The 1965 Citroen ID came from a period when Citroen approached family-car engineering very differently from most of the industry, pairing distinctive French design with the smooth, composed road manners that made the ID and DS line so memorable. For tire selection, that matters because this car uses a single primary size, 165-400, and it is a radial fitment rather than a bias-ply application. That millimetric radial sizing is unusual enough that understanding the size code is just as important as choosing a brand or tread design. The right choice starts with preserving the car’s intended stance and compatibility while confirming the actual wheel setup on the vehicle today.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1965 Citroen ID
The 1965 Citroen ID uses one primary tire size: 165-400. It is a radial fitment, and both the ID 19 Sedan and ID 19 Wagon share that same size, so the main decision is not which primary size fits but how to understand the millimetric sizing and confirm that the car still has the correct wheel setup before choosing a tire.
A 165-400 tire uses a metric-style size code in which 165 refers to nominal section width in millimeters and 400 refers to the wheel diameter in millimeters rather than inches. This is a radial construction size, which matches the 1965 Citroen ID’s primary fitment and reflects the car’s period use of specialized millimetric wheels. For buyers used to inch-based vintage sizes, the key point is that 400 is not the same as a 15-inch rim. Choosing this size keeps the fitment centered on the proper wheel standard and helps avoid confusion with more common inch-diameter alternatives.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1965 Citroen ID sub-models. The ID 19 Sedan and ID 19 Wagon both use the same 165-400 radial size, so sub-model selection matters less than confirming that the car still wears the correct millimetric wheels.
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1965 Citroen ID 19 Sedan
The 1965 Citroen ID 19 Sedan uses the same 165-400 radial fitment associated with the core model. Tire selection is therefore focused on staying with the proper millimetric size and checking wheel compatibility before assuming a more common inch-based vintage tire will suit the car.
The 1965 Citroen ID 19 Wagon also uses the 165-400 radial size. That keeps fitment consistent with the sedan, so the important step is verifying that the wagon still has the intended 400-millimeter wheel setup before choosing replacement tires.
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
These FAQs focus on the 1965 Citroen ID’s 165-400 radial tire size, its unusual millimetric rim fitment, restoration-minded tire decisions, and the checks worth making before putting a collector Citroen back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1965 Citroen ID?
The 1965 Citroen ID uses a 165-400 radial tire size. That same primary size applies to both the ID 19 Sedan and ID 19 Wagon, so the covered sub-models share one fitment rather than using different tire sizes.
The unusual part of this fitment is the 400-millimeter wheel diameter. It is easy to mistake that for a more familiar inch-based vintage size, but millimetric Citroen fitment needs the correct wheel standard. Before choosing tires, confirm that the car still has the proper wheels and has not been converted to another rim diameter.
What size rim does a 1965 Citroen ID use?
A 1965 Citroen ID uses a 400-millimeter rim with its 165-400 tire size. That means the wheel diameter is measured in millimeters rather than inches, which is one of the defining fitment features of this car.
This is the first thing to verify on any surviving ID because wheel changes over the years can complicate tire selection. A tire with a similar-looking width number is not enough on its own. The wheel diameter standard must match, and the actual wheels on the car should be checked before any replacement is chosen.
Do all 1965 Citroen ID sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1965 Citroen ID 19 Sedan and 1965 Citroen ID 19 Wagon both use the same 165-400 radial tire size. There is no covered sub-model split here that changes the primary tire size.
That makes fitment simpler than on many vintage vehicles with trim-based tire differences. The main point to verify is not the body style but the wheel setup actually on the car today. A sedan or wagon that has been modified with different wheels may need a different tire strategy than an ID still using its original millimetric rim format.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165-400 tire for a 1965 Citroen ID?
Start with the essentials: the 1965 Citroen ID uses a 165-400 radial tire, so the correct millimetric diameter is the foundation of the decision. Because this is not a common inch-based vintage size, understanding the size code matters as much as selecting a tire itself.
