The 1960 Simca Arlane comes from a period when compact European sedans were prized for efficiency, tidy dimensions, and straightforward road manners. For owners keeping one of these French cars on the road today, tire choice has a real effect on both appearance and driving character. This model uses 15-inch fitments in either 185R15 radial form or 6.50-15 bias-ply form, so the first decision is whether to stay with a traditional bias-ply presentation or move to a radial setup. Available choices include blackwall, redline, and narrow whitewall treatments across several vintage-focused tire series. That makes fitment, style, and restoration intent equally important when selecting tires for an Arlane.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1960 Simca Arlane
The 1960 Simca Arlane uses two primary tire sizes, both on 15-inch rims: a 185R15 radial and a 6.50-15 bias-ply. Since the Base sub-model can use either one, the real decision is not sub-model identification but choosing the construction and appearance that best match the car's current wheel setup, driving use, and restoration goals.
185R15 is a Euro-metric radial size, with 185 representing the nominal section width in millimeters, R indicating radial construction, and 15 showing the rim diameter in inches. On the 1960 Simca Arlane, this size offers a more modern radial format while staying within a period-appropriate overall tire presentation. Available choices include Coker Classic, Michelin, Avon, and Universal Vintage Tire, with blackwall, redline, and narrow whitewall sidewall treatments across series such as Coker Classic Radial, Michelin XVS, Universal Sport, and Turbosteel CR3B. This size is worth considering when road use and radial availability matter alongside vintage styling.
6.50-15 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 6.50 referring to the nominal section width in inches and 15 identifying the wheel diameter. That format is closely tied to traditional vintage fitment practice and gives the 1960 Simca Arlane a more authentic pre-radial visual character. Bias-ply construction can be especially relevant for owners who want a period-style stance and steering feel rather than a later radial look. This size deserves a close look when the goal is preservation-minded presentation, but wheel condition, vehicle setup, and intended use should still be checked before settling on it.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1960 Simca Arlane sub-models because the same two 15-inch tire sizes appear here. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm whether the car is being kept in bias-ply form or fitted with a radial alternative.
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1960 Simca Arlane Base
The 1960 Simca Arlane Base can use either 185R15 radial tires or 6.50-15 bias-ply tires on 15-inch rims. That gives the owner a clear choice between a more traditional bias-ply presentation and a radial setup with broader brand, sidewall, and series variation.
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 Simca Arlane Tires for Sale
Available 185R15 choices for the 1960 Simca Arlane include Coker Classic, Michelin, Avon, and Universal Vintage Tire. The product grid shows useful variation in tire series, blackwall, redline, and narrow whitewall sidewalls, along with differing rim-width specifications and load details on select products.
These FAQs focus on the two 15-inch tire sizes used on the 1960 Simca Arlane, along with construction choice, sidewall and brand selection, and the fitment checks that matter before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1960 Simca Arlane?
The 1960 Simca Arlane uses two primary tire sizes: 185R15 in radial construction and 6.50-15 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes fit a 15-inch rim, so the vehicle's tire choice centers on construction style as much as size format.
That means the next step is confirming which setup is actually on the car now and which direction best suits its use. A bias-ply selection keeps a traditional vintage presentation, while a 185R15 radial opens up more choices in brands, series, and sidewall styles. Wheel width, overall vehicle condition, and clearance should still be checked before changing constructions.
What size rim does a 1960 Simca Arlane use?
The 1960 Simca Arlane uses a 15-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. The 185R15 radial and the 6.50-15 bias-ply are both built around that same 15-inch wheel diameter.
Matching the tire to the correct diameter is only the first step. Rim width matters too, especially with radial choices, since available 185R15 products are built around specific width ranges depending on brand and series. It is smart to measure the wheel already on the car rather than assume it is original, particularly if the Arlane has been restored or modified over the years.
Does the 1960 Simca Arlane Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1960 Simca Arlane Base uses the same 15-inch tire fitment pattern, with 185R15 radial and 6.50-15 bias-ply both associated with that sub-model. There is no separate size split here that forces a different tire by trim.
That simplifies shopping because the main decision becomes construction, appearance, and wheel compatibility rather than sub-model differences. A Base model owner can compare a traditional numeric bias-ply against a Euro-metric radial without changing rim diameter. Even so, checking the actual wheels on the car remains important, especially if replacement wheels were installed sometime in the vehicle's life.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 185R15 or 6.50-15 tire for a 1960 Simca Arlane?
