1959 Bristol Tire Fitment Guide

1959 Bristol vehicles in this range use two tire sizes, both on the Bristol 406: 175R16 and 600-16. Both sizes mount on 16-inch wheels, and the 600-16 bias-ply products shown for this fitment are built for 4.00- to 4.50-inch rim widths where that specification is listed.

That means a 1959 Bristol owner is not sorting through multiple model-specific wheel diameters across the lineup, but choosing between two size and construction approaches for the same car. Start by confirming whether your 406 is being kept closer to original presentation with a bias-ply tire or driven in a way that makes a radial-format tire more appealing, then verify the actual wheel width before final selection.

On a 1959 Bristol tire, 600-16 is a traditional numeric bias-ply size. The 6.00 figure is the nominal section width designation used in period sizing, and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a modern metric code and does not decode the same way a radial size does.

That matters because a 600-16 tire gives the Bristol 406 a more era-correct look and the driving character associated with bias-ply construction. If you are trying to preserve period appearance for restoration or show use, this is usually the size format buyers look at first. It is still important to match the tire to the wheel itself, especially when approved rim-width ranges are part of the tire specification.

On a 1959 Bristol tire, 175R16 is a euro-metric radial size. The 175 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and the 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. Unlike a later metric size with a stated aspect ratio, this older radial format does not spell out that middle profile number.

For a Bristol 406 owner, that makes 175R16 the more modern-looking size code of the two available choices. It points you toward radial construction rather than a period numeric bias-ply casing. If your goal is a different road feel than a bias-ply tire typically gives, this is the fitment path to investigate, while still checking that the wheel dimensions and the specific product's construction details suit your car.

A 1959 Bristol 406 can be fitted with either 175R16 radial or 600-16 bias-ply sizing, both on 16-inch rims. The real choice is not which model the tire fits, but what kind of ownership goal you have for the car. The 600-16 stays closer to traditional period tire practice, while the 175R16 represents the radial-format alternative within the same fitment family.

Choose 600-16 when the Bristol's visual authenticity and original-type character matter most, especially for restoration-minded use. Choose 175R16 when you specifically want the radial-format option offered for the 406. Since both routes live on the same rim diameter, it is easy to assume they are interchangeable in every respect, but wheel width, tire construction, and the exact product marking still deserve a final check before committing.

For 1959 Bristol fitments in 600-16, available sidewall styles include blackwall and wide whitewall. BFGoodrich and Firestone offerings include wide whitewall versions, while Coker Classic and Avon appear in blackwall form within the listed products. Those choices give the Bristol 406 owner both a restrained touring look and a more pronounced period sidewall treatment.

A blackwall generally aligns with the understated, European grand touring character many Bristol owners prefer, while a whitewall changes the visual emphasis and can give the car a more overtly period presentation. The right choice depends less on mechanical fitment and more on how authentic you want the finished look to feel for your particular car, market style, and restoration vision.

Brands available for 1959 Bristol fitments include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone in the 600-16 size. That gives the Bristol 406 owner access to several bias-ply choices spanning blackwall and wide whitewall presentation, rather than a single brand or sidewall style. Avon is especially recognizable to many buyers of British cars because of its long-standing place in the UK performance and vintage market.

Brand choice on a 1959 Bristol often comes down to the look you want on the car and the specific construction or speed-marking details attached to a given tire. Some buyers narrow the field by sidewall appearance first, while others start with the product family that best suits the way the car is driven. Once the size is settled, compare each brand's sidewall treatment and rating details before making your final selection.

For the 1959 Bristol 406 in 600-16, listed products specify approved rim widths of 4.00 to 4.50 inches on a 16-inch rim. That is the clearest wheel-width guidance available within this fitment range and should be treated as a direct tire-to-wheel matching point for the bias-ply option.

If your 406 still wears original-type wheels, measure or confirm the actual wheel width before choosing among the 600-16 products. That step matters even more if the car has had wheel changes during its life. A 16-inch rim diameter match alone is not enough; the wheel's width must also fall within the approved range for the tire you intend to mount.

Both tire sizes used on the 1959 Bristol 406, 175R16 and 600-16, mount on 16-inch wheels. That means the original wheel diameter is compatible with either fitment route in principle, which is why the choice between these sizes is usually about construction and tire type rather than changing to a different rim diameter.

Wheel diameter compatibility should not be confused with universal wheel compatibility in every other dimension. Before using the same original Bristol wheels with both sizes, confirm the actual wheel width and compare it with the specific tire's approved range where that information is given. That is the cleanest way to avoid mounting a tire that is technically the right diameter but wrong for the wheel itself.

A 1959 Bristol should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Keep the tires properly inflated during storage, and if the car sits for long intervals, move it periodically or support it in a way that reduces prolonged loading on one contact patch. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to temporary flat-spotting after extended inactivity.

That storage routine helps preserve both the cosmetic sidewall appearance and the structural health of the tires on a low-use collector car. It is particularly worthwhile on a Bristol because the car is often driven intermittently rather than daily. A little preventative care during storage usually pays off in smoother driving and fewer surprise age-related issues when the car goes back on the road.

