1960 Humber Hawk Tires

The 1960 Humber Hawk uses two tire sizes: 640-15 in bias-ply construction and 175R15 in radial construction. Both are associated with a 15-inch rim, so the size decision is not about changing wheel diameter first. It is mainly about identifying which construction the car is equipped to use now and which tire presentation suits the car's current setup.

A Hawk that still carries a traditional restoration-oriented look may stay with 640-15, especially because that size offers blackwall and whitewall choices. A car already converted to radial fitment may be using 175R15 instead. Checking the tire size stamped on the current tires and confirming the wheel width is the cleanest way to avoid ordering a tire that suits the model but not the specific setup on the car.

The 1960 Humber Hawk uses a 15-inch rim with both of its associated tire sizes. That applies to the 640-15 bias-ply fitment and the 175R15 radial fitment, so rim diameter stays consistent even though the tire construction changes. For this car, the more important difference is the tire type and the wheel width that goes with it.

Rim diameter alone does not settle the fitment question, especially on a collector car that may have had wheels changed over time. Measure the wheel, confirm the width, and compare that to the tire being considered. That matters most when moving from the original-style bias-ply size toward a radial alternative, because matching the wheel to the tire is just as important as matching the tire to the car.

The 1960 Humber Hawk Base shares the same tire-size choices used on this model: 640-15 in bias-ply construction and 175R15 in radial construction. Both use a 15-inch rim, so there is no separate sub-model tire-size split to sort through here. The real distinction is whether the car is staying with bias-ply tires or using a radial setup.

That makes selection simpler than on vehicles with multiple trim-specific sizes, but it does not remove the need to inspect the car itself. A Base model may still be running a different wheel width than expected, especially after years of service or restoration work. Matching the tire to the actual wheel and to the car's intended appearance is the step that matters most.

On the 1960 Humber Hawk, 640-15 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing format common to the period, with 6.40 representing nominal section width and 15 representing rim diameter. This is the traditional construction choice tied to the Hawk's classic fitment, and it is the size with the visible range of blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall offerings.

Bias-ply selection is often driven by appearance as much as by dimensions, especially on a formal British saloon where the sidewall treatment affects the car's overall presentation. The practical step is to confirm that the wheel width suits the specific 640-15 tire being considered. That helps preserve proper mounting and avoids treating every 15-inch wheel as though it were automatically the same.

Radial equivalents for 640-15 include 175R15, P175/75R15, and P185/70R15. The 175R15 option is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, P175/75R15 is the P-metric 75-series equivalent, and P185/70R15 is the P-metric 70-series equivalent. These sizes provide different radial-format alternatives while staying within the same general fitment conversation for the 1960 Humber Hawk.

A recommended rim-width range of 5 to 6 inches applies to these radial equivalents, which makes wheel measurement an important part of the decision. Overall dimensions, steering travel, and fender clearance should also be checked before conversion. An equivalent size is a useful alternative, but it still needs to be matched carefully to the actual wheel and body setup on the car.

A radial conversion on a 1960 Humber Hawk starts with the wheel itself. The car's radial-associated size is 175R15, and the radial equivalents tied to 640-15 include 175R15, P175/75R15, and P185/70R15, with a recommended rim-width range of 5 to 6 inches for those equivalent options. That means wheel width should be verified before anything else.

Clearance at the fenders, suspension, and steering should be checked next, especially on a car that may no longer sit at original ride height. It also helps to inspect the suspension and alignment condition before the change, since an older chassis can react differently once the construction type changes. The goal is to confirm compatibility rather than assuming every radial alternative behaves the same on the car.

Choosing a 640-15 tire for a 1960 Humber Hawk starts with confirming that the car is staying with the bias-ply fitment rather than moving to a radial size. From there, the meaningful choices are sidewall style, brand, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility. In this size, the product mix includes blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options across several classic bias-ply lines.

