1956 Allard Tire Fitment Guide

1956 Allard vehicles use three sizes across two models. The Palm Beach uses 590-15 and 600-15, both bias-ply sizes that mount on 15-inch rims. The Safari uses 650-16, also a bias-ply size, and it mounts on a 16-inch rim. Rim width guidance appears on several products: 590-15 is listed for 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims, 600-15 appears on 4.00 to 5.00-inch rims depending on the product, and 650-16 is listed on 4.50 to 5.00-inch rims where specified.

That means the first fitment question is model identification, not brand preference. A Palm Beach owner can compare two 15-inch sizes within the same general bias-ply family, while a Safari owner needs the model-specific 16-inch size. Before choosing any individual tire, compare the size stamped on the current tire, verify the actual wheel diameter, and make sure the wheel width falls within the range shown for the exact product you are considering.

On a 1956 Allard, 590-15 is an older numeric bias-ply tire size. The 590 portion refers to a nominal section-width designation used in period sizing practice, and the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a modern metric radial code, and it does not read the same way as a later P-metric or Euro-metric size would. For the 1956 Allard range, 590-15 is used on the Palm Beach and mounts on a 15-inch rim.

Knowing that format helps prevent a very common ordering mistake: confusing a period numeric size with a later radial conversion. If your Palm Beach currently wears 590-15, the main choices are within the bias-ply category and then within appearance details such as blackwall or wide whitewall. The next step is to verify whether your wheel falls within the listed rim-width range for the exact tire rather than assuming every 15-inch product is interchangeable.

No, 1956 Allard models do not all use the same tire size. The Palm Beach uses two 15-inch bias-ply sizes, 590-15 and 600-15, while the Safari uses a separate 16-inch bias-ply size, 650-16. That split matters because the wheel diameter changes with the model, not just the tire code. A Safari tire cannot be treated as an alternate for the Palm Beach, and the Palm Beach’s 15-inch sizes are not shared across the Safari.

That is why identifying the model comes before comparing brands or sidewall styles. If you are restoring a Palm Beach, your decision stays within the 15-inch family; if you are working on a Safari, the search should remain focused on 650-16. Once the model is confirmed, use the current tire marking and wheel measurement to narrow the choice, especially if the car has changed hands or has had wheels swapped at some point in its life.

If your 1956 Allard is a Palm Beach, both 590-15 and 600-15 appear within that model’s fitment range, and both are bias-ply constructions on 15-inch rims. The practical difference is not bias-ply versus radial, since both remain period-style constructions, but which of the two Palm Beach sizes matches your car’s wheel and existing fitment. Available 590-15 products include BFGoodrich and Avon choices in blackwall plus BFGoodrich wide whitewall, while 600-15 is represented by BFGoodrich in blackwall and wide whitewall.

The best way to choose between them is to treat the tire already on the car and the wheel itself as the guide. Check the sidewall marking on the current tire, measure the wheel diameter, and compare wheel width to the listed ranges for the exact tire you want. If your goal is a more understated sports-car appearance, blackwall may be the natural direction; if you want stronger 1950s visual character, a wide whitewall version changes the look without changing the construction type.

1956 Allard tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles, but the exact choices depend on size. The Palm Beach’s 590-15 and 600-15 sizes each have blackwall and wide whitewall offerings, while the Safari’s 650-16 size also appears in both blackwall and wide whitewall form. That gives owners room to shape the car’s appearance without leaving the period bias-ply category used across the range.

Blackwalls usually suit a more restrained sporting look, especially on British performance-oriented cars, while wide whitewalls create a stronger period-custom or luxury-leaning visual statement. For judged restoration work, sidewall style can matter almost as much as size and construction, so it is worth checking period photos, sales literature, or marque-club guidance for your specific car. For a driver-quality car, the choice often comes down to whether you want subtle authenticity or a brighter 1950s presentation.

