1959 Citroen Tire Fitment Guide

1959 Citroen vehicles use three sizes across the model range: 155-380 for the Citroen CV, 155R15 for the Citroen CV, and 165-400 for the Citroen DS and ID. Those sizes are not interchangeable across the full lineup because they use different wheel diameters. The 2CV family can appear with either a 380-millimeter metric fitment or a 15-inch fitment, while the DS and ID use a 400-millimeter metric fitment.

That makes wheel identification the first step, especially on a 2CV that may have changed hands or been converted over the years. Where rim-width guidance is published for 155R15 products, it falls in the 4.00- to 5.50-inch range, but that should not be assumed for the metric sizes. If your goal is an accurate match, confirm the exact model and measure or verify the actual wheel before moving to a tire choice.

On a 1959 Citroen, 155-380 is a Euro-metric radial size. The first number is the nominal section width in millimeters, so 155 means about 155 millimeters wide, and the 380 refers to the rim diameter in millimeters. It is not a 15-inch tire and it is not the same as 155R15, even though the section width looks similar at first glance.

That distinction matters most on the 2CV, where both metric and 15-inch setups can be encountered. A 155-380 tire belongs on a 380-millimeter wheel, so it should be treated as its own fitment standard rather than a close substitute for an inch-based size. If you are preserving a largely original 2CV, this size usually points to the original metric-wheel arrangement rather than a later conversion.

No. The 1959 Citroen lineup splits by model, with the CV using either 155-380 or 155R15 and the DS and ID sharing 165-400. All three are radial sizes, but they do not share the same rim diameter. The practical difference is that year and make alone are not enough to select a tire correctly.

The DS and ID are straightforward because they share one size, but the 2CV needs a closer look at the wheel on the car. Owners often assume similar-looking narrow tires will cross over, yet the wheel diameter difference prevents that. If you are comparing options across the lineup, use the model name first and the wheel diameter second before considering brand or series.

Current 155R15 choices for 1959 Citroen applications are offered in blackwall form. That suits the clean, understated look expected on European cars of the period, especially practical models such as the 2CV and technical sedans like the DS and ID. No whitewall range appears in the available 155R15 selection shown here.

For a buyer, sidewall style is usually more about visual correctness than fitment. A blackwall tire keeps the appearance aligned with how most 1959 Citroen cars were presented in period, particularly in European-market form. If your restoration is being judged, sidewall appearance should still be checked against the car's intended market and presentation standard, because authenticity expectations can vary by event.

Firestone and Michelin both appear in the currently available 155R15 selection for 1959 Citroen applications. Firestone is represented by the F560 Radial, while Michelin appears with the X, XAS, and XAS-FF series. All of those listed options are radial blackwall tires in the 155R15 size.

Brand choice on a classic Citroen often comes down to the type of driving you do and the look you want under the car. Michelin has especially strong period association with French and European applications, which can matter to owners pursuing a more era-authentic presentation. Firestone gives another period-style radial option in the same basic size, so comparing each product's speed rating, tube designation, and wheel compatibility is the next step.

For a 1959 Citroen in 155R15, the Michelin X is listed as 82T TL, the Michelin XAS as 82H TT, and the Michelin XAS-FF as 82H TL, while the Firestone F560 Radial is shown as 155R15 with a 1045-pound maximum load at 44 psi. Where rim-width guidance is published, both the Firestone F560 Radial and Michelin XAS family fit 4.00- to 5.50-inch rims. The speed ceilings differ where marked: T is 118 mph and H is 130 mph.

Those differences matter less as a promise of real-world speed than as a guide to construction details and intended character within the same size. A buyer choosing among them should compare wheel width, whether the tire is tube type or tubeless, and whether the car is expected to stay close to a traditional European presentation. Matching the tire to the wheel and the car's planned use is more important than assuming all 155R15 products are identical.

Published rim-width guidance appears for 155R15 products used on 1959 Citroen CV applications. The Firestone F560 Radial and Michelin XAS-family products are listed for 4.00- to 5.50-inch rims, all on a 15-inch diameter wheel. That range should be treated as size-specific guidance rather than a blanket rule for every tire used across the 1959 Citroen range.

Metric-fitment sizes such as 155-380 and 165-400 should be matched to the actual wheel they were designed for rather than inferred from the 15-inch products. On a 2CV, that is especially important because both metric and inch-based wheel setups can appear on similar-looking cars. Measuring the wheel or confirming the stamping before tire selection is the safest way to avoid a mismatch.

Tube use can vary within 1959 Citroen tire choices, particularly in 155R15. Michelin X is listed as TL, Michelin XAS as TT, and Michelin XAS-FF as TL, so the requirement depends on the specific product rather than the size alone. That means a 155R15 tire should never be assumed tube-type or tubeless without checking the sidewall marking on the exact tire being considered.

The wheel matters too, because an older wheel condition or design may influence whether a tube is appropriate even when a tubeless tire exists in the same size. Owners of lightly used classics should also inspect the valve area and wheel interior at the same time, since age and corrosion can matter as much as the tire designation. Checking both the tire marking and the wheel condition avoids setup mistakes.

No, because 1959 Citroen vehicles do not use one common wheel diameter across all models and sizes. The CV can use either a 380-millimeter metric size or a 15-inch size depending on the wheel fitted to the car, while the DS and ID use a 400-millimeter metric size. A tire must match the exact wheel diameter already on the vehicle.

That means an original DS or ID wheel does not interchange with a 2CV tire size choice, and a 2CV on metric wheels should not be treated like a 15-inch car. When a 2CV has been converted, the wheel on the car matters more than assumptions about what was standard when new. Confirming wheel diameter first prevents almost every avoidable fitment error on the 1959 Citroen range.

