The 1963 Simca Arlane sits in an era when compact European sedans were prized for economy, simplicity, and easy road manners. For owners keeping one on the road today, tire choice shapes both the car’s appearance and the way it presents itself in a restoration or driver-quality setup. The 1963 Simca Arlane is associated with two 15-inch tire formats: a 185R15 radial and a 6.50-15 bias-ply. That opens the door to different looks, including blackwall, redline, and narrow whitewall radial options from brands such as Michelin, Avon, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire. The key is deciding whether to preserve a traditional bias-ply presentation or select a radial that suits the car’s wheel and intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1963 Simca Arlane
The 1963 Simca Arlane is associated with two primary tire sizes, both built for 15-inch rims: 185R15 in radial construction and 6.50-15 in bias-ply construction. Since the Base sub-model is tied to both formats, the main decision is not rim diameter but whether to keep a traditional bias-ply setup or choose a radial tire with the appearance, brand, and sidewall style that best matches the car.
185R15 is a Euro-metric radial size, with 185 indicating the nominal section width in millimeters, R identifying radial construction, and 15 indicating a 15-inch rim. On a 1963 Simca Arlane, this size represents the more modern construction choice while still keeping a period-friendly overall format. Available selections include Michelin, Avon, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire, with blackwall, redline, and narrow whitewall presentations across series such as Michelin XVS, Turbosteel CR3B, Coker Classic Radial, and Universal Sport. It is the size to evaluate if road use, brand preference, and sidewall appearance are central to the decision.
6.50-15 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 6.50 refers to the nominal section width in inches and 15 identifies the rim diameter. For the 1963 Simca Arlane, this size reflects a traditional tire construction and look that suits buyers focused on an earlier driving feel or a restoration-oriented presentation. Bias-ply sizing is more familiar on vintage vehicles than on modern cars, so the code reads differently from a radial size such as 185R15. This option is worth considering when preserving the car’s traditional tire character matters as much as the wheel diameter itself.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the 1963 Simca Arlane Base is associated with the same 15-inch tire formats used across the covered vehicle. The real decision is choosing between the radial and bias-ply constructions and then narrowing the selection by appearance and intended use.
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1963 Simca Arlane Base
The 1963 Simca Arlane Base can be fitted with either the 185R15 radial or the 6.50-15 bias-ply on a 15-inch rim. That gives the owner a choice between a more traditional bias-ply presentation and a radial setup with multiple brand and sidewall options.
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 Simca Arlane Tires for Sale
Available 185R15 products give the 1963 Simca Arlane a useful range of choices across Michelin, Avon, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire. Buyers can compare radial tire series, blackwall versus redline or narrow whitewall styling, and rim-width compatibility within the same 15-inch size.
These FAQs focus on the 1963 Simca Arlane’s two 15-inch tire formats, the difference between bias-ply and radial choices, and the practical checks that matter before selecting tires for restoration or regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1963 Simca Arlane?
The 1963 Simca Arlane is associated with two primary tire sizes: 185R15 in radial construction and 6.50-15 in bias-ply construction. Both use a 15-inch rim, so the fitment question is less about wheel diameter and more about which construction and sizing format matches the car’s setup and the owner’s goals.
That means the next step is confirming whether the car is being kept in a more traditional bias-ply configuration or moved to a radial tire in the same rim diameter. It also helps to verify the actual wheel width and inspect for any aftermarket wheel or suspension changes before settling on one of the two size formats.
What size rim does a 1963 Simca Arlane use?
The 1963 Simca Arlane uses a 15-inch rim with both of its associated tire sizes. The radial 185R15 and the bias-ply 6.50-15 are both built around that same rim diameter, so there is no split here between different wheel diameters on the covered fitments.
Even with the correct 15-inch diameter, wheel width still matters when choosing among available radial products. Some 185R15 tires are built for narrower or wider rim-width ranges than others, so the safest approach is to confirm the wheel’s actual width and compare that against the tire being considered.
Does the 1963 Simca Arlane Base use the same tire size?
The 1963 Simca Arlane Base is associated with the same two tire size formats used on this vehicle page: 185R15 radial and 6.50-15 bias-ply. In practical terms, the Base does not introduce a separate rim diameter or a unique sub-model-only tire size that changes the basic fitment discussion.
That keeps the decision centered on construction type rather than trim-specific sizing. A buyer choosing tires for the Base should focus on whether the goal is traditional bias-ply appearance and feel or a radial option with available brand and sidewall variation, then confirm wheel width and overall clearance on the actual car.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 185R15 tire for a 1963 Simca Arlane?
