1959 Bentley sat firmly in the postwar luxury tradition, offering formal British coachbuilt character, refined road manners, and the kind of understated prestige that made the marque distinct from mass-market luxury cars. For buyers sorting through tires today, the picture is refreshingly straightforward: the 1959 Bentley range covered here centers on a single model, the S-Type, and it uses one period-correct 820-15 bias-ply size on a 15-inch wheel. That means the real choice is less about comparing multiple fitments across the lineup and more about selecting the right sidewall style and brand for the way your car is restored and presented. Confirm that you have a 1959 Bentley S-Type and then choose the tire that best matches your originality goals.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 1959 Bentley
One tire size is available for 1959 Bentley fitment here, and it applies to the full model range covered for the year. Since there is no alternate size or radial counterpart in this application, the practical decision comes down to choosing the right 820-15 bias-ply tire by brand and sidewall style. Understanding that distinction first helps you match the car's presentation and wheel requirements before narrowing down to a specific product.
Year(s): 1959|Fit(s): S-Type|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 15 in
820-15 is a numeric bias-ply size, with an 8.20-inch nominal section width and fitment for a 15-inch wheel. Available brands include BFGoodrich, Firestone, and US Royal, with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles offered in this size. This is the size used for the 1959 Bentley S-Type rather than a universal modern replacement choice, so it suits owners who want an era-appropriate bias-ply fitment and the traditional look and road feel that goes with it. Products in this size are rated at 1920 pounds at 32 psi and fit rims in the 6.00- to 6.50-inch range.
One 1959 Bentley model is covered here. Because the full year-and-make application centers on a single tire size, identifying the correct model is mainly about confirming you have an S-Type and then choosing the brand and sidewall presentation that best fits the car's restoration style. Select the model below for model-specific fitment history and related tire options.
1959 Bentley S-Type
The 1959 Bentley S-Type carried the marque's formal, quietly elegant late-1950s luxury character, with an emphasis on comfort, presence, and traditional British craftsmanship rather than overt sporting styling. Its tires mount on 15-inch wheels, and the available fitment stays true to the period with a bias-ply construction that suits authentic restoration work and era-correct presentation.
Seventeen products are available across one tire size for 1959 Bentley vehicles. In 820-15, BFGoodrich, Firestone, and US Royal offer bias-ply fitments with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles, so the main choice is the look you want on the car.
These FAQs focus on the single 820-15 fitment used on 1959 Bentley models, including what the size means, which sidewall styles are available, how to match a tire to a restoration goal, and how to care for a low-use collector car.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 1959 Bentley vehicles?
1959 Bentley vehicles covered here use one tire size: 820-15. That size applies to the 1959 Bentley S-Type and mounts on a 15-inch wheel. Available products in 820-15 fit rim widths from 6.00 to 6.50 inches, which is an important check before choosing a tire.
Because there is only one listed size for 1959 Bentley fitment in this range, the selection process is more about sidewall style and brand than comparing multiple dimensions. If your car still has its original-type wheels, confirm the wheel diameter is 15 inches and the rim width falls within the listed range before finalizing your choice.
What does 820-15 mean on a 1959 Bentley tire?
On a 1959 Bentley, 820-15 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 8.20 portion refers to the nominal section width in inches, and the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. Because there is no radial "R" in the size code, this format denotes a bias-ply construction rather than a radial one.
That matters because the size code tells you both the wheel diameter and the period construction style expected on a late-1950s luxury car like the Bentley S-Type. When comparing products, use the size code first to confirm fitment, then compare blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall options to match the car's presentation.
Do all 1959 Bentley models use the same tire size?
Within the 1959 Bentley coverage here, the answer is yes. The S-Type uses 820-15, and no second size is listed for a different model in this year-and-make application. That keeps the fitment picture simple at the year-make level.
Even with a shared size, owners still have meaningful choices to make. Sidewall styling can change the visual character of the car quite a bit, especially on a formal British luxury sedan, so it is worth deciding whether your Bentley is being presented as a restrained blackwall car or with a more prominent whitewall look.
