The 1963 Panhard CD belongs to a fascinating corner of French postwar automotive design, blending lightweight engineering and aerodynamic thinking in a way that still draws serious interest from collectors today. Its compact proportions and efficiency-minded character make tire choice especially important, because the tire has a visible effect on stance, appearance, and road manners. This model uses a 145R15 radial on a 15-inch rim, so the focus is less about sorting through multiple fitments and more about choosing the right radial within that established size. Blackwall and wide whitewall options are available across respected vintage-tire lines, making it possible to balance period-style presentation with intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1963 Panhard CD
The 1963 Panhard CD uses one primary tire size: 145R15, a radial tire for a 15-inch wheel. The Base model shares that same fitment, so the main decision is not which size applies, but which 145R15 radial best suits the car's appearance, wheel width, and intended driving use.
145R15 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 145 refers to the nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. In this format, the aspect ratio is not written into the size code and is commonly associated with an 80-series profile. For the 1963 Panhard CD, this keeps the fitment centered on a traditional narrow radial presentation, with choices including Firestone, Michelin, and BFGoodrich in blackwall and wide whitewall styles. The right selection comes down to matching the 15-inch wheel, confirming wheel width, and choosing the look that best fits the car's character.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1963 Panhard CD sub-models. The Base model uses the same primary tire size, so the key task is choosing the right 145R15 radial for the wheel and the intended appearance rather than sorting through multiple fitments.
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1963 Panhard CD Base
The 1963 Panhard CD Base uses the 145R15 radial tire size on a 15-inch rim. That keeps tire selection focused on choosing among the available radial products, sidewall styles, and wheel-width-compatible options rather than identifying between different sub-model-specific sizes.
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 1963 Panhard CD Tires for Sale
Available 145R15 choices for the 1963 Panhard CD include Firestone, Michelin, and BFGoodrich radials. The main differences are tire series, blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, and wheel-width compatibility across the available 15-inch applications.
These FAQs focus on 1963 Panhard CD tire size, 15-inch wheel fitment, radial tire selection, period-style appearance choices, and the checks worth making before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1963 Panhard CD?
The 1963 Panhard CD uses a 145R15 radial tire. That is the primary fitment for this model, and the covered Base sub-model uses the same size, so the search starts with a narrow 15-inch Euro-metric radial rather than multiple competing size options.
Once the size is confirmed, the next step is choosing the right version of 145R15 for the car's wheels and presentation. Different products in this size vary by brand, sidewall style, and rim-width compatibility, so it is worth checking the actual wheel width on the car before selecting a tire.
What size rim does a 1963 Panhard CD use?
The 1963 Panhard CD uses a 15-inch rim with its 145R15 tire size. That rim diameter is part of the tire code itself, and the available products in this fitment are built for 15-inch applications.
Rim diameter is only one part of fitment, so the wheel's actual width still matters when comparing tires. Some 145R15 products suit a narrower wheel range than others, and that can affect which tire is the better match for a car that still has original-style wheels or has been changed over time.
Does the 1963 Panhard CD Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1963 Panhard CD Base uses the same 145R15 radial tire size as the model fitment overall. There is no alternate primary size shown for that covered sub-model, which makes the fitment side of the decision relatively simple.
That consistency means the real choice comes after size confirmation. A buyer can focus on whether a blackwall or wide whitewall better suits the car, which tire series is preferred, and whether the wheel width on the vehicle matches the range recommended for the selected 145R15 radial.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 145R15 tire for a 1963 Panhard CD?
Start with the basics: the 1963 Panhard CD uses a 145R15 radial on a 15-inch rim. After that, compare the wheel-width range for the specific tire, the sidewall style, and the tire series so the choice matches both the car's wheels and the look you want.
A narrow vintage-size radial can change the car's overall presentation more than many owners expect, especially on a small, distinctive body. Blackwall tires keep the appearance understated, while a wide whitewall creates a more stylized period look, so the right choice depends on whether the goal is road use, display, or restoration-oriented appearance.
What sidewall styles are available for 1963 Panhard CD tires?
The available 145R15 tires for a 1963 Panhard CD include blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Blackwall appears in Firestone and Michelin offerings, while BFGoodrich offers a Silvertown Radial with a 1.875-inch whitewall in the same overall size family.
That choice is mostly about appearance rather than changing the basic fitment size. A blackwall usually gives the car a restrained, European look, while a wide whitewall creates a stronger vintage visual statement, so the decision should match the car's finish, wheel presentation, and the owner's restoration priorities.
What brands offer tires for the 1963 Panhard CD?
Firestone, Michelin, and BFGoodrich all offer tires in the 145R15 fitment used on the 1963 Panhard CD. Those options include the Firestone F560 Radial, Michelin XZX, and BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial, giving the buyer a useful spread of vintage-style radial choices.
Brand alone should not decide the purchase. It is smarter to compare the tire series, sidewall presentation, and the wheel-width range for the specific product, then choose the one that best suits the car's wheels, visual style, and how often the car will actually be driven.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1963 Panhard CD?
A period-style starting point for a 1963 Panhard CD is the correct 145R15 radial size on a 15-inch rim. Within that size, the choice comes down to the tire series and whether the car looks more appropriate with a clean blackwall presentation or a more decorative wide whitewall.
For restoration-minded buyers, staying with the proper size matters more than chasing a dramatic look that changes the car's proportions. When exact historical authenticity is important, compare the selected sidewall treatment against marque references, photographs, or restoration documentation rather than assuming any available style is automatically correct for every car.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1963 Panhard CD?
The 1963 Panhard CD uses a radial tire in 145R15, so the construction itself already aligns with the model's established fitment. On a small, aerodynamic French car, that narrow radial shape plays a major role in preserving the intended visual balance between tire, wheel opening, and body design.
Appearance changes more noticeably when sidewall treatment changes than when moving between radial products of the same size. A blackwall keeps the look spare and technical, while a wide whitewall adds a much more stylized vintage effect, so the better choice depends on whether the restoration leans understated or deliberately dressy.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1963 Panhard CD?
Yes. Even though the 1963 Panhard CD uses a straightforward 145R15 fitment, changes to wheel width, wheel design, suspension height, or body clearance can alter how comfortably that tire works on the car. A collector vehicle that has been modified should always be checked as it sits today.
Wheel diameter still needs to remain 15 inches, but width and clearance deserve equal attention. An owner should verify steering clearance, inner-body clearance, and the relationship between the tire and wheel arch before road use, especially if the car has non-original wheels or suspension changes from an earlier restoration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1963 Panhard CD on new tires?
Before driving, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm lug hardware and valve stems are in good shape, and make sure the new 145R15 tires seat properly and hold air. A general walk-around should also include checking for rubbing at full steering lock and through suspension movement.
A collector car often needs more than a tire check before it returns to the road. Look over the brakes, wheel bearings, alignment condition, and old rubber components nearby, then keep an eye on pressure and any unusual wear patterns during the first drives to catch setup issues early.
How should 145R15 tires on a collector 1963 Panhard CD be maintained?
145R15 tires on a collector 1963 Panhard CD should be inspected regularly for air loss, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven tread wear. Because cars like this are often driven infrequently, age and storage conditions can matter as much as mileage in determining whether the tires remain roadworthy.
Pressure checks should be routine, and the car should be stored away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources when possible. It also helps to move the car periodically or use proper storage practices to reduce flat-spotting, then recheck the tires carefully before any longer drive after extended storage.
