1958 Toyota Tire Fitment Guide

1958 Toyota vehicles in this guide use four sizes: 155R14, 560-14, 185R15, and 640-15, all associated with the Toyopet. The 14-inch choices are 155R14 radial and 560-14 bias-ply, while the 15-inch choices are 185R15 radial and 640-15 bias-ply. Rim width guidance appears on several products, with 155R14 listed at 4.00 to 5.50 inches, 560-14 at 3.50 to 4.00 inches, 185R15 at 4.5 to 6.5 inches depending on product, and 640-15 at 4.00 to 5.00 inches depending on brand.

The practical takeaway is that 1958 Toyota fitment starts with wheel diameter, not sidewall style or brand. Once you confirm whether your Toyopet has 14-inch or 15-inch wheels, you can narrow the decision to radial versus bias-ply construction and then to the sidewall look you want. Cars that have been restored or altered over the years may no longer wear their original wheel setup, so measuring the actual wheel before choosing a tire is worth the effort.

On a 1958 Toyota tire, 560-14 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.60 figure is the nominal section width, expressed in inches in the older numeric system, and the 14 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. This format does not include a modern aspect-ratio marking, and it points to traditional bias-ply construction rather than a radial tire.

That matters because a 560-14 gives a 1958 Toyota a distinctly period-correct look and driving character compared with a later radial-format size. The available versions also make sidewall appearance part of the decision, since blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall choices exist in this size. If your Toyopet is on 14-inch wheels and you are aiming for a restoration-minded presentation, 560-14 is the size code most buyers expect to see in that context.

On a 1958 Toyota tire, 155R14 and 185R15 are radial sizes using metric section-width measurements. The first number is the nominal width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the final number is the rim diameter in inches. Because these sizes do not state an aspect ratio, they fall into the conventional Euro-metric radial pattern commonly treated as an 80-series profile.

Those codes tell you two important things immediately: whether the tire is meant for a 14-inch or 15-inch wheel, and that it uses radial construction rather than bias-ply construction. In the 1958 Toyota range, 155R14 is the smaller 14-inch radial option, while 185R15 is the larger 15-inch radial option with more variation in sidewall style and speed rating. Matching the code to the wheel already on the car keeps the search focused and avoids crossing between two different wheel diameters.

That comparison only applies if your 1958 Toyota is on 14-inch wheels, because both sizes share the same rim diameter but use different construction types. The 560-14 is a bias-ply tire in the older numeric system, while the 155R14 is a radial metric size. The bias-ply option leans toward an era-correct appearance, especially with whitewall choices, while the radial option is aimed at owners who want a more contemporary driving feel within a vintage-friendly size.

Your choice comes down to how you use the car and how original you want it to look. A show-oriented Toyopet often points buyers toward the bias-ply route, particularly if period sidewall styling matters. A Toyopet that sees regular road use may benefit from staying with the 14-inch radial option. Either way, the decision starts only after you have confirmed that the wheel itself is 14 inches and compatible with the tire’s listed rim-width range.

1958 Toyota tires are offered with several sidewall looks depending on size. The 155R14 radial choices are blackwall only, 560-14 bias-ply choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, 185R15 radial choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and redline, and 640-15 bias-ply choices are centered on wide whitewall with one narrow whitewall option. That gives the Toyopet range more visual flexibility than many single-size collector applications.

For a late-1950s compact import, blackwall or modest whitewall styling usually aligns more naturally with the car’s original character than a more aggressive later-performance look. Redlines in 185R15 can appeal to owners building a custom presentation, but they are a styling decision rather than an authenticity shortcut. If appearance is a major part of your restoration, settle the wheel diameter and tire size first, then choose the sidewall treatment that fits the way you want the finished car to read.

Several brands cover the 1958 Toyota range, but they are split by size. Michelin and Firestone appear in 155R14, BFGoodrich covers 560-14, Coker Classic and Michelin appear in 185R15, and BFGoodrich plus Firestone cover 640-15. That means the available brand mix changes depending on whether your Toyopet uses a 14-inch or 15-inch wheel and whether you want radial or bias-ply construction.

