1960 Facel Vega Excellance Tires

The 1960 Facel Vega Excellance uses two primary tire sizes: 8.45-15 and 815-15. Both are bias-ply sizes for 15-inch rims, and the Excellance Base is associated with both of them rather than one exclusive sub-model-specific size.

That means the first step is checking the tire size already mounted on the car and confirming the wheel dimensions before choosing a replacement. On a collector sedan like the Excellance, prior restoration work, wheel changes, or long-term ownership history can leave the car wearing a different setup than expected, so matching the new tire to the actual car matters as much as matching the year and model.

The primary tire fitments for the 1960 Facel Vega Excellance are built around a 15-inch rim diameter. Both 8.45-15 and 815-15 use that same 15-inch wheel size, so rim diameter does not change between the two listed tire sizes.

Even with the same diameter, wheel width still needs to be checked before replacing tires, especially on a hand-built luxury performance car that may have seen wheel swaps over time. Looking at the actual wheel on the car helps prevent mismatches in tire profile, stance, and clearance, and it is especially worthwhile before committing to a restoration-oriented sidewall style.

An 815-15 tire uses a vintage numeric bias-ply size format. The 8.15 figure refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches, and the 15 indicates the rim diameter, so it is a traditional bias-ply tire designed for a 15-inch wheel.

For an Excellance owner, that matters because this size is part of an older sizing system and should not be read like a modern metric radial size. The practical choice is to confirm that 815-15 is the size already fitted or intended for the car, then compare available sidewall treatments and wheel-width compatibility rather than assuming any 15-inch tire will serve the same role.

Start with the actual tire size on the car, since the 1960 Facel Vega Excellance is associated with both 8.45-15 and 815-15. From there, construction is straightforward because both primary fitments are bias-ply, so the key decisions shift toward wheel compatibility, sidewall appearance, and how the car is meant to be used.

A restoration-minded owner may focus on preserving period-style proportions and visual balance, while a road-use owner may prioritize matching the tire to the wheel currently installed. Checking wheel width, overall presentation, and any prior modifications helps narrow the choice sensibly. On an uncommon car like the Excellance, small differences in tire width or sidewall treatment can noticeably affect the finished look.

In 815-15, available sidewall styles include a narrow whitewall and a whitewall-redline combination. Both options keep the car in a period-style bias-ply presentation, but they create different visual effects once mounted on a formal, high-profile grand touring sedan like the Excellance.

The right choice depends on how restrained or expressive the finished car should look. A narrow whitewall tends to suit a more elegant, understated appearance, while a whitewall-redline treatment adds extra visual detail. Since sidewall styling strongly influences the stance of a vintage car, it helps to consider the wheel cover design, paint color, and the broader restoration theme before deciding.

Available 815-15 tires for the 1960 Facel Vega Excellance come from BFGoodrich. The current product selection in that size centers on the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, which keeps the fitment within a traditional vintage-style construction and offers more than one sidewall presentation.

Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor on a car like this. It is just as important to verify the correct size, compare sidewall appearance, and make sure the tire suits the wheel on the car. Since the Excellance is a rare collector vehicle, the best choice is usually the one that aligns the right fitment with the intended visual character of the restoration.

A period-style 1960 Facel Vega Excellance starts with one of its primary 15-inch bias-ply sizes, either 8.45-15 or 815-15, depending on the wheel and tire setup already on the car. Staying with a bias-ply construction preserves the visual character and proportions associated with the car's original era.

From there, the choice becomes more about presentation than modernizing the fitment. An owner restoring the car to a specific delivery style or show standard should compare the tire's width and sidewall treatment with period photos, marque references, and the car's trim level or coachwork details. That extra homework matters on a low-production luxury car where small appearance choices stand out.

Tire construction has a visible effect on a restored 1960 Facel Vega Excellance because both primary fitments are bias-ply, and that construction contributes to the car's period stance and visual balance. On a formal grand touring sedan, the tire's shape and sidewall style can influence how authentic or overly modern the finished car appears.

That does not mean every restoration needs the same look, but construction should match the owner's goals. A bias-ply presentation generally supports a more traditional result, while sidewall details such as narrow whitewall or whitewall-redline adjust the personality further. Anyone chasing exact historical accuracy should compare the tire choice with reliable marque-specific references rather than relying on appearance alone.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1960 Facel Vega Excellance even when the tire size appears correct on paper. Wheel changes, altered ride height, brake conversions, or body and suspension work can change the space available for a vintage bias-ply tire and may also affect how the car sits and steers.

That is why the actual car should be checked before ordering replacement tires. Looking at wheel diameter, wheel width, sidewall clearance, and front steering clearance helps catch issues that a year-make-model search alone cannot resolve. On a rare hand-built vehicle, previous repairs or custom work can be especially important, so a careful physical inspection is part of responsible fitment.

Before putting a 1960 Facel Vega Excellance back on the road with new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall clearance at the fenders and steering components. Tire pressure should be set appropriately, and the suspension and steering should be checked for looseness or wear that could affect how a fresh set of bias-ply tires behaves.

A road test should begin gently, especially if the car has been sitting or has not worn new tires in years. It also helps to confirm that the spare, jack equipment, and wheel hardware remain usable. On a collector vehicle, new tires solve only part of the readiness question, so the surrounding mechanical condition deserves the same level of attention.

815-15 bias-ply tires on a collector 1960 Facel Vega Excellance should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Watch for sidewall cracking, tread damage, bulges, cuts, or slow air loss, because collector cars often age out their tires through time and storage conditions rather than heavy mileage.

Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the rubber between drives. Occasional movement can also help prevent long-term flat spotting during storage. Since this is a rare, heavy luxury car with a strong visual dependence on its tire presentation, routine inspection is as much about preserving safe road manners as preserving appearance.