1959 Fairthorpe Tire Fitment Guide

1959 Fairthorpe vehicles use four sizes across two models. The Atomota uses either 145R13 radial or 520-13 bias-ply tires on 13-inch rims, while the Electron uses either 155R15 radial or 560-15 bias-ply tires on 15-inch rims. Where published rim-width guidance appears, 145R13 fits 4.00 to 5.00-inch rims, 520-13 appears on 3.5-inch and 3.50 to 4.00-inch rims depending on the tire, 155R15 fits 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, and 560-15 appears on 4.5-inch and 4.50 to 5.50-inch rims depending on the product.

The practical takeaway is that year and make alone are not enough with a 1959 Fairthorpe. You need to identify whether the car is an Atomota or an Electron first, because the wheel diameter changes with the model, and each model then offers a bias-ply or radial route within its own size family. Checking the actual wheel before ordering is the safest way to avoid crossing a 13-inch Atomota fitment with a 15-inch Electron fitment.

On a 1959 Fairthorpe, 520-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 520 portion is the nominal section-width designation used in period numeric sizing, and the 13 indicates a 13-inch wheel. That size applies to the Atomota rather than the Electron, and it is offered in both blackwall and narrow whitewall forms among the available products.

Numeric bias-ply sizes like 520-13 are very much in keeping with how many late-1950s specialty sports cars were equipped and represented. If your Atomota is being finished with an eye toward traditional appearance, this is the size family many restorers start with. The next step is to compare the sidewall look you want and confirm the wheel width against the individual tire, since published rim-width guidance is not identical across every 520-13 offering.

On a 1959 Fairthorpe, 145R13 is a radial metric size used on the Atomota. The 145 indicates a nominal section width of 145 millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 13 denotes a 13-inch wheel diameter. In this older metric convention, the missing aspect ratio is commonly understood as an 80-series profile rather than a modern low-profile tire.

That decoding matters because 145R13 is not simply another way of writing 520-13; it represents a different sizing system and a different construction type for the same model family. Atomota owners choosing between those two sizes are usually deciding between a radial interpretation and a more traditional bias-ply presentation. If the car already has 13-inch wheels, the main follow-up checks are wheel width and the exact sidewall and speed-rating details on the product you prefer.

No. 1959 Fairthorpe models split into two distinct fitment groups: the Atomota uses 13-inch sizes, either 145R13 radial or 520-13 bias-ply, while the Electron uses 15-inch sizes, either 155R15 radial or 560-15 bias-ply. There is no single size that applies across both models, and the size families do not share the same wheel diameter.

That distinction is especially important because Fairthorpe was a low-volume specialist make, and cars may have been restored, modified, or re-wheeled over time. Starting with the model name helps narrow the correct family, but checking the wheel on the car remains worthwhile before making a final decision. Once you know whether you are working with an Atomota or Electron, the next decision becomes construction type rather than broad make-wide compatibility.

For a 1959 Fairthorpe Atomota, both 145R13 and 520-13 belong to the same model, but they represent different construction paths. The 145R13 options are radial tires in blackwall form from Michelin and Firestone, while the 520-13 options are bias-ply tires available in blackwall and narrow whitewall styles. The choice is less about basic model fitment and more about whether you want a radial tire or a period-style numeric bias-ply tire on a 13-inch wheel.

Owners who prioritize traditional late-1950s visual character often lean toward 520-13, especially when the sidewall look is part of the car's finished restoration. Owners who plan to drive the Atomota more regularly on modern roads often begin with 145R13 because it keeps the car in a radial size family. Either way, confirm the wheel width against the specific tire you select, since published rim-width guidance differs between some products.

1959 Fairthorpe tire choices include both blackwall and whitewall presentations, but the styling depends on the size. The radial sizes, 145R13 for the Atomota and 155R15 for the Electron, are offered in blackwall form. The bias-ply sizes add more visual variety: 520-13 appears in blackwall and narrow whitewall, while 560-15 appears in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall.

That matters because sidewall appearance can change the whole personality of a finished car, especially on a niche late-1950s British vehicle. A simpler blackwall look tends to suit a more purposeful sports-car presentation, while whitewalls create a more stylized period statement when the build calls for it. If authenticity matters for show judging, consult the standards used by your marque club or event, since sidewall taste and market expectations were not always identical across every car.

