1952 Borgward Tire Fitment Guide

1952 Borgward vehicles in this guide use six tire sizes: 165R15, 590-15, 185R15, 640-15, 195R15, and 670-15. All six apply to the 1952 Borgward Hansa, and every one of them mounts on a 15-inch rim. Where rim-width guidance is available, 165R15 fits 4.50 to 6.00-inch rims, 590-15 fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims, 185R15 fits roughly 4.5 to 6.5-inch rims, 640-15 fits 4.00 to 5.00-inch rims depending on product, and 670-15 fits 4.50 to 6.00-inch rims depending on product.

That means the first thing to verify on a 1952 Borgward is not simply the year and make, but the actual wheel width and the tire type you want to run. Some owners will want the tall, original-style look of a numeric bias-ply size, while others will prefer one of the metric radial sizes for a different on-road character. Matching the tire to both the wheel and the car’s intended use will narrow the field quickly.

On a 1952 Borgward, 590-15 is a traditional numeric bias-ply size. The first number is the nominal section width expressed in the older bias-ply convention, while the final number identifies a 15-inch wheel diameter. It is not read the same way as a modern metric radial size, and it belongs to an earlier tire-sizing system that was common when the Hansa was new.

Choosing 590-15 usually points toward an owner who wants an early-1950s visual stance and the driving feel associated with bias-ply construction. That matters on a Borgward because the numeric sizes on this page are part of the car’s period language, especially when paired with blackwall or whitewall styling that suits the restoration. Before settling on it, compare the rim-width requirement against the wheels actually on the car.

On a 1952 Borgward, 165R15 is a metric radial size. The 165 denotes a nominal section width of 165 millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. In this older Euro-metric style, the aspect ratio is not printed, and it is conventionally treated as an 80-series radial.

That format matters because it signals a different era of tire design than the numeric bias-ply sizes also used on the 1952 Borgward Hansa. A 165R15 selection usually means you are moving toward a radial tire family while still keeping a classic 15-inch fitment. It is a useful option for owners who want classic proportions without committing to a bias-ply construction.

A 1952 Borgward owner choosing between 590-15 and 165R15 is really choosing between two tire eras. The 590-15 is a bias-ply size with the older numeric sizing language and a more period-authentic presentation for an early-1950s Hansa. The 165R15 is a radial size in a Euro-metric format, still for a 15-inch rim but built around later radial construction.

That makes the decision less about whether either one belongs on a 1952 Borgward and more about what role the car serves. If the goal is an original-looking restoration with period-correct tire character, the bias-ply route is the natural fit. If the Borgward will see more regular road use and you want a radial format with classic sidewall choices, 165R15 is the more likely direction.

1952 Borgward tires are available with several sidewall treatments depending on size. The 165R15 radial range includes blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions. The 590-15 bias-ply size is offered in blackwall and wide whitewall, 185R15 includes blackwall, narrow whitewall, and redline, 640-15 appears in wide and narrow whitewall, and 670-15 is offered in blackwall and wide whitewall.

For an early-1950s Borgward, blackwall and whitewall presentations are the most naturally period-appropriate visual directions, while a redline option is more of a style choice than an authenticity-first one. Sidewall treatment can change the look of the car almost as much as the wheel itself, so many restorers choose style and construction together rather than treating them as separate decisions.

1952 Borgward tire options come from several brands across the six sizes shown here. The 165R15 radial selection includes Coker Classic, American Classic, Firestone, and BFGoodrich. The 590-15 bias-ply size includes BFGoodrich and Avon, 185R15 includes Coker Classic and Michelin, 640-15 includes BFGoodrich and Firestone, and 670-15 includes Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire.

That variety gives a 1952 Borgward owner room to choose by construction, sidewall appearance, and brand character rather than by size alone. Some buyers start with the tire type they want and then compare brands inside that size, while others begin with a specific blackwall or whitewall look and work backward from there. The best match is usually the one that aligns with both the car’s visual goal and its intended road use.

