1959 Toyota Tire Fitment Guide

1959 Toyota vehicles in this guide use four sizes: 155R14, 560-14, 185R14, and 700-14. All four apply to the 1959 Toyota Toyopet, and every one of them mounts on a 14-inch rim. Rim-width guidance varies by size where published: 155R14 works with 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, 560-14 with 3.50 to 4.00-inch rims, 185R14 with ranges from 4.00 to 6.50 inches depending on the tire, and 700-14 with 5.00 to 5.50-inch rims.

That means a 1959 Toyota owner needs to confirm more than just year and make before ordering. The key questions are which size is already on the car, whether the wheel width matches the intended tire, and whether the goal is a late-1950s bias-ply look or a radial setup for regular road use. On a Toyopet, those choices affect both appearance and fitment details.

On a 1959 Toyota, 560-14 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.60 figure is the nominal section width in inches, written without a decimal in the code, and the 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. In this year and make, 560-14 appears as a traditional bias-ply tire with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options from BFGoodrich.

That makes 560-14 a very recognizable vintage size for owners who want the car to look and feel closer to its late-1950s roots. It also uses a narrower rim-width range than the larger radial offerings, so wheel measurement matters before making the change from one size family to another. If your Toyopet is being restored for authenticity, 560-14 is one of the most era-appropriate directions to consider.

On a 1959 Toyota, 155R14 and 185R14 are metric radial sizes. The first number is the section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. When no aspect ratio is printed in this older Euro-metric style, it is conventionally treated as an 80-series profile, which is why many reproduction and vintage radials in these sizes have an 80-series character even if the sidewall code is abbreviated.

The practical difference is that 155R14 is the narrower radial option, while 185R14 is wider and often has a fuller stance on the car. Both keep the Toyopet on a 14-inch wheel, but they do not use the same rim-width ranges and they do not all carry the same speed markings or sidewall treatments. A buyer comparing them should think about wheel width, visual proportion, and how the car will be driven.

For a 1959 Toyota, 560-14 is the traditional bias-ply choice and 155R14 is a radial alternative. The bias-ply 560-14 is closely aligned with late-1950s construction and visual character, while the 155R14 brings the casing design and tread behavior of a radial in a compact 14-inch size. Both can suit a Toyopet, but they speak to different priorities.

A restoration-minded owner usually starts with 560-14, especially when sidewall appearance is part of the goal. A driver who wants a smaller radial and a more modern on-road feel may lean toward 155R14 instead. Before moving between them, check the actual wheel width on the car, because the acceptable rim ranges are not the same even though both sizes fit 14-inch wheels.

1959 Toyota tires are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall forms, depending on size. The radial 155R14 appears in blackwall, 185R14 comes in blackwall and narrow whitewall, 560-14 is available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, and 700-14 comes in blackwall and narrow whitewall. That gives Toyopet owners a broad spread from understated import-car appearance to more decorative period styling.

For a 1959 Toyota, sidewall choice changes the car’s visual personality almost as much as tire size does. Blackwalls generally suit a cleaner, simpler look, while whitewalls push the presentation toward a more formal late-1950s character. If the car is headed for judged restoration, consult a Toyota marque source or period photography for the exact sidewall treatment that best matches your market and presentation goals.

1959 Toyota vehicles have tire coverage from Michelin, Firestone, BFGoodrich, Phoenix, and Vredestein. Michelin and Firestone cover 155R14, BFGoodrich covers both 560-14 and 700-14 in bias-ply form, and Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein cover 185R14. That gives the Toyopet owner access to both American classic-tire names and European-style vintage radial offerings.

Brand choice on a 1959 Toyota often comes down to the size family you want first, then the sidewall style and construction within that size. A buyer focused on bias-ply authenticity will naturally spend more time in the BFGoodrich options, while a buyer looking at period-flavored radial driving behavior will compare Michelin, Phoenix, Firestone, and Vredestein depending on width and appearance. Start with size, then narrow by brand.