After that, look at the car’s actual wheel setup, overall condition, and intended use. A restoration-minded owner may want a tire that preserves the proper period-style fitment, while a regularly driven car still needs the correct diameter standard and sound wheel condition. On an older Citroen, accurate wheel matching should come before any appearance preference.
How do I choose between the available 165-400 tires for a 1965 Citroen ID?
The best starting point is choosing a tire that keeps the 165-400 radial fitment intact. On a car like the 1965 Citroen ID, staying with the proper size and diameter standard is more important than chasing a familiar modern sizing convention.
From there, compare choices in terms of how closely they suit your goals for appearance, road use, and restoration direction. A lightly used collector car may call for a more period-minded presentation, while a regularly exercised ID still benefits from careful attention to wheel condition, tire age, and proper matching across all four corners.
What rim-fitment details matter when choosing tires for a 1965 Citroen ID?
The key rim-fitment detail on a 1965 Citroen ID is wheel diameter. Its 165-400 radial tire fits a 400-millimeter rim, which is a specialized standard and should not be confused with a nearby inch-based diameter.
Beyond diameter, inspect the wheels themselves for condition, straightness, and any signs of past changes or substitutions. Older collector cars sometimes carry wheels from later repairs or conversions, and that can change the tire decision entirely. Confirming the actual wheel format first helps prevent ordering a tire that matches in name only, not in fitment.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1965 Citroen ID?
For a period-style 1965 Citroen ID, the right starting point is the original-size format the car uses: 165-400 radial. That preserves the distinctive millimetric fitment associated with the model and keeps the tire choice aligned with the car’s era and engineering character.
Appearance decisions on a restoration should still begin with fitment discipline. A tire that suits the car visually also needs to match the proper wheel standard and work with the vehicle as it sits today. When exact historical presentation matters, marque-specific references and restoration records are worth consulting before making the final choice.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1965 Citroen ID restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1965 Citroen ID restoration because the car uses a specialized 165-400 radial size on a millimetric wheel diameter. Getting that basic fitment right has a major effect on how authentic and mechanically appropriate the finished car feels.
This is one of those vintage vehicles where a near-match in modern terms is not the same as proper fitment. Even if the car looks complete, the wheels should be checked carefully to confirm they are the correct type. A restoration with the proper tire format will usually present more convincingly than one adapted around an easier but incorrect size.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1965 Citroen ID?
Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1965 Citroen ID, especially if the car has been converted from its original millimetric wheel setup to a different rim diameter. Wheel substitutions are the most likely change to alter what tire size the car can actually use.
Suspension changes, body repairs, and non-original wheels can also affect clearance and overall compatibility. On a vintage Citroen, it is smart to inspect the actual wheel diameter and tire-to-body clearance before assuming the car still matches stock fitment. That check is especially important when the car has been owned, stored, or restored over many decades.
What should I inspect before driving a 1965 Citroen ID on new tires?
Before driving a 1965 Citroen ID on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter, condition, and secure mounting. It is also wise to check the valve stems, confirm even installation, and make sure the tires clear the body and suspension throughout steering travel.
A broader pre-drive inspection matters on a collector Citroen. Look for aging rubber elsewhere in the chassis, signs of suspension wear, uneven stance, and any evidence that the car has sat for long periods. After the first short drive, recheck air pressure and look again for rubbing, air loss, or any settling that changes clearance.
How should 165-400 tires on a collector 1965 Citroen ID be maintained?
165-400 tires on a collector 1965 Citroen ID should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Because many vintage cars are driven infrequently, sidewall condition, air retention, and age-related deterioration deserve as much attention as tread wear.
Keep the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources when stored, and inspect the tires before each driving season. Cracking, bulges, cuts, or persistent pressure loss should be taken seriously even when tread looks usable. On a low-mileage collector vehicle, time and storage conditions often matter more than mileage alone.
