1959 Saab Tire Fitment Guide

1959 Saab vehicles use three sizes across two model groups. The 1959 Saab 750 & 850 GT use 155R15, while the 1959 Saab 92 & 93 use either 145R15 in radial form or 5.20-15 in bias-ply form. All three sizes mount on 15-inch rims. Rim width guidance is available for the radial sizes: 155R15 appears on 4.00- to 5.50-inch rims, and 145R15 appears on 3.50- to 5.00-inch or 4.00- to 5.00-inch rims depending on the tire.

That means year and make alone are not enough to choose correctly. Start by confirming whether your car is a 750 & 850 GT or a Saab 92 & 93, then decide whether you want a radial for more modern road behavior or a bias-ply for a more original driving character. If your wheels are original, confirm their actual width before settling on a specific tire.

On a 1959 Saab, 155R15 is an early metric radial size. The 155 identifies nominal section width in millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and the 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. In this style of sizing, the aspect ratio is not printed, and the size is conventionally treated as an 80-series radial. On 1959 Saab applications, 155R15 belongs to the 750 & 850 GT.

That size differs from a period numeric bias-ply code because it reflects the industry's move toward metric radial sizing. When you see Michelin X, Michelin XAS, Michelin XAS-FF, or Firestone F560 in 155R15, the tire will share the same basic size family but may differ in tube type, speed rating, and recommended rim-width range. Those details matter once the size itself is confirmed.

On a 1959 Saab, 5.20-15 is a traditional numeric bias-ply size. The 5.20 refers to nominal section width in inches, and the 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. Unlike a metric radial code, there is no R in the size because the construction is bias-ply. On 1959 Saab applications, 5.20-15 is associated with the Saab 92 & 93 rather than the 750 & 850 GT.

That old-style numeric code is important because it signals a different construction and a different driving feel from the radial alternatives used elsewhere in the range. Owners pursuing an era-correct appearance often stay with the bias-ply size, while owners who prioritize more settled behavior on modern roads often compare it against the 145R15 radial used on the same model family.

For a 1959 Saab 92 or 93, the choice between 145R15 and 5.20-15 comes down primarily to construction. The 145R15 is a radial, while the 5.20-15 is a bias-ply. Both belong to the 15-inch wheel family used on those models, but they deliver a different ownership experience. The 145R15 aligns with owners who want a more familiar modern-road feel, while the 5.20-15 stays closer to the period construction the car would have known when new.

If your Saab is being restored for authenticity, judged display, or historically accurate presentation, the bias-ply route usually deserves the first look. If the car will spend more time on secondary roads, touring events, or regular fair-weather driving, the radial deserves serious consideration. The right answer depends less on the wheel diameter than on how you expect the car to look, feel, and be used.

1959 Saab tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall form, depending on size. The 155R15 options for the 750 & 850 GT are blackwall radial tires. The 145R15 options for the Saab 92 & 93 include blackwall radials and at least one wide whitewall radial. Sidewall treatment can change the visual character of the car almost as much as the wheel itself, especially on a compact European shape.

Most buyers seeking a restrained, factory-leaning Scandinavian look tend to focus on blackwall fitments first, especially on sporting or driver-oriented cars. A whitewall can create a more stylized period appearance, but it should match the restoration's broader theme rather than being chosen in isolation. If authenticity matters for a specific event, compare the sidewall style against period photos and marque-club guidance before committing.

1959 Saab coverage includes Firestone, Michelin, and BFGoodrich. The 155R15 size used on the 750 & 850 GT is available from Firestone and Michelin, while the 145R15 size used on the Saab 92 & 93 is available from Firestone, Michelin, and BFGoodrich. Within those size groups, the individual tire lines include Firestone F560, Michelin X, Michelin XAS, Michelin XAS-FF, Michelin XZX, and BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial.

Brand choice usually comes after size and construction are settled, not before. Once you know whether your 1959 Saab needs 155R15, 145R15, or 5.20-15, you can compare sidewall style, tube type, and speed rating details within that size. Buyers who care deeply about period flavor often favor long-established names, but the smartest comparison is always among tires that actually match the car's correct size family.

