1959 Austin Tire Fitment Guide

1959 Austin vehicles use nine distinct tire sizes across six models. The Austin 850 uses 145R10 or 5.20-10 on 10-inch rims, the A 35 and A 40 use 145R13 or 520-13 on 13-inch rims, the A 55 uses 165R14 or 5.90-14 on 14-inch rims, the A 105 uses 185R15 or 640-15 on 15-inch rims, and the A 95 uses 670-15 plus the 185R15 and 640-15 sizes on 15-inch rims. Rim width guidance appears on some products, including 5.00 to 6.50 inches for certain 185R15 tires, 4.00 to 5.00 inches for some 145R13 tires, and several narrower ranges for the bias-ply 13- and 15-inch sizes.

That means year and make alone are not enough for a 1959 Austin tire decision. Start by identifying the exact model and wheel diameter, then narrow the choice to the size family that belongs to that car. On models that offer both a bias-ply and a radial option, the next step is deciding whether you want traditional construction for originality or radial construction for easier day-to-day driving behavior.

On a 1959 Austin tire, 640-15 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 6.40 figure refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches, and the 15 indicates that it fits a 15-inch wheel. Within the 1959 Austin range, 640-15 applies to the A 105 and A 95, both of which are larger saloons than the small-bore 850, A 35, and A 40 models.

A 640-15 buyer is usually balancing period appearance and construction rather than trying to decode a modern metric size. Available examples come in wide whitewall and narrow whitewall forms and fit relatively narrow 15-inch wheels, with listed rim-width ranges such as 4.00 to 4.50 inches or 4.50 to 5.00 inches depending on the tire. Matching the correct wheel width to the exact tire matters just as much as choosing the right nominal size.

On a 1959 Austin tire, 145R13 is a metric radial size. The 145 refers to a nominal section width of 145 millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and the 13 means the tire fits a 13-inch wheel. In the 1959 Austin range, that size belongs to the A 35 and A 40 rather than the 850, A 55, A 105, or A 95.

Because 145R13 is a radial format, it is often the easier size for owners who plan to drive their small Austin regularly on modern roads. Available versions are blackwall radials from Michelin and Firestone, and at least one Michelin example is marked H-rated and tubeless. Even so, the first check should still be the wheel diameter and actual model, since Austin used several different rim sizes in the same model year.

For a 1959 Austin A 105 or A 95, the choice between 185R15 and 640-15 is primarily a construction and presentation decision. The 185R15 is a radial offered in blackwall, redline, and narrow whitewall versions from Coker Classic and Michelin, while the 640-15 is a bias-ply offered in whitewall styles from BFGoodrich and Firestone. The radial size also shows higher speed-rated examples, including H and V markings on Michelin versions.

An owner focused on period visual character will often lean toward the bias-ply 640-15, especially where whitewall styling is part of the car's intended look. An owner who wants a more modern-feeling road tire within the same general 15-inch class will usually gravitate toward 185R15. The deciding factors are the model, the wheel width, and whether the car is being presented as a historically faithful restoration or driven more frequently.

1959 Austin tires are available in several sidewall styles, but the choices depend heavily on size. Blackwall is common across the lineup, including 145R10, 145R13, and 165R14 radials, while 185R15 adds redline and narrow whitewall options. Among the bias-ply sizes, 640-15 and 670-15 include wide whitewall versions, and 520-13 adds narrow whitewall alternatives alongside blackwall.

For a late-1950s Austin, blackwall is the simplest and most universal appearance choice, especially on smaller economy models. Whitewalls can make sense on larger saloons or on a build where period presentation matters, but the correct look depends on the model and the style of restoration you are aiming for. If show authenticity matters, compare your intended sidewall style with period photos, club resources, and event judging norms before making the final selection.

1959 Austin tires are offered by a broad mix of brands depending on the size. The 145R10 size includes Firestone, Kings, Camac, and Dunlop; 185R15 includes Coker Classic and Michelin; 640-15 includes BFGoodrich and Firestone; 145R13 includes Michelin and Firestone; 520-13 includes Firestone and Premium Sport; 165R14 includes Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein; and 670-15 includes Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire.

