1958 Fairthorpe Tire Fitment Guide

1958 Fairthorpe vehicles use four sizes split by model. The Atomota uses either 145R13 in radial construction or 520-13 in bias-ply construction, while the Electron uses either 155R13 in radial construction or 560-13 in bias-ply construction. All four sizes fit 13-inch rims, and where rim-width figures are available they range from 3.5 inches up to 5.5 inches depending on the exact size and tire chosen.

Model identification matters first because the Atomota and Electron do not share the same size set. After that, the practical decision is whether you want the original-style bias-ply look and feel for your specific model or a radial alternative in that model's corresponding 13-inch size. Checking the actual wheel width against the tire you intend to use is the right next step before ordering.

A 520-13 size on a 1958 Fairthorpe is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.20 figure refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches, and the 13 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1958 Fairthorpe range, 520-13 belongs to the Atomota rather than the Electron, and the available products in that size are bias-ply designs.

That size matters to owners restoring an Atomota because it keeps you in a construction style that matches the period far more closely than a modern radial format. Within 520-13, the visible difference often comes down to sidewall presentation, since blackwall and narrow whitewall versions are available. Rim-width recommendations can differ by product, so the exact tire should be matched to the wheel rather than assuming every 520-13 is identical.

145R13 and 155R13 are Euro-metric radial sizes used on 1958 Fairthorpe vehicles. The first number is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. In period-style metric sizing like this, the absent aspect ratio is conventionally treated as an 80-series profile. The 145R13 size belongs to the Atomota, while 155R13 belongs to the Electron.

Those two sizes should not be swapped just because both fit 13-inch rims. The wider 155R13 is tied to the Electron, while the narrower 145R13 is tied to the Atomota, so model identity still controls the choice. If you are comparing products within either metric size, details such as speed symbol, tubeless marking, and approved rim-width range are worth checking on the exact tire rather than relying on the size code alone.

A 1958 Fairthorpe Atomota can use either 520-13 or 145R13, but they represent different construction philosophies rather than interchangeable styling only. The 520-13 is a numeric bias-ply size, while the 145R13 is a radial metric size. Bias-ply generally suits owners pursuing a more period-authentic presentation, while radial construction is the better match for owners who want the Atomota to feel more settled in modern road use.

The same logic applies on the Electron side, where the choice is between 560-13 bias-ply and 155R13 radial, not between the Atomota's sizes. A buyer deciding between the Atomota's two sizes should think first about the car's mission: show-field correctness and original character, or more contemporary road manners. Once that is settled, compare the exact sidewall style and wheel-width requirements inside that construction group.

1958 Fairthorpe tire sidewall styles vary by size and construction. The radial sizes, 145R13 and 155R13, are available as blackwalls. The bias-ply Atomota size, 520-13, is available in blackwall and narrow whitewall versions, while the bias-ply Electron size, 560-13, is available in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions.

That makes sidewall choice part of the overall appearance decision, especially on a small British specialty car where tire proportion is visually prominent. Owners leaning toward a cleaner sporting look will usually gravitate toward blackwalls, while whitewall options can push the presentation more toward period custom or traditional restoration taste. The right look depends on the specific car, but the size itself still has to match the model before sidewall style becomes the deciding factor.

Several brands cover the 1958 Fairthorpe range, but not every brand appears in every size. The 145R13 radial size is offered by Michelin and Firestone, the 520-13 bias-ply size by Firestone and Premium Sport, the 155R13 radial size by Michelin and Dunlop, and the 560-13 bias-ply size by BFGoodrich and Firestone. Brand choice is therefore linked directly to the model and size you need.

For a buyer, that means the first filter is never brand alone. Start with Atomota versus Electron, then the correct size family, then compare the brands available inside that size for sidewall appearance, construction, and any published wheel-width or load information. On a niche marque like Fairthorpe, staying disciplined about size first prevents ending up with a product that suits the era in appearance but not the actual model.

Rim-width recommendations on 1958 Fairthorpe tires depend on the exact size and product. The 145R13 radial size includes examples approved for 4.00 to 5.00-inch rims, while 155R13 includes examples approved for 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims. In the bias-ply sizes, 520-13 appears with 3.5-inch and 3.50 to 4.00-inch rim guidance, and 560-13 appears with 3.50 to 4.00-inch and 4.00 to 4.50-inch fitment ranges.

Those ranges are the reason wheel width should be confirmed before settling on a specific tire, even when the rim diameter is already known to be 13 inches. Different reproductions within the same size can ask for slightly different wheel widths. Measuring the actual wheel or verifying it through a trusted Fairthorpe specialist is a smarter approach than assuming every tire in a given size family mounts the same way.

All listed 1958 Fairthorpe tire sizes use a 13-inch rim diameter, so wheel diameter stays consistent across the Atomota and Electron ranges. That means the basic diameter match is shared, but it does not make every size interchangeable from one model to the other. Width recommendations vary by size and sometimes by tire line, with published examples spanning from 3.5 inches to 5.5 inches.

Owners should treat the original wheel as compatible only after confirming both the model-correct size and the wheel's actual width. An Atomota should stay within its 145R13 or 520-13 choices, and an Electron should stay within its 155R13 or 560-13 choices. If the car has replacement wheels or a long restoration history, physically checking the wheel before mounting tires is well worth the effort.

A stored 1958 Fairthorpe should be kept out of direct sunlight, away from electric motors or other ozone sources, and off damp ground if possible. Clean, dry surroundings help preserve both the rubber and the car. Because the Fairthorpe range can wear either bias-ply or radial tires, storage habits matter: bias-ply designs are more prone to temporary flat-spotting during long periods of sitting than radials.

