The 1960 Citroen ID came from the same forward-thinking French design school that made Citroen’s big sedans stand apart from nearly everything else on the road. Long, low, and engineered with a distinctly European approach to comfort and road manners, the ID remains a favorite among collectors who appreciate originality and unusual detail. Tire fitment for the 1960 Citroen ID centers on one primary size, 165-400, and that size is a radial rather than a bias-ply application. That makes the main decision less about choosing between multiple fitments and more about preserving the car’s proper millimetric sizing and overall presentation. Before replacing tires, it is worth confirming the wheel setup carefully and keeping the car’s restoration goals in mind.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1960 Citroen ID
The 1960 Citroen ID uses one primary tire size: 165-400. It is a radial fitment in a classic metric millimetric format, and both the ID 19 Sedan and ID 19 Wagon use the same size. That means the real decision is not which primary size fits, but whether the car still has its correct millimetric wheel setup and whether the replacement tire matches the look and use you want from the car.
The 165-400 size is a millimetric radial format, with 165 representing nominal section width in millimeters and 400 referring to the wheel diameter in millimeters rather than inches. That sizing approach is an important part of how a 1960 Citroen ID differs from many American and British classics of the same era. Because this is already a radial application, the focus stays on preserving the correct format instead of converting from bias-ply. Choosing this size starts with confirming that the car still uses the proper 400-millimeter wheels, since inch-based wheels are not the same fitment.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1960 Citroen ID sub-models because both use the same 165-400 radial size. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm that the car remains on its intended millimetric wheel and tire setup before replacement.
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1960 Citroen ID 19 Sedan
The 1960 Citroen ID 19 Sedan uses the 165-400 radial tire size. For tire selection, the main concern is keeping the correct millimetric fitment in place and confirming that the wheels have not been changed to a different diameter standard over the years.
The 1960 Citroen ID 19 Wagon also uses the 165-400 radial tire size. That keeps selection simple, but it is still important to verify the actual wheel setup on the car before purchase, especially on vehicles that may have seen restoration or later wheel substitutions.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common 1960 Citroen ID tire questions usually center on the 165-400 millimetric radial size, wheel compatibility, restoration-minded replacement choices, and what to inspect before putting a collector Citroen back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1960 Citroen ID?
The 1960 Citroen ID uses a 165-400 tire size. This is a radial tire in a classic millimetric format, and it applies to both the ID 19 Sedan and ID 19 Wagon covered here.
The key point is that 400 refers to a millimeter-based wheel diameter, not a 15-inch or 16-inch wheel. That makes wheel confirmation especially important before replacing tires, because a car that has been modified or restored may no longer be using its original millimetric wheel setup.
Do all 1960 Citroen ID sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1960 Citroen ID 19 Sedan and 1960 Citroen ID 19 Wagon both use the same 165-400 radial tire size. There is no primary size split between those covered sub-models.
That simplifies tire selection, but it does not eliminate the need to inspect the car itself. On an older Citroen, wheel changes made during restoration or routine service can affect what will actually mount, so the buyer should still confirm the wheel standard before choosing a replacement tire.
What does 165-400 mean on a 1960 Citroen ID?
On a 1960 Citroen ID, 165-400 is a metric radial size. The 165 refers to the tire’s nominal section width in millimeters, while 400 refers to the wheel diameter in millimeters rather than inches.
That sizing format matters because it is different from the inch-based tire sizes many collectors know better. A 165-400 tire belongs on a matching 400-millimeter wheel, so the buyer should confirm the actual wheels on the car before assuming that an inch-marked wheel or tire is compatible.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165-400 tire for a 1960 Citroen ID?
Start with the size itself. A 1960 Citroen ID uses 165-400, so the first priority is keeping the correct millimetric radial fitment rather than substituting an inch-based tire size without checking the full wheel and vehicle setup.
From there, think about how the car will be used and presented. A preservation-focused car may call for a traditional appearance, while a regularly driven example still needs the correct sizing and wheel compatibility. On a vehicle of this age, confirming wheel condition and actual dimensions is just as important as choosing the tire.
How do I choose between the available 165-400 tires for a 1960 Citroen ID?
Selection should begin with fitment accuracy. Any tire considered for a 1960 Citroen ID needs to be the correct 165-400 millimetric radial size so it matches the wheel standard the car was designed to use.
Once size is confirmed, compare the replacement tire’s overall presentation and how it suits the car’s purpose. A more restoration-oriented owner may prioritize a traditional look, while a touring-minded owner may focus on keeping the car road ready. Either way, the actual wheel setup should be verified before final selection.
What rim-fitment details should I compare when choosing tires for a 1960 Citroen ID?
The most important rim-fitment detail on a 1960 Citroen ID is the wheel diameter standard. The car uses a 165-400 tire, which means the wheel is measured in millimeters, not in the inch-based sizing found on many other collector vehicles.
That distinction is critical because a tire and wheel can appear close in size while still being incompatible. Along with confirming diameter, inspect the wheel’s condition, verify that all four wheels match, and make sure the car has not been converted to a different wheel type during past repair or restoration work.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1960 Citroen ID?
For a period-style 1960 Citroen ID, the strongest starting point is the correct 165-400 radial size. Keeping the original millimetric sizing format helps preserve the car’s intended stance and the distinctive European character that sets the ID apart from many contemporaries.
Appearance-minded buyers should treat proper size and wheel compatibility as the foundation of the restoration look. If exact historical presentation matters beyond basic fitment, marque-specific references and restoration records are worth consulting, since period-style appearance and exact factory delivery details are not always the same thing.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1960 Citroen ID restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1960 Citroen ID restoration. The car’s 165-400 radial size is part of a specialized millimetric wheel-and-tire arrangement, so tire choice affects more than appearance alone.
A tire that departs from the intended sizing system can complicate mounting, alter the visual balance of the car, or create avoidable fitment questions. Even on a driver-quality restoration, confirming the proper wheel standard and selecting the correct size is one of the simplest ways to keep the car coherent and roadworthy.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1960 Citroen ID?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1960 Citroen ID, especially if the car has been converted from its original millimetric wheel setup to an inch-based wheel. Wheel substitutions are the biggest concern because the 165-400 tire depends on a matching 400-millimeter rim.
Suspension changes, wheel-width changes, or body alterations can also influence clearance and overall compatibility. A buyer looking at any modified ID should inspect the full setup closely rather than relying on the year and model alone, since older collector cars often differ from their original configuration after decades of use.
What should I inspect before driving a 1960 Citroen ID on new tires?
Before driving a 1960 Citroen ID on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition and confirm that they are the correct millimetric type for 165-400 fitment. It is also wise to check for obvious alignment issues, uneven suspension stance, and any sign that the car has mixed wheel types.
After installation, watch for proper air retention, smooth steering response, and adequate clearance at full steering lock and through suspension movement. Collector cars that sit for long periods deserve an extra walk-around as well, including checks for sidewall damage, rubbing, loose fasteners, and any aging-related issues elsewhere in the chassis.
How should 165-400 tires on a collector 1960 Citroen ID be maintained?
165-400 tires on a collector 1960 Citroen ID should be maintained with the same care given to any low-use historic vehicle, while paying close attention to the specialized wheel-and-tire format. Regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and prompt attention to air loss or sidewall changes are basic essentials.
Storage conditions matter too. Keeping the car away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps reduce premature aging. Even if tread wear looks minimal, tires on a seldom-driven collector car should still be inspected frequently for cracking, bulges, cuts, and other age-related issues before road use.
