The 1960 Facel Vega Facellia came from a French marque known for blending continental coachbuilt character with grand touring ambition. On a car like this, tire choice affects more than stance alone, because the visual balance and road manners depend heavily on staying true to the Facellia’s 14-inch fitment. This model uses either a 5.90-14 bias-ply tire or a 165R14 radial, giving owners a meaningful construction decision as well as a size decision. Available 165R14 choices lean toward blackwall European-style radial offerings from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein. The right selection depends on whether the goal is a more traditional presentation, a radial driving experience, or a restoration-minded compromise.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1960 Facel Vega Facellia
The 1960 Facel Vega Facellia uses two primary tire sizes, and both fit a 14-inch rim. The key difference is construction: 5.90-14 is a bias-ply size, while 165R14 is a radial. Since the Facellia Base is associated with both, the real decision is whether to stay with a more traditional bias-ply format or choose a radial option that matches the car’s wheel and use.
165R14 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 165 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and 14 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1960 Facel Vega Facellia, it represents the radial side of the vehicle’s fitment options and keeps the tire on the original 14-inch wheel diameter. Available choices in this size include blackwall designs from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein across series such as Cinturato CA67, XAS, and Sprint Classic. It is the size to evaluate when road use, European touring character, and radial construction are part of the goal.
5.90-14 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 5.90 indicating nominal section width in inches and 14 identifying the rim diameter. For the 1960 Facel Vega Facellia, this is the traditional bias-ply fitment choice and suits owners who want to preserve a more vintage tire format on a 14-inch wheel. Bias-ply construction also changes the look of the car compared with a radial, which matters on a French grand touring car with distinctive proportions. This size is worth considering when period-style presentation is more important than moving to a later radial-style approach.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered 1960 Facel Vega Facellia Base is associated with the same two 14-inch tire sizes. The important step is deciding between the radial 165R14 and the bias-ply 5.90-14 before comparing individual tire options.
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1960 Facel Vega Facellia Base
The 1960 Facel Vega Facellia Base is associated with both 165R14 radial and 5.90-14 bias-ply fitment on a 14-inch rim. That gives the owner a clear construction choice, whether the priority is traditional presentation or selecting among available blackwall radial products for 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 Facel Vega Facellia Tires for Sale
Available 1960 Facel Vega Facellia products center on 165R14 radial fitment, with blackwall choices from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein. The main comparison points are tire series, radial construction details, and rim-width compatibility where it is stated.
These FAQs focus on the 1960 Facel Vega Facellia’s two tire sizes, the difference between its bias-ply and radial fitments, and the practical checks that matter before selecting tires for restoration or road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1960 Facel Vega Facellia?
The 1960 Facel Vega Facellia uses two primary tire sizes: 165R14 in radial construction and 5.90-14 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are associated with the Facellia’s 14-inch wheel diameter, so the fitment question is not just about size code but also about which construction style matches the car and the owner’s intended use.
That means the next step is confirming the actual wheel setup on the car and deciding whether it is best served by a traditional bias-ply presentation or a radial tire choice. On a collector car that may have changed wheels over time, checking rim width and overall clearance is just as important as matching the printed size.
What size rim does a 1960 Facel Vega Facellia use?
The 1960 Facel Vega Facellia uses a 14-inch rim diameter with both of its associated tire sizes, 165R14 and 5.90-14. That shared rim diameter keeps the basic wheel-size question simple, even though the car can be set up with either radial or bias-ply construction.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, especially on a low-production European collector car. It still makes sense to measure the wheel on the vehicle, confirm its width, and look for any signs of later wheel changes before choosing between the available tire types and comparing individual products.
Does the 1960 Facel Vega Facellia Base use the same tire size?
The 1960 Facel Vega Facellia Base is associated with the same two tire-size choices used on this model core: 165R14 in radial construction and 5.90-14 in bias-ply construction. Rather than pointing to a separate sub-model-specific size, the Base keeps the focus on construction and tire style.
That consistency makes selection easier, but it does not remove the need to inspect the car itself. A Facellia that has been restored, modified, or fitted with different wheels may need a closer look at wheel width and clearance before moving from one construction type to the other.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1960 Facel Vega Facellia?
