The 1964 Bristol 408 came from a small British manufacturer known for blending hand-built refinement with understated high-speed touring character. Cars of this type reward careful tire selection because their road manners, stance, and visual balance depend heavily on choosing the right construction. For the 1964 Bristol 408, the primary fitment picture includes both 600-16 bias-ply and 175R16 radial tires on 16-inch rims. That gives owners a meaningful choice between traditional period-style bias-ply options and a radial fitment in the correct rim diameter. The right direction depends on the car’s current wheel setup, intended road use, and whether originality of appearance or modernized touring behavior matters more.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1964 Bristol 408
The 1964 Bristol 408 uses two primary tire sizes, and the key distinction is construction rather than wheel diameter, since both fit 16-inch rims. The first step is confirming whether the car is set up for the 600-16 bias-ply fitment or the 175R16 radial fitment. Once that is clear, the decision shifts to sidewall style, tire series, brand preference, and whether the goal is a more traditional presentation or a radial-equipped road car.
175R16 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 175 denotes nominal section width in millimeters, R identifies radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1964 Bristol 408, this size represents the radial fitment option and suits owners looking at the car through a road-use and touring lens rather than a strictly bias-ply presentation. The format is familiar to later European cars, so modern buyers often find it easier to interpret than older numeric bias-ply sizing. Before choosing it, confirm that the Bristol’s actual wheels and clearances match the current radial setup.
600-16 is a numeric bias-ply size, with the leading number indicating an approximately 6.00-inch nominal section width and the final number identifying a 16-inch rim. For the 1964 Bristol 408, it is the traditional bias-ply fitment and offers the broadest visible choice in brands, tire series, and sidewall treatments. Available options include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles across names such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Avon, and others. It is the size to evaluate when period-style appearance and classic bias-ply construction are central to the car’s character.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1964 Bristol 408 range because the Base model uses the same two primary tire sizes. The important step is not separating trims, but confirming whether the car is on the 600-16 bias-ply setup or the 175R16 radial setup before choosing a tire.
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1964 Bristol 408 Base
The 1964 Bristol 408 Base uses both of the vehicle’s primary fitment paths: 600-16 in bias-ply construction and 175R16 in radial construction. That means tire selection depends more on the car’s present wheel and tire configuration, along with the owner’s restoration or driving priorities, than on sub-model differences.
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 1964 Bristol 408 Tires for Sale
Available 600-16 choices give the 1964 Bristol 408 owner plenty to compare, including BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Avon, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and Camac. The product mix spans blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall designs across several bias-ply series, with some variation in rim-width specifications and load figures.
Common 1964 Bristol 408 tire questions usually center on the two primary sizes, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial selection, sidewall appearance, and what to inspect before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1964 Bristol 408?
The 1964 Bristol 408 uses two primary tire sizes: 175R16 in radial construction and 600-16 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are associated with the car and both fit a 16-inch rim, so the main difference is the tire’s sizing system and construction rather than wheel diameter.
Choosing between them starts with the car’s current setup. A Bristol that is already equipped around a radial fitment may point you toward 175R16, while a restoration-oriented car may stay with 600-16 bias-ply. Check the wheels on the car, compare the existing tire specification, and confirm clearance before changing from one construction and size format to the other.
What size rim does a 1964 Bristol 408 use?
The 1964 Bristol 408 uses a 16-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. That applies to the 175R16 radial fitment and the 600-16 bias-ply fitment, so wheel diameter remains consistent even though the tire sizing systems are different.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, so it should not be treated as the whole answer. Wheel width, the tire’s construction type, and the car’s available clearance still matter, especially on a hand-built collector car that may have seen wheel changes over time. Measuring the actual wheels before ordering helps avoid choosing a tire that matches diameter but not the rest of the setup.
Does the 1964 Bristol 408 Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1964 Bristol 408 Base shares the same overall fitment picture as the model core, using 175R16 as a radial option and 600-16 as a bias-ply option. There is no separate sub-model tire-size split within the covered Bristol 408 Base listing.
That makes the buying decision more about configuration than trim level. Instead of sorting through multiple Bristol 408 sub-model sizes, the owner needs to confirm which tire type is actually on the car or which direction suits the project. A period-style restoration may stay with 600-16, while a car already configured around radial use may point toward 175R16.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-16 tire for a 1964 Bristol 408?
