1958 Facel Vega Tire Fitment Guide

1958 Facel Vega vehicles use three sizes: 8.45-15, 815-15, and 670-15. The Excellance uses 8.45-15 and 815-15, while the FYS uses 670-15. All of them mount on 15-inch wheels. Published rim width guidance is available for 815-15 at 5.00 to 6.50 inches, and for 670-15 at 4.50 to 5.00 inches on some products and 5.00 to 6.00 inches on others.

Model identification matters before anything else on a 1958 Facel Vega because the sizes are not shared across the full lineup. Once the model is confirmed, compare the wheel itself to the intended tire's rim width range and sidewall style. That is especially important on restored cars, where replacement wheels, older tires, or market-specific past changes may have altered what is currently mounted.

On a 1958 Facel Vega, 815-15 is an older numeric bias-ply size. The first part, 815, identifies the nominal section width class used in period sizing, and the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a modern metric size, and it does not read the same way as a contemporary radial code.

That matters because a buyer should match an 815-15 Facel Vega tire to a car that actually calls for that numeric size, not just to any 15-inch wheel. On the Excellance, 815-15 is one of the model-specific late-1950s fitments and is offered with distinct sidewall treatments, so the choice often comes down to restoration appearance after size and wheel compatibility are confirmed.

No. The 1958 Facel Vega Excellance uses 8.45-15 and 815-15, while the 1958 Facel Vega FYS uses 670-15. Even though all three sizes fit 15-inch wheels, they are not interchangeable just because the rim diameter matches. Each size belongs to a specific part of the model range.

A buyer with a 1958 Facel Vega should confirm whether the car is an Excellance or an FYS before narrowing anything else. That is more important here than on year-make pages where every model shares the same tire. Once the model is pinned down, sidewall style, brand preference, and wheel-width compatibility become the next practical decisions.

A 1958 Facel Vega owner should choose between 8.45-15 and 815-15 only if the car is an Excellance, because those are the two sizes associated with that model. Both are period-style bias-ply fitments on 15-inch wheels. The difference is not a bias-ply-versus-radial decision here; it is a matter of matching the Excellance's correct size and wheel setup.

If the car currently wears one of these sizes, use that as a starting point but verify against the wheel and restoration goals before replacing it. The 815-15 size has available BFGoodrich products with different sidewall treatments, which gives Excellance owners a clearer appearance choice. FYS owners should not be comparing these two sizes at all, because that model uses 670-15 instead.

1958 Facel Vega tires are available in several sidewall styles, depending on size. The 815-15 Excellance fitment comes in Narrow Whitewall and Whitewall-Redline versions, while the 670-15 FYS fitment is available in Blackwall and Wide Whitewall styles. Those choices create noticeably different visual personalities even when the construction stays bias-ply.

For a late-1950s French luxury GT, whitewall styling is often the most era-consistent visual direction, especially on a formal car such as the Excellance. Blackwall can look more understated, and a redline treatment can push the car toward a sportier period custom presentation. Owners concerned with judging standards should compare the chosen sidewall style against marque references and period photos for their specific car.

Several brands cover 1958 Facel Vega fitments. The 815-15 size is available from BFGoodrich, while the 670-15 size appears in Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire offerings. All of the listed options are bias-ply tires, so the brand choice does not change the basic construction type for this year and make.

Brand selection on a 1958 Facel Vega usually comes down to which size the model requires and what sidewall appearance the owner wants. A BFGoodrich 815-15 buyer is choosing within one brand but between two visual treatments, while a 670-15 buyer has more brand spread and both blackwall and wide whitewall directions. Looking at the exact tire series and sidewall presentation is often more useful than comparing brand names alone.

Rim width guidance for 1958 Facel Vega tires depends on the size and product. The 815-15 size carries a published rim width range of 5.00 to 6.50 inches. The 670-15 size appears with 4.50 to 5.00-inch guidance on some products and 5.00 to 6.00 inches on another, so the exact tire selected matters. All listed fitments use a 15-inch rim diameter.

That makes wheel verification especially important before fitting new tires to a Facel Vega. Restored cars sometimes wear replacement wheels, and even when the rim diameter is correct, width can still affect how the tire sits and performs. Match the actual wheel to the intended product's approved range rather than assuming every 15-inch wheel used on a 1958 Facel Vega is suitable for every listed size.

Original 1958 Facel Vega wheels can only be considered across these sizes in terms of rim diameter, because all listed fitments are 15-inch tires. That means the wheel diameter itself is consistent across 8.45-15, 815-15, and 670-15. Rim width still needs to match the tire being considered, and the sizes are tied to different models rather than shared across the full 1958 Facel Vega lineup.

A 15-inch Excellance wheel is not automatically the right wheel for an FYS tire, and the reverse is also true. The practical takeaway is to confirm both model and wheel dimensions before mounting a new set. Staying within the intended size family for the car helps preserve the stance and character that distinguish a Facel Vega flagship sedan from its coupe sibling.

A stored 1958 Facel Vega should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, generators, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can accelerate sidewall aging. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to temporary flat-spotting after long static periods, so maintaining proper inflation and moving the car periodically is helpful. Clean, dry floors and tire covers also reduce exposure to moisture and light.

