The 1964 Citroen DS stands apart from other mid-century European cars because its advanced engineering and distinctive shape made tire fitment part of the driving experience, not just a maintenance detail. Buyers drawn to a DS today usually care about preserving that unmistakable combination of ride quality, stance, and French design character. For this year and model, the primary fitment is a 165-400 radial, a millimetric radial size that reflects the DS's original-era engineering approach rather than a conventional inch-based American size. The key decision is less about choosing between multiple primary sizes and more about selecting the right 165-400 tire for restoration goals, road use, and wheel compatibility.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1964 Citroen DS
The 1964 Citroen DS uses one primary tire size: 165-400, and it is a radial fitment. The 1964 Citroen DS 19 Sedan shares that same size, so the main choice is not between multiple factory-style fitments, but between available 165-400 tire options and making sure the wheel setup still matches the millimetric radial specification.
The 165-400 size uses a metric sizing convention in which 165 refers to the nominal section width in millimeters and 400 refers to the rim diameter in millimeters. It is a radial tire, which is an important part of the 1964 Citroen DS fitment story because this car was engineered around a specialized millimetric radial format rather than a more familiar inch-based American size. That makes the buyer's focus less about decoding multiple sizes and more about understanding the unusual rim standard. Before choosing a tire, confirm that the car still carries the proper 400-millimeter wheels and has not been converted to another wheel and tire setup.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the covered 1964 Citroen DS range. The DS 19 Sedan uses the same primary tire size, so the main check is confirming that the car still has the correct millimetric wheel setup for 165-400 radial tires.
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1964 Citroen DS 19 Sedan
The 1964 Citroen DS 19 Sedan uses the 165-400 radial tire size. That keeps tire selection centered on finding the correct millimetric radial fitment and verifying that the wheels have not been changed to a more common inch-based diameter during the car's life.
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 1964 Citroen DS usually center on the unusual 165-400 millimetric radial size, wheel compatibility, period-style tire selection, and what to inspect before putting a collector-era DS back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1964 Citroen DS?
The 1964 Citroen DS uses a 165-400 radial tire. For the covered sub-model, the 1964 Citroen DS 19 Sedan, that same 165-400 size applies, so the primary fitment question is straightforward at the model level.
What makes this fitment different is that 400 refers to a millimetric rim diameter, not a common inch-based wheel size. That means the owner should confirm the car still has the correct 400-millimeter wheels before choosing tires, especially if the car has been restored, modified, or converted at some point in its life.
What size rim does a 1964 Citroen DS use?
A 1964 Citroen DS with the 165-400 tire size uses a 400-millimeter rim diameter. This is part of the car's specialized metric fitment and is one of the reasons DS tire selection requires more care than many other classic vehicles.
The important point is that a 400-millimeter wheel is not the same as a nearby inch-based diameter. Before mounting tires, check the actual wheel specification on the car and confirm that the wheels match the 165-400 fitment. That step matters even more on cars that may have seen wheel swaps or long-term restoration work.
What does 165-400 mean on a 1964 Citroen DS?
On a 1964 Citroen DS, 165-400 is a metric radial tire size. The 165 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, while the 400 identifies the rim diameter in millimeters rather than inches.
That sizing format is easy to misread if you are more familiar with sizes like 165R15 or 670-15. For a DS, the millimetric rim diameter is the crucial detail, because choosing a tire by width alone will not solve the fitment question. Wheel compatibility has to be verified first so the tire matches the car's actual rim standard.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165-400 tire for a 1964 Citroen DS?
Start with the correct primary fitment: 165-400 radial. On a 1964 Citroen DS, that means selecting a tire built for the car's metric rim standard rather than assuming a more common inch-based classic size will serve the same role.
After confirming the size, think about how the car will be used and presented. A road-driven DS may call for a fresh, properly matched radial in the original sizing format, while a restoration-minded owner may care just as much about preserving the vehicle's authentic stance and visual character. Wheel condition, long-term storage history, and overall tire age should all be part of the decision.
How do I choose between the available 165-400 tires for a 1964 Citroen DS?
The first filter is always the correct 165-400 radial size, since that is the defining fitment for the 1964 Citroen DS. Once that is established, the comparison becomes more about the tire's intended role on a collector car than about changing to a different primary size.
A buyer should compare how the tire suits the car's planned use, the overall restoration approach, and the condition of the existing wheels. On a DS, preserving the proper metric fitment matters as much as the tire itself. It is also worth checking that all four wheels match, since mixed wheel standards can complicate replacement decisions.
Why is choosing the correct millimetric tire important for a 1964 Citroen DS?
Choosing the correct millimetric tire matters because the 1964 Citroen DS uses 165-400, a size built around a 400-millimeter rim diameter. That fitment is part of the car's specialized design and should not be treated like a generic classic-car tire size.
Using the correct sizing standard helps preserve proper mounting compatibility, appearance, and the overall relationship between the tire and wheel. On an older DS, it also reduces confusion created by later modifications or partial restorations. Before any purchase, verify the wheel diameter on the car and inspect the rims themselves for age, corrosion, or other condition issues.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1964 Citroen DS?
For a period-style 1964 Citroen DS, the starting point is the proper 165-400 radial size. Keeping the original-style millimetric fitment preserves the car's distinctive visual proportions and supports the engineering character that makes a DS feel different from many other classics of its era.
A restoration-oriented choice should balance appearance with how the car will actually be used. Owners aiming for a historically faithful presentation should keep the wheel standard and tire sizing consistent with the car's intended format. When exact originality matters at a judged level, marque-specific references and restoration documentation are worth consulting before finalizing the tire choice.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1964 Citroen DS restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1964 Citroen DS because the car's 165-400 radial size is part of its specialized metric-wheel setup. Tire choice affects not only road use, but also the restored car's stance, wheel relationship, and overall period presentation.
A DS restoration can lose some of its authenticity if the wheel and tire format is changed without careful thought. Even if the car is mainly for shows or occasional driving, the owner should verify that the rims match the intended tire and that all four corners are set up consistently. Small fitment mismatches can undermine both appearance and serviceability.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1964 Citroen DS?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1964 Citroen DS, especially if the car has received replacement wheels, brake changes, suspension work, or other alterations over the years. The original tire size is 165-400 radial, so any departure from the metric wheel standard can change what tire setup is actually on the car today.
Before replacing tires, inspect the wheel diameter and confirm that the current setup still matches the intended DS fitment. Cars that have been stored, restored in stages, or updated by previous owners can end up with mixed components. Clearance at the fenders and steering range should also be checked if anything about the suspension or wheel setup has changed.
What should I inspect before driving a 1964 Citroen DS on new tires?
Before driving a 1964 Citroen DS on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, corrosion, and proper sizing, and make sure the tires are mounted on the correct 400-millimeter rims. It is also wise to check for uneven wear patterns, old valve hardware, and any signs that the previous tires were not seated or worn evenly.
A collector car deserves a broader road-use check before regular driving resumes. Look at tire pressure, sidewall condition, tread condition, and any sign of air loss after mounting. The DS should also be checked for steering clearance and general suspension condition so the fresh tires are not being asked to compensate for unrelated mechanical problems.
How should 165-400 tires on a collector 1964 Citroen DS be maintained?
165-400 tires on a collector 1964 Citroen DS should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and attention to age-related condition even if the car is driven infrequently. Low annual mileage does not prevent cracking, flat spotting, air loss, or general deterioration over time.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a vintage DS. Keep the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources, and inspect the tires before any meaningful road trip. It also helps to verify that the wheels remain clean and true, since a specialized millimetric fitment benefits from careful, routine monitoring.