Rim-width guidance for 1952 Borgward tires varies by size. The 165R15 radial fits 4.50 to 6.00-inch rims, 590-15 bias-ply fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims, and 185R15 radial fits roughly 4.5 to 6.5-inch rims depending on the product. The 640-15 bias-ply range spans 4.00 to 5.00 inches depending on brand and version, while 670-15 ranges from 4.50 to 6.00 inches depending on product.

Those ranges matter because two tires may share a 15-inch rim diameter yet still prefer different wheel widths. On a 1952 Borgward Hansa, confirm the wheel you actually have before selecting a size simply by appearance or by what was fitted to another car. A correct width match helps preserve the intended tire shape and avoids forcing a tire onto a wheel outside its designed range.

Inner-tube use on 1952 Borgward tires depends on the specific tire chosen. The 185R15 Michelin radial products are marked TL, indicating tubeless construction. Other sizes shown here do not consistently carry tube-type or tubeless markings in the same way, so tube use can vary by product and by the wheel itself rather than by the size code alone.

That makes wheel condition just as important as tire construction when setting up a 1952 Borgward. Original-style rims, valve-stem arrangements, and restoration quality all influence whether a tube is appropriate even when the tire size seems straightforward. Checking the exact sidewall marking on the tire you intend to use is the safest way to avoid assumptions during installation.

Every tire size listed for the 1952 Borgward Hansa uses a 15-inch rim diameter, so the wheel diameter itself is shared across the whole range. That means the original 15-inch wheel family can often accommodate more than one listed size. The limiting factor is wheel width, because the approved rim-width ranges vary between 590-15, 640-15, 670-15, and the metric radial options.

A Borgward owner should treat diameter compatibility as only the first checkpoint. Before moving from one listed size to another, measure the wheels on the car and compare them with the size’s approved width range. That step is especially important when a car has been restored long ago, has replacement wheels, or is being shifted from a bias-ply setup to a radial one.

A 1952 Borgward stores best in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment. Tires should be kept at proper inflation, and the car should either be moved periodically or supported in a way that reduces long-term static loading. Bias-ply tires tend to flat-spot more readily during long storage than radials, so Borgwards on numeric bias-ply sizes benefit from extra attention between drives.

That matters because storage damage usually shows up as sidewall checking, permanent shape changes, or weathering long before tread wear becomes the real issue on a collector car. If your 1952 Borgward spends most of its time parked, occasional rolling and routine pressure checks will do more for tire longevity than simply keeping miles low. A clean, dry floor and good air circulation also help protect both tires and wheels.

Tire life on a 1952 Borgward is usually governed more by age than by mileage. Collector-car tires should be evaluated closely once they reach the five- to seven-year range, and many owners treat ten years as a point where replacement deserves serious consideration regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age, which is especially important on a low-use Borgward that may appear to have plenty of life left.

That age-based approach is more realistic for a 1952 Borgward than waiting for wear bars or visible baldness. A car driven occasionally can still be riding on rubber that has hardened internally or developed subtle sidewall deterioration. Even a well-stored tire should be judged by condition and age together, particularly before highway use or a long-distance event.

Tires on a 1952 Borgward should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, uneven wear, embedded objects, bulges, and loss of pressure. If your Borgward uses a setup that involves tubes, the valve stems and any signs of tube-related leakage also deserve close attention.

Frequent inspection is important because many collector cars spend long periods parked, and deterioration can appear between drives rather than during them. A short walk-around before taking out a 1952 Borgward often catches problems early, especially after seasonal storage or long idle periods. It is a simple habit that protects the car, the wheels, and the experience of driving it.

A 1952 Borgward Hansa would originally have been associated with bias-ply construction, since that was standard practice for the period. On this page, the bias-ply sizes are 590-15, 640-15, and 670-15, all mounted on 15-inch rims. The radial sizes shown for the Hansa reflect later-style fitment choices that suit the car dimensionally but are not the era-original construction type.

