1956 Austin covered a remarkably broad slice of the British market, from compact economy saloons to larger, more substantial family and touring cars. That range matters when choosing tires, because the small A30 and A35, mid-size A40 and A50, and larger A55, A90, and A95 do not all use the same size or even the same wheel diameter. Across seven Austin models, nine distinct tire sizes appear, with most models presenting a choice between a period-style bias-ply size and a later radial equivalent. Before choosing a tire for a 1956 Austin, confirm the exact model first, then decide whether originality or more modern road manners is the priority.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 1956 Austin
Nine tire sizes are available for 1956 Austin vehicles, and they vary by model rather than being shared across the full range. The real choice usually starts with identifying the correct model and rim diameter, then deciding between an era-correct bias-ply size and a radial alternative where both exist. Understanding that distinction before choosing a product saves time and helps match the tire to the right Austin.
Year(s): 1956|Fit(s): A 30, A 35|Construction: Radial|Rim: 13 in
145R13 is a metric radial size with a 145 millimeter nominal section width and a 13-inch rim diameter, using the classic Euro-metric convention for profile. This size is offered in blackwall form from Michelin and Firestone, and speed rating and tubeless status vary by product, including H-rated versions up to 130 mph and products marked TL. This radial size is specific to the A30 and A35 rather than the full 1956 Austin range, and it suits owners who want a more modern radial driving character while staying in the proper overall fitment family.
Year(s): 1956|Fit(s): A 30, A 35|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 13 in
520-13 is a numeric bias-ply size in which the first figure is the nominal section width designation and the last number is the 13-inch rim diameter. Firestone and Premium Sport offer it in blackwall and narrow whitewall styles, with load figures present on some products and sidewall treatment varying across the range. This size is specific to the A30 and A35 and is the traditional bias-ply choice for an owner who wants a more period-looking setup on those smaller Austins.
Year(s): 1956|Fit(s): A 40, A 50|Construction: Radial|Rim: 15 in
155R15 is a metric radial size with a 155 millimeter nominal section width and a 15-inch rim diameter, following the classic Euro-metric format. Michelin and Firestone offer this size in blackwall form, and both tube-type and tubeless versions appear, while speed ratings vary by product with T-rated tires up to 118 mph and H-rated tires up to 130 mph. This radial size is specific to the A40 and A50, making it the more modern-feeling alternative for owners who drive those cars regularly and want radial construction in the correct size family.
Year(s): 1956|Fit(s): A 40, A 50|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 15 in
560-15 is a numeric bias-ply size whose code identifies the section width designation and a 15-inch rim diameter. Firestone and US Royal offer it in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styles, with listed load ratings reaching 970 pounds at 32 psi and rim-width recommendations varying slightly by product. This size is specific to the A40 and A50 and is the natural choice for an owner aiming to keep the car's tire construction and visual character in a more mid-1950s direction.
Year(s): 1956|Fit(s): A 55|Construction: Radial|Rim: 14 in
165R14 is a metric radial size with a 165 millimeter nominal section width on a 14-inch rim, using the standard Euro-metric radial convention. Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein offer it in blackwall form, with H-rated versions available up to 130 mph and tubeless marking present on some products. This size is specific to the A55 alone, and it fits owners who want a radial option for that model without moving outside the proper rim diameter.
Year(s): 1956|Fit(s): A 55|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 14-in rim
5.90-14 is a numeric bias-ply size, with the section width designation expressed in the older inch-style format and a 14-inch rim diameter. Available product variety for this size is limited within the current range, but the construction remains the key point because it preserves the traditional bias-ply format used on the A55. This size is specific to the A55 and best suits an owner whose priority is staying with the period-style construction associated with a mid-1950s British saloon.
