The 1960 Citroen CV belongs to an era when compact French cars were engineered around light weight, efficiency, and practical road manners rather than sheer size or power. Its narrow tire fitment is part of that character, giving the car the slim, upright stance and responsive feel enthusiasts expect from a mid-century European small car. For this model year, the Citroen CV uses radial tire sizing in 155-380 or 155R15, so the main decision is not whether to stay with bias-ply or radial, but which radial format and tread series best suit the car. That makes wheel confirmation, intended use, and period-style appearance especially important before choosing a tire.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1960 Citroen CV
The 1960 Citroen CV uses two primary radial tire sizes, and both are associated with the same covered sub-model. The key step is confirming which wheel setup is actually on the car, since 155-380 is a millimetric radial size while 155R15 is a classic Euro-metric radial on a 15-inch rim. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to tire series, brand, and how closely the tire's look and construction match the car's intended use.
The 155-380 size is a classic metric millimetric radial format, with 155 indicating nominal section width in millimeters and 380 referring to the wheel diameter in millimeters rather than inches. It keeps the 1960 Citroen CV in a distinctly European sizing convention that suits the car's period engineering. This size is most relevant when the car retains its original-type wheel setup and the buyer wants to preserve that traditional fitment approach. Before choosing it, confirm that the wheels are truly the millimetric type and have not been changed over to a 15-inch setup at some point in the car's life.
The 155R15 size is a Euro-metric radial, with 155 as the nominal section width in millimeters, R identifying radial construction, and 15 indicating a 15-inch rim diameter. On a 1960 Citroen CV, this format opens up the broadest range of tire choices, including Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein offerings in several radial series. All of the available options use a blackwall presentation, but they differ in rim-width compatibility, load figures where stated, and overall product character. This size is the practical choice when the car is already on 15-inch wheels and the owner wants more selection within the correct narrow radial profile.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1960 Citroen CV sub-models because the Base model uses the same two radial size formats. Even so, checking the actual wheel type on the car still matters, since millimetric and 15-inch fitments are not the same thing.
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1960 Citroen CV Base
The 1960 Citroen CV Base is associated with both 155-380 and 155R15 radial tire sizes, so the car's wheel setup is the first thing to verify. That makes tire selection less about trim differences and more about matching the tire to the actual rim type, then choosing the radial series that fits the car's appearance and 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 Citroen CV Tires for Sale
Available 155R15 choices for the 1960 Citroen CV span Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein, with series such as F560 Radial, Michelin X, XAS, XAS-FF, CR6ZZ, Snow Classic, and Sprint Classic. All use a blackwall sidewall, while rim-width fitment and load specifications vary by product.
Owners of a 1960 Citroen CV usually need to sort out wheel format first, then compare radial tire size, 15-inch rim fitment, available brands and series, and the practical checks that matter before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1960 Citroen CV?
A 1960 Citroen CV uses two primary radial tire sizes: 155-380 and 155R15. The Base sub-model is associated with both, so the fitment question is less about trim level and more about which wheel setup is on the car.
Those two sizes are not simply different ways of writing the same thing. The most important step is confirming whether the car has millimetric wheels or 15-inch rims before choosing a tire. Once the wheel type is known, the selection becomes much easier because the remaining decision is which radial tire series best matches the car's intended appearance and driving use.
What size rim does a 1960 Citroen CV use?
The 1960 Citroen CV is associated with a 15-inch rim when fitted with 155R15 tires. The other primary size, 155-380, uses a millimetric wheel format, so it should not be treated as a standard 15-inch application.
That distinction matters because a tire must match the actual wheel diameter exactly. A car that has been converted to 15-inch wheels opens the door to the 155R15 product range, while a car retaining its millimetric setup needs the corresponding tire format. Checking the wheel stamping or measuring the wheel before purchase helps avoid choosing the right-looking tire in the wrong diameter.
What does 155R15 mean on a 1960 Citroen CV?
On a 1960 Citroen CV, 155R15 is a Euro-metric radial size. The 155 identifies nominal section width in millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and the 15 refers to a 15-inch wheel diameter.
This is a familiar vintage radial format and it is the size tied to the widest product selection for the CV. It is still important to confirm that the car actually has 15-inch wheels, because some cars in this class may have retained or later received different wheel types. Once confirmed, the buyer can compare brand, tire series, rim-width range, and other product details within the same basic size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 155R15 tire for a 1960 Citroen CV?
