The 1961 Citroen CV came from an era when Citroen built small cars around efficiency, light weight, and unmistakably French engineering character. For owners today, that means tire choice affects not only road manners, but also the stance and visual balance that make this car feel right. This model uses radial tire fitments, with 155-380 and 155R15 both associated with the 1961 Citroen CV. Within those sizes, the available choices center on blackwall radials from Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein across several vintage-oriented series. The real task is confirming which wheel setup is on the car and then choosing a tire that suits restoration goals, road use, and proper wheel compatibility.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1961 Citroen CV
The 1961 Citroen CV is associated with two radial tire sizes, and the first step is confirming which wheel setup is actually on the car. Both sizes appear on the Base sub-model, so the decision is less about trim level and more about wheel diameter, existing tire markings, and whether the car remains on its original-style millimetric setup or has been fitted with 15-inch wheels.
155-380 is a classic metric radial size in which the 155 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, while 380 refers to a millimetric wheel diameter rather than a modern inch-based rim size. Its radial construction matches the period Citroen approach to ride quality and efficiency, so buyers often encounter it on cars that retain their original wheel format. Selection in this size is tied closely to preserving the vehicle's intended wheel arrangement and appearance. Before choosing it, verify that the car still uses the correct millimetric wheels rather than a later 15-inch conversion.
155R15 is a Euro-metric radial size with a 155-millimeter nominal section width, radial construction, and fitment on a 15-inch rim. On a 1961 Citroen CV, this size opens up the broadest product choice, including blackwall offerings from Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein in series such as F560 Radial, Michelin X, Michelin XAS, Michelin XAS-FF, Snow Classic, Sprint Classic, and CR6ZZ. It is the practical size to evaluate when the car already runs 15-inch wheels. Wheel width and overall vehicle setup still deserve a careful check before settling on a specific tire.
Fitment is straightforward at the sub-model level because the covered 1961 Citroen CV Base is associated with both tire sizes. What matters most is confirming the actual wheel format on the car, since the choice between millimetric and 15-inch radial sizing changes the tire selection path.
1
1961 Citroen CV Base
The 1961 Citroen CV Base is associated with both 155-380 and 155R15 radial tire fitments rather than having a unique sub-model-only size. Tire selection starts with the wheels currently on the car, then moves to choosing the radial series and blackwall style that best matches restoration priorities and intended driving use.
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 Citroen CV Tires for Sale
Available 155R15 choices for the 1961 Citroen CV include blackwall radials from Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein. The product grid lets buyers compare vintage-oriented series, radial construction details, and rim-width compatibility across several distinct approaches to the same core size.
Common questions on the 1961 Citroen CV usually center on the difference between 155-380 and 155R15, wheel fitment, radial tire selection, vintage-style product choices, and what to inspect before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1961 Citroen CV?
The 1961 Citroen CV is associated with two radial tire sizes: 155-380 and 155R15. The Base sub-model can use either of those fitments, which means the correct choice depends on the wheel setup that is actually on the car rather than on a trim-level difference.
The important distinction is that 155-380 is a millimetric size, while 155R15 fits a 15-inch rim. Check the wheel diameter and the markings on the existing tires before selecting a replacement, especially if the car has been converted from its original-style wheel arrangement at some point in its life.
What size rim does a 1961 Citroen CV use?
A 1961 Citroen CV using 155R15 tires runs a 15-inch rim. The other associated size, 155-380, uses a millimetric wheel format, so it should not be treated as the same thing as a 15-inch application even though the tire width appears similar.
That difference matters because tire choice begins with wheel confirmation. A buyer looking at 155R15 products should also compare wheel width against the tire's approved range, while a car still on 155-380 fitment needs the correct millimetric wheel setup before any replacement decision makes sense.
What does 155R15 mean on a 1961 Citroen CV?
155R15 is a Euro-metric radial size. The 155 refers to the nominal tire width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 15 indicates that the tire fits a 15-inch rim.
