1956 Opel Tire Fitment Guide

1956 Opel vehicles use four sizes across three model lines. The Caravan & Wagon and Kapitan use 175R13 in radial form or 640-13 in bias-ply form, while the Olympia uses 155R13 in radial form or 560-13 in bias-ply form. Every size listed here mounts on a 13-inch rim. Where rim-width guidance is available, 640-13 fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims, 155R13 fits 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims on the listed Michelin application, and 560-13 appears on 3.50 to 4.50-inch rim ranges depending on the product chosen.

Model identification matters first on a 1956 Opel, because Olympia does not share the same tire sizes as the Caravan & Wagon or Kapitan. Once the model is confirmed, the next decision is whether you want the original-style look and feel of a bias-ply tire or the different road manners of a radial. Since all of these sizes use 13-inch rims, the biggest risk is choosing the wrong model-specific size rather than the wrong wheel diameter.

On a 1956 Opel, 640-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 6.40 portion refers to the nominal section width in inches, and the 13 indicates the wheel diameter in inches. The dash format is the traditional bias-ply style used on many 1950s cars. For the listed 1956 Opel applications, 640-13 belongs to the Caravan & Wagon and Kapitan rather than the Olympia.

That matters because 640-13 is not simply another way of writing a modern radial size. It points you toward an older construction style and a specific model group within the 1956 Opel range. If your car is a Caravan & Wagon or Kapitan and you are trying to keep the car visually closer to its mid-1950s character, 640-13 is the size family to review. Wheel width should still be checked against the tire you choose.

On a 1956 Opel, 175R13 and 155R13 are Euro-metric radial sizes. The first number is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and the final 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. In this Opel range, 175R13 belongs to the Caravan & Wagon and Kapitan, while 155R13 belongs to the Olympia. The listed 155R13 products include H-rated examples, which means a 130 mph speed ceiling.

These codes are useful because they separate the radial fitments from the period numeric bias-ply sizes used on the same year make. A buyer comparing 175R13 with 640-13, or 155R13 with 560-13, is really comparing two different construction approaches within the correct model grouping. That is why the size code should be matched to the exact car first, then narrowed further by driving style, appearance goals, and the wheel width approved for the specific tire.

No. The 1956 Opel lineup splits into two fitment groups. Caravan & Wagon and Kapitan share 175R13 radial and 640-13 bias-ply sizes, while Olympia uses 155R13 radial and 560-13 bias-ply sizes. All of them fit 13-inch rims, but the actual tire size is not universal across the make for that year.

That means year and make alone are not enough when replacing tires on a 1956 Opel. A buyer who stops at "1956 Opel" can easily land on the wrong size family if the model is not confirmed first. Once you know whether the car is an Olympia or a Caravan & Wagon/Kapitan, the search becomes much simpler because you are only choosing between the two constructions used on that specific model.

For a 1956 Opel Caravan & Wagon or Kapitan, the choice between 640-13 and 175R13 is a construction choice within the correct model group. The 640-13 size is a numeric bias-ply fitment, while 175R13 is the radial alternative. Both mount on 13-inch rims, but they represent different eras of tire design and different expectations behind the wheel.

Owners focused on restoration appearance and a more period-style presentation usually start with the bias-ply option, while owners who specifically want a radial construction start with 175R13. Neither decision should be made by year and make alone, because Olympia uses different sizes. Confirm the model first, then make the construction decision with your intended use in mind rather than assuming every 1956 Opel takes the same tire.

Sidewall styling varies by size on 1956 Opel tires. The 155R13 radial options are blackwall only in the listed range, while the 560-13 bias-ply Olympia tires are available in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions. The 640-13 bias-ply size for Caravan & Wagon and Kapitan is shown with a wide whitewall option. That gives the bias-ply sizes more period-style visual variety than the listed radial applications.

Sidewall choice matters most when the car is being restored to a certain look rather than simply put back on the road. Mid-1950s European cars can wear whitewalls convincingly when the market presentation supports it, but blackwalls are the cleaner, less decorative choice in the listed radial offerings. If your goal is authenticity for shows, compare the sidewall style to period photos, factory literature, and marque-club guidance for your exact model and market.

Three brands appear in the listed 1956 Opel tire range: BFGoodrich, Firestone, and Michelin, with Dunlop also represented in the 155R13 radial size. BFGoodrich covers both 640-13 and 560-13 bias-ply applications, Firestone also appears in 560-13 bias-ply form, and Michelin and Dunlop cover the 155R13 radial fitment. Brand choice is tied closely to size, because not every brand appears in every 1956 Opel application.

