The 1993 Bentley Continental sits in the marque’s modern grand touring era, blending traditional Bentley presence with the long-hood, formal-coupe character enthusiasts expect from a hand-built luxury car. Tire selection on this model is more configuration-specific than it first appears, because the 1993 Bentley Continental uses two different radial fitments depending on sub-model: 235/70R15 or 255/60R16. That makes the first step identifying whether the car is a Continental Base or a Continental R. For the 15-inch fitment, available choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles across several established tire series. Matching the tire to the car’s exact wheel setup and intended presentation matters as much as matching the size itself.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1993 Bentley Continental
The 1993 Bentley Continental uses two primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the specific sub-model as well as the wheel diameter on the car. One fitment uses a 15-inch rim and the other uses a 16-inch rim, so confirming both the sub-model and the actual wheel setup should come before comparing tire styles, brands, or series.
In 235/70R15, the 235 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 15 is the rim diameter in inches. This is a modern metric radial fitment that suits the 1993 Bentley Continental Base and keeps the sizing in a format familiar to later luxury and touring cars. Available choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, redline, and raised white letter treatments from Cooper, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Michelin across series such as Silvertown Radial, XVS, Turbosteel, Cobra Radial G/T, and Radial T/A. It is the size to evaluate when the car retains the 15-inch wheel setup and appearance choice is part of the decision.
In 255/60R16, the 255 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R means radial construction, and 16 identifies a 16-inch rim. This is also a modern metric radial size, but it applies to a different 1993 Bentley Continental configuration than the 15-inch fitment. The lower-profile sizing format and larger rim diameter make wheel confirmation especially important before any purchase, particularly on cars that may have seen wheel changes over time. This size should be considered when the vehicle is a Continental R or when the car is already equipped with the corresponding 16-inch wheel arrangement.
Sub-model identification matters on the 1993 Bentley Continental because tire fitment is not shared across the range. The Base and Continental R use different radial sizes on different rim diameters, so the correct tire choice starts with confirming the exact version of the car.
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1993 Bentley Continental Base
The 1993 Bentley Continental Base uses the 235/70R15 radial fitment on a 15-inch rim. That opens the door to several appearance-oriented choices within the correct size, including blackwall, whitewall, redline, and raised white letter options, while keeping wheel diameter confirmation central.
The 1993 Bentley Continental R uses the 255/60R16 radial fitment on a 16-inch rim. Tire selection here starts with verifying that the car still carries the proper 16-inch wheel setup, especially if the vehicle has been modified or fitted with replacement wheels during its life.
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 1993 Bentley Continental Tires for Sale
For the 235/70R15 fitment, available choices span Cooper, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Michelin, with touring and performance-oriented radial series plus sidewall treatments that include blackwall, wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, redline, and raised white letter.
Owners researching 1993 Bentley Continental tires usually need to sort out sub-model fitment first, then compare wheel diameter, radial size, available sidewall treatments, and the practical effect of any wheel or suspension changes before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1993 Bentley Continental?
A 1993 Bentley Continental uses one of two radial tire sizes depending on sub-model. The Continental Base uses 235/70R15, while the Continental R uses 255/60R16. Both are modern metric radial sizes, but they are tied to different wheel diameters and should not be treated as universal across the full model line.
The practical next step is confirming exactly which Continental you have and checking the wheel diameter currently on the car. Many collector and luxury cars have had wheel changes over the years, so reading the sidewall on the existing tire and measuring the wheel can prevent ordering the right tire size for the wrong setup.
What size rim does a 1993 Bentley Continental use?
Rim diameter depends on the sub-model. The 1993 Bentley Continental Base uses a 15-inch rim with a 235/70R15 tire, while the 1993 Bentley Continental R uses a 16-inch rim with a 255/60R16 tire. That difference is central to tire selection because each size is built around its own wheel diameter.
Checking the actual wheel on the car matters just as much as knowing the model name. A Continental that has been fitted with aftermarket wheels or later replacements may no longer match its original sub-model fitment, so tire shopping should start with a direct wheel-diameter check before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or tread series.
Do all 1993 Bentley Continental sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1993 Bentley Continental Base and the 1993 Bentley Continental R do not share the same tire size. The Base uses 235/70R15, while the Continental R uses 255/60R16, so the fitment changes with the sub-model and with the rim diameter used on that version of the car.
That distinction affects more than the numbers on the sidewall. It changes the wheel diameter you need to match and narrows the product choices that make sense for the car, so identifying the exact sub-model early keeps the search focused and reduces the chance of choosing a tire built for a different Continental configuration.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 235/70R15 tire for a 1993 Bentley Continental?
