1958 Borgward Tire Fitment Guide

1958 Borgward vehicles use six sizes across two models. The Hansa uses 195R15 in radial form and 670-15 in bias-ply form, both on 15-inch rims. The Isabella uses 165R13 and 175R13 in radial form, plus 590-13 and 640-13 in bias-ply form, all on 13-inch rims. Where rim width guidance appears, 670-15 ranges from 4.50 to 6.00 inches depending on product, 165R13 fits 4.50 to 6.00 inches, 590-13 fits 3.50 to 4.00 inches, and 640-13 fits 4.00 to 4.50 inches.

That means year and make alone are not enough for a 1958 Borgward tire choice. Start by confirming whether your car is a Hansa or an Isabella, then check which of that model's specific sizes is on the car now or called for by your restoration plan. If the car has been converted over the years, verify the actual wheel diameter before ordering, because a 13-inch Isabella tire and a 15-inch Hansa tire are not interchangeable.

On a 1958 Borgward, 670-15 is a traditional numeric bias-ply size. The 6.70 portion refers to the nominal section width, and the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. For the Borgward range, that size belongs to the Hansa rather than the Isabella. Available 670-15 tires come in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles, and listed rim-width ranges run from 4.50 to 6.00 inches depending on the specific tire.

A modern buyer should read 670-15 as an older sizing system rather than a metric equivalent printed in vintage form. If your Hansa is being restored with an eye toward period appearance, this is the classic-style size family to examine first. Before final selection, compare the wheel's actual width to the individual tire's approved range, because not every 670-15 offering is aimed at the exact same rim width.

On a 1958 Borgward, 165R13 is a Euro-metric radial size used on the Isabella. The 165 is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. When no aspect ratio is printed in a size like this, it is conventionally treated as an 80-series type. The available 165R13 products for Borgward are blackwall radials, with H-rated examples marked to 130 mph and rim-width guidance of 4.50 to 6.00 inches on the Michelin offerings.

That makes 165R13 easier to compare to later European radial sizing than a numeric bias-ply code. Isabella owners considering this size should still verify that the car actually uses the 165R13 fitment and not one of the other 13-inch Isabella sizes, because the model family spans both narrower and wider options. Looking at the sidewall marking on the car is the quickest way to confirm what you have before choosing among available products.

No. The 1958 Borgward Hansa and 1958 Borgward Isabella use different tire families and different wheel diameters. Hansa fitments are 15-inch sizes, specifically 195R15 and 670-15. Isabella fitments are 13-inch sizes, specifically 165R13, 175R13, 590-13, and 640-13. Those sizes also split between radial and bias-ply construction, so the difference is more than just brand or sidewall appearance.

The practical takeaway is simple: identify the model before you evaluate any tire size. If you are looking at a car that has changed hands several times, check the current sidewall code and wheel diameter rather than assuming every 1958 Borgward was equipped alike. That extra step prevents ordering a tire that matches the year but belongs to the other Borgward model line.

For a 1958 Borgward Hansa, the choice between 195R15 and 670-15 is largely a construction and character decision once you have confirmed the car uses the 15-inch Hansa fitment. The 195R15 is a radial size, while 670-15 is a numeric bias-ply size offered in both blackwall and wide whitewall versions from several brands. Both belong to the Hansa, but they deliver different ownership experiences because radial and bias-ply tires behave differently on the road and present differently on the car.

A Hansa restored for period appearance usually points buyers toward 670-15, especially if whitewall presentation matters. A Hansa intended for more frequent road use may lead you toward 195R15 if you want a radial in the correct diameter. Confirm the wheel diameter first, then decide whether your priority is originality in look and feel or a later-style driving experience within the Hansa's approved size family.

1958 Borgward sidewall choices depend on size. The Hansa's 670-15 bias-ply options are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles, while the Isabella's 590-13 and 640-13 bias-ply offerings are wide whitewall. The available 165R13 radial products for the Isabella are blackwall, and the listed 195R15 and 175R13 radial fitments are also blackwall. That creates a clear split between classic whitewall presentation on the bias-ply side and blackwall presentation on the radial side.

