1956 Holden Tire Fitment Guide

1956 Holden vehicles use six sizes across two models. The FE uses 175R13 and 640-13, both for 13-inch rims, while the FJ uses 165R15, 590-15, 155R15, and 550-15, all for 15-inch rims. Where rim-width guidance is available, 640-13 fits 4.00 to 4.50 inch rims, 165R15 fits 4.50 to 6.00 inch rims, 590-15 fits 4.00 to 4.50 inch rims, 155R15 fits 4.00 to 5.50 inch rims on applicable products, and 550-15 fits 3.00 to 3.50 inch rims.

The key point is that year and make alone are not enough for 1956 Holden fitment. FE owners need to stay within the 13-inch family, and FJ owners need to stay within the 15-inch family, then decide whether they want radial or bias-ply construction. That model-first approach prevents confusion between sizes that may look similar on paper but mount on completely different rim diameters.

640-13 is a period numeric bias-ply tire size used on the 1956 Holden FE. In that older numbering system, the first figure represents the tire's nominal section width style rather than a modern metric width, and the final number is the wheel diameter in inches. For 640-13, the listed example mounts on a 13-inch rim and is intended for a 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim-width range.

A 640-13 marking tells you you are looking at a traditional bias-ply FE fitment, not a later metric radial. That matters for both appearance and driving character, especially on a restoration where the visual profile of the tire is part of the car's period look. If your FE still wears original-style 13-inch wheels, this is the size family to compare against before choosing a specific product.

165R15 and 155R15 are metric radial sizes used on the 1956 Holden FJ. The first number is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the final number is the 15-inch rim diameter. Because no aspect ratio is printed in the size itself, these fitments conventionally fall into the older Euro-metric 80-series style used on many vintage radial applications.

Those markings separate the FJ's radial options from its numeric bias-ply sizes such as 590-15 and 550-15. A buyer comparing them should think of the metric sizes as radial fitments for 15-inch wheels, then narrow the choice by width, sidewall appearance, and exact product marking. Looking only at the rim diameter is not enough, because 155R15 and 165R15 do not serve the same role visually or dimensionally.

That choice applies to the 1956 Holden FE, and it is mainly a construction decision within the correct 13-inch fitment family. The 175R13 is a radial size, while the 640-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The available 640-13 example is a BFGoodrich wide whitewall bias-ply, which naturally leans toward a stronger mid-century visual presentation than a modern-format radial.

FE owners usually pick between those two sizes according to the character they want from the car. A bias-ply 640-13 suits a more period-oriented restoration mindset, while a radial 175R13 suits owners who prefer a later-style construction. The important step is not to treat them as interchangeable by name alone; confirm your wheel diameter and decide what kind of driving and appearance matter most to you.

1956 Holden tires are available in several sidewall styles depending on size. The FE's 640-13 offering is a wide whitewall, while the FJ's 165R15 radial range includes blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall choices. The FJ's 590-15 bias-ply range includes blackwall and wide whitewall versions, while 155R15 and 550-15 are available here in blackwall form.

Sidewall style can change the whole visual tone of a 1956 Holden even when the wheel diameter stays correct. Buyers focused on a restrained factory-like look often gravitate toward blackwalls, while whitewalls deliver a more dressed-up period appearance that may suit certain restorations or regional presentation tastes. Once the correct size is established, sidewall style becomes one of the easiest ways to tailor the finished look of the car.

Several brands cover 1956 Holden fitments. BFGoodrich appears in 640-13 and 590-15 bias-ply applications and also in 165R15 radial form, while Coker Classic, American Classic, and Firestone are also available in 165R15. Firestone and Michelin cover 155R15, Avon appears in 590-15, and Excelsior appears in 550-15.

That spread gives a buyer room to choose by size, construction, and sidewall appearance rather than being locked into a single brand. It also means brand availability changes by model and by size, so an FE search path is different from an FJ search path. Start with the correct size for your car, then compare the brands that actually exist within that fitment instead of assuming every brand is offered in every Holden application.

