The 1959 Simca Aronde belongs to the postwar European small-car era, when compact dimensions, efficient packaging, and modest displacement made practical motoring more accessible on both city streets and secondary roads. For collectors today, it sits in an interesting place between everyday transportation history and restoration-focused enthusiasm. Tire fitment on the 1959 Simca Aronde is not one-size-fits-all, with 155R14 radial, 560-14 bias-ply, and 5.75-15 bias-ply applications depending on the exact version and wheel setup. That creates meaningful choice in construction, sidewall presentation, and period-style appearance. The first step is confirming the sub-model and wheel diameter before selecting a tire that suits restoration goals and road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1959 Simca Aronde
The 1959 Simca Aronde uses three primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Two sizes fit 14-inch rims, while another fits a 15-inch rim, so the first job is confirming whether the car is an Aronde I or Aronde II and verifying the wheels currently on the car before choosing construction, sidewall style, or product series.
155R14 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 155 identifies nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 14 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1959 Simca Aronde, this size is a radial fitment used on 14-inch wheels rather than a vintage numeric bias-ply format. Available choices include Michelin and Firestone, both in blackwall form, with radial series such as Michelin X Radial and F560 Radial. It is the size to evaluate when the goal is retaining a European radial presentation on the correct 14-inch wheel while still checking actual wheel width and overall vehicle setup.
560-14 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 560 representing an approximate 5.60-inch nominal section width and 14 identifying the rim diameter. For the 1959 Simca Aronde, it serves buyers who want a traditional bias-ply construction on a 14-inch wheel and a more period-style tire profile. The available selections center on BFGoodrich in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall presentations. This size is worth considering when authenticity of look matters more than changing construction, especially on cars restored around vintage visual character.
5.75-15 is also a numeric bias-ply size, with the 5.75 figure referring to nominal section width and the 15 designating a 15-inch rim. On the 1959 Simca Aronde, this size is distinct because it uses a different wheel diameter from the 14-inch options, making wheel confirmation especially important before any purchase decision. Its role is tied to the Aronde II fitment rather than the full model line as a whole. This is the size to focus on when the car retains or requires a 15-inch period-style bias-ply setup and not the 14-inch arrangement used elsewhere in the range.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1959 Simca Aronde because tire choice is not uniform across the range. The Aronde I uses 14-inch fitments in either radial or bias-ply form, while the Aronde II moves to a 15-inch bias-ply size, so identifying the exact version is the key first step.
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1959 Simca Aronde I
The 1959 Simca Aronde I uses 14-inch tire fitments and can be found with either 155R14 radial or 560-14 bias-ply sizing. That makes construction choice part of the decision, especially if the car is being restored for a traditional look or prepared for road use with a radial-type presentation.
The 1959 Simca Aronde II uses a 5.75-15 bias-ply tire on a 15-inch wheel, separating it clearly from the 14-inch Aronde I fitments. Tire selection here starts with confirming that larger rim diameter, then choosing a period-style bias-ply option that matches the car's appearance and wheel setup.
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 Simca Aronde Tires for Sale
Available 1959 Simca Aronde tire choices include Michelin, Firestone, and BFGoodrich options across radial and bias-ply constructions. Buyers can compare blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall presentations, along with tire series such as Michelin X Radial, F560 Radial, and Silvertown Classic Bias Ply.
These 1959 Simca Aronde tire FAQs focus on the questions that matter most before purchase: the correct size by sub-model, 14-inch versus 15-inch wheel fitment, radial versus bias-ply construction, appearance choices, and the checks worth making before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1959 Simca Aronde?
A 1959 Simca Aronde can use 155R14 radial, 560-14 bias-ply, or 5.75-15 bias-ply tires, depending on the exact sub-model. The Aronde I uses the 14-inch sizes, while the Aronde II uses the 15-inch bias-ply size.
The practical decision starts with identifying the sub-model and confirming the wheel diameter on the car today. Many restored or long-owned collector cars may no longer wear their original wheel setup, so checking the actual rim before selecting a tire is more useful than relying on appearance alone.
What size rim does a 1959 Simca Aronde use?
The 1959 Simca Aronde uses either a 14-inch or 15-inch rim, depending on the tire size and sub-model. Both 155R14 and 560-14 fit 14-inch wheels, while 5.75-15 fits a 15-inch wheel.
Rim diameter is the first fitment detail to verify because a 14-inch tire and a 15-inch tire are not interchangeable. Once the diameter is confirmed, the next checks are wheel width, construction choice, and whether the car has had any wheel, brake, or suspension changes that affect tire selection.
