The 1962 Simca Arlane comes from an era when compact European sedans were valued for efficiency, simplicity, and light, practical road manners. For owners preserving one today, tire choice shapes not only how the car looks, but also how it feels at everyday speeds. This model appears with two 15-inch fitment paths: a 185R15 radial and a 6.50-15 bias-ply. That gives buyers a meaningful choice between a more traditional vintage bias-ply presentation and several radial options offered in blackwall, redline, and narrow whitewall styles. The right decision starts with the wheel setup on the car and whether the goal is restoration-oriented appearance, road use, or a balance of both.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1962 Simca Arlane
The 1962 Simca Arlane uses two primary tire sizes, and both fit a 15-inch rim. One is a radial 185R15 and the other is a bias-ply 6.50-15, so the first step is confirming which construction and wheel setup the car currently uses. Once that is settled, the decision becomes whether to stay with a traditional bias-ply look or choose a radial option that matches the car's intended appearance and use.
185R15 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 185 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, R denotes radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1962 Simca Arlane, this size represents the radial fitment path and suits owners looking for a more modern radial format on the correct rim diameter. Available choices include Coker Classic, Michelin, Avon, and Universal Vintage Tire, with blackwall, redline, and narrow whitewall presentations across several tire series. It is the size to evaluate when the car already wears radial-compatible wheels and the goal is to balance vintage character with radial tire selection.
6.50-15 is a numeric bias-ply size where 6.50 refers to the nominal section width in inches and 15 identifies the wheel diameter. On a 1962 Simca Arlane, this size reflects the traditional bias-ply fitment route and is most relevant when maintaining an older driving feel or a more period-style overall presentation. Bias-ply sizing is familiar to vintage-car owners, but it should still be matched carefully to the car's existing wheel and chassis setup. This is the size to consider when preserving the character of a classic small sedan matters more than moving to a radial construction.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered 1962 Simca Arlane configuration shares the same 15-inch tire choices. Checking the exact sub-model still matters, but the main decision is whether the car is set up for the 185R15 radial or the 6.50-15 bias-ply.
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1962 Simca Arlane Base
The 1962 Simca Arlane Base can be fitted with either a 185R15 radial or a 6.50-15 bias-ply on a 15-inch rim. That means tire selection centers on the construction the car is using now and whether the priority is traditional appearance, radial road use, or a careful blend of both.
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 1962 Simca Arlane Tires for Sale
Available 185R15 tires for the 1962 Simca Arlane include options from Coker Classic, Michelin, Avon, and Universal Vintage Tire. Buyers can compare radial choices by tire series, sidewall style, and rim-width specification, with blackwall, redline, and narrow whitewall appearances represented.
These FAQs focus on the 1962 Simca Arlane's two 15-inch tire sizes, the difference between radial and bias-ply fitment, available sidewall and brand choices, and the key wheel and condition checks to make before driving.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1962 Simca Arlane?
The 1962 Simca Arlane uses two primary tire sizes: 185R15 in radial construction and 6.50-15 in bias-ply construction. Both are built for a 15-inch rim, so the fitment question is less about wheel diameter and more about which construction and size format the car is currently set up to use.
That distinction matters because a radial-size car and a bias-ply-size car may not be wearing the same wheels or have the same appearance goals. Start by checking the tires and wheels already on the vehicle, then compare the tire size, wheel width, and overall clearance before choosing a replacement.
What size rim does a 1962 Simca Arlane use?
The 1962 Simca Arlane uses a 15-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. The radial 185R15 and the bias-ply 6.50-15 are both 15-inch fitments, which keeps wheel diameter consistent even though the tire sizing systems and construction types differ.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a vintage car. Wheel width and the actual wheel type on the car should also be confirmed, especially if the vehicle has been changed from its earlier setup or is moving from bias-ply construction to a radial tire.
Does the 1962 Simca Arlane Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1962 Simca Arlane Base shares the same two 15-inch tire fitments: 185R15 in radial construction and 6.50-15 in bias-ply construction. That means the sub-model itself does not create a separate tire-size branch within this application.
Even with shared fitment, the right replacement still depends on the car's present wheel and tire setup. A Base model wearing radial tires should be checked for radial-compatible wheel width and condition, while a car kept in bias-ply form should be matched to that traditional size and look.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 6.50-15 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1962 Simca Arlane?
For the 1962 Simca Arlane, 6.50-15 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing convention, with 6.50 representing nominal section width in inches and 15 identifying the wheel diameter, making it distinct from the metric-style 185R15 radial fitment.
That matters because bias-ply and radial tires differ in construction, appearance, and the way owners usually approach restoration or driving goals. Before replacing a 6.50-15 tire, confirm that the car is still using the wheel and setup intended for bias-ply fitment rather than assuming a radial-size tire belongs there.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1962 Simca Arlane?
The 1962 Simca Arlane can be approached either way, since it appears with both a 6.50-15 bias-ply fitment and a 185R15 radial fitment. Bias-ply tires usually suit a more traditional vintage presentation, while 185R15 keeps the car in a classic Euro-metric radial format on the same 15-inch rim diameter.