Four brands cover the available 1959 Fairthorpe sizes: Michelin, Firestone, Premium Sport, and US Royal. The 145R13 Atomota radial size is offered by Michelin and Firestone, the 520-13 Atomota bias-ply size by Firestone and Premium Sport, the 155R15 Electron radial size by Firestone and Michelin, and the 560-15 Electron bias-ply size by Firestone and US Royal. Brand choice therefore depends partly on which Fairthorpe model and size family you are working with.

The practical way to narrow the field is to decide on the model first, then construction type, then sidewall style. Once those three are settled, the brand list becomes much smaller and easier to compare. This is especially useful on a make like Fairthorpe, where the right answer is usually about matching the car's intended use and finished appearance rather than chasing one universal recommendation for the entire marque.

Published rim-width guidance varies by size on 1959 Fairthorpe applications. The Atomota's 145R13 radial appears with a 4.00 to 5.00-inch rim-width range, while its 520-13 bias-ply offerings appear on 3.5-inch and 3.50 to 4.00-inch rim specifications depending on the product. The Electron's 155R15 radial appears with a 4.00 to 5.50-inch range, and its 560-15 bias-ply offerings appear on 4.5-inch and 4.50 to 5.50-inch rim specifications depending on the tire.

Those numbers show why wheel width should be checked against the exact tire rather than assumed from diameter alone. Two products in the same nominal size may overlap closely, but they are not always listed with identical rim-width guidance. Measuring the wheel now saves guesswork later, especially on a specialist car that may have had wheels changed during restoration or over decades of ownership.

Inner-tube requirements vary within the 1959 Fairthorpe radial choices rather than staying uniform across every product. The 145R13 radial offerings shown are tubeless, while the Electron's 155R15 radial offerings include both tubeless and tube-type versions depending on the specific Michelin or Firestone tire. The listed 520-13 and 560-15 bias-ply products are not all marked with explicit tube notation in the same way, so the exact sidewall marking on the chosen tire should be checked before installation.

That means tube decisions should be made at the product level, not just at the size level. If you are working with original wheels, wheel condition and wheel design matter just as much as the tire marking. Confirming tube status before mounting helps avoid ordering the wrong accessories and is especially worthwhile on the Electron's 155R15 radial fitment, where tube type and tubeless options both appear in the same nominal size.

A stored 1959 Fairthorpe should be kept away from direct sunlight, standing moisture, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber prematurely. Clean, dry floors and stable temperatures are helpful, and the car should either be moved periodically or supported in a way that reduces long-term static loading. Bias-ply tires are generally more prone to temporary flat-spotting during long periods of inactivity than radials, so storage habits matter even more if your Fairthorpe is on 520-13 or 560-15 tires.

Collector cars often spend more time parked than driven, which means storage conditions can affect tire life more than mileage does. If the car sits for months at a time, check pressure before every outing and inspect the sidewalls before the first drive of the season. A breathable indoor cover protects the car, but tire preservation comes more from darkness, clean air, and avoiding long stretches of neglected underinflation.

On a 1959 Fairthorpe, tire age is usually more important than tread wear. Most collector-car owners should begin evaluating tires closely once they reach about five to seven years of age, and many consider replacement around the ten-year mark regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age, and that date matters whether the car is fitted with Atomota 13-inch tires or Electron 15-inch tires.

Low annual mileage can create a false sense of security because rubber hardens and ages even when the car is rarely used. A lightly driven Fairthorpe with tires that still look presentable may still be due for replacement if the date code is old and the rubber has lost flexibility. If you recently acquired the car, confirming the tire age is one of the smartest first checks before any regular road use.

Tires on a 1959 Fairthorpe should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, pressure loss, and signs that the tire has been sitting underinflated. If your chosen product uses an inner tube, add valve-stem condition and any slow leak behavior to the inspection routine, since those details become part of the tire system as a whole.

Short local drives can hide problems that become serious once the car is up to speed or farther from home. A quick walk-around and pressure check takes very little time and fits the way most collector cars are actually used. On a small-volume sports car like a Fairthorpe, that habit also helps you catch age-related issues early, before they turn into a roadside interruption or damage to a hard-to-replace body panel.

A 1959 Fairthorpe Atomota would have been associated with a period bias-ply tire rather than a radial as original-equipment practice in its era, and the available size family reflects that history through the 520-13 option. The 145R13 radial is a later-style alternative within the Atomota's fitment range rather than the most era-typical starting point. No single original brand should be assumed without car-specific history, export-market context, or surviving records tied to the individual car.

