1968 Jaguar XKE Tires

A 1968 Jaguar XKE uses two primary tire sizes: 185R15 in radial construction and 640-15 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are associated with 15-inch wheels, so the car can be equipped in either a radial or bias-ply format depending on the wheel setup and the type of tire presentation you want.

The practical choice is deciding which construction and size path matches the car in front of you. A radial 185R15 and a bias-ply 640-15 do not represent the same buying decision, even though they share the same rim diameter. Check the actual wheel width, overall appearance goal, and any prior changes to the car before selecting a replacement.

The 1968 Jaguar XKE uses a 15-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. That applies whether the car is running the 185R15 radial fitment or the 640-15 bias-ply fitment, so wheel diameter stays consistent across the covered tire choices.

Rim diameter is only the first checkpoint. Tire selection can still change based on rim width, especially when comparing radial products against bias-ply offerings or evaluating a radial equivalent for 640-15. A quick look at the wheel itself is worthwhile on any XKE that may have alloy wheels, replacement wheels, or older restoration work.

Yes. The covered 1968 Jaguar XKE sub-models all use the same two primary tire sizes: 185R15 in radial construction and 640-15 in bias-ply construction. That includes the 2+2, 2+2 w/alloy wheels, Base, and Base w/alloy wheels versions.

Even with shared fitment, tire choice is not automatic. One owner may want a radial in blackwall or redline form, while another may be looking for a traditional bias-ply tire with a whitewall treatment. It is still smart to confirm the wheels currently on the car, since long-owned collector vehicles are often updated over time.

On the 1968 Jaguar XKE, 640-15 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric bias-ply sizing format, where the first number reflects nominal section width and the final number identifies the 15-inch rim diameter.

That matters because a 640-15 bias-ply replacement keeps the car in a traditional construction style, while a 185R15 moves to a radial fitment path. The look of the sidewall and the available rim-width ranges can also differ by product, so the tire should match both the wheel setup and the way you want the XKE to present.

Radial equivalents for 640-15 include 175R15, P175/75R15, and P185/70R15. Those correspond to an 80-series metric radial, a P-metric 75-series radial, and a P-metric 70-series radial, giving the 1968 Jaguar XKE several radial comparison points from the original bias-ply size.

These are equivalent options, not automatic substitutions. The recommended rim-width range associated with those equivalents is 5 to 6 inches, and the final decision should also account for wheel compatibility, steering clearance, and the car’s current setup. That extra check is especially important on vehicles that may have seen wheel or suspension changes over the years.

Start with the wheel itself. A 1968 Jaguar XKE using 640-15 bias-ply tires can be evaluated against radial equivalents such as 175R15, P175/75R15, and P185/70R15, but the wheel width must suit the radial size under consideration, and the car still needs proper clearance at the fender and steering range.

Construction change also affects the overall character of the car, so the decision should match how the XKE is used and presented. Inspect suspension condition, confirm that all four wheels match, and compare the tire’s intended rim-width range before making the switch. That approach helps avoid choosing a radial simply because it shares the same 15-inch diameter.

A 185R15 choice for a 1968 Jaguar XKE starts with confirming that the car is being set up on the radial fitment path rather than the 640-15 bias-ply size. Within 185R15, available options vary by brand, tire series, sidewall treatment, rim-width specification, weight, and in some cases load or speed designation.

That means the right pick depends on how you want the car to look and how closely the tire needs to suit the installed wheels. Blackwall, redline, and narrow whitewall versions are all available, so appearance is a real factor here. A restoration-oriented car may point one way, while a road-driven XKE may point toward another.

Sidewall choices for the 1968 Jaguar XKE include blackwall, redline, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, depending on the tire size and product series selected. The 185R15 radial offerings include blackwall, redline, and narrow whitewall choices, while 640-15 bias-ply products add wide whitewall options as well.

That variety makes sidewall style one of the biggest appearance decisions on this car. A blackwall can keep the presentation understated, while redline or whitewall treatments can push the XKE toward a more period-style visual character. The key is to choose the look after confirming the correct size and construction for the wheels currently on the car.

Tires for the 1968 Jaguar XKE are available from Coker Classic, Michelin, Avon, Universal Vintage Tire, BFGoodrich, Firestone, and Excelsior. Those brands are spread across the two primary fitment paths, with radial choices centered on 185R15 and bias-ply choices centered on 640-15.

Brand matters most when it helps you narrow the kind of tire you want rather than treating every product as the same. Some options are tied to distinctive series or sidewall styles, while others differ in rim-width range, weight, or stated load information. Once the correct size and construction are settled, comparing those details becomes much more useful.

A period-style 1968 Jaguar XKE can be approached in two different ways. The 640-15 bias-ply fitment leans toward a more traditional construction and presentation, while the 185R15 radial keeps the car in a classic European metric radial format that also suits the XKE’s era and character.

The better choice depends on whether the goal is a more traditional look, a later-period radial appearance, or a balance between show presentation and road use. Sidewall treatment plays a major role as well. For exact originality questions, marque-specific references and restoration history for the individual car are still worth checking before making a final call.

Tire construction changes more than ride feel on a restored 1968 Jaguar XKE; it also changes the car’s visual character. A 640-15 bias-ply gives a more traditional vintage presentation, while a 185R15 radial tends to create a later, classic-touring look that still fits the XKE’s 15-inch wheel format.

Appearance is shaped further by the sidewall itself. Blackwall, redline, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall choices can all move the car in a different visual direction, even before brand or series is considered. Settling construction first usually makes the rest of the restoration-style decisions much easier and more consistent.

Yes. A 1968 Jaguar XKE may use the correct nominal tire size and still run into fitment issues if it has aftermarket wheels, altered wheel widths, suspension changes, or body and alignment differences from original condition. That applies whether the car is being fitted with 185R15 radials or 640-15 bias-ply tires.

Even with the correct 15-inch rim diameter, details such as wheel width and available clearance still need attention. A car that has been lowered, rebuilt, or converted to different wheels deserves a careful check at the steering stops and around the fender openings. That inspection matters even more when evaluating radial equivalents for the bias-ply size.

Before driving a 1968 Jaguar XKE on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, verify that all lug hardware is appropriate, and make sure the tires clear the body and suspension through the full steering range. It also helps to confirm that all four tires match the intended size and construction choice.

A collector car should also be checked for the basics that age can hide: air loss, sidewall cracking on older spare tires, bulges, cuts, and uneven wear from suspension or alignment issues. Tire pressure should be set carefully, and a short, low-speed shakedown drive is a sensible way to confirm that the car feels settled before regular use.

Collector-car tires on a 1968 Jaguar XKE should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and protection from long periods of heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone exposure. That guidance applies to both 185R15 radial tires and 640-15 bias-ply tires, since low annual mileage can hide age-related deterioration.

Storage habits matter almost as much as miles driven. Keeping the car clean, moving it occasionally, and watching for flat-spotting, cracking, or gradual air loss helps preserve both appearance and road readiness. A close inspection before each driving season is especially worthwhile on an XKE that spends much of its time parked or displayed.