That spread gives 1959 Austin owners a meaningful choice between traditional American collector-tire names, classic European touring patterns, and specialty lines aimed at vintage applications. Brand choice should follow the size and construction that belong on your specific model first. Once that is settled, compare sidewall style, rim-width range, and any load or speed markings that matter for how you plan to use the car.

Rim-width guidance for 1959 Austin tires varies by size and sometimes by brand within the same size. Examples include 185R15 radials listed for 4.5 to 6 inches or 5.00 to 6.50 inches, 640-15 bias-ply tires for 4.00 to 4.50 inches or 4.50 to 5.00 inches, 145R13 radial for 4.00 to 5.00 inches, 520-13 bias-ply for 3.5 inches or 3.50 to 4.00 inches, 165R14 radial for 4.0 to 5.5 inches or 4.50 to 6.00 inches, and 670-15 bias-ply for 4.50 to 5.00 inches or 5.00 to 6.00 inches.

The practical point is that the tire size alone does not finish the fitment job. Two tires with the same nominal size can call for slightly different wheel-width ranges, especially across brands and construction types. Before choosing a tire for a 1959 Austin, measure the actual wheel or confirm its specification so the selected product falls within the rim-width range shown for that exact tire.

Tube requirements on 1959 Austin tires depend on the exact size and the specific product. Some radial options are clearly marked TL, including Michelin 185HR15, Michelin 185VR15, Michelin 145HR13, and Michelin 165HR14, which identifies them as tubeless tires. Other sizes do not consistently show tube markings across every listing, so tube status can vary by product rather than being assumed uniformly across the full size category.

The key check is the sidewall marking on the exact tire you intend to use, followed by the design and condition of the wheel itself. Many vintage wheels were originally paired with tube-type applications even when a modern reproduction tire may be available in tubeless form. If you are preserving original wheels on a 1959 Austin, confirm both the tire's designation and the wheel's suitability before final installation.

On several 1959 Austin models, the radial and bias-ply alternatives do share the same wheel diameter. The 850 uses 10-inch sizes in both 145R10 and 5.20-10, the A 35 and A 40 use 13-inch sizes in both 145R13 and 520-13, the A 55 uses 14-inch sizes in both 165R14 and 5.90-14, and the A 105 uses 15-inch sizes in both 185R15 and 640-15. The A 95 is broader, but its listed sizes are all 15-inch fitments.

That common diameter does not automatically mean every original wheel is ideal for every product within those sizes. Rim-width requirements vary by tire, and some products list narrower or wider acceptable wheel ranges than others. If you are moving between bias-ply and radial construction on a 1959 Austin, confirm the actual wheel width before assuming the original rim is suitable for the exact tire you have chosen.

A 1959 Austin should be stored away from direct sunlight, standing moisture, and ozone-producing equipment such as electric motors, welders, or air compressors. Tires should be kept at proper inflation, the car should be moved periodically if possible, and long-term static storage can justify using stands to reduce continuous loading. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to temporary flat-spotting after sitting, while any vintage-style sidewall can age faster if exposed to heat and ozone.

Good storage habits matter because collector cars often age their tires by time and environment rather than mileage. A clean, dry floor and a stable indoor climate help preserve both radial and bias-ply tires on a 1959 Austin. If the car will sit through a season, check pressure before and after storage and inspect the sidewalls for early cracking before the next drive.

On a 1959 Austin, tire life is usually judged more by age than by miles traveled. A good working rule is to start evaluating collector-car tires closely once they are around five to seven years old, and to treat ten years as a serious replacement point even if tread depth still looks usable. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the best way to verify age.

That timeline is especially important for hobby cars that spend more time parked than driven. A 1959 Austin may cover very few annual miles, yet its tires can still harden, crack, or lose resilience with age. If the car's usage includes longer drives or higher sustained speeds, err on the conservative side and replace older tires before age-related deterioration turns into a roadside problem.

Tires on a 1959 Austin should be inspected before every drive, and given a more thorough check before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, and pressure loss, and examine the valve stems as carefully as the tires themselves. If the car uses a tube-type setup, the condition of the stem and the wheel well matters just as much as the tread surface.

Regular inspection is one of the simplest ways to keep a collector Austin dependable. A short local drive can hide the early signs of age that become much more serious at sustained road speed or after heat builds in the tire. Make the spare part of the same inspection routine, since a period car is only as useful on the roadside as the condition of its backup tire.