Rim-width guidance for 1959 Saab radial sizes depends on the tire. The 155R15 appears with a 4.00- to 5.50-inch rim-width range. The 145R15 appears with either a 4.00- to 5.00-inch range or a 3.50- to 5.00-inch range, depending on brand and series. All of those tires mount on 15-inch rims, but width still matters for proper tire profile and fit.

That is why it is worth measuring an original wheel rather than assuming every 15-inch rim is interchangeable. A wheel that is correct in diameter can still be too narrow or too wide for a specific radial design. Once your wheel width is confirmed, you can narrow the field quickly and avoid choosing a tire whose approved rim range does not suit the wheel already on the car.

Inner-tube requirements on 1959 Saab tires vary by size and by product. In 155R15, Michelin X appears as a tubeless tire, Michelin XAS is tube-type, and Michelin XAS-FF is tubeless, so that size does not have a single universal answer. In 145R15, Michelin XZX is marked tubeless, while some other versions in the same size do not carry a tube marking in the size line. The 5.20-15 bias-ply fitment should always be checked against the exact tire and wheel combination before installation.

The practical takeaway is simple: do not assume that every tire in the same nominal size uses the same setup. Tube type depends on the tire, the wheel design, and whether the rim was originally intended for tubeless service. Before finalizing a 1959 Saab tire choice, verify the sidewall marking of the exact product and make sure the wheel condition and valve-stem setup match that construction.

The tire sizes used on 1959 Saab vehicles all share a 15-inch rim diameter, so they belong to the same basic wheel-diameter family. That means original 15-inch wheels are in the right diameter category for 155R15, 145R15, and 5.20-15. Diameter alone is not the whole story, though, because the radial options carry specific approved rim-width ranges and the correct width still needs to be confirmed.

For a 750 & 850 GT, the question is mainly whether the wheel width matches the chosen 155R15 radial. For a Saab 92 or 93, the same wheel may point you toward either radial or bias-ply depending on the restoration goal and the wheel's actual dimensions. Treat original wheels as compatible in principle with the 15-inch tire family, then verify width and construction details before mounting.

A stored 1959 Saab should be kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone sources that accelerate rubber aging. Clean, dry flooring and stable temperatures help preserve both the tire casing and the wheel finish. If your Saab 92 or 93 wears bias-ply tires, expect them to flat-spot more readily during long static periods than radial tires. Radials generally recover more quickly, but they still benefit from proper storage conditions.

For cars that sit for weeks or months, maintain pressure, move the car periodically, or use stands if the storage period is extended and the chassis is supported correctly. A breathable cover is better than trapping moisture around the tires. Before the first drive of the season, inspect sidewalls, tread, and valve areas carefully so the car goes back on the road without avoidable age-related tire issues.

On a collector car such as a 1959 Saab, tire age usually matters more than tread wear. A good rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they reach five to seven years of age and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement point regardless of remaining tread depth. That applies to radial and bias-ply construction alike. The DOT date code, when present on the tire, is the starting point for judging age.

Many vintage Saabs are driven lightly, so an older tire can look usable long after its rubber has hardened or its structure has aged. The smarter approach is to think in calendar years and condition rather than mileage alone. If the car has spent long periods parked, especially in poor storage conditions, shorten your replacement horizon and inspect even more critically before regular use.

Tires on a 1959 Saab should be inspected before every drive, and especially before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, uneven wear, cuts, bulges, and slow pressure loss. If your setup uses tube-type construction, pay close attention to valve-stem condition and any signs of leakage around the stem or bead area. A compact, lightweight car still depends heavily on tire condition for steering feel and braking consistency.

A quick visual check before a short local drive and a more thorough hands-on inspection before a tour is a sensible routine. Rotate your attention to the spare as well, since a spare that has aged unseen for decades may not be a real backup. Regular inspection catches the kind of age and storage damage that low-mileage collector cars often hide until the car is finally asked to travel farther.