For a late-1950s European car, sidewall style can strongly influence how authentic the finished car looks. Buyers chasing a show-oriented, period-correct appearance often favor the whitewall bias-ply options where they apply, while a blackwall radial keeps a cleaner, more understated European look. The right choice depends on your model, your exact size, and whether appearance or driving character is the larger priority.

Several brands cover the 1958 Borgward range, but not every brand appears in every size. The Hansa's 670-15 bias-ply offerings include Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire. Isabella fitments include Michelin and Dunlop in 165R13 radial form, while BFGoodrich covers the 590-13 and 640-13 bias-ply whitewall sizes. Brand choice therefore follows size first, then construction, rather than starting with one brand across the whole Borgward lineup.

That matters because a buyer shopping for a Hansa has a broader mix of vintage-style bias-ply brands in 670-15, while an Isabella owner looking at radial 13-inch fitments sees a more European-leaning brand set. Narrow your search by confirming the sidewall size on the car, then compare the products available inside that exact size. That approach keeps you from eliminating good options simply because a preferred brand does not cover the other Borgward size family.

Rim-width requirements on 1958 Borgward tires depend on the specific size and even the individual product. For 670-15, listed ranges include 4.50 to 5.00 inches on some tires and 5.00 to 6.00 inches on others. For 165R13, the Michelin radial products list 4.50 to 6.00 inches. For 590-13, the listed range is 3.50 to 4.00 inches, and for 640-13 it is 4.00 to 4.50 inches.

The safest way to use those numbers is to measure the actual wheel and compare it against the approved range for the exact tire you want, not just the size family in general. That is especially important with 670-15 because some versions are aimed at narrower wheels than others. A tire can share the same sidewall size code and still have a different approved wheel-width window depending on its build.

Tube status on 1958 Borgward tires depends on the exact product and size. The available Michelin 165R13 radial offerings are marked TL, indicating tubeless construction. Other listed sizes do not carry a uniform tube marking across every product entry here, so tube requirements can vary by product rather than by year and make alone. Bias-ply fitments on vintage wheels also raise separate wheel-condition considerations beyond the basic tire label.

Before final selection, check the sidewall marking on the specific tire and consider the wheel itself. If the car still uses original wheels, especially older rims with uncertain sealing surfaces, many owners confirm tube use with the tire maker or a marque specialist before mounting. Matching the tire type to both the wheel design and the product's own construction marking avoids setup surprises after installation.

A 1958 Borgward should be stored out of direct sunlight, away from electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone-producing sources that age rubber. Keep the car in a dry, cool space and maintain the tires at appropriate pressure so the casing is not left underinflated for long periods. Because the Borgward range includes both bias-ply and radial fitments, remember that bias-ply tires tend to flat-spot more noticeably during static storage and can show age-related cracking sooner if neglected.

Moving the car periodically helps, and long-term storage on stands can reduce sustained load if the car will sit for an extended season. Clean tires with mild soap and water rather than dressings that leave oily residues. If your Borgward carries a mounted spare, include it in the same storage plan, because an untouched spare often ages quietly and gets overlooked until the day it is actually needed.

On a 1958 Borgward, tire life is usually judged more by age than by mileage. Collector cars often accumulate miles slowly, so a tire that still has good tread can still be aging out structurally. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating tires closely around five to seven years and to treat the ten-year mark as a strong replacement point, regardless of appearance. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish when the tire was made.

That timeline matters even more on a hobby car that spends long periods parked, because storage conditions can age rubber while the odometer barely moves. If you recently bought a Borgward, checking tire age should be one of the first tasks before putting real road miles on it. Fresh-looking sidewalls do not automatically mean a tire is young, especially on low-use vintage cars.

Tires on a 1958 Borgward should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and signs that a tire is losing pressure between uses. If the car uses a setup that involves tube-type service, inspect valve stems and pay close attention to any slow leak, because pressure loss can be less obvious on a lightly driven collector car.

A short pre-drive walkaround catches problems when they are still manageable. On a vintage car, the inspection should include the spare as well, since an old spare can leave you stranded just as easily as an old road tire. Keeping a pressure gauge in the garage and using it regularly is one of the simplest ways to protect both the tires and the driving experience.

