1960 Alvis Tire Fitment Guide

1960 Alvis fitment centers on the TD 21, which uses two bias-ply sizes: 640-15 and 670-15. Both mount on 15-inch rims, but they are not interchangeable by assumption just because the wheel diameter matches. The 640-15 appears with rim width ranges from 4.00 to 5.00 inches depending on the tire, while the 670-15 appears with rim width ranges from 4.50 to 6.00 inches depending on the product.

That means the right starting point for a 1960 Alvis is to confirm which of the two sizes belongs on your particular TD 21, then compare the actual wheel width on the car to the tire you are considering. Once size is confirmed, the remaining choices are mostly about brand, sidewall appearance, and how closely you want the finished car to reflect period bias-ply presentation.

On a 1960 Alvis, 640-15 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 6.40 portion refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches, while the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. Because it is a numeric bias-ply code, it does not use the later alphanumeric or metric style that became more familiar on newer cars.

For a 1960 Alvis owner, the practical value of understanding 640-15 is that it helps separate true period-style bias-ply fitment from later sizing systems that may look similar at a glance. It also helps when comparing whitewall treatments within the same size, since BFGoodrich and Firestone both offer 640-15 versions with different visual presentations and slightly different approved rim-width ranges.

On a 1960 Alvis, 670-15 is also a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 6.70 portion indicates the nominal section width in inches, and the 15 again identifies the wheel diameter in inches. Like 640-15, it belongs to the older numeric sizing system used widely before metric and modern radial codes became common.

Knowing how to read 670-15 helps a 1960 Alvis owner compare it correctly against 640-15 without confusing wheel diameter with tire width. It also matters when narrowing brand and appearance choices, since 670-15 opens the door to blackwall and wide whitewall versions from several brands and spans a wider range of approved rim widths than some 640-15 options.

For a 1960 Alvis, the first rule is simple: choose the size that is correct for your particular TD 21 before comparing brands or sidewalls. Both 640-15 and 670-15 are bias-ply 15-inch sizes, so this is not a bias-ply-versus-radial decision. It is a size-confirmation decision within the same general construction family.

Once you know which size belongs on your car, your next choice is visual and historical in character rather than construction type. A 640-15 keeps you within a narrower selection focused on whitewall presentation, while 670-15 opens a broader range of blackwall and wide whitewall options. Factory literature, an unrestored reference car, or an Alvis marque specialist are the best ways to settle the size question with confidence.

1960 Alvis tires are available in several sidewall styles depending on size. The 640-15 comes in wide whitewall and narrow whitewall form, while the 670-15 is available as either a blackwall or a wide whitewall. All of these choices remain within period-appropriate bias-ply construction for a car of this era.

The right sidewall for a 1960 Alvis depends on how you want the car to present visually and how closely you are matching a known period look. A whitewall often complements the formal grand-touring character of the TD 21, while a blackwall can create a more restrained, sporting appearance. If the car will be judged, confirm event expectations before deciding purely on style.

1960 Alvis coverage includes BFGoodrich and Firestone in 640-15, and Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire in 670-15. All of those offerings are bias-ply tires sized for 15-inch wheels. Brand choice therefore sits within the period-style category rather than separating original-style fitment from a modern radial alternative.

A 1960 Alvis owner will usually narrow brand choice by the exact size needed and the sidewall look the car demands. Firestone appears in both sizes, which can simplify a brand-consistent approach, while 670-15 offers the widest overall brand spread. After that, compare visual details and approved wheel-width range for the specific tire rather than treating every brand in the same size as identical.

1960 Alvis tire fitment uses 15-inch rims, but the approved rim width depends on the size and the exact tire chosen. In 640-15, approved rim widths run from 4.00 to 5.00 inches depending on brand and sidewall version. In 670-15, approved rim widths run from 4.50 to 6.00 inches depending on the product.

That range matters because wheel diameter alone does not guarantee the tire is right for your car. Before choosing a tire for a 1960 Alvis, measure the actual wheel width on the car and compare it to the approved range for the tire you want, especially if the wheels may have been changed during a past restoration or long-term ownership.

