1959 Sunbeam Alpine Tires

The 1959 Sunbeam Alpine uses two 13-inch tire sizes: 600-13 in bias-ply form and 165R13 in radial form. The covered Alpine Coupe is associated with both, so the fitment question is less about finding one single size and more about choosing the construction and presentation that suit the car.

That choice affects more than just appearance. A 600-13 bias-ply and a 165R13 radial do not ask the same things of the wheel, and the tire shape and driving feel can differ as well. Confirm the wheel width on the car, then decide whether the goal is a period-style restoration look or a radial-format setup for regular road use.

Both primary tire sizes for the 1959 Sunbeam Alpine use a 13-inch rim diameter. That applies to the 600-13 bias-ply fitment and the 165R13 radial fitment, so the basic wheel diameter remains the same even though the tire construction and sizing format differ.

Rim diameter is only the first check. Wheel width matters too, especially when comparing a narrower bias-ply setup with a radial alternative. A car that has been modified over the years may no longer be on its original wheels, so it is worth measuring the actual wheel before choosing a tire simply because the rim diameter appears to match.

On a 1959 Sunbeam Alpine, 600-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 600 refers to an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width, and the 13 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is the traditional late-1950s style of tire sizing and differs from the later metric radial convention used in 165R13.

Understanding that format helps when comparing period-style and modernized options. A 600-13 tire keeps the car in a vintage bias-ply presentation, and available examples include narrow and wide whitewall styles. Before choosing one, verify that the wheel width on the car matches the narrower bias-ply range used by the available 600-13 products.

For the 1959 Sunbeam Alpine, 600-13 is a bias-ply tire size. It is the traditional construction associated with the car’s period look, while 165R13 represents the radial-format alternative in the same 13-inch rim diameter family.

That distinction matters because construction changes both appearance and setup considerations. The available 600-13 tires also come with whitewall styling choices that reinforce a restoration-oriented presentation. Before moving away from bias-ply, compare the wheel width on the car and decide whether preserving the car’s original-era visual character matters more than adopting a radial construction.

Radial equivalents for 600-13 include 165R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P165/75R13 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P175/70R13 as a 70-series P-metric radial. No bias-look radial equivalent is tied to this size here, so the radial alternatives fall into metric and P-metric sizing formats.

Those sizes provide useful radial options, but they should be treated as alternatives rather than automatic replacements. The recommended rim-width range tied to the equivalent group is 4 to 5 inches, and it still makes sense to confirm wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and fender or steering clearance before changing from a 600-13 bias-ply setup.

Start by confirming the actual wheel diameter and width on the car, then compare the radial size you are considering against the original 600-13 fitment. For the 1959 Sunbeam Alpine, 165R13, P165/75R13, and P175/70R13 are the relevant radial-equivalent sizes connected to that original bias-ply size.

The next step is a physical fitment review. Check front and rear clearance at ride height and on steering lock, especially if the Alpine has aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, or bodywork differences from stock. It also helps to think through the car’s intended use, since a radial conversion can change the overall character even when the tire remains within the correct 13-inch family.

The main decision for a 1959 Sunbeam Alpine is whether to use the 600-13 bias-ply fitment or the 165R13 radial fitment. Both use a 13-inch rim, but they differ in construction, visual character, and wheel-width suitability. That means the choice should start with how the car is built and how it will be used.

A restoration-minded car may lean toward the traditional bias-ply look, while a driver may point you toward a radial. Beyond size, compare sidewall style, tire series, rim-width compatibility, and any load information that appears on the tire options you are considering. Matching the tire to the actual wheel on the car is just as important as choosing the right size family.

The available sidewall styles for the 1959 Sunbeam Alpine include blackwall in 165R13 radial form, plus narrow whitewall and wide whitewall in 600-13 bias-ply form. That gives the car two very different visual directions, depending on whether the goal is a sports-car radial look or a more traditional late-1950s presentation.

Sidewall style should be chosen with the whole vehicle in mind, not as an isolated detail. Paint color, wheel finish, restoration theme, and whether the car is being preserved as a period-style example all influence which sidewall looks most natural. The sidewall treatment also tracks closely with construction here, so style and fitment decisions are tied together.

Michelin, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich all offer tires for the 1959 Sunbeam Alpine within the applicable sizes. Michelin and Dunlop appear in the 165R13 radial category, while BFGoodrich covers the 600-13 bias-ply fitment through the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series.

Brand comparison should still start with the tire type the car actually needs. Once the correct size and construction are settled, look at factors such as sidewall style, tire series, wheel-width suitability, and any published load details. That approach keeps the decision grounded in fitment and intended appearance rather than choosing a brand first and working backward.

For a period-style 1959 Sunbeam Alpine, the 600-13 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it preserves the vintage sizing format and tire construction associated with the car’s era. Available examples also include narrow and wide whitewall versions, which can support different restoration themes without leaving the classic bias-ply category.

The right choice depends on how strictly the car is being restored and what look you want to emphasize. Some owners prefer a cleaner sports-car appearance, while others want a stronger late-1950s whitewall presence. If exact originality matters down to sidewall treatment, marque-specific references and period photographs are worth reviewing before settling on one whitewall style.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1959 Sunbeam Alpine more than many owners expect. A 600-13 bias-ply keeps the car in a traditional vintage format and is available with whitewall styling, while a 165R13 radial introduces a more modern blackwall presentation tied to classic European radial tire lines.

That means construction choice is also an appearance choice. Even when both options stay on a 13-inch rim, the finished stance and sidewall impression can look notably different. A buyer focused on show presentation may prioritize the bias-ply format, while someone restoring a road car may decide the radial look still suits the car’s character.

Yes, modifications can change tire fitment on a 1959 Sunbeam Alpine even when the car remains within the 600-13 or 165R13 size family. Aftermarket wheels, wheel-width changes, suspension work, ride-height changes, and body alterations can all affect clearance and the way a bias-ply or radial tire sits on the car.

A modified Alpine should be checked as it actually sits today, not only by year and model. Measure the wheel diameter and width, then inspect clearance at the fender edge, inner wheelhouse, and steering lock. That simple review helps prevent choosing a tire that is correct in size code but mismatched to the car’s present wheel and suspension setup.

Before driving a 1959 Sunbeam Alpine on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm lug hardware condition, and make sure the tire size and construction match the setup you intended to install. It is also smart to verify basic tire pressure and look over the suspension and steering components for obvious looseness or wear.

A short initial road test is the best next step. Listen for rubbing, feel for unusual pull or vibration, and recheck clearance after the tires have settled in service. On a collector car, fresh tires can highlight old alignment or steering issues that were masked by aged rubber, so the first miles should be treated as a careful evaluation period.

Tires on a collector 1959 Sunbeam Alpine should be checked regularly for pressure loss, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and uneven tread wear, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Low-use sports cars often age their tires by time and storage conditions rather than mileage, so visual inspection matters just as much as tread depth.

Storage habits make a real difference. Keeping the Alpine away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, heat, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. It also helps to move the car periodically or avoid leaving it parked for long periods on underinflated tires, since flat spotting and casing stress are common issues on lightly used collector vehicles.