The 1962 Citroen AZ belongs to the early 2CV family, a car known for lightweight engineering, long-travel suspension, and the kind of simple utility that made it a fixture on European back roads. Its character depends heavily on narrow, tall tires that suit the car’s modest power and unusually supple ride. For the 1962 Citroen AZ, the fitment centers on radial millimetric sizes 125-380 and 135-380 rather than a modern inch-based American size. That makes tire selection less about chasing variety and more about matching the car’s proper sizing language and overall stance. Before choosing, it pays to confirm which of the two radial sizes is already on the car and whether the wheels remain original.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1962 Citroen AZ
The 1962 Citroen AZ uses two primary tire sizes, both in radial millimetric form: 125-380 and 135-380. Because the same AZ Base sub-model is associated with both sizes, the first step is confirming what is actually fitted to the car now and making sure the wheels match the intended millimetric tire size. Once that is settled, the real decision is staying with the established fitment that suits the car’s light, narrow-tire character.
125-380 is a classic millimetric radial size, with 125 indicating nominal section width in millimeters and 380 identifying the wheel diameter in millimeters. This is a narrow radial format that suits the 1962 Citroen AZ’s light weight and traditional 2CV-style tire profile. Its practical appeal is preserving the car’s slender tire presentation and the steering feel expected from an early small French utility car. If your AZ already carries 125-380 tires and the wheels are set up for that size, this fitment is the right starting point before considering any other change.
135-380 follows the same classic millimetric radial system, but with a 135-millimeter nominal section width on a 380-millimeter wheel. On a 1962 Citroen AZ, it remains a proper radial fitment format while giving the buyer a second period-style size to evaluate within the same millimetric wheel family. The key difference is not construction, since both sizes are radial, but confirming which width belongs on the actual wheel and vehicle setup in front of you. This size is best considered after checking the existing wheel, mounted tire, and overall clearance on the car.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered configuration is the 1962 Citroen AZ Base. Tire choice still requires care, however, because that sub-model is associated with both 125-380 and 135-380 radial sizes, so the car’s current wheel and tire setup should be confirmed before replacing anything.
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1962 Citroen AZ Base
The 1962 Citroen AZ Base is associated with both 125-380 and 135-380 radial tires, so the size question is more about confirming the actual setup than choosing by trim level. That makes wheel verification especially important before replacement, particularly on a car that may have seen decades of maintenance changes or older tire substitutions.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
These 1962 Citroen AZ tire FAQs focus on the two millimetric radial sizes used on the car, how to interpret them, and what to inspect on wheels, fitment, and tire condition before putting a light vintage Citroen back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1962 Citroen AZ?
The 1962 Citroen AZ uses two primary tire sizes: 125-380 and 135-380. Both are radial tires in a classic millimetric format rather than a modern inch-based size. The covered AZ Base sub-model is associated with both sizes, so the correct replacement choice depends on the actual wheel and tire setup already on the car.
That matters because an older Citroen may have been fitted with different wheels or replacement tires during its life. Before ordering, check the size marked on the existing tire, confirm that the wheel is intended for a 380-millimeter tire, and inspect clearances at the fender and suspension. Matching the car’s current fitment is usually the safest starting point.
What size rim does a 1962 Citroen AZ use?
The tire sizes used on the 1962 Citroen AZ are 125-380 and 135-380, which means the wheel diameter is 380 millimeters. This is a millimetric rim size, not a 15-inch wheel converted into metric terms. The tire and wheel must match the same bead-seat diameter for proper mounting.
That distinction is important because millimetric and inch-based wheels are not automatically interchangeable, even when they appear close in diameter. A buyer replacing old tires should confirm the wheel marking, not rely on appearance alone. On a long-owned collector car, checking the actual wheel before purchase helps avoid ordering the right tire size for the wrong rim.
What does 125-380 mean on a 1962 Citroen AZ?
On a 1962 Citroen AZ, 125-380 is a classic millimetric radial size. The 125 refers to the nominal section width in millimeters, and the 380 refers to the wheel diameter in millimeters. It is part of the narrow-tire sizing language used on many small European cars of the period.
For the buyer, that means the size should be read as a complete fitment code, not just a width number. The same approach applies to 135-380, which shares the same wheel diameter but uses a wider nominal section width. When replacing tires, confirm both numbers on the existing tire and make sure the wheel and vehicle clearance suit that exact size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 125-380 or 135-380 tire for a 1962 Citroen AZ?