Tires on a 1959 Bristol should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. A good collector-car rule is to begin evaluating them closely once they reach roughly five to seven years of age, and to treat around ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration even if tread depth still looks acceptable. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the quickest way to establish age.

That age-based approach matters because a Bristol 406 may cover relatively few miles while still exposing the tires to time, heat cycles, ozone, and storage conditions that harden rubber. Bias-ply and radial tires alike can age out before they wear out. If the car has older tires but still looks cosmetically presentable, inspection by a knowledgeable vintage-tire professional is a wise next step.

Tires on a 1959 Bristol should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Check sidewalls for cracking, cuts, bulges, and signs of impact damage, and look at the tread for uneven wear or embedded debris. Verify inflation pressure and make sure the tires are holding air consistently from one drive to the next.

Regular inspections are especially important on collector cars because long periods of inactivity can hide problems until the first real road use of the season. On a Bristol 406, make the spare part of the same routine rather than assuming it is ready just because it has never been used. Catching age cracks or pressure loss in the garage is far easier than discovering them far from home.

For a 1959 Bristol 406, bias-ply construction is the historically correct starting point for original-era fitment thinking, and 600-16 is the period-style size in the available range. Radials were gaining acceptance in Europe by the late 1950s, but a buyer pursuing strict originality for a car of this era usually begins by treating the bias-ply fitment as the baseline unless factory or market-specific records show otherwise.

That makes 600-16 the natural first stop for a restoration-minded 406 owner, especially when the goal is to preserve the car's period stance and presentation. If your Bristol has export-market history, unusual coachwork, or surviving factory paperwork, verify those details with a Bristol specialist or marque club before finalizing the tire choice, because event standards can turn on market-specific authenticity details.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1959 Bristol because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, and sidewall appearance very quickly. A bias-ply tire in the right period size generally reads more authentically on a late-1950s British grand tourer than a visibly modern radial-format substitute, especially when the event emphasizes originality rather than touring use.

The practical issue is not only whether the tire fits the wheel, but whether it looks and presents like something the car could plausibly have worn in period. Whitewall versus blackwall can also influence that impression. If the Bristol is being prepared for marque judging, check the specific event rules and consult Bristol club resources so your tire choice aligns with the standards that particular show uses.

For the 1959 Bristol 406 in 600-16, the biggest visible difference is sidewall presentation rather than fitment size. BFGoodrich and Firestone offerings include wide whitewall styling, while Coker Classic and Avon are available in blackwall form. The tire still remains a 600-16 bias-ply fitment either way, but the appearance changes the car's visual character substantially.

A blackwall usually preserves the sober, continental look many Bristol owners favor, while a wide whitewall creates a more decorative late-1950s impression. Neither choice automatically makes the car more correct without considering its market history and restoration target. If your goal is concours authenticity, use period photography, surviving factory literature, and Bristol specialist guidance to decide which sidewall treatment best suits your particular 406.

1959 Bristol tires can be appropriate for highway use when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and used within the limits of the specific tire. In the 600-16 range, one listed Avon product carries an H speed rating, which corresponds to 130 mph, while other 600-16 products shown do not display a speed letter. The car's own age, suspension condition, braking performance, and alignment matter at least as much as the tire itself during normal modern road use.

For a Bristol 406 owner, the key is to match expectations to the exact tire chosen rather than assuming every product in the same nominal size behaves identically. A properly maintained vintage grand tourer can be a satisfying road car, but highway confidence depends on the whole system working together. Before sustained higher-speed driving, confirm the tire's rating, inspect the chassis, and make sure the wheels and inflation are correct.

For 1959 Bristol fitments in 600-16, listed load information includes 1400 pounds at 32 psi on several products, while another product in the same size is listed at 1,433 pounds. Those figures show the tire's rated load-and-pressure relationship, but they are not a blanket instruction to run every 1959 Bristol tire at the same pressure under all conditions.

Use the Bristol factory literature or owner's manual for the vehicle's recommended operating pressure, then compare that with the tire manufacturer's rating for the exact product you are considering. Do not transfer a pressure figure from one construction or one size to another just because both fit the same 16-inch wheel. The right inflation setting depends on the tire, the wheel, and the vehicle's intended use.

Before taking a 1959 Bristol on a longer drive, inspect each tire for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, and any sign that the casing has been damaged in storage or by curb contact. Verify pressure when the tires are cold, check the valve stems, and make sure the spare is inflated and serviceable. A tire that looks fine at a glance can still reveal age-related problems when examined closely.

That tire check should be part of a broader pre-drive routine on a Bristol 406 that also includes brakes, steering, wheel bearings, fluid levels, and lighting. Vintage grand tourers are wonderfully capable when prepared properly, but they reward methodical inspection more than modern cars do. Giving the tires special attention before a trip reduces the chance that a small age or storage issue turns into a roadside interruption.