Several brands cover 1956 Allard fitments, depending on size. The Palm Beach’s 590-15 size is available from BFGoodrich and Avon, while 600-15 is represented by BFGoodrich. The Safari’s 650-16 size has the broadest spread, with BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Garfield offerings. All of those products stay within the bias-ply construction type used across the year and make.

Brand choice becomes more meaningful after you confirm the correct size for your model. Some owners start with visual preferences such as blackwall versus wide whitewall, while others focus first on matching a preferred historic brand name to the car’s character. Once the model and size are settled, compare the individual tire’s sidewall treatment, load listing where shown, and wheel-width compatibility to decide which version best fits your restoration or regular-use goals.

Rim-width guidance for 1956 Allard tires varies by size and sometimes by product within the same size. For 590-15, listed fitments show a 4.00 to 4.50-inch rim. For 600-15, one product is listed for 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims while another is listed for 4.50 to 5.00-inch rims, so the acceptable range depends on the exact tire. For 650-16, the listed products that specify wheel width call for 4.50 to 5.00-inch rims.

That makes wheel measurement an important part of setup, especially on a collector car that may have had replacement wheels fitted years ago. Confirm the actual wheel width before selecting a tire, and do not assume that every tire in the same nominal size accepts the same rim range. When two products differ, follow the requirements of the specific tire you plan to use rather than the broadest range you see elsewhere in the size.

The available 1956 Allard products shown here are bias-ply tires, but their size markings do not carry a tube-type or tubeless designation. That means tube use should be confirmed against the exact wheel design and the sidewall marking on the specific tire you intend to fit. On mid-1950s collector cars, wheel condition and rim construction are just as important as the tire itself when deciding whether a tube is appropriate.

The safest approach is to inspect the wheel, check whether it is the original type or a later replacement, and match that information to the tire manufacturer’s guidance for the exact product. If the car has older wheels, poor bead-seat condition, or spoke-style construction, tube requirements can differ from a simple modern assumption. Treat tube choice as part of the wheel-and-tire system, not as something to guess from size alone.

A 1956 Allard should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Bias-ply tires also benefit from being kept off damp floors and from having the car moved periodically so one contact patch is not loaded in the same place for months at a time. Proper inflation during storage matters because an underinflated collector tire can develop shape issues more quickly when left standing.

If the car will sit for an extended period, many owners either roll it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces long-term tire loading while avoiding suspension damage. Clean tires with mild soap and water rather than dressings that can leave residue or accelerate aging. A breathable cover and a stable indoor environment usually do more for tire life than any cosmetic treatment.

Tires on a 1956 Allard are usually judged more by age and condition than by mileage, because collector cars often accumulate miles slowly. A good rule is to begin evaluating them closely once they are five to seven years old and to consider replacement as they approach ten years, even if the tread still looks usable. The DOT date code, if present on the tire, is the quickest way to establish age.

Low annual mileage can create a false sense of security, especially on cars that are driven only for shows or fair-weather outings. Sidewall cracking, hardening rubber, repeated air loss, and visible flat-spotting matter more than odometer use on a lightly driven classic. Age-based replacement planning is especially important before longer drives, where sustained heat and speed place more demand on old rubber than a short trip around town.

Tires on a 1956 Allard should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing. Check inflation, tread wear, sidewall cracking, embedded objects, bulges, and any signs of age-related separation. Because collector cars often sit, it is also wise to watch for slow air loss that may not show up until the car is pulled out after several weeks or months.

A quick visual inspection is enough for routine local use, but a longer drive deserves a more deliberate check that includes the spare, wheel condition, and valve stems. If the tire-and-wheel setup uses tubes, stem condition and any movement at the valve area are especially worth watching. Regular inspection is a simple habit that catches age and storage issues before they become roadside problems.

A 1956 Allard Palm Beach would have been fitted in period with bias-ply tires, which matches the available 590-15 and 600-15 fitments shown for that model. Both are older numeric bias-ply sizes on 15-inch rims, which is consistent with sports-car practice of the era. The exact original sidewall treatment could vary by market, dealer presentation, and owner taste, so blackwall versus whitewall should be checked against period evidence for the individual car.

