The 1960 Renault CV belongs to the small-displacement European economy-car era, where light weight, compact proportions, and practical road manners mattered more than excess. Its tire choices reflect that character, with both a 5.0-15 bias-ply fitment and a 135R15 radial fitment on 15-inch wheels. That gives owners a meaningful decision between a more traditional period-style bias-ply presentation and a radial setup that stays within the car’s narrow, small-car sizing theme. Available 135R15 options center on blackwall radial designs from Michelin and Firestone, making it important to match the tire not just to the wheel, but also to the kind of restoration, driving, and appearance goal the car is meant to serve.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1960 Renault CV
The 1960 Renault CV uses two primary tire sizes, and both share the same 15-inch rim diameter. The key decision is not wheel diameter, but whether the car is staying with the traditional 5.0-15 bias-ply fitment or using the 135R15 radial fitment. Since the Base sub-model can use either size, the real choice comes down to construction, appearance, and how the car is driven and presented.
135R15 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 135 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1960 Renault CV, this size keeps the car within a narrow, small-displacement European fitment style while using radial construction. Available choices include Michelin and Firestone blackwall tires in series such as Michelin X M+S 89, Michelin ZX, and Firestone F560 Radial. This size is worth considering when the goal is a compact radial fitment that still suits the proportions and wheel diameter used by the car.
5.0-15 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 5.0 representing the nominal section width in inches and 15 indicating the wheel diameter. That makes it the more traditional construction choice for a 1960 Renault CV, especially for owners seeking an earlier driving feel and a period-style look. Bias-ply sizing like this is familiar on small European cars of the era and reads very differently from later metric radial sizing. This size deserves a closer look when retaining vintage construction and overall presentation matters more than moving to a radial alternative.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1960 Renault CV because the covered Base model can use both primary tire sizes. What matters most is choosing between the radial and bias-ply fitment paths rather than sorting through different wheel diameters or trim-specific sizes.
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1960 Renault CV Base
The 1960 Renault CV Base can be fitted with either 135R15 radial tires or 5.0-15 bias-ply tires on 15-inch wheels. That gives the owner a clear choice between a more traditional period-style bias-ply presentation and a small-format radial setup that should still be checked against the actual wheel width and vehicle condition.
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 Renault CV Tires for Sale
Available 135R15 choices for the 1960 Renault CV include radial blackwall tires from Michelin and Firestone. The product grid is most useful for comparing tire series, radial construction details, rim-width compatibility where stated, and load or weight specifications where they appear.
Common 1960 Renault CV tire questions usually come down to size, 15-inch wheel fitment, choosing between bias-ply and radial construction, and deciding which available radial product best matches the car’s intended use and appearance.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1960 Renault CV?
A 1960 Renault CV uses two primary tire sizes: 135R15 in radial construction and 5.0-15 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are tied to 15-inch wheels, so the main fitment distinction is construction type and sizing format rather than a different rim diameter.
That means the first step is deciding whether the car should stay with the traditional bias-ply style or use the radial fitment path. Since older cars are often restored, stored, or modified over time, it is smart to confirm the actual wheel width, tire clearance, and overall setup before selecting one size over the other.
What size rim does a 1960 Renault CV use?
The 1960 Renault CV uses a 15-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. The 135R15 radial and the 5.0-15 bias-ply both mount on 15-inch wheels, which keeps wheel diameter straightforward even though the tire constructions differ.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a small vintage car like this. Wheel width still matters, especially when comparing radial options, so the safest approach is to verify the actual wheel dimensions on the car and make sure the chosen tire matches both the wheel and the available clearance.
Does the 1960 Renault CV Base use the same tire size?
The 1960 Renault CV Base can use both of the primary fitments used on this model: 135R15 radial and 5.0-15 bias-ply. It does not introduce a separate trim-specific size, so the decision stays centered on construction and tire type rather than on a different sub-model-only fitment.
That makes selection simpler, but it does not remove the need to inspect the car itself. A Base model with replacement wheels, suspension changes, or long-term storage history should still be checked carefully so the chosen tire works with the actual wheel width, condition of the car, and intended road use.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1960 Renault CV?