Rim-width guidance varies by tire size on 1956 Holden applications. The FE's 640-13 bias-ply fits 4.00 to 4.50 inch rims, while the FJ's 165R15 radial fits 4.50 to 6.00 inch rims. FJ fitments in 590-15 bias-ply use 4.00 to 4.50 inch rims, 155R15 radial products with published fitment use 4.00 to 5.50 inch rims, and 550-15 bias-ply uses 3.00 to 3.50 inch rims.

Those ranges matter because the same 15-inch rim diameter does not automatically mean the same wheel width is appropriate. A 165R15 radial and a 550-15 bias-ply both fit 15-inch wheels, but they are intended for very different rim-width windows. Measure the actual wheel on the car before making a final choice, especially if the Holden has been restored with replacement wheels or modified over time.

Inner-tube needs vary by size and by specific product on 1956 Holden tires. Within the 155R15 FJ radial category, Michelin XAS appears in tube-type form, Michelin XAS-FF appears in tubeless form, and Michelin X appears in tubeless form, so tube status clearly varies by product. Other listed sizes do not consistently show tube markings, so the exact sidewall marking on the tire you choose is the detail that matters most.

That means you should not assume that all tires in one size family are either tube-type or tubeless. When an FJ owner selects a 155R15, the final setup should follow the specific tire's marking and the condition and design of the wheel being used. If your wheels are original, aged, or have seen previous repairs, it is wise to confirm compatibility with a knowledgeable installer before mounting the tire.

Original 1956 Holden wheels can often serve both tire sizes within the same model family when the rim diameter matches, but diameter alone is only the first checkpoint. On the FE, both 175R13 and 640-13 are 13-inch fitments. On the FJ, 165R15, 590-15, 155R15, and 550-15 are all 15-inch fitments, yet their published rim-width ranges differ substantially.

That practical difference is most important on the FJ, where a narrow wheel suited to 550-15 is not the same as the broader wheel range used by 165R15. A car that still wears stock wheels may be straightforward, but a car with replacement rims or mixed hardware should be checked carefully before committing to a size. Treat the wheel's measured width and condition as part of the fitment decision, not an afterthought.

A stored 1956 Holden should be kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age sidewalls even when the car is not being driven. Clean, dry floors and stable temperatures help, and the car should be moved periodically or supported properly to reduce long-term flat-spotting. Bias-ply tires are generally more prone to taking a temporary set during long static storage than radial tires.

That matters for both FE and FJ owners because 1956 Holden fitments include bias-ply and radial options. A car parked for months on cold concrete with underinflated tires will age its tires faster and may feel rough when first driven again. Good storage habits preserve ride quality, keep sidewalls looking better, and make the car easier to recommission when it is time for the next outing.

Tires on a 1956 Holden should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage, because collector cars often cover very few miles each year. A sensible rule is to evaluate them closely once they reach about five to seven years of age and to treat ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration regardless of remaining tread. The DOT or date marking on the tire is the reference point for age, not the restoration date of the car.

That age-based approach is especially important on vehicles like a 1956 Holden that may spend long periods parked between events or weekend drives. Sidewall cracking, hardening, vibration, and pressure loss matter more than odometer readings on low-use classics. Even a tire that looks respectable from a few feet away may have aged out of safe service, so build tire age checks into your normal maintenance routine.

Tires on a 1956 Holden should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for cracks in the sidewall, uneven tread wear, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, and any sign that the tire is not holding pressure properly. If your chosen tire setup is tube-type, include the valve stem and any signs of slow leakage in that check.

Regular inspection matters because a collector Holden can sit for weeks and then be asked to run at road speed with little warning. Catching a drying sidewall, a developing split, or a pressure loss in the garage is far better than finding it on the roadside. A two-minute walkaround before use is one of the simplest ways to protect both the car and the confidence you have in it.

