The 1959 Renault Daughine belongs to the wave of small European economy cars that gained a following in the United States for their compact size, light feel, and distinctive rear-engine character. Its tire choice is unusually important because a car this light and narrow can feel noticeably different depending on whether it stays with a period-style 5.0-15 bias-ply tire or uses the 135R15 radial size. Available choices center on blackwall radial offerings from Michelin and Firestone, while the bias-ply route preserves a more traditional presentation. For restoration, casual driving, or regular road use, the key is matching the tire to the car's wheels and the kind of experience you want from it.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1959 Renault Daughine
The 1959 Renault Daughine uses two primary tire sizes, and both fit the same 15-inch rim. The main decision is construction rather than wheel diameter: 135R15 is the radial choice, while 5.0-15 is the bias-ply option. Since the Base model can use either size, the real question is whether you want a more traditional period-style tire format or a radial setup within the original narrow-wheel range.
A 135R15 tire uses a 135-millimeter nominal section width, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim diameter. In this format, the aspect ratio is not stated in the size itself, and it is commonly treated as an 80-series style radial. For the 1959 Renault Daughine, this size gives access to blackwall radial choices from Michelin and Firestone in series such as Michelin ZX, Michelin X M+S 89, and Firestone F560 Radial. It is the size to evaluate when maintaining a narrow European radial look while confirming wheel width and overall clearance on the car as it sits today.
A 5.0-15 tire is a numeric bias-ply size in which the leading number refers to nominal section width in inches and the final number identifies a 15-inch rim. Bias-ply construction suits owners who want the more traditional tire type associated with many small cars of this era and often prefer its period-style visual character. That makes this size especially relevant for restoration-minded buyers who want to stay close to an earlier presentation rather than moving to a radial format. Before choosing it, verify that the car still has the intended wheel setup and that the tire choice matches your driving expectations.
Tire fitment is straightforward here because the covered sub-model uses the same two 15-inch tire options. Checking the exact sub-model still matters, but the main choice remains whether to run the car on the 135R15 radial or the 5.0-15 bias-ply size.
1
1959 Renault Daughine Base
The 1959 Renault Daughine Base can be fitted with either the 135R15 radial or the 5.0-15 bias-ply tire size. That gives the owner a clear choice between a more modern radial format and a more traditional bias-ply presentation, with wheel width and overall vehicle setup worth confirming before selecting between them.
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 Daughine Tires for Sale
Available 135R15 choices for the 1959 Renault Daughine center on Michelin and Firestone blackwall radials. The product mix includes Michelin ZX, Michelin X M+S 89, and Firestone F560 Radial, with narrow-wheel compatibility that matters on a small European car like this.
Owners researching 1959 Renault Daughine tires usually need to sort out the difference between the 135R15 radial and 5.0-15 bias-ply fitments, then compare wheel compatibility, appearance, and road-use considerations before making a final choice.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1959 Renault Daughine?
The 1959 Renault Daughine uses two primary tire sizes: 135R15 in radial construction and 5.0-15 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are associated with this model, and both are built around a 15-inch rim diameter.
That means the first step is choosing the kind of tire you want on the car, not just reading the wheel diameter. A buyer restoring the Daughine may lean toward the 5.0-15 bias-ply format, while someone prioritizing radial construction may focus on 135R15. It is still smart to confirm the actual wheels on the car, especially if it has been changed over the years.
What size rim does a 1959 Renault Daughine use?
The tire fitments used on the 1959 Renault Daughine are built for a 15-inch rim. That applies to both the 135R15 radial size and the 5.0-15 bias-ply size, so wheel diameter does not change between the two primary fitments.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a small vintage Renault. Wheel width also matters, especially when considering the 135R15 radial options, and the actual car may no longer have its original wheels. Checking the wheel stampings or measuring the wheels before ordering tires helps avoid a mismatch between the intended tire construction and the wheel setup currently on the vehicle.
Does the 1959 Renault Daughine Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1959 Renault Daughine Base uses the same two fitment choices found at the model level: 135R15 as a radial option and 5.0-15 as a bias-ply option. There is no separate rim diameter change within the covered Base fitment.
That makes the decision more about tire type and vehicle use than about trim-specific sizing. If the goal is a traditional appearance, the bias-ply size may be the starting point. If the car is being driven regularly and the owner wants a narrow radial format, 135R15 becomes the main option. Wheel width and tire-to-body clearance should still be checked on the specific car.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1959 Renault Daughine?
Start with the two correct fitment paths for the 1959 Renault Daughine: 135R15 radial or 5.0-15 bias-ply. The right choice depends on how the car is used, whether a period-style appearance matters, and whether the existing wheels suit the tire construction you want to run.