Start with the two correct primary fitments: 165R14 if the goal is a radial tire, or 5.90-14 if the goal is a bias-ply tire. From there, the choice comes down to the car’s intended use, the appearance you want, and whether the existing wheels are better suited to the construction you plan to run.
A restoration-minded Facellia owner may prefer the more traditional look of a bias-ply size, while a driver-focused owner may lean toward the radial 165R14 offerings. Wheel width, tire age, and how the car is actually driven all matter, particularly on a specialty car that may not have its original wheels anymore.
What sidewall styles are available for 1960 Facel Vega Facellia tires?
The available 165R14 radial products for the 1960 Facel Vega Facellia are blackwall tires. That gives the car a restrained, European-style presentation and keeps the visible tire choice focused more on brand and tire series than on contrasting stripe or letter treatments.
Sidewall style matters because it changes the visual balance of a collector car as much as the wheel itself. On a Facellia, blackwall radials suit a clean touring look, but the final decision should still be tied to the correct tire size and construction rather than appearance alone.
What brands offer tires for the 1960 Facel Vega Facellia?
The available 165R14 radial fitment for the 1960 Facel Vega Facellia includes products from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein. Those choices appear in blackwall form and give the buyer several distinct European-style radial options within the same basic size category.
Brand is only one part of the decision, so it helps to compare each tire’s stated series, construction, and any listed rim-width guidance before choosing. On a car like the Facellia, selecting the right size and setup matters more than chasing a name alone, especially if the wheels may have changed over time.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1960 Facel Vega Facellia?
A period-style 1960 Facel Vega Facellia usually starts with the two associated fitments already tied to the car: 5.90-14 in bias-ply form or 165R14 in radial form. The bias-ply size generally supports a more traditional vintage presentation, while the 165R14 radial keeps the 14-inch format but moves toward a later-style road tire feel.
Appearance goals should be balanced against how the car will actually be used. If exact restoration accuracy matters, marque-specific references and period photos are worth consulting before committing to one construction or sidewall presentation, since a period-style choice is not automatically the same as a proven original-delivery specification.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1960 Facel Vega Facellia?
Tire construction changes both the look and stance of a restored 1960 Facel Vega Facellia, even when the wheel diameter stays at 14 inches. A 5.90-14 bias-ply gives the car a more traditional vintage tire character, while a 165R14 radial presents the Facellia with a more modernized tread and sidewall approach.
That visual difference matters on a coachbuilt-style French car where proportions are part of the appeal. Buyers who care about restoration appearance should compare the tire’s overall presentation as closely as the size code itself, then confirm the chosen construction still works with the wheel and intended use of the car.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1960 Facel Vega Facellia?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1960 Facel Vega Facellia even when the car is using one of its correct 14-inch tire sizes. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body repairs can all influence how a 165R14 or 5.90-14 tire sits in the car.
A modified Facellia should be checked for wheel width, inner clearance, outer fender clearance, and steering travel before a new set is chosen. That is especially important when switching between bias-ply and radial construction, because the tire may interact with the chassis and body differently despite sharing the same rim diameter.
What should I inspect before driving a 1960 Facel Vega Facellia on new tires?
Before driving a 1960 Facel Vega Facellia on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and basic chassis clearances, then confirm that all four tires are the intended size and construction. It also helps to check for any interference at full steering lock and make sure the tires are seated properly on the rims being used.
A short initial drive should be followed by another look at tire pressure and any signs of rubbing or uneven contact. On a collector car that may sit for long periods, it is also wise to inspect suspension condition, alignment behavior, and wheel hardware so the new tires are not blamed for an older mechanical issue.
How should tires on a collector 1960 Facel Vega Facellia be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1960 Facel Vega Facellia should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Even a lightly driven car can develop age-related issues such as cracking, flat-spotting, or air loss, so condition matters just as much as tread depth on both 165R14 radials and 5.90-14 bias-ply tires.
Storage away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tire over time. A Facellia that is driven only occasionally also benefits from periodic rotation of the contact patch, close inspection before longer outings, and replacement when age or visible deterioration becomes a concern.
