The 1962 Simca Elysee comes from an era when compact European cars were prized for efficiency, light weight, and straightforward road manners. For owners restoring or maintaining one today, tire choice plays a big role in preserving that distinctly early-1960s driving character. This model uses either a 155R14 radial or a 560-14 bias-ply tire, both on a 14-inch rim. That opens the door to a traditional bias-ply look, a more period-oriented whitewall presentation, or a classic Euro-style radial from brands such as Michelin and Firestone. The right choice depends on whether the goal is faithful vintage appearance, practical road use, or a balanced mix of both.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1962 Simca Elysee
The 1962 Simca Elysee uses two primary tire sizes, and the difference is mainly construction rather than wheel diameter. Both 155R14 and 560-14 mount on 14-inch rims, so the key decision is whether the car is staying with a traditional bias-ply setup or using a radial tire, then matching that choice to the exact wheel and intended appearance.
155R14 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 155 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, R denotes radial construction, and 14 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1962 Simca Elysee, this size represents a more modern radial-style fitment while still keeping the car on the correct 14-inch wheel diameter. Available choices include blackwall tires from Michelin and Firestone in classic radial series. This size is worth considering for owners who want a traditional European radial format while still checking wheel width, overall setup, and clearance on the individual car.
560-14 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 5.60 indicating the nominal section width in inches and 14 identifying the rim diameter. For a 1962 Simca Elysee, this size keeps the car in a distinctly vintage bias-ply format that suits restoration-minded owners and those seeking an earlier driving feel. Available BFGoodrich options in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall treatments. This size makes sense when maintaining a period-style presentation matters, provided the wheel width and overall vehicle setup match the tire's requirements.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1962 Simca Elysee sub-model range because the same two tire sizes are used. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm whether the car is being kept in bias-ply form or fitted with a radial option on its 14-inch wheels.
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1962 Simca Elysee Base & Montlry
The 1962 Simca Elysee Base & Montlry uses the same two primary tire formats: 155R14 radial and 560-14 bias-ply. That means the main choice is not between different sub-model-only sizes, but between a classic radial presentation and a more traditional bias-ply look and feel.
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 Elysee Tires for Sale
Available 1962 Simca Elysee tire choices cover both 155R14 radial and 560-14 bias-ply fitments. Buyers can compare Michelin, Firestone, and BFGoodrich offerings by construction, tire series, and sidewall style, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options.
These FAQs focus on the two tire sizes used on the 1962 Simca Elysee, the difference between radial and bias-ply fitment, available sidewall and brand choices, and the wheel and condition checks worth making before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1962 Simca Elysee?
The 1962 Simca Elysee uses two primary tire sizes: 155R14 in radial construction and 560-14 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are associated with this model and both fit a 14-inch rim, so the basic fitment question is tied more to tire type than to wheel diameter.
That means the next step is confirming whether the car is set up for a traditional bias-ply presentation or a radial setup. On a car of this age, wheel width, wheel condition, and any changes made over the years should be checked before choosing between the two sizes.
What size rim does a 1962 Simca Elysee use?
The 1962 Simca Elysee uses a 14-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. The radial 155R14 and the bias-ply 560-14 are both built around that same 14-inch wheel diameter, so the rim diameter itself stays consistent across the fitment choices.
Rim diameter is only part of the picture on an older vehicle, though. Actual wheel width should still be verified, especially if the car has replacement wheels or has been off the road for a long time, because the available radial and bias-ply tires have different rim-width requirements.
Do all 1962 Simca Elysee sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1962 Simca Elysee Base & Montlry sub-models use the same two primary tire sizes: 155R14 radial and 560-14 bias-ply. There is not a separate size split here by sub-model, so fitment remains consistent across the listed versions of the car.
That simplifies the search, but it does not remove the need to inspect the car itself. A decades-old collector vehicle may have different wheels than it left with, and that can affect which of the two primary sizes makes the most sense for appearance, wheel compatibility, and road use.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 560-14 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1962 Simca Elysee?
560-14 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1962 Simca Elysee. It is the vintage numeric bias-ply option associated with this car, and it keeps the Elysee in a traditional early-1960s tire format rather than a later radial-style construction.
That matters because a bias-ply tire affects both appearance and driving character. Owners choosing 560-14 should also confirm that the wheel width matches the tire's intended range and decide whether a blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall best suits the car's restoration or touring goals.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1962 Simca Elysee?
A 1962 Simca Elysee can be equipped with either 560-14 bias-ply tires or 155R14 radial tires. The choice depends on what matters most for the car: preserving a more traditional vintage presentation with bias-ply construction or using a classic radial format that still stays within a period-appropriate size family.
