The 1961 Facel Vega Excellance came from a brief but memorable period when French luxury and American V-8 power were combined into one of the most distinctive grand touring sedans of its era. Its long, formal proportions and hand-built character make tire choice an important part of preserving both stance and road manners. For this exact model, the primary fitments are 8.45-15 and 815-15, both bias-ply sizes on 15-inch rims. Within the available choices, the focus is less on modern construction changes and more on selecting the right period-style presentation, including whitewall and whitewall-redline treatments. The right decision starts with confirming which of the two primary sizes suits the car's current wheel and restoration direction.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1961 Facel Vega Excellance
The 1961 Facel Vega Excellance uses two primary tire sizes, both in bias-ply construction and both for 15-inch rims. Because the Base sub-model is associated with both sizes, the first step is confirming which size is on the car now and whether the wheel setup matches that fitment before choosing a sidewall style or restoration-oriented tire presentation.
An 8.45-15 tire uses the vintage numeric bias-ply system, where 8.45 refers to the nominal section width in inches and 15 identifies the wheel diameter. This is a traditional bias-ply fitment that suits the Excellance's period character and keeps the tire choice aligned with the car's original-era construction style. As a larger numeric bias-ply size than 815-15, it belongs in the family of full-size vintage touring fitments commonly seen on luxury cars of the period. Before choosing this size, confirm that the vehicle's current wheels and existing tire markings support 8.45-15 rather than the alternate primary size.
An 815-15 tire is also a vintage numeric bias-ply size, with 8.15 indicating the nominal section width and 15 indicating the rim diameter. On a 1961 Facel Vega Excellance, this size keeps the traditional bias-ply construction that complements a restoration-minded or period-style presentation. Available 815-15 choices come from BFGoodrich in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, with sidewall treatments that include a narrow whitewall and a whitewall-redline combination. This size makes sense when the car is already set up for 815-15 and the buyer wants to choose appearance details within a correct vintage sizing format.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here, since the covered 1961 Facel Vega Excellance Base is associated with both primary tire sizes. Checking the sub-model still matters, but the more important task is confirming which of the two 15-inch bias-ply sizes matches the wheels and existing setup on the car.
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1961 Facel Vega Excellance Base
The 1961 Facel Vega Excellance Base is associated with both 8.45-15 and 815-15 bias-ply tires on 15-inch rims. That means tire selection starts with confirming the actual size used on the car now, then choosing the sidewall presentation and product style that best matches its restoration goals.
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 Facel Vega Excellance Tires for Sale
Available 815-15 choices center on BFGoodrich's Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line, with period-style sidewall treatments that include a narrow whitewall and a whitewall-redline combination. These options share the same 15-inch rim diameter and are made to compare mainly by appearance and rim-width compatibility.
Common questions for the 1961 Facel Vega Excellance usually come down to the two primary bias-ply sizes, 15-inch rim fitment, sidewall appearance, and what to inspect before putting a collector-era luxury car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1961 Facel Vega Excellance?
The 1961 Facel Vega Excellance uses two primary tire sizes: 8.45-15 and 815-15. Both are bias-ply fitments for 15-inch rims, and the Excellance Base is associated with both sizes rather than one single universal choice.
That makes the real task identifying which size is actually on the car or which size matches its wheel setup and restoration direction. Checking the tire markings already on the vehicle, confirming wheel diameter, and comparing the current wheel width against the tire's approved range will help narrow the correct choice before selecting a sidewall style.
What size rim does a 1961 Facel Vega Excellance use?
Both primary tire sizes for the 1961 Facel Vega Excellance are built for 15-inch rims. That applies whether the car is using 8.45-15 or 815-15, so rim diameter stays consistent even though two different bias-ply sizes are associated with the model.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a collector car. The wheel width still needs to suit the tire being considered, and the actual wheels on the car should be checked carefully if they may have been changed over the years, especially before moving from one primary size to the other.
What does 815-15 mean on a 1961 Facel Vega Excellance?
On a 1961 Facel Vega Excellance, 815-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply tire size. The 8.15 figure refers to the nominal section width in inches, while 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches.
That older sizing format matters because it points to a traditional bias-ply tire rather than a modern metric radial. Buyers looking at 815-15 should focus on matching the 15-inch wheel, confirming the wheel width is suitable, and then choosing among the available period-style sidewall treatments that best suit the car's intended appearance.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 815-15 tire for a 1961 Facel Vega Excellance?
