1961 Facel Vega HK 500 Tires

The 1961 Facel Vega HK 500 uses a 670-15 tire size. This is a vintage numeric bias-ply fitment mounted on a 15-inch rim, and it is the primary size associated with the covered HK 500 application.

That means the first step is confirming that the car still has its proper 15-inch wheels and has not been changed to a different rim or suspension setup over the years. Once the size is settled, the remaining choice usually comes down to appearance and construction, such as blackwall versus whitewall styling or whether to stay with a period-style bias-ply tire or compare one of the available radial equivalents.

The 1961 Facel Vega HK 500 uses a 15-inch rim with its primary 670-15 tire size. That rim diameter is central to both the original-style bias-ply fitment and the radial-equivalent sizes commonly considered for this application.

Rim diameter alone is not the whole story, so the actual wheel width still matters before choosing a tire or changing construction. A car that has received aftermarket wheels, brake changes, or earlier restoration work may not still have the wheel setup expected for a 670-15, and that is worth checking before narrowing the choice to a particular brand, sidewall treatment, or radial alternative.

On a 1961 Facel Vega HK 500, 670-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply tire size. The 670 refers to the tire's nominal section-width class, roughly 6.70 inches, while the 15 designates the wheel diameter in inches.

That older sizing format does not read like a modern metric radial size, so it helps to treat it as an era-specific bias-ply designation rather than trying to compare the numbers directly to a current tire at a glance. Buyers usually use that code as the starting point, then decide whether the car's needs are better served by a traditional bias-ply look or by evaluating one of the recognized radial equivalents.

For the 1961 Facel Vega HK 500, 670-15 is the primary bias-ply tire size. The available products in this primary fitment are bias-ply tires, which match the vintage sizing system and traditional presentation associated with the car's era.

That matters because a bias-ply tire and a radial equivalent are not the same thing, even when they are chosen to serve a similar size role. Keeping the 670-15 bias-ply format preserves the original-style sizing convention, while moving to a radial alternative requires checking the wheel width, the car's actual wheel setup, and the available space around the tire before treating the change as workable.

Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15. In that group, 195R15 is the 80-series metric radial option, P205/75R15 is the 75-series P-metric alternative, P215/70R15 is the 70-series P-metric alternative, and 670R15 is the bias-look radial choice.

Those options give the 1961 Facel Vega HK 500 owner several ways to compare a more modern radial format with the original bias-ply size. Even though they share the same general role, the change still deserves a careful check of wheel width, tire dimensions, and clearance at the fenders and suspension so the chosen equivalent suits the car's actual configuration.

A 670R15 bias-look radial can be considered for a 1961 Facel Vega HK 500 as a radial equivalent to the original 670-15 bias-ply size. Its appeal is that it offers a more traditional visual impression than a modern-looking metric radial while still being categorized separately from the original bias-ply construction.

That makes it especially relevant for owners who want to preserve much of the car's period character without staying strictly with bias-ply construction. It still should not be treated as automatic interchangeability, so the wheel width, overall fit on the car, and available clearance at steering and suspension points should all be reviewed before committing to the conversion.

Start with the correct 670-15 size and the 15-inch wheel diameter, then narrow the choice by construction, sidewall style, and the overall character you want the car to present. For this HK 500 application, the primary fitment is bias-ply, with product choices that range from understated blackwalls to narrow and wide whitewalls.

From there, compare the details that affect selection rather than chasing the same size alone. Rim-width specifications vary across available products, and some tires also differ in load capacity and weight, so a restoration-focused car, a more road-driven car, and a car with changed wheels may not all point to the same final choice within the 670-15 category.

The 1961 Facel Vega HK 500's 670-15 tire choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That gives the car owner several ways to shape the finished look without moving away from the primary vintage bias-ply size.

A blackwall usually creates the cleanest and most restrained presentation, while narrow and wide whitewalls move the car toward a more formal period-style appearance. Since sidewall treatment affects the car's visual balance more than its basic fitment, it helps to choose the style after confirming the wheel setup and deciding whether the goal is a subtle touring look or a more restoration-oriented finish.

The 670-15 size for a 1961 Facel Vega HK 500 is available from Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, BFGoodrich, Excelsior, Avon, Goodyear, and STA. Those brands appear across several classic bias-ply series and a mix of blackwall and whitewall treatments.

Brand choice is most useful when it helps narrow appearance, series character, and wheel compatibility rather than serving as a shortcut by itself. A careful selection compares the actual tire series, sidewall style, stated rim-width specification, and any load information that is shown, so the chosen tire matches both the visual tone of the car and the realities of its present wheel setup.

A period-style 1961 Facel Vega HK 500 begins with the original-format 670-15 bias-ply size on a 15-inch rim. Within that size, the available choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions, so the car can be kept visually restrained or given a more formal grand touring presentation.

The right pick depends on how the car is being finished and how closely the owner wants to align the look with its early-1960s character. When exact originality matters beyond general period style, marque-specific references, historical photos, and restoration records are worth consulting before choosing a brand or whitewall treatment simply because it is available in the correct size.

Tire construction changes the visual impression of a restored 1961 Facel Vega HK 500 because the original-size 670-15 bias-ply format carries the proportions and sidewall character most closely associated with the car's era. A radial equivalent can still work visually, but it represents a different construction choice even when selected to fill the same general size role.

For many restorations, that means appearance and construction are tied together rather than being separate decisions. A bias-look radial can help bridge that gap, but owners who are aiming for a strongly period-style result usually compare the sidewall profile, the overall stance of the car, and the wheel setup before deciding whether traditional bias-ply or radial-based presentation suits the project better.

Modifications can absolutely affect tire fitment on a 1961 Facel Vega HK 500, even when the intended tire size remains 670-15 or one of its radial equivalents. Changes to wheel width, wheel offset, ride height, brakes, or suspension parts can alter the space available around the tire.

That is why a car that has been restored or updated should be measured as it sits rather than assumed to match a stock wheel and suspension arrangement. Clearance at the fender opening, steering range, and suspension travel all deserve attention, especially before moving from the original bias-ply construction to a radial-equivalent size with different dimensional characteristics.

Before driving a 1961 Facel Vega HK 500 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm that the tires are mounted in the proper size, and look over valve stems, wheel hardware, and visible clearances. A quick check of inflation and initial seating is also worthwhile before the first meaningful road use.

The car itself deserves the same attention, especially if it has spent long periods parked. Steering components, suspension wear, brake function, and alignment condition can all affect how a newly fitted tire behaves, and a short low-speed shakedown can reveal rubbing, pull, vibration, or air-loss concerns before the car is taken on a longer drive.

670-15 tires on a collector 1961 Facel Vega HK 500 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related condition as much as tread wear. Collector cars often spend more time parked than driven, so sidewall cracking, flat spotting, cuts, bulges, and slow air loss can matter just as much as mileage.

Storage conditions also play a major role in tire life. Keeping the car away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, standing moisture, and ozone-producing equipment helps preserve the tires, while periodic movement and routine inspections reduce the chance of discovering a problem only when the car is finally headed out for road use or a longer touring event.