1959 Simca Arlane Tires

The 1959 Simca Arlane uses two primary tire sizes: 185R15 in radial construction and 6.50-15 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are associated with this exact model and both use a 15-inch rim diameter, so the main distinction is the tire’s sizing system and construction type rather than a wheel-size change.

That means the real decision is whether the car should stay with a traditional bias-ply presentation or use a radial option in the proper 15-inch diameter. Before choosing either size, confirm the actual wheel setup on the car, especially if it has been changed over the years, and make sure the selected tire matches your appearance goals and road-use plans.

The 1959 Simca Arlane uses a 15-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. The radial 185R15 and the bias-ply 6.50-15 are both built around that same 15-inch wheel diameter, so the fitment decision is not about switching to a different rim size within this application.

Rim diameter is only one part of the check, though. Wheel width, bead-seat condition, and any previous wheel replacement still matter before mounting new tires, especially on an older European car that may have seen decades of service or restoration work. Confirm the wheels on the car before selecting between radial and bias-ply construction.

Yes. The 1959 Simca Arlane Base uses the same two fitment choices associated with this application: 185R15 in radial construction and 6.50-15 in bias-ply construction. There is no separate size change here that forces the Base model into a different rim diameter or a different basic tire fitment path.

That makes selection simpler, because the question shifts from sub-model identification to construction and style preference. A buyer can focus on whether the car should keep a period-style bias-ply look or move to a radial tire, then compare sidewall treatments and wheel compatibility rather than hunting for a hidden trim-specific size difference.

For the 1959 Simca Arlane, 6.50-15 is the bias-ply tire size. It uses a vintage numeric sizing format, where the first number represents nominal section width in inches and the final number identifies the 15-inch rim diameter. That makes it the traditional-construction option within this application.

Choosing 6.50-15 usually comes down to preserving a more period-style look and feel. The important next step is confirming that the wheels on the car are suitable for the tire being considered and that the rest of the setup has not been altered in a way that would make the radial 185R15 a more practical path for road use.

A 1959 Simca Arlane can be fitted with either 6.50-15 bias-ply tires or 185R15 radial tires, both on 15-inch rims. Bias-ply construction is the traditional choice for owners focused on period-style presentation, while 185R15 gives this car a radial fitment path in an older Euro-metric sizing format.

The better choice depends on what matters most for your car. Restoration-minded owners may prefer the visual character of bias-ply construction, while drivers putting regular road miles on the car often consider a radial setup. Wheel width, overall wheel condition, and any suspension or brake changes should be checked before settling on either construction.

The first checks are wheel diameter, wheel width, and the actual tire size being used on the car now. A 1959 Simca Arlane can use 185R15 radial tires on a 15-inch rim, but a conversion from 6.50-15 bias-ply should still be treated as a fitment change that deserves a full wheel and clearance review.

Steering clearance, fender clearance, suspension condition, and overall tire dimensions all deserve attention before making the switch. It also helps to inspect the wheels for age-related issues and confirm that the car has not been modified with different wheels or ride height. A careful check is especially important on a collector vehicle that sees infrequent use.

Start with the correct fitment path for the car: 185R15 if you want a radial tire, or 6.50-15 if you want a bias-ply tire. Both use a 15-inch rim diameter, so the main decision is construction, followed by the look you want the car to carry and the type of driving it will actually see.

After that, compare the practical details that affect selection, such as wheel-width suitability, sidewall style, tire series, and load figures where available. A lightly driven restored car may call for a different choice than a road-used survivor. The best comparison comes from matching the tire to the car’s current wheels, intended appearance, and use.

For the 1959 Simca Arlane, available 185R15 radial products include blackwall, redline, and narrow whitewall sidewall styles. Those choices allow the tire to support very different visual directions, from a restrained European look to a more pronounced vintage custom or restoration-oriented presentation.

Sidewall style does not change the underlying need to choose the correct size and construction, but it strongly affects how finished the car looks once mounted. A buyer trying to preserve a subtle sedan appearance may lean toward blackwall or narrow whitewall, while redline offers a more distinctive visual statement within the same basic fitment family.

The 185R15 radial fitment for the 1959 Simca Arlane is available from Coker Classic, Michelin, Avon, and Universal Vintage Tire. Those brands appear across several radial product lines, giving the buyer more than one route within the same size and 15-inch rim diameter.

Brand alone should not decide the purchase. It helps to compare the tire series, sidewall treatment, rim-width specification, and any load information that is stated for the specific tire under consideration. Looking at the full combination of fitment details and appearance features is more useful than treating every 185R15 radial as exactly the same.

For a period-style 1959 Simca Arlane, 6.50-15 bias-ply is the natural starting point because it preserves the traditional construction associated with older tire fitment. The radial 185R15 remains an authentic-looking size family for many vintage applications, but it represents a different construction and can change the car’s visual and driving character.

Appearance goals should guide the decision as much as fitment. If originality matters at a high level, use the tire size and construction as the foundation, then verify details like sidewall treatment against trusted marque references or restoration history for the individual car. That approach is more reliable than choosing by style alone.

Tire construction changes more than ride feel on a restored 1959 Simca Arlane; it also changes the car’s visual impression. A 6.50-15 bias-ply tire tends to support a more traditional mid-century presentation, while a 185R15 radial keeps the 15-inch format but introduces a later construction style with its own stance and sidewall character.

That difference matters on a compact European sedan where tire shape is easy to notice. Sidewall treatment also plays a major role, since blackwall, redline, and narrow whitewall options can push the car toward a conservative or more expressive look. Matching construction and sidewall style to the restoration’s overall theme usually produces the best result.

Yes. Even though the 1959 Simca Arlane uses 15-inch fitments, modifications can still change what works properly on the car. Different wheel widths, replacement wheels, brake conversions, suspension changes, or altered ride height can all affect whether a 185R15 radial or 6.50-15 bias-ply remains a sensible choice for the current setup.

A car that has been lowered, widened, or fitted with non-original wheels deserves a close check before new tires are selected. Steering sweep, fender clearance, and wheel condition should all be reviewed with the car on the ground. That inspection is especially worthwhile when an older vehicle has changed hands or been rebuilt over many years.

Before driving a 1959 Simca Arlane on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and mounting surfaces, then confirm proper inflation and make sure each tire clears through steering and suspension movement. On an older car, it is also wise to look over wheel bearings, brake condition, and any signs of suspension wear that could affect tire behavior.

A short local test drive is usually the best first outing after installation. Watch for rubbing, vibration, pulling, or uneven steering response, then recheck inflation and general tire seating once the car has been driven. Collector vehicles often sit for long periods, so a careful return-to-road inspection helps catch issues before a longer trip.

Tires on a collector 1959 Simca Arlane should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, and uneven wear, and checked for air loss even when the car is not driven often. Long storage periods can be hard on vintage tires because age, sunlight, ozone, and inactivity all affect condition over time.

Clean, dry storage and occasional movement of the vehicle can help reduce flat spotting and localized stress. It also helps to inspect the spare and verify that all mounted tires still match the car’s intended use, especially before a tour or seasonal return to service. Low mileage does not eliminate the need for routine tire checks.