Buying the Right Tire
What sidewall styles are available for 1959 Bentley tires?
1959 Bentley tires in 820-15 are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. BFGoodrich offers both blackwall and a 1.00-inch narrow whitewall in this size, Firestone offers a blackwall version, and US Royal offers a 3.50-inch wide whitewall. All of them keep the same basic 820-15 bias-ply fitment.
Choosing among them is mainly a matter of the car's visual character and restoration direction. A blackwall usually gives the S-Type a more restrained, formal appearance, while whitewall treatments create a more pronounced late-1950s luxury presentation. If your Bentley is being prepared for judged events, compare the sidewall look to period photos and marque-club guidance.
What brands make tires for 1959 Bentley vehicles?
Three brands are available for 1959 Bentley fitment in 820-15: BFGoodrich, Firestone, and US Royal. All are offered in bias-ply construction for the 15-inch wheel used by the Bentley S-Type. The main differences among the available products are sidewall styling and individual product details rather than a change in basic fitment.
That gives owners a useful range of visual choices without stepping outside the correct size family for the car. If your priority is presentation, compare the sidewall treatment first. If you are aiming for a particular restoration flavor, brand preference may also matter, but the size and construction should remain the starting point for a proper selection.
What is the difference between BFGoodrich and US Royal 820-15 tires for the 1959 Bentley?
For a 1959 Bentley, BFGoodrich 820-15 offerings include both a blackwall and a 1.00-inch narrow whitewall, while US Royal offers a 3.50-inch wide whitewall in the same 820-15 size. Both brands share the same 15-inch rim diameter, the same 6.00- to 6.50-inch rim width range, and the same listed load figure of 1920 pounds at 32 psi.
The practical difference is visual character rather than fitment. A BFGoodrich blackwall or narrow whitewall keeps the car understated, while the US Royal wide whitewall creates a more overt late-1950s luxury look. If your Bentley's appearance matters as much as its size correctness, this is one of the most important choices on the page.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 1959 Bentley tires require?
The available 1959 Bentley 820-15 tires fit rims that measure 6.00 to 6.50 inches wide. That range applies across the listed products in this size and pairs with a 15-inch rim diameter. Matching both width and diameter is important when working with original wheels or restored factory-style rims.
Before choosing a tire, measure the wheel or verify the wheel specification on the car rather than relying on assumption. A correct 15-inch diameter alone is not enough if the rim width is outside the approved range. Confirming both dimensions helps avoid mounting problems and preserves the intended tire profile on the wheel.
Do 1959 Bentley tires require inner tubes?
The available 820-15 products for 1959 Bentley fitment are listed as bias-ply tires without tube-type or tubeless markings in the size itself. On many period wheels, tube use depends not just on the tire but on the wheel design, condition, and whether the rim is appropriate for tubeless service.
That makes wheel inspection especially important on a Bentley of this age. If the wheels are original or have been restored, confirm with the specific tire's sidewall marking and the wheel's construction before installation. A tire specialist familiar with vintage British luxury cars can help determine whether tubes are appropriate for your exact wheel-and-tire combination.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 1959 Bentley when the tires are fitted?
A 1959 Bentley should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, generators, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment. Bias-ply tires tend to flat-spot more readily during long static storage than modern radials, so keeping the car in one position for months at a time is not ideal.
If the car will sit for an extended period, move it periodically or support it in a way that reduces constant load on one patch of tread. Keep the tires properly inflated during storage and avoid damp surfaces. Those simple steps help preserve sidewall condition and make the first drive after storage much smoother.
How long do tires on a 1959 Bentley typically last?
Tires on a 1959 Bentley should be judged more by age and condition than mileage. On a collector car, a useful rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they reach about five to seven years of age and to consider replacement as they approach ten years, even if the tread still looks presentable. The DOT date code is the key reference point.
That matters because many vintage Bentleys cover limited annual mileage, so the tread can look serviceable long after the rubber has begun to age out. Sidewall cracking, hardening, vibration, or a tire that no longer holds pressure consistently are all signs to move beyond visual tread depth and reassess the tire's service life.
How often should tires on a 1959 Bentley be inspected?
