1958 Metropolitan Tire Fitment Guide

1958 Metropolitan vehicles use two tire sizes: 520-13 and 560-13. Both sizes apply to the Metropolitan 1500, and both mount on 13-inch wheels. The listed wheel-width fitments run from 3.5 inches on some 520-13 applications to 3.50 to 4.00 inches and 4.00 to 4.50 inches depending on the specific tire, so wheel width matters along with nominal tire size.

That means a 1958 Metropolitan owner should not stop at year and make alone. Check the size already on the car, compare it to the intended appearance, and verify the wheel width before choosing between 520-13 and 560-13. Since both are bias-ply sizes, the main difference is not modern versus vintage construction, but which physical size and sidewall presentation best aligns with your particular Metropolitan.

On a 1958 Metropolitan tire, 520-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.20 portion refers to the nominal section width, while the 13 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. It is an older sizing system commonly used on American and imported cars of the period, and it does not follow the later metric format seen on modern radials.

For a Metropolitan owner, that code tells you the tire is built around a 13-inch wheel and belongs to the era-correct bias-ply family. It does not by itself tell you whether the tire is blackwall, narrow whitewall, or another cosmetic variation, so the next step is matching the sidewall style and wheel-width range to the look and setup of your specific 1958 Metropolitan.

On a 1958 Metropolitan tire, 560-13 is also a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.60 portion indicates the nominal section width, which is wider than a 520-13, and the 13 again identifies the wheel diameter in inches. Some 560-13 products also carry an S speed rating in the size marking, which corresponds to a 112 mph ceiling.

For a 1958 Metropolitan owner, the practical takeaway is that 560-13 remains a 13-inch bias-ply fitment but gives you a different size profile and, depending on product, a different sidewall presentation. Since this size appears in both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall forms, it is often chosen as much for visual correctness and stance as for the nominal size itself.

Both 520-13 and 560-13 are correct-era bias-ply constructions for 1958 Metropolitan vehicles, and both fit 13-inch wheels. The difference is mainly size and presentation: 520-13 is the narrower size, while 560-13 is wider and is offered with narrow or wide whitewall treatments. Since both are bias-ply rather than a bias-versus-radial split, this is a choice within the same vintage construction family.

Most buyers should start with what is already on the car, then confirm the actual wheel width and decide how authentic or visually bold they want the finished look to be. A 520-13 can preserve a smaller, tidier appearance, while a 560-13 creates a fuller period look. That makes the best choice less about driving character and more about matching the tire size and sidewall style to your Metropolitan's setup.

1958 Metropolitan tires are available in several sidewall styles depending on size. In 520-13, choices include blackwall and narrow whitewall. In 560-13, available styles include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall. All of them retain bias-ply construction, so the sidewall decision is mainly about period appearance rather than changing the basic tire type.

That variety matters on a Metropolitan because whitewall width has a strong effect on the car's overall look. A blackwall or narrow whitewall tends to keep the car visually restrained, while a wide whitewall gives it a stronger late-1950s presentation. If the car is being restored for judged use, check the expectations of the club or event you care about before settling on a sidewall treatment.

Three brands appear in the 1958 Metropolitan tire range: Firestone, Premium Sport, and BFGoodrich. Firestone and Premium Sport are available in 520-13, while BFGoodrich and Firestone are available in 560-13. All listed options are bias-ply products, but they differ in sidewall styling and, in the case of some 560-13 examples, whether an S speed rating appears in the size marking.

Brand choice on a Metropolitan usually comes down to which size you need and which visual treatment suits the car. If you are comparing two products in the same size, look at the approved wheel-width range, sidewall design, and any speed-rating marking before making the final decision. That keeps the selection grounded in fitment and presentation rather than brand name alone.

1958 Metropolitan tires use a 13-inch rim diameter, but wheel-width requirements vary by tire size and by product. Listed 520-13 applications include fitments on 3.5-inch wheels and on 3.50 to 4.00-inch wheels. Listed 560-13 products fit 3.50 to 4.00-inch wheels in some cases and 4.00 to 4.50-inch wheels in others.

That spread is why wheel width should be confirmed before you settle on one of the two sizes. Two tires may share the same 13-inch diameter and still differ in the wheel-width range they are intended to work with. Measure the wheel already on the car or confirm it with a trusted shop so the tire choice matches both the Metropolitan and the specific wheel being used.

Tube requirements are not uniformly marked across the available 1958 Metropolitan products, so they can vary by product. The size and construction information clearly place these tires in the bias-ply category, but a buyer should still confirm the exact tube-type or tubeless marking on the specific tire being considered rather than assuming that every tire in a given size is configured the same way.

That matters most if your Metropolitan still uses original-style wheels, since wheel condition and valve-stem setup can influence whether a tube is appropriate. Before finalizing the tire choice, inspect the wheel itself, confirm the tire's sidewall marking, and make sure the valve hardware matches the intended setup. It is a small step that helps avoid fitment surprises once the tires are mounted.

Both tire sizes used on 1958 Metropolitan vehicles are built for 13-inch wheels, so the basic rim diameter is shared. That means the original wheel diameter can often support either 520-13 or 560-13. The part that needs closer attention is width, because the listed wheel-width ranges differ between products and between the two sizes.

A Metropolitan owner considering a switch from one size to the other should treat wheel width as the deciding measurement. If the wheel falls within the approved range for the tire being considered, the shared 13-inch diameter is a strong starting point. If the wheel is narrow for one product but acceptable for another, that can narrow the field quickly without changing the car's original wheel diameter.

