The 1961 Simca Aronde sits in an interesting place in postwar European motoring, blending compact French practicality with styling and road manners that still appeal to collectors today. For an owner sorting out tires, the key detail is that this exact model does not revolve around one universal fitment. Depending on sub-model, the 1961 Simca Aronde uses 155R14 radial, 560-14 bias-ply, or 5.75-15 bias-ply sizing. That creates a real choice between period-style bias-ply presentation and a radial-equipped setup, with available blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options in the covered sizes. The right starting point is confirming the exact sub-model and wheel diameter before choosing for restoration goals or road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1961 Simca Aronde
The 1961 Simca Aronde uses three primary tire sizes, and they do not all share the same construction or rim diameter. Some versions use 14-inch tires in either radial or bias-ply form, while another uses a 15-inch bias-ply size. Before selecting a tire, the first step is identifying the exact sub-model and confirming whether the car is on a 14-inch or 15-inch wheel.
A 155R14 size uses a 155-millimeter nominal section width, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. On the 1961 Simca Aronde, this size represents a radial fitment for the Aronde I and gives the buyer a more modern sizing format than the period numeric bias-ply options. Available choices include Michelin and Firestone blackwall radials, including the Michelin X Radial and Firestone F560 Radial series. This size is the one to evaluate if the car is an Aronde I on 14-inch wheels and the goal is to stay with the radial format already associated with that sub-model.
The 560-14 code is a vintage numeric bias-ply size in which 5.60 refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches and 14 identifies the rim diameter. For the 1961 Simca Aronde, this bias-ply fitment is used on the Aronde I and suits buyers seeking a more traditional tire construction and period-style profile. BFGoodrich offers this size in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall treatments. It is the right size to examine when an Aronde I is being kept in a restoration-oriented bias-ply configuration on 14-inch wheels.
The 5.75-15 designation is another vintage numeric bias-ply size, with 5.75 indicating nominal section width in inches and 15 indicating a 15-inch rim. On the 1961 Simca Aronde, this size is tied to the Aronde II, making it distinct from the 14-inch tire fitments used elsewhere in the model range. Its practical significance is straightforward: wheel diameter has to be confirmed before anything else, because a 15-inch tire choice cannot be treated like the 14-inch options. This is the size to pursue when the car is an Aronde II or when the existing wheels measure 15 inches.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1961 Simca Aronde because tire size is not consistent across the range. The Aronde I uses 14-inch tires and can appear with either radial or bias-ply fitment, while the Aronde II moves to a 15-inch bias-ply size, so confirming the exact version avoids ordering by appearance alone.
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1961 Simca Aronde I
The 1961 Simca Aronde I uses 14-inch tires and can be found with either 155R14 radial or 560-14 bias-ply fitment. That means tire selection starts with construction choice as well as wheel confirmation, especially if the car is being kept in a period-style bias-ply presentation or evaluated for a radial-equipped setup.
The 1961 Simca Aronde II uses a 5.75-15 bias-ply tire, which separates it clearly from the 14-inch Aronde I fitments. Tire choice here is centered first on confirming the 15-inch wheel, then selecting a bias-ply option that suits the car's appearance, intended driving use, and overall restoration direction.
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 Simca Aronde Tires for Sale
Available 1961 Simca Aronde tire choices include Michelin, Firestone, and BFGoodrich options across radial and bias-ply construction. Buyers can compare blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall presentations, along with differences in tire series and rim-width specifications where those details apply.
These 1961 Simca Aronde tire FAQs focus on the exact size differences between sub-models, 14-inch versus 15-inch wheel fitment, bias-ply and radial choices, appearance options, and the checks worth making before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1961 Simca Aronde?
A 1961 Simca Aronde can use 155R14 radial, 560-14 bias-ply, or 5.75-15 bias-ply tires, depending on the exact sub-model. The Aronde I uses the 14-inch sizes, while the Aronde II uses the 15-inch 5.75-15 size. That means there is not one universal tire size for every 1961 Aronde.
The practical next step is to confirm the sub-model and measure the wheel diameter before choosing a tire. A 14-inch Aronde I opens the door to either radial or bias-ply selection, while a 15-inch Aronde II stays in a different fitment path entirely. Cars that have been modified over the years should always be checked in person rather than ordered by model name alone.
What size rim does a 1961 Simca Aronde use?
The 1961 Simca Aronde uses either a 14-inch or 15-inch rim, depending on the sub-model and tire size. The 155R14 radial and 560-14 bias-ply sizes are both for 14-inch wheels, while the 5.75-15 bias-ply size is for a 15-inch wheel. Rim diameter is one of the first details to verify on this vehicle.
Wheel diameter matters because the available tire choices split across two different rim sizes, not just two different constructions. A buyer looking at a 14-inch setup can compare radial and bias-ply directions more easily, but a 15-inch setup narrows the choice to the size intended for that wheel. Measuring the existing wheel and checking for older wheel swaps helps prevent a mismatch.
Do all 1961 Simca Aronde sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the 1961 Simca Aronde sub-models do not all use the same tire size. The Aronde I uses either 155R14 radial or 560-14 bias-ply, both on 14-inch rims, while the Aronde II uses 5.75-15 bias-ply on a 15-inch rim. The difference is significant enough that tire selection should start with sub-model identification.