Year(s): 1956|Fit(s): A 90|Construction: Radial|Rim: 15 in
185R15 is a metric radial size with a 185 millimeter nominal section width and a 15-inch rim diameter in Euro-metric radial form. Coker Classic and Michelin offer it in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and redline styles, and speed ratings vary by product with H-rated versions up to 130 mph and V-rated versions up to 149 mph; the available products shown here are tubeless. This size is specific to the A90 and gives that larger Austin a radial option with more sidewall-style variety than most of the smaller cars in the lineup.
Year(s): 1956|Fit(s): A 90|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 15 in
640-15 is a numeric bias-ply size in which the width designation is paired with a 15-inch rim diameter. BFGoodrich and Firestone offer it in wide whitewall and narrow whitewall styles, with listed load capacities including 1190 pounds at 32 psi on several products and 970 pounds at 32 psi on one narrow whitewall version. This size is specific to the A90 and is the better fit for an owner seeking a distinctly mid-century bias-ply look on Austin's larger six-cylinder car.
Year(s): 1956|Fit(s): A 95|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 15 in
670-15 is a numeric bias-ply size using an older width designation and a 15-inch rim diameter. Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire offer it in blackwall and wide whitewall styles, with listed load capacities ranging from 1450 pounds at 32 psi to 1550 pounds at 32 psi depending on the product. This size is specific to the A95 and stands alone in the 1956 Austin range as a bias-ply-only fitment among the sizes listed here.
Seven Austin models are covered here for 1956, and tire size varies by model rather than carrying across the whole make. That means year and make alone are not enough for a confident choice on this page, because the A30 and A35 use 13-inch fitments, the A55 uses 14-inch fitments, and several larger cars use 15-inch fitments in different sizes. Select your model below to narrow the fitment history and see the tire options that apply to that specific Austin.
1956 Austin A 30
The Austin A30 was one of the make's compact postwar economy cars, designed around light weight and simple, practical transportation. Its tires mount on 13-inch wheels, and the model can be fitted with either a 520-13 bias-ply size or a 145R13 radial alternative depending on the direction of the build.
The Austin A35 evolved the A30 formula with a slightly more developed presentation while remaining a small British saloon with strong enthusiast appeal. It also uses 13-inch wheel fitments, with a choice between 520-13 bias-ply tires and 145R13 radial tires.
The Austin A40 sat above the smallest Austins and offered a roomier, more versatile package for everyday use. Its tire fitments mount on 15-inch wheels, with 560-15 as the bias-ply option and 155R15 as the radial alternative.
The Austin A50 was a larger family saloon than the A30 and A35, aimed at buyers wanting more comfort and presence without moving into Austin's biggest cars. It uses 15-inch wheel fitments and shares its tire choices with the A40: 560-15 in bias-ply form or 155R15 in radial form.
The Austin A55 represented a more substantial step up in size and refinement within the mid-1950s Austin range. Its tires mount on 14-inch wheels, and the model pairs a 5.90-14 bias-ply fitment with a 165R14 radial alternative.
The Austin A90 was one of the make's larger and more powerful saloons of the period, carrying a more upscale touring character than the smaller A-series cars. It uses 15-inch wheel fitments, with 640-15 as the bias-ply size and 185R15 as the radial option.
The Austin A95 was positioned at the larger end of the 1956 Austin lineup and belongs to the company's more full-sized mid-century saloon family. Its listed tire fitment mounts on a 15-inch wheel and uses 670-15 in bias-ply form.
Thirty-two products are available across nine tire sizes for 1956 Austin vehicles. Choices include 145R13 radial blackwalls from Michelin and Firestone, 520-13 bias-ply blackwall and narrow whitewall options, 155R15 and 165R14 radial blackwalls, 560-15 and 640-15 bias-ply whitewalls, 185R15 radial blackwall, whitewall, and redline options, and 670-15 bias-ply blackwall and wide whitewall options. Confirm your model, size, and construction preference first, since tube markings and speed ratings can vary within some radial sizes.