Rolling the car periodically or supporting it appropriately during long-term storage helps reduce stress on the tires and suspension. Keep inflation pressures stable during storage and inspect the sidewalls before the car goes back into use. A light British sports car may not heavily load its tires, but age and environment still do most of the damage on collector vehicles that are driven only occasionally.

Tires on a 1958 Fairthorpe should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. Collector-car tires are often evaluated carefully once they reach about five to seven years of age, and replacement becomes a serious consideration as they approach roughly ten years, even if the tread still looks usable. The date code on the tire tells you when it was made, which matters far more than how often the car was driven around town.

That guideline is especially important on low-use specialty cars because sunlight, heat cycling, and long static periods can age the rubber quietly. A Fairthorpe that sees occasional weekend use may wear out a tire cosmetically and structurally long before it wears one out by mileage. If the car is newly acquired, checking the tire age is one of the smartest first steps before planning any extended driving.

Tires on a 1958 Fairthorpe should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, uneven wear, cuts, bulges, and signs that the tire is losing pressure between uses. Because some Fairthorpe tire options are older-style bias-ply reproductions, close visual inspection is part of ordinary ownership rather than something reserved for major trips.

A brief check catches most problems before they become roadside ones. If the car has been sitting, give the tires extra attention after the first few miles for vibration or shape change, especially on bias-ply fitments. Pressure retention, valve-stem condition, and spare-tire condition should also be part of the routine, since a vintage car's emergency backup is often just as old as the four tires already on the ground.

A 1958 Fairthorpe Atomota would have belonged to an era when bias-ply construction was still the normal original-equipment expectation for most small sports cars, even though radial options are now available in the correct 13-inch diameter. Within the current Atomota fitments, 520-13 represents that traditional bias-ply sizing, while 145R13 provides a radial alternative. No specific original-equipment brand should be assumed without model-history confirmation from Fairthorpe specialists.

For a restoration-minded owner, that means the 520-13 size is the natural starting point when the goal is period-correct construction and appearance. If the car has a known market history, long ownership trail, or surviving factory paperwork, those details may refine the choice further. Marque clubs and Fairthorpe enthusiasts are the right place to confirm whether a particular sidewall treatment or supplier style suits your exact Atomota.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1958 Fairthorpe because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, and sidewall appearance immediately. On a car from the late 1950s, a bias-ply tire generally aligns more closely with period presentation, while a radial can look out of place in strict originality-focused settings even if it is practical for road use. Whitewall width can also influence whether the car reads as factory-correct, traditionally restored, or customized.

That does not mean every event uses the same standard. Some shows care primarily about overall presentation, while concours-style judging may look closely at construction and sidewall style against era expectations. Owners preparing a Fairthorpe for judged competition should confirm the event's rules and consult marque-specific guidance, since small-production British cars often have details that are interpreted differently depending on the club or judging body.

In 145R13 for a 1958 Fairthorpe Atomota, both Michelin and Firestone offer blackwall radial tires, but their published details are not identical. The Michelin listing carries an H speed symbol in its marked size, indicating a 130 mph ceiling, while the Firestone example is listed as a 145R13 radial with a published load figure of 825 pounds at 44 psi and a 4.00 to 5.00-inch rim-width range. Weight also differs between the two products.

For the buyer, that means comparison should go beyond the size alone. If speed symbol, load information, or a stated wheel-width range matters to your application, those details can help narrow the choice within the Atomota's radial option. Both remain the correct 145R13 size family, so the decision comes down to which set of published characteristics best suits the wheel and the way the car will actually be used.

1958 Fairthorpe tires can be suitable for highway driving when the tires are in good condition, correctly sized for the model, and used within their construction and speed limits. The available 145R13 and 155R13 radial fitments include H-rated examples, which correspond to a 130 mph ceiling. The bias-ply 520-13 and 560-13 offerings are more about period-style construction, and their road behavior will feel different from a modern radial even when they are entirely serviceable.

On a car like a Fairthorpe, the bigger real-world limit is often the vehicle itself rather than the printed top-speed capability of the tire. Steering feel, braking performance, suspension condition, and the age of the entire car all matter at least as much as the tire rating. Highway use is best approached with a freshly inspected car, correct inflation, and realistic speeds that suit both the vintage chassis and the tire type you selected.

Inflation pressure on 1958 Fairthorpe tires should follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation for the car and the tire maker's published limits for the exact tire. Several Fairthorpe fitments carry specific load-and-pressure figures: 145R13 includes an example rated at 825 pounds at 44 psi, 520-13 includes examples at 770 pounds at 32 psi and 1100 pounds at 60 psi, and 560-13 includes examples at 850 pounds at 30 psi. Those figures are tire ratings, not a blanket setting for every Fairthorpe.

The practical takeaway is not to transfer a pressure from one size or product line to another just because the cars are light and all use 13-inch rims. Start with the original Fairthorpe guidance if available, then verify that the chosen tire's published specifications are respected. When changing from bias-ply to radial construction, pressure habits can change as well, so using the exact tire's recommendations is the safer path.

Before a longer drive in a 1958 Fairthorpe, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, and make sure the spare is usable as well. Pay attention to the sidewalls because a lightly driven collector car often ages its tires more than it wears them. If the car is running older-style bias-ply fitments, any vibration or flat-spot feel after storage deserves attention before committing to distance.

The tire check should be part of a broader pre-trip inspection suited to a late-1950s specialty car. Wheel fasteners, steering play, brake function, fluid levels, and lighting should all be reviewed before relying on the car away from home. Getting the tires right is only one part of the equation, but it is the first one you feel at speed and the easiest one to verify before the trip begins.