Tires on a 1959 Bentley should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, foreign objects in the tread, and any sign that the tire has lost pressure. On a seldom-driven collector car, age-related condition can change even when mileage does not.
A longer tour calls for an extra check of the spare, valve stems, and inflation pressures after the car has been sitting. Early detection is especially important on a heavy luxury car, where an underinflated or aging tire can change steering feel and ride quality before failure becomes obvious.
Restoration & Authenticity
What tires were originally fitted to the 1959 Bentley S-Type?
A 1959 Bentley S-Type would have originally belonged to the bias-ply era, and the available fitment here reflects that with 820-15 bias-ply tires. That size and construction align with the period expectations for a late-1950s British luxury saloon. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and delivery details, so the size and construction are the most important authenticity points.
For a restoration-minded owner, that means starting with a bias-ply 820-15 and then narrowing the choice by sidewall treatment to match the car's intended appearance. If you want to verify market-specific delivery details or show-level authenticity, Bentley specialists and marque clubs remain the best source for trim- and region-specific guidance.
Does correct tire fitment matter for showing a 1959 Bentley?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1959 Bentley because judges and informed enthusiasts often notice size, construction, and sidewall presentation very quickly. A proper 820-15 bias-ply tire supports the car's visual proportions and keeps the wheel opening, stance, and overall period impression in line with what a late-1950s Bentley should project.
Sidewall style can matter almost as much as the size itself. A blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall can each change the car's character, and some events are more exacting than others about what looks correct. If you are preparing for judged competition, compare your intended tire look against period imagery and event-specific standards.
What is the difference between BFGoodrich and Firestone 820-15 tires for the 1959 Bentley?
For a 1959 Bentley, BFGoodrich and Firestone both offer 820-15 bias-ply fitments with blackwall options. Both share the same listed load figure of 1920 pounds at 32 psi and the same 15-inch diameter with a 6.00- to 6.50-inch approved rim width range. The difference between them is not the size itself, but the brand identity and the available sidewall presentation within the broader lineup.
That means either brand stays within the correct fitment family for the Bentley S-Type, while the final decision comes down to how you want the car to look and which brand best suits your restoration preferences. If your goal is authenticity rather than experimentation, staying with the proper 820-15 bias-ply format is the key point.
Safety & Road Use
Are 1959 Bentley tires safe for highway driving?
A properly mounted, correctly inflated, and age-sound 820-15 bias-ply tire can be used for normal road driving on a 1959 Bentley, but its road manners will reflect period construction. Bias-ply tires typically follow road crown more than radials and may feel less relaxed at sustained speed, even when the tire itself is in good condition.
On a 1959 Bentley, overall highway confidence is shaped by the whole car, including brakes, steering, suspension condition, and alignment, not just the tires. The best approach is to treat the tires as one part of a larger mechanical picture and to keep speeds reasonable for the condition and character of the vehicle.
What inflation pressure should I use for 1959 Bentley tires?
The available 820-15 tires for 1959 Bentley fitment carry a listed maximum load of 1920 pounds at 32 psi. That figure is the tire's load-and-pressure rating, not automatically the same as the carmaker's recommended service pressure for every driving condition. Factory pressure guidance for the Bentley itself should still be your baseline reference.
Use the Bentley owner's literature or a trusted marque source for the car's intended front and rear pressures, then confirm that your chosen reproduction tire is operating within its rated limits. Avoid copying pressure figures from another size or another vehicle, because inflation strategy should match the exact tire and the actual weight distribution of the car.
What should I check before taking a 1959 Bentley on a longer drive?
Before a longer drive in a 1959 Bentley, inspect each tire for cracking, weathering, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and correct cold inflation pressure. Check that the spare is serviceable and that the valve stems are sound. If the car has been sitting, pay close attention to any age-related stiffness or flat-spotting before setting off.
A longer outing is also the right time to think beyond the tires. On a car of this age, brakes, cooling, belts, hoses, and steering deserve the same level of scrutiny. The tire check is essential, but it works best as part of a complete pre-drive inspection suited to a late-1950s collector Bentley.