These FAQs sort out the model-by-model tire differences across the 1956 Austin range, including bias-ply versus radial choices, wheel diameter changes from one series to another, sidewall style availability, and the care habits that matter on collector cars driven occasionally.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 1956 Austin vehicles?
1956 Austin vehicles use nine tire sizes across seven model lines: 145R13 and 520-13 for the A30 and A35, 155R15 and 560-15 for the A40 and A50, 165R14 and 5.90-14 for the A55, 185R15 and 640-15 for the A90, and 670-15 for the A95. Rim diameter changes with the model, so 13-inch, 14-inch, and 15-inch fitments all appear in the same model year.
The practical takeaway is that you should identify the exact 1956 Austin model before comparing products. Within a given model, the choice is often between a bias-ply size and a radial counterpart, but you cannot move between the sizes used on different Austin models just because they are all from 1956.
What does 520-13 mean on a 1956 Austin tire?
On a 1956 Austin, 520-13 is an older numeric bias-ply size. The final number, 13, is the wheel diameter in inches, and the first figure is the traditional section-width designation used on period bias-ply tires rather than a modern metric measurement. For 1956 Austin fitments, that size belongs to the A30 and A35.
That matters because 520-13 is not just a measurement code; it also signals the older bias-ply construction style many restorers want on a small mid-1950s British car. If your Austin wears 13-inch wheels and you are deciding between 520-13 and 145R13, the first step is confirming whether you want the period appearance of a numeric bias-ply tire or the different road feel of a radial.
What does 145R13 mean on a 1956 Austin tire?
On a 1956 Austin, 145R13 is a Euro-metric radial size. The 145 refers to a nominal section width of 145 millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. Within the 1956 Austin range, that size is used on the A30 and A35 as the radial alternative to 520-13.
That code helps separate construction and era as much as fitment. A buyer looking at 145R13 for a 1956 Austin is usually choosing a radial format on the correct 13-inch wheel rather than changing to a different model's fitment. It is still smart to verify the actual wheel and compare the product's sidewall marking before committing to one radial over another.
Buying the Right Tire
Should I choose the 520-13 or the 145R13 for my 1956 Austin?
For a 1956 Austin A30 or A35, 520-13 is the bias-ply choice and 145R13 is the radial choice. Both belong to the same small-car fitment family for those two models, but they represent different construction eras. The bias-ply option keeps the tire format visually and historically closer to what a mid-1950s Austin would have worn, while the radial option moves to a later-style casing design in the proper 13-inch category.
Your decision usually comes down to how the car will be used and presented. If the goal is a more authenticity-minded restoration, 520-13 fits that theme better. If the Austin will spend more time on regular roads and you want a radial within the right model-specific fitment, 145R13 is the more natural place to look.
What sidewall styles are available for 1956 Austin tires?
Sidewall styling varies widely across 1956 Austin sizes. The radial sizes shown here are primarily blackwall, although 185R15 for the A90 also appears in narrow whitewall and redline form. Among the bias-ply sizes, 520-13 is offered in blackwall and narrow whitewall, 560-15 in narrow and wide whitewall, 640-15 in narrow and wide whitewall, and 670-15 in blackwall and wide whitewall.
For a 1956 Austin, sidewall style is often as much a restoration decision as a fitment one. Smaller economy Austins often look most natural with simpler blackwall or modest whitewall treatments, while the larger A90 and A95 can visually carry more whitewall presence. Event rules and marque expectations vary, so owners pursuing strict authenticity should compare the tire's sidewall look to period photos and club guidance.
What brands make tires for 1956 Austin vehicles?
Several brands cover the 1956 Austin range, but they are distributed by size rather than offered across every model. Michelin and Firestone appear in 145R13 and 155R15; Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein cover 165R14; Coker Classic and Michelin cover 185R15; Firestone, US Royal, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Premium Sport, and Universal Vintage Tire appear in various bias-ply sizes from 520-13 through 670-15.
