The 1960 Renault Daughine belongs to the wave of compact European economy cars that brought light weight, modest engine output, and practical everyday motoring to a wider audience in the postwar era. Its small footprint and distinctly French character make tire choice especially important, because the right size has a visible effect on both stance and road manners. This car uses either a 135R15 radial or a 5.0-15 bias-ply tire on a 15-inch rim. That gives owners a meaningful choice between traditional bias-ply presentation and Euro-style radial options from Michelin and Firestone. The best direction depends on whether the goal is restoration character, road use, or a careful balance of both.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1960 Renault Daughine
The 1960 Renault Daughine uses two primary tire sizes, and the choice comes down mainly to construction rather than wheel diameter, since both sizes fit a 15-inch rim. The Base sub-model can use either 135R15 radial or 5.0-15 bias-ply, so the real decision is whether to keep a more traditional tire style or choose a radial suited to regular road use.
135R15 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 135 refers to the nominal section width in millimeters, R identifies radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1960 Renault Daughine, this size reflects the car's small European tire format and gives owners a radial option on the original 15-inch wheel diameter. Available choices include Michelin and Firestone blackwall tires, with series such as Michelin ZX, Michelin X M+S 89, and Firestone F560 Radial. This size makes sense for owners who want a period-appropriate European look while staying with radial construction.
5.0-15 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 5.0 indicates a nominal 5.0-inch section width and 15 identifies the wheel diameter. That sizing style is typical of vintage bias-ply tires and suits the kind of traditional tire presentation many restoration-minded owners want on a 1960 Renault Daughine. Bias-ply construction also changes the character of the tire choice compared with the radial alternative, even though both sizes use the same rim diameter. This size is the one to evaluate when maintaining a more period-style look is more important than moving to a radial format.
Tire fitment is straightforward here because the covered sub-model shares the same two primary size choices. Checking the exact sub-model still matters, but the main decision for this car is choosing between radial and bias-ply construction on the 15-inch wheel.
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1960 Renault Daughine Base
The 1960 Renault Daughine Base can use either 135R15 radial or 5.0-15 bias-ply tires. That gives the owner a clear choice between a traditional vintage sizing approach and a radial tire format that preserves the car's small 15-inch European fitment character.
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 Daughine Tires for Sale
Available 135R15 choices center on radial blackwall tires from Michelin and Firestone. The product grid lets buyers compare different tire series, radial construction details, and rim-width compatibility where stated, while keeping the correct 15-inch fitment for the 1960 Renault Daughine in view.
These answers focus on the 1960 Renault Daughine's two tire sizes, 15-inch rim fitment, radial versus bias-ply selection, product differences, restoration appearance, and the checks worth making before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1960 Renault Daughine?
The 1960 Renault Daughine uses two primary tire sizes: 135R15 in radial construction and 5.0-15 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are tied to the same vehicle and both use a 15-inch rim, so the fitment question is less about diameter and more about which construction and presentation suit the car's intended use.
That means the next step is confirming whether the car still has its original-style wheel setup and deciding whether a period-style bias-ply appearance or a radial format is the better match. On an older Renault, wheel width, clearance, and any prior modifications should be checked before choosing between the two sizes.
What size rim does a 1960 Renault Daughine use?
The 1960 Renault Daughine uses a 15-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. The radial 135R15 and the bias-ply 5.0-15 are both built around that 15-inch wheel diameter, which helps narrow the fitment decision to tire construction, size format, and wheel-width compatibility.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, so it is still worth checking the actual wheel on the car before buying tires. A Daughine with replacement wheels, altered wheel width, or a long-ago repair could need closer review even when the diameter remains 15 inches.
Does the 1960 Renault Daughine Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1960 Renault Daughine Base uses the same two primary fitment choices found at the model level: 135R15 radial and 5.0-15 bias-ply. That keeps sub-model fitment simple, because the main difference is not trim-specific sizing but the owner's decision between radial and bias-ply construction.
Since the Base can use either format, tire selection should focus on the condition and dimensions of the wheels already on the car, along with the kind of driving the car sees. Owners aiming for a more traditional appearance often study the bias-ply option more closely, while regular road drivers may compare the radial choices first.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1960 Renault Daughine?