That means the brand decision usually comes after the model and size decision, not before it. An Olympia owner looking at 155R13 is comparing Michelin and Dunlop within a radial blackwall category, while an Olympia owner seeking 560-13 is looking at BFGoodrich and Firestone bias-ply offerings with whitewall variation. Buyers working on a Caravan & Wagon or Kapitan have a narrower listed product path in 640-13, so model-specific searching saves time.

Rim-width guidance on 1956 Opel tires depends on the size selected. The listed 640-13 bias-ply application fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims, the Michelin 155R13 radial fits 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, and 560-13 bias-ply products appear on 3.50 to 4.00-inch and 4.00 to 4.50-inch approved ranges depending on brand. Every size discussed here uses a 13-inch rim diameter.

That range matters because two tires with the same nominal size can still have different approved wheel-width windows by brand or series. Before finalizing a tire for a 1956 Opel, compare the wheel on the car to the approved range for the exact product, not just the size family. This is especially important on restored cars that may no longer have their original wheels, or on cars that have been changed over the years.

Inner-tube use on 1956 Opel tires depends on the exact tire selected. The Michelin 155R13 radial is marked TL, which identifies it as a tubeless tire, while tube use can vary by product elsewhere in the range because not every listing carries the same marking. The bias-ply sizes shown here do not all include a tube designation in the size line, so the exact product sidewall marking and wheel condition should be checked before installation.

That is especially important on a collector car because the wheel itself may influence whether a tubeless tire can be used confidently. Original 1950s wheels, restored wheels, and later replacement wheels are not always in the same condition or built to the same sealing expectations. If your 1956 Opel is being fitted with a radial marked TL, confirm the wheel is appropriate for tubeless service; if you are using a bias-ply product, verify tube practice for that specific tire and wheel combination.

Original 1956 Opel wheels are 13-inch wheels in the tire applications covered here, so the diameter is shared across all four listed sizes. That means the question is not wheel diameter but model-specific tire size and the approved wheel-width range of the tire you select. A Caravan & Wagon or Kapitan still needs its own size pair, and an Olympia still needs its smaller size pair even though all use 13-inch rims.

In practical terms, that makes wheel reuse possible only after the exact wheel width is confirmed against the intended tire. A 560-13 bias-ply tire and a 155R13 radial do not automatically share the same ideal wheel-width window just because both mount on 13-inch rims. If a 1956 Opel has had wheels swapped sometime in its life, measure the wheel and compare it to the approved range for the specific tire rather than assuming any 13-inch Opel wheel is interchangeable.

A stored 1956 Opel should be kept out of direct sunlight and away from ozone-producing sources such as electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and compressors. Clean, dry floors and stable temperatures help protect both radial and bias-ply tires. Because the 1956 Opel range can use either construction depending on model and size choice, remember that bias-ply tires tend to flat-spot more readily during long static storage than radials, and both constructions can suffer sidewall aging if left exposed.

Periodic movement helps prevent one contact patch from carrying the load for months at a time. If the car will sit for an extended season, keep the tires properly inflated and consider stands that reduce weight on the tires while avoiding suspension damage. When the car returns to service, inspect the sidewalls and tread before driving, especially if the Opel has spent more time parked than on the road.

On a 1956 Opel, tire age usually matters more than mileage. Collector cars often accumulate little tread wear, yet the rubber still ages from time, storage conditions, sunlight, heat cycles, and ozone exposure. A sensible rule is to evaluate tires closely once they reach the five-to-seven-year range and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement point regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish the tire's age.

That age-based approach is especially important on a 1956 Opel because the car may appear lightly used while still carrying old tires that have hardened or cracked. A bias-ply tire with good-looking tread can still be overdue, and an older radial can also become unreliable with age. If there is any doubt about a tire's age or service history, replacing it is usually wiser than stretching a collector tire simply because the car is not driven every day.

Tires on a 1956 Opel should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, nails, and signs that the tire is not holding pressure. Since some 1956 Opel fitments may involve tube use depending on the exact tire and wheel combination, valve stems and any tube-related hardware deserve the same attention as the tread and sidewalls.

Routine inspection is one of the simplest ways to avoid problems on a collector car that may sit for long periods between drives. A quick check before leaving the garage is often enough to catch age-related issues that are not obvious from a distance. On a longer trip, inspect the spare as well, because an old spare on a 1956 Opel is only helpful if it is inflated, structurally sound, and mounted on a usable wheel.