A 1958 Borgward Hansa would have been associated in period with bias-ply tire practice, and the Hansa size family here includes 670-15 as the classic-style bias-ply fitment alongside a later-style 195R15 radial option. That makes 670-15 the more era-appropriate starting point for an originality-minded restoration. The exact sidewall treatment and market-delivery details can still vary from car to car, so show-level restorations often benefit from checking period literature or a Borgward marque club.

For most restorers, the main authenticity decision is whether the car should present as a period-correct 1950s Hansa or as a vintage car updated for road use. If the former is your goal, focus first on the 670-15 bias-ply family and then choose the sidewall style that best matches your car's intended presentation. If your Hansa has a long ownership history, inspect the current wheels and tire markings rather than assuming it still carries its original-style setup.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1958 Borgward because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction, and sidewall style very quickly. A radial on a car judged for strict originality may stand out against a bias-ply-era presentation, and a sidewall treatment that does not suit the restoration theme can be just as noticeable. On the Isabella and Hansa alike, the first step is using a size that belongs to the correct model and wheel diameter.

That does not mean every show uses the same standards. Local events may be more relaxed, while marque-specific or concours-level judging can be much stricter about construction and appearance. If points matter, match the tire not only to the year and model but also to the class in which the Borgward will be judged, then verify expectations with the event organizers or a Borgward club before the car is finished.

For the 1958 Borgward Isabella in 165R13, both the Michelin XAS and Michelin XAS-FF are blackwall radial tires in size 165HR13 82H TL. Each fits a 13-inch rim and lists a 4.50 to 6.00 inch wheel-width range, and both carry an H speed rating, or 130 mph. The meaningful differences shown here are in series designation and listed weight, with the XAS-FF recorded at 20 pounds and the XAS recorded at 9 pounds.

That means your choice between them should start with the exact series you want on the car rather than assuming one is a different fitment. Since the core size, speed rating, tubeless marking, sidewall style, and wheel-diameter fit all align, the comparison is narrower than it would be between a bias-ply and a radial. If authenticity or ride character matters at a very fine level, compare the full series details before committing.

1958 Borgward tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, in sound condition, properly inflated, and used within their construction and speed limits. The available 165R13 radial products include H-rated examples, which correspond to 130 mph, far above ordinary U.S. highway speeds. Other sizes here do not all carry a listed speed symbol, so safe highway use depends as much on age, condition, and setup as on the sidewall code itself. On a late-1950s car, brakes, suspension, steering, and overall mechanical condition often matter as much as the tire choice.

The practical approach is to think of the tire as one part of a complete roadworthy package. A fresh tire cannot compensate for worn steering parts or decades-old brake components, and an aged tire should not be trusted simply because the car is lightly driven. If your Borgward is being returned to the road after long storage, inspect the entire chassis and confirm the tire's date, pressure, and visible condition before taking it onto faster roads.

Inflation pressure on 1958 Borgward tires should be set by the vehicle's factory recommendations for the model and by the limits shown for the exact reproduction or radial tire you are using. Several available bias-ply products list maximum load and pressure figures such as 1450 pounds at 32 psi, 1550 pounds at 32 psi, 970 pounds at 32 psi, and 1045 pounds at 32 psi, but those are tire ratings rather than universal operating pressures for every Borgward application.

Use the owner's manual or marque guidance for the starting pressure target, then confirm it still makes sense for the exact tire now on the car. Do not transfer a pressure figure from a Hansa 15-inch tire to an Isabella 13-inch tire, or from a bias-ply product to a radial, simply because both belong to 1958 Borgward vehicles. Matching pressure to the exact size and tire type protects wear, ride quality, and road manners.

Before a longer drive in a 1958 Borgward, inspect all four tires and the spare for cracking, bulges, cuts, punctures, tread irregularities, and proper inflation. Make sure the sidewall size matches the wheel diameter actually on the car, and confirm valve-stem condition, especially if the setup involves tube-type service. If the car has been stored, look for flat-spotting or pressure loss that may have developed while parked. A quick review of lug security and visible wheel condition is also worthwhile on a vintage car.

That tire inspection should be part of a broader pre-trip check that includes brakes, steering, wheel bearings, fluid levels, and lighting. A Borgward that feels fine on a short neighborhood drive can still reveal problems once heat and distance build. Spending a few extra minutes in the garage before departure is usually far easier than dealing with a roadside issue in a hard-to-source collector vehicle.