Start with the two correct primary sizes: 135R15 radial and 5.0-15 bias-ply, both for a 15-inch rim. From there, the biggest considerations are construction type, wheel compatibility, and the kind of look you want, since the Daughine can be set up either with a traditional bias-ply presentation or a small-format radial.
A careful choice also means checking the actual wheel width on the car, especially if it no longer wears its original-style wheels. Then compare practical details such as available tire series, blackwall presentation on the radial options, and whether the car is being kept close to restoration style or prepared for more frequent road use.
What brands offer tires for the 1960 Renault Daughine?
The available 135R15 radial options for the 1960 Renault Daughine come from Michelin and Firestone. Michelin offerings include the Michelin X M+S 89 and Michelin ZX, while Firestone offers the F560 Radial, giving buyers more than one brand path within the same small Euro-style radial fitment.
Brand choice should still stay secondary to correct size, construction, and wheel compatibility. Once those points are confirmed, the buyer can compare tire series details, blackwall appearance, and any stated rim-width range to decide which radial option best suits the car's intended driving pattern and visual character.
How do I choose between the available 135R15 tires for a 1960 Renault Daughine?
The available 135R15 tires for a 1960 Renault Daughine differ mainly by brand and tire series, with Michelin and Firestone represented. All of the listed radial options use a blackwall sidewall, so the comparison is more about series preference, radial construction details, and fitment specifications such as stated rim-width ranges where they appear.
It helps to look at the wheel dimensions on the car and compare them with any stated rim-width guidance, such as the 3.50 to 4.50 inch range noted on some 135R15 products. Weight and load details can also matter on a lightweight car, but the first priority remains selecting a tire that matches the Daughine's wheel setup cleanly.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1960 Renault Daughine?
A period-style 1960 Renault Daughine can be approached in two ways: 5.0-15 bias-ply for a more traditional vintage presentation, or 135R15 radial for a European-style radial look that still suits the car's era and proportions. The better choice depends on whether the restoration emphasizes visual authenticity, regular road use, or a balance between them.
Bias-ply tires usually appeal more strongly when the goal is a distinctly vintage tire profile and feel. Owners pursuing exact originality should compare tire choices against marque references, period photos, and restoration documentation, because the right general size and construction do not automatically confirm a precise factory-era appearance.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1960 Renault Daughine?
Tire construction changes more than driving character on a restored 1960 Renault Daughine; it also affects the car's overall visual impression. A 5.0-15 bias-ply gives the car a more traditional vintage look, while a 135R15 radial keeps the compact European scale of the tire but presents the car in a more modern radial format.
That difference is especially noticeable on a small-bodied French sedan where tire proportions are easy to see. Anyone restoring the car should consider how the sidewall shape and construction style support the intended finish, then confirm that the chosen tire also suits the wheel dimensions and expected road use.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1960 Renault Daughine?
Yes. A 1960 Renault Daughine can be affected by modifications such as aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension alterations, or body repairs that subtly change clearance around the tire. Even with the correct 15-inch rim diameter, those changes can influence how either a 135R15 radial or a 5.0-15 bias-ply sits on the car.
That is why a modified or previously restored Daughine should be checked at the wheel opening and around steering and suspension travel before final tire selection. Owners should confirm the actual wheel dimensions on the car and look for any rubbing signs from the previous tire setup before making a construction change.
What should I inspect before driving a 1960 Renault Daughine on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for proper diameter and condition, verify that the tires seat correctly, and make sure there is no contact at the fenders, suspension, or steering components. On a 1960 Renault Daughine, it is also wise to confirm that all four tires match the intended setup, especially if changing from bias-ply to radial.
A broader pre-drive check should include tire pressure, visible cuts, sidewall cracking, bulges, uneven tread wear, and any sign of air loss after installation. Collector cars that sit for long periods deserve extra attention, since long storage can hide age-related issues that only become obvious once the car returns to regular driving.
How should tires on a collector 1960 Renault Daughine be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1960 Renault Daughine should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly, and protected from long periods of heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone exposure. Whether the car runs 135R15 radial tires or 5.0-15 bias-ply tires, low annual mileage does not remove the need for routine condition checks.
Regular inspection should include looking for cracking, flat spotting, bulges, cuts, tread separation, and gradual air loss. It also helps to move or drive the car periodically so the tires are not sitting in one position for extended periods, especially on a lightweight vintage vehicle that may spend much of its time in storage.