That variation affects more than the number on the sidewall. It changes rim diameter, available construction choices, and the kinds of products a buyer can compare. An Aronde I owner may be deciding between radial and period-style bias-ply options, while an Aronde II owner first needs to stay within the 15-inch fitment path. Checking the car's actual wheel setup is especially smart on restored or long-stored examples.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1961 Simca Aronde?
Start with the exact sub-model, the wheel diameter, and the tire construction already on the car. A 1961 Simca Aronde may use 155R14 radial, 560-14 bias-ply, or 5.75-15 bias-ply sizing, so the first choice is fitment, not brand. Once the correct size is established, construction and appearance become the next decisions.
After that, compare the tire's intended look and the vehicle's use. A bias-ply can suit a more traditional presentation, while the radial fitment associated with the Aronde I may appeal to owners keeping that setup. Sidewall style also matters, especially in 560-14 where blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options are available. Rim-width specifications should also be checked when they are part of the tire's product details.
What sidewall styles are available for 1961 Simca Aronde tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1961 Simca Aronde include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, depending on the tire size. The 560-14 bias-ply size is available in all three of those sidewall styles, while the 155R14 radial options shown here are blackwall tires. Sidewall appearance is one of the clearest visual differences between available products.
That makes sidewall style an important part of the buying decision, especially on a small European collector car where the tire is easy to see. A blackwall usually gives the cleanest understated presentation, while narrow or wide whitewall treatments create a more distinctly period-style look. The right choice depends on the car's restoration direction, wheel covers, and the overall appearance the owner wants rather than any one universal rule.
What brands offer tires for the 1961 Simca Aronde?
Tires for the 1961 Simca Aronde are available from Michelin, Firestone, and BFGoodrich across the sizes covered here. Michelin and Firestone appear in the 155R14 radial size, while BFGoodrich appears in the 560-14 bias-ply size. Those brand differences line up with different constructions, tire series, and appearance choices rather than one identical product repeated under several names.
A useful way to compare them is by size first, then by construction and visual style. On an Aronde I, the decision may involve choosing between radial options in Michelin X Radial or Firestone F560 Radial, or staying with a BFGoodrich bias-ply presentation in 560-14. Once the correct fitment path is settled, brand becomes part of a broader choice that also includes sidewall treatment and wheel compatibility.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1961 Simca Aronde?
A period-style direction for a 1961 Simca Aronde usually starts by matching the car to its correct primary size and construction path. On an Aronde I, that may mean evaluating 560-14 bias-ply if the goal is a more traditional presentation, while the Aronde II uses 5.75-15 bias-ply. The Aronde I can also appear with 155R14 radial, so the sub-model matters immediately.
Appearance choice then comes down to how closely the tire should support the overall restoration theme. In 560-14, blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles each create a different visual impression. When exact originality matters beyond general period style, marque references, surviving-car evidence, and restoration documentation are worth consulting. That keeps the tire decision grounded in the specific car rather than a broad assumption about the model.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1961 Simca Aronde?
Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1961 Simca Aronde as much as the sidewall treatment does. A bias-ply tire typically supports a more traditional vintage presentation, especially in the numeric sizes 560-14 and 5.75-15. The 155R14 size is a radial format, so its look and overall impression differ from the older-style bias-ply sizing language.
That distinction matters because the Aronde range includes both construction types, depending on sub-model. A buyer restoring an Aronde I has to decide whether the car's presentation should follow the bias-ply route or remain aligned with the radial fitment associated with that version. The construction choice should complement the wheels, trim, and intended use instead of being treated as a cosmetic detail alone.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1961 Simca Aronde?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1961 Simca Aronde, especially because this model already spans both 14-inch and 15-inch wheel diameters. If the car has aftermarket wheels, changed wheel widths, altered offset, suspension changes, or body modifications, the original size path may no longer tell the whole story. That is particularly important when comparing Aronde I and Aronde II setups.
The smartest approach is to verify the actual wheel diameter and inspect clearance at the fenders, steering range, and suspension before mounting tires. Even when the sidewall size looks familiar, a modified car can respond differently than a stock one. On a collector vehicle with an unknown history, checking the current hardware in person is more reliable than assuming the car still matches its original configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1961 Simca Aronde on new tires?
Before driving a 1961 Simca Aronde on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall wheel condition, then confirm the tire size matches the car's actual sub-model and rim diameter. It also makes sense to look over suspension and steering components that could affect tracking or clearance. A small vintage car will quickly reveal problems that were hidden by old tires.
Tire condition checks should continue after installation. Look for stable air pressure, even seating on the wheel, and any early signs of rubbing at full steering lock or during suspension movement. A short, careful road test helps uncover vibration, pull, or contact issues before a longer outing. On a vehicle that has sat for years, it is also wise to recheck wheel fasteners and basic chassis condition.
How should tires on a collector 1961 Simca Aronde be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1961 Simca Aronde should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related deterioration as well as tread wear. Collector cars often spend long periods parked, so sidewall cracking, flat spotting, cuts, bulges, and slow air loss can matter as much as mileage. That applies whether the car is on 155R14 radial or bias-ply sizes.
Storage conditions also play a major role in how long the tires stay roadworthy. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the rubber during downtime. The tires should be inspected before each driving season and again before any longer trip. On an older car, maintenance means watching the whole system, not just the tread depth visible at a glance.
