1957 Opel Tire Fitment Guide

1957 Opel vehicles use four sizes across three models. The Caravan & Wagon and Kapitan use either 175R13 radial or 640-13 bias-ply, while the Olympia uses either 155R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply. All of those sizes mount on 13-inch wheels. Available rim-width ranges are 4.00 to 4.50 inches for 640-13, 4.00 to 5.50 inches for 155R13, and 3.50 to 4.50 inches across the listed 560-13 products depending on brand.

The key point is that year and make alone are not enough on a 1957 Opel. You need to identify the model first, because the Olympia's narrower size family is different from the Kapitan and Caravan & Wagon fitment. After that, the decision becomes construction-related within the correct model grouping: radial if you want a later-style road feel, or bias-ply if you want a more period-authentic presentation.

A 640-13 size on a 1957 Opel is a numeric bias-ply designation. The 6.40 figure is the nominal section width in inches, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. In the 1957 Opel range, 640-13 applies to the Kapitan and Caravan & Wagon rather than the Olympia. The listed version in this size is a BFGoodrich bias-ply with a wide whitewall and a rim-width range of 4.00 to 4.50 inches.

That size reads differently from a modern metric tire, so it helps to think of it as an era-correct format rather than a direct modern-code equivalent. If your car is a Kapitan or Caravan & Wagon and you are trying to preserve the visual character and steering feel associated with the 1950s, 640-13 is the traditional path. Always verify the actual wheel width before committing to any one bias-ply product.

A 155R13 size on a 1957 Opel is a Euro-metric radial. The 155 is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. Because no aspect ratio is printed, this older Euro-metric style is conventionally treated as an 80-series profile. Within the 1957 Opel range, 155R13 belongs to the Olympia and is offered in blackwall radial form from Michelin and Dunlop.

This format reflects the transition from older numeric sizing into radial-era European sizing practice. For an Olympia owner, 155R13 usually signals a tire choice aimed more at regular road use than strict visual authenticity, especially compared with a whitewall bias-ply 560-13. It is still important to confirm the exact product details, because tube marking and other setup details are not identical across every 155R13 offering.

That depends first on which 1957 Opel model you have, then on how you want the car to look and feel. The Caravan & Wagon and Kapitan pair 175R13 radial with 640-13 bias-ply, while the Olympia pairs 155R13 radial with 560-13 bias-ply. The bias-ply sizes align more closely with the period character of a 1957 car, while the radial sizes represent a later-style construction choice within the proper model-specific fitment family.

Owners restoring a car for a more authentic 1950s presentation often lean toward the numeric bias-ply size, especially when whitewall appearance matters. Owners planning more regular road use often consider the radial option within their model's size family. The right way to approach it is not to compare Olympia and Kapitan sizes across models, but to choose between the two constructions that belong to your particular 1957 Opel.

1957 Opel tire choices include both blackwall and whitewall styles, but the sidewall options depend on the size. The 155R13 radial options for the Olympia are blackwall only. The 640-13 bias-ply offered for the Kapitan and Caravan & Wagon is a wide whitewall, while 560-13 bias-ply for the Olympia is available in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions depending on brand and product line.

That gives you room to match the visual character of the car as closely as you want. A blackwall radial tends to suit an owner prioritizing understated road use, while the whitewall bias-ply options better capture the styling language associated with many 1950s passenger cars. Before choosing by appearance alone, make sure the sidewall style you prefer is offered in the exact size your 1957 Opel model requires.

Three brands appear in the available 1957 Opel fitments: BFGoodrich, Michelin, and Firestone. BFGoodrich covers the 640-13 bias-ply and also offers 560-13 bias-ply versions. Firestone appears in 560-13 bias-ply, and Michelin appears in 155R13 radial alongside Dunlop. Brand choice therefore depends heavily on the size family your model uses rather than on the year and make alone.

A Kapitan or Caravan & Wagon owner looking at 640-13 is working with a narrower brand choice than an Olympia owner choosing among 560-13 or 155R13 offerings. It is smart to narrow the search by model and size first, then compare sidewall style, construction, and setup details within that group. That approach avoids chasing a brand you like only to find it belongs to a different 1957 Opel fitment family.