Start with the fact that 600-16 is the Bristol 408’s bias-ply fitment, so the decision is less about size and more about the type of presentation and product specification you want within that size. Available choices vary by brand, tire series, sidewall style, rim-width specification, load figure, and in some cases a more specialized tread character.
A blackwall 600-16 gives a restrained traditional look, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall versions create a more formal period-style appearance. It also helps to compare the wheel width on the car with the tire’s rim-width specification, especially since some 600-16 products are aimed at passenger-car presentation and others lean toward military or utility-style use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1964 Bristol 408 tires?
For 600-16 fitment on a 1964 Bristol 408, available sidewall styles include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. Those appearance choices create very different visual results even when the tire size remains the same, so sidewall treatment is one of the biggest factors in how the finished car will look.
Blackwalls usually suit a more understated touring presentation, while whitewall options push the car toward a stronger restoration-oriented or formal classic appearance. The right choice depends on how the Bristol is being finished and driven. If visual accuracy matters, compare the tire’s sidewall style to period photos, marque references, and the overall look of the specific car before making a final decision.
What brands offer tires for the 1964 Bristol 408?
The 600-16 fitment for the 1964 Bristol 408 is available from several brands, including BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. That gives the owner a broad range of bias-ply product choices within the same basic size.
Brand alone should not decide the purchase. It is more useful to compare each tire’s sidewall treatment, tire series, stated rim-width range when given, and overall character. Some 600-16 options are clearly aimed at traditional passenger-car styling, while others have military or truck-oriented attributes. Matching the product to the Bristol’s appearance goals and actual use matters more than simply choosing by name.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1964 Bristol 408?
A period-style 1964 Bristol 408 usually starts with the 600-16 bias-ply fitment because that size and construction deliver the most traditional visual character for the car. Within that size, the real choice becomes the brand, tread family, and sidewall treatment rather than searching for a different primary fitment.
The best-looking result depends on how the specific Bristol is being restored. A restrained car may suit a blackwall, while a more formal presentation may point toward a wide whitewall or double-whitewall. When exact originality matters, use marque references, period photographs, and restoration records to narrow the appearance choice instead of assuming every tire offered in 600-16 reflects the same historical specification.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1964 Bristol 408?
Tire construction changes the visual language of a restored 1964 Bristol 408 as much as the sidewall style does. A 600-16 bias-ply setup gives the car a more traditional mid-century look, while a 175R16 radial setup tends to read as a later or more road-oriented presentation even when the wheel diameter stays the same.
That distinction matters because Bristol restorations often depend on subtle proportions and understated detailing rather than dramatic trim cues. Bias-ply tires usually support a more period-style profile, while radials may suit an owner who values touring use over strict visual authenticity. The right answer depends on whether the project is being finished for show presentation, regular driving, or a balanced combination of both.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1964 Bristol 408?
Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1964 Bristol 408 even when the intended tire size is one of the correct primary options. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension changes, ride-height changes, or bodywork variations can all alter how a 175R16 or 600-16 tire sits in the wheel opening.
That is especially important on a low-production collector car where previous work may not be obvious at first glance. Inspect the actual wheel diameter and width, turn the steering through its range, and look at fender and suspension clearance before settling on a tire. A correct nominal size still needs to be matched to the car’s present physical setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1964 Bristol 408 on new tires?
Before driving a 1964 Bristol 408 on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall wheel mounting condition, then confirm that the tires are seated properly and inflated appropriately for the application. It is also wise to look over suspension, steering, and brake components so the car’s chassis can take full advantage of the fresh tires.
A collector car that has spent time parked deserves an equally careful check of its older systems. Examine surrounding components for looseness, fluid leaks, or uneven wear that could affect how the new tires behave on the road. A short initial drive followed by another inspection can reveal rubbing, settling, or air-loss issues before a longer outing.
How should tires on a collector 1964 Bristol 408 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1964 Bristol 408 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and attention to age-related deterioration as well as tread wear. Low-mileage classics often age out before they wear out, so sidewall cracking, flat spotting, cuts, bulges, and unexplained air loss deserve as much attention as remaining tread depth.
Storage conditions matter too. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excessive heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. It also helps to move the car periodically or drive it enough to avoid long-term flat spotting. Any tire that shows visible damage or suspicious aging should be evaluated before the Bristol returns to regular road use.
