1958 Opel Tire Fitment Guide

1958 Opel vehicles use five sizes across three models. The Caravan & Wagon uses 175R13 or 640-13, the Kapitan uses 175R13 or 6.70-13, and the Olympia uses 155R13 or 560-13. All of those sizes mount on 13-inch wheels, but the available rim width range changes by the specific tire product where published, from 3.50 inches up to 5.50 inches depending on size and brand.

The practical takeaway is that a 1958 Opel owner needs more than the year and make before choosing tires. Confirm whether the car is an Olympia, Kapitan, or Caravan & Wagon, then match the tire to the wheel on the car. That matters especially because the radial and bias-ply choices are tied to particular models, and the wheel-width window is not identical across every available product.

560-13 is a numeric bias-ply size used on the 1958 Opel Olympia. In that style of sizing, the first number is the nominal section width and the second number is the wheel diameter, so the tire is built for a 13-inch rim. Available versions include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall designs, and the listed load figure for the products in this size is 850 pounds at 30 psi.

That size makes the most sense for an Olympia owner who wants the period appearance and road feel associated with a bias-ply tire. Before ordering, compare the wheel on the car to the published rim-width range for the specific product, since some 560-13 versions are intended for narrower wheels than others. Sidewall style also changes the look of the car substantially, even when the size itself stays the same.

155R13 is a Euro-metric radial size used on the 1958 Opel Olympia. The 155 is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. The available Olympia products in this size are blackwall radials from Michelin and Dunlop, and the H speed rating shown on those examples corresponds to a 130 mph ceiling.

A buyer choosing 155R13 is selecting the Olympia's radial-format fitment rather than its 560-13 bias-ply alternative. That can change the way the car feels on the road as well as the visual presentation, because the available radial products are blackwalls rather than whitewalls. It is also worth checking the exact sidewall marking on the chosen tire, since tube-related notation is not uniform across the products in this size.

That choice applies to the 1958 Opel Olympia, and it comes down mainly to construction type and the kind of result you want from the car. The 560-13 is a bias-ply size offered with whitewall options, which suits a more period-oriented appearance. The 155R13 is a radial blackwall size, which suits owners who want the Olympia in a later-style radial format.

If the car is being restored with authenticity and period look as the priority, the bias-ply 560-13 is usually the direction owners consider first. If the car is driven more regularly and you specifically want the Olympia's radial option, 155R13 is the relevant size. The best starting point is to verify which wheels are on the car and decide whether appearance or radial construction matters more for how you use it.

Sidewall style depends on the size chosen for the 1958 Opel model. The 155R13 radial products for the Olympia are blackwalls, while 560-13 bias-ply tires are available in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall form. The 640-13 bias-ply option for the Caravan & Wagon is offered as a wide whitewall. That spread reflects the period, when whitewall presentation still mattered on many passenger cars, especially in bias-ply applications.

For a restoration-minded owner, sidewall style can be almost as visible as the wheel itself. A blackwall radial gives a cleaner, more understated look, while narrow and wide whitewalls push the car toward a stronger late-1950s appearance. If the goal is event judging or a very specific factory-era presentation, compare the tire's whitewall width and construction to what is appropriate for your model and market before making the final choice.

Three brands appear in currently available 1958 Opel sizes: BFGoodrich, Firestone, Michelin, and Dunlop products are represented across the listed sizes. BFGoodrich covers 640-13 and part of the 560-13 offerings in bias-ply form, Firestone adds another 560-13 bias-ply choice, and Michelin and Dunlop supply the 155R13 radial options. Brand availability is tied closely to the specific size, so not every brand is available for every Opel model.

That means brand choice starts after size choice, not before it. An Olympia owner comparing 560-13 and 155R13 is also comparing two different brand pools and two different sidewall presentations. Once you settle on the correct size for the model, the next useful comparison is between the brands that actually make that size, especially if whitewall width, blackwall appearance, or radial versus bias-ply construction matters to your build.

