1959 Allard Tire Fitment Guide

1959 Allard vehicles use two tire sizes: 590-15 and 600-15. Both sizes apply across the full model range, including the Jag, Palm Beach, Tourist, and Zepher, and both mount on 15-inch rims. Where rim-width guidance is listed, 590-15 fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims, while 600-15 appears in versions suited to 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims or 4.50 to 5.00-inch rims depending on the product.

That shared fitment means most owners do not need to sort out a model-only tire size difference first. The more important next step is confirming which of the two sizes is already on the car, then checking the actual wheel width before settling on a specific tire. That matters most if you are changing from one size to the other or choosing between different product versions within 600-15.

A 590-15 tire on a 1959 Allard is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.90 figure refers to the nominal section width, expressed in the older inch-based sizing system with the decimal omitted, and the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a metric radial code and it does not describe the tire the way a modern P-metric size would.

That older numeric format is exactly what many restorers expect to see on a late-1950s specialty sports car. When comparing products, focus on the sidewall style, listed rim-width range, and overall presentation rather than expecting modern-size shorthand. If your Allard already wears 590-15 tires, matching that size usually preserves the existing visual balance unless you have a reason to move to the slightly larger 600-15.

Yes, all 1959 Allard models covered here share the same two tire sizes: 590-15 and 600-15. The Jag, Palm Beach, Tourist, and Zepher are all associated with both sizes, and both sizes use 15-inch rims. There is no model in this group that requires a separate diameter or a unique metric conversion.

That simplifies the search compared with many makes where body style or trim changes the tire size. On a 1959 Allard, the decision is more about how you want the car to sit visually and which tire presentation matches the restoration. Once you know the car’s current wheel width and whether you want blackwall or wide whitewall styling, narrowing the choice becomes much easier.

Both 590-15 and 600-15 are correct-era bias-ply fitments for 1959 Allard models, so the choice is mainly between two period-style sizes rather than between old and modern construction. The 590-15 is the narrower numeric size, while 600-15 is the slightly larger one. Both fit 15-inch wheels, but the listed rim-width range should be checked against the actual wheel before choosing.

Owners who want to preserve a lighter, more understated period look often stay with 590-15, especially if that is what the car already carries. Owners seeking a fuller visual stance may lean toward 600-15, particularly when the wheel width supports it. If originality matters for shows or marque-specific judging, it is smart to compare your current fitment with period references for your exact car before making the switch.

1959 Allard tires are available in blackwall and wide whitewall styles. The 590-15 size comes in blackwall from BFGoodrich and Avon, and also in a 2.625-inch whitewall from BFGoodrich. The 600-15 size is also offered in blackwall and in a 2.625-inch whitewall, both from BFGoodrich.

That choice matters because sidewall treatment changes the car’s visual character almost as much as wheel design. A blackwall usually gives a more restrained sporting look, while a wide whitewall adds a stronger period statement that may suit certain restorations or personal taste. If you are trying to match a specific show presentation, compare the sidewall style already on the car with period photos and event standards before deciding.

Two brands appear in the available 1959 Allard fitments: BFGoodrich and Avon. BFGoodrich covers both 590-15 and 600-15 in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line, with blackwall and wide whitewall options. Avon appears in 590H15 form through the Turbospeed Mk4 line, offered as a blackwall bias-ply tire.

That brand split gives 590-15 buyers the broadest mix of styling and product character, while 600-15 buyers stay within the BFGoodrich range. An owner choosing between brands should look closely at the exact size marking, sidewall appearance, and wheel compatibility rather than assuming every 15-inch bias-ply tire serves the same role. For a British specialty car like an Allard, those details have a noticeable effect on the finished presentation.

Rim-width guidance for 1959 Allard tires varies by size and, in one case, by product. The listed 590-15 BFGoodrich versions fit 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims. In 600-15, one BFGoodrich version fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims while another fits 4.50 to 5.00-inch rims. All of the available tires mount on 15-inch-diameter wheels.

That means wheel width deserves as much attention as tire size when you are choosing between the two Allard fitments. If your car still has its original-style wheels, measure the rim before selecting a tire rather than relying on appearance alone. A 15-inch wheel is only part of the equation; the correct width range helps preserve proper tire shape, mounting safety, and the intended profile on the car.

Original 1959 Allard wheels can generally be considered compatible with both listed tire sizes in terms of diameter, because both 590-15 and 600-15 mount on 15-inch rims. The remaining question is wheel width, since the listed fitment ranges differ slightly between products. A wheel that accepts one size by diameter may still need to be checked carefully for width before changing sizes.

That is especially relevant if the car has been restored more than once or if the wheels were changed earlier in its life. Confirming the rim width lets you judge whether staying with 590-15 or moving to 600-15 is straightforward. It also helps you choose the correct version within 600-15, since one product favors narrower rims and another is intended for slightly wider ones.

A 1959 Allard 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. Because the available fitments are bias-ply tires, long static storage can encourage flat-spotting more readily than many radials. Keeping the tires properly inflated and moving the car periodically helps reduce stress in one contact patch.

If the car will sit for an extended season, many owners roll it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces constant load without leaving the suspension hanging unnaturally. Clean, dry floors are better than damp ground, and a breathable car cover is preferable to a trapped-moisture environment. Good storage habits preserve both appearance and drivability when the Allard returns to the road.

