The 1970 Peugeot 304 sits in the era when compact European sedans and wagons were valued for efficient packaging, tidy road manners, and everyday practicality. For owners today, that character makes tire choice especially important, because the car can be fitted with either a 145R14 radial or a 520-14 bias-ply tire on a 14-inch rim. That creates a meaningful decision between a more modern radial-format presentation and a traditional bias-ply look. Available choices also vary by brand, tire series, and sidewall treatment, so the right selection depends on whether the goal is road use, restoration-oriented appearance, or staying close to the car's period feel.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1970 Peugeot 304
The 1970 Peugeot 304 uses two primary tire sizes, and both share the same 14-inch rim diameter. The key choice is construction: 145R14 is a radial fitment, while 520-14 is a bias-ply fitment. Since the Sedan & Wagon sub-model uses both sizes, the real decision is not wheel diameter but whether the car is being kept in a more traditional bias-ply presentation or set up with the radial tire format associated with later European small-car driving manners.
145R14 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 145 represents nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1970 Peugeot 304, this size suits buyers who want the car in a radial format while staying with the correct 14-inch rim diameter. Available choices include Firestone and Camac, both in blackwall form, with series such as the Firestone F560 Radial and Camac BN313 Radial. It is a useful size to evaluate when the goal is a compact European tire appearance with radial construction rather than a bias-ply presentation.
520-14 is a numeric bias-ply size where 520 reflects the tire's nominal section-width class and 14 identifies the rim diameter in inches. For the 1970 Peugeot 304, this size represents the traditional bias-ply construction option and carries a distinctly vintage look compared with the radial alternative. Available products center on the Premium Sport Lowrider series and include narrow whitewall treatments rather than blackwall styling. This size deserves attention when a restoration-oriented owner wants period-style construction and sidewall appearance, while still confirming wheel width and overall vehicle setup before installation.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1970 Peugeot 304 sub-models because the same two sizes appear in the range. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm whether the car is being kept in radial form, bias-ply form, or restored with a particular appearance goal in mind.
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1970 Peugeot 304 Sedan & Wagon
The 1970 Peugeot 304 Sedan & Wagon uses the same two 14-inch tire sizes found across this application: 145R14 radial and 520-14 bias-ply. That means the main selection issue is construction and appearance rather than a different sub-model-specific wheel diameter.
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 1970 Peugeot 304 Tires for Sale
Available 1970 Peugeot 304 tire choices split clearly between 145R14 blackwall radial options from Firestone and Camac, and 520-14 bias-ply Premium Sport Lowrider tires with narrow whitewall styling. That gives buyers a useful comparison between construction type, brand, tire series, sidewall appearance, and rim-width compatibility.
These 1970 Peugeot 304 tire FAQs focus on the two correct 14-inch sizes, the difference between radial and bias-ply fitment, available sidewall and brand choices, and the checks that matter before putting a collector-era Peugeot back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1970 Peugeot 304?
The 1970 Peugeot 304 uses two primary tire sizes: 145R14 in radial construction and 520-14 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are built for 14-inch wheels, so the size decision is tied more to tire type and intended presentation than to a different rim diameter.
That means the next step is confirming how the car is set up now. A Peugeot 304 kept in a more traditional period-style format may point you toward 520-14, while a car running radial tires may stay with 145R14. Wheel width, suspension condition, and clearance should still be checked before final selection.
What size rim does a 1970 Peugeot 304 use?
The 1970 Peugeot 304 uses a 14-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. The radial 145R14 and the bias-ply 520-14 are both associated with 14-inch wheels, so there is no change in rim diameter between those two fitment paths.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, though. The available 145R14 radial products and 520-14 bias-ply products do not share the same rim-width range, so an owner should confirm the actual wheel width before ordering. That becomes especially important if the car has replacement wheels or has been modified over time.
Does the 1970 Peugeot 304 Sedan & Wagon use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1970 Peugeot 304 Sedan & Wagon uses the same two tire sizes within this application: 145R14 as a radial option and 520-14 as a bias-ply option. The fitment question is not a split between Sedan and Wagon tire sizes, but which construction and appearance direction suits the vehicle.
That makes selection simpler, because the sub-model does not send you to a different rim diameter or a separate primary size. Instead, the owner can focus on whether the car is being restored with a traditional bias-ply look or driven with a radial-style setup, while still checking actual wheel width and overall condition.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 520-14 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1970 Peugeot 304?
520-14 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1970 Peugeot 304. It uses the older numeric sizing format, and on this vehicle it represents the traditional construction choice compared with the 145R14 radial option that also fits the same 14-inch rim diameter.
Construction affects both appearance and setup decisions. A buyer considering 520-14 should pay attention to the car's wheel width, especially since the available bias-ply products are associated with a narrower rim-width range than the radial products. That helps keep the tire choice aligned with the wheel, the vehicle's stance, and the intended use.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1970 Peugeot 304?
The 1970 Peugeot 304 can be fitted with either a 520-14 bias-ply tire or a 145R14 radial tire, so the decision depends on how the car is being presented and used. Bias-ply keeps the more traditional construction style, while the radial option follows the metric format commonly associated with later European passenger-car fitment.