Start with the correct primary size path for the car: 5.0-15 if the goal is traditional bias-ply construction, or 135R15 if the car is being fitted with a radial. Since both use 15-inch wheels, the real comparison is construction, sizing format, and the kind of look and road use the car is meant to have.
A restoration-oriented CV may call for the more vintage presentation of a bias-ply tire, while a driver may lean toward one of the available 135R15 radials. Wheel width, tire age, load specifications where stated, and overall vehicle condition should all be reviewed before making the final choice.
What brands offer tires for the 1960 Renault CV?
The available 135R15 radial options for a 1960 Renault CV come from Michelin and Firestone. Michelin offerings include the Michelin X M+S 89 and Michelin ZX, while Firestone offers the F560 Radial in this size, giving the car a small but meaningful range of radial product choices.
Brand alone should not decide the purchase on a car like this. It is more useful to compare the exact tire series, blackwall appearance, any stated rim-width range, and supporting specifications such as load or weight so the tire suits both the wheel and the way the CV will actually be used.
How do I choose between the available 135R15 tires for a 1960 Renault CV?
The available 135R15 tires for a 1960 Renault CV are all radial blackwall designs, so the comparison comes down to the individual tire series and the supporting specifications tied to each one. Michelin X M+S 89, Michelin ZX, and Firestone F560 Radial all stay within the same basic narrow radial fitment theme.
A careful buyer should compare details such as stated rim-width range, weight, and maximum load information where it appears, rather than assuming every 135R15 behaves the same. Matching the tire to the actual wheel, the condition of the suspension, and the car’s intended use will lead to a better fitment decision.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1960 Renault CV?
For a period-style 1960 Renault CV, the 5.0-15 bias-ply size is the natural place to start because it preserves the vintage sizing format and construction style associated with many small cars of the era. The 135R15 radial remains relevant, but it presents the car through a more modern construction approach.
Appearance goals matter, but so does the standard of the restoration. A driver-focused project may accept radial construction more readily, while a more historically minded restoration may stay bias-ply and use outside documentation, marque-club guidance, or period references to refine the final choice beyond size alone.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1960 Renault CV?
Tire construction changes more than ride and handling on a restored 1960 Renault CV; it also changes the visual character of the car. A 5.0-15 bias-ply keeps the presentation in a more traditionally vintage direction, while a 135R15 radial gives the car a later-style metric look even on the same 15-inch wheel diameter.
That difference is especially noticeable on a small European car where tire proportions are easy to see. Owners focused on authenticity, judging, or a tightly period-style presentation should weigh construction carefully instead of treating it as a purely mechanical choice, then confirm the wheel setup before mounting tires.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1960 Renault CV?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1960 Renault CV even when the tire size itself is correct. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension alterations, ride-height changes, or body repairs can all influence how either a 135R15 radial or a 5.0-15 bias-ply sits on the car.
That matters because an older small car has less room for assumptions than a modern platform. A modified CV should be checked for steering clearance, fender clearance, and wheel dimensions before committing to a tire, especially when changing from one construction type to another on a car with unknown history.
What should I inspect before driving a 1960 Renault CV on new tires?
Before driving a 1960 Renault CV on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm the wheel diameter and width, and make sure the tires seat correctly and hold pressure. It is also wise to check for suspension wear, loose steering components, and any signs that the car has uneven or limited clearance.
A short, careful road test should follow the installation rather than an immediate longer trip. Watching for rubbing, unusual vibration, pull, or air loss gives the owner a chance to catch fitment or condition issues early, which is especially important on a lightly used collector car returning to road service.
How should tires on a collector 1960 Renault CV be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1960 Renault CV should be checked regularly for pressure, tread condition, cracking, bulges, cuts, and signs of slow air loss. Even when the car is driven sparingly, aging and storage conditions still matter, and long parked periods can be harder on tires than steady use.
Storage habits make a real difference on a vintage vehicle. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, excess heat, and ozone sources helps protect the tires, while periodic inspections before each season or longer drive help confirm that an older-looking tire is still roadworthy in condition, not just appearance.
