The 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry belongs to the postwar European compact class, where light weight, modest dimensions, and efficient road manners shaped the driving experience as much as styling did. For owners of this French sedan today, tire choice affects both appearance and how faithfully the car presents on the road. This model uses either a 560-14 bias-ply tire or a 155R14 radial, both on 14-inch rims. That creates a meaningful choice between traditional bias-ply styling and a later radial format, with blackwall and whitewall treatments also part of the picture. The right selection starts with the look you want and the wheel setup actually on the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry
The 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry uses two primary tire sizes, and both fit a 14-inch rim. One is a traditional 560-14 bias-ply size and the other is a 155R14 radial, so the main decision is not rim diameter but whether the car is staying with a period-style bias-ply setup or using the radial size already associated with this model.
A 155R14 tire uses a metric section width of 155 millimeters, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. In this format, the aspect ratio is not stated in the size code, and it is commonly understood as an 80-series-style radial format. For the 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry, this size offers radial construction in blackwall form from Michelin and Firestone, including Michelin X Radial and Firestone F560 Radial choices. It is the size to examine when the car already uses radial-type fitment or when a traditional European radial presentation is the goal.
A 560-14 tire is a vintage numeric bias-ply size, with the 560 indicating an approximate nominal section width of 5.60 inches and the 14 identifying the wheel diameter. On the 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry, this is the traditional bias-ply option for owners who want an earlier tire construction and a more vintage overall look. Available choices center on BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. This size deserves close attention when restoration appearance matters as much as simple road use.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry sub-model lineup. The Base model uses the same two 14-inch tire-size paths, so the key choice is construction and appearance rather than sorting through different trim-specific tire sizes.
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1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry Base
The 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry Base is associated with both 155R14 radial and 560-14 bias-ply fitment on 14-inch rims. That gives the owner room to choose between a more traditional bias-ply presentation and a radial setup, while still confirming the actual wheels and overall look desired for the car.
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 Elysee & Montlry Tires for Sale
Available choices for the 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry include Michelin and Firestone radial options in 155R14, plus BFGoodrich bias-ply tires in 560-14. The main comparisons are construction, tire series, and sidewall style, with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall treatments represented.
Owners of a 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry usually need clarity on the two tire sizes, 14-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial selection, and how sidewall style and vehicle condition affect a safe, restoration-minded choice.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry?
The 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry uses two recognized tire sizes: 155R14 in radial construction and 560-14 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are associated with this model and both use a 14-inch rim, so the fitment question is tied more to construction type and vehicle setup than to wheel diameter alone.
A buyer should first confirm which wheels are actually on the car and whether the goal is period-style bias-ply appearance or a radial format. On an older Simca, wheel changes, prior conversions, or restoration decisions can affect what makes the most sense, even when both sizes are associated with the same model.
What size rim does a 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry use?
The tire sizes used on a 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry are built for a 14-inch rim. That applies to both the 155R14 radial size and the 560-14 bias-ply size, so the wheel diameter remains consistent even though the tire sizing systems and constructions differ.
Rim diameter is only the first checkpoint on a car like this. It also helps to verify wheel width, especially if the car has replacement wheels or has been off the road for a long time, because radial and bias-ply products can call for different width ranges within the same 14-inch diameter.
Does the 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry Base is associated with the same two tire sizes used on this model core: 155R14 in radial construction and 560-14 in bias-ply construction. That makes the Base model straightforward from a size standpoint because there is no separate rim diameter or trim-only tire size to sort out.
The practical question becomes which setup best matches the car in front of you. A Base model that is being restored for a traditional look may point toward 560-14, while a car already running radial-compatible wheels and a road-use focus may lead toward 155R14 after wheel and clearance checks.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 560-14 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry?
The 560-14 size on a 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry is a bias-ply tire. It uses the older numeric bias-ply sizing format, and the available 560-14 products for this application are bias-ply tires in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series.
That matters because bias-ply construction affects both appearance and wheel compatibility considerations. A buyer choosing 560-14 should look at the car's wheel width, intended driving use, and desired visual presentation, especially when deciding between blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions for a more restoration-oriented result.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry?
The 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry is associated with both approaches: 560-14 as a bias-ply size and 155R14 as a radial size. Bias-ply tires suit a more traditional presentation, while the radial size reflects a different construction path for owners considering road use and a later-style tire format.
