1959 Opel Tire Fitment Guide

1959 Opel vehicles use five sizes across three models, all on 13-inch rims. Caravan & Wagon models use either 175R13 radial or 640-13 bias-ply. Kapitan models use either 175R13 radial or 6.70-13 bias-ply. Olympia models use either 155R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply. Rim width guidance appears for 640-13 at 4.00 to 4.50 inches, for 155R13 at 4.00 to 5.50 inches on the Michelin listing, and for 560-13 at either 3.50 to 4.00 inches or 4.00 to 4.50 inches depending on the product.

That means year and make alone are not enough to choose a tire for a 1959 Opel. Start by identifying the exact model, then decide whether you want the model's bias-ply size for an original-era look or its radial size for a later-style construction. Because every option stays within a 13-inch rim diameter, the more important checks are the model match, the actual wheel width, and the sidewall style you want the car to present.

On a 1959 Opel tire, 640-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 640 portion is the nominal section-width designation used in older sizing practice, and the 13 indicates the wheel diameter in inches. For the 1959 Opel range, that size belongs to the Caravan & Wagon and appears in bias-ply construction rather than radial form. The available listing in this size is a BFGoodrich wide whitewall with a 4.00 to 4.50-inch rim width range and a maximum load of 1045 pounds at 32 psi.

Modern buyers often expect a metric size, so numeric sizing can look unfamiliar even though it is normal for the period. If your Caravan & Wagon is being restored with an emphasis on period appearance, 640-13 keeps you in the right era of sizing language and construction. Before final selection, compare the wheel width on the car to the product's approved rim-width range so the tire matches both the model and the wheel.

On a 1959 Opel tire, 175R13 and 155R13 are older Euro-metric radial sizes. The first number is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R marks radial construction, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. In this style of sizing, the aspect ratio is conventionally treated as roughly an 80-series profile when it is not written out. Within the 1959 Opel range, 175R13 is used on Caravan & Wagon and Kapitan, while 155R13 is used on Olympia.

Those two sizes are not interchangeable across the full 1959 Opel lineup just because both are radial and both fit 13-inch wheels. The difference starts with model application and overall tire proportions, not simply construction. If you are moving toward a radial-equipped setup, choose the radial size tied to your exact model first, then compare the available brand, sidewall, and tube-marking details within that specific size.

No, 1959 Opel models do not all use the same tire size. Caravan & Wagon and Kapitan share 175R13 as a radial option, but their bias-ply choices differ: 640-13 for Caravan & Wagon and 6.70-13 for Kapitan. Olympia uses a different pair altogether, with 155R13 radial and 560-13 bias-ply. All of them use 13-inch rim diameters, yet the actual size designation changes by model.

That difference matters because a 1959 Opel buyer can easily end up looking at the right year and make but the wrong model family. The safest path is to confirm the model badge, body style, and the size already mounted on the car before choosing a replacement. Once the model is identified, the remaining choice usually becomes whether you want the model's bias-ply size for authenticity or its radial size for a different driving feel.

For a 1959 Opel, the choice depends first on your model and then on the kind of driving and presentation you want. Caravan & Wagon uses 640-13 bias-ply or 175R13 radial, Kapitan uses 6.70-13 bias-ply or 175R13 radial, and Olympia uses 560-13 bias-ply or 155R13 radial. Bias-ply construction is the period-appropriate direction for a late-1950s restoration, while the radial choices represent a later construction style within the correct model-specific size family.

Owners building a show-oriented car usually lean toward the bias-ply option because the construction and sidewall character fit the era better. Owners who expect more regular road use often start with the radial option tied to their model. The key is not to compare sizes across different Opel models, but to compare the two construction paths available within your own model's size pair and then confirm wheel width before committing.

Sidewall style varies by size within the 1959 Opel range. The 155R13 radial products are offered as Blackwall tires from Michelin and Dunlop. The 560-13 bias-ply options include Narrow Whitewall and Wide Whitewall versions from BFGoodrich, plus a Wide Whitewall from Firestone. The 640-13 bias-ply listing shown here is a Wide Whitewall from BFGoodrich. That gives the Olympia bias-ply size the broadest visible sidewall choice among the listed products.

For a late-1950s Opel, sidewall appearance can change the character of the car even when the overall size is correct. Blackwalls generally suit a more understated or later-service look, while whitewalls align more closely with mid-century presentation, especially on a carefully styled restoration. If authenticity matters for a judged car, confirm the sidewall style expected for your market and model through marque references before selecting between narrow and wide whitewall treatments.

