The 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII sits in a rare corner of sports-car history, blending British Bristol mechanical roots with distinctive coachbuilt styling that still attracts serious collector attention. Whether kept as a compact road car or preserved as an unusual transatlantic special, the MKII rewards owners who pay close attention to proportion and period character. For this model, the primary fitment is a 550-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall presentations from brands such as Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. The real decision is matching the right 550-16 tire to your restoration goals, wheel setup, and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII
The 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII uses one primary tire size: 550-16. That fitment is a bias-ply tire built for a 16-inch rim, and it is shared by both the Coupe and Roadster. Once size is confirmed, the main choice becomes how you want the car to look and drive within that period-style fitment, including brand, sidewall style, and restoration-oriented presentation.
A 550-16 size uses the older numeric bias-ply system, where 5.50 refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches and 16 identifies the wheel diameter. On the 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII, this keeps the car in its original-era bias-ply sizing language and traditional 16-inch fitment. Within this size, there are meaningful appearance and brand choices, including blackwall and wide whitewall versions from Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone across several classic tire series. It is the right starting point for owners who want to preserve the MKII's vintage proportions and confirm wheel width before selecting a specific tire.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII sub-models. Both the Coupe and Roadster use the same 550-16 bias-ply size, so the focus shifts from size differences to selecting the right sidewall style, brand, and restoration-oriented presentation.
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1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII Coupe
The 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII Coupe uses the same 550-16 bias-ply fitment found across this model range. That makes tire selection more about preserving the coupe's period-style look, confirming the 16-inch wheel setup, and choosing between blackwall and wide whitewall offerings.
The 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII Roadster also uses the 550-16 bias-ply tire size. For roadster owners, the decision is less about fitment variation and more about choosing the tire presentation and brand character that best suit the car's vintage open-sports-car feel.
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 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII Tires for Sale
Available 550-16 choices span Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone, with classic bias-ply construction offered in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. The product grid is where to compare tire series, wheel-width compatibility, and other specification details within this single period-size fitment.
These FAQs for the 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII focus on the 550-16 tire size, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply construction, appearance choices, and the inspection points that matter before putting a rare collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII?
The 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII uses a 550-16 tire size. This is a bias-ply fitment, and it applies to both the Coupe and the Roadster, so there is no primary size split between those covered sub-models.
That makes the first fitment check fairly simple: confirm that the car still has the proper 16-inch wheels and that no later wheel changes have altered the setup. After size is settled, the real choice becomes selecting among the available 550-16 tires by sidewall style, brand, and overall appearance for restoration use or road driving.
What size rim does a 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII use?
The 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII uses a 16-inch rim with its 550-16 tire fitment. The tire size itself ends in 16, and that final number identifies the wheel diameter the tire is built to mount on.
Rim diameter is only part of the check, especially on a low-production collector car that may have seen wheel changes over time. It is also worth confirming the actual wheel width before selecting a tire, since some 550-16 products include specific rim-width guidance and that can influence which option makes the most sense.
Do all 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII sub-models use the same primary tire size: 550-16 bias-ply. That shared fitment applies to both the Coupe and the Roadster, which keeps tire selection more consistent across the model range.
Even with shared sizing, it is still smart to inspect the actual wheels on the car before ordering tires, especially if the MKII has been restored or modified at some point. Once the wheel setup is confirmed, selection can center on visual style, such as blackwall or wide whitewall, along with brand and classic tire-series preferences.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 550-16 tire for a 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII?
Start with the basics: the 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII uses a 550-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim. From there, the main considerations are whether the wheel width matches the tire's intended range, which sidewall style suits the car, and which classic tire series best fits the look you want.
A blackwall tire tends to give the MKII a restrained sports-car presentation, while a wide whitewall creates a more decorative vintage look. It also helps to compare product details such as load figures where stated, overall tire weight, and brand character so the chosen tire matches both the car's setup and intended use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII tires?
The 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII has 550-16 tire options in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Those choices appear across several bias-ply offerings, so the visual character of the tire can be changed without moving away from the correct primary size.
Blackwall usually suits owners who want a simple, competition-flavored, or understated appearance, while wide whitewall options lean toward a more formal vintage presentation. Since sidewall style changes the car's look immediately, many buyers choose that detail first and then compare the available brands and tire series within the same 550-16 fitment.
What brands offer tires for the 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII?
Tires for the 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII are available in 550-16 from Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. All of the applicable offerings are bias-ply tires, but they vary by series and sidewall presentation within that shared vintage size.
Brand choice should be considered alongside appearance and wheel compatibility rather than in isolation. Some options emphasize a simpler blackwall look, while others are offered with wide whitewalls, and certain products include more detailed rim-width or load information that can help narrow the selection for a specific car.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII?
A period-style starting point for the 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII is a 550-16 bias-ply tire, because that is the primary fitment for the car. Staying with that size and construction preserves the vintage tire profile and visual balance that suit an early 1960s specialty sports car.
From there, the choice depends on the presentation you want the car to carry. Blackwall versions often feel more understated and sporting, while wide whitewalls create a stronger show-oriented vintage look. If exact originality matters beyond general period style, marque-specific references and restoration records are worth consulting before settling on a sidewall treatment.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII?
Tire construction affects more than ride and handling feel on a restored 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII; it also shapes the car's visual stance. The primary 550-16 fitment is bias-ply, and that construction supports the traditional profile and vintage presentation most owners expect on a collector car of this era.
Appearance is also influenced by sidewall treatment, with blackwall and wide whitewall options creating very different impressions while staying in the same size. Because the MKII is an uncommon and closely observed collector car, tire choice can have an outsized effect on authenticity of presentation even when the dimensions themselves remain correct.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII?
Yes. Even though the 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII uses a 550-16 tire on a 16-inch rim, modifications can change whether a given tire choice is still appropriate. Wheel swaps, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or bodywork revisions can all affect clearance and overall fitment.
That matters especially on a rare sports car where prior restoration work may not be obvious at first glance. A careful check of actual wheel diameter, wheel width, steering travel, and fender clearance helps prevent surprises. On a modified MKII, tire selection should follow the car's current physical setup rather than assumptions about original configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII on new tires?
Before driving a 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition and correct size, confirm valve hardware is sound, and make sure the tires are mounted and inflated properly. It is also wise to check that there is no rubbing at full steering lock or under normal suspension movement.
The car itself deserves attention too, especially if it has been stored for long periods. Look over brake operation, suspension wear, wheel bearings, and alignment condition so the new 550-16 tires are not being asked to compensate for mechanical problems. A short, cautious test drive is a sensible final check before regular road use.
How should 550-16 tires on a collector 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII be maintained?
Collector-car tires in 550-16 size should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection, and careful storage habits. On a 1961 Arnolt-Bristol MKII, that means watching for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, or slow air loss, even if the car is driven only occasionally.
Low annual mileage can hide tire aging, so maintenance is about condition as much as tread depth. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and moving or driving the MKII periodically can reduce flat-spotting from long stationary periods. Frequent inspection is especially important before tours or longer drives.