A 1958 Metropolitan should be stored in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age sidewalls. Because the available Metropolitan fitments are bias-ply tires, long periods of sitting can encourage flat-spotting more readily than many later radial designs. Clean, dry floors and stable temperatures help preserve both the rubber and the casing shape.

For longer storage, keep the tires properly inflated and move the car periodically so the same part of the tread is not carrying the load month after month. If the car will sit for an extended season, some owners also use stands to reduce load on the tires and suspension. The goal is to protect the rubber from age, not just preserve tread depth on a low-mile collector car.

Tires on a 1958 Metropolitan should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. A common collector-car guideline is to inspect closely once tires are in the five- to seven-year range and to give serious replacement consideration as they approach ten years, even if tread depth still looks generous. The DOT date code on the tire is the reference point for age, not the car's restoration date.

That age-based approach fits a Metropolitan well because these cars are often driven lightly and stored for long periods. Rubber can harden, crack, or lose resilience long before the tread wears out. If the tires are older but the car is still used on public roads, periodic age checks are just as important as checking inflation or tread wear.

Tires on a 1958 Metropolitan should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and pressure loss, and make sure the tread is free of embedded debris. If the tire and wheel setup uses tubes, the valve stem and any signs of slow leakage deserve the same attention as the tread and sidewalls.

Short local drives can hide developing tire problems on an older car, especially one that spends time parked between uses. A quick walk-around before each drive catches issues when they are still minor, and a more thorough inspection before a tour or highway run gives you time to correct them. That routine is simple but especially worthwhile on a compact vintage car with small-diameter tires.

A 1958 Metropolitan 1500 would have been equipped in the bias-ply era, and the available fitments for this year remain bias-ply 13-inch sizes: 520-13 and 560-13. That aligns with what buyers would expect from a late-1950s compact car. Sidewall presentation could vary by market taste and trim presentation, so the most important original-character markers are the correct size family, 13-inch fitment, and bias-ply construction.

For an owner restoring a Metropolitan 1500 to factory-style appearance, those details matter more than chasing a specific modern reproduction brand. If the car is headed for marque judging or a highly exacting restoration, it is wise to compare the current tire choice against period photos, manuals, and Metropolitan club guidance. That extra step helps settle whether 520-13 or 560-13 is the better historical match for your particular car.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1958 Metropolitan because judges and experienced enthusiasts notice whether the size, construction, and sidewall treatment suit the period. A bias-ply 13-inch tire is in keeping with the car's era, while an incorrect size or an overly modern-looking sidewall can change the car's stance and overall authenticity. Whitewall width can also affect how correct the car appears in a show setting.

For local shows, small differences may not matter much, but concours-level judging can be far more particular. A Metropolitan restored for originality should have a tire that looks right as well as fits right, especially given how visually prominent the sidewalls are on a compact 1950s car. Event rules and club judging standards are the best final reference if points or authenticity awards are the priority.

For the 1958 Metropolitan, blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options change the appearance much more than the underlying construction, since all listed choices are bias-ply. Blackwall appears in 520-13, narrow whitewall appears in both 520-13 and 560-13, and wide whitewall appears in 560-13. The visual difference is substantial because the Metropolitan's compact proportions make sidewall treatment especially noticeable.

A buyer choosing for authenticity should think about how formal or sporty the finished car is meant to look. Narrow whitewalls often suit a tasteful, restrained restoration, while wide whitewalls create a stronger late-1950s visual statement. Blackwalls can also be appropriate depending on the desired presentation, but anyone building for judged originality should compare the choice against period references for their intended standard.

1958 Metropolitan tires can be suitable for highway use when they are in good condition, correctly inflated, and matched to the wheel they are mounted on. The available fitments are all bias-ply, and some 560-13 products carry an S speed rating, which corresponds to a 112 mph ceiling. In normal collector-car use, the car's brakes, suspension, steering condition, and overall mechanical state are often more limiting than the tire's posted speed capability.

That means a Metropolitan prepared for occasional highway travel should be evaluated as a whole system, not just by tire size. Fresh tires do not offset worn suspension parts or poor alignment, and an older car should always be driven within its comfort zone. If the tire age, inflation, and wheel condition all check out, the next step is making sure the rest of the car is equally ready for sustained road speeds.

Inflation pressure on 1958 Metropolitan tires should be tied to the specific tire size and the manufacturer's rating, not borrowed from a different tire. Listed examples include 520-13 products rated at 770 pounds at 32 psi and 1100 pounds at 60 psi, while 560-13 products are listed at 850 pounds at 30 psi. Those figures are tire ratings, not a universal instruction to inflate every Metropolitan tire to the maximum number shown.

The best practice is to start with the vehicle's factory guidance for normal use, then compare it to the reproduction tire's own rated limits and intended load. Since the two sizes do not share identical load-and-pressure figures, treat each size separately. That avoids overgeneralizing from one product to another and helps keep the car riding and handling as intended for its chosen tire.

Before a longer drive in a 1958 Metropolitan, inspect all four tires and the spare for visible cracking, cuts, bulges, unusual wear, and correct cold inflation. Confirm that the wheel hardware is secure, the valve stems are sound, and the tread is free of embedded objects. Since Metropolitan tires are small and the car itself is a vintage design, minor issues can become much more noticeable once the trip includes sustained speed or rough pavement.

A sensible pre-drive routine also includes checking the rest of the car, especially brakes, steering, cooling, and fluid levels. Tire condition is only one part of readiness, but it is an easy place to catch trouble early. If the car has been sitting, drive it briefly around town first and recheck the tires before committing to a longer outing.