Start by confirming that the car is actually on 15-inch wheels, because 155R15 is only appropriate for that setup. After that, compare the available radial tire series by brand, stated rim-width range, load figures where shown, and the kind of road use the car will see.
A lightly driven collector car may call for a traditional-looking blackwall touring radial, while a car used more regularly may lead the owner to compare tread style and product character more closely. The 1960 Citroen CV is a narrow-tire application, so correct wheel match matters more than chasing visual similarity alone. Keeping the tire size right is the foundation for preserving steering feel and overall balance.
What brands offer tires for the 1960 Citroen CV?
The 155R15 tire size for a 1960 Citroen CV is available from Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein. Within those brands, the choices include several distinct radial series rather than one single product style.
That variety gives the buyer room to focus on the character of the tire instead of searching only for the correct size. Some options emphasize a classic touring presentation, while others have a more specialized vintage radial identity. The smart comparison points are wheel compatibility, load specification where stated, and how the tire's appearance suits the car, rather than assuming one brand is automatically the right answer.
What tire series are available for the 1960 Citroen CV?
In 155R15, the 1960 Citroen CV can be fitted with Firestone F560 Radial, Michelin X, Michelin XAS, Michelin XAS-FF, Avon CR6ZZ, Vredestein Snow Classic, and Vredestein Sprint Classic. All of these are blackwall radial tires, but they are not all the same type of product.
Series differences matter because they can change the tire's presentation, intended use, and wheel-width compatibility. A buyer comparing these options should look at the exact rim-width range, any stated load capacity, and whether the tire's overall style fits a restoration-oriented car or a more road-driven example. Selecting by series makes sense only after confirming that 155R15 is the correct wheel fitment for the car.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1960 Citroen CV?
A period-style 1960 Citroen CV tire choice starts with using the correct size format for the wheel on the car, either 155-380 or 155R15. Because this model year is already a radial application, the restoration decision usually centers on preserving the car's proper narrow-tire look rather than converting from one construction type to another.
For a car on 15-inch wheels, blackwall 155R15 options keep the visual presentation in step with a small European car of the era. Exact originality can go beyond size alone, so owners pursuing a very specific restoration standard should compare period photos, marque-club references, or other vehicle-specific historical sources before settling on a brand or tire series.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1960 Citroen CV restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1960 Citroen CV because the car's proportions, stance, and road manners are closely tied to its narrow radial tire size. Using the right format for the actual wheel type helps maintain the visual character that makes these compact French cars look and feel appropriate to their period.
A mismatch between tire size and wheel setup can affect more than appearance. It can also complicate mounting, alter the way the car sits, and create avoidable clearance or handling issues. Even on a restoration focused mainly on looks, confirming wheel diameter, tire format, and overall compatibility is worth doing before a new set is chosen.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1960 Citroen CV?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1960 Citroen CV, especially if the car has had wheel changes, suspension work, or body alterations over the years. The biggest issue on this model is often whether it still uses a millimetric wheel setup or has been changed to a 15-inch rim.
Even small changes can matter on a narrow-tire vintage car. A different wheel width or altered ride height may influence clearance at the fenders or steering components, particularly at full lock. Before selecting 155-380 or 155R15, inspect the actual wheels on the car and look for signs that the suspension or body position differs from a stock-type setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1960 Citroen CV on new tires?
Before driving a 1960 Citroen CV on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and sound condition, confirm the tires are seated properly, and check pressure carefully. It also makes sense to look over valve stems, wheel hardware, and general clearance around the fenders and suspension.
A short test drive should be treated as a verification step, not just a formality. Listen for rubbing, feel for pull or vibration, and recheck pressure after the first miles. On an older collector car, tire installation is also a good time to notice worn steering parts, weak shocks, or alignment issues that could affect the way the new tires behave.
How should tires on a collector 1960 Citroen CV be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1960 Citroen CV should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and attention to age as well as tread wear. Because cars like this are often driven infrequently, sidewall cracking, flat spotting, or slow air loss can become more important than mileage alone.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as road use. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber, while moving the vehicle periodically can reduce long-term stress on one contact patch. Before any longer drive, inspect for cuts, bulges, or unusual wear and make sure the tire still matches the wheel setup actually on the car.