For restoration work, the useful distinction is between what looks and feels era-appropriate and what serves a later driving preference. If your goal is authenticity for a show field or period-correct presentation, the Atomota's bias-ply path is the natural place to begin. If you need marque-level confirmation on what was delivered in a particular market or month of production, a Fairthorpe specialist or British sports-car club is the right source to consult.

Correct tire fitment can matter a great deal when showing a 1959 Fairthorpe, especially in events that judge originality or period presentation. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts commonly notice size family, construction type, and sidewall appearance, so a radial metric tire on a car restored to strict late-1950s specification may stand out differently than a numeric bias-ply fitment. The same is true of whitewall choices, which can alter the visual period impression of the car.

That does not mean every event applies the same standard. Some gatherings focus on driving enjoyment and general condition, while concours-style settings tend to care much more about whether the tire looks right for the era and model. If your Fairthorpe is being prepared for formal judging, check the event rules and ask a marque club what they would consider appropriate for your specific car before finalizing the tire and sidewall combination.

For the 1959 Fairthorpe Electron's 560-15 size, both Firestone and US Royal are bias-ply offerings with the same published maximum load of 970 pounds at 32 psi. Firestone appears in narrow 1.00-inch whitewall and wide 2.75-inch whitewall forms with a listed 4.5-inch rim specification, while US Royal appears in narrow 1.00-inch whitewall and wide 2.25-inch whitewall forms with a broader listed 4.50 to 5.50-inch rim-width range. The listed weights also differ slightly between the two brands.

Those differences mean the decision is not only about brand name. Sidewall width changes the car's finished look, and rim-width guidance may make one product a more natural match to the wheel already on the car. For an Electron restoration, it makes sense to compare the exact whitewall treatment you want along with the wheel you have, rather than treating every 560-15 bias-ply tire as visually and dimensionally interchangeable.

1959 Fairthorpe tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, properly inflated, in sound condition, and used within their stated ratings. Among the radial choices, 145R13 includes H-rated examples up to 130 mph, while 155R15 includes T-rated examples up to 118 mph and H-rated examples up to 130 mph depending on the product. The bias-ply sizes do not list speed letters here, so they should be treated with the normal caution appropriate to vintage-style tire construction and the character of the car itself.

In real-world use, the broader mechanical condition of a 1959 Fairthorpe often matters as much as the tire rating. A lightweight late-1950s specialist car has braking, suspension, and weather protection realities that call for conservative expectations even if the tire's speed symbol looks generous on paper. Safe highway use starts with fresh rubber, proper pressure, and an honest assessment of the vehicle's overall readiness rather than focusing on speed rating alone.

Inflation pressure on a 1959 Fairthorpe should not be guessed across sizes because the listed tires do not all carry the same pressure figures. The 520-13 bias-ply size includes examples rated at 770 pounds at 32 psi and 1100 pounds at 60 psi depending on the product, the 560-15 bias-ply size is listed at 970 pounds at 32 psi, the 145R13 radial includes an example rated at 825 pounds at 44 psi, and the 155R15 radial includes an example rated at 1045 pounds at 44 psi. Those are tire ratings, not blanket vehicle recommendations.

For actual running pressure, start with the vehicle manufacturer's guidance if you have it, then compare that with the tire maker's recommendations for the specific reproduction or radial product you are using. Do not transfer one figure from an Atomota size to an Electron size, or from a bias-ply tire to a radial, simply because they belong to the same make. The right pressure depends on the exact tire, wheel, and vehicle application.

Before a longer trip in a 1959 Fairthorpe, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, abnormal wear, and stable inflation pressure, and check the spare as carefully as the four on the car. If your chosen tire uses an inner tube, look closely at valve-stem condition and watch for any slow pressure loss that could point to a mounting or tube issue. On a collector car, tires are only one part of the pre-drive routine, but they are one of the easiest places to catch trouble early.

A longer drive is also the right time to think beyond the tread itself. Wheel security, brake condition, steering feel, and suspension behavior all matter on a late-1950s specialist sports car that may spend much of its life parked. Even when the tires are fresh, an untested spare, aged valve stems, or a wheel that has sat unused for years can turn a pleasant outing into a preventable problem.