The 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII sits in a rare corner of sports car history, blending Bristol mechanical roots with Italian styling in a low-volume Anglo-American special that still draws serious attention from collectors. Whether in Coupe or Roadster form, the car’s light, purposeful character depends heavily on maintaining the right vintage tire proportions. The primary fitment is a 550-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, which keeps the car in its proper period sizing. Within that size, there is still room to choose between blackwall and wide whitewall presentations across several traditional tire series. The key decision is balancing restoration-oriented appearance with road-use needs while keeping wheel compatibility in check.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII
The 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII uses one primary tire size: 550-16, a bias-ply fitment for a 16-inch rim. That same size is shared by both the Coupe and Roadster, so the main decision is not which size fits, but which period-style tire presentation and product configuration best suits the car’s appearance, wheel setup, and intended driving use.
A 550-16 tire uses the vintage numeric bias-ply sizing system, where the 5.50 designation refers to nominal section width in inches and the 16 identifies the rim diameter. On the 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII, this is a traditional bias-ply fitment that preserves the car’s narrow, period-appropriate stance and visual character. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall versions from brands such as Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone across several classic bias-ply series. This size makes the most sense when the goal is to stay with the MKII’s original-era tire format and select the presentation that best matches the vehicle.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII sub-models. Both the Coupe and Roadster use the same primary tire size, so checking the sub-model mainly helps confirm the vehicle configuration before comparing sidewall style and product details.
1
1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII Coupe
The 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII Coupe uses the same 550-16 bias-ply tire as the broader MKII fitment. That keeps tire selection focused on traditional appearance, brand preference, and confirming that the existing 16-inch wheel setup matches the tire’s intended rim range.
The 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII Roadster also uses the 550-16 bias-ply tire size. For Roadster owners, the choice comes down to period-style presentation, whether blackwall or wide whitewall better suits the car, and making sure the wheel dimensions remain appropriate before installation.
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 Arnolt-Bristol MKII Tires for Sale
Available 550-16 tires for the 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII include options from Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. Buyers can compare classic bias-ply series in both blackwall and wide whitewall form, along with differences in rim-width specification, weight, and load-related product details where stated.
For a 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII, the important tire questions center on the 550-16 fitment, 16-inch rim compatibility, bias-ply construction, sidewall appearance, and the checks that matter before putting a collector sports car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII?
The 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII uses a 550-16 tire size. That is a vintage numeric bias-ply fitment, and it applies to both the Coupe and Roadster versions covered here.
Using the correct size helps preserve the car’s intended proportions and keeps selection focused on the right vintage-style products. Before replacing tires, it is still smart to confirm that the car retains the proper 16-inch wheels and has not been altered with aftermarket wheels or other changes that could affect fitment.
What size rim does a 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII use?
The 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII uses a 16-inch rim with its 550-16 tire fitment. Product options in this size are built for that rim diameter, and some specify a rim-width range of 3.25 to 4.00 inches.
Rim diameter is the first item to confirm, but width matters too when comparing individual tires. A car that has changed wheels over the years may still have a 16-inch diameter while using a different width, so matching the tire to the actual wheel remains an important step before installation.
Do all 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. Both the 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII Coupe and the 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII Roadster use the same 550-16 bias-ply tire size. There is no split in primary fitment between the covered sub-models.
That makes tire shopping simpler because the decision stays centered on tire style rather than on choosing between multiple sizes. Even so, owners should still verify the wheel setup on the individual car, especially on restored or modified examples where wheel changes may have been made long after the car left its original era.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 550-16 tire for a 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII?
Start with the correct 550-16 size and bias-ply construction, since that is the primary fitment for the 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII. From there, compare sidewall style, brand, tire series, rim-width suitability, and any stated load details that may matter for how the car is used.
A restoration-oriented owner may prioritize a traditional look, while another owner may be more focused on general road use and the details of a specific product. Wheel width should be checked carefully, and any older sports car with unknown wheel history deserves a close inspection before settling on one tire over another.
What sidewall styles are available for 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII tires?
The 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII has 550-16 tire options in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Those sidewall treatments appear across several bias-ply offerings, giving owners a meaningful appearance choice without changing the underlying tire size.
Blackwall usually delivers a more understated sporting look, while wide whitewall creates a brighter, more formal vintage presentation. The right choice depends on how the car is being finished and shown, but either style should still be evaluated alongside wheel compatibility and the overall character the owner wants the MKII to project.
What brands offer tires for the 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII?
Tires for the 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII in 550-16 are available from Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. These choices cover several classic bias-ply series, including Excelsior Bias Ply, Tourist Crossply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, and Firestone Classic Bias Ply.
Brand choice should be considered alongside sidewall appearance, wheel suitability, and the particular tire series rather than treated as a standalone decision. Since all of these options stay within the same vintage size family, the more useful comparison is how each product aligns with the car’s presentation and the owner’s intended use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII?
A 550-16 bias-ply tire is the natural starting point for a period-style 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII because it preserves the car’s original-era sizing format and overall look. Within that size, buyers can choose among traditional bias-ply series from Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone.
The best period-style choice depends on the visual goal for the car rather than on size alone, since the fitment itself stays the same. When exact restoration detail matters, the tire should be compared against photos, marque references, and other vehicle-specific historical material before selecting a sidewall treatment.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII?
On a restored 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII, tire construction has a strong effect on visual character because a bias-ply tire maintains the narrow vintage profile associated with the car’s original era. The primary fitment here is bias-ply, which supports a traditional sports-car presentation.
Appearance is not shaped by construction alone, since blackwall and wide whitewall treatments also change the car’s overall impression. A buyer restoring for show or historical authenticity usually benefits from evaluating tire stance, sidewall style, and wheel dimensions together instead of treating tire size as the only restoration decision.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII?
Yes. A 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII may have the correct 550-16 size on paper, but aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension changes, or body alterations can all affect how that tire fits on the actual car. Collector vehicles often change over time, even when the exterior still looks stock.
The safest approach is to confirm wheel diameter and width on the car itself, then check steering and fender clearance at full lock and through suspension movement. Older specialty cars deserve extra attention here because small dimensional changes can matter more than they would on a larger, more modern vehicle.
What should I inspect before driving a 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII on new tires?
Before driving a 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition and correct dimensions, then confirm proper mounting and inflation. It is also wise to look over the suspension, steering components, and brake system, since a fresh set of tires can reveal problems that an older set may have masked.
A short, careful test drive should include checking for rubbing, vibration, pulling, or unusual steering feel. Specialty cars that have spent long periods in storage also benefit from a broader roadworthiness review, including fluid leaks and wheel fastener condition, before they are asked to return to regular driving.
How should 550-16 tires on a collector 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII be maintained?
550-16 tires on a collector 1960 Arnolt-Bristol MKII should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Even a lightly driven car can develop age-related problems such as sidewall cracking, flat spotting, bulges, cuts, or slow air loss if it spends long stretches parked.
Good storage conditions make a real difference, especially on an uncommon sports car that may only see occasional use. Keeping the car away from prolonged sun, excessive heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the tires, and routine inspections before each drive help catch condition issues before they become road-use problems.