That brand spread means the right question is not simply who makes tires for a 1956 Austin, but who makes them in the exact size for your Austin model. Once the model and size are confirmed, you can narrow by construction and sidewall style without crossing into another Austin's fitment.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 1956 Austin tires require?
Rim width recommendations vary by size on 1956 Austin vehicles. Listed examples include 145R13 on 4.00 to 5.00-inch rims, 520-13 on 3.5-inch or 3.50 to 4.00-inch rims depending on product, 155R15 on 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, 165R14 on 4.0 to 6.00-inch ranges depending on brand, 185R15 on roughly 4.5 to 6.50-inch ranges, 640-15 on 4.00 to 5.00-inch ranges depending on product, and 670-15 on 4.50 to 6.00-inch ranges depending on product.
Those ranges are a strong reminder that correct wheel diameter alone is not the whole story on a 1956 Austin. Before ordering, match the wheel you actually have to the recommended width range for the exact tire you want, especially if the car has been restored, modified, or fitted with replacement wheels at some point in its life.
Do 1956 Austin tires require inner tubes?
Inner-tube requirements on 1956 Austin tires depend on the exact size and product. The 155R15 radial offerings vary by product, with both tube-type and tubeless versions available. Other radial sizes in the range include products marked TL and others without a tube marking shown, while the bias-ply listings here do not consistently state tube status in every entry.
The safest approach is to check the sidewall marking and the wheel design before finalizing your setup. On a 1956 Austin, an original-style wheel may lead you toward a tube-compatible arrangement even when a tubeless tire exists in the same size family. If originality or wheel condition is a concern, a marque specialist or experienced vintage tire installer is worth consulting.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 1956 Austin when the tires are fitted?
A 1956 Austin should be stored away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that can accelerate sidewall aging. Clean, dry floors are preferable, and the car benefits from being moved periodically so the tires are not parked in one position for long stretches. Bias-ply tires are generally more prone to temporary flat-spotting during static storage than radial tires.
If your Austin spends months at a time off the road, maintaining inflation and reducing long-term weight concentration on one part of the tread helps preserve ride quality. Some owners use tire cradles or stands for extended storage, but even a simple routine of keeping the car dry, shaded, and occasionally repositioned goes a long way toward protecting vintage-style tires.
How long do tires on a 1956 Austin typically last?
On a 1956 Austin, tire age usually matters more than mileage because many collector cars are driven infrequently. A good rule is to begin evaluating tires carefully once they reach the five- to seven-year range and to treat around ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration regardless of tread depth. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish its age.
That timeline is especially important on an older Austin that may look lightly used but still carries aging rubber. Sidewalls, casing integrity, and stored-vehicle conditions all influence real service life, so do not let good tread alone make the decision. An older tire that appears visually decent can still be past the stage where it belongs on a regularly driven road car.
How often should tires on a 1956 Austin be inspected?
Tires on a 1956 Austin should be checked before every drive and again before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, bulges, cuts, irregular wear, and air loss. If the car uses a tube-type arrangement or an older wheel setup, include the valve stems and the spare in the inspection routine rather than focusing only on the four tires on the ground.
That habit matters because collector cars often sit longer than modern daily drivers, and age-related issues can develop between trips rather than through heavy use. A brief inspection before taking a 1956 Austin out can catch a deteriorating sidewall, a slow leak, or a spare that has become unusable long before it leaves you stranded.
Restoration & Authenticity
What tires were originally fitted to the 1956 Austin A 30?
A 1956 Austin A30 would have been originally associated with bias-ply construction rather than modern radial construction, and the listed period-style fitment for that model is 520-13. The radial 145R13 is a later-style alternative within the same model's fitment family, not the construction type most buyers would associate with factory-era practice in the mid-1950s.
For a restoration-minded owner, that makes 520-13 the starting point when the goal is a more historically aligned presentation. Original-market details can still vary by region, trim, and dealer delivery practices, so owners chasing exact show-level authenticity should compare against period literature and Austin marque-club guidance before making a final tire and sidewall-style decision.
