1959 Alvis Tire Fitment Guide

1959 Alvis vehicles covered here use two tire sizes: 640-15 and 670-15. Both sizes apply to the 1959 Alvis TD 21, and both mount on 15-inch rims. Approved rim-width ranges appear within the available products, with 640-15 examples covering 4.00 to 5.00 inches depending on brand and 670-15 examples covering 4.50 to 6.00 inches depending on brand.

That means the first fitment question is not model identification, since only the TD 21 is involved here, but which of the two sizes is already on your car or specified for your wheels. A narrower 640-15 and a fuller 670-15 can both be correct period-style directions, but wheel width and the visual result matter. Checking the size on the current tire, confirming wheel width, and comparing sidewall style options will usually narrow the choice quickly.

On a 1959 Alvis, 640-15 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 640 portion is the nominal section-width designation used in period American and imported tire sizing, while the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a modern metric size, and it does not carry the section-width and aspect-ratio format that later radial tires use.

For a TD 21 owner, that matters because a 640-15 should be evaluated as a vintage-format bias-ply fitment rather than cross-read like a modern 195/75R15 or similar code. The practical next step is to compare the tire's approved rim-width range and sidewall style choices, since those affect both appearance and fit. If your car has been restored over time, confirm the wheel width before assuming every 15-inch tire will suit it the same way.

On a 1959 Alvis, 670-15 is also a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 670 indicates the nominal section-width designation in the older sizing system, and the 15 means it fits a 15-inch wheel. Like 640-15, it is a period-format code rather than a later radial or metric format.

A TD 21 owner comparing 670-15 to 640-15 should think of the 670-15 as the broader classic size with more brand and sidewall choices in the current offering. That broader selection can be useful when the goal is a certain whitewall look or a blackwall presentation. Even so, the right choice still depends on the actual wheel width and the size already established on the car, not just the fact that both use 15-inch rims.

For a 1959 Alvis TD 21, both 640-15 and 670-15 are bias-ply fitments on 15-inch rims, so the choice is between two period-style sizes rather than between bias-ply and radial construction. The 640-15 offering leans toward a slightly narrower classic fitment, while 670-15 gives you a broader spread of available brands and sidewall presentations, including both blackwall and wide whitewall options.

Most owners should start with what is already fitted to the car or what their restoration references call for, then confirm wheel width before changing sizes. A car aimed at visual authenticity may favor whichever size best matches its established stance, while a driver-focused restoration may simply benefit from the size with the sidewall style and rim-width compatibility that best suits the current wheels. Keeping both front and rear sizes consistent unless the car was intentionally set up otherwise is also wise.

Sidewall choices for 1959 Alvis tires include wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, and blackwall depending on size. In 640-15, the available styles include wide whitewall and narrow whitewall. In 670-15, the current range includes blackwall and wide whitewall. That gives TD 21 owners a meaningful appearance choice even when staying within period bias-ply construction.

For a late-1950s British luxury car like the Alvis TD 21, whitewall width is often as important to the finished look as the tire size itself. A wide whitewall creates a more formal period presentation, while blackwall can suit a subtler European touring appearance. The best approach is to match the sidewall treatment to the restoration theme of the car and to period photos or marque-club guidance if you are building for show judging.

Brands available for 1959 Alvis fitments include BFGoodrich and Firestone in 640-15, and Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire in 670-15. All of the offerings listed for these sizes are bias-ply tires. That means the main differences between brands here are size availability, sidewall presentation, approved rim-width range, and the load figures published on individual products.

A buyer choosing among these brands should first decide on size, then narrow the field by the look they want on the car. Firestone spans both sizes, which can simplify comparison, while 670-15 opens the door to more period-style presentations across several brands. If your goal is event authenticity, compare whitewall width and overall visual character as carefully as you compare the name on the sidewall.

Rim-width requirements for 1959 Alvis tires vary by size and sometimes by brand within the same size. In 640-15, available products cover approved rim widths from 4.00 to 5.00 inches, with some tires specified for 4.00 to 4.50 and others for 4.50 to 5.00. In 670-15, listed products cover 4.50 to 6.00 inches, including examples at 4.50 to 5.00 and 5.00 to 6.00.

That spread is important because a tire can share the same 15-inch diameter as another tire and still want a different wheel width for proper shape and support. Before moving from 640-15 to 670-15, or from one brand to another, measure the actual wheel width rather than assuming every period 15-inch wheel is interchangeable. Matching the tire to the approved wheel-width range helps preserve handling balance, sidewall appearance, and bead seating.

Original 1959 Alvis wheels can potentially be used with both 640-15 and 670-15 because both sizes are built for 15-inch rims. Diameter compatibility is the easy part here. The more important variable is wheel width, since available 640-15 tires are approved across narrower ranges than some 670-15 tires, and the ranges differ by brand.

That means a 15-inch wheel is necessary but not by itself enough to confirm interchangeability. A TD 21 owner should verify actual wheel width before changing from one size to the other, especially if the car has had wheel swaps during its restoration life. If the wheel width falls comfortably inside the approved range for the specific tire you want, then the shared 15-inch rim diameter makes the comparison much more straightforward.

A 1959 Alvis should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, generators, battery chargers, and other ozone sources that accelerate rubber aging. Bias-ply tires also dislike long periods of sitting under full vehicle weight, as they can develop temporary flat spotting more readily than later radial designs. Clean, dry floors and correct inflation also help preserve the casing shape during storage.