Brand choice on a 1958 Toyota is really a size-and-construction question before it becomes a styling or preference question. Buyers looking at 15-inch radial fitment will see the broadest mix of branding and sidewall presentation, while 14-inch bias-ply fitment is concentrated in one established classic-tire line. If you already know your wheel diameter, comparing brands within that size is the fastest way to narrow the field without drifting into options that do not match the car’s current setup.

Rim width recommendations for 1958 Toyota tires depend on the size. The 155R14 radial is listed for 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, 560-14 bias-ply for 3.50 to 4.00-inch rims, 185R15 radial for roughly 4.5 to 6.5-inch rims depending on the specific product, and 640-15 bias-ply for 4.00 to 5.00-inch rims depending on brand. Those ranges show that matching tire size to wheel width matters just as much as matching tire size to wheel diameter.

A wheel that is too narrow or too wide for the chosen tire can affect profile shape, steering feel, and the way the tire seats on the rim. On an older 1958 Toyota, that matters even more because many cars have changed wheels at some point in their lives. Measure the actual wheel before ordering, then compare that measurement to the listed rim-width range for the exact tire you want rather than assuming every 14-inch or 15-inch tire fits every wheel of that diameter.

Inner-tube requirements on 1958 Toyota tires depend on the specific size and product. The 185R15 radial products shown here are marked TL, meaning tubeless. The 155R14 group varies by product because one listing is explicitly marked TL while another does not carry the same marking in the size line. The bias-ply 560-14 and 640-15 products are classic bias tires, so tube use should be confirmed against the actual wheel type and the exact tire’s sidewall markings before final setup.

That distinction matters because tire construction alone does not automatically tell you how the finished assembly should be built. Original wheels, restored wheels, and later replacement wheels can call for different decisions, especially on a late-1950s import that may have seen changes over the decades. If you are working with original-style rims, check the wheel condition, valve-stem provision, and the selected tire’s markings together before mounting so the tube question is settled correctly once, not guessed at.

A stored 1958 Toyota should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, chargers, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment. Clean, dry tires last better than tires left with road grime or chemical dressings on them. Since 1958 Toyota fitments can include both bias-ply and radial construction, storage habits matter: bias-ply tires are more prone to temporary flat-spotting during long static periods, while any collector tire can age faster if exposed to heat and ozone.

Moving the car periodically helps keep the contact patch from sitting in one place for months at a time. For longer off-season storage, some owners raise the car slightly or adjust support so weight is not constantly concentrated on the same portion of the tire. Whichever method you use, keep inflation checked during storage and avoid letting the tires sit underinflated, because low pressure adds stress to the casing and can worsen storage-related shape changes.

Tires on a 1958 Toyota should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage, because collector cars often accumulate very little tread wear while the rubber still ages. A sensible rule is to inspect them closely after five to seven years of service and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement point even if the tread still looks usable. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the best way to establish age when service history is unclear.

Low annual mileage can make an older tire look better than it really is, especially on a car that spends most of its life indoors and only comes out for occasional drives or shows. Cracking, hardening, vibration, and repeated air loss often matter sooner than tread depth on a vintage Toyota. If the age is already advanced, replacing the tires before relying on the car for longer trips is usually wiser than trying to squeeze a few more seasons out of them.

Tires on a 1958 Toyota should be inspected before every drive, and they deserve a more thorough check before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, irregular wear, and signs that the tire is losing pressure between uses. On cars using tube-type assemblies or older wheel hardware, pay attention to valve stems and any evidence of leakage around the stem or bead area as well.

A brief walk-around catches many problems before they become roadside issues, especially on a collector car that may sit for weeks between outings. It is also smart to check the spare, since a spare that has aged out is little help on a long drive. If the car begins pulling, vibrating, or feeling less stable than usual, stop and inspect the tires again rather than assuming the issue will sort itself out with more miles.

A 1958 Toyota Toyopet would have been associated with bias-ply construction in period, which aligns with the era and with the 560-14 and 640-15 sizes available for this year and make. Radial choices exist today in 155R14 and 185R15, but they represent a later construction approach rather than the default late-1950s small-car norm. Original-equipment brand should not be assumed from today’s reproduction offerings alone, especially on export-market and regional variations.

