1959 Simca Elysee & Montlry Tires

The 1959 Simca Elysee & Montlry uses two primary tire sizes: 155R14 in radial construction and 560-14 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are associated with this exact model and both use a 14-inch rim, so the fitment decision is tied more to tire type than to wheel diameter.

Choosing between them starts with checking what is already on the car and whether the wheels match the intended tire. A car kept in period-style trim may lean toward 560-14 bias-ply tires, while a car already set up for radial use may point toward 155R14. Wheel width, clearance, and overall setup should be confirmed before making the switch either way.

The 1959 Simca Elysee & Montlry uses a 14-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. That applies whether the car is fitted with the 560-14 bias-ply size or the 155R14 radial size, so rim diameter stays consistent across the covered fitments.

Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture. The 560-14 bias-ply products suit a narrower wheel range than the 155R14 radial products, so wheel width still matters even though the diameter is the same. A careful check of the actual wheel on the car helps avoid selecting a tire that matches the diameter but not the wheel's usable width.

The 1959 Simca Elysee & Montlry Base uses the same two sizes associated with this model: 155R14 in radial construction and 560-14 in bias-ply construction. There is no separate size split within the covered Base fitment, so the sub-model itself is not the deciding factor here.

That makes the real choice more practical than trim-related. The Base owner should confirm whether the car is being kept with a traditional bias-ply appearance or set up around a radial tire, then verify wheel width and general clearance. On a car that has been modified over the years, the current wheel and suspension setup matters more than the sub-model name alone.

On the 1959 Simca Elysee & Montlry, 560-14 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing format and is available here in BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply form, making it the traditional construction choice for this model's covered fitment.

Bias-ply selection affects both appearance and wheel compatibility. The available 560-14 tires are intended for a narrower rim-width range than the radial 155R14 options, so the wheel on the car should be measured before choosing between constructions. For a restoration-oriented look, the bias-ply route also gives you blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall treatments.

Either can be appropriate for a 1959 Simca Elysee & Montlry because both 560-14 bias-ply and 155R14 radial tires are associated with this model. The better choice depends on whether the car is being kept in a more traditional presentation or driven with a preference for a classic radial format.

Construction choice should be made only after confirming the wheel setup. The available 560-14 bias-ply tires suit a narrower rim-width range, while the 155R14 radial options work with a wider range. Owners should also consider how the car is used, how original-looking they want it to appear, and whether suspension or wheel changes have altered the fitment conditions over time.

A 1959 Simca Elysee & Montlry moving from 560-14 bias-ply tires to 155R14 radial tires should first be checked for correct 14-inch wheel width and general compatibility with the radial size. The change is between two recognized fitments for this model, but it still requires attention to the actual wheel and car setup.

Tire conversion is the right time to inspect steering clearance, fender clearance, and overall suspension condition as well. A collector car may have replacement wheels, worn bushings, or altered ride height that change how a new tire sits and moves. Verifying those details before installation helps keep the conversion practical instead of assuming the same diameter alone settles the fitment.

Start with the correct size and construction for the way the car is set up: 560-14 if you want the bias-ply fitment path, or 155R14 if the car is using the radial size. Both are 14-inch tires, but they differ in sizing format, wheel-width suitability, available sidewall styles, and the kind of presentation they give the car.

After size and construction, compare practical details such as brand, tire series, rim-width range, load figure, and sidewall treatment. A restoration-minded owner may focus on whitewall choices in 560-14, while a driver leaning toward radial construction may compare Michelin and Firestone blackwall offerings in 155R14. The right choice depends on the wheel on the car and the look you want to preserve.

Sidewall style depends on which tire size you choose for the 1959 Simca Elysee & Montlry. The 155R14 radial options are available in blackwall form, while the 560-14 bias-ply options are offered as blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall tires.

That means sidewall appearance is closely tied to construction choice. A blackwall radial keeps the look restrained and simple, while the bias-ply 560-14 range gives more flexibility for a traditional presentation. If appearance matters to a restoration, compare the sidewall treatment with the car's trim, wheel covers, and the era-specific look you want before settling on the final tire.

The 1959 Simca Elysee & Montlry has tire options from Michelin, Firestone, and BFGoodrich across its covered sizes. Michelin and Firestone appear in the 155R14 radial fitment, while BFGoodrich covers the 560-14 bias-ply size in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series.

Brand alone should not make the decision. The better comparison is which brand appears in the size and construction you want, then how that tire is configured for sidewall style, rim-width range, weight, and load figure. For this Simca, brand choice is tied directly to whether you are pursuing a radial blackwall setup or a more traditional bias-ply presentation.

For a period-style 1959 Simca Elysee & Montlry, the 560-14 bias-ply size is the most traditional-looking starting point among the covered fitments. Its numeric sizing format and available blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall treatments support a more vintage presentation than the radial 155R14 options.

Appearance goals should still be balanced against the actual wheel and the way the car will be used. A careful restoration may favor the visual character of a bias-ply tire, while a driver-focused car may still use the radial fitment without looking out of place. When exact originality matters, vehicle-specific historical references and marque knowledge are worth checking before final selection.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1959 Simca Elysee & Montlry as much as the size itself. A 560-14 bias-ply tire gives the car a more traditional period-style look, especially with whitewall options, while a 155R14 radial presents a later classic Euro-metric style in blackwall form.

That difference matters because the tire sits at the edge of the bodywork and strongly affects stance and curb appeal. Owners restoring the car for shows, preservation, or a more authentic-era impression often start by deciding which construction best suits the intended finish. Matching sidewall style to the trim level of the restoration usually matters as much as the size code on the tire.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1959 Simca Elysee & Montlry even when the tire size itself is correct. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, ride-height adjustments, or bodywork repairs can all change how a 560-14 or 155R14 tire sits within the wheel opening.

That is especially important on older collector cars that may have been changed several times over their lives. A tire should be checked against the actual wheel diameter and width on the car, then verified for steering and fender clearance through full travel. Small vintage cars leave less room for assumptions, so physical inspection matters more than relying on size code alone.

Before driving a 1959 Simca Elysee & Montlry on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, make sure the tires are properly seated, and confirm inflation is set appropriately for the tire being used. It is also wise to look over the valve stems, lug hardware, and general suspension condition.

A short, careful road test should follow before any longer outing. Listen for rubbing during turns, check for vibration, and recheck air pressure after the initial drive. On a collector car that has seen infrequent use, worn steering components or old wheel hardware can become noticeable only after fresh tires are installed, so the first miles should be treated as a final fitment check.

Tires on a collector 1959 Simca Elysee & Montlry should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Whether the car uses 560-14 bias-ply tires or 155R14 radials, low annual mileage does not prevent age-related issues such as cracking, flat spotting, or gradual air loss.

Maintenance is best handled on a schedule rather than waiting for obvious trouble. Inspect tread and sidewalls for cuts, bulges, and weathering, and keep the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources during storage. Moving the car occasionally and checking tire condition before each driving season helps catch problems early on a lightly used vintage vehicle.