1958 Singer Tire Fitment Guide

1958 Singer vehicles in this guide use two tire sizes: 155R15 and 560-15, and both apply to the 1958 Singer Gazelle. Each size mounts on a 15-inch rim. Rim width guidance is available within the product range, with 155R15 commonly shown for 4.00- to 5.50-inch rims and 560-15 shown on 4.5-inch or 4.50- to 5.50-inch rims depending on the tire.

That means a 1958 Singer buyer is not sorting between multiple models with different wheel diameters. The real job is choosing which construction matches your goals, then confirming the actual wheel width on the car against the tire you want. If the car has been restored, upgraded, or fitted with replacement wheels, checking the wheel itself before ordering is still the smart move.

A 560-15 on a 1958 Singer is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 5.60 figure is the nominal section width, and the 15 is the rim diameter in inches. Unlike a modern metric radial code, it does not spell out an aspect ratio, and the construction is bias-ply rather than radial.

For a 1958 Singer Gazelle, that code usually points you toward a more traditional late-1950s look, especially when paired with narrow or wide whitewall styling. It is the format many restorers expect to see on cars of this era. If your priorities lean toward originality in appearance and period character, 560-15 is the size to evaluate first before deciding between specific whitewall treatments.

A 155R15 on a 1958 Singer is a metric radial size. The 155 is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. In this older Euro-metric style, the aspect ratio is not written out, and it is conventionally treated as an 80-series profile.

That matters because 155R15 represents a different tire language from 560-15 even though both fit a 15-inch rim on the 1958 Singer Gazelle. Radial choices in this size are available as blackwalls and can differ in tube designation and speed rating depending on the product. Checking those details helps you choose the version that best suits how the car will actually be used.

Within this year and make, the only model covered is the 1958 Singer Gazelle, and it uses both listed tire sizes rather than having a separate size for another Singer model. The available fitments are 155R15 in radial construction and 560-15 in bias-ply construction, both for 15-inch rims.

That simplifies shopping compared with a year-make page that includes multiple body styles or trim levels with different wheels. For a 1958 Singer buyer, identifying the model is easy; choosing the intended character of the tire is the bigger issue. Once you know whether you want the Gazelle on a bias-ply or radial setup, the remaining decisions are brand, sidewall styling, and wheel-width compatibility.

For a 1958 Singer Gazelle, the choice comes down mainly to construction rather than wheel diameter, because both sizes fit 15-inch rims. The 560-15 is a bias-ply size and reads as the more period-authentic option for a late-1950s British saloon. The 155R15 is a radial size and is the better match for owners who want a later-style tire design while staying in an appropriate overall fitment category for the car.

A show-focused restoration often leans toward the numeric bias-ply size, especially if sidewall appearance matters to the finished look. A driver that sees more regular road miles often leads buyers toward the radial size for its different construction characteristics. Neither choice should be made by code alone, though; confirm your wheel width and pay attention to whether the specific radial you choose is tube-type or tubeless.

1958 Singer tire choices span two very different sidewall presentations. The 155R15 radial options are offered as blackwalls, while the 560-15 bias-ply options are available as narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions. That gives the Gazelle owner a clear visual split between a cleaner radial look and a more overtly period-styled bias-ply appearance.

For a British compact of this era, blackwalls generally suit a restrained factory-style presentation, while whitewalls can push the car toward a more stylized restoration look. The right answer depends on how you want the finished car to read rather than on fitment alone. It is worth matching the sidewall style not just to the wheel size, but also to the car’s trim level, market flavor, and the overall tone of the restoration.

Four brands appear in the available 1958 Singer fitments. The 155R15 radial size is offered by Firestone and Michelin, while the 560-15 bias-ply size is offered by Firestone and US Royal. Brand choice therefore depends partly on which construction and sidewall style you want, not just on the name molded into the sidewall.