Tires on a 1959 Allard are usually judged by age and condition more than by mileage, because collector cars often cover limited annual distances. A sensible rule is to inspect closely once tires reach the five- to seven-year range and to treat around ten years as a point where replacement deserves serious consideration, even if tread depth still looks good. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish actual age.

That timeline matters because rubber hardens and ages whether the car is driven often or not. A lightly used Allard can still end up on tires that look respectable but no longer offer the behavior you want from a vintage sports car. Age checks are especially worthwhile before tours, rallies, or any drive that will put sustained heat and road speed into the tire for longer than local outings.

Tires on a 1959 Allard should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow pressure loss, all of which are important on a low-volume classic that may spend long periods parked. A quick visual walkaround is useful every time, but a hands-on check with a pressure gauge should also be part of regular use.

Frequent inspections are cheap insurance on a vintage car with period-style tires and age-sensitive rubber. Collector cars tend to develop issues while sitting rather than while accumulating miles, so the first trip after storage is often when problems appear. If the spare is carried for touring, inspect it too; an unusable spare can turn a manageable roadside issue into a much bigger interruption.

A 1959 Allard Jag would have been associated with bias-ply tire construction in period, which matches the available 590-15 and 600-15 offerings for the 1959 Allard range. Both are correct-era numeric bias-ply sizes mounted on 15-inch rims. Original-market details could vary by destination, owner preference, and how the car was delivered, so the most useful takeaway is that a bias-ply tire in one of these period sizes fits the character of the car.

Owners pursuing a historically convincing restoration should start with the size already tied to the car’s existing wheel setup, then compare sidewall style against photos, surviving examples, and marque-club guidance. It is wise to confirm market-specific practice if the car has export history or uncertain provenance. That approach keeps the tire choice aligned with the car’s era without assuming every 1959 Allard Jag left with identical presentation details.

Correct tire fitment can matter quite a bit when showing a 1959 Allard, especially in judged events that place value on period accuracy. Size, construction type, and sidewall style all influence whether the car looks faithful to its late-1950s presentation. For a car from this era, a modern-looking substitute or an obviously mismatched sidewall treatment can stand out even to casual observers.

That does not mean every event uses the same standard, so owners should match the tire choice to the level of originality expected. A local driver-class event may be far more relaxed than a concours-style field or marque-centered gathering. Before finalizing your choice, review the car’s intended show environment and compare it with club advice, period photography, and the finish standard you want the Allard to represent.

For a 1959 Allard in 590-15 sizing, BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Avon Turbospeed Mk4 differ in both presentation and listed specifications. BFGoodrich appears in blackwall and 2.625-inch whitewall form, with a listed load capacity of 1,050 pounds at 32 psi and a 4.00 to 4.50-inch rim-width range. Avon appears as 590H15 81H in blackwall form, with a listed maximum load of 1,018 pounds and an H speed rating up to 130 mph.

That makes the decision less about whether one fits a 1959 Allard and more about which character suits your car. BFGoodrich gives the broader styling choice, especially if a wide whitewall is part of the build, while Avon brings a distinct size marking and published speed rating that may appeal to some owners. Comparing the look you want, the wheel you have, and the way you use the car will usually point to the better match.

1959 Allard tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are in good condition, properly mounted, and used within their published limits. The available fitments are bias-ply tires, and one 590-size Avon option carries an H speed rating, which corresponds to 130 mph. The other listed products do not show a speed letter here, so the safest approach is to treat each tire according to its own sidewall marking and the overall mechanical condition of the car.

On a vintage Allard, the car’s brakes, steering, suspension condition, and general road manners are often more important to real-world safety than headline tire speed capability. Long highway runs place heat and sustained load into an older chassis, so tire age, inflation, and balancing deserve attention before the trip. A well-sorted collector car on fresh, correctly chosen tires is far better prepared than one relying on old rubber with decent tread.

Published pressure figures for 1959 Allard tires should be tied to the exact tire you choose rather than transferred loosely between sizes. The BFGoodrich 590-15 products list 1,050 pounds at 32 psi, while the BFGoodrich 600-15 products list 1,150 pounds at 32 psi. Those figures describe the tire’s rated load relationship and are not automatically the same as the carmaker’s recommended running pressure for every Allard application.

The best practice is to compare the tire manufacturer’s sidewall information with the factory literature for your car and then make sure all four tires are set consistently for the way the car is being used. Do not assume that because two sizes fit 15-inch wheels they should run identical pressures in service. Small changes in size, vehicle setup, and load can alter what feels and behaves correctly on the road.

Before a longer drive in a 1959 Allard, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, and any sign of tread or casing distress. Confirm cold pressures, make sure the tires are seated properly on the rims, and inspect valve stems as part of the check. The spare should also be aired up and examined, because a collector car’s backup tire is often older than the four on the ground.

A longer trip is also the right time to think beyond the tires, since a specialty British car of this age asks for a broader pre-drive inspection. Wheel hardware, brakes, steering play, fluid levels, and charging health all matter once the journey goes beyond local roads. When the tire check is folded into that larger routine, the Allard is much better positioned for an enjoyable run rather than an avoidable roadside delay.