Owners who store a 1958 Facel Vega for extended periods often benefit from rolling the car occasionally or supporting it in a way that reduces long-term loading on one contact patch. That routine helps preserve ride quality and appearance when the car returns to use. It also gives you a natural chance to check the sidewalls and valve areas before the next drive.

Tire life on a 1958 Facel Vega is usually judged more by age and condition than by mileage, because collector cars often cover limited annual miles. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they are around five to seven years old and to treat about ten years as a serious replacement point regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code on the tire identifies its age.

That approach is more useful than waiting for visible tread wear on a collector Facel Vega. Luxury and GT cars can spend long stretches parked, and time, storage conditions, and heat cycles often matter more than mileage alone. If a tire shows cracking, hardening, bulges, or persistent air loss before those age markers, condition should drive the replacement decision sooner.

Tires on a 1958 Facel Vega should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, uneven wear, and signs that the car is not holding pressure properly. Because these are bias-ply fitments, any change in how the car tracks or rides is also worth noting during a walk-around and road test.

Frequent inspection matters on a low-use collector car because age-related problems can appear before the tread looks worn out. A quick check also helps catch issues that might have developed during storage, transport, or after sitting on one spot for too long. Include the spare in the routine, since a long-stored spare is often older than the road tires and easy to overlook.

The 1958 Facel Vega Excellance used bias-ply tires, which was fully in keeping with late-1950s grand touring practice. The Excellance is associated here with 8.45-15 and 815-15 fitments on 15-inch wheels. No original-equipment brand should be assumed from that alone, but the construction type and period size family are clear for restoration purposes.

For an owner returning a 1958 Facel Vega Excellance to period specification, the first goal is matching the correct size family and a sidewall style that suits the car's presentation. Brand and market details could vary by delivery destination or past restoration choices, so marque clubs, factory literature, and period photography remain the best resources for final confirmation on a specific chassis.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1958 Facel Vega. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the tire size, construction type, and sidewall treatment look appropriate for the year, model, and restoration standard. On a late-1950s French luxury car, an obviously incorrect sidewall style or an off-family tire size can distract from an otherwise high-quality presentation.

That does not mean every show uses the same standard, but originality-minded events usually reward choices that stay faithful to period practice. An Excellance wearing a model-correct bias-ply size with an era-suitable sidewall generally reads more authentically than a mismatched visual treatment. Owners pursuing judged competition should review event rules and compare notes with Facel Vega specialists before making the final call.

For the 1958 Facel Vega 815-15 size, BFGoodrich offers two listed versions in the same Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series: a 1.00-inch whitewall and a 1.00-inch whitewall with a 3/8-inch redline. Both share the same bias-ply construction, 15-inch rim diameter, 5.00 to 6.50-inch rim width range, 25-pound weight, and 1610-pound maximum load rating at 32 psi. The main difference is visual presentation rather than structure.

That makes the decision largely an authenticity and style question for an Excellance owner. The plain narrow whitewall gives a more formal luxury look, while the added redline shifts the appearance toward a more sporting period flavor. If the car is being judged, compare the chosen sidewall treatment to period references for your market and restoration theme rather than assuming both will be viewed the same way.

1958 Facel Vega tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, properly mounted, correctly inflated, and in sound condition. The available fitments here are bias-ply tires, so they deliver the road feel and response typical of the era rather than the behavior of a modern radial. On a 1958 grand touring car, the overall condition of the brakes, steering, suspension, and alignment is just as important as the tire itself.

A well-sorted Facel Vega on fresh, correct tires can be enjoyable on modern roads, but it should be driven with the expectations appropriate to a late-1950s car. Bias-ply construction may track road grooves differently and can feel less relaxed after long static storage until the tires warm and settle. Highway use is best approached with a complete mechanical inspection and realistic speed discipline.

Published maximum load figures for 1958 Facel Vega tire offerings include 1610 pounds at 32 psi for 815-15 and 1450 pounds at 32 psi or 1550 pounds at 32 psi for certain 670-15 products. Those figures identify the tire's rated load at a stated pressure, not automatically the car's recommended running pressure. Pressure should be matched to the specific tire size and product actually being used.

The best practice is to consult the original owner's literature or marque references for the car's baseline pressure guidance, then compare that with the reproduction tire manufacturer's specifications for the exact size selected. Do not borrow a pressure number from an Excellance tire for an FYS or from one 670-15 product to another without checking the actual tire. Small pressure differences can noticeably affect ride and handling on a heavy, luxurious 1958 car.

Before a longer drive in a 1958 Facel Vega, inspect all four road tires and the spare for cracks, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and proper inflation. Confirm that the tire size on the car matches the model, and look closely at the valve areas and sidewalls for any signs of age-related deterioration. A bias-ply tire that has been sitting a long time also deserves a short local drive and recheck before a full-distance outing.

Tire inspection is only one part of preparing a Facel Vega for distance. A sensible pre-trip routine should also include brakes, steering, suspension, lights, fluids, and cooling-system checks, because a powerful late-1950s GT puts demands on the whole car, not just the tires. If the car has not been driven regularly, plan conservatively and address any vibration or pull before committing to highway miles.