1960 Allard Palm Beach Tires

The 1960 Allard Palm Beach uses two primary tire sizes: 590-15 and 600-15. Both are bias-ply sizes designed for 15-inch rims, and both are associated with the Palm Beach Base. That means a Palm Beach owner is not choosing from unrelated modern sizes, but from two closely related vintage fitment sizes that suit the car’s original tire format.

The practical step is to confirm which size is already on the car and whether the wheels match the intended tire width range. On collector cars, wheels may have been changed over the years, so checking the current rim width, the tire’s actual sidewall clearance, and the car’s stance will help determine whether 590-15 or 600-15 is the better match.

The 1960 Allard Palm Beach uses a 15-inch rim with its primary tire fitments. Both 590-15 and 600-15 are 15-inch bias-ply sizes, so the wheel diameter stays the same even though the vehicle can be associated with more than one tire size. The size difference is in the tire itself rather than a change to a different wheel diameter.

Wheel diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a vintage sports car. It is still important to verify the actual wheel width on the car, especially if it has seen previous restoration work or aftermarket changes. Diameter may be correct, but width and clearance still affect how comfortably a 590-15 or 600-15 tire will suit the vehicle.

The 1960 Allard Palm Beach is associated with both 590-15 and 600-15 bias-ply tires, so the difference is not a change in basic tire construction or rim diameter. Both sizes remain within the Palm Beach’s primary vintage fitment range and both use a 15-inch wheel. The main distinction is the nominal tire width represented by the size code.

For the buyer, that means tire selection should start with the car in front of you rather than an assumption. Existing wheel width, current tire size, body clearance, and the look you want all matter. On a hand-built collector car, even small differences in setup can influence which of the two period-style sizes makes the most sense.

On the 1960 Allard Palm Beach, 590-15 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric bias-ply format common to sports and specialty cars of the period, with the size code indicating an approximate nominal section width and a 15-inch rim diameter. It is part of the vehicle’s original style of tire fitment rather than a modern radial format.

That matters because a buyer deciding on 590-15 is really choosing whether to stay with the traditional bias-ply construction or use a radial equivalent as an alternative. Keeping the bias-ply format supports a more period-style look, while any conversion to a radial should involve checking wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance at the front suspension and fenders.

Radial equivalents for 590-15 include 165R15 as the 80-series metric radial option, P165/75R15 as the 75-series P-metric radial option, and P175/70R15 as the 70-series P-metric radial option. These are alternative radial sizing formats associated with the original 590-15 bias-ply fitment, not additional primary factory-style sizes for the Palm Beach.

Each of those equivalents should be evaluated against the car’s actual wheel and body setup before a change is made. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches applies, and the owner should also compare clearance at lock, suspension condition, and the overall appearance they want, since changing construction can alter the visual character of the car.

Start by confirming the Palm Beach’s existing tire size, wheel diameter, and wheel width, then compare those with the radial equivalent being considered. For 590-15 or 600-15, the available radial equivalents are 165R15, P165/75R15, and P175/70R15, with a recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches. The conversion is a sizing decision as much as a construction decision.

A careful inspection of front and rear clearance is just as important on a low-production sports car. Steering sweep, fender space, suspension condition, and any previous wheel or ride-height changes should be reviewed before installing radials. That approach helps avoid treating an equivalent size as automatic and keeps the Palm Beach’s fitment closer to the car’s actual setup.

Choosing a 590-15 tire for a 1960 Allard Palm Beach starts with confirming that 590-15 is the size already fitted or otherwise appropriate for the car’s wheel setup. From there, the main considerations are bias-ply construction, sidewall appearance, brand, and tire series. In this size, choices include BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Avon Turbospeed Mk4, both in period-style formats.

The best selection depends on how the car will be presented and used. A blackwall can suit a more understated sports-car look, while a wide whitewall changes the car’s visual character significantly. Wheel-width compatibility, load capacity, and the condition of the rest of the chassis should also be reviewed so the tire choice supports both the appearance and practical use of the Palm Beach.