A 1956 Opel Kapitan would have been a bias-ply car when new, because bias-ply construction was still the standard fitment type for mainstream passenger cars in that era. In the current 1956 Opel range, the Kapitan uses either 640-13 as the bias-ply size or 175R13 as the radial alternative. The bias-ply size is the one that aligns most closely with original-period construction, while the radial reflects a later style of replacement rather than factory-era practice.

That does not mean every surviving Kapitan should automatically run the same sidewall treatment or tire brand, especially if the car was delivered to a different market or restored to a specific period look. Original equipment details can vary by destination and specification. For a high-authenticity project, use the size and construction as your foundation, then compare period photos and consult Opel marque specialists or clubs before settling on the final sidewall appearance.

Correct tire fitment matters on a shown 1956 Opel because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice construction type, overall size family, and sidewall style. A Caravan & Wagon or Kapitan wearing Olympia sizes would be an obvious mismatch, and a modern radial can stand out on a car being judged for strict originality. Sidewall treatment matters too, since blackwalls, narrow whitewalls, and wide whitewalls each change the period impression of the car.

The right choice depends on the kind of event and the standard being applied. Some shows reward tasteful road-use upgrades, while concours-level judging usually puts more weight on period-correct construction and appearance. If the 1956 Opel is being restored for competition, verify the accepted standards with the hosting club or judging body first. That gives you a clear target before you choose between the radial and bias-ply paths or settle on a whitewall width.

Within the 560-13 size for the 1956 Opel Olympia, BFGoodrich and Firestone both offer bias-ply tires rated at 850 pounds at 30 psi, but they differ in presentation and approved wheel-width range. BFGoodrich appears in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions with a 3.50 to 4.00-inch rim range, while the listed Firestone version is a wide whitewall with a 4.00 to 4.50-inch rim range. All three are 13-inch bias-ply Olympia fitments.

That makes the choice partly visual and partly wheel-related. If your Olympia is being restored with a specific whitewall look in mind, the BFGoodrich range gives more styling flexibility. If the car's wheel width lands closer to the wider approved range shown on the Firestone application, that may steer the decision. Since these are all bias-ply tires in the same size family, the finer distinction comes from sidewall style and wheel compatibility rather than a different basic fitment.

1956 Opel tires can be suitable for highway driving when the correct size, age, condition, and inflation are all in order. The listed 640-13 bias-ply tire carries an S rating, which corresponds to a 112 mph ceiling, and the listed 155R13 radial products carry H ratings, which correspond to a 130 mph ceiling. Those ratings are well above normal U.S. highway speeds, but a mid-1950s Opel's braking, steering, suspension, and general mechanical condition usually matter just as much as the tire itself.

Real-world safety comes from matching the right size to the right model and making sure the tire is not aged out, underinflated, damaged, or mounted on an unsuitable wheel. A 1956 Opel in excellent mechanical condition with fresh, properly fitted tires is a different proposition from one running old rubber after years of storage. Highway use should be approached with the car's full condition in mind, not only the maximum speed letter on the sidewall.

Inflation pressure on 1956 Opel tires should not be guessed from another size in the lineup. The listed 640-13 bias-ply tire is rated at 1045 pounds at 32 psi, while the listed 560-13 bias-ply tires are rated at 850 pounds at 30 psi. Those figures are product load-pressure ratings, not a blanket instruction to use the same pressure on every 1956 Opel. The owner's manual remains the starting point for factory vehicle pressure guidance.

Use the vehicle recommendation as your baseline, then compare it with the tire manufacturer's limits and application guidance for the exact product fitted to the car. A 155R13 radial should not automatically be inflated like a 560-13 bias-ply simply because both mount on 13-inch wheels. If the car's original handbook and the tire maker's recommendations need to be balanced, stay within the tire's rated limits and avoid transferring figures between different sizes or constructions.

Before a longer drive in a 1956 Opel, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and proper inflation, and make sure the spare is usable. Confirm the tires are the correct size for the model, especially since Olympia uses different sizes from the Caravan & Wagon and Kapitan. If the tire and wheel combination uses a tube or may require one, inspect the valve stems carefully as part of the pre-drive routine.

That tire check should be part of a broader road-trip inspection suited to a mid-1950s car. Brakes, steering, wheel bearings, cooling system condition, and lighting deserve just as much attention as the tread and sidewalls. Long drives tend to expose weaknesses that short local runs do not, so a 1956 Opel should be treated as a collector car first and a modern appliance second. Careful preparation is what makes vintage driving enjoyable rather than stressful.