1958 Renault Tire Fitment Guide

1958 Renault vehicles use four sizes, divided by model. The Renault CV and Renault Daughine use either 145R15 radial or 5.20-15 bias-ply tires, while the Renault Fregate uses either 185R15 radial or 640-15 bias-ply tires. Every size in the range mounts on a 15-inch rim, but the listed wheel-width ranges differ by tire size and by product, so the exact wheel should still be checked before final selection.

That means year and make alone are not enough for a 1958 Renault tire choice. Start by identifying whether the car is a CV, Daughine, or Fregate, then choose between the radial and bias-ply option that belongs to that model. Once that is settled, compare the wheel-width range of the specific tire against the wheel on the car instead of assuming every 15-inch Renault wheel is interchangeable across the lineup.

On a 1958 Renault, 5.20-15 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.20 figure refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches, and the 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. For 1958 Renault fitment, that size belongs to the CV and Daughine rather than the larger Fregate, and it represents the older bias-ply sizing system that was common before metric radial sizes became familiar to most American buyers.

A buyer seeing 5.20-15 should think of it as the traditional small-car choice for a period-style setup, not as a direct metric code. It is useful when the goal is to preserve original-era appearance and steering feel on a CV or Daughine. The best next step is to confirm the wheel diameter and then compare the specific tire’s approved wheel-width range before settling on a product.

On a 1958 Renault, 145R15 and 185R15 are metric radial sizes. The first number is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the final 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. In common Euro-metric usage for this era of radial replacement tire, the profile is conventionally treated as an 80-series type unless a different aspect ratio is explicitly stated. The 145R15 size applies to the CV and Daughine, while 185R15 applies to the Fregate.

Those codes matter because they separate not just width, but model family within the 1958 Renault range. A 145R15 is the smaller-car radial, while 185R15 belongs to the larger Fregate. If the car already wears metric radials, the sidewall code is often the fastest clue to what model family the tire belongs to, but wheel width and the exact sidewall marking should still be confirmed before replacing a mixed or older set.

For a 1958 Renault CV or Daughine, the choice between 145R15 and 5.20-15 is mainly a choice between radial and bias-ply construction. The 145R15 is the radial option in that model family, while 5.20-15 is the older numeric bias-ply size. Both belong to the smaller Renaults and both fit 15-inch rims, but they represent different tire technologies and different ownership priorities.

Owners restoring a CV or Daughine toward an original late-1950s presentation often lean toward the bias-ply size because it preserves period character. Owners who plan to drive regularly often look first at the radial because it keeps the proper wheel diameter while moving to a more modern construction. The right decision starts with the role of the car—show-focused or road-focused—rather than assuming one size automatically replaces the other in every situation.

1958 Renault tire choices include several sidewall presentations, depending on size. The 145R15 radial is offered in blackwall and wide whitewall form, the 185R15 radial appears in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and redline versions, and the 640-15 bias-ply for the Fregate comes in both wide and narrow whitewall styles. Those choices give owners room to match a more restrained European look or a period accessory-style presentation.

For a late-1950s Renault, blackwall is usually the safest direction when authenticity matters most, especially on modestly sized European cars. Whitewalls and redlines can be attractive period-style upgrades, but they should be chosen with the overall restoration theme in mind rather than treated as universally correct. If the car will be judged, compare the tire’s sidewall treatment with period photos, factory literature, or marque-club guidance for the exact market and body style.

Several brands cover 1958 Renault fitments, but not every brand appears in every size. The 145R15 radial for the CV and Daughine is offered by Firestone, Michelin, and BFGoodrich. The 185R15 radial for the Fregate is represented by Coker Classic and Michelin, while the 640-15 bias-ply Fregate size is offered by BFGoodrich and Firestone.

Brand choice on a 1958 Renault usually comes after the model and size are settled. Once that is done, the comparison shifts to sidewall appearance, approved wheel-width range, and whether a particular product includes a speed rating or load figure that suits the way the car will be used. A Michelin radial, for example, may appeal to a buyer who wants a distinctly European-style replacement, while Firestone or BFGoodrich may fit a different visual direction.