For a restoration, that means the most authentic starting point is usually one of the listed numeric bias-ply sizes rather than a metric radial. Final confirmation should still be tied to the specific car, its market, and its wheel setup, since period literature and marque-club guidance can help narrow down what is most appropriate for a given Hansa. Construction type matters as much as the printed size when originality is the goal.

Correct tire fitment does matter when showing a 1952 Borgward, especially in classes that value factory-correct presentation. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the car carries an era-appropriate size format, the correct construction type for the period, and a sidewall style that suits the car’s market and restoration intent. On an early-1950s Borgward, a modern radial can change the look and stance even when the wheel diameter stays the same.

That does not mean every shown 1952 Borgward must use the same tire, but it does mean the choice should be intentional. Owners aiming for authenticity usually focus first on a bias-ply size and then refine the look with blackwall or whitewall styling. If the car is headed for judged events, marque clubs and event rulebooks are the right places to confirm how strictly originality is being evaluated.

For a 1952 Borgward in 185R15, Michelin XVS and Coker Classic Radial differ in sidewall treatment, speed rating offerings, and wheel-width spread. Coker Classic appears as a redline 185R15 with a listed load figure of 1355 at 35 psi and a 5.00 to 6.50-inch rim-width range. Michelin XVS appears in blackwall and narrow whitewall versions, carries H-rated 130 mph and V-rated 149 mph variants, is marked TL, and spans roughly 4.5 to 6.5 inches depending on the version.

That makes the choice less about basic fit and more about the kind of 185R15 radial presentation you want on a 1952 Borgward. A redline gives the car a distinct visual accent, while the Michelin options lean toward a more understated European touring appearance. Compare the exact sidewall style, speed symbol, and wheel-width compatibility before deciding between the two.

1952 Borgward tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and used within their construction and speed limits. Among the listed options, some 185R15 Michelin radials carry H and V speed ratings, which correspond to 130 mph and 149 mph ceilings, and the Avon 590-size bias-ply offering also appears with an H rating. Other tires in the range do not show a speed symbol in the size marking here, so they should be treated according to their intended vintage-tire use rather than as modern high-speed performance tires.

In practical terms, the mechanical condition of a 1952 Borgward often matters as much as the tire itself at normal highway speeds. Brakes, steering, suspension, wheel condition, and alignment all influence how secure the car feels on the road. A fresh, properly fitted tire is only one part of making an older Borgward comfortable and predictable over distance.

Inflation pressure on a 1952 Borgward should be matched to the tire size and the specific tire’s own rating, not borrowed from another size. The listed examples include 165R15 tires around 35 to 36 psi at roughly 1168 to 1170 pounds, 590-15 bias-ply tires at 32 psi for 1050 pounds on some versions, 640-15 bias-ply tires at 32 psi with load figures up to 1190 pounds on some versions, and 670-15 bias-ply tires at 32 psi with load figures ranging from 1450 to 1550 pounds on the examples shown.

Those figures describe tire capacity at rated pressure, not necessarily the exact operating pressure your 1952 Borgward should run in daily service. The best practice is to start with the vehicle’s factory guidance where available and then make sure the chosen tire’s own rated pressure and load limits are respected. Pressure should always be checked cold and reviewed any time the car’s use changes significantly.

Before a longer drive in a 1952 Borgward, inspect all four tires and the spare for cracking, cuts, bulges, unusual wear, and proper inflation. Confirm that the wheel nuts are secure, the valve stems are in good condition, and the spare is actually usable rather than simply present. If the car is running a tube-based setup, include a closer look at valve-stem condition and any signs of slow leakage.

Tires are only one part of the pre-drive checklist on an older Borgward, but they are the easiest place to catch trouble before the car leaves the garage. A quick review of steering feel, brake response, and general roadworthiness should accompany the tire inspection, especially if the car has been parked for weeks or months. Long trips reward preparation much more than they reward optimism.