The first consideration is confirming which of the two primary sizes your 1962 Citroen AZ actually uses now. Both 125-380 and 135-380 are radial millimetric sizes, so the choice is not between bias-ply and radial construction, but between two widths that share the same 380-millimeter wheel diameter.
After that, look at wheel compatibility, the condition of the existing rims, and how the tire sits within the car’s narrow body and suspension layout. On a lightly modified or long-stored car, compare the mounted tire markings, inspect clearances at full steering lock, and stay consistent with the established fitment unless there is a clear reason to change.
How do I choose between the available 125-380 and 135-380 tires for a 1962 Citroen AZ?
Choosing between 125-380 and 135-380 starts with identifying which size belongs on the car’s present wheel and setup. Since both sizes are used on the 1962 Citroen AZ Base and both are radial millimetric tires, the decision is tied more to existing fitment than to trim differences or construction changes.
A practical approach is to inspect the tire currently mounted, confirm the wheel diameter marking, and note how much clearance exists around the suspension and body. If the car has been altered over time, avoid assuming that the tire on it now is automatically the right benchmark. Matching size, wheel, and clearance should come before appearance preferences.
Why does the 1962 Citroen AZ have two tire sizes?
The 1962 Citroen AZ is associated with two primary tire sizes, 125-380 and 135-380, even within the AZ Base sub-model. That does not mean every car should switch freely between them without inspection. It means both sizes are part of the fitment picture for this exact year and model.
For an owner, the takeaway is simple: identify what is actually on the car before replacing tires. Older vehicles often pass through decades of service changes, wheel swaps, and replacement decisions. Confirming the wheel’s 380-millimeter diameter and the current tire width helps keep the next set aligned with the car’s real-world setup rather than a guess.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1962 Citroen AZ?
For a period-style 1962 Citroen AZ, the right starting point is one of its correct millimetric radial sizes: 125-380 or 135-380. Both preserve the narrow, tall-tire look associated with an early 2CV-based car far better than a generic modern substitute in a different sizing language.
A restoration-minded buyer should decide whether the goal is to preserve the car’s existing stance or return it to a more authentic-looking width after confirming wheel compatibility. If exact originality matters beyond general period style, compare the car against marque references, build documentation, and surviving examples before changing from the size already mounted.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1962 Citroen AZ restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1962 Citroen AZ because the car’s appearance and character depend on very narrow millimetric radial tires. A tire that departs too far from the proper size language can change the visual balance of the car and may also affect steering feel, clearance, and the way the suspension presents itself.
Restoration work is stronger when the tire choice supports the car’s original proportions instead of overpowering them. That is why confirming whether the car is set up for 125-380 or 135-380 is so important. Even on a driver-quality restoration, staying within the proper millimetric fitment family keeps the result more faithful to the vehicle’s era.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1962 Citroen AZ?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1962 Citroen AZ, even though the factory-style sizing is narrow and simple. Aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, brake changes, or body repairs can all influence whether a 125-380 or 135-380 tire clears properly and seats on the intended 380-millimeter rim.
That is why a replacement decision should begin with the car as it sits today, not only with the year and model. Check the wheel diameter, inspect for non-original rims, and turn the steering from lock to lock to watch for interference. Small changes matter more on a lightweight vintage car with tight packaging and slender tires.
What should I inspect before driving a 1962 Citroen AZ on new tires?
Before driving a 1962 Citroen AZ on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, corrosion, and proper bead-seat condition, then confirm that the mounted size matches the intended 125-380 or 135-380 fitment. It also makes sense to check valve stems, lug security, and whether the tires are seated evenly on the rims.
A road-ready inspection should also include basic clearance checks, correct inflation, and a close look at suspension and steering condition. On a collector car that may have sat for long periods, examine the old tires for cracking, bulges, cuts, and uneven wear to understand whether another issue caused the previous tire problem. A cautious test drive is the right final step.
How should tires on a collector 1962 Citroen AZ be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1962 Citroen AZ should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspections, and attention to age as well as tread depth. Because these cars are often driven lightly, it is easy to overlook sidewall cracking, flat spotting, or slow air loss that develops while the car sits.
Storage conditions matter nearly as much as mileage. Keep the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors or compressors. During routine checks, inspect tread wear, sidewalls, and the wheel area, and make sure the car still has the same 125-380 or 135-380 fitment it was set up to use.
