The 1963 Citroen DS stood apart from nearly every other sedan of its era, combining advanced French design with a distinctly modern approach to ride quality and road manners. Its shape, engineering character, and collector appeal still make it one of the most recognizable European cars of the 1960s. For tire fitment, the 1963 Citroen DS uses a 165-400 radial, a millimetric size that differs from more familiar inch-based American sizing. That makes tire selection less about choosing between multiple factory sizes and more about understanding the correct format, preserving the car’s intended stance, and confirming wheel compatibility before road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1963 Citroen DS
The 1963 Citroen DS uses one primary tire size: 165-400, and it is a radial fitment. Because this size is built around a 400-millimeter wheel standard rather than a conventional inch-based rim diameter, the key decision is choosing the right tire within that correct format and confirming that the car still has the proper wheel setup.
The 165-400 size uses a metric-style designation in which 165 refers to the nominal section width in millimeters and 400 refers to the wheel diameter in millimeters rather than inches. It is a radial construction size, which suits the 1963 Citroen DS and reflects the car’s period use of advanced tire technology. Because this is a specialized millimetric fitment, selection tends to center on finding the correct radial tire rather than sorting through multiple primary sizes. It is an important size to confirm carefully on a restoration or long-stored driver, especially if wheels may have been changed over time.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the covered 1963 Citroen DS configuration. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm that the car remains on the proper 165-400 radial wheel and tire setup before selecting a replacement.
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1963 Citroen DS 19 Sedan
The 1963 Citroen DS 19 Sedan uses the 165-400 radial tire size. That keeps the focus on choosing the proper millimetric radial tire and verifying that the sedan still carries the correct wheels if it has been restored, modified, or stored for a long period.
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
Owners of a 1963 Citroen DS usually need clear guidance on the 165-400 size itself, millimetric wheel fitment, restoration-minded tire selection, and the inspections worth making before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1963 Citroen DS?
The 1963 Citroen DS uses a 165-400 radial tire. That size is a millimetric radial format, so it does not correspond to the more familiar inch-based sizing used on many American cars of the same period.
Using the correct 165-400 size matters because the wheel diameter is measured in millimeters, not inches. Before replacing tires, confirm that the car still has the proper DS wheels, especially if it has changed hands, undergone restoration work, or been modified over time.
What size rim does a 1963 Citroen DS use?
A 1963 Citroen DS with the correct 165-400 tire uses a 400-millimeter wheel. That is the key fitment point, since the tire is designed for a millimetric rim rather than a conventional 15-inch or 16-inch wheel.
This distinction is important when inspecting an older or restored car. A tire marked 165-400 should be matched to the proper 400-millimeter wheel, so it is worth verifying the actual wheel setup on the car before ordering replacement tires or assuming an inch-based alternative belongs there.
What does 165-400 mean on a 1963 Citroen DS?
On a 1963 Citroen DS, 165-400 is a metric radial tire size. The 165 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, while the 400 identifies the wheel diameter in millimeters, which is why the size looks different from common modern metric radial sizes.
For the buyer, the practical takeaway is that this is a specialized fitment rather than a generic modern size. The tire needs to match the proper millimetric wheel, and any car with replacement wheels should be checked carefully before a new set is chosen for restoration use or regular driving.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165-400 tire for a 1963 Citroen DS?
Start with the correct 165-400 size and radial construction, since that is the primary fitment for the 1963 Citroen DS. The next priority is confirming that the car still carries the correct 400-millimeter wheels and has not been converted to a different wheel standard.
After that, think about how the car will be used. A restoration-minded owner may focus on preserving the DS’s proper stance and period presentation, while a driver should also inspect wheel condition, tire age, and overall roadworthiness before putting miles on a car that may have spent long periods parked.
How do I choose between the available 165-400 tires for a 1963 Citroen DS?
The main selection point is staying with the proper 165-400 radial size for the 1963 Citroen DS. Once that is established, compare tires by how well they suit the car’s intended role, whether that is preservation, occasional touring, or general collector-car road use.
Appearance, ride expectations, and the condition of the wheels themselves can all influence the final choice. Since the DS uses a specialized millimetric fitment, the smartest approach is to confirm the wheel setup first, then choose the tire that best supports the car’s presentation and planned use.
Why is the 165-400 size important on a 1963 Citroen DS?
The 165-400 size is important because it is the correct primary tire format for the 1963 Citroen DS, and its millimetric wheel diameter is central to proper fitment. It is not simply another way of writing a common inch-based tire size.
That matters for both restorations and drivers because using the wrong wheel standard can create immediate compatibility problems. Even when a car appears complete, it is wise to verify the actual wheel and tire setup on the vehicle before replacement, especially if the DS has a long ownership history or previous modification work.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1963 Citroen DS?
For a period-style 1963 Citroen DS, the starting point is the proper 165-400 radial size. Keeping the car on its correct millimetric radial fitment helps preserve the visual proportions and engineering character that make the DS distinct among early 1960s sedans.
Owners pursuing a highly detailed restoration should confirm the wheel setup and compare tire appearance carefully against period photos, marque references, or restoration documentation. Even when the size is correct, that extra step helps ensure the finished car looks right for its era and intended presentation.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1963 Citroen DS restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1963 Citroen DS restoration because the car uses a specialized 165-400 radial on a 400-millimeter wheel. The DS has a very distinctive stance, and the wrong tire format can alter both appearance and basic wheel compatibility.
That makes tire choice more than a cosmetic decision. Before finishing a restoration, confirm the wheel standard, inspect wheel condition, and make sure the tire setup supports the car’s intended use, whether it will be shown, driven occasionally, or returned to regular collector-car road service.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1963 Citroen DS?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1963 Citroen DS, especially if the car has been converted away from its original 400-millimeter wheel standard. Wheel changes, suspension alterations, or body modifications can all change what tire setup is actually on the car today.
A DS that has been altered should be inspected before replacement tires are chosen. Confirm the wheel diameter and overall wheel condition first, then check clearance through steering travel and suspension movement so the selected tire matches the car’s real-world setup rather than assumptions based on model year alone.
What should I inspect before driving a 1963 Citroen DS on new tires?
Before driving a 1963 Citroen DS on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, corrosion, or previous repairs and make sure the correct 400-millimeter wheel setup is present. It is also wise to check valve stems, mounting condition, and basic inflation before the car returns to road use.
A collector car deserves a broader walkaround as well. Look for sidewall interference, confirm even clearance at the fenders, and inspect steering and suspension condition so the new tires are not being asked to compensate for unrelated mechanical issues that can affect ride, handling, or tire wear.
How should 165-400 tires on a collector 1963 Citroen DS be maintained?
165-400 tires on a collector 1963 Citroen DS should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related deterioration. Even lightly used collector-car tires can develop cracking, flat-spotting, or air loss when the car spends long periods parked.
Storage habits matter as much as mileage. Keep the DS away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources, and inspect the tires before each driving season for cuts, bulges, or irregular wear. Low annual mileage does not remove the need for routine condition checks on an older vehicle.
