The 1963 Citroen ID came from a period when Citroen was redefining what a family car could be, blending advanced engineering, a remarkably smooth ride, and unmistakably French design into a sedan and wagon that still stand apart today. For owners of these cars, tire fitment is closely tied to preserving the way the ID looks and drives. The 1963 Citroen ID uses a 165-400 radial tire, a millimetric radial size that reflects the car’s distinctive European fitment. That makes the main decision less about choosing between multiple sizes and more about selecting a tire that respects the original sizing approach and wheel compatibility.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1963 Citroen ID
The 1963 Citroen ID uses one primary tire size: 165-400 radial. That size appears across the covered ID 19 Sedan and ID 19 Wagon sub-models, so the key task is confirming that the car still has the correct millimetric wheels rather than a later wheel conversion. From there, the decision comes down to choosing a tire that matches the car’s original radial fitment and intended appearance.
The 165-400 size is a classic millimetric radial format, with 165 referring to the nominal section width in millimeters and 400 referring to the wheel diameter in millimeters rather than inches. Radial construction is the primary fitment for the 1963 Citroen ID, which is consistent with the car’s European engineering and ride-focused character. Because this is not a modern inch-based size, wheel compatibility matters just as much as tire size. It is the right starting point for owners who want to keep the car on its proper millimetric radial fitment rather than adapting it to a different wheel setup.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1963 Citroen ID sub-models. Both the sedan and wagon use the same 165-400 radial size, so the main thing to confirm is that the car still wears the correct millimetric wheels before choosing a replacement tire.
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1963 Citroen ID 19 Sedan
The 1963 Citroen ID 19 Sedan uses the same 165-400 radial fitment as the broader ID lineup covered here. For tire selection, that keeps the focus on maintaining the proper millimetric wheel-and-tire setup and choosing a replacement that suits the car’s road use and restoration goals.
The 1963 Citroen ID 19 Wagon also uses the 165-400 radial size, so there is no sub-model split in primary tire sizing here. The practical concern is confirming the existing wheels and selecting a radial tire that preserves the wagon’s proper stance, compatibility, and period-style presentation.
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
Common questions for the 1963 Citroen ID usually center on the unusual 165-400 sizing, millimetric wheel fitment, restoration-minded tire choices, and what to inspect before putting a collector Citroen back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1963 Citroen ID?
The 1963 Citroen ID uses a 165-400 radial tire. That size applies to the covered ID 19 Sedan and ID 19 Wagon models, making it the primary fitment for this vehicle page rather than an alternative or secondary size.
The important detail is that 165-400 is a millimetric radial size, not a modern inch-based tire size. Before ordering replacement tires, confirm that the car still has the correct wheels for that fitment, especially if it has been restored, modified, or stored for a long time with parts changed along the way.
Do all 1963 Citroen ID sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1963 Citroen ID 19 Sedan and 1963 Citroen ID 19 Wagon both use the same 165-400 radial tire size. There is no split here between sedan and wagon fitment at the primary tire-size level.
That makes sub-model identification less complicated than on many vintage vehicles, but wheel verification still matters. A Citroen that has had later wheels fitted, replacement rims installed, or long-term restoration work may no longer match its original wheel setup, so checking the actual wheels on the car remains a smart first step.
What does 165-400 mean on a 1963 Citroen ID?
On a 1963 Citroen ID, 165-400 is a classic millimetric radial size. The 165 refers to the tire’s nominal width in millimeters, while 400 refers to the wheel diameter in millimeters rather than the inch-based rim sizing more familiar on many American classics.
That difference matters because a millimetric wheel is not the same as a common inch-diameter wheel. For the owner, the takeaway is simple: treat 165-400 as a specialized vintage European fitment and verify the actual wheel type on the car before selecting a replacement tire or considering any change in wheel-and-tire setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165-400 tire for a 1963 Citroen ID?