Michelin is especially relevant when a buyer wants a classic European radial flavor in 155R15, while Firestone spans both the radial and bias-ply sides of the 1958 Singer range. US Royal is part of the bias-ply whitewall selection. Once you narrow the size first, compare each brand’s sidewall appearance, rim-width fit, and any tube or speed-marking differences that matter for your intended use.

Rim width requirements for 1958 Singer tires depend on the size and the specific product. In 155R15, listed fitments include 4.00- to 5.50-inch rim widths. In 560-15, some products are specified for a 4.5-inch rim, while others cover a 4.50- to 5.50-inch range. All listed tires use a 15-inch rim diameter.

That range is wide enough that a buyer should avoid assuming every 15-inch wheel is equally suitable for every tire. If your Gazelle is still on original-style wheels, many options may overlap, but the exact tire should still be matched to the exact rim width. A quick wheel measurement before committing to a tire is much easier than dealing with an avoidable fitment mismatch later.

Inner-tube requirements for 1958 Singer tires are clear in the radial offerings where the sidewall markings specify tube type or tubeless. Within 155R15, tube status varies by product: Michelin X is listed as TL, Michelin XAS is TT, and Michelin XAS-FF is TL. The 560-15 bias-ply options shown here do not carry a tube marking in the size description, so the practical check is whether your wheel design and the specific tire’s construction call for a tube in service.

That variation means you should not assume all radials in the same size install the same way. On a 1958 Singer Gazelle, wheel condition and wheel type matter just as much as the tire code when tubes enter the conversation. If you are working with original steel wheels, restoration-age rims, or a product marked TT, confirm the final setup before installation rather than treating every 155R15 as interchangeable.

Because both listed 1958 Singer sizes use a 15-inch rim diameter, the original wheel diameter is compatible in principle with both 155R15 and 560-15. Rim width still matters, and the available tires show overlapping but not identical width requirements. That means the wheel can be the right diameter for both sizes without automatically being the right width for every product in each size.

For a Gazelle owner, that is encouraging because you are not dealing with a 15-inch-versus-16-inch conflict. The smarter question is whether your actual wheel falls inside the approved width range for the exact tire you want to run. If the car has replacement rims, old repairs, or wheels from another Rootes-era application, confirm those dimensions before making the final tire choice.

A 1958 Singer should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Keep the tires properly inflated during storage and move the car periodically so one area of the tread is not carrying the load for months at a time. Bias-ply tires are generally more prone to temporary flat-spotting during long static periods than radials.

If the car will be parked for an extended season, many collectors either roll it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces continuous load on one contact patch. Clean, dry floors are preferable to damp ground, and a breathable car cover is better than trapping moisture. Good storage habits matter just as much on a lightly used Gazelle as they do on a show car because age usually outruns mileage.

Tires on a 1958 Singer should be judged more by age and condition than by tread wear alone. A common collector-car rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they are around five to seven years old and to treat roughly ten years as a point where replacement deserves serious consideration even if the tread still looks usable. The DOT date code, visible on modern tire sidewalls, is the starting point for that age check.

Low-mileage vintage cars can fool owners because the tires often age out before they wear out. Sidewall cracking, hardening, vibration, and loss of air retention matter more than the amount of tread remaining. On a 1958 Singer Gazelle that sees seasonal use, a set that looks cosmetically fine can still be old enough to justify replacement, especially before any higher-speed or longer-distance driving plans.

Tires on a 1958 Singer should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracks, cuts, bulges, embedded objects, uneven wear, and signs that the tire is losing pressure between uses. If your setup includes a tube-type radial or a wheel that requires tubes, add valve stem condition and slow air loss to the checklist.

That routine matters because collector cars often sit longer than modern daily drivers, and problems can appear between drives rather than during steady weekly use. A quick inspection takes only a few minutes and can catch aging or storage-related issues early. Include the spare in the same schedule, since a decades-old spare on a 1958 Singer may be the least-used tire on the car and still the least trustworthy.

