The 1961 Daimler Majestic sits in a distinctive part of British luxury-car history, blending formal styling with the sort of engineering sophistication that made Daimler saloons stand apart in their era. For an owner sorting out tires, this car brings an unusually clear choice between two period-appropriate directions: a 670-16 bias-ply fitment or a 185R16 radial, both on 16-inch rims. That opens the door to different driving and presentation priorities, from traditional bias-ply character to classic blackwall radial choices from Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein. The right decision starts with deciding whether the car is being kept closer to its original-era feel or prepared for more regular road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1961 Daimler Majestic
The 1961 Daimler Majestic uses two primary tire sizes, and the difference comes down mainly to construction rather than wheel diameter, since both fit a 16-inch rim. The DF318 sub-model can use either 670-16 bias-ply or 185R16 radial tires, so the first step is deciding whether to keep a more traditional bias-ply setup or move toward a classic radial fitment with the same rim diameter.
185R16 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 185 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, R designates radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1961 Daimler Majestic, this size represents the radial path and suits owners looking for a classic radial format on the original 16-inch rim. Available choices center on blackwall designs from Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein across series such as Michelin X Radial, Turbosteel CR6D, and Sprint Classic. It is a useful size to evaluate when road use, brand preference, and rim-width compatibility are part of the decision.
670-16 is a numeric bias-ply size where 670 indicates a nominal 6.70-inch section-width class and 16 identifies the rim diameter. For the 1961 Daimler Majestic, this size preserves the traditional bias-ply construction associated with many luxury and touring cars of the period. Blackwall options are available from Firestone and Avon in tire series including Firestone Classic Bias Ply and Turbospeed Mk4. This size makes the most sense when maintaining a more period-style appearance and tire character matters as much as simply matching the wheel diameter.
Tire fitment for the covered 1961 Daimler Majestic sub-model is straightforward, but there is still an important construction choice to make. The DF318 can use either the bias-ply or radial size, so the decision is less about trim variation and more about how the car is meant to look and drive.
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1961 Daimler Majestic DF318
The 1961 Daimler Majestic DF318 can be fitted with either 185R16 radial tires or 670-16 bias-ply tires on 16-inch wheels. That gives the owner a choice between a more traditional period-style bias-ply presentation and a classic radial setup that should still be checked against wheel width and overall vehicle condition.
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 Daimler Majestic Tires for Sale
Available 1961 Daimler Majestic tires cover both 185R16 radial and 670-16 bias-ply fitments, with blackwall options from Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, and Firestone. The main comparison points in the product grid are construction type, tire series, and rim-width compatibility within the correct 16-inch application.
These FAQs focus on the key tire decisions for a 1961 Daimler Majestic, including the two correct sizes, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial selection, appearance goals, and the checks worth making before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1961 Daimler Majestic?
A 1961 Daimler Majestic uses either 185R16 radial tires or 670-16 bias-ply tires. Both sizes are tied to this exact model and both use a 16-inch rim, so the fitment question is mainly about selecting the construction and sizing style that matches the car and the owner’s goals.
That means the next step is not guessing at another size, but confirming which direction suits the car best. A 670-16 keeps a more traditional numeric bias-ply presentation, while 185R16 moves to a classic Euro-metric radial format. Wheel width, overall tire condition, and any past changes to the car should still be checked before final selection.
What size rim does a 1961 Daimler Majestic use?
The 1961 Daimler Majestic uses a 16-inch rim with both supported tire sizes, 185R16 and 670-16. That shared rim diameter simplifies the basic wheel-size question, since the choice between these two fitments does not require changing to a different wheel diameter.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, though. Product options within these sizes can have different rim-width ranges, so it is worth confirming the actual wheel width on the car before choosing a tire. That is especially important if the Daimler has replacement wheels or if the existing rims have been changed during restoration or previous service.
Does the 1961 Daimler Majestic DF318 use the same tire size?
The 1961 Daimler Majestic DF318 can use the same two supported tire sizes as the model overall: 185R16 in radial construction and 670-16 in bias-ply construction. There is not a separate DF318-only wheel diameter or a unique third size to sort out here.
The practical decision for a DF318 owner is choosing between those two fitment paths. A bias-ply tire keeps a more traditional look and construction, while the radial size changes the sizing format as well as the tire build. Checking the wheel width and making sure the car has not been altered with different rims helps narrow the right choice.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 670-16 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1961 Daimler Majestic?
670-16 is the bias-ply tire size for the 1961 Daimler Majestic. It uses the older numeric sizing format common to many period cars, with 6.70 representing the nominal section-width class and 16 showing the wheel diameter in inches.
Choosing 670-16 usually comes down to preserving a more traditional tire appearance and construction style on the car. That does not make it interchangeable with every 16-inch tire, because wheel width and the rest of the car’s setup still matter. It is best suited to owners who want to stay closer to a period-style bias-ply presentation.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1961 Daimler Majestic?
A 1961 Daimler Majestic can be set up with either 670-16 bias-ply tires or 185R16 radial tires. The choice is less about right versus wrong and more about how the car is being used, since both sizes belong to the vehicle and both fit a 16-inch rim.