A 1956 Holden FE would have been a bias-ply-era car when new, and the period-style FE fitment listed here is 640-13. The FE also has a radial 175R13 option available now, but that reflects a later construction approach rather than what buyers would have expected in mainstream production during the mid-1950s. For strict originality, the bias-ply size is the natural starting point.

Restorers should still confirm market-specific and event-specific expectations before finalizing a concours car. Judging standards can differ on details such as sidewall style, and local club knowledge is often the best way to verify what is correct for the exact car being restored. If the goal is authenticity first, begin with the FE's 13-inch bias-ply fitment and work outward from there.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1956 Holden, because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice tire size, construction type, and sidewall treatment immediately. An FE shown with a modern-style radial where a period bias-ply look is expected can change the car's stance and visual authenticity. The same principle applies to the FJ, where choosing between narrow blackwall, whitewall, radial, and bias-ply presentations can alter how faithful the car appears.

The right answer depends on the kind of event and the standard being applied. A casual local show may welcome tasteful radial upgrades, while stricter preservation or concours settings may value era-appropriate construction and sidewall style more heavily. Before finalizing a show setup for 1956 Holden, check with the relevant marque club or judging body so your tire choice aligns with the standard you plan to meet.

For the 1956 Holden FJ in 155R15, Michelin XAS and Michelin XAS-FF are both radial blackwall options in the same basic size family, but their sidewall markings differ in important ways. The Michelin XAS appears as 155HR15 82H TT, while the Michelin XAS-FF appears as 155HR15 82H TL. Both are H-rated to 130 mph, both use a 15-inch rim, and both list a 4.00 to 5.50 inch rim-width range where published.

The practical distinction is setup, not outward style. One is marked tube-type and the other tubeless, so the wheel you are using and the mounting plan need to match the exact tire you select. For an FJ owner comparing premium 155R15 radials, that tube-versus-tubeless difference is the first thing to settle before looking at any broader preference for brand or series.

1956 Holden tires can be suitable for highway use when they are in the correct size, properly inflated, and in sound condition, but the construction and speed marking of the exact tire still matter. Within the listed FJ fitments, Michelin 155R15 options include T-rated versions up to 118 mph and H-rated versions up to 130 mph, while the Avon 590-size bias-ply appears in H-rated form up to 130 mph. Many other listed products do not show a speed letter in the size description here, so the actual sidewall marking should be checked before sustained high-speed use.

On a 1956 Holden, tire capability is only one part of the picture. Brakes, steering, suspension condition, wheel integrity, and the overall state of the car are at least as important as the tire's rating on an older vehicle. If the car is mechanically healthy and the tire choice matches the intended use, normal highway travel is a very different question from prolonged high-speed running.

Inflation pressure on 1956 Holden tires depends on the exact size and product. Published figures here include 640-13 at 1045 pounds at 32 psi, 165R15 radial products around 1168 pounds at 35 psi and 1170 pounds at 36 psi depending on brand, 590-15 at 1050 pounds at 32 psi, and one 155R15 radial at 1045 pounds at 44 psi. Those are tire-rated load-and-pressure figures, not a blanket vehicle setting to apply across every Holden and every size.

For actual use on the car, start with the factory recommendation for your specific FE or FJ and compare it with the tire manufacturer's guidance for the product you selected. A reproduction bias-ply and a later-style radial should not automatically be run at the same pressure just because they fit the same car. Keep the pressures consistent side to side and recheck them when the tires are cold.

Before a longer drive in a 1956 Holden, inspect all four tires and the spare for cracking, cuts, punctures, bulges, uneven wear, and proper cold pressure. Verify that the valve stems are in good condition, and if your setup uses tube-type tires, pay extra attention to any history of slow leaks or pressure loss. A quick look at tread depth and any signs of rubbing inside the wheelhouse is also worthwhile.

That tire check should be part of a broader old-car routine rather than the only preparation. Wheel fasteners, brakes, fluid levels, fan belt condition, and basic lighting all deserve attention before you put miles on a mid-1950s Holden. Tires are your contact with the road, but they work as part of the whole car, and a few careful checks before departure can prevent a roadside interruption.