Start with the correct size and construction for the way the car is set up now. The 1960 Simca Arlane can use a 185R15 radial or a 6.50-15 bias-ply, and those two choices bring different visual character as well as different wheel-compatibility considerations.
After that, compare sidewall style, tire series, and rim-width requirements where they are stated. A radial choice gives access to blackwall, redline, and narrow whitewall options across several brands, while a bias-ply choice leans more toward a traditional vintage look. The best match depends on whether the goal is restoration-minded appearance, regular road use, or a balance of both.
What sidewall styles are available for 1960 Simca Arlane tires?
For the 1960 Simca Arlane's available 185R15 radial options, sidewall styles include blackwall, redline, and narrow whitewall. Those treatments appear across several vintage-oriented tire lines, giving owners room to shape the car's overall presentation without changing the primary radial size.
Sidewall choice can change the personality of a small European sedan more than many owners expect. Blackwall usually keeps the look restrained, redline adds a sportier visual accent, and narrow whitewall introduces a more formal period-style touch. The right choice depends on the wheel design, the restoration direction, and whether the car is being styled for originality-minded appearance or personal taste.
What brands offer tires for the 1960 Simca Arlane?
Available 185R15 radial tires for the 1960 Simca Arlane come from Coker Classic, Michelin, Avon, and Universal Vintage Tire. Those brands appear in different series, including Coker Classic Radial, Michelin XVS, Universal Sport, and Turbosteel CR3B.
Brand choice matters less as a ranking exercise than as a way to compare size presentation, sidewall style, rim-width range, and certain published specifications such as load or weight where available. One Arlane owner may want a Michelin blackwall look, while another may prefer a redline from Coker Classic or Universal Sport. Staying within the proper size and checking wheel compatibility remain the key points.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1960 Simca Arlane?
A period-style 1960 Simca Arlane can be approached from two directions. The 6.50-15 bias-ply size supports a more traditional vintage presentation, while the 185R15 radial keeps the car in a classic 15-inch format with a broader range of modern vintage-style tire offerings.
The better choice depends on what kind of period feel matters most to the project. Bias-ply construction usually aligns more closely with an earlier visual and driving character, while radial options can preserve much of the look with more sidewall and brand variety. For strict originality questions, marque-specific references and historical documentation are worth consulting before settling on a final tire style.
Which sidewall style suits a period-style 1960 Simca Arlane?
Blackwall, redline, and narrow whitewall are all available within the 185R15 radial offerings for a 1960 Simca Arlane. Each creates a different period-style impression, even though the base size remains the same and the wheel diameter does not change.
A blackwall usually gives the Arlane a simple, understated look that suits many European sedans of the era. Redline adds a more sporting accent, while narrow whitewall can lean more formal or upscale in appearance. None of those treatments should be assumed to be factory-correct without vehicle-specific proof, so the final choice should reflect the restoration theme and the owner's visual priorities.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1960 Simca Arlane?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1960 Simca Arlane even when the tire size itself is correct on paper. Changes to wheels, suspension height, alignment, or body clearance can alter how either a 185R15 radial or a 6.50-15 bias-ply sits and moves through its full range of travel.
An Arlane with aftermarket wheels may have a different rim width or offset than expected, and that can matter more with radial tires. Clearance should be checked at the fenders, steering components, and suspension points before road use. Any car that has been lowered, rebuilt, or converted from its earlier setup deserves a careful test fit rather than assumptions based on size alone.
What should I inspect before driving a 1960 Simca Arlane on new tires?
Before driving a 1960 Simca Arlane on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the rim diameter and width, and make sure the tires are seated and inflated properly. It is also wise to check valve stems, lug hardware, wheel-bearing condition, and basic clearance at the fenders and steering components.
A vintage car can reveal issues that the old tires were masking, especially if those earlier tires were undersized, worn, or misshapen. After installation, look for rubbing during lock-to-lock steering and over suspension movement, then recheck inflation and lug torque after the first drive. That early inspection routine helps catch setup problems before they become road-use problems.
How should 185R15 or 6.50-15 tires on a collector 1960 Simca Arlane be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1960 Simca Arlane should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Whether the car runs 185R15 radials or 6.50-15 bias-ply tires, watch for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and gradual air loss, especially if the car spends long periods parked.
Low annual mileage does not stop tires from aging, so time and condition matter as much as tread depth. Keeping the Arlane away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber. It also helps to move the car periodically or store it in a way that reduces long-term stress on one contact patch, then inspect again before any longer drive.