Rim-width requirements for 1957 Opel tires vary by size. The listed 640-13 bias-ply fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims. The 155R13 radial fits 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims. The 560-13 bias-ply range spans 3.50 to 4.50 inches depending on the specific product, with some versions starting at 3.50 inches and others at 4.00 inches.

That means a 13-inch diameter match by itself is not enough. A wheel that accepts one 1957 Opel size by diameter may still fall outside the approved width range for a particular product. The safest approach is to inspect the actual wheel on the car and compare it to the width range for the exact tire you are considering, especially when moving between different brands within 560-13.

Inner-tube requirements for 1957 Opel tires depend on the size and the specific product. The 640-13 and 560-13 bias-ply offerings use classic bias-ply sizing and should be treated as tube-type fitments unless the specific wheel and tire setup is confirmed otherwise. In 155R13 radial, tube status varies by product, because one offering is explicitly marked TL while another does not carry the same marking in the size description.

That makes wheel condition and product marking especially important on a 1957 Opel. If you are working with original-style wheels, confirm whether the tire is meant to run tubeless and whether the wheel itself is suitable for that use. When there is any doubt, review the exact sidewall marking and the wheel design before installation rather than assuming every 13-inch Opel fitment uses the same tube setup.

All listed 1957 Opel tire sizes use a 13-inch rim diameter, so they share the same basic wheel diameter. That does not mean every 13-inch Opel wheel is interchangeable across all sizes or models, because approved rim-width ranges differ. The Olympia's 560-13 can start as narrow as 3.50 inches depending on product, while 155R13 starts at 4.00 inches, and 640-13 also expects a 4.00 to 4.50-inch rim.

A diameter match is a helpful starting point, but the actual wheel width on the car still needs to line up with the tire you intend to use. That matters most if a wheel has been changed over the years or if the car is being converted from one construction type to the other within its proper model family. Measure the wheel and compare it to the exact tire's approved range before mounting.

A stored 1957 Opel should be kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone sources that age rubber. A cool, dry floor and stable temperatures are better than a damp or constantly changing environment. If the car sits for long stretches, move it periodically or support it appropriately to reduce prolonged loading on one contact patch. Bias-ply tires are generally more prone to temporary flat-spotting during storage than radial tires.

That matters because many collector Opels spend far more time parked than driven. Good storage habits preserve sidewalls and help the car feel better on its first miles back on the road. Keep the tires properly inflated during storage, clean off road film before long layups, and check the spare at the same time so the whole tire package is ready when the car comes back into use.

Tire age matters more than mileage on most 1957 Opel vehicles. A lightly used collector tire can still age out even if the tread looks healthy. As a practical rule, begin evaluating tires closely once they are around five to seven years old, and treat ten years as a point where replacement deserves serious consideration regardless of visible wear. The DOT date code on the tire is the best starting point for establishing age.

Collector cars often fool owners because they may accumulate very few miles between shows or weekend drives. Rubber hardens, sidewalls crack, and internal materials age even when a car is not being driven regularly. If your 1957 Opel still rides on older tires that look presentable from a few feet away, check the date code and inspect them carefully before assuming they are still suitable for road use.

Tires on a 1957 Opel should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and signs that the tire is not holding pressure evenly. If the car uses a tube-type bias-ply setup, include the valve stems and any signs of tube-related leakage in the inspection routine. A spare tire deserves the same attention as the four on the ground.

That routine is especially important on an older car that may go weeks or months between trips. Problems often show up during idle periods rather than during regular use, and a small issue can become a much larger one once heat and speed are introduced. A brief walk-around with a pressure gauge and visual check takes only minutes and is one of the simplest ways to protect a 1957 Opel before driving.

A 1957 Opel Olympia would have belonged to an era when bias-ply construction was still the standard original-equipment pattern for most passenger cars, and its period-style size in the current fitment family is 560-13. The radial alternative, 155R13, is appropriate within the Olympia's model-specific size family but reflects a later construction approach rather than the typical mid-1950s factory norm. No specific original-equipment brand should be assumed without market-specific confirmation.