Rim-width guidance varies by 1958 Renault tire size and by product. In 145R15, listed radial products span from 3.50-5.00 inches up to 4.00-5.00 inches. In 185R15, listed radial products span from 4.5-6.0 inches up to 5.00-6.50 inches. In 640-15, listed bias-ply products span from 4.00-4.50 inches up to 4.50-5.00 inches.

Those ranges show why wheel width matters even when every 1958 Renault tire in this group uses a 15-inch rim diameter. A Fregate tire and a CV tire may both fit a 15-inch wheel, but they are not meant for the same wheel width range. Measure the actual wheel on the car, especially if it has been swapped at some point, and match it to the approved range of the exact tire rather than relying on year alone.

Inner-tube requirements vary within 1958 Renault tire offerings. The Michelin 145SR15 78S for the CV and Daughine is marked TL, meaning tubeless, and the Michelin 185HR15 and 185VR15 Fregate radials are also marked TL. Other products in the same broad size groups do not all carry the same marking in the size description, so tube status can vary by product rather than by size family alone.

That makes the wheel itself just as important as the tire. An original wheel designed around tube-type service may still call for a tube even when a reproduction tire is available in tubeless form, while some wheel and tire combinations can be run tubeless when both pieces are suitable. Before final installation, check the sidewall marking on the specific tire and confirm whether the wheel’s condition and design support the intended setup.

All listed 1958 Renault tire sizes in this group use a 15-inch rim diameter, so they share wheel diameter in common. That does not mean every original Renault wheel is suitable for every size, because wheel-width requirements differ between the smaller CV and Daughine sizes and the larger Fregate sizes. A 145R15 radial, for example, is approved on narrower wheels than a typical 185R15 radial.

Treat wheel diameter as only the first checkpoint. If the car still has its original wheels, they are often the best clue to the correct model-specific tire family, but they should still be measured and inspected before fitting a new set. This is especially important on older French cars that may have seen decades of mixed replacement parts, wheel repairs, or informal substitutions in service.

A stored 1958 Renault should be kept out of direct sunlight, away from electric motors and ozone-producing equipment, and in a dry, stable environment. Tires should be inflated to the chosen storage pressure, the car should be moved periodically, and long-term static weight on one spot should be minimized when possible. Bias-ply tires on a 1958 Renault, such as 5.20-15 or 640-15, are generally more prone to temporary flat-spotting during storage than radials.

That matters because many collector Renaults spend more time parked than driven. A CV, Daughine, or Fregate that sits for weeks can still come out with healthy tires if storage conditions are controlled and the car is not left neglected on damp floors or in sunlit garages. If the car will be down for a season, periodic rolling or the use of properly placed stands can reduce stress on the tire carcass.

On a 1958 Renault, tire age is usually more important than miles driven. Collector-car tires are commonly evaluated closely once they reach the five- to seven-year range, and many owners consider replacement as they approach ten years regardless of remaining tread depth. The DOT date code and the tire’s visible condition should guide that decision, especially on a car that sees occasional use rather than modern commuter mileage.

A lightly driven Renault can fool owners into thinking an older tire is still fine because the tread looks fresh. Rubber hardens with time, sidewalls can crack, and internal condition can change even when the car has mostly lived indoors. If the exact age of the tires is unclear, or if the car has sat unused for long stretches, a close inspection and age check should happen before any serious road use.

Tires on a 1958 Renault should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, and any sign that a tire is losing pressure between uses. If the car runs a tube-type setup, the valve stems and tube-related hardware deserve equal attention because leakage or aging at those points can sideline an otherwise sound-looking tire.

Frequent checks are especially important on older small cars such as the CV and Daughine, where a modestly sized tire carries a lot of responsibility for ride and control, and on a larger Fregate that may see touring duty. A five-minute inspection before departure is usually enough to catch issues early. Pressure checks should be done with a quality gauge, not by appearance, since vintage tires can look normal while being underinflated.

A 1958 Renault CV would have been a bias-ply-era car when new, and the period-correct size in this fitment group is 5.20-15 rather than the later-style 145R15 radial alternative. That aligns with how small European economy cars of the late 1950s were typically delivered. The exact market, body style, and dealer practice could still influence details, so the safest originality check is to compare against factory literature or a Renault marque specialist.