Published rim-width ranges vary by 1958 Opel tire size and product. The 640-13 bias-ply option lists a 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim width range. The 560-13 bias-ply products span from 3.50 to 4.50 inches depending on brand and version. The 155R13 radial Michelin option lists 4.00 to 5.50 inches, showing that the correct wheel width can differ substantially between sizes and even within the same overall year and make.

That is why wheel verification should happen before selecting a tire, even though all of these 1958 Opel sizes mount on 13-inch rims. A tire can share the right diameter but still be a poor match for the wheel if the width falls outside the recommended range. Compare the actual wheel on the car to the chosen tire's published rim-width recommendation rather than assuming all 13-inch Opel tires interchange the same way.

Inner-tube requirements are not the same across every 1958 Opel tire choice. The 155R13 radial range varies by product, with one example marked TL for tubeless use while another does not carry the same marking in the size description. The bias-ply 640-13 and 560-13 products do not all spell tube status out in the same way, so the exact sidewall marking on the chosen tire should guide the final setup decision.

A good rule for a collector Opel is to treat tube fitment as a product-specific check, not a blanket assumption for the whole year and make. Wheel condition also matters, especially if the car still uses older original rims. Before mounting, confirm whether the selected tire is intended for tube-type or tubeless service and make sure the valve stem, wheel, and any tube used are matched correctly.

All listed 1958 Opel tire sizes for the Olympia, Kapitan, and Caravan & Wagon use a 13-inch rim diameter, so they share that basic wheel diameter requirement. That means an original 13-inch Opel wheel is in the right diameter family for these sizes. Width is the real variable, because some products are intended for relatively narrow rims while others allow a much wider fitment window.

An owner should think of diameter compatibility as only the first checkpoint. A wheel that is correct for one 13-inch tire may still be outside the preferred width range for another, especially when comparing a narrower bias-ply fitment to a radial product. Measure the wheel, compare it to the selected tire's recommended range, and avoid assuming that every original 1958 Opel wheel works equally well with every available size.

A stored 1958 Opel should be kept away from direct sunlight, standing moisture, and ozone-producing equipment such as electric motors, welders, and some battery chargers. Tires should be inflated properly, the car should be moved periodically if possible, and long static storage is easier on the tires if the load is reduced with stands used correctly. Bias-ply tires are more prone to flat-spotting during storage than radials, so Olympia, Kapitan, and Caravan owners using bias-ply fitments should be especially mindful of that.

Storage habits directly affect how a collector car feels the next time it goes on the road. A well-stored tire is less likely to develop visible cracking, temporary shape distortion, or sidewall aging that shortens usable life. If the Opel sits for seasons at a time, check pressure regularly and inspect the sidewalls before the first drive of the year rather than assuming the tires are fine because the tread still looks fresh.

Tires on a 1958 Opel usually age out before they wear out, especially on collector vehicles that see limited annual mileage. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating them closely once they are around five to seven years old and to treat about ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code on the tire is the most useful guide for determining age.

That age-based approach matters more than mileage for an older Opel because rubber hardens and the internal structure ages even when the car is seldom driven. A lightly used show car can have tires that look presentable but are no longer ideal for road use. Keep a record of installation dates, compare them to the DOT code, and let age and condition drive the decision instead of relying on tread depth alone.

Tires on a 1958 Opel should be inspected before every drive, with a more thorough inspection before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and pressure loss, and make sure the tread area is free of embedded debris. If the chosen setup uses a tube-type arrangement, valve stems and any signs of slow leakage deserve extra attention because a car that sits often can lose pressure gradually without obvious warning.

Frequent checks are especially worthwhile on a vintage Opel because the tire is only one part of an older mechanical package that may be less forgiving than a modern car. Catching a pressure issue or sidewall problem in the garage is far better than discovering it on the shoulder of the road. A simple inspection routine before local drives and club tours adds a meaningful margin of confidence without much extra effort.

For a 1958 Opel Olympia, the period-correct construction type would ordinarily be bias-ply, and the size associated with that model in this range is 560-13. The alternate Olympia fitment listed here is 155R13, which is a radial size rather than the earlier bias-ply format. Original equipment branding could vary by market and delivery history, so the most dependable way to pin that down for a specific car is to compare factory literature and Opel marque references.

