The 1963 Lancia Flaminia sits in a distinctive corner of grand touring history, blending Italian engineering, refined road manners, and the kind of coachbuilt-era character that still matters to serious collectors. Tire selection on this car is less about sorting through many unrelated fitments and more about understanding the correct millimetric radial sizing used on the Flaminia. The primary sizes are 175-400 and 175R400, both radial formats tied to a 400-millimeter wheel standard rather than a modern inch-based rim. For most buyers, the key is confirming which size marking matches the car's existing wheel and restoration approach before moving ahead.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1963 Lancia Flaminia
The 1963 Lancia Flaminia uses two primary tire size designations, and the first step is confirming the exact wheel setup on the car. Both sizes are radial millimetric fitments associated with the Flaminia 2.8 & 3B, so the real decision is usually whether the car is already set up for 175-400 or 175R400 and which marking best matches the wheel and restoration direction.
175-400 is a classic millimetric radial size in which the 175 identifies nominal section width in millimeters and the 400 refers to the wheel diameter in millimeters. On a 1963 Lancia Flaminia, this is part of the car's period radial fitment story and reflects the European sizing conventions used on sophisticated touring cars of the era. Buyers familiar only with inch-based American sizing should note that this is not a 15-inch or 16-inch designation. It is best suited to a Flaminia already equipped with the proper 400-millimeter wheel setup and should be matched carefully to the actual wheel on the car.
175R400 uses a Euro-metric radial format, with 175 as the nominal section width in millimeters, R identifying radial construction, and 400 indicating millimetric wheel diameter. For the 1963 Lancia Flaminia, this size expresses the same period-style wheel standard in a more familiar radial notation that many buyers recognize today. The important point is the 400-millimeter rim requirement, since that determines whether the tire matches the wheel already on the vehicle. This size is worth considering when the existing wheel and prior tire marking point specifically to 175R400 rather than the dash-style 175-400 notation.
Fitment is straightforward within the covered 1963 Lancia Flaminia range, since the 2.8 & 3B uses the same pair of radial millimetric tire size designations. The main task is confirming which size marking matches the car's actual wheel and current setup before selecting a tire.
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1963 Lancia Flaminia 2.8 & 3B
The 1963 Lancia Flaminia 2.8 & 3B uses the same radial millimetric tire fitment family, centered on 175-400 and 175R400. That keeps the decision focused on wheel confirmation and period-appropriate radial sizing rather than sorting through multiple unrelated fitment paths.
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 FAQs focus on the tire markings used on the 1963 Lancia Flaminia, how its millimetric radial sizes should be interpreted, and what to inspect before fitting tires to a restored or road-driven car.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1963 Lancia Flaminia?
The 1963 Lancia Flaminia uses two primary radial size designations: 175-400 and 175R400. Both are classic millimetric tire sizes tied to a 400-millimeter wheel standard, and both apply to the Flaminia 2.8 & 3B covered here.
The important step is matching the tire marking to the wheel actually on the car. A Flaminia that has been restored, re-wheeled, or converted at some point may not still carry its original-style wheel setup, so checking the current wheel diameter standard before selecting a tire helps avoid an expensive mismatch.
What size rim does a 1963 Lancia Flaminia use?
The tire sizing used on the 1963 Lancia Flaminia points to a 400-millimeter rim standard rather than a modern inch-based wheel diameter. That applies to both 175-400 and 175R400, which are millimetric radial sizes associated with this car.
That distinction matters because a 400-millimeter wheel is not the same thing as a similarly sized inch-designated rim. Before mounting tires, confirm the wheel markings and inspect the current wheel set closely, especially on a collector car that may have had wheel swaps or long-term storage-related corrosion issues.
What does 175R400 mean on a 1963 Lancia Flaminia?
On a 1963 Lancia Flaminia, 175R400 means a radial tire with a nominal section width of 175 millimeters made for a 400-millimeter wheel. The R identifies radial construction, while the 400 is the wheel diameter in millimeters, not inches.
That size format can confuse buyers who are more used to modern inch-based or P-metric tires. For a Flaminia, the key takeaway is that the tire must correspond to the correct millimetric wheel, and the car's present wheels should be verified before assuming any similarly sized modern tire is appropriate.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 175R400 tire for a 1963 Lancia Flaminia?