The right choice depends on the car's current wheel setup and what matters most to the owner. A restoration-oriented car may stay with bias-ply for period-style character, while a regularly driven car may lean toward radial construction after checking wheel width, clearance, and overall compatibility.
What should I check before converting my 1962 Simca Arlane from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming that the car's wheels are appropriate for the radial size being considered, since the 1962 Simca Arlane uses 185R15 as its radial fitment path and 6.50-15 as its bias-ply size. Both use a 15-inch rim, but matching diameter alone does not settle the conversion question.
Wheel width, tire clearance, suspension condition, and the car's actual ride height all deserve attention before making the change. It is also wise to inspect for older modifications, uneven steering travel, or body clearance issues so the new radial setup works with the vehicle rather than simply bolting on.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 185R15 tire for a 1962 Simca Arlane?
A 185R15 tire for a 1962 Simca Arlane should first be chosen by confirming that the car is set up for the radial fitment rather than the 6.50-15 bias-ply size. After that, compare the available radial choices by brand, tire series, sidewall style, and the rim-width range each product is designed to work with.
Appearance and intended use usually narrow the field quickly. A blackwall can keep the look understated, while redline or narrow whitewall versions change the car's visual character. Tire weight and load figures can also be useful comparison points, but wheel compatibility should be settled before style becomes the final decision.
What sidewall styles are available for 1962 Simca Arlane tires?
For the 1962 Simca Arlane's 185R15 radial size, available sidewall styles include blackwall, redline, and narrow whitewall. Those choices give the car very different visual personalities even when the basic tire size stays the same, which is especially important on a compact European sedan where the tire is visually prominent.
The best sidewall choice depends on how the car is being presented. Blackwall tends to look restrained and functional, redline adds a sportier accent, and narrow whitewall leans more toward a period-style touring appearance. It is worth selecting the sidewall after the correct size and wheel compatibility are already confirmed.
What brands offer tires for the 1962 Simca Arlane?
The 185R15 radial fitment for the 1962 Simca Arlane is available from Coker Classic, Michelin, Avon, and Universal Vintage Tire. Those brands cover several different tire series, including Coker Classic Radial, Michelin XVS, Turbosteel CR3B, and Universal Sport, giving buyers more than one approach within the same basic size.
Brand choice should be part of a broader comparison rather than the only deciding factor. Look at sidewall treatment, rim-width range, load specification where stated, and the overall appearance the tire gives the car. Once the 185R15 fitment is confirmed, those details help separate one option from another.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1962 Simca Arlane?
A period-style 1962 Simca Arlane usually starts with deciding whether to preserve the traditional 6.50-15 bias-ply presentation or use a 185R15 radial that still suits the car's vintage character. Both sizes belong to the car's fitment picture, but they create different visual and historical impressions once mounted.
Owners focused on restoration appearance often prefer to begin with the construction that best matches the car's intended era feel. If exact originality matters, it is wise to compare that choice against marque references or period documentation, then use sidewall style and tire series to refine the final presentation.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1962 Simca Arlane?
Tire construction changes more than driving feel on a restored 1962 Simca Arlane; it also changes the car's stance and visual character. A 6.50-15 bias-ply gives a more traditional vintage presentation, while a 185R15 radial moves the look toward a later, more modernized classic European appearance.
Sidewall treatment adds another layer to that decision. Blackwall keeps the look simple, redline adds visual emphasis, and narrow whitewall can create a more formal period-style accent. Matching the construction and sidewall to the restoration goal usually produces a more coherent result than picking by size alone.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1962 Simca Arlane?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1962 Simca Arlane even when the car is using one of its correct 15-inch tire sizes. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension lowering, or bodywork differences can all influence whether a 185R15 radial or 6.50-15 bias-ply has proper space around it.
A car that has been changed from stock should be measured rather than assumed. Check wheel width, inner and outer clearance, steering travel, and suspension movement before choosing replacement tires. That is especially important on older vehicles, where decades of repairs or upgrades may have altered the original fitment environment.
What should I inspect before driving a 1962 Simca Arlane on new tires?
Before driving a 1962 Simca Arlane on new tires, inspect the wheels, lug hardware, valve stems, and overall tire seating, then verify that inflation pressure matches the tire being used. It is also smart to look over suspension and steering components, since worn parts can spoil the behavior of even a correctly sized new tire.
A short, careful test drive is the best next step. Watch for rubbing, pulling, vibration, or unusual steering response, and recheck the tires afterward for clearance marks or air loss. On a collector car that sits often, these early checks are as important as the initial size choice.
How should 185R15 and 6.50-15 tires on a collector 1962 Simca Arlane be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1962 Simca Arlane should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Whether the car wears 185R15 radials or 6.50-15 bias-ply tires, look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, flat-spotting, uneven tread wear, and any sign of slow air loss.
Low-mileage vintage cars often age their tires before they wear them out. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber, and periodic movement can reduce long-term flat spotting. Tires that appear aged or damaged deserve replacement before road use, even if tread remains.