Does correct tire fitment matter for showing a 1956 Austin?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1956 Austin because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the size, construction type, and sidewall presentation fit the period and the model. A mid-1950s Austin shown for originality is more likely to be expected to wear a bias-ply tire in the appropriate numeric size than a later-style radial, especially on classes that emphasize factory appearance.
That does not mean every event applies the same standard, but it does mean tire choice affects the credibility of the restoration. A whitewall width that looks out of character, a radial on a car judged for factory accuracy, or a size from a different Austin model can all distract from an otherwise strong build. Event-specific rules are best confirmed with the hosting club or marque specialists.
What is the difference between the Michelin XAS and Michelin XAS-FF for the 1956 Austin?
Within the 155R15 fitment used on the 1956 Austin A40 and A50, Michelin offers both XAS and XAS-FF versions. Both are blackwall radial tires in the same size family, both are H-rated to 130 mph in the examples shown, and both list 4.00 to 5.50-inch rim-width compatibility. The visible difference in the available details is that one XAS example is marked TT while the XAS-FF example is marked TL.
That means the distinction is not mainly wheel diameter or broad fitment, but the specific product configuration and how it aligns with the wheel and setup you plan to run. Owners should compare the exact sidewall marking and construction details on the intended tire rather than assuming every Michelin 155R15 radial for a 1956 Austin installs the same way.
Safety & Road Use
Are 1956 Austin tires safe for highway driving?
1956 Austin tires can be appropriate for highway use when the size, construction, age, and condition are all right for the car. The radial sizes listed here include H-rated products up to 130 mph, T-rated products up to 118 mph, and in the 185R15 category even a V-rated option up to 149 mph. Bias-ply sizes in the range are intended for vintage vehicle use, but safe road behavior depends just as much on age and condition as on the design itself.
A well-kept 1956 Austin is still a mid-century automobile with brakes, suspension, steering, and power levels from another era, so the vehicle itself will usually set the practical pace before the tire's published speed ceiling becomes the limiting factor. The important step is matching the tire to the model and intended use, then making sure the whole car is ready for sustained road speeds.
What inflation pressure should I use for 1956 Austin tires?
Inflation pressure on 1956 Austin tires should follow the factory recommendation for the model and the rating on the exact tire you choose. Among the tires listed here, examples include 520-13 at 770 pounds at 32 psi or 1100 pounds at 60 psi depending on product, 560-15 at 970 pounds at 32 psi, 640-15 at 1190 pounds at 32 psi or 970 pounds at 32 psi depending on version, 670-15 at 1450 pounds at 32 psi or 1550 pounds at 32 psi, 145R13 at 825 pounds at 44 psi, 155R15 at 1045 pounds at 44 psi, 165R14 at 1102 pounds at 51 psi, and 185R15 at 1355 pounds at 35 psi.
Those figures are product ratings, not universal inflation instructions for every 1956 Austin. Use the owner's manual as the first reference for the car's recommended pressure, then confirm that your chosen reproduction or radial tire is being used within the manufacturer's stated operating range. Never transfer a pressure figure from one Austin size to another just because the cars are from the same year.
What should I check before taking a 1956 Austin on a longer drive?
Before a longer drive in a 1956 Austin, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, then check the spare as carefully as the road tires. If the car uses a tube-type setup or older wheel arrangement, pay close attention to valve stems and any signs of slow leakage. A quick look at tread depth and overall casing condition is essential even if the car has not covered many miles.
That tire check should be part of a broader pre-trip routine on a car of this age, including brakes, steering, cooling, and fluid condition. The point is not to chase perfection before every outing, but to catch the kind of age-related problems that develop quietly on collector cars. A sound set of tires is only one part of making a 1956 Austin comfortable and dependable on a longer road run.