That means a restoration focused on authenticity usually starts with the numeric bias-ply size and then narrows the look through whitewall choice. If the car has a particularly strict show target, consult Opel marque specialists or club resources for market and trim details before finalizing sidewall style. The Olympia's correct fitment family is straightforward, but the level of historical precision you want should guide the final choice.

Correct tire fitment does matter when a 1957 Opel is judged for authenticity. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the size family matches the model, whether the construction type suits the era, and whether the sidewall style looks appropriate for the car's restoration theme. An Olympia wearing Kapitan-size tires, or a car presented as factory-original while running an obviously later radial look, can stand out for the wrong reasons.

The closer the event is to concours-style judging, the more those details tend to matter. A well-restored driver can reasonably prioritize usability, but a points-driven restoration should treat model-correct sizing and era-appropriate appearance as part of the overall presentation. Event standards vary, so it is wise to review the judging philosophy of the club or show you plan to enter before making a final tire decision for a 1957 Opel.

Within 560-13 for the 1957 Opel Olympia, BFGoodrich and Firestone differ mainly in sidewall presentation and approved rim-width range. BFGoodrich offers both a 1.00-inch narrow whitewall and a 2.25-inch wide whitewall, each with a 3.50 to 4.00-inch rim-width range and an 850-pound load figure at 30 psi. Firestone offers a 2.25-inch wide whitewall in the same 560-13 size, also rated at 850 pounds at 30 psi, but with a 4.00 to 4.50-inch rim-width range.

That makes the comparison less about raw capacity and more about look and wheel compatibility. If your Olympia has a narrower wheel, the BFGoodrich versions may align more naturally with that setup, while the Firestone version opens the door for a slightly wider approved wheel range. Since all three are bias-ply 560-13 options, the final decision often comes down to whitewall appearance and the actual wheel width on the car.

1957 Opel tires can be suitable for highway driving when the tires are in good condition, correctly matched to the car, and used within their ratings. The listed bias-ply 560-13 and 640-13 products carry an S speed rating, which corresponds to 112 mph. The listed 155R13 radial products carry an H rating, which corresponds to 130 mph. Those ratings are well above normal U.S. highway speeds, but tire condition and correct setup matter as much as the printed speed symbol.

A 1957 Opel's braking system, suspension condition, alignment, and overall mechanical health are often more limiting than the tire's maximum speed capability in ordinary driving. For that reason, highway readiness should be judged as a full-vehicle question rather than a speed-rating question alone. Before regular highway use, confirm that the tires are age-appropriate, inflated correctly, and free from cracking or damage, then consider the broader condition of the car itself.

Inflation pressure on a 1957 Opel should not be guessed across sizes. The listed 640-13 carries a maximum load of 1045 pounds at 32 psi, while the listed 560-13 products carry a maximum load of 850 pounds at 30 psi. Those figures describe the tire's rated capacity point, not necessarily the carmaker's recommended running pressure. The proper running pressure should be checked against the original owner's literature and the tire manufacturer's guidance for the exact product.

That distinction matters because reproductions and radial alternatives do not always behave like the original tires the car was designed around. A radial 155R13 should not simply inherit a pressure figure from a 560-13 bias-ply, and a Kapitan fitment should not borrow an Olympia pressure just because both are 13-inch tires. Use the correct size first, then confirm the recommended operating pressure for that exact tire on your 1957 Opel.

Before a longer trip in a 1957 Opel, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and signs of impact damage. Check cold inflation pressure, verify that the tires are holding air evenly, and inspect valve stems closely, especially on older tube-type or tube-equipped setups. The spare should also be aired up and inspected, because a decades-old spare is often the weakest tire on the car even if it has never touched the road.

A longer drive is also the right time to think beyond the tires. Wheel fasteners, brake function, steering play, and suspension condition all affect how safely the car can use whatever tire you have chosen. If your 1957 Opel has been sitting, a careful pre-drive inspection can reveal problems before heat and distance magnify them. Treat the tire check as one part of a full old-car roadworthiness routine.