The available sidewall styles for 1960 Allard Palm Beach tires are blackwall and wide whitewall. Those treatments appear across the primary 590-15 and 600-15 bias-ply sizes, giving the car a noticeably different visual presentation even when the overall tire format remains period-oriented. Sidewall choice matters more on a car like the Palm Beach than many buyers first expect.

A blackwall generally keeps the look restrained and sporting, while a wide whitewall brings a more formal vintage appearance. Neither style should be assumed correct for every restored car, especially on a specialty vehicle with varied ownership history. Looking at period photos, marque references, and the car’s broader restoration direction can help narrow the most appropriate sidewall treatment.

Tires for the 1960 Allard Palm Beach are available from BFGoodrich and Avon in the covered primary sizes. BFGoodrich appears in both 590-15 and 600-15 through the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line, while Avon appears in 590-size fitment through the Turbospeed Mk4. That gives Palm Beach owners a modest but meaningful range of period-style brand and series choices.

Brand choice should be weighed alongside size, sidewall style, and wheel compatibility rather than treated as the only decision. A buyer comparing these options should look at the tire series character, available blackwall or wide whitewall treatments, and whether the tire suits the intended use of the car. Matching the brand to the correct size is more important than chasing variety for its own sake.

A period-style 1960 Allard Palm Beach starts with one of its primary bias-ply sizes, either 590-15 or 600-15, depending on the car’s actual wheel and tire setup. Those sizes preserve the older numeric format and traditional construction that visually suit a hand-built sports car from this era. BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Avon Turbospeed Mk4 are both relevant period-style choices.

The right selection depends on how original the restoration aims to be and what look the owner wants from the finished car. Sidewall style can change the personality of the Palm Beach just as much as brand or size. When historical accuracy matters at a high level, period photos and marque-specific references are worth consulting before settling on the final tire presentation.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1960 Allard Palm Beach because tire size and construction strongly influence stance, wheel-arch fill, and the car’s overall period impression. Using one of the proper primary bias-ply sizes keeps the restoration anchored to the Palm Beach’s original style of fitment. Even small size changes can make a specialty sports car look noticeably off.

Fitment is not only about appearance, though. Wheel width, chassis clearance, and the relationship between tire and body all affect how convincing and usable the finished car feels. On a low-production vehicle, checking the actual wheels on the car is especially important, since decades of repairs or modifications may have altered the setup from what the restoration owner expects.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1960 Allard Palm Beach, even when the tire size itself appears correct. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body repairs can all influence whether a 590-15 or 600-15 tire has the right clearance and visual proportion. That is especially important on a specialty car with tight, hand-finished packaging.

A good check includes wheel diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and the space available at the fenders and suspension. A Palm Beach that has been lowered or fitted with non-original wheels may need more scrutiny before moving from one primary size to the other or before trying a radial equivalent. Physical inspection is more reliable than assumption on a collector car like this.

Before driving a 1960 Allard Palm Beach on new tires, inspect wheel condition, verify lug security, confirm inflation pressure, and make sure the tires clear the body and suspension through the steering range. The tires themselves should also be checked for proper seating and consistent appearance once mounted. Those basic steps help confirm that the car is ready for careful road use.

The rest of the chassis deserves attention too, especially on an older collector sports car. Steering play, suspension wear, brake condition, and alignment all shape how well new tires behave on the road. A short, cautious drive followed by a second visual inspection can reveal rubbing, settling, or pressure loss early, before the Palm Beach is taken on a longer trip.

Collector-car tires in 590-15 or 600-15 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even if tread wear is low, a Palm Beach that sees only occasional use still needs its tires examined for sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and slow air loss. Vintage bias-ply tires can age out long before they wear out.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as miles driven. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment helps preserve the rubber over time. Rolling the car periodically or avoiding long static loads on one spot can also help. Before any sustained drive, inspect the tires again rather than assuming low mileage means they are road-ready.