Start with the basics: make sure 815-15 is the actual primary size used on the car, then confirm the wheel is a 15-inch rim with a width that matches the tire's approved range. Since 815-15 is a bias-ply fitment, construction style stays consistent across the available choices.
After that, the decision becomes more about presentation and vehicle use. Available 815-15 options share the same BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, so the main visible difference is sidewall treatment. A narrow whitewall gives one look, while the whitewall-redline combination creates a more distinctive period-style appearance.
What sidewall styles are available for 1961 Facel Vega Excellance tires?
For the 1961 Facel Vega Excellance in 815-15, available sidewall styles include a narrow whitewall and a whitewall-redline combination. Both are bias-ply choices within the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, so the visual treatment is the main distinction.
Choosing between them depends mostly on the appearance you want the car to carry. A narrow whitewall tends to suit a restrained luxury presentation, while a redline-accented design adds a more stylized period feel. Either way, the sidewall look should come after the size and wheel fitment are confirmed.
What brands offer tires for the 1961 Facel Vega Excellance?
For the available 815-15 fitment on the 1961 Facel Vega Excellance, BFGoodrich is the brand represented. The current choices fall within the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line and keep the car in a traditional bias-ply construction.
With one brand represented in this size, comparison becomes less about brand-to-brand differences and more about the tire's sidewall presentation, wheel-width suitability, and whether 815-15 is the right primary size for the car in the first place. That is especially important on a low-production collector sedan where wheel changes may have occurred over time.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1961 Facel Vega Excellance?
A period-style 1961 Facel Vega Excellance starts with one of its correct primary bias-ply sizes, either 8.45-15 or 815-15, depending on the wheel and vehicle setup. Keeping the car in bias-ply construction preserves the vintage sizing format and the traditional look associated with an early-1960s grand touring sedan.
Once the size is confirmed, appearance details become the deciding factor. In 815-15, the available choices include a narrow whitewall and a whitewall-redline treatment. Buyers aiming for strict historical accuracy should compare the finished look against period photos, marque references, or vehicle-specific documentation rather than assuming one sidewall style is universally correct.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1961 Facel Vega Excellance?
On a restored 1961 Facel Vega Excellance, bias-ply construction supports the vintage profile and visual character expected from an early-1960s luxury performance car. Since the primary fitments are both bias-ply sizes, construction choice plays a major role in how authentic the car looks from the curb.
Appearance is not only about the size code on the sidewall. Whitewall treatment, overall tire shape, and how the tire sits on the wheel all influence the finished presentation. Even small changes in sidewall styling can alter the car's visual balance, so restoration-minded buyers usually settle the correct size first and the decorative look second.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1961 Facel Vega Excellance?
Yes. Even when the 1961 Facel Vega Excellance is being fitted with one of its correct primary sizes, modifications can change how well that tire works on the car. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body adjustments can all affect clearance and overall compatibility.
That matters especially on a car associated with both 8.45-15 and 815-15, because the choice may already be close to the wheel's intended setup. Before mounting new tires, check wheel diameter, actual wheel width, steering clearance, and fender space at full lock and full suspension movement rather than relying only on the vehicle badge.
What should I inspect before driving a 1961 Facel Vega Excellance on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, verify that the rim diameter and width suit the chosen tire size, and confirm that each tire is properly seated and inflated. It is also worth checking valve stems, balance, and whether the car tracks cleanly after installation.
A collector-era car should also be looked over beyond the tires themselves. Steering components, suspension wear, brake condition, and alignment can all influence how a new set of bias-ply tires behaves. A careful shakedown drive at moderate speed is a smart way to catch rubbing, vibration, or pull before longer use.
How should 815-15 tires on a collector 1961 Facel Vega Excellance be maintained?
815-15 bias-ply tires on a collector 1961 Facel Vega Excellance should be checked regularly for pressure, tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and signs of air loss. Because collector cars often sit for long periods, visual inspection matters just as much as mileage-based maintenance.
Storage conditions also play a big role in tire life. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the sidewalls and overall condition. Even a low-mileage tire deserves routine inspection before each drive, especially on a heavy luxury car that may spend much of its life parked.