A 1959 Citroen should be stored out of direct sunlight, away from electric motors or equipment that generates ozone, and clear of standing moisture. Keep the tires properly inflated and move the car periodically so one patch of tread is not carrying the load for months at a time. Radial tires resist long-term distortion better than old bias-ply designs, but collector cars still benefit from occasional movement or properly placed stands during long storage.

Storage habits matter on a lightly used Citroen because age usually becomes the limiting factor before tread wear does. A 2CV, DS, or ID that sits for long periods can show sidewall aging or pressure loss even when the tires still look full from a distance. Clean, dry storage and routine pressure checks do more to preserve the tire than simply covering the car and leaving it untouched.

Tires on a 1959 Citroen should be judged by age and condition more than mileage. A good rule is to begin careful evaluation once a tire reaches roughly five to seven years of age, and to treat around ten years as a point where replacement deserves serious consideration even if the tread still appears usable. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the starting point for determining age.

That timeline is especially relevant for collector cars that are driven sparingly and stored indoors, because low mileage can create a false sense of security. A Citroen that only comes out for shows or weekend drives may have plenty of tread yet still be too old to trust. Sidewall condition, air retention, and any vibration or hardening felt on the road should all be weighed along with the date code.

Tires on a 1959 Citroen should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and signs of pressure loss, and make sure the tread is free from foreign objects. If the car uses a tube-type tire such as a TT-marked 155R15 product, the valve stem area deserves special attention as part of the check.

That routine is more important on an older collector car than on a modern daily driver because the car may sit for weeks between outings. Problems often show up while parked, not while accumulating miles. A quick walk-around, a pressure check, and a glance at the spare can prevent a small storage-related issue from turning into a roadside interruption on a vintage Citroen.

A 1959 Citroen CV would have been associated with radial tire technology, which was already central to Citroen's French engineering identity by that period. Within the 1959 Citroen range, the CV is tied to 155-380 and also appears with 155R15 depending on the wheel arrangement on the car. The original-style direction for a factory-correct restoration usually starts with confirming whether the car retains its metric wheel setup or has been changed to 15-inch wheels.

That distinction matters more than brand loyalty unless you have market-specific records for the exact car. For judged restoration work, the strongest path is to verify the wheel standard on the vehicle and then compare it with period references, owner literature, and marque-club guidance. Citroen enthusiasts and model-specific clubs are especially useful when a car has crossed markets or been modified over the years.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1959 Citroen. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the car wears the proper size family, the expected construction type for the era, and a sidewall appearance that suits the vehicle's original market character. On a Citroen, using the wrong wheel standard can stand out quickly because metric and inch-based fitments are a meaningful part of the car's visual and engineering identity.

A 2CV on the wrong wheel diameter or a DS wearing an obviously incorrect fitment can undercut an otherwise careful restoration. Even when a radial construction is appropriate, details such as sidewall style and the overall stance still affect how authentic the car looks. If you plan to enter concours or marque events, compare your tire choice against the club or event standard before finalizing the setup.

For a 1959 Citroen in 155R15, Michelin X is listed as 82T TL while Michelin XAS is listed as 82H TT. Both are blackwall radial tires, but they differ in speed rating and tube designation, with the T rating carrying a 118 mph ceiling and the H rating carrying a 130 mph ceiling. The Michelin XAS also includes published 4.00- to 5.50-inch rim-width guidance in this size.

For authenticity-minded owners, both lines carry strong period-European character, but they should still be chosen by fitment details rather than reputation alone. The tube-type versus tubeless distinction can affect wheel preparation and service approach, especially on older wheels. If your Citroen is being restored to a very specific market or presentation standard, compare the tire's appearance and construction details with period references before making the final call.

1959 Citroen tires can be suitable for highway use when the correct size is fitted, the tires are in sound condition, and the product's speed rating is respected. In the available 155R15 choices, T-rated products carry a 118 mph ceiling and H-rated products carry a 130 mph ceiling. Those figures are well above normal U.S. highway speeds, although the car's own mechanical condition, age, and road manners remain just as important as the tire rating.

A vintage Citroen should still be driven with the expectations appropriate to a collector vehicle, not a modern commuter car. Suspension condition, braking performance, steering play, and overall maintenance have a major influence on how secure the car feels at speed. If the car will see regular road use, start with the correct size and rating, then make sure the rest of the chassis is ready to support that use.

Inflation pressure for a 1959 Citroen should be set by the tire and the vehicle application, not borrowed from another size in the lineup. One listed 155R15 Firestone F560 Radial specification shows a maximum load of 1045 pounds at 44 psi, but that is a tire rating point rather than a universal running-pressure instruction for every 1959 Citroen. The factory recommendation in the owner's literature remains the right baseline for the car itself.

That matters because the 2CV, DS, and ID do not share one common tire size or one common wheel standard. A reproduction or replacement radial may carry a different maximum-pressure marking than what the car actually wants in normal service. Use the vehicle's original specification as the starting point, then confirm that the selected tire's own rated limits are being observed rather than assuming one number covers the whole range.

Before a longer drive in a 1959 Citroen, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, then check that the spare is usable and inflated as well. If your chosen tire is tube type, include the valve stems and any signs of leakage in the inspection. On a car of this age, a tire check should be part of a broader walk-around that includes brakes, steering response, fluid leaks, and lighting.

Longer trips expose weaknesses that short local drives can hide, especially on collector cars that may sit between outings. A Citroen with the correct tires can still be let down by old rubber elsewhere in the system or by a spare that has aged unnoticed. Taking ten minutes to inspect the tires and confirm the basics usually does more for trip confidence than bringing extra tools after the fact.