1965 AC Grayhound Tires

The 1965 AC Grayhound uses two primary tire sizes: 640-15 and 670-15. Both are bias-ply sizes designed for 15-inch rims, and the covered Grayhound Base sub-model can be associated with either one rather than a single universal fitment.

That means the most important step is checking the car itself before ordering tires. Confirm the size currently fitted, verify the wheel diameter, and inspect wheel width as well, especially if the car has been restored or modified over time. Once the actual setup is confirmed, the decision becomes which brand, series, and sidewall style best suits your goals.

The primary tire fitments for a 1965 AC Grayhound are both built around a 15-inch rim diameter. That applies to both 640-15 and 670-15, so the wheel diameter remains consistent even though the car may be found with more than one tire size.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a specialty car like this. Tire options within these sizes can call for different wheel-width ranges, so it is smart to measure the wheels already on the car before choosing a replacement. That is especially important if the Grayhound has non-original wheels or a long restoration history.

A 640-15 is an older numeric bias-ply size. The 6.40 designation refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches, while the 15 identifies the rim diameter. It is a vintage sizing system commonly seen on period cars and works differently from modern metric radial labeling.

Understanding that format helps when comparing replacement options or looking at radial equivalents. A modern metric size may use a completely different code even when it serves as a useful comparison point. The safest approach is to treat the original numeric size as the baseline, then compare wheel diameter, wheel width, and overall vehicle clearance before making a change.

For the 1965 AC Grayhound, 640-15 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It belongs to the older numeric sizing system and is available in traditional bias-ply construction from several brands and sidewall styles suited to vintage applications.

Radial alternatives do exist for 640-15, but they should be treated as equivalents rather than the same tire in a different name. Owners considering a switch should compare the wheel setup carefully and think about the result they want from the car, whether that is a more traditional restoration-oriented appearance or a move toward a modern radial format.

Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15 as an 80-series metric radial, P205/75R15 as a 75-series P-metric radial, P215/70R15 as a 70-series P-metric radial, and 670R15 as a bias-look radial. Those choices give the 1965 AC Grayhound several radial-format alternatives to compare.

Each of those sizes approaches the original fitment a little differently through its sizing convention and profile family. The recommended rim-width range tied to these equivalents is 5 to 7 inches, so wheel width matters before any conversion. Clearance at the fenders and steering should also be confirmed rather than assuming every radial equivalent will behave the same on the car.

Start by confirming which original size your 1965 AC Grayhound uses, then compare only the radial equivalents associated with that size. For 640-15, the equivalents are 175R15, P175/75R15, and P185/70R15. For 670-15, the equivalents are 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15.

After narrowing the size, inspect wheel diameter, wheel width, and available clearance through steering and suspension travel. A radial equivalent may be a sensible alternative, but it should still suit the actual wheels and body space on the car. This is especially important on a specialty vehicle where past wheel changes, suspension work, or body restoration may have altered the original setup.

Start with the correct primary size on the car, since the 1965 AC Grayhound may use either 640-15 or 670-15. Both are bias-ply fitments for 15-inch rims, but the available products differ by brand, tire series, sidewall style, rim-width specification, and in some cases load rating.

Once the size is confirmed, decide what matters most for the way the car will be presented and driven. A blackwall creates a more understated look, while narrow or wide whitewalls change the visual character significantly. Buyers also benefit from checking wheel width and comparing product details carefully instead of choosing by size name alone.

1965 AC Grayhound tires are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles, depending on the size and product chosen. Both 640-15 and 670-15 include blackwall choices, and both sizes also have whitewall options with visibly different stripe widths.

That sidewall decision has a major effect on the car’s finished appearance, especially on a mid-century grand touring car where tire presentation is easy to notice. It helps to choose the sidewall treatment after you have confirmed the correct size, because the exact whitewall widths and brand choices are not always the same between 640-15 and 670-15.

Tires for the 1965 AC Grayhound are available from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Avon, Excelsior, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, Goodyear, and STA. Brand availability depends on whether the car uses 640-15 or 670-15, with 670-15 opening up the broader range of choices.

Brand alone should not be the only filter when narrowing the field. It is more useful to compare the correct size first, then look at construction, sidewall presentation, tire series, wheel-width compatibility, and any load details that matter to your setup. That approach keeps the decision grounded in fitment and appearance rather than name recognition.

A period-style 1965 AC Grayhound build starts with the correct primary bias-ply size already fitted to the car, either 640-15 or 670-15. From there, the most appropriate choice is usually a traditional bias-ply tire whose sidewall treatment and tread presentation match the visual direction of the restoration.

Because both sizes are available in multiple brands and in blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall form, the visual result can change quite a bit. If exact originality matters, it is worth cross-checking the car against marque-specific historical references before settling on one presentation. That keeps a period-style choice from becoming a guess based only on size.

Tire construction influences more than ride and handling on a restored 1965 AC Grayhound; it also affects visual character. A bias-ply tire keeps the car in the construction family associated with its original era, while a radial equivalent can change the overall presentation even when it remains close in intended size.

That distinction matters most when the restoration goal is a traditional road-car look rather than simply getting the car back on tires. A bias-look radial can help bridge that gap on 670-15 applications, but it still needs to be evaluated as an alternative, not the same tire in another construction. Appearance, wheel suitability, and use should all be weighed together.

Yes. Any 1965 AC Grayhound with aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, or bodywork repairs can have different tire-fitment needs than a car still using its long-established setup. That matters even when the tire size appears correct on paper, because wheel width and available clearance may have changed.

A careful check should include wheel diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and room at the fenders through suspension movement. Cars restored over many years sometimes end up with a mixed setup that is not obvious until measurements are taken. Confirming those basics first helps prevent choosing a tire that looks right by size code but clashes with the actual car.

Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm that lug hardware seats properly, and make sure the tires are mounted in the correct size for the car’s setup. It is also wise to check inflation pressure, valve condition, and basic clearance at the suspension and body.

A collector-era car deserves a slower, more deliberate shakedown after tire replacement. Watch for rubbing while turning, listen for unusual vibration, and recheck air pressure after the first drives. It also helps to inspect steering and suspension components at the same time, since worn parts can affect how any new tire behaves once the Grayhound returns to the road.

Collector-car tires in 640-15 or 670-15 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Pay attention to tread wear, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and any sign of slow air loss, especially on a car that sees limited mileage between outings.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as driving conditions on a specialty car like the 1965 AC Grayhound. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition over time. Even tires with good-looking tread should be inspected closely before longer drives, since age and inactivity can matter more than mileage on collector vehicles.