A 1958 Singer Gazelle would have been associated in period with bias-ply construction rather than a modern radial being the default expectation. Within the available fitments here, 560-15 is the bias-ply size and aligns most naturally with that era of original-style presentation, while 155R15 represents a radial alternative that fits the car’s 15-inch wheel format. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and supplier, so construction, size family, and sidewall appearance matter more than guessing at one exact marque.

For a restoration, that means the strongest starting point is usually the numeric bias-ply size, followed by choosing a sidewall style that suits the way your Gazelle was delivered or is being presented. Event judging standards can be very specific, especially for market-correct details. If the car is headed for concours-level review, compare your choice against period photos, factory literature, and Singer or Rootes marque specialists before making the final call.

Correct tire fitment does matter when showing a 1958 Singer, especially on a car judged for originality. Size family, construction type, and sidewall style all influence whether the car presents as authentically restored. A radial blackwall can look different in character from a bias-ply whitewall even when both fit the same 15-inch wheel diameter.

That does not mean every event uses the same standard, but it does mean tires are part of the visual and historical impression a Gazelle makes. Some shows reward faithful period appearance, while touring and driver-oriented events may place less emphasis on strict originality. If points matter, use the event’s judging guide and marque-club advice to decide whether a 560-15 bias-ply or a 155R15 radial better suits your restoration target.

For the 1958 Singer in 155R15 fitment, Michelin XAS and Michelin XAS-FF share the same 155HR15 82H sizing, both use radial construction, both are blackwalls, and both list a 15-inch rim with a 4.00- to 5.50-inch width range. The main distinction visible in the markings here is tube designation: Michelin XAS is listed as TT, while Michelin XAS-FF is listed as TL.

That makes the comparison less about overall size and more about installation approach and wheel compatibility. If you are comparing these two for a Gazelle, pay attention to the wheel type on the car and whether you are building around a tube-type or tubeless setup. Since both carry an H speed rating, the choice is not driven by speed ceiling in this case but by how the tire is meant to be fitted.

1958 Singer tires can be suitable for highway use when the tire is in good condition, correctly installed, and operated within its intended rating. In the 155R15 radial size, available markings include T and H speed ratings, which correspond to 118 mph and 130 mph ceilings respectively. The 560-15 bias-ply offerings shown here do not list speed ratings in the same way, so their safe use depends more heavily on respecting the characteristics of vintage-style bias-ply construction and the car’s own mechanical limits.

On a 1958 Singer Gazelle, tire capability is only one part of the road-use equation. Brakes, steering, suspension condition, and the age of the entire vehicle matter just as much as the code on the sidewall. For many owners, normal highway cruising will be far below the radial speed ratings anyway, but the key is choosing a sound tire, keeping it properly inflated, and driving the car in a manner appropriate to its era.

Inflation pressure for a 1958 Singer should be set with both the vehicle’s original recommendation and the tire’s own service limits in mind. In the available range here, 155R15 includes a listed maximum load of 1045 pounds at 44 psi on one radial product, while 560-15 bias-ply products list 970 pounds at 32 psi. Those figures are tire ratings, not a universal instruction to run every 1958 Singer at the same pressure.

The practical approach is to start with the vehicle handbook or marque guidance for the Gazelle, then make sure your chosen tire’s rating and construction are appropriate for that use. Do not transfer a pressure figure from one size to the other just because both fit a 15-inch wheel. The correct working pressure depends on the exact tire, the wheel, and how the car is being driven.

Before a longer drive in a 1958 Singer, inspect every tire for cracks, weathering, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, and make sure the spare is serviceable too. If your chosen tire setup involves a tube-type product, include valve stems and any signs of slow leakage in the inspection. Confirm that the tire size on the car matches the wheel and that the wheel itself is free from visible rust damage or distortion.

A longer outing in a 1958 Singer Gazelle should also include a broader mechanical check beyond the tires. Wheel bearings, brakes, coolant, belts, lights, and basic ignition health all matter on a vintage British car that may spend much of its life parked between drives. Tire readiness is the foundation, but the safest trip comes from treating the whole car as a system rather than focusing on rubber alone.