Start with the basics: the tire must be a true 185R15 radial for a 15-inch rim, and the wheel width needs to fall within the product’s acceptable range. From there, the 1963 Simca Arlane owner can compare brand, tire series, sidewall style, and details such as load capacity or weight when those specifications are shown.
Appearance matters almost as much as fitment on a car like this. A blackwall, redline, or narrow whitewall can change the car’s presentation noticeably, while different series such as Michelin XVS, Coker Classic Radial, Universal Sport, or Turbosteel CR3B give the buyer more than one way to approach a period-style radial setup.
What sidewall styles are available for 1963 Simca Arlane tires?
Within the available 185R15 radial selection for the 1963 Simca Arlane, sidewall styles include blackwall, redline, and narrow whitewall. Those choices allow the owner to move from a restrained original-looking presentation to something sportier or more visually distinctive without changing the basic 15-inch radial size.
The best choice depends on how the car is being finished and used. A restoration-oriented driver may prefer a sidewall style that complements the body and trim without overwhelming the car, while a more personalized build may lean toward redlines. It is wise to settle on the correct size and wheel compatibility first, then choose appearance.
What brands offer tires for the 1963 Simca Arlane?
The 185R15 radial size for the 1963 Simca Arlane is available from Coker Classic, Michelin, Avon, and Universal Vintage Tire. Those brands cover several distinct series, including Coker Classic Radial, Michelin XVS, Turbosteel CR3B, and Universal Sport, giving the buyer multiple ways to approach a correct-size radial selection.
Brand choice should be considered alongside construction, sidewall style, and wheel compatibility rather than treated as the only decision. Two tires may share the same nominal size but differ in sidewall treatment, rim-width range, weight, or load specification, so comparing the full package helps narrow the right tire for the car’s intended use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1963 Simca Arlane?
A period-style 1963 Simca Arlane can be approached in two directions: a 6.50-15 bias-ply for a more traditional vintage presentation or a 185R15 radial for a later-style roadgoing look in the same 15-inch rim diameter. The right choice depends on whether the goal is preserving older construction character or selecting a radial with a classic visual profile.
Because period appearance can vary by market, restoration level, and owner preference, it helps to compare the tire choice against photos, marque references, or other vehicle-specific historical material. Once the basic construction is decided, sidewall treatment becomes the finishing touch that can make the car look more understated or more sporting.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1963 Simca Arlane?
Tire construction changes more than the way the car drives; it also changes the visual character of a restored 1963 Simca Arlane. A 6.50-15 bias-ply usually supports a more traditional vintage presentation, while a 185R15 radial keeps the 15-inch fitment but introduces a more modern construction with sidewall options such as blackwall, redline, or narrow whitewall.
That makes construction one of the first restoration decisions to settle before choosing brand or sidewall style. Owners aiming for a careful historical presentation often start with the tire format, then refine the look from there, while drivers building a road car may accept a radial appearance in exchange for the broader range of available product choices.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1963 Simca Arlane?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1963 Simca Arlane even when the tire size itself is correct on paper. If the car has aftermarket wheels, altered wheel offset, suspension changes, or body and fender modifications, the available space around a 185R15 or 6.50-15 can change enough to alter clearance during steering or suspension movement.
That is why the actual car should be checked before final tire selection. A 15-inch rim diameter alone does not answer everything, especially on an older vehicle that may have been changed over the years. Wheel width, inner and outer clearance, and the condition of suspension components all deserve a close look.
What should I inspect before driving a 1963 Simca Arlane on new tires?
Before driving a 1963 Simca Arlane on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and sound condition, and make sure the tires are mounted in the proper size and construction for the intended setup. It is also smart to check valve stems, air pressure, lug hardware, and basic clearance at the fenders and steering components.
An older collector car also deserves a broader road-readiness check. Look over suspension and steering wear, confirm there are no cuts or rubbing points, and recheck inflation after the first short drive. That extra step helps catch issues such as settling, interference, or slow air loss before longer use on the road.
How should 185R15 or 6.50-15 tires on a collector 1963 Simca Arlane be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1963 Simca Arlane should be inspected regularly for pressure loss, tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and signs of age-related deterioration. That applies whether the car is running 185R15 radials or 6.50-15 bias-ply tires, since low annual mileage can allow condition issues to go unnoticed for long periods.
Storage conditions matter as much as mileage on a lightly used vintage sedan. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires, and periodic movement helps avoid long-term flat spotting. A careful visual check before each drive is a sensible habit on any older vehicle.