Start with the correct primary size, which is 165-400 radial, and make sure the car still has the proper millimetric wheels. On a 1963 Citroen ID, choosing the right tire is less about sorting through many fitment sizes and more about preserving the intended wheel-and-tire relationship.
After confirming size and wheel type, think about how the car will be used. A road-driven ID may call for a different selection mindset than a display-focused restoration, but either way the tire should suit the car’s fitment, overall presentation, and expected service without straying from the proper millimetric radial format.
How do I choose between available 165-400 tires for a 1963 Citroen ID?
The first filter is always the correct size and construction: 165-400 radial for the 1963 Citroen ID. Once that baseline is met, compare the available tires by the qualities that matter to you most, such as period-style appearance, intended driving use, and compatibility with the car’s existing wheel setup.
Some owners prioritize a presentation that complements a restoration, while others focus on regular touring use and consistent road manners. It also helps to inspect the wheels themselves for condition, correct dimensions, and any signs of previous changes, since the right tire choice begins with a sound and properly matched wheel.
Why is wheel compatibility so important when choosing tires for a 1963 Citroen ID?
Wheel compatibility is central because the 1963 Citroen ID uses a 165-400 millimetric radial, and that sizing system is different from more common inch-based fitments. Even if a tire looks close in width, the wheel diameter standard must match the tire correctly.
For a buyer or restorer, that means the wheel should be inspected before any tire decision is finalized. Cars that have been modified, restored over many years, or adapted to other wheel standards can create confusion, so confirming the actual wheel type on the vehicle helps avoid fitment problems before installation.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1963 Citroen ID?
A period-style starting point for a 1963 Citroen ID is the original 165-400 radial fitment. Keeping the proper millimetric radial size helps preserve the car’s intended visual balance and supports the distinctive character that makes the ID different from many other early 1960s cars.
Appearance-sensitive restorations benefit from staying close to the correct size and wheel format, even when the car will be used sparingly. When exact originality matters beyond basic fitment, the smartest next step is to compare the tire choice with marque references, period photography, or model-specific restoration guidance for the particular car.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1963 Citroen ID restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1963 Citroen ID restoration because the car’s 165-400 radial size is part of its proper stance, wheel relationship, and overall presentation. Using the right fitment helps the car look coherent rather than merely wearing a tire that happens to be close.
Fitment also affects practical details such as wheel compatibility and the way the restored car sits once it is back on the ground. A thoughtful restoration should include checking wheel condition, confirming the millimetric setup, and making sure the finished tire choice suits both the appearance goals and the intended road use.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1963 Citroen ID?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1963 Citroen ID, especially if the car has had wheel changes, suspension work, or other restoration-era alterations. Since the original fitment uses a 165-400 millimetric radial, even a seemingly modest wheel change can alter what tire setup the car now requires.
Any owner dealing with a modified car should verify the actual wheel diameter standard, wheel width, and available clearance before choosing tires. It is also wise to look at steering travel and body clearance at rest, since vintage cars that have been altered may not match their original fitment assumptions anymore.
What should I inspect before driving a 1963 Citroen ID on new tires?
Before driving a 1963 Citroen ID on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, corrosion, and proper fitment, then check that the tires are seated correctly and inflated to the pressure appropriate for the installed tire and wheel setup. A quick visual inspection of valve stems and overall tire condition is also worthwhile.
Beyond the tires themselves, look at suspension condition, steering response, and basic clearance through the full range of movement. Collector cars that have spent long periods parked can reveal issues only once they are back in service, so a cautious first road test helps confirm that the complete wheel-and-tire system is operating properly.
How should 165-400 tires on a collector 1963 Citroen ID be maintained?
165-400 tires on a collector 1963 Citroen ID should be inspected regularly for air loss, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven tread wear. Even on a low-mileage car, tires age with time, so condition matters just as much as mileage when deciding whether they are still suitable for road use.
Storage also plays a role in tire life. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help protect the tires, while periodic pressure checks and routine visual inspections make it easier to catch problems before a longer drive or seasonal return to the road.