Rim-width requirements for 1959 Toyota tires depend on the size chosen. 155R14 fits 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, 560-14 fits 3.50 to 4.00-inch rims, 185R14 spans 4.00 to 6.50 inches depending on the specific tire, and 700-14 fits 5.00 to 5.50-inch rims. Every size in this guide uses a 14-inch rim diameter, but the wheel width needed for proper support changes significantly from one size to another.

That is why wheel measurement matters before changing from one Toyopet tire size to another, especially when moving from a narrow bias-ply to a wider radial. A 14-inch wheel is only part of the picture; the internal width of the wheel must also match the tire’s approved range. Measuring the actual rim on the car prevents clearance and handling surprises later.

Inner-tube requirements for 1959 Toyota tires vary by size and sometimes by product. The 155R14 Michelin carries a TL marking for tubeless use, while the Firestone 155R14 does not show the same marking. In 185R14, Michelin examples also carry TL markings, while other 185R14 products are presented without the same tube designation. The bias-ply 560-14 and 700-14 products here do not use a TL marking in the size description.

Because tube status is not uniform across every 1959 Toyota option, the safest approach is to verify the sidewall marking on the exact tire you choose and match that to the wheel type being used. Original wheels, wheel condition, and restoration choices can all affect the final setup. If the car retains older rims, many owners also inspect valve stems and wheel sealing surfaces at the same time.

Original 1959 Toyota wheels can often be used across these sizes at the basic diameter level, because 155R14, 560-14, 185R14, and 700-14 all mount on 14-inch rims. Diameter compatibility alone does not settle the question, though, because the approved rim-width ranges differ from one size to another. A wheel suitable for 560-14 may not automatically be suitable for 700-14 or for every 185R14 radial.

That makes wheel-width confirmation the key step before swapping sizes on a Toyopet. If the car still has original wheels, measure them rather than assuming all 14-inch Toyota rims were identical. Owners moving from bias-ply to radial tires should also check clearances at the fender, suspension, and steering stops, since a wider section width can change the fit even when the wheel diameter remains the same.

A 1959 Toyota should be stored away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone sources that accelerate sidewall aging. Keep the car dry, maintain inflation, and move it periodically so the tires do not sit in one position for months at a time. On a Toyopet, bias-ply sizes such as 560-14 and 700-14 are generally more prone to temporary flat-spotting during static storage than the radial options.

Collectors who know the car will sit for a long stretch often either roll it occasionally or place it on stands so the tires are not carrying full vehicle weight the entire time. Clean floors, a stable climate, and simple tire covers also help preserve the rubber. If the car is stored with tube-type or possibly tube-equipped tires, check inflation and valve condition before returning it to the road.

On a 1959 Toyota, tire age matters more than mileage for most collector use. A good rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they are about five to seven years old 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 helps establish the production age of the tire itself.

That guideline is especially important on older cars that may spend more time parked than driven. A Toyopet can wear very little tread over the years while still aging out because of heat cycles, storage conditions, and time. Cracking, stiffness, repeated air loss, or a change in ride behavior are all signs to inspect the tires more carefully rather than relying on appearance alone.

Tires on a 1959 Toyota should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer trip. Check sidewalls for cracking, the tread for irregular wear, the carcass for bulges or cuts, and inflation for pressure loss since the last outing. If your Toyopet uses bias-ply tires or a tube-equipped setup, include valve stems and any signs of slow leakage in the inspection routine.

Frequent inspections matter because collector cars often spend long periods idle, and problems tend to show up when the car returns to service. A quick walk-around catches most issues before they become roadside failures. If one tire on a 1959 Toyota repeatedly loses air or develops a different wear pattern from the others, inspect the wheel and alignment as well as the tire itself.