For a restoration, the safest path is to confirm your car’s actual wheel diameter first and then choose the bias-ply size and sidewall style that best matches the car’s intended market presentation. A Toyopet restored for authenticity will usually be judged on construction type, overall size family, and sidewall appearance more than on modern convenience. If the car is being restored to a specific delivery market or event standard, a Toyota club or marque specialist is the right place to verify those finer points.

Correct tire fitment matters on a shown 1958 Toyota because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the size, construction type, and sidewall presentation match the period character of the car. A bias-ply tire in the proper size family usually reads more authentically on a late-1950s Toyopet than a visibly modern radial choice, and an overly modern sidewall treatment can stand out even if the tire physically fits the wheel.

That does not mean every event applies the same standard, but it does mean tire choice influences the overall credibility of the restoration. A local driver-class car can tolerate more flexibility than a car prepared for stricter marque judging. If trophies or historical accuracy are part of the goal, settle the wheel diameter, then choose the size and sidewall style that look right for the car’s original era rather than treating tire fitment as an afterthought.

Within the 185R15 radial fitment for 1958 Toyota, Michelin XVS and Coker Classic differ in sidewall options, speed markings, and some specification details. Michelin XVS appears as blackwall and narrow whitewall in 185HR15 93H TL plus a blackwall 185VR15 93V TL, with rim-width listings from 4.5 to 6.5 inches depending on the version. The Coker Classic radial entry appears as a redline 185R15 with a 1355-pound maximum load at 35 psi and a listed 5.00 to 6.50-inch rim-width range.

That makes the comparison less about simple fitment and more about the kind of finished look and specification package you want on a 15-inch Toyota setup. Michelin offers the broadest speed-rating spread in this group, while Coker Classic adds a distinct redline visual that changes the car’s presentation. Buyers should compare the exact sidewall style, rim-width range, and speed marking they want rather than assuming every 185R15 radial serves the same purpose.

1958 Toyota tires can be appropriate for highway use when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and operated within their construction type and speed rating. Among the radial options, 155R14 appears with a T rating in one listing, which corresponds to 118 mph, while 185R15 appears with H and V ratings corresponding to 130 mph and 149 mph on certain products. Bias-ply 560-14 and 640-15 options are intended for vintage-style use and should be treated with the normal expectations of classic bias-ply behavior.

On a late-1950s Toyopet, the tire is only one part of the highway-safety picture. Brakes, steering, suspension condition, alignment, and the general capabilities of the car itself are usually more limiting than the maximum printed speed symbol at normal U.S. road speeds. If the car is mechanically sorted and the tires are fresh, properly inflated, and correctly matched to the wheels, occasional highway driving can be reasonable within the car’s vintage operating envelope.

Inflation pressure on 1958 Toyota tires should be tied to the exact size and product you are using, not borrowed from another tire in the same year and make. Listed examples include 560-14 at 906 pounds at 30 psi, several 640-15 products at 1190 pounds at 32 psi, one 640-15 narrow whitewall at 970 pounds at 32 psi, 155R14 with 990 pounds at 44 psi on one product, and a 185R15 product at 1355 pounds at 35 psi. Those figures are tire ratings, not universal vehicle settings.

The best approach is to start with the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure for the original application and then compare it with the selected tire’s rated pressure and load characteristics. Reproduction and modern radial products may not mirror the same inflation behavior as an original late-1950s bias tire. Keep pressure consistent side to side, check it cold, and avoid applying a number from a 14-inch bias-ply tire to a 15-inch radial just because both happen to fit a 1958 Toyota family application.

Before a longer drive in a 1958 Toyota, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and any sign of age-related hardening. Check cold inflation pressure, confirm the valve stems are sound, and make sure the spare is usable rather than simply present. On cars using older-style wheels or tube-based assemblies, it is also smart to look for slow leakage and to verify that the wheel and tire combination has been mounted and balanced properly.

That tire check should happen alongside a broader vintage-car inspection that includes brakes, fluids, steering, lights, and cooling system condition. A Toyopet that only makes short local trips can hide problems that become obvious once speed and heat build on a longer run. If the car has been sitting, start with a shorter shakedown drive first, then recheck the tires and pressures before committing to a full-day trip.