The available brands shown for 1959 Opel sizes are BFGoodrich, Michelin, Dunlop, and Firestone. BFGoodrich appears in 640-13 and 560-13 bias-ply applications, Firestone also appears in 560-13 bias-ply, and Michelin and Dunlop appear in 155R13 radial form. Each brand is tied to specific sizes rather than covering the full 1959 Opel lineup, so the correct model and size still lead the process before brand preference enters the picture.

Brand choice on a collector Opel often comes down to the look and construction available in the size your model uses. A buyer with an Olympia may compare Michelin or Dunlop in 155R13 if staying with radial blackwalls, while a bias-ply Olympia owner can compare BFGoodrich and Firestone whitewall offerings in 560-13. Start with the exact size your model requires, then compare brand character, sidewall styling, and rim-width compatibility within that size.

Rim width depends on the exact tire size and, in some cases, the specific product chosen for a 1959 Opel. The listed 640-13 BFGoodrich bias-ply fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims. The Michelin 155R13 radial fits 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims. For 560-13 bias-ply, the BFGoodrich options fit 3.50 to 4.00-inch rims, while the Firestone option fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims. That means even within one size, approved wheel width can change by brand or series.

The practical step is to measure or verify the wheel actually on your 1959 Opel rather than assuming every 13-inch wheel suits every 13-inch tire. A mismatch can affect sidewall shape, steering response, and the way the tire sits on the rim. If your car already wears replacement wheels or non-original rims, this check becomes even more important before choosing between available products in the same nominal size.

Inner-tube status varies by size and by product in the 1959 Opel range. The Michelin 155R13 is marked TL, indicating a tubeless product, while the Dunlop 155R13 listing does not show a tube marker. The bias-ply listings in 640-13 and 560-13 do not show TT or TL markers in the available product names and size strings here. That means tube fitment should be confirmed against the exact tire and wheel combination rather than assumed from the year alone.

Original wheels, replacement wheels, and reproduction tires do not always line up neatly on tube use, especially on collector cars that have been altered over the years. Before mounting a 1959 Opel tire, check the sidewall marking on the exact product and inspect the wheel condition, bead seat, and valve setup. If the car is a restoration with older-style rims, a marque specialist or tire installer familiar with vintage European wheels can help settle the tube question correctly.

All listed 1959 Opel tire sizes use a 13-inch rim diameter, so they remain within the same basic wheel-diameter family. That does not mean every original 13-inch Opel wheel is automatically correct for every size across Caravan & Wagon, Kapitan, and Olympia models. Rim-width approvals differ by size and even by product, with examples ranging from 3.50-inch minimum widths in some 560-13 applications up to 5.50-inch maximum width for the Michelin 155R13.

If your Opel still has its original wheels, confirm the wheel width before assuming one of the other 13-inch sizes will be a clean substitute. Diameter compatibility is only the first step. Wheel width, model-specific sizing, and the visual effect of a whitewall versus blackwall all play into whether the finished setup looks right and performs as expected. Staying within the size family tied to your exact model is the safer route.

A stored 1959 Opel should be kept away from direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment such as electric motors, battery chargers, and welders. Clean, dry floors and stable temperatures help preserve both bias-ply and radial tires. Because this year Opel range can use either construction depending on model and tire choice, storage matters even more: bias-ply tires tend to flat-spot more noticeably during long static periods, while any vintage-style tire can develop sidewall aging if left parked in harsh conditions.

Moving the car periodically, slightly adjusting its parked position, or supporting it correctly during very long storage can reduce stress on the carcass. Keep tires inflated to an appropriate operating level for storage, and cover them if the car sits in a bright garage. A collector Opel that spends months between drives benefits from a quick pressure and visual inspection before it goes back on the road, even if the tread still looks fresh.

Tires on a 1959 Opel should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. A collector car can wear very little tread and still reach the point where replacement deserves serious consideration. Many owners begin evaluating vintage-car tires closely once they are about five to seven years old, and around ten years is a common point to consider replacement regardless of tread depth. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age, while sidewall cracking, hardening, and repeated air loss are equally important warning signs.

That age-based approach matters because a lightly used Opel often looks road-ready long after the rubber has begun to age out. A bias-ply show tire and a radial road tire can both become old before they become worn. If you recently acquired the car and do not know the tire age, check the date codes first and treat the rest of the inspection as a confirmation step rather than relying on appearance alone.

Tires on a 1959 Opel should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and signs that the tire has been run underinflated. Check that all four tires are holding pressure and that the spare is serviceable. If your Opel uses a setup that requires tubes, include the valve stems and any signs of chafing or leakage in the inspection routine as well.