A 1959 Austin 850 would have belonged to an era when bias-ply construction was still the standard original fitment type for small economy cars, even though radial replacements are now widely available. In the current size spread for the 850, that period-style choice is 5.20-10, while 145R10 represents the radial alternative. Both fit the 10-inch wheel diameter used by the model, but they reflect different approaches to preservation and use.

For a historically faithful restoration, owners generally start by considering the bias-ply option and a simple blackwall appearance. For a driver-oriented car, many owners consider the radial alternative while still keeping the original wheel diameter. If originality at the trim or market level matters, compare the car with period literature and Austin marque-club guidance before settling on the final specification.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1959 Austin because show judging often considers more than whether the tire physically fits the wheel. Size family, construction type, and sidewall appearance can all affect how authentic the car looks, especially on a late-1950s British vehicle where blackwall bias-ply tires were the norm on many models. A radial with a modern-looking profile or an obviously different sidewall treatment can stand out even if it functions well on the road.

The level of importance depends on the event. A local driver's class may be relaxed about radial substitutions, while a concours or marque-specific meet may expect a closer match to original construction and presentation. If your 1959 Austin is being prepared for judged competition, use club standards and period references to decide whether the car should wear a bias-ply, a particular whitewall treatment, or a simpler blackwall tire.

For a 1959 Austin using 185R15, Michelin XVS and Coker Classic take different approaches within the same radial size. Coker Classic appears in redline form with a listed load figure of 1355 pounds at 35 psi and a 5.00 to 6.50-inch rim-width range, while Michelin XVS is offered in blackwall and narrow whitewall styles with H- and V-rated examples, tubeless markings, and rim-width ranges of either 4.5 to 6 inches or 5.00 to 6.50 inches depending on the version.

That means the decision is not just about brand name. Sidewall appearance, speed rating, and wheel width can all push the choice in one direction or the other for a 1959 Austin A 105 or A 95. If you are restoring for a certain visual effect, the redline, blackwall, or narrow whitewall distinction may matter most; if you are matching the tire to a specific wheel, the stated rim-width range deserves equal attention.

1959 Austin tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, properly installed, in sound condition, and driven within their actual ratings. Some radial options carry explicit speed ratings, including S-rated 145R10 to 112 mph, H-rated 145R13, 165R14, and 185R15 examples to 130 mph, and a V-rated 185R15 example to 149 mph. Bias-ply sizes are also usable on the road, but they retain the road feel and behavior characteristic of traditional construction.

In real-world collector use, the tire is only one part of the equation. A 1959 Austin's brakes, suspension design, steering condition, and overall mechanical state often matter more to confidence at normal highway speeds than the tire's headline speed capability. A freshly inspected, correctly inflated tire on a well-sorted car is the goal, whether you choose a radial for frequent use or a bias-ply for a more period-authentic setup.

Inflation pressure on 1959 Austin tires should follow the vehicle's original recommendations first and the tire manufacturer's rating guidance second. Some available tires list maximum load and pressure figures, including 145R10 at 694 pounds at 30 psi on one Camac example, 145R13 at 825 pounds at 44 psi on one Firestone example, 640-15 at up to 1190 pounds at 32 psi on several tires, 520-13 at 770 pounds at 32 psi or 1100 pounds at 60 psi depending on the version, and 670-15 at 1450 to 1550 pounds at 32 psi depending on the tire.

Those figures are not blanket inflation recommendations for every 1959 Austin application. They are product-specific rated limits or capacities and should not be transferred from one size to another or from one brand to the next. Use the car's handbook or factory specification as your baseline, then confirm that the chosen tire is being run within its own rated limits and intended operating range.

Before a longer drive in a 1959 Austin, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, abnormal wear, and stable inflation, then check the spare with the same care. Pay close attention to valve stems, and if the car uses a tube-type setup, make sure the stems seat cleanly and show no splitting or distortion. The wheel itself should also be examined for rust, damage, or signs that the bead area is no longer sound.

A longer trip is also the right time to think beyond the tires. Older British cars reward a quick check of steering play, wheel-bearing condition, brakes, and fluid levels before asking the car to sustain speed for an extended period. Tire preparation is the foundation, but a 1959 Austin is happiest on the road when the entire running gear is treated as one connected system.