Bias-ply tires are often chosen for a more traditional visual and period-style setup, while the radial option appeals to owners who want a classic radial format on the same wheel diameter. The sensible comparison points are wheel width, the car’s current wheel setup, and whether appearance or regular road use carries more weight in the final decision.
What should I check before converting my 1961 Daimler Majestic from bias-ply to radial tires?
A move from 670-16 bias-ply tires to 185R16 radials on a 1961 Daimler Majestic starts with confirming that the existing wheels are suitable for the radial tire’s rim-width requirements. It also helps to verify that the car is actually staying on its original 16-inch wheel diameter.
Beyond the wheel itself, inspect steering clearance, suspension condition, and fender room before making the change. A collector car can carry old repairs, replacement wheels, or ride-height changes that affect tire choice more than the catalog size alone. That is why the conversion should be treated as a fitment check, not as an automatic swap.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1961 Daimler Majestic?
Start with the two correct fitments for the 1961 Daimler Majestic: 670-16 bias-ply and 185R16 radial. That first decision shapes everything else, because it determines the tire’s construction style, sizing format, and the kind of visual presentation the car will carry on its 16-inch wheels.
After that, compare the available product details that actually affect your setup, including brand, tire series, sidewall treatment, and wheel-width suitability. A restoration-oriented car may favor the traditional bias-ply path, while a regularly driven car may point toward a classic radial. The best choice depends on the car’s current wheels and how the Daimler will be used.
What brands offer tires for the 1961 Daimler Majestic?
Tires for the 1961 Daimler Majestic are available from Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, and Firestone across its supported sizes. The radial 185R16 options include Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein, while the 670-16 bias-ply options include Firestone and Avon.
Brand matters most when it is tied to the right construction and tire series for the way the car is being finished and driven. Rather than treating the choice as a brand contest, it makes more sense to narrow the tire size and construction first. Once that is settled, the brand comparison becomes much more useful and much less confusing.
What tire series are available for the 1961 Daimler Majestic?
The 1961 Daimler Majestic has several distinct tire series available across its two supported sizes. In 185R16 radial form, options include Michelin X Radial, Turbosteel CR6D, and Sprint Classic. In 670-16 bias-ply form, available series include Firestone Classic Bias Ply and Turbospeed Mk4.
Those series names help separate the available products by construction and character rather than by size alone. A buyer comparing tires for this Daimler should still keep the focus on the correct fitment path first, then look at series differences alongside wheel-width requirements, sidewall appearance, and whether the goal is a more traditional or more road-oriented setup.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1961 Daimler Majestic?
For a period-style 1961 Daimler Majestic, the 670-16 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it keeps the vintage numeric sizing format and traditional construction. It suits owners who want the car to retain an earlier visual character rather than shifting immediately to a later-style radial presentation.
That does not automatically make every 670-16 tire the right restoration answer for every car. Brand and series selection still matter, and exact originality questions should be checked against marque references or historical documentation if concours-level detail is important. For many restorations, though, staying with the correct bias-ply size is the key first decision.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1961 Daimler Majestic?
Tire construction changes more than driving feel on a restored 1961 Daimler Majestic; it also changes the car’s visual character. A 670-16 bias-ply keeps the older numeric size format and a more traditional presentation, while a 185R16 radial gives the car a classic but later-style Euro-metric look.
Because all of the available products here are blackwall designs, the main appearance difference comes from the construction and size format rather than from whitewalls or stripes. Owners aiming for a restoration-oriented result usually start by deciding how authentic or how road-focused they want the finished car to feel before narrowing the final tire choice.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1961 Daimler Majestic?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1961 Daimler Majestic even when the tire size itself is correct. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body repairs can all influence how a 185R16 or 670-16 tire sits and clears the car.
That is why an owner should verify more than just the size code on the sidewall. Measure the actual wheel dimensions, look at steering and fender clearance, and make sure the car sits evenly before fitting new tires. A collector saloon with decades of service history may not be on the same wheel and suspension setup it originally carried.
What should I inspect before driving a 1961 Daimler Majestic on new tires?
Before driving a 1961 Daimler Majestic on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or excessive corrosion, confirm the tires are seated properly, and check inflation carefully. It also helps to look over the steering and suspension for looseness, since an older luxury car can hide wear that becomes more noticeable once fresh tires are installed.
A short, careful test drive is the best next step after installation. Listen for rubbing, feel for pulling or vibration, and recheck air pressure after the first miles. The same approach applies whether the car is on 670-16 bias-ply tires or 185R16 radials, because a sound chassis and proper clearance matter as much as the tire itself.
How should tires on a collector 1961 Daimler Majestic be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1961 Daimler Majestic should be checked regularly for air loss, cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Low annual mileage can make old tires look better than they really are, so age and condition deserve as much attention as tread depth.
Storage conditions matter too. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the tires between drives. It is also smart to inspect the tires before any longer outing and to verify pressure while the tires are cold. Those habits are especially important on a vintage saloon that may spend long periods parked.