Why does the 1959 Simca Aronde have more than one tire size?
The 1959 Simca Aronde has more than one tire size because fitment varies by sub-model and construction type. The Aronde I uses 14-inch fitments in either radial or bias-ply form, while the Aronde II uses a separate 15-inch bias-ply size.
That means the correct tire is not chosen by year and model name alone. A buyer should confirm whether the car is an Aronde I or Aronde II, then verify the actual wheel diameter on the vehicle, especially if it has been restored, stored for years, or changed from its earlier wheel and tire setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1959 Simca Aronde?
Start with the exact size and wheel diameter the car requires, since the 1959 Simca Aronde uses both 14-inch and 15-inch fitments. After that, the main decision becomes construction type, because Aronde I applications include both 155R14 radial and 560-14 bias-ply choices.
Appearance and intended use matter next. A bias-ply tire supports a more traditional presentation, while a radial-format option may better suit buyers already working with the 155R14 setup. It also helps to compare sidewall style, brand, tire series, and wheel-width requirements so the tire matches both the car and the way it will be driven.
What sidewall styles are available for 1959 Simca Aronde tires?
Sidewall style depends on the size and product chosen. The 155R14 radial options are available in blackwall form, while the 560-14 bias-ply choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions.
That range makes sidewall treatment an important appearance decision, especially on a restoration-minded Simca. A blackwall keeps the look restrained and simple, while narrow or wide whitewalls create a more styled period presentation. The best choice depends on the car's overall finish, trim level, and how closely the owner wants to follow a vintage visual theme.
What brands offer tires for the 1959 Simca Aronde?
Michelin, Firestone, and BFGoodrich all offer tire options for the 1959 Simca Aronde, depending on the size. Michelin and Firestone cover the 155R14 radial fitment, while BFGoodrich appears in the 560-14 bias-ply range.
Brand choice should be considered alongside the correct size, construction, and visual style rather than on brand name alone. It helps to compare the tire series offered within each fitment, as well as sidewall treatment and wheel-width compatibility, so the selected tire supports both the car's setup and the owner's restoration or driving priorities.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1959 Simca Aronde?
For a period-style 1959 Simca Aronde, the right starting point is the correct primary size for the specific sub-model and wheel diameter. On an Aronde I, that may mean evaluating 560-14 bias-ply for a more traditional presentation, while an Aronde II centers on the 5.75-15 bias-ply fitment.
Construction and sidewall treatment shape the look as much as the size itself. Buyers focused on historical appearance often prefer a bias-ply profile and vintage-style sidewall, but exact originality can vary by market, trim, and past restoration decisions. When that level of detail matters, marque references and period documentation are worth consulting before final selection.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1959 Simca Aronde?
Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1959 Simca Aronde even when the wheel diameter is correct. A bias-ply tire typically delivers a more traditional small-car presentation, while a radial like 155R14 gives the car a later-looking tire format that still belongs to the correct size family.
That difference matters when the goal is balancing authenticity of look with practical road use. Sidewall shape, tread style, and whitewall availability all influence the finished appearance, so construction should be chosen as part of the overall restoration theme rather than as an isolated technical detail.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1959 Simca Aronde?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1959 Simca Aronde, especially because the car already has both 14-inch and 15-inch fitment paths depending on sub-model. Changes to wheels, brakes, ride height, or suspension can alter the space available for the intended tire.
A modified car should be checked for actual rim diameter, wheel width, and clearance at the fender and steering range before choosing any tire. Even when the size is correct on paper, the vehicle's current setup may differ from stock enough to change what works comfortably in real-world driving.
What should I inspect before driving a 1959 Simca Aronde on new tires?
Before driving a 1959 Simca Aronde on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall tire seating, then confirm that inflation is set appropriately for the chosen tire. It also makes sense to look over the suspension, steering components, and brake condition on a collector car that may have spent long periods parked.
A short, careful road test is a smart follow-up after installation. Listen for rubbing, check steering response, and look for any sign of uneven clearance as the suspension moves. Rechecking pressure and wheel fasteners after the first miles helps catch minor installation or setup issues before longer driving.
How should tires on a collector 1959 Simca Aronde be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1959 Simca Aronde should be inspected regularly for cracking, flat spotting, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss. Because collector cars are often driven less, age and storage conditions can matter as much as tread depth.
Proper inflation, clean storage, and periodic movement help preserve tire condition between drives. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources is especially helpful during long storage periods. A tire that still looks presentable can still deserve close inspection before road use if the car has spent months or years sitting.