For restoration work, the important first step is matching the car to the correct Palm Beach size family and staying within period-correct construction. After that, sidewall style becomes the next authenticity question. Factory literature, period photography, and Allard marque specialists are the right places to verify how your particular car would have been delivered, especially if it has a long ownership history or has been restored more than once.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1956 Allard because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, and sidewall style immediately. A Palm Beach wearing the wrong rim-diameter tire, or a Safari wearing a size intended for the Palm Beach, would stand out quickly. On an authenticity-focused car, visual details such as blackwall versus wide whitewall can also affect how convincingly the car matches its era and intended presentation.

The level of scrutiny depends on the event. A casual local show may reward overall presentation, while a marque-oriented or concours environment is far more likely to focus on period-correct details. Before committing to a tire, it is smart to decide whether the car is being prepared for touring, general display, or judged competition, then confirm the expected standard with the club or event that matters most to your restoration plans.

Within the 1956 Allard 590-15 size, BFGoodrich and Avon differ in the product details available. BFGoodrich appears in blackwall and wide whitewall forms, each listed with a 15-inch rim diameter, a 4.00 to 4.50-inch rim-width range, and a 1,050-pound load figure at 32 psi. The Avon Turbospeed Mk4 is a blackwall 590H15 81H bias-ply tire on a 15-inch rim, listed at 1,018 pounds and carrying an H speed rating, which corresponds to a 130 mph ceiling.

That makes the comparison partly visual and partly specification-based. BFGoodrich gives a choice between blackwall and whitewall presentation, while the Avon entry brings a specific speed-rated marking into the 590-size conversation. A Palm Beach owner comparing the two should begin with wheel compatibility and appearance goals, then decide whether the listed load and speed details of one product line better suit the car’s intended use.

1956 Allard tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, in good condition, properly inflated, and used within the ratings shown for the specific tire. Most of the available products here are classic bias-ply designs without a listed speed letter in the size marking, while the Avon 590H15 entry carries an H speed rating with a 130 mph ceiling. On a mid-1950s Allard, the condition of the brakes, suspension, steering, and wheels is every bit as important as the tire itself before sustained road use.

For normal collector-car highway driving, the larger safety question is usually system condition and age rather than headline speed capability. A freshly restored or well-maintained car on sound tires inspires much more confidence than a low-mile original on aged rubber. Before taking any 1956 Allard onto faster roads, inspect the entire chassis and make sure the tires match the way the car will actually be driven.

Several 1956 Allard tire products list their maximum load at 32 psi, including 590-15 BFGoodrich products at 1,050 pounds, 600-15 BFGoodrich products at 1,150 pounds, and multiple 650-16 products at 1,580 pounds. Those figures describe the tire’s stated load-and-pressure relationship, not necessarily the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended running pressure for every use case. Inflation for a collector car should always balance the vehicle’s original guidance with the tire maker’s limits for the exact size and product.

Use the owner’s manual, factory literature, or a trusted marque reference to establish the car’s intended operating pressure, then make sure that value stays within the tire manufacturer’s specifications. Do not transfer a pressure number from one size to another or from the Safari’s 16-inch fitment to the Palm Beach’s 15-inch sizes. A few pounds can noticeably change ride, steering feel, and tread wear on a light vintage car.

Before a longer drive in a 1956 Allard, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper cold inflation. Check that the size on the car matches the model, confirm the spare is usable, and make sure valve stems are sound. Because these are collector-car fitments, it is also wise to look over the wheels themselves for corrosion, damage, or signs that an older restoration may need fresh attention.

Tire condition is only one part of longer-drive preparation on a car of this age. Brake feel, steering play, wheel-bearing condition, fluid levels, cooling health, and basic electrical reliability deserve the same attention before you head out. A methodical pre-drive routine is especially valuable on an Allard, where character and performance are part of the appeal but where age means every system benefits from a careful check.