1960 Facel Vega Facel Tires

A 1960 Facel Vega Facel can use 185R15 or 775-15 on Facel II applications, and 165R14 or 5.90-14 on Facel III Coupe and Facel III Convertible applications. The 185R15 and 165R14 sizes are radial fitments, while 775-15 and 5.90-14 are bias-ply sizes.

The key is not choosing from all four sizes at once, but matching the tire to the correct sub-model and wheel diameter. Facel II uses 15-inch tires, while Facel III uses 14-inch tires, so confirming the exact model and actual wheel setup should come before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or construction types.

The 1960 Facel Vega Facel uses either a 15-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on the sub-model. Facel II applications use 15-inch tire sizes, while Facel III Coupe and Facel III Convertible applications use 14-inch tire sizes.

That rim-diameter split makes wheel confirmation especially important on this car. A buyer looking at 185R15 or 775-15 should be working from a 15-inch setup, while 165R14 or 5.90-14 belongs to a 14-inch setup. If the car has changed wheels at some point, measure the wheel and verify width before selecting a tire.

The 1960 Facel Vega Facel has more than one tire size because the fitment changes by sub-model and by construction type. Facel II uses 15-inch fitments in radial and bias-ply form, while Facel III Coupe and Facel III Convertible use 14-inch fitments in radial and bias-ply form.

That means the correct choice depends on more than the badge alone. The first step is identifying whether the car is a Facel II or a Facel III, then confirming whether it is staying with its current construction or being evaluated for a different type. After that, appearance and brand choices become much easier to narrow down.

775-15 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1960 Facel Vega Facel, used on Facel II applications with a 15-inch rim. It is the traditional numeric bias-ply fitment, distinct from the 185R15 radial option that also applies to the Facel II.

That distinction matters because a bias-ply tire affects both appearance and setup decisions. Buyers comparing 775-15 to a radial alternative should confirm wheel width, review the overall tire dimensions they want to preserve, and check clearance at the fender and steering before moving away from the established bias-ply configuration.

Radial equivalents for 775-15 include 195R15 as an 80-series metric radial, P205/75R15 as a P-metric 75-series radial, P215/70R15 as a P-metric 70-series radial, and 670R15 as a bias-look radial equivalent. These options keep the same 15-inch rim diameter while offering different radial sizing formats.

Each equivalent should be treated as an alternative to evaluate rather than an automatic swap. The recommended rim-width range for these equivalents is 5 to 7 inches, and the car should also be checked for wheel compatibility, section-width tolerance, and clearance at full steering lock before changing from the original 775-15 bias-ply size.

Start by confirming the car’s exact sub-model, wheel diameter, and the current tire size. On a 1960 Facel Vega Facel, Facel II and Facel III do not share the same primary sizes, and radial choices differ between the 15-inch and 14-inch applications.

After the size is established, inspect wheel width, suspension condition, steering clearance, and fender clearance before making the change. It also helps to compare the intended radial’s dimensions against the tire being replaced and to check that the car’s use matches the owner’s goals, whether that means touring, occasional road use, or a more restoration-oriented presentation.

The main considerations are whether the car is a Facel II with the correct 15-inch setup, what sidewall appearance suits the car, and which classic tire series matches the intended presentation. In 775-15, choices include BFGoodrich, Firestone, and Goodyear across blackwall, narrow whitewall, redline, goldline, blue dot, and raised white letter blue streak styles.

Selection should also include a close look at wheel-width compatibility and the type of driving the car will see. Some 775-15 products are built around narrower wheel-width ranges than others, so the wheel itself matters just as much as the size code. A restoration-minded owner may also place more importance on sidewall treatment than on brand alone.

Sidewall styling varies widely across the available sizes for a 1960 Facel Vega Facel. Depending on the tire chosen, options include blackwall, narrow whitewall, redline, goldline, blue dot, and raised white letter blue streak, with the broadest variety appearing in 775-15 bias-ply fitment.

That makes sidewall choice an important part of how the car will present visually. A Facel II on 775-15 offers the most room to shape a traditional or sporting look, while the radial offerings in 185R15 and 165R14 are more limited and generally more understated. The best choice depends on whether the priority is concours-style restraint, touring character, or period-inspired flair.

Brands available for the 1960 Facel Vega Facel include Coker Classic, Michelin, Avon, Universal Vintage Tire, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Pirelli, and Vredestein. Brand availability depends on the exact size, with 775-15 showing the widest spread and 165R14 focused on a smaller group of European-style radial choices.

Brand alone should not decide the purchase. The more useful comparison is size first, then construction, tire series, sidewall treatment, and wheel compatibility. A buyer choosing for appearance may end up in a different part of the range than someone prioritizing a classic radial road feel, even when both are selecting tires for the same year and make.

A period-style choice starts with the correct size for the exact sub-model and then follows the presentation you want to preserve. Facel II applications can stay in 775-15 bias-ply form for a traditional look or use 185R15 radial options with more restrained European styling, while Facel III applications follow the same bias-ply versus radial decision in 14-inch sizes.

The right answer depends on whether the goal is a more original-era visual impression or a road-focused classic setup. Sidewall treatment also changes the car’s character, especially in 775-15. When exact historical originality matters, compare the tire choice against marque references, period photographs, or restoration documentation rather than relying on size alone.

Tire construction changes both the stance and the visual language of a restored 1960 Facel Vega Facel. Bias-ply sizes such as 775-15 and 5.90-14 carry a more traditional vintage presentation, while radial sizes like 185R15 and 165R14 often give the car a more modernized, European touring look.

That difference is especially noticeable when sidewall styling is part of the build theme. Redlines, goldlines, and narrow whitewalls can reinforce a distinct period-style impression, while blackwall radials tend to look more restrained. For many restorations, the decision is less about one construction being universally right and more about matching the tire’s visual character to the finished car.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1960 Facel Vega Facel even when the tire size itself is correct. Wheel changes, altered wheel width, different offsets, lowered suspension, spring changes, or bodywork variations can all influence how a 14-inch or 15-inch tire sits in the car.

That is especially important here because the model already spans two wheel diameters and both radial and bias-ply constructions. A car that has been changed from its original-style setup should be checked for steering clearance, fender clearance, and wheel compatibility before a new tire is selected. Small setup changes can matter as much as the size code stamped on the sidewall.

Inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and overall wheel condition before putting a 1960 Facel Vega Facel on the road with new tires. It also makes sense to verify inflation pressure, confirm that the tires seat properly on the rims, and check for clean clearance at the suspension, body, and steering points.

A collector car benefits from a slow first road test rather than immediate highway use. Pay attention to air retention, steering feel, and any sign of rubbing once the tires are loaded and turning. After a short drive, recheck pressure and look again for witness marks at the fenders or inner wheelhouses, especially if the car has changed wheels or construction type.

Tires on a collector 1960 Facel Vega Facel should be kept at proper inflation and inspected regularly for cracking, flat spotting, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss. Because many collector cars spend long periods parked, tire age and storage conditions matter just as much as tread depth.

Storage away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, heat, and ozone sources helps preserve both radial and bias-ply tires. Moving the car periodically can also help reduce flat spotting during long inactive periods. Before any extended drive, look over the sidewalls and tread carefully and confirm that the wheel and tire combination still matches the car’s present setup.