Product selection becomes more specific after that. In 135R15, available choices include Michelin and Firestone blackwall radials, and some carry narrow rim-width guidance that suits compact European wheels. A restoration-minded owner may prefer the visual character of the bias-ply size, while a regular driver may focus on the radial format. Matching the tire to the car’s wheels and intended use is more important than chasing one style alone.
What brands offer tires for the 1959 Renault Daughine?
The available 135R15 radial choices for the 1959 Renault Daughine come from Michelin and Firestone. Michelin appears in series such as ZX and X M+S 89, while Firestone offers the F560 Radial in this size.
Brand is only one part of the decision on a car with this narrow tire format. Buyers should also compare the tire series, construction type, sidewall presentation, and any rim-width guidance attached to the product. Since the Daughine is a light, compact car, choosing a tire that matches the wheel dimensions and the owner’s appearance goals usually matters more than focusing on the name on the sidewall alone.
How do I choose between the available 135R15 tires for a 1959 Renault Daughine?
The available 135R15 options for a 1959 Renault Daughine are all blackwall radials, so the main differences come from brand, tire series, and supporting specifications such as wheel-width compatibility and load information where it is stated. Michelin ZX, Michelin X M+S 89, and Firestone F560 Radial all fall within the same basic fitment family.
A useful approach is to compare how closely each tire matches the kind of car you are building or maintaining. One owner may want a classic European radial look, while another may focus on matching the wheel width already on the car. Since this is a narrow 15-inch application, checking the wheel dimensions and the car’s present ride height and clearance helps narrow the choice in a practical way.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1959 Renault Daughine?
For a period-style 1959 Renault Daughine, the 5.0-15 bias-ply size is the most traditional-looking starting point because it keeps the vintage numeric sizing format and bias-ply construction. The 135R15 radial remains relevant for owners who want a classic narrow European tire appearance while using radial construction.
The right answer depends on how closely the car is being restored and how it will be driven. A show-oriented car may point you toward the bias-ply format, while a driver-focused restoration may justify the radial route. If exact originality matters, it is wise to compare your choice against marque-club guidance, period photos, or other vehicle-specific historical references before settling on a final look.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1959 Renault Daughine?
Tire construction changes the look of a restored 1959 Renault Daughine more than many buyers expect. A 5.0-15 bias-ply tire gives the car a more traditional vintage presentation, while a 135R15 radial keeps a narrow profile but introduces a later-style radial format and visual character.
That difference matters on a small rear-engine Renault because the tire is a visible part of the car’s stance. A restoration aimed at an earlier feel may lean toward bias-ply, while a car restored for regular road use may accept the radial look more easily. Sidewall treatment is simpler here because the available 135R15 products are blackwalls, so the main appearance decision is construction rather than decorative sidewall style.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1959 Renault Daughine?
Yes. Even though the 1959 Renault Daughine uses narrow 15-inch tire sizes, modifications can still affect fitment. Aftermarket wheels, wheel-width changes, altered suspension height, or body repairs can change how a 135R15 radial or 5.0-15 bias-ply tire sits in the wheel opening and how it clears during steering and suspension movement.
That is why an older car should be checked as it exists now rather than assumed to match an original setup. Measure wheel diameter and width, inspect tire-to-body and tire-to-suspension clearance, and make sure the car sits level. A small vintage car leaves less margin for error, so verifying the current configuration is especially worthwhile before committing to a tire construction or size.
What should I inspect before driving a 1959 Renault Daughine on new tires?
Before driving a 1959 Renault Daughine on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm the wheels match the intended tire size, and check that the tires clear the body and suspension. It also helps to confirm valve stems, mounting condition, and air pressure before the car goes back on the road.
A vintage car that has sat for long periods deserves a broader check as well. Look over the steering and suspension for looseness, inspect the brakes, and make sure the alignment does not immediately scrub a new set of tires. After the first short drive, recheck pressure and look for any rubbing marks or unusual wear patterns that could signal a fitment or chassis issue.
How should tires on a collector 1959 Renault Daughine be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1959 Renault Daughine should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, and air loss, and protected from long periods of sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone exposure. Low annual mileage does not stop rubber from aging, so condition matters as much as tread depth on a car like this.
Regular visual checks are especially important because the Daughine is light and often used only occasionally. Rolling the car periodically can help avoid long-term flat spotting during storage, and any sign of uneven wear should prompt a wheel and suspension check. Before a longer drive, inspect tread and sidewalls closely and confirm that the spare and service tools are ready as well.