For restoration purposes, that means the 5.20-15 direction generally makes the strongest historical sense when the goal is an authentic presentation. A radial can still be a sensible replacement choice for road use, but it changes the construction type from what buyers would have expected on an entry-level Renault in 1958. If the car is being restored for show, make sure the size, construction, and sidewall treatment match the standard used by the event.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1958 Renault because judging often considers size, construction type, and sidewall appearance along with the rest of the car’s presentation. A CV or Daughine shown on a bias-ply size that matches the era will usually read more authentically than the same car on a modern-looking radial, and the same principle applies to the Fregate. Sidewall treatment can also affect how correct the car looks in period context.

That does not mean every event uses the same standard. Some local shows reward presentation more broadly, while marque-focused or concours-style judging can be much stricter about whether the tire looks right for the year, class, and market. Before finalizing a set, check the event rules and compare your choice against period photos, brochures, and club guidance so the tires support the restoration rather than working against it.

A 1958 Renault Fregate belongs to the same broad period in which bias-ply tires were still the normal factory fitment, and the period-style size in this group is 640-15. The 185R15 radial is a later-construction alternative in the same wheel diameter, not the older standard fitment type associated with a late-1950s family sedan. Exact market-specific details can still vary, so original handbooks and Renault club references remain valuable for final confirmation.

That makes the Fregate’s tire choice fairly straightforward when authenticity is the priority: start with the bias-ply path and then choose the sidewall presentation that best suits the car’s restoration theme. A radial can still be appropriate for an owner building a more road-oriented car, but it changes the look and feel in ways judges and marque enthusiasts usually notice. Construction matters just as much as rim diameter on a restoration-minded Fregate.

1958 Renault tires can be suitable for highway use when they are correctly sized, properly inflated, and in sound condition, but the answer depends on the exact product and the car itself. Among the listed radial products, Michelin examples in 145R15 carry an S rating up to 112 mph, while 185R15 Michelin options include H at 130 mph and V at 149 mph. Bias-ply options listed here do not show speed letters in the same way, so they should be approached with the normal caution appropriate to period-style construction.

For most real-world driving, a well-maintained 1958 Renault will usually be limited more by its age, braking, suspension, and overall mechanical condition than by the upper speed capability of a reproduction radial. The smart approach is to use the tire within its rating, keep the car aligned and properly inflated, and drive at speeds that suit both the tire construction and the vehicle’s 1950s design envelope rather than chasing modern traffic pace.

Inflation pressure on a 1958 Renault should be set by the vehicle’s factory recommendation and then checked against the selected tire’s published limits. The listed load-and-pressure figures include 145R15 at 935 pounds at 44 psi for one Firestone radial, 185R15 at 1355 pounds at 35 psi for one Coker Classic radial, and 640-15 bias-ply examples at either 1190 pounds at 32 psi or 970 pounds at 32 psi depending on the product. Those figures are tire capacities, not universal pressure instructions for every Renault application.

The practical takeaway is simple: do not transfer a pressure figure from a Fregate tire to a CV tire, or from one brand’s 640-15 to another, just because the size looks similar. Start with the handbook recommendation for the car, then confirm the tire’s maximum-rated pressure and intended operating range. A lightly loaded collector car often needs less than the sidewall’s maximum figure to drive properly and wear evenly.

Before a longer drive in a 1958 Renault, inspect each tire for age cracks, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and signs of air loss, then verify pressures when the tires are cold. Look closely at the valve stems, and if the car uses a tube-type setup, pay extra attention to stem condition and any evidence of leakage at the wheel. The spare should be checked with the same care, since a decades-old spare can be unusable even if it appears untouched.

Tires are only one part of the trip-prep picture on a late-1950s Renault. A sensible pre-drive routine also includes wheel-fastener security, brake feel, steering response, fluid levels, and basic lighting. Because these cars are often driven infrequently, small issues can hide between outings. A short local test drive after any tire change or long storage period is a wise final step before committing the car to a longer run.