A 1959 Toyota Toyopet would originally have been associated with bias-ply construction in period, since radial adoption was still far from universal in the late 1950s and especially uncommon in many export-market small cars. In this year and make, the bias-ply options are 560-14 and 700-14, both on 14-inch rims. No specific original-equipment tire brand should be assumed without factory literature or market-specific confirmation.

For a restoration, that means the first authenticity question is usually construction type, then size, then sidewall style. A buyer trying to mirror the car’s original presentation should compare the Toyopet’s wheel width, surviving paperwork, and period photos before choosing between the two bias-ply sizes. Toyota marque clubs and regional experts are the best source for trim- and market-specific confirmation when originality matters.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when a 1959 Toyota is judged for authenticity. Size, construction, sidewall style, and overall visual proportion all affect whether the car looks appropriate for its era. On a Toyopet, a modern radial can be entirely practical for driving, but it may stand out in concours settings where bias-ply construction and the right whitewall treatment are part of the expected presentation.

The standard is not identical at every event, so owners should match their tire choice to the kind of show they actually attend. A preservation-class or concours Toyota may be judged more strictly than a local cruise-in car. Before finalizing a tire, compare it against event rules, period photos, and advice from Toyota-specific clubs so the car’s stance and sidewall look support the rest of the restoration.

For a 1959 Toyota in 560-14, BFGoodrich offers both a 1.00-inch narrow whitewall and a 2.25-inch wide whitewall, and both share the same bias-ply construction, 14-inch rim diameter, 3.50 to 4.00-inch rim-width range, and 906-pound load capacity at 30 psi. In 700-14, BFGoodrich offers a 1.00-inch narrow whitewall and a blackwall version, both with the same 5.00 to 5.50-inch rim-width range and 1,360-pound load capacity at 32 psi.

That means the difference is mainly visual rather than structural within each size. A wider whitewall gives a stronger late-1950s style statement, while a narrow whitewall reads a little more restrained. On a Toyopet restoration, the right choice depends on the look you are after and how closely you want the sidewall treatment to reflect the car’s original market personality.

1959 Toyota tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are properly matched to the wheel, correctly inflated, and used within their design limits. Among the radial options, some 155R14 tires carry a T rating up to 118 mph, while some 185R14 tires carry an H rating up to 130 mph. The bias-ply sizes 560-14 and 700-14 are more about period construction than modern speed-rated touring expectations.

In real use, the condition of the Toyopet itself often matters as much as the tire. A late-1950s compact car has braking, suspension, and powertrain limits that deserve just as much respect as the tire’s sidewall markings. Highway use is usually less about chasing top-speed capability and more about making sure the tire, wheel, alignment, and the car’s overall mechanical condition are all ready for sustained running.

Inflation pressure on a 1959 Toyota should start with the factory recommendation for the car, then be checked against the construction and rating of the exact tire chosen. Among the tires here, 560-14 carries 906 pounds at 30 psi, 700-14 carries 1,360 pounds at 32 psi, 155R14 Firestone carries 990 pounds at 44 psi, and some 185R14 tires carry 1,323 pounds at 35 psi or 51 psi depending on the product. Those figures are not interchangeable from one size to another.

That is why a Toyopet owner should avoid treating the maximum pressure on one tire as the correct running pressure for every setup. The owner’s manual gives the vehicle-side target, while the tire itself establishes the product-side limits. If the car has been converted from one size family to another, revisit pressures carefully instead of assuming the previous setting still applies.

Before a longer drive in a 1959 Toyota, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation. Check valve stems, and if the car uses a tube-equipped setup or an older wheel, pay close attention to any history of slow air loss. The spare should also be aired up and inspected, because a decades-old spare is often overlooked until it is urgently needed.

Tires are only one part of the pre-drive check on a Toyopet, but they are the part in constant contact with the road. It also makes sense to look over wheel fasteners, steering feel, brake response, and fluid condition before setting off. A collector car that feels fine around town can reveal weak spots on a sustained drive, so an extra few minutes in the garage are well spent.