The 1960 Lancia Flaminia sits at an interesting point in Italian grand touring history, blending Lancia engineering character with elegant coachbuilt-era proportions and a distinctly European approach to ride and road manners. Tire selection matters here because the Flaminia uses millimetric radial sizing rather than the inch-based formats more familiar on many American classics. Depending on the sub-model, the car uses either 165-400 or 175-400 family sizing, with radial construction throughout. Available choices in 165R400 include Michelin X Radial and Michelin X-Stop, with blackwall and narrow whitewall presentations. For a restoration-minded owner, the right decision starts with the exact sub-model, then balances appearance, wheel compatibility, and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1960 Lancia Flaminia
The 1960 Lancia Flaminia uses four stated tire sizes, but the first decision is identifying the exact sub-model because fitment differs between the 2.8 & 3B and the Base and Coupe. All of the primary fitments are radial millimetric sizes built around a 400mm rim, so once the sub-model is confirmed, the remaining choice is which version and product style best suits the car.
175-400 is a millimetric radial size with a nominal section width of 175 millimeters and a 400mm rim diameter. On the 1960 Lancia Flaminia, this size belongs to the 2.8 & 3B rather than the full model range, so it should be treated as a sub-model-specific fitment. Its European millimetric format reflects the Flaminia’s period and engineering character more closely than a later inch-based substitute would. Choosing this size starts with confirming that the car is in the 2.8 & 3B configuration and still uses the correct 400mm wheel setup.
175R400 is a Euro-metric radial size that uses a 175 millimeter nominal section width and a 400mm rim diameter. The R identifies radial construction, which matches the Flaminia’s primary fitment pattern, and this size also applies to the 2.8 & 3B. Buyers looking at this size are usually deciding within the correct millimetric family rather than changing the car’s overall tire concept. The practical step is to verify the exact sub-model and wheel specification so the tire matches both the vehicle configuration and the existing rim.
165-400 is a millimetric radial size with a nominal section width of 165 millimeters and a 400mm rim diameter. On the 1960 Lancia Flaminia, this size applies to the Base and Coupe sub-models, making it a different fitment path from the 175-section tires used on the 2.8 & 3B. Its period European sizing is an important part of selecting a tire that suits the car’s original wheel format and proportions. Before choosing within this size family, confirm that the car has not been converted away from its proper 400mm wheel arrangement.
165R400 is a Euro-metric radial with a 165 millimeter nominal section width and a 400mm rim diameter. This is one of the key Flaminia sizes for the Base and Coupe, and it is also the size with visible product choice, including Michelin X Radial and Michelin X-Stop in blackwall and narrow whitewall forms. That gives the buyer some room to shape the car’s presentation while staying within the proper millimetric radial format. The smart comparison points are sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, and whether the car remains on its correct 400mm wheels.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1960 Lancia Flaminia because not every version uses the same tire size family. The first step is confirming whether the car is a 2.8 & 3B, Base, or Coupe, since that determines whether the tire should be in the 175-400 or 165-400 range.
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1960 Lancia Flaminia 2.8 & 3B
The 1960 Lancia Flaminia 2.8 & 3B uses the 175-400 and 175R400 millimetric radial fitment family. Tire selection here centers on staying within that 175-section, 400mm-rim format and confirming that the car still carries the correct wheel setup before choosing a replacement.
The 1960 Lancia Flaminia Base uses the 165-400 and 165R400 millimetric radial fitment family. That makes product choice more relevant, since available 165R400 options allow an owner to compare sidewall presentation and rim-width compatibility while remaining in the proper size range.
The 1960 Lancia Flaminia Coupe uses the same 165-400 and 165R400 millimetric radial sizing found on the Base model. For tire selection, that means the focus shifts from size identification to choosing the right 165R400 product style and verifying that the coupe still uses its intended 400mm wheels.
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 Lancia Flaminia Tires for Sale
Available 165R400 choices for the 1960 Lancia Flaminia center on Michelin, including Michelin X Radial and Michelin X-Stop options. The product comparison is mainly about sidewall presentation, millimetric radial construction, and rim-width compatibility within the correct 400mm fitment family.
These 1960 Lancia Flaminia tire FAQs focus on sub-model size differences, 400mm rim fitment, millimetric radial sizing, available Michelin choices, and the inspection points that matter before putting a collector-era Lancia back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1960 Lancia Flaminia?
The 1960 Lancia Flaminia uses millimetric radial tire sizes, and the correct size depends on the sub-model. The 2.8 & 3B uses 175-400 or 175R400, while the Base and Coupe use 165-400 or 165R400. All of these are 400mm-rim radial fitments rather than common inch-based American sizes.
That makes sub-model identification the first step before choosing a tire. A Flaminia that has changed wheels over the years may no longer be on its original millimetric setup, so it is worth checking the actual wheel markings and the tire already on the car before selecting a replacement.
What size rim does a 1960 Lancia Flaminia use?
