The 1960 Simca Etoile belongs to the era when compact European cars brought light weight, efficiency, and tidy road manners to American buyers looking for something different from full-size domestic cars. Its tire fitment reflects that transitional character, with both a 560-14 bias-ply size and a 155R14 radial size used on the same 14-inch wheel diameter. That gives owners a meaningful choice between traditional bias-ply appearance and a radial format more familiar for road use. Available options also vary by sidewall treatment and tire series, so the right selection depends on whether the goal is restoration-minded presentation, everyday drivability, or a careful balance of both.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1960 Simca Etoile
The 1960 Simca Etoile uses two primary tire sizes, both built around a 14-inch rim: 560-14 in bias-ply construction and 155R14 in radial construction. The first step is deciding which construction matches the car's current wheel setup and your intended use, since the key choice here is less about rim diameter and more about traditional bias-ply character versus radial-style replacement.
155R14 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 155 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, R denotes radial construction, and 14 indicates the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1960 Simca Etoile, this size represents the radial fitment and gives owners a period-appropriate European sizing format rather than a later P-metric designation. Available choices include Michelin and Firestone blackwall tires in radial series such as Michelin X Radial and F560 Radial. It is the size to evaluate when maintaining a radial-equipped setup or when comparing road-use alternatives on an existing 14-inch wheel.
560-14 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 560 refers to a nominal section width of about 5.60 inches and 14 identifies the wheel diameter. For the 1960 Simca Etoile, this is the traditional bias-ply fitment and the size most closely tied to an earlier period-style driving feel and visual presentation. Available BFGoodrich options include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions within the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. This size deserves a close look when the goal is restoration-oriented appearance or when the car is already set up around bias-ply wheel-width requirements.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1960 Simca Etoile sub-models, because the same two primary sizes appear within the range. Checking the exact sub-model still matters so the tire choice stays aligned with the car's present construction type, wheel width, and restoration or road-use goals.
1
1960 Simca Etoile F, 6 & 6 Super
The 1960 Simca Etoile F, 6 & 6 Super uses the same basic fitment pattern, with 155R14 radial and 560-14 bias-ply tire options on 14-inch rims. That means the main decision is choosing the construction and appearance that suit the car, then confirming wheel-width compatibility before moving to a specific tire.
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 Etoile Tires for Sale
Available 1960 Simca Etoile tire choices split clearly between 155R14 radial blackwalls from Michelin and Firestone, and 560-14 BFGoodrich bias-ply options in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall form. The product grid is most useful for comparing construction, sidewall appearance, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility.
Common 1960 Simca Etoile tire questions usually center on the two primary sizes, the difference between 560-14 bias-ply and 155R14 radial fitment, and how to choose the right sidewall style and wheel setup for road use or restoration-minded presentation.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1960 Simca Etoile?
The 1960 Simca Etoile uses two primary tire sizes: 155R14 in radial construction and 560-14 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are built for a 14-inch rim, so the fitment question is not about different wheel diameters so much as choosing the correct construction and size format for the car's present setup.
That distinction matters because a radial-equipped car and a bias-ply-equipped car may not be using the same wheel-width range. Start by confirming the wheel diameter is 14 inches, then check the actual wheel width and the tire style already on the car before selecting between the radial and bias-ply options.
What size rim does a 1960 Simca Etoile use?
The 1960 Simca Etoile uses a 14-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. That applies whether the car is fitted with 155R14 radial tires or 560-14 bias-ply tires, so the wheel diameter stays consistent even though the construction type and tire sizing format differ.
Rim diameter is only part of the decision, though. Bias-ply and radial products in these sizes do not share the same wheel-width specifications, so the next step is to confirm the actual width of the wheels on the car, especially if they have been changed over the years.
What does 560-14 mean on a 1960 Simca Etoile?
560-14 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size. The 560 designates a nominal section width of about 5.60 inches, while the 14 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1960 Simca Etoile, that size represents the traditional bias-ply fitment rather than the radial 155R14 alternative.
For a buyer, that means 560-14 is as much a construction and appearance choice as it is a size choice. It is available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall forms, so owners can stay within the correct size while still tailoring the tire's visual character to the car.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 560-14 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1960 Simca Etoile?
560-14 is the bias-ply tire size used on the 1960 Simca Etoile. It is a vintage numeric size built around a 14-inch rim, and it differs from the car's 155R14 radial fitment not just in construction, but in the way the tire size is expressed and presented.
That makes 560-14 the better path to evaluate when traditional sidewall styling and period-style appearance are the priority. Before changing from 560-14 to a radial option, confirm the wheel width and overall vehicle setup so the new construction suits the wheels and available clearance.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1960 Simca Etoile?
The 1960 Simca Etoile can be found with either 560-14 bias-ply tires or 155R14 radial tires, so the right choice depends on how the car is being kept and driven. Bias-ply tires preserve a more traditional presentation, while the radial size keeps the fitment in a classic Euro-metric radial format.
