The 1960 AC Saloon comes from a distinctly British grand touring tradition, blending hand-built character with the kind of understated performance and craftsmanship that still appeals to collectors today. Cars from this era reward careful tire selection because the tire has a major effect on stance, steering feel, and overall presentation. This AC Saloon uses two 16-inch fitment paths: a 670-16 bias-ply or a 185R16 radial. That gives owners a meaningful choice between a more traditional period-style bias-ply look and a later-style radial approach from brands such as Michelin, Avon, Firestone, and Vredestein. The right decision starts with preserving the car’s intended character while confirming wheel compatibility and road-use needs.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1960 AC Saloon
The 1960 AC Saloon uses two primary tire sizes, and both fit a 16-inch rim. The choice is not about different sub-models here, since the Base model can use either a 670-16 bias-ply or a 185R16 radial. The real decision is whether to stay with a traditional bias-ply presentation or move to a radial tire that changes the car’s driving and appearance character while still matching the wheel diameter.
185R16 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 185 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, R identifies radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1960 AC Saloon, this size represents the radial fitment path and suits owners looking for a more modern construction while staying with the correct 16-inch rim diameter. Available choices include Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein, all in blackwall form and across tire series such as Michelin X Radial, Turbosteel CR6D, and Sprint Classic. It is a useful size to evaluate when road use and radial construction matter as much as period-style presentation.
670-16 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 670 represents an approximate 6.70-inch nominal section width and 16 identifies the wheel diameter. For the 1960 AC Saloon, this is the traditional bias-ply fitment choice and it preserves the sizing language and construction style associated with the period. Available blackwall options include Firestone and Avon in series such as Firestone Classic Bias Ply and Turbospeed Mk4. This size is the one to consider when maintaining a more vintage tire appearance and construction style is central to the car’s restoration direction.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered sub-models because the 1960 AC Saloon Base can use the same two 16-inch tire sizes. Checking the exact sub-model still matters, but the main choice here is construction and tire character rather than a different size assignment.
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1960 AC Saloon Base
The 1960 AC Saloon Base can be fitted with either the 185R16 radial or the 670-16 bias-ply, both on 16-inch wheels. That makes tire selection more about whether the car is being kept in a traditional period-style format or set up around radial construction for regular road use.
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 1960 AC Saloon Tires for Sale
Available 1960 AC Saloon tire choices span both 185R16 radial and 670-16 bias-ply fitments. The product range includes Michelin, Avon, Firestone, and Vredestein, with blackwall tires across series that differ by construction, rim-width compatibility, and overall restoration-versus-road-use character.
Owners of a 1960 AC Saloon usually want clear answers on 16-inch tire sizing, bias-ply versus radial selection, brand and series differences, and the basic fitment and inspection checks that matter before the car returns to the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1960 AC Saloon?
The 1960 AC Saloon uses two primary tire sizes: 185R16 in radial construction and 670-16 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are tied to the same 16-inch wheel diameter, so the main fitment distinction is construction type rather than a change in wheel size.
That means the first decision is whether the car should stay with a traditional bias-ply presentation or move to a radial setup. It is still important to confirm the actual wheels on the car, especially if it has been restored or modified over the years, because wheel width and overall clearance should be checked before settling on either size.
What size rim does a 1960 AC Saloon use?
The 1960 AC Saloon uses a 16-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. The radial 185R16 and the bias-ply 670-16 are both built around that same wheel diameter, which keeps the rim-size question fairly simple on this car.
Even with the correct diameter, wheel details still matter. Some available tires call for different rim-width ranges, so an owner should confirm the actual wheel width before choosing among products, especially when comparing radial and bias-ply options or when the car may no longer have its original wheel setup.
Does the 1960 AC Saloon Base use the same tire size?
The 1960 AC Saloon Base can use the same two primary tire sizes used on the model overall: 185R16 in radial form and 670-16 in bias-ply form. There is no separate tire-size split here that forces the Base model into a unique fitment path.
That makes the Base model easier to shop for, since the choice is centered on construction and tire style instead of sub-model-only sizing. The practical next step is to inspect the wheels currently on the car and decide whether the goal is a more traditional period-style look or a radial-based road setup.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 670-16 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1960 AC Saloon?
670-16 is the bias-ply tire size used on the 1960 AC Saloon. It is the vintage numeric size in this fitment and represents the more traditional construction choice for owners who want the car to retain an earlier tire style and presentation.
Bias-ply selection affects more than just the sidewall marking, because it also influences the look and overall character of the car. Before choosing 670-16, check that the wheel width suits the tire being considered and make sure the rest of the chassis setup matches the kind of period-style driving experience you want.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1960 AC Saloon?
The 1960 AC Saloon supports both approaches, with 670-16 as the bias-ply fitment and 185R16 as the radial fitment. The better choice depends on whether the priority is preserving a more traditional vintage presentation or using a radial construction that reflects a different tire character on the same 16-inch rim diameter.