The better choice depends on how the car is being used and what you want it to look like. Construction changes should be matched to the actual wheel dimensions, tire clearance, and overall setup, especially on an older compact car where original wheels, replacement wheels, or long-ago modifications may influence the decision.
What should I check before converting my 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry from bias-ply to radial tires?
A move from 560-14 bias-ply to 155R14 radial on a 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry starts with the wheels. Both use a 14-inch rim, but radial products can have different rim-width requirements, so the wheel dimensions should be confirmed before treating the radial size as the better match for the car.
Clearance and overall condition also deserve attention. Check front steering clearance, rear fender space, suspension condition, and whether the car still has stock-style wheels or earlier modifications. That review is especially important on a lightly used collector vehicle, where age, wear, and old repairs can matter as much as size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry?
Start with the correct size path for the car: 560-14 if a traditional bias-ply setup is the goal, or 155R14 if the car is using the radial format associated with this model. Rim diameter is 14 inches either way, but the construction type and wheel-width suitability still need to match the wheels on the car.
After size and construction are settled, the next choices are appearance and product character. Sidewall style matters on a small vintage French sedan, and product details such as tire series, load capacity, and rim-width range can help narrow the selection to one that suits both the car's presentation and its expected use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry tires?
The available sidewall styles for a 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry include blackwall in both 155R14 radial and 560-14 bias-ply fitments. In the 560-14 bias-ply size, narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions are also available, giving the owner more latitude in shaping the car's finished period-style appearance.
That choice can significantly change how the car presents, especially on a compact European sedan where the tire sidewall remains visually prominent. A buyer should match sidewall treatment to the restoration theme, trim level appearance, and wheel style already on the vehicle rather than choosing a whitewall simply because it is offered.
What brands offer tires for the 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry?
Michelin, Firestone, and BFGoodrich all have applicable tire options for the 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry. Michelin and Firestone cover the 155R14 radial size, while BFGoodrich covers the 560-14 bias-ply size through the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. The more useful comparison is which brand offers the size, construction, series, and sidewall treatment that match the car you have, especially if the Simca is being restored with a particular look in mind or driven with a specific wheel setup.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry?
For a period-style 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry, the 560-14 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it preserves a traditional sizing format and an earlier tire construction. That makes it especially relevant for owners focused on vintage presentation rather than simply selecting the radial option associated with the model.
Appearance still depends on the details. Blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions create noticeably different visual results, so the tire should be matched to the car's trim, finish, and restoration intent. When strict originality matters, marque-specific references are worth checking before settling on a sidewall style.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry?
Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry because 560-14 bias-ply and 155R14 radial tires do not present the car in exactly the same way. The bias-ply option carries a more traditional vintage format, while the radial size gives the car a later-style tire profile and presentation.
That difference matters on a compact car where the tire and wheel package remains easy to notice. A restoration-minded owner should think about stance, sidewall treatment, and the overall look of the finished car, not just size compatibility, before choosing between the bias-ply and radial paths associated with this model.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry?
Yes. A 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry may be associated with 560-14 and 155R14 sizes, but modifications can still affect whether a given tire choice works well on the car. Replacement wheels, altered ride height, brake changes, and body or suspension work can all influence practical tire fitment.
A modified car should be checked for wheel width, steering clearance, and space at the fender openings before a tire is chosen. That is particularly important when moving between bias-ply and radial construction, because the same rim diameter does not remove the need to confirm the actual setup on the vehicle.
What should I inspect before driving a 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and general tire seating, then verify inflation pressure for the chosen tires. On a 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry, it also makes sense to confirm that the selected 14-inch tires clear the body and steering components without rubbing through the full range of motion.
An older collector car deserves a broader look as well. Brake condition, suspension wear, alignment condition, and any signs of prior wheel damage can affect how new tires behave on the road. A careful pre-drive inspection is especially worthwhile if the car has been stored, recently restored, or only driven occasionally.
How should tires on a collector 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1960 Simca Elysee & Montlry should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, and uneven wear, and protected from long periods of heat, sunlight, and ozone exposure. Low annual mileage does not eliminate aging, so condition matters as much as tread depth on a lightly used vintage car.
Regular checks help catch problems before a short local drive turns into a roadside issue. It also helps to look for slow air loss, inspect the spare if the car carries one, and verify that the wheels remain clean and undamaged, especially after seasonal storage or long stretches without use.