For most restorers, the larger authenticity question is construction and sidewall presentation rather than chasing a single brand name first. A 560-13 bias-ply, especially in the appropriate whitewall style for the car's intended look, will read more period-correct than a blackwall radial if originality is the goal. If your Olympia is being judged, check the standards used by the club or event because market-specific expectations can differ.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when a 1958 Opel is presented for show judging, because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction type, and sidewall style immediately. A radial blackwall on an Olympia, for example, creates a different visual and historical impression than a bias-ply whitewall. Even when the wheel diameter is correct, the wrong sidewall treatment or a modern-looking construction can stand out on a carefully restored late-1950s Opel.

That does not mean every shown Opel must wear the same tire, but it does mean the tire should match the standard you are restoring toward. A touring car built for regular driving can make a different choice than a concours car chasing factory-era appearance. Before a major event, compare your selected size and sidewall style with period photos, club guidance, and class rules so the tires support the story the car is meant to tell.

For the 1958 Opel Olympia's 560-13 size, BFGoodrich and Firestone both offer bias-ply choices, but they are not identical in presentation or wheel fitment range. BFGoodrich offers both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions with a listed rim-width range of 3.50 to 4.00 inches, while the Firestone wide whitewall lists a 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim-width range. All three show the same 850-pound load figure at 30 psi and a listed weight of 17 pounds.

That makes the decision less about basic capacity and more about appearance and wheel compatibility. If your Olympia has narrower rims and you want the option of either a narrow or wide whitewall, the BFGoodrich choices are the obvious comparison. If the car is on a slightly wider wheel and you prefer a wide whitewall look, the Firestone version may align better with the wheel while still keeping the correct 560-13 bias-ply format.

1958 Opel tires can be suitable for highway use when the tires are in sound condition, properly inflated, and matched to the correct wheel and model. The 155R13 radial products shown for the Olympia include H-rated examples, which carry a 130 mph ceiling. The other sizes listed here are vintage-style bias-ply fitments or model-specific radial fitments, and normal road safety depends as much on overall condition and correct setup as it does on the printed size.

In real use, a 1958 Opel is still a late-1950s car with era-appropriate brakes, steering, and suspension design, so the safe pace is usually determined by the vehicle itself before the tire's maximum speed capability becomes the limiting factor. For longer highway stretches, focus on freshness, pressure, wheel condition, and balance. A properly sorted Opel on the correct tire is a very different experience from an old car running on aged rubber of uncertain history.

Inflation pressure on a 1958 Opel should be set by the tire size and product you are actually using, then cross-checked against the car's original operating guidance. Published maximum load-and-pressure figures here include 1045 pounds at 32 psi for 640-13 and 850 pounds at 30 psi for 560-13. Those figures describe the tire's listed load rating point, not automatically the pressure every Opel should be driven at in all conditions.

The right approach is to start with the factory recommendation for the car when available, then compare that to the chosen tire's sidewall information and the manufacturer's guidance for that reproduction or radial product. Avoid moving a pressure figure from one size to another just because both fit a 13-inch wheel. The Olympia, Kapitan, and Caravan & Wagon use different sizes, and pressure decisions should stay tied to the exact tire on the car.

Before a longer drive in a 1958 Opel, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and any sign of impact damage. Confirm cold inflation pressure, check that the valve stems are sound, and make sure the spare is usable rather than simply present. If the car is running a tube-type arrangement, pay extra attention to air retention and stem condition, because a long-stored collector car can reveal slow leaks only when it is finally asked to travel farther.

A smart pre-drive routine also looks beyond the tires to the rest of the car's age-sensitive systems. Wheel fasteners, brakes, steering response, fluid levels, and basic lighting should all be part of the inspection before a tour or highway trip. Vintage Opels reward preparation, and tire condition is one of the clearest indicators of whether the car is ready for distance or should stay on shorter local drives until the setup is sorted.