1971 Peugeot 304 Tires

The 1971 Peugeot 304 uses two primary tire sizes: 145R14 in radial construction and 520-14 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are associated with the model, including the Sedan & Wagon sub-model, so the correct choice depends on which tire construction and wheel setup the car is currently using.

That makes the first job confirming what is actually on the car now rather than assuming every 304 should use the same tire type. A 14-inch rim is common to both sizes, but wheel width, overall tire proportions, and the owner’s restoration goals should all be checked before moving from one construction style to the other.

The 1971 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 built around a 14-inch wheel, which keeps rim diameter simple even though the tire sizing systems are very different.

Rim diameter alone does not settle the whole fitment question, because wheel width still matters. The 145R14 products include radial fitments for narrower 14-inch wheels, while several 520-14 bias-ply options are associated with 3.50- to 4.00-inch rim widths, so the wheel should be measured before changing construction or tire style.

520-14 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size. The 5.20 portion refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches, and the 14 refers to the rim diameter in inches. On a 1971 Peugeot 304, that size represents the bias-ply fitment choice rather than the radial 145R14 option.

Buyers often notice that this older sizing format looks unfamiliar compared with modern metric radial sizes. In practical terms, it points you toward a period-style bias-ply tire selection, including narrow whitewall offerings, so the next step is confirming that the car’s wheels and intended appearance still suit a 520-14 setup.

520-14 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1971 Peugeot 304. The model also uses a separate radial size, 145R14, so 520-14 should be understood as the vintage bias-ply fitment path rather than a radial-format alternative using the same numeric code.

That distinction matters because construction affects both appearance and the way the wheel setup should be evaluated. A buyer keeping a period-style look may prefer the bias-ply route, while a car already set up around radial tires may be better served by staying with 145R14 after checking wheel width, condition, and clearance.

Either can be appropriate on a 1971 Peugeot 304 because both a 145R14 radial and a 520-14 bias-ply size are used on this model. The decision usually comes down to whether the car is being kept closer to a traditional period-style presentation or maintained around an existing radial-based setup.

A bias-ply choice keeps the vintage sizing format and opens narrow whitewall styling, while the radial choice keeps the car in a classic Euro-metric blackwall tire format. The safest path is matching the tire to the actual wheel dimensions and present vehicle setup before changing construction simply because both sizes share a 14-inch rim diameter.

Start by confirming that the 1971 Peugeot 304 is moving from the 520-14 bias-ply setup to the 145R14 radial setup, since those are the two primary fitments associated with the car. The wheel must still be the correct 14-inch diameter, and its width should suit the radial tire being considered.

The conversion decision should also include a close look at steering clearance, suspension condition, and how the car currently sits on its wheels. Even when two tires share the same rim diameter, construction and sizing format are not identical, so the full package should be checked carefully before road use.

The main choice is whether the car should use the 145R14 radial fitment or the 520-14 bias-ply fitment. Once that is settled, compare the available products by construction, sidewall appearance, tire series, rim-width compatibility where stated, and any load specification that matters to how the car will be used.

A 145R14 selection keeps the Peugeot in a classic Euro-metric radial format, while 520-14 brings a more vintage bias-ply presentation with narrow whitewall options. Wheel measurement, the car’s restoration direction, and whether the vehicle will see regular driving or primarily show and hobby use should guide the final choice.

Two different sidewall presentations are available for the 1971 Peugeot 304. The 145R14 radial products are offered as blackwalls, while the 520-14 bias-ply products use narrow whitewall styling, including variations such as 5/8-inch and 1.25-inch whitewall treatments.

That makes sidewall choice closely tied to construction choice on this car. Buyers aiming for a restrained European radial look will likely focus on blackwall 145R14 options, while those wanting a more stylized vintage appearance will concentrate on 520-14 bias-ply offerings and compare which whitewall width best suits the car’s overall presentation.

The 1971 Peugeot 304 has available tire options from Firestone, Camac, and Premium Sport. Firestone and Camac appear in the 145R14 radial size, while Premium Sport covers the 520-14 bias-ply fitment with products in the Premium Sport Lowrider series.

Brand choice should be considered alongside the tire’s construction, size, and visual character rather than by name alone. In this case, the radial products are blackwall offerings tied to the 145R14 fitment, while the Premium Sport bias-ply line adds narrow whitewall styling for buyers pursuing a more vintage presentation.

A period-style 1971 Peugeot 304 can be approached in two ways, depending on the look you want to preserve. The 520-14 bias-ply size supports a distinctly vintage presentation, while the 145R14 radial maintains a classic European compact-car look with a traditional blackwall radial format.

The better choice depends on whether the car is being restored toward a more original-feeling everyday European appearance or a stronger vintage-style visual statement. When exact historical originality matters, the final decision should be checked against marque references, period photos, or other vehicle-specific documentation before settling on construction and sidewall treatment.

Tire construction changes more than ride character on a restored 1971 Peugeot 304; it also changes the visual impression of the car. The 145R14 radial presents as a classic blackwall Euro-metric tire, while the 520-14 bias-ply setup shifts the car toward a more traditional vintage look, especially with narrow whitewall options.

That means the tire should be chosen as part of the restoration’s overall visual plan, not as an afterthought. Sidewall style, tread-era character, and how the tire fills the wheel opening all influence whether the finished car looks understated, distinctly vintage, or more stylized in its final presentation.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1971 Peugeot 304 even when the correct base tire size is known. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, body alterations, or previous owner updates can all change how either a 145R14 radial or a 520-14 bias-ply tire sits within the available space.

A car that no longer has its original wheel and suspension setup should be inspected before choosing tires by size code alone. Wheel width, steering clearance, and the relationship between the tire and the fender opening are especially important to verify on an older compact car that may have seen decades of changes.

Before driving a 1971 Peugeot 304 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm proper inflation, and look over the suspension and steering for looseness or wear. The tires themselves should be checked for proper seating, uniform clearance, and any sign of rubbing once the car is on the ground.

A short initial road test is a smart follow-up after installation. Pay attention to pull, vibration, contact at full steering lock, and any change in how the car tracks, especially if the Peugeot has changed from one tire construction type to the other or has wheels that may not be original.

Tires on a collector 1971 Peugeot 304 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and close attention to age-related condition. Even low-mileage collector cars can develop sidewall cracking, flat spotting, air loss, or general deterioration simply from time, storage conditions, and long periods of inactivity.

Good storage practices help preserve both radial and bias-ply tires. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can slow visible aging, while routine checks before each drive help catch problems early enough to protect the wheels, body clearances, and overall road readiness.