For a TD 21 that sees seasonal use, periodic movement is usually better than letting it sit untouched for months. Rolling the car occasionally changes the contact patch, and some owners use stands to reduce static load during long storage intervals. If the car is stored with show-level whitewalls, keep the sidewalls clean and avoid harsh dressings that can stain or dry the rubber over time.

Tires on a 1959 Alvis should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage, because collector cars often accumulate very little road use. A sensible rule is to evaluate them closely once they are five to seven years old and to give serious replacement consideration around the ten-year mark regardless of tread depth. The DOT date code on the tire is the best way to establish age.

That approach matters on a TD 21 because a handsome bias-ply tire can still look usable long after the rubber has begun to harden internally. Age-related cracking, loss of flexibility, and weakened tube or valve-stem components can appear before the tread looks worn out. If the car is driven only occasionally, annual age review is just as important as pre-drive pressure checks.

Tires on a 1959 Alvis deserve a quick inspection before every drive and a more thorough inspection before any longer tour or event. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, embedded debris, and slow pressure loss. On a collector car, that routine matters even more because the tire may age in the garage more quickly than it wears on the road.

A TD 21 owner should also watch for signs that old suspension alignment or long-term storage has affected the way the tire is carrying load. If the car has been parked for extended periods, inspect the spare as carefully as the four on the ground. Catching a weathered sidewall or weak valve stem in the garage is far better than finding it on a two-lane road far from home.

A 1959 Alvis TD 21 would have been fitted in the bias-ply era, and the available 640-15 and 670-15 offerings align with that period construction style. Both sizes are appropriate vintage-format fitments for the model covered here, and both use 15-inch rims. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and delivery history, so construction, size, and sidewall presentation are usually the more important authenticity checkpoints.

For a restoration, the best path is to start with the size already associated with your car, then compare sidewall style to period photos, sales literature, or guidance from Alvis clubs and marque specialists. Show judges often notice whether the tire's visual character suits the car's era even before they study tread details. If your TD 21 has a known market history, that can help narrow the most convincing whitewall or blackwall presentation.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1959 Alvis, especially a refined car like the TD 21 where stance and sidewall appearance are part of the overall presentation. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts typically look at whether the size, construction type, and sidewall treatment suit the era and the character of the car. A visibly modern look or an obviously mismatched sidewall style can distract from an otherwise careful restoration.

That does not mean there is only one acceptable presentation, but it does mean consistency counts. A wide whitewall can create a more formal late-1950s look, while a blackwall can appear more restrained, and either choice should align with the story of the car. If you plan to enter judged events, compare your intended tire closely against the standards used by that specific club or concours before finalizing the choice.

In 640-15 for the 1959 Alvis, Firestone and BFGoodrich differ mainly in sidewall presentation and approved wheel-width range rather than in basic construction, since both are bias-ply tires on 15-inch rims. The BFGoodrich option shown is a 3.00-inch wide whitewall approved for 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims, while Firestone options include wider and narrower whitewall looks approved for 4.50 to 5.00-inch rims. Published load figures also vary among the available products.

For a TD 21 restoration, that means the brand choice is really part of a broader appearance-and-fitment decision. If your wheel is on the narrower side, the BFGoodrich range may align better, while a wider original wheel may point you toward the Firestone fitments. Whitewall width can also noticeably change the car's personality, so compare period photos and your wheel measurements before settling on one.

1959 Alvis tires can be used for highway driving when they are fresh, properly inflated, undamaged, and matched to the correct wheel width, but they are still bias-ply collector-car tires and should be driven with that in mind. No explicit speed ratings are shown on the available 640-15 and 670-15 offerings here, so the emphasis should be on condition, fitment, and conservative operation rather than treating them like modern high-speed touring tires.

On a TD 21, overall road safety is influenced as much by the car's age, braking capability, steering condition, and suspension health as by the tire itself. A well-sorted grand tourer can cover distance confidently, but it should still be driven with extra margin compared with a modern car. Smooth steering inputs, moderate cruising speeds, and regular pressure checks are all part of using vintage-style tires responsibly.

Available load-and-pressure figures for 1959 Alvis tires vary by size and product, so they should not be treated as one universal setting. In 640-15, listed products show capacities such as 1190 pounds at 32 psi and 970 pounds at 32 psi. In 670-15, listed examples include 1450 pounds at 32 psi and 1550 pounds at 32 psi. Those numbers describe the tire's rated load at that pressure, not automatically the vehicle manufacturer's recommended operating pressure.

The right way to set a TD 21 up is to consult the factory owner's information for the car's intended front and rear pressures, then make sure the chosen reproduction tire's rated limits comfortably support that use. Never transfer a pressure assumption from 640-15 to 670-15 or from one brand to another without checking the specific tire. Pressure should always be measured cold, before the car has been driven.

Before a longer drive in a 1959 Alvis, inspect each tire for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, irregular tread wear, and proper cold inflation. Check that the spare is usable, not just present, and make sure the valve stems are in good condition. Since these are bias-ply fitments, also pay attention to any vibration or flat-spot feel if the car has been sitting for a long period.

A TD 21 touring check should go beyond the tires to include brakes, steering play, fluid levels, cooling system condition, and lighting, because roadworthiness on a collector car is always a whole-vehicle matter. On the tire side, take a close look at sidewall cosmetics versus structural condition; a clean vintage tire can still be too old or too weathered for confidence. If anything looks questionable, replace first and tour later.