1959 Standard Ten Tires

A 1959 Standard Ten uses two recognized 13-inch tire sizes: 560-13 in bias-ply construction and 155R13 in radial construction. The 560-13 size is the vintage numeric bias-ply fitment, while 155R13 is the Euro-metric radial alternative used on the same vehicle family.

The practical choice is deciding which construction belongs on the car as it sits today. A Standard Ten kept in period-style form may stay with 560-13, while a car already set up for radial use may point toward 155R13. Wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and body or steering clearance are worth confirming before treating the two sizes as interchangeable.

The 1959 Standard Ten uses a 13-inch rim diameter with both of its recognized tire sizes. That applies to the 560-13 bias-ply fitment and the 155R13 radial fitment, so the basic wheel diameter stays consistent even though the construction and sizing systems differ.

Diameter is only the first part of the fitment picture. Bias-ply and radial options in these sizes can call for different wheel-width ranges, so it helps to measure the actual wheels on the car before choosing. That is especially important if the Standard Ten has replacement wheels or if the original wheels have been changed during a past restoration.

Yes. The 1959 Standard Ten Base uses the same two 13-inch tire sizes associated with this model: 560-13 in bias-ply form and 155R13 in radial form. There is no separate Base-only tire size within the covered fitment range.

That keeps sub-model identification simple, but it does not remove the need to verify the wheel setup on the car itself. A Base model wearing original-style narrow wheels may be better aligned with the bias-ply fitment, while a car already converted to radial-friendly wheels may steer the decision toward 155R13 and its related radial alternatives.

560-13 is the bias-ply tire size for the 1959 Standard Ten. It is a vintage numeric size, and in this application it appears in classic bias-ply offerings with traditional whitewall treatments rather than as a radial construction in the same size code.

That matters because a buyer choosing 560-13 is usually choosing a more period-style presentation as well as bias-ply construction. If the car currently wears radial tires, it is smart to confirm wheel width and general setup before moving back to bias-ply. Construction changes can alter the car's feel and should be approached as a full fitment decision, not just a sidewall-style choice.

Radial equivalents for 560-13 include 155R13 as the 80-series metric radial option, P155/75R13 as the P-metric 75-series radial option, and P155/70R13 as the P-metric 70-series radial option. A bias-look radial equivalent is not part of the available 560-13 equivalent range here.

Each of those radial sizes should be treated as an alternative rather than as an automatic replacement. The recommended rim-width range for the equivalent radial path is 4 to 5 inches, and the actual car should still be checked for wheel width, tire clearance, and overall dimensions. That is especially worthwhile on a lightly modified Standard Ten or one with replacement wheels.

Start by confirming the wheel diameter and the actual wheel width on the car. The 1959 Standard Ten uses 13-inch rims, and the radial-equivalent path from 560-13 includes sizes such as 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13, with a recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches.

After that, compare the car's current tire clearance at the fenders, suspension, and steering stops, and inspect the condition of the wheels themselves. A Standard Ten that has been altered over the years may not match its original wheel setup. Converting construction is also a good time to check alignment, suspension wear, and whether the car's intended use favors a traditional bias-ply look or a radial-oriented road setup.

The first decision is construction. A 560-13 bias-ply tire keeps the Standard Ten in a more traditional sizing and appearance category, while 155R13 moves to a radial format on the same 13-inch rim diameter. From there, sidewall treatment, wheel-width compatibility, and the car's restoration or driving goals become the main buying factors.

A car being preserved for period style may point toward the bias-ply path, especially with whitewall choices available. A Standard Ten intended for regular road use may lead you to compare the radial offerings instead. It also helps to review the actual wheels on the vehicle, since the available products span different rim-width ranges rather than one universal wheel specification.

The available sidewall styles for the 1959 Standard Ten include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall. Blackwall choices appear with the 155R13 radial options, while the 560-13 bias-ply size includes both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall presentations.

That sidewall spread gives the car noticeably different visual personalities even before construction is considered. A whitewall bias-ply tire leans toward a more traditional late-1950s look, while a blackwall radial gives a cleaner, less decorative presentation. Sidewall style should still be chosen after the correct size and wheel compatibility are settled, not as a substitute for proper fitment.

Michelin and Dunlop offer the 155R13 radial choices for the 1959 Standard Ten, while BFGoodrich and Firestone appear in the 560-13 bias-ply range. Those brand differences also bring differences in tire series and sidewall presentation rather than simply placing the same tire under different names.

The best way to compare them is by starting with the size and construction that belong on your car, then looking at series, sidewall style, and rim-width suitability. Michelin XAS-FF and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet serve the radial side, while Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Firestone Classic Bias Ply cover the traditional route. Brand alone should not outweigh fitment and appearance priorities.

For a period-style 1959 Standard Ten, the 560-13 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it keeps the car in its vintage numeric fitment family and is available in traditional whitewall forms. That makes it the more restoration-oriented direction when the goal is to preserve a small British sedan's traditional stance and visual character.

The final appearance depends on more than size alone. Narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions create noticeably different looks, and not every restoration aims for the same presentation. If exact originality matters, compare the tire choice against marque references, period photos, and build-specific guidance rather than assuming any available whitewall treatment is automatically correct for the car.

Tire construction can change how a restored 1959 Standard Ten looks even when the rim diameter stays at 13 inches. A 560-13 bias-ply tire preserves the vintage numeric format and supports a more traditional profile and sidewall presentation, while a 155R13 radial introduces a later-style sizing convention and blackwall-only product choices here.

That difference matters most on a lightly detailed car where wheel and tire proportions are easy to see. Owners focused on a period-style restoration often start with the bias-ply fitment, while those prioritizing road manners may accept the visual change that comes with radial construction. The key is choosing deliberately so the tire matches the overall direction of the restoration.

Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1959 Standard Ten even when the car stays within the recognized 13-inch tire family. Replacement wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, body repairs, or lowered ride height can all change how a 560-13 bias-ply or 155R13 radial sits in the wheel opening and clears surrounding components.

That is why the actual car should be measured before a new set is chosen. Check wheel width, steering clearance, and the space around the fender lips and suspension at full lock and normal ride height. A Standard Ten with decades of repairs or upgrades may no longer mirror stock dimensions closely enough to rely on size code alone.

Before driving a 1959 Standard Ten on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm the bead seats are sound, and verify that the selected tire size matches the wheel diameter and width. It also helps to check that the tires clear the fenders, steering arms, and suspension through the full range of motion.

Roadworthiness depends on the rest of the chassis as much as the tires. Look over steering joints, suspension wear, brake condition, and alignment before putting meaningful miles on the car. After the tires are mounted, recheck pressure regularly and watch for uneven wear or contact marks during the first few drives, especially if the Standard Ten has not been used often.

Collector-car tires on a 1959 Standard Ten should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Whether the car wears 560-13 bias-ply tires or 155R13 radials, look for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and signs of slow air loss, especially if the car spends long stretches parked between outings.

Storage conditions matter more than many owners expect. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, damp conditions, and ozone-producing equipment helps preserve the tires between drives. It is also wise to inspect them before every road outing, since a lightly used collector car can carry old or deteriorated tires that still show usable tread but are no longer in sound condition.