For a 1961 Citroen CV, that size points you toward modern vintage-style radial options rather than a bias-ply replacement path. It also means product differences become more important, including brand, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility, so the next step is matching the selected tire to the wheels currently installed on the car.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 155R15 tire for a 1961 Citroen CV?
Start with the basics: confirm that the car actually uses 15-inch wheels and that 155R15 is the size you want to run. From there, compare the available radial options by tire series, wheel-width range, and details such as load figures where those are stated.
Appearance and intended use matter too. The available 155R15 choices for the 1961 Citroen CV are blackwall tires, but they differ in series character, including options such as Firestone F560 Radial, Michelin X, Michelin XAS, Michelin XAS-FF, Avon CR6ZZ, Vredestein Snow Classic, and Vredestein Sprint Classic.
What sidewall styles are available for 1961 Citroen CV tires?
The available 155R15 products for the 1961 Citroen CV use a blackwall sidewall style. That gives the car a restrained, traditional presentation that suits many restoration-minded owners and drivers who want a clean vintage look without added stripe or lettering treatments.
Since sidewall choice is straightforward here, the real comparison shifts to tire series, brand, and wheel-width compatibility. Once the wheel setup is confirmed, buyers can focus on whether they want a more touring-oriented vintage radial, a more performance-flavored classic radial, or a seasonal option such as Snow Classic.
What brands offer tires for the 1961 Citroen CV?
155R15 tires for the 1961 Citroen CV are available from Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein. Those brands cover several vintage-oriented radial series, giving buyers more than one route to stay within the correct general size and construction style for a 15-inch wheel setup.
Brand should be considered alongside the specific tire series and wheel requirements rather than by name alone. A careful comparison may include approved rim width, stated load capacity where available, and the kind of driving the car will actually see, whether that means fair-weather touring, regular road use, or occasional seasonal driving.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1961 Citroen CV?
A period-style 1961 Citroen CV tire choice starts with keeping the correct wheel format in mind. Cars still on millimetric wheels point toward 155-380, while cars on 15-inch wheels move into the 155R15 radial category, where several vintage-oriented blackwall options are available.
That decision is as much about preserving the car's visual character as it is about basic fitment. Owners pursuing exact originality should compare tire markings and wheel type with marque-specific references, while drivers aiming for the right overall look can focus on proper size, radial construction, and a traditional blackwall presentation.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1961 Citroen CV restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1961 Citroen CV because the car's proportions are closely tied to its wheel and tire combination. Using the right size family helps maintain the stance, wheel-to-body relationship, and overall character that make a small French economy car look properly sorted.
Fitment also affects practical restoration choices. A mismatch between millimetric and 15-inch tire formats can create confusion before the car even reaches the road, so confirming wheel type first prevents costly mistakes and keeps the restoration focused on a tire choice that suits both appearance and usable road manners.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1961 Citroen CV?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1961 Citroen CV. The most common issue is a change in wheel format, especially when a car that once used a millimetric tire setup has been converted to 15-inch wheels and now uses 155R15 tires.
Wheel width changes, suspension work, ride-height alterations, or body repairs can also influence clearance and tire choice. A car with aftermarket wheels should be measured carefully before replacement tires are selected, because the correct size on paper still needs to suit the actual wheels and available space on the vehicle.
What should I inspect before driving a 1961 Citroen CV on new tires?
Before driving a 1961 Citroen CV on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and basic chassis condition as carefully as the tires themselves. It also helps to confirm even seating, proper inflation, and free clearance at the fenders and steering points once the tires are mounted.
A collector car that sits for long periods deserves extra attention to brakes, wheel bearings, and suspension wear, since those issues can affect how new tires behave on the road. After the first short drive, recheck pressure and look for any signs of rubbing, air loss, or unusual wear patterns.
How should 155R15 tires on a collector 1961 Citroen CV be maintained?
155R15 tires on a collector 1961 Citroen CV should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related condition. Look closely for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, tread damage, and slow air loss, especially on a car that is driven only occasionally.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a lightly used classic. Keeping the car away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, standing moisture, and ozone-producing equipment can help preserve the tires, and periodic movement prevents long-term flat spotting from becoming part of the driving experience.