Owners focused on restoration character often start with the bias-ply option, especially when whitewall styling matters. A car intended for regular road use may lead the owner toward the radial choice, but wheel width, tire clearance, and the car's current wheel setup still need to be checked before changing constructions.
What should I check before converting my 1960 Simca Etoile from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start with the wheel itself. The 1960 Simca Etoile uses a 14-inch rim in either construction, but the available 560-14 bias-ply and 155R14 radial tires are built around different wheel-width ranges, so the existing wheel may suit one setup better than the other.
After confirming wheel width, inspect fender and steering clearance, especially if the car has been modified or sits differently than stock. It also helps to check suspension condition and current ride height, since a construction change should be evaluated as part of the whole tire-and-wheel package rather than as a simple swap.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1960 Simca Etoile tire?
Begin with the basic fitment decision: 560-14 bias-ply or 155R14 radial, both on a 14-inch rim. From there, the important comparison points are wheel-width compatibility, intended use, and the visual direction of the car, since the two sizes support different constructions and slightly different buying priorities.
A restoration-minded Etoile may point toward the bias-ply BFGoodrich offerings, especially if whitewall styling matters. A driver-focused setup may lean toward the Michelin or Firestone radial choices. Once the construction is settled, compare sidewall style, tire series, and any load or rim-width details that apply to the exact tire.
What sidewall styles are available for 1960 Simca Etoile tires?
The available sidewall styles for the 1960 Simca Etoile include blackwall in both 155R14 radial and 560-14 bias-ply offerings. Within the 560-14 bias-ply size, there are also narrow whitewall and wide whitewall choices, giving the bias-ply side of the fitment more visual variety than the radial selections.
That means sidewall style is closely tied to construction choice. A blackwall keeps the look understated and can be selected in either bias-ply or radial form, while the whitewall options are part of the bias-ply range and may appeal more to owners shaping a stronger period-style presentation.
What brands offer tires for the 1960 Simca Etoile?
Michelin, Firestone, and BFGoodrich all offer tires for the 1960 Simca Etoile. The 155R14 radial size is available from Michelin and Firestone, while the 560-14 bias-ply size is available from BFGoodrich in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series with multiple sidewall treatments.
Brand comparison matters most after the correct size and construction have been narrowed down. Michelin and Firestone help define the radial choices, while BFGoodrich covers the traditional bias-ply side. The practical way to choose is to compare each brand's size-specific construction, sidewall presentation, and wheel-width suitability.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1960 Simca Etoile?
A period-style 1960 Simca Etoile often starts with the 560-14 bias-ply size, since it preserves the vintage numeric sizing format and opens up blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall presentation choices. That combination usually suits an owner who wants the tire to contribute to an earlier, more traditional visual character.
The final choice still depends on how strictly the car is being restored and how it will be used. When exact historical appearance matters, it is worth checking marque references or period photography, then matching that visual direction against the available sidewall style and the car's actual wheel setup.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1960 Simca Etoile?
Tire construction changes more than the driving feel on a restored 1960 Simca Etoile; it also changes the look of the car. The 560-14 bias-ply fitment carries a distinctly vintage size format and is available with whitewall treatments, while the 155R14 radial presents the car in a cleaner blackwall radial style.
That difference can shift the visual tone of the restoration even when the wheel diameter stays at 14 inches. Owners trying to maintain a stronger mid-century presentation often begin with the bias-ply options, while a radial-equipped look may suit a car being restored with more emphasis on regular touring use.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1960 Simca Etoile?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1960 Simca Etoile even when the car stays within the correct 14-inch rim diameter. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, or bodywork repairs can influence how well either a 560-14 bias-ply or a 155R14 radial setup works on the car.
The safest approach is to measure the actual wheels and inspect clearance at steering lock and through suspension movement before choosing tires. Even small changes in wheel width or wheel position can alter fitment, so a modified car should always be evaluated as it sits rather than by model name alone.
What should I inspect before driving a 1960 Simca Etoile on new tires?
Before driving a 1960 Simca Etoile on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and sound condition, then confirm the tires are inflated appropriately for their application. It also makes sense to look over valve stems, wheel hardware, and basic suspension condition so the new tires are mounted on a stable foundation.
A short clearance check is worthwhile before regular road use. Turn the steering from lock to lock, look for fender or suspension interference, and watch for any uneven stance that could hint at alignment or spring issues. A collector car that has sat for long periods deserves this extra attention.
How should 560-14 or 155R14 tires on a collector 1960 Simca Etoile be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1960 Simca Etoile should be inspected regularly for air loss, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven tread wear, whether the car runs 560-14 bias-ply tires or 155R14 radials. Pressure checks matter on low-use vehicles because long storage periods can hide slow leaks and general aging.
Good storage habits also help preserve the tires between drives. Keep the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources, and recheck the tires before each outing rather than assuming they are ready after sitting. Regular visual inspection is especially important on older collector vehicles.