Start with correct fitment for the Continental Base and a 15-inch wheel, then compare the characteristics that actually vary within 235/70R15. Available options differ by brand, tire series, sidewall presentation, rim-width specification, and load figures, so the right choice depends on whether appearance, touring character, or a more performance-oriented look matters most.
Sidewall style is a major part of the decision in this size because blackwall, wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, redline, and raised white letter options are all available. It also helps to confirm that the wheel width falls within the tire’s compatible range, especially on a Bentley that may have seen wheel replacement during restoration or ownership.
What sidewall styles are available for 1993 Bentley Continental tires?
For the 235/70R15 fitment used on the 1993 Bentley Continental Base, available sidewall styles include blackwall, wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, redline, and RWL, which is raised white letter. Those choices create very different visual results even when the tire size stays the same, so appearance can change substantially without altering basic fitment.
That makes sidewall selection especially important on a Bentley where presentation is part of the vehicle’s character. A restrained blackwall suits a more understated look, while whitewall or redline treatments create a stronger restoration-oriented statement, and raised white letters lean more toward a sportier visual tone than a formal grand touring presentation.
What brands offer tires for the 1993 Bentley Continental?
In the 235/70R15 fitment, the 1993 Bentley Continental has available tires from Cooper, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Michelin. Those options appear across several established series, including Cobra Radial G/T, Turbosteel 70 CR11B, Silvertown Radial, Radial T/A, and Michelin XVS, giving buyers more than one path within the correct size.
Brand choice should still be weighed alongside the rest of the tire’s details rather than on name alone. Comparing sidewall treatment, rim-width compatibility, load figures where stated, and the overall look of the tire usually leads to a more appropriate choice for the car than simply selecting the first recognizable brand in the size.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1993 Bentley Continental?
A period-style choice for a 1993 Bentley Continental starts with the correct sub-model size and wheel diameter, then narrows by visual presentation. On a Continental Base using 235/70R15, touring-oriented blackwall options can preserve a restrained luxury appearance, while whitewall or redline versions create a more restoration-focused statement within the same overall fitment.
The best visual match depends on how the car is being presented rather than on one universal answer. Owners aiming for close historical authenticity should compare the tire against photos, marque references, or other vehicle-specific records, while owners focused on style and road use can choose the sidewall treatment that best complements the car’s trim and stance.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1993 Bentley Continental?
On the 1993 Bentley Continental, the primary fitments are already radial, so the appearance question is less about bias-ply versus radial and more about the style of radial tire selected. The shape, sidewall treatment, lettering, and tire series can all change the car’s visual character even when the correct size and basic construction remain unchanged.
That means a restoration-minded owner should pay close attention to sidewall presentation. A blackwall keeps the look cleaner and more understated, whitewall versions add formality, and raised white letters create a much more assertive impression, so the tire should support the specific direction of the build rather than simply satisfy the size requirement.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1993 Bentley Continental?
Yes. Wheel replacements, suspension changes, ride-height adjustments, and body modifications can all affect tire fitment on a 1993 Bentley Continental even when the tire size appears close to stock. That matters here because the model already uses two different factory-style radial sizes, tied to 15-inch and 16-inch wheel setups depending on sub-model.
A car with aftermarket wheels should be checked for actual rim diameter and width before selecting tires, and clearance should be reviewed at the fender, steering, and suspension points. That is especially important when the car’s history is unclear, because visual similarity between wheels does not confirm that the original fitment has been retained.
What should I inspect before driving a 1993 Bentley Continental on new tires?
Before putting a 1993 Bentley Continental back on the road, inspect wheel condition, valve stems, tire pressure, and the basic clearance around the tire at full steering lock and through suspension movement. It also helps to confirm that the tire size matches both the sub-model and the wheel diameter, since this Bentley used more than one fitment.
Road readiness involves more than the new tires alone. A collector car should also be checked for alignment issues, signs of rubbing, uneven old-tire wear patterns, and suspension components that could affect how the new tires sit and track, especially if the car has spent long periods parked or has recently changed hands.
How often should tires on a 1993 Bentley Continental be inspected?
Tires on a 1993 Bentley Continental should be inspected regularly, with extra attention on low-use collector cars that may sit for long stretches between drives. Pressure, tread condition, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and any signs of air loss deserve routine checks, because age and storage conditions can affect a lightly driven car as much as mileage can.
A quick visual check before each drive is a sensible habit, and a more careful inspection should happen several times during the year. Cars stored in garages near heat sources, sunlight, or ozone-producing equipment benefit from closer monitoring, since those conditions can shorten tire life even when the vehicle is driven infrequently.