For a 1959 Saab 92 or 93, period-correct thinking starts with bias-ply construction, since bias-ply tires still defined original fitment practice across much of the industry in that era. The relevant size family for these cars includes 5.20-15 in bias-ply form, while 145R15 represents a radial alternative within the same model group. No single original-equipment brand should be assumed without market-specific confirmation, especially on a niche imported car.

That makes the restoration question less about chasing a brand name and more about choosing the right size format, construction type, and sidewall presentation for your car's story. If the Saab is headed for concours evaluation or a historically strict restoration, verify market and delivery details through marque clubs, factory literature, and period photos. Those sources are often decisive when the car's presentation matters as much as its road behavior.

Correct tire fitment matters on a shown 1959 Saab because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction, and sidewall style quickly. A radial on a car restored for strict originality can stand out just as much as an obviously modern sidewall treatment. On the other hand, a well-chosen bias-ply or period-appropriate narrow radial can support the car's shape and stance rather than distracting from them. Saab's unusual engineering only makes detail accuracy more visible to informed spectators.

If the car is being prepared for marque judging, decide early whether the goal is authenticity, touring practicality, or a balanced compromise. Tire details are easier to get right before the rest of the presentation is finalized. Event standards vary, so compare your tire choice against the expectations of the club or show that will judge the car rather than relying on a single universal rule.

The 1959 Saab 750 & 850 GT use 155R15 within this year-and-model range, and that size sits firmly in the early metric radial world. Saab was an early adopter of practical, engineering-led solutions, so a radial fitment on the GT models fits the character of the marque well. Original-equipment brand should not be assumed from reproduction choices alone, but the size and radial construction are the key historical signals for these cars.

For restoration work, concentrate first on keeping the GT within the correct 155R15 radial family and then refine the look through sidewall treatment and product style. If the car is being judged, period photographs and Saab-club guidance can help resolve market-specific details that a generic year-and-make summary cannot capture. That approach keeps the restoration grounded in the car's actual specification rather than broad assumptions about 1950s European cars.

1959 Saab tires can be suitable for highway use when they are in good condition, correctly fitted, and used within their construction and speed limits. The radial choices in this range include S-rated tires to 112 mph, T-rated tires to 118 mph, and H-rated tires to 130 mph, depending on the exact product. Those ceilings exceed the real-world cruising needs of a small late-1950s Saab. In normal use, the car's own brakes, suspension condition, and overall mechanical health are often a more immediate limit than the tire's speed symbol.

The important distinction is not whether a reproduction collector tire can survive highway speed in theory, but whether the whole car is prepared for sustained modern traffic. Fresh tires, proper pressure, aligned steering, and a sound front-end setup matter more than chasing headline speed capability. Bias-ply and radial constructions can both be roadworthy, but they will not feel identical, so choose with your intended use in mind.

Inflation pressure for a 1959 Saab should begin with the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation for the original application, then be checked against the tire maker's limits for the exact tire you choose. Among the radial options here, 155R15 appears with a load figure of 1045 pounds at 44 psi, and 145R15 appears with 935 pounds at 44 psi on one version. Those numbers describe the tire's rated load at a stated maximum pressure, not necessarily the pressure your Saab should run in service.

That distinction matters because a light front-wheel-drive Saab may require less than the tire's maximum to achieve the correct contact patch and ride behavior. Do not transfer a pressure figure from 155R15 to 145R15, or from a radial to a bias-ply, without checking the correct application first. Start with factory guidance, then fine-tune only within the tire manufacturer's approved range for the exact product on the car.

Before a longer drive in a 1959 Saab, inspect every tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and proper inflation, then check the spare with the same care. Make sure valve stems are secure, and if your setup uses tubes, confirm there are no signs of leakage or stem movement. The tread should be clean and free of objects, and the tire should not show any evidence of separation or age-related distortion. A longer trip puts sustained heat and load into a tire in a way a short local outing may not.

Tire inspection should be part of a broader pre-trip check that includes brakes, wheel bearings, steering play, and fluid levels. Early Saabs are durable little cars, but age can hide in components that seem fine around town. If the tires have been sitting or the car has not been driven at speed recently, give yourself a short shakedown run before committing to a full-day drive.