A wide whitewall can shift the car's visual character more dramatically than many buyers expect, while a blackwall keeps the look more restrained. Brand and series differences are worth comparing, but the fitment basics still come first. Check the wheel width against the tire's mounting range, and compare load figures where they are shown so the tire suits both the car and its intended use.

The available 640-15 bias-ply choices for a 1960 Humber Hawk include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That gives the car a broad visual range without changing the basic tire size. The sidewall decision is especially noticeable on a 1960 saloon because the tire's whitewall width can strongly influence how formal or understated the car appears.

A buyer focused on period-style presentation may spend as much time comparing sidewalls as comparing brands. The safest approach is to decide on the overall look first, then narrow the selection by wheel-width compatibility and construction. Sidewall style changes appearance, but it does not replace the need to make sure the tire still suits the wheel and the car's current setup.

The 1960 Humber Hawk has 640-15 bias-ply tire options from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Avon, and Excelsior. Those brands cover several classic tire series, including BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Avon Super Safety Crossply, and Excelsior Bias Ply. That gives the Hawk owner a useful mix of appearance and specification choices within the traditional size.

Brand selection should be treated as one part of the decision rather than the whole decision. Compare the sidewall treatment you want, confirm the tire size and wheel width, and then look at details such as load figures or tire weight where they matter to your use. On a collector saloon, the right brand is the one that matches the car's fitment and visual goal cleanly.

For a period-style 1960 Humber Hawk, the 640-15 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it preserves the traditional sizing and construction associated with the car's earlier presentation. That size is available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall forms, so the final look can be tailored without leaving the bias-ply fitment path.

The best appearance choice depends on how the specific car is being restored and what visual era the owner wants to emphasize. A restrained blackwall creates a different impression than a broad whitewall. When exact originality matters, it is worth comparing the tire choice against period photos, marque-club guidance, and restoration records so the final selection supports the character of the car.

Tire construction affects more than ride feel on a restored 1960 Humber Hawk; it also changes the car's visual presentation. A 640-15 bias-ply keeps the older numeric size format and a more traditional look, while a 175R15 radial shifts the car toward a more modern tire presentation. On a formal British saloon, that visual difference can be noticeable even before the car is driven.

Construction choice is often tied to the restoration goal. A buyer pursuing a traditional, show-oriented look may prefer the bias-ply path, especially with one of the available whitewall treatments. A buyer more interested in a radial-equipped road car may accept the visual change. Either way, the decision should be made intentionally so the tire supports the finished character of the Humber rather than working against it.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1960 Humber Hawk even when the tire size itself is correct for the model. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension changes, altered ride height, or body repairs can all change how a 640-15 or 175R15 sits in the car. That matters because both bias-ply and radial choices rely on the actual wheel and clearance conditions being right.

The practical check is to inspect the car as it sits today rather than assuming it still matches its original configuration. Measure wheel diameter and width, look at clearance through the steering range, and check the space around fenders and suspension parts. A correctly sized tire can still create problems if the Hawk has been modified in ways that affect its wheelhouse or wheel position.

Before driving a 1960 Humber Hawk on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and lug hardware, then confirm that each tire is mounted on the proper rim diameter and width. It also helps to check inflation, tread seating, and visible clearance at the front suspension and rear fenders. Those basics matter whether the car is running 640-15 bias-ply tires or a radial setup.

A collector car deserves a broader condition check before road use. Look for suspension looseness, alignment issues, and brake problems that could mask themselves as tire trouble on the first drive. Starting with a shorter local drive is sensible, since it gives the owner time to listen for rubbing, feel for pull or vibration, and recheck pressure once the car has settled into use.

640-15 tires on a collector 1960 Humber Hawk should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Bias-ply tires on low-use vehicles can age out long before they wear out, so sidewall cracking, flat spotting, bulges, cuts, and slow air loss deserve close attention. The same goes for the spare if it is part of the car's road-use plan.

Storage conditions influence tire life more than many occasional-use owners expect. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber between drives. It is also wise to inspect the tires before every outing rather than relying on mileage alone, since a Humber Hawk may spend more time parked than it does on the road.