Appearance is usually the first deciding factor, but wheel compatibility matters just as much. The available 145R14 radial products are tied to a different rim-width range than the 520-14 bias-ply products, so the car's actual wheels should be measured before changing constructions. Clearance and suspension condition also deserve a quick check on any older vehicle.
What should I check before converting my 1970 Peugeot 304 from bias-ply to radial tires?
A Peugeot 304 owner moving from 520-14 bias-ply to 145R14 radial should first confirm that the car still has the correct 14-inch wheels and that the wheel width matches the radial tire's supported range. It is also important to verify that the car's current setup is intended for radial-size fitment rather than a purely appearance-driven bias-ply choice.
After wheel dimensions are confirmed, look at steering clearance, fender clearance, and general suspension condition. Older cars sometimes carry replacement wheels, altered ride height, or worn components that affect how a different construction sits and moves. A careful inspection before conversion helps avoid choosing a size that works on paper but conflicts with the actual vehicle.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 145R14 or 520-14 tire for a 1970 Peugeot 304?
Start with the two basic fitment paths. The 1970 Peugeot 304 uses 145R14 in radial construction and 520-14 in bias-ply construction, both on 14-inch rims. That means the decision centers on construction type, period presentation, and whether the current wheel setup matches the tire's intended rim-width range.
From there, compare the available products by sidewall style, tire series, brand, and useful specifications such as load figures where they are stated. A blackwall radial gives the car a different character than a narrow-whitewall bias-ply tire. The best choice is the one that matches the vehicle's wheels, the look you want, and how the Peugeot will actually be driven.
What sidewall styles are available for 1970 Peugeot 304 tires?
The available sidewall styles for the 1970 Peugeot 304 differ by tire size and construction. The 145R14 radial options are blackwall tires, while the 520-14 bias-ply options use a narrow whitewall treatment. That makes sidewall appearance part of the larger choice between radial and bias-ply fitment.
A blackwall 145R14 tends to suit an understated European radial presentation, while a narrow whitewall 520-14 creates a more styled vintage look. Sidewall selection should still come after confirming the correct construction path for the car. It makes little sense to choose a whitewall style first if the wheel setup is better matched to the radial option.
What brands offer tires for the 1970 Peugeot 304?
Three brands appear in the available 1970 Peugeot 304 tire choices. Firestone and Camac cover the 145R14 radial size, while Premium Sport covers the 520-14 bias-ply size. Those brand names also align with different product types, since the radial and bias-ply fitments are not simply alternate versions of the same tire line.
The practical takeaway is to compare the brands within the correct size first, not across mismatched constructions. Firestone and Camac matter when the car is staying with 145R14 radial fitment, while Premium Sport is the relevant brand family for 520-14 bias-ply selection. Once the construction choice is settled, series, sidewall style, and wheel-width compatibility become easier to sort out.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1970 Peugeot 304?
A period-style 1970 Peugeot 304 can be approached two ways within the available fitments. The 520-14 bias-ply size gives the car the more traditional construction style, while 145R14 keeps it in a radial format that still suits a compact European passenger car of the era. The better choice depends on the visual target and how strictly the car is being interpreted.
Owners restoring for appearance usually look first at construction and sidewall presentation, then confirm wheel compatibility. The 520-14 options bring narrow whitewall styling, while 145R14 is offered as a blackwall radial. When exact originality matters beyond general period style, marque-specific references and historical vehicle documentation are the right next check.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1970 Peugeot 304?
Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1970 Peugeot 304 even when the wheel diameter stays the same. A 520-14 bias-ply tire delivers a more traditional vintage presentation, especially with the available narrow whitewall styling, while a 145R14 radial gives the car a simpler blackwall look tied to a metric radial format.
That difference matters because many restorations are judged as much by stance and sidewall appearance as by size alone. A buyer choosing between these constructions should think about the intended finished look before focusing on brand. Once the appearance goal is clear, wheel width and overall vehicle setup can be checked to support that decision.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1970 Peugeot 304?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1970 Peugeot 304 even though both primary sizes use a 14-inch rim diameter. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body and fender work can all change how either a 145R14 radial or 520-14 bias-ply tire sits on the car.
That is why the actual vehicle should be checked rather than relying only on year and model. A wheel that is still 14 inches in diameter may no longer have the width best suited to the chosen tire. Steering travel and clearance at full lock are also worth inspecting, especially on an older car with unknown modification history.
What should I inspect before driving a 1970 Peugeot 304 on new tires?
Before driving a 1970 Peugeot 304 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, make sure the tires are inflated appropriately for their application, and check that there is no rubbing at the fenders or steering components. It also helps to confirm lug hardware condition and that the tires are seated properly on the rims.
A collector-era Peugeot should also be looked over for suspension wear, loose steering parts, and brake issues before road use. New tires cannot compensate for worn chassis components. After the first few drives, recheck air pressure and look for any signs of uneven contact or clearance issues so small setup problems are caught early.
How should 145R14 or 520-14 tires on a collector 1970 Peugeot 304 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1970 Peugeot 304 should be checked regularly for air loss, tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, and bulges whether the car is running 145R14 radials or 520-14 bias-ply tires. Low-mileage collector cars often age their tires long before they wear them out, so condition matters just as much as tread depth.
Storage also plays a major role in tire life. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber, especially on a vehicle that may sit for long periods. Regular visual inspections and pressure checks before every meaningful drive are simple habits that help prevent avoidable roadside problems.