Start with the basics: confirm that the car actually uses 175R400 and that the wheels are true 400-millimeter rims. On a 1963 Lancia Flaminia, that matters more than broad tire-shopping preferences because the size is tied to a specific European wheel standard.
After size and wheel confirmation, think about how the car will be used. A Flaminia intended for preservation-minded road use may call for a tire that preserves the car's period radial character, while a car with altered wheels or previous conversion work needs extra attention to wheel condition, clearance, and overall setup.
How do I choose between 175-400 and 175R400 tires for a 1963 Lancia Flaminia?
The first consideration is the wheel and tire marking already associated with the car. Both 175-400 and 175R400 are radial millimetric fitments for the 1963 Lancia Flaminia, so the choice usually comes down to matching the correct designation to the existing wheel setup.
A careful inspection helps settle the decision. Look at the current tire markings, confirm the wheel standard, and consider whether the car has been restored to a period-style presentation or modified over time. On a collector Lancia, consistency between wheel specification, tire size marking, and intended appearance is usually more important than chasing a different format.
What should I compare when selecting tires for a 1963 Lancia Flaminia?
The most important comparison points are the actual tire size marking, the matching 400-millimeter wheel requirement, and the fact that both listed sizes are radial constructions. Those three factors define whether the tire belongs in the Flaminia's fitment range at all.
Once those fundamentals are confirmed, evaluate the car itself. A Flaminia with original-style wheels, a recent restoration, or long-term storage history may need closer attention to wheel condition and tire age, while a car with previous changes should be checked for non-original wheels, altered ride height, and any clearance concerns before road use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1963 Lancia Flaminia?
A period-style approach to the 1963 Lancia Flaminia starts with the correct millimetric radial fitment family, which means 175-400 or 175R400 depending on the wheel and tire marking the car is set up to use. That keeps the tire choice aligned with the Flaminia's original-era European sizing character.
For a restoration-oriented car, the best path is usually the one that preserves the proper wheel standard and visual proportion rather than forcing a modern inch-based substitute. When exact originality matters, compare the car's current setup with marque literature, surviving reference cars, and model-specific historical guidance before making a final selection.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1963 Lancia Flaminia restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1963 Lancia Flaminia because the car uses a distinctive millimetric radial sizing convention. Choosing a tire that matches the proper 400-millimeter wheel standard helps preserve both the car's intended stance and its period mechanical character.
A restoration can lose authenticity quickly if the wheel and tire relationship is changed casually. Even when the car is meant for driving rather than show judging, keeping the fitment within the proper size family supports a more coherent result and reduces the risk of visual mismatch, clearance issues, or wheel incompatibility.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1963 Lancia Flaminia?
Yes, modifications can change tire fitment on a 1963 Lancia Flaminia. Wheel substitutions, suspension changes, brake conversions, or body and fender work can all alter the space available around the tire, even when the car originally used 175-400 or 175R400 millimetric radial sizing.
That is why a modified Flaminia should be measured and inspected as it sits today rather than judged only by catalog fitment. Check wheel standard, wheel width, steering clearance, and suspension travel carefully, especially if the car has been lowered, fitted with aftermarket wheels, or rebuilt over many years.
What should I inspect before driving a 1963 Lancia Flaminia on new tires?
Before driving a 1963 Lancia Flaminia on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, corrosion, and correct millimetric specification, then confirm that the tires are mounted in the proper size for the car's actual setup. A close look at valve stems, bead seating, and inflation is also worthwhile.
The rest of the car deserves equal attention on a collector vehicle. Check steering components, suspension bushings, alignment condition, and brake operation before any serious road use. On a Flaminia that has spent long periods parked, it also makes sense to watch for rubbing, pull, vibration, or air loss during the first drives.
How should 175-400 or 175R400 tires on a collector 1963 Lancia Flaminia be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1963 Lancia Flaminia should be inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and air loss, even if the car is driven sparingly. Both 175-400 and 175R400 are specialty millimetric radial sizes, so condition matters just as much as nominal tread depth.
Storage habits make a real difference on a low-use grand touring car. Keep the Flaminia away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources, and recheck tire pressure before road use after long storage periods. Periodic wheel inspection is also smart, since wheel condition is critical with specialized millimetric fitments.