The decision should be guided by the car's wheel setup, intended road use, and restoration direction. Keeping the car visually traditional may point toward 560-14, while a road-focused owner may look more closely at 155R14, provided wheel width and overall clearance are checked carefully first.
What should I check before converting my 1962 Simca Elysee from bias-ply to radial tires?
Moving a 1962 Simca Elysee from 560-14 bias-ply tires to 155R14 radial tires starts with confirming that the car's 14-inch wheels are also suitable in width for the radial being considered. The wheel condition, tire clearance, and the car's general suspension and steering condition all deserve close attention.
A conversion like this is not just a matter of matching rim diameter. The car may have replacement wheels, worn suspension parts, or clearance changes from age and repairs, so the radial choice should be evaluated against the actual vehicle rather than assumed from size markings alone.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1962 Simca Elysee tire?
Start with the two correct primary fitments for the 1962 Simca Elysee: 155R14 radial and 560-14 bias-ply. From there, the most important considerations are construction type, wheel compatibility, intended appearance, and how the car will actually be used, whether for display, occasional local driving, or more regular road use.
Product details can help narrow the choice. Radials in 155R14 are offered in classic blackwall form, while 560-14 bias-ply choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall treatments, so the final decision often comes down to balancing period style with the owner's driving priorities.
What sidewall styles are available for 1962 Simca Elysee tires?
Sidewall style depends on which primary size you choose for the 1962 Simca Elysee. The available 155R14 radial options are blackwall tires, while the 560-14 bias-ply choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions for a more traditional early-1960s presentation.
That gives the bias-ply size more visual variety, especially for a restoration-oriented car. Sidewall style should still be chosen after confirming the correct tire construction and wheel setup, since appearance matters most when the tire also matches the car's functional fitment requirements.
What brands offer tires for the 1962 Simca Elysee?
The 1962 Simca Elysee has tire options from Michelin, Firestone, and BFGoodrich. Michelin and Firestone are available in the 155R14 radial size, while BFGoodrich covers the 560-14 bias-ply size in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series with several sidewall treatments.
Brand selection should be considered alongside size, construction, and appearance rather than on name alone. A buyer choosing between these options should compare which size fits the car's setup, whether blackwall or whitewall styling is preferred, and whether the goal is a radial or bias-ply presentation.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1962 Simca Elysee?
For a period-style 1962 Simca Elysee, the 560-14 bias-ply size is the most traditional-looking starting point. Its vintage numeric format and available blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall treatments make it especially useful for owners trying to maintain an early-1960s visual character.
That does not mean every restored car should use the same sidewall treatment. If exact originality matters, the final appearance choice should be checked against marque references or historical vehicle documentation, while the tire itself still needs to suit the wheel width and actual setup on the car.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1962 Simca Elysee?
Tire construction changes the visual impression of a restored 1962 Simca Elysee as much as the size marking does. A 560-14 bias-ply tends to support a more traditional vintage presentation, while a 155R14 radial gives the car a later-style radial look even though it remains within an appropriate 14-inch fitment.
Sidewall treatment shapes that appearance further. Bias-ply options add whitewall choices that can make the car look more formal or more distinctly period-styled, while blackwall radials keep the look simpler, so construction and sidewall style should be chosen together rather than separately.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1962 Simca Elysee?
Yes. A 1962 Simca Elysee may have had wheel, suspension, or brake-related changes over the years, and those can affect whether 155R14 radial or 560-14 bias-ply tires make the most sense on the car. Even when the rim diameter remains 14 inches, wheel width and clearance can change the decision.
That is why the actual car should be inspected before final selection. Replacement wheels, altered ride height, and repaired body or suspension components can all influence steering clearance and fender space, so fitment should be confirmed on the vehicle as it sits today.
What should I inspect before driving a 1962 Simca Elysee on new tires?
Before driving a 1962 Simca Elysee on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter, condition, and width, then check for adequate clearance at the fenders and steering components. It is also smart to look over suspension wear items, since a car of this age may have bushings, shocks, or joints that affect tire behavior.
After installation, keep an eye on tire pressure, any signs of rubbing, and how evenly the car sits and steers. A short local test drive followed by another visual inspection can catch issues early, especially on collector cars that have spent long periods parked.
How should tires on a collector 1962 Simca Elysee be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1962 Simca Elysee should be checked regularly for pressure loss, cracking, bulges, cuts, and uneven wear, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Low-mileage collector cars often age out their tires before wearing them out, so condition matters as much as remaining tread.
Storage habits also matter. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, heat, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and moving the vehicle periodically can reduce flat spotting from long stationary periods. Any tire that shows age-related deterioration deserves closer inspection before road use.