The tire sizes used on the 1960 Lancia Flaminia are built around a 400mm rim diameter. That applies across the model’s stated fitments, including 165-400, 165R400, 175-400, and 175R400. This is a millimetric wheel standard, so it should not be confused with a similarly sized inch-based rim.
Wheel diameter is especially important on a Flaminia because millimetric and inch-based fitments are not the same thing. A buyer should confirm the wheel format first, then compare rim width and tire size by sub-model so the chosen tire matches both the car’s intended fitment and its current wheel setup.
Do all 1960 Lancia Flaminia sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the 1960 Lancia Flaminia does not use one tire size across every covered sub-model. The 2.8 & 3B uses the 175-400 family, while the Base and Coupe use the 165-400 family. All are radial millimetric sizes, but the width group differs by sub-model.
That difference matters because the right tire choice begins with the exact version of the car, not just the year and model name. Once the sub-model is confirmed, the next step is checking whether the car still has its proper 400mm wheels and whether the tire currently fitted matches the intended size family.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165R400 tire for a 1960 Lancia Flaminia?
Choosing a 165R400 tire for a 1960 Lancia Flaminia starts with confirming that the car is a Base or Coupe and that it still uses a 400mm wheel. Within that size, available choices include Michelin X Radial and Michelin X-Stop, both in radial millimetric construction.
Once the size is confirmed, the meaningful differences are sidewall appearance and rim-width compatibility. A narrow whitewall changes the car’s presentation compared with a blackwall, while the wheel itself needs to match the tire’s intended rim-width range before final selection makes sense.
What sidewall styles are available for 1960 Lancia Flaminia tires?
For the 1960 Lancia Flaminia, the available 165R400 products include both blackwall and narrow whitewall sidewall treatments. Those choices appear in Michelin offerings, giving owners a way to stay within the proper millimetric radial format while still shaping the car’s visual character.
Sidewall style is mainly an appearance decision once the correct size and wheel format are established. A restoration-oriented owner may prefer the look that best suits the car’s era and trim, while a driver-focused owner may simply want the right 165R400 fitment with the sidewall presentation they prefer.
What brands offer tires for the 1960 Lancia Flaminia?
The available 165R400 tire choices for the 1960 Lancia Flaminia come from Michelin. Within that size, the product line includes Michelin X Radial and Michelin X-Stop options, both built as millimetric radial tires for the Flaminia’s 400mm wheel format.
Brand choice is straightforward here, so the more useful comparison is within the Michelin range itself. Buyers should look at sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility, while also confirming that the car is using the 165-section fitment rather than the wider 175-section setup used on the 2.8 & 3B.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1960 Lancia Flaminia?
A period-style 1960 Lancia Flaminia tire choice starts with the correct millimetric radial size for the exact sub-model. The 2.8 & 3B uses the 175-400 family, while the Base and Coupe use the 165-400 family. Staying within that original sizing approach preserves the car’s intended European tire and wheel character.
Appearance decisions come after size and wheel format are settled. On a 165R400 Flaminia, blackwall and narrow whitewall options create different visual results, so the right choice depends on the restoration direction and the look the owner wants, rather than any blanket claim about one style suiting every car.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1960 Lancia Flaminia restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1960 Lancia Flaminia restoration because the car uses millimetric radial sizing on 400mm rims. A tire that matches the wrong sub-model or the wrong wheel format can change both the visual stance and the mechanical compatibility of the finished car.
Restoration-minded buyers should confirm the exact sub-model first, then verify the wheel setup that is actually on the car. When exact originality is important, it also helps to compare the chosen tire’s overall presentation with marque references, period photography, and vehicle-specific historical documentation before finalizing the selection.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1960 Lancia Flaminia?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1960 Lancia Flaminia, especially if the car has been converted from its original 400mm wheel format. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, or bodywork repairs can all change the clearance picture even when the tire size itself appears correct.
A Flaminia with non-original wheels should have its actual rim diameter and width checked before any replacement tire is chosen. Clearance at the fender, suspension, and steering components also deserves a close look, since collector cars often accumulate changes over time that are not obvious from the outside.
What should I inspect before driving a 1960 Lancia Flaminia on new tires?
Before driving a 1960 Lancia Flaminia on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct 400mm sizing, check that the tires seat properly, and confirm there is no contact at the fenders or suspension through steering travel. It also helps to verify valve condition and make sure inflation is consistent side to side.
A collector-era Lancia should also be checked beyond the tires themselves. Brake function, wheel fastener torque, bearing condition, and any signs of suspension play matter because a fresh set of tires can reveal problems that an older set may have been masking during low-speed or short-distance use.
How should 165R400 tires on a collector 1960 Lancia Flaminia be maintained?
165R400 tires on a collector 1960 Lancia Flaminia should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections for cracks, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and periodic monitoring for air loss. Cars that spend long periods parked deserve extra attention because age and storage conditions can affect a tire even when mileage stays low.
Storage habits matter almost as much as driving habits on a low-use Flaminia. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the sidewalls, while occasional inspection of wheel condition and tread depth helps ensure the car is ready for safe road use.