A restoration-oriented owner may lean toward the bias-ply size because it keeps the period-style sizing format and construction. An owner planning regular road miles may focus more on the radial options. Wheel width, suspension condition, and body clearance should be reviewed before changing construction so the tire choice matches the car’s actual setup.
What should I check before converting my 1960 AC Saloon from bias-ply to radial tires?
A move from 670-16 bias-ply to 185R16 radial starts with confirming that the car still has the right 16-inch wheels and that their width matches the radial tire being considered. The tire may share the same rim diameter, but construction, rim-width needs, and vehicle clearance still deserve a careful review.
It also helps to inspect steering and fender clearance at full lock and under suspension movement, especially on an older restoration. Any wheel change, suspension change, or body repair can affect available space. A conversion should be treated as a setup decision, not just a size-label change, even when both options belong to the same car.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1960 AC Saloon?
Start with the correct primary size and construction path for the car: 670-16 if the goal is a bias-ply setup or 185R16 if the goal is a radial setup. From there, the most important comparison points are wheel compatibility, intended appearance, and whether the car is being prepared for restoration display, touring, or occasional road use.
Product details can also shape the decision. Some tires differ in rim-width range, load specification, brand, and tire series, so it helps to compare those points against how the AC will actually be driven. A collector car that sees light use may justify a different choice than one expected to cover regular road miles.
What brands offer tires for the 1960 AC Saloon?
Tire choices for the 1960 AC Saloon include Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, and Firestone. The radial 185R16 fitment is available from Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein, while the bias-ply 670-16 fitment is available from Firestone and Avon.
Brand matters mainly because it often overlaps with tire series, construction, and fitment details rather than because one name is automatically right for every car. The better approach is to narrow the choice by size and construction first, then compare each brand’s series, sidewall presentation, and wheel-width suitability for the specific AC Saloon setup.
What tire series are available for the 1960 AC Saloon?
The 1960 AC Saloon is offered with several distinct tire series depending on size and construction. In 185R16 radial form, choices include Michelin X Radial, Turbosteel CR6D, and Sprint Classic. In 670-16 bias-ply form, options include Firestone Classic Bias Ply and Turbospeed Mk4.
Series names help separate the product character within the correct size, especially when deciding between a traditional bias-ply presentation and a radial road setup. Once the size path is settled, compare each series with the car’s wheel dimensions and with the kind of look the finished AC Saloon is supposed to carry.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1960 AC Saloon?
For a period-style 1960 AC Saloon, the 670-16 bias-ply size is the most traditional starting point because it preserves the vintage numeric sizing format and bias-ply construction associated with the era. It gives the car a more historically familiar tire presentation than a modern-style radial designation.
That does not automatically make every 670-16 product the right restoration answer for every car. Owners chasing a very specific historical result should compare the chosen tire’s appearance with period photographs, marque references, and restoration goals. A careful match between size, construction, and overall look usually matters more than the brand name alone.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1960 AC Saloon restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1960 AC Saloon restoration because the tire strongly influences stance, wheel-to-body proportion, and the overall visual character of the finished car. On a vehicle from this era, the difference between a 670-16 bias-ply and a 185R16 radial is noticeable both in construction type and in period impression.
A restoration-minded owner should decide early whether the car is being finished around traditional presentation or regular road use. That choice helps narrow the tire path before paint, ride height, and wheel details are finalized. Getting the tire decision right prevents the car from looking inconsistent once the restoration is complete.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1960 AC Saloon?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1960 AC Saloon even when the tire size itself is correct. Changes to wheel width, wheel design, suspension height, steering components, or bodywork can alter clearance and can make one otherwise appropriate tire option behave differently from another.
An AC Saloon that has been updated over time should be checked at the wheel openings and around steering travel before new tires are installed. That is especially important when moving between the 670-16 bias-ply and 185R16 radial paths, since construction differences can change how the tire sits on the wheel and within the car.
What should I inspect before driving a 1960 AC Saloon on new tires?
Before driving a 1960 AC Saloon on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm that the tire size matches the intended fitment, and make sure each tire is inflated appropriately for its application. It also makes sense to check valve stems, wheel hardware, and the general condition of the suspension and steering components.
A short, careful road test is the best next step after installation. Listen for rubbing, feel for unusual pull or vibration, and recheck pressure after the first drive. On a collector car that may sit for long periods, tire condition should also be revisited regularly even when tread wear is still minimal.
How should 670-16 or 185R16 tires on a collector 1960 AC Saloon be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1960 AC Saloon should be kept clean, properly inflated, and inspected for age-related issues such as sidewall cracking, flat spotting, cuts, bulges, or slow air loss. That applies whether the car is running the 670-16 bias-ply size or the 185R16 radial size.
Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage on a low-use vintage car. Keeping the AC away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition over time. Regular inspections are worthwhile because an older tire can look acceptable at a glance while still needing closer attention before road use.