Frequent inspection is especially important on collector cars because long periods of sitting can create issues that are not related to tread wear. A car that drove well last season can still develop weather checking, flat-spotting, or a weak spare before the next event. Building a short pre-drive routine around pressures, sidewalls, and the spare tire is one of the simplest ways to keep a 1959 Opel dependable on local drives and longer tours.

A 1959 Opel Caravan & Wagon would have been associated with bias-ply construction when new, because bias-ply remained the normal original-equipment tire type for much of the period. Within the size choices shown here, the model-specific bias-ply size is 640-13, while 175R13 represents the radial option tied to the same model family. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and delivery history, so the safest originality baseline is size, construction type, and sidewall treatment rather than assuming one universal factory brand.

For restoration work, that means 640-13 is the size to examine first if the goal is an authentic late-1950s presentation. A buyer building a market-specific or show-level car should still compare against factory literature, period photos, and Opel marque resources because export markets sometimes differed in tire details. The strongest authenticity decisions usually come from combining the correct model-specific size with the sidewall style expected for the car's destination market.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1959 Opel, especially in judged classes that value authenticity. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the car is wearing the right size family for its model, the expected construction type for the era, and a sidewall style that suits the period. A 1959 Olympia on a 560-13 whitewall bias-ply presents very differently from the same car on a 155R13 blackwall radial, even though both are legitimate size paths within that model's fitment range.

The right choice depends on the standard you are building toward. For a strict originality-oriented presentation, bias-ply construction and era-appropriate sidewall styling usually matter more than later radial convenience. For touring classes or casual local events, owners may accept some deviation. Before a major show, compare your intended tire against the event's judging rules and ask Opel club members what details are likely to draw attention on your specific model.

For the 1959 Opel Olympia in 560-13, BFGoodrich and Firestone share the same listed maximum load of 850 pounds at 30 psi, but they differ in sidewall offerings and approved rim width. BFGoodrich offers both Narrow Whitewall and Wide Whitewall versions with a 3.50 to 4.00-inch rim width range. Firestone offers a Wide Whitewall version with a 4.00 to 4.50-inch rim width range. All are bias-ply products, so the real differences are fitment range and appearance rather than construction type.

That makes wheel width and visual preference the deciding factors. If your Olympia runs a narrower wheel, the BFGoodrich options may align more naturally with the approved range. If your wheel is slightly wider within the listed 560-13 family, the Firestone fitment window may be the better match. Whitewall width also changes the finished look of the car, so this comparison is as much about style and stance as it is about the rim itself.

1959 Opel tires can be suitable for highway driving when the tires are in sound condition, correctly matched to the model, and used within their ratings and the car's mechanical limits. The listed 155R13 radial products carry an H speed rating, which corresponds to 130 mph. The bias-ply listings shown here do not include modern speed-rating letters in the available product details. On a 1959 Opel, the practical limit in normal use is far more likely to be the age of the tire, the state of the brakes and suspension, and general vintage-car readiness rather than the radial's H rating.

Safety on the road starts with choosing the right size for the exact model, then making sure the tire is healthy, properly inflated, and mounted on a compatible wheel. A fresh radial and a fresh bias-ply can both be roadworthy, but they will not feel the same in steering response or lane tracking. Before regular highway use, inspect the whole car as a system and keep expectations consistent with late-1950s vehicle design.

Inflation pressure on a 1959 Opel should follow the vehicle maker's guidance for the model and the tire maker's rating for the exact tire you choose. The listed load-pressure pairs include 640-13 at 1045 pounds at 32 psi and 560-13 at 850 pounds at 30 psi. Those figures are product ratings, not blanket running-pressure instructions for every 1959 Opel. The radial 155R13 listings here do not provide one universal inflation figure to transfer across the range.

Use the original owner's literature or factory placard as the starting point for the car, then compare it with the tire manufacturer's guidance for the specific reproduction or radial product you are mounting. Do not copy a pressure from 560-13 to 640-13, or from a bias-ply tire to a radial tire, just because all of them fit 13-inch rims. Pressure is one of the easiest details to get wrong when changing construction type.

Before a longer drive in a 1959 Opel, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, and uneven wear, then confirm inflation pressure and that the spare is usable. Check valve stems closely, especially if your final setup uses tubes. A tire inspection should be part of a wider pre-drive routine that also covers wheel hardware, brakes, steering play, fluid levels, and basic lighting. Older cars can sit quietly for weeks and still develop issues that only appear when speed and heat build up.

For an Opel that sees occasional use, a short shakedown run before a major trip is often smarter than heading straight onto the highway. Listen for vibration, feel for pulling, and recheck pressures once the car has settled after the first miles. If you recently changed size, construction, or wheel setup, that first local drive is the best time to confirm the car behaves properly before asking it to handle a longer tour.