R15 radial introduces a later Euro-metric format that can look slightly more modern even when the wheel diameter remains the same.
That difference matters most on a small, lightly styled car where proportions are easy to notice. Restoration-minded buyers often choose construction based on whether the car is being shown for historical appearance or driven more often, since the tire must support both the visual tone of the project and the way the vehicle will actually be used.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1959 Renault CV?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1959 Renault CV even when the tire size itself is correct. Replacement wheels, different wheel widths, suspension changes, brake conversions, or altered ride height can all change how a 135R15 or 5.0-15 tire sits in the wheel opening and how much clearance remains at full steering lock.
That is why the actual car should be checked before installation rather than relying only on original-era fitment. Looking closely at wheel dimensions, tire-to-fender clearance, steering sweep, and the condition of suspension components helps prevent rubbing or stance issues on a compact vintage car with limited extra space around the tires.
What should I inspect before driving a 1959 Renault CV on new tires?
Before driving a 1959 Renault CV on new tires, inspect the wheels for rust, damage, and proper bead-seat condition, then check the suspension, steering, and brakes for basic soundness. It also helps to confirm lug hardware condition and verify that the tires are inflated appropriately for the tire and wheel setup being used.
A short test drive should follow with close attention to vibration, pull, rubbing, and any unusual noise. Afterward, recheck air pressure and look for fresh contact marks inside the fenders or around steering components, since a newly mounted tire can reveal wheel or chassis issues that were less obvious with the previous setup.
How should tires on a collector 1959 Renault CV be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1959 Renault CV should be inspected regularly for cracking, flat spotting, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss, especially if the car spends long periods parked. Pressure checks matter even on a low-mileage car, because vintage vehicles often age their tires through time and storage conditions rather than mileage alone.
Storage habits make a real difference. Keeping the Renault away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition, and moving the car periodically can reduce stress from sitting in one place. Before any longer drive, it is smart to recheck pressures and give the sidewalls and tread a fresh visual inspection.