1960 Alvis tires in these sizes are bias-ply products, but the sidewall markings here do not separate them into clearly tube-type or tubeless groups. That makes the wheel itself an important part of the decision, because many collector-car wheels and restoration practices still involve tube use even when the tire size is familiar. The correct setup depends on the specific tire and the wheel’s design and condition.

For a 1960 Alvis, confirm tube use before installation rather than assuming one answer covers every 640-15 or 670-15 tire. If your wheels are original, have riveted construction, or are being restored for authenticity, tube fitment may be part of the plan. The safest path is to match the tire’s sidewall markings and recommendations to the actual wheel you intend to use.

A 1960 Alvis TD 21 uses two tire sizes that both mount on 15-inch wheels, so the wheel diameter itself is compatible with either size. That said, the tires do not all share the same approved rim-width window. The 640-15 spans 4.00 to 5.00 inches depending on version, while the 670-15 spans 4.50 to 6.00 inches depending on the tire selected.

In practical terms, original 1960 Alvis wheels may work with either size if the wheel width falls inside the approved range of the exact tire you choose. That is why measuring the wheel matters before treating the two sizes as simple substitutes. Shared diameter is helpful, but final compatibility still depends on width and on selecting the size that is correct for your specific TD 21.

A 1960 Alvis should be stored in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Keep the tires properly inflated, and move the car periodically if it will sit for long stretches. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to developing temporary flat-spotting when they remain in one position for extended periods.

For a lightly used 1960 Alvis, good storage habits do as much for tire life as low mileage does. If the car will be parked for a season, many owners either reposition it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces sustained load on the tires. Clean, dry floors and simple tire covers also help preserve sidewall appearance on a collector car kept for show as well as road use.

On a 1960 Alvis, tire life is usually judged more by age and condition than by mileage. Collector cars often cover few miles, yet rubber still hardens, cracks, and loses resilience over time. A sensible rule is to inspect closely once tires reach about five to seven years of age and to treat around ten years as a strong point for replacement consideration, regardless of remaining tread.

That approach matters on a 1960 Alvis because a handsome, little-driven car can still be riding on aged tires that no longer inspire confidence. Check the date code, look for weathering at the sidewall and bead, and pay attention to how the car feels at speed. Low annual use is not a reason to ignore age-related replacement planning on a vintage grand tourer.

Tires on a 1960 Alvis deserve a quick inspection before every drive and a more thorough check before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, uneven tread wear, and signs of pressure loss. Because collector cars often sit between drives, even a tire that looked fine last month can develop age-related issues that deserve attention before the next trip.

A regular inspection routine is one of the easiest ways to protect both the car and your driving confidence. On a 1960 Alvis, include the spare in that routine and pay attention to valve stems and wheel condition along with the tire itself. If the car shows any pull, vibration, or change in steering feel, inspect the tires again before assuming the issue is elsewhere.

A 1960 Alvis TD 21 would have been associated with bias-ply construction in period, which aligns with the 640-15 and 670-15 options available for this year and model. Both are 15-inch bias-ply sizes and fit the character of a British grand touring car from 1960. Original-equipment branding can vary by market and delivery history, so the most reliable anchor point is correct size, construction type, and sidewall style.

For restoration work, start by confirming whether your TD 21 should wear 640-15 or 670-15, then narrow the choice by the visual treatment that best matches your car’s presentation. Factory literature, period photographs, and Alvis owners’ clubs are valuable when the goal is event-level accuracy. Getting the construction family and overall look right usually matters more than chasing a brand name without supporting evidence.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1960 Alvis because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction type, and sidewall appearance almost immediately. A TD 21 wearing period-style bias-ply tires in the right 15-inch size range will usually look more convincing than the same car on an obviously mismatched tire. Whitewall width and blackwall versus whitewall presentation can also influence how authentic the car appears.

That does not mean every event applies the same standard, but it does mean tire choice should be treated as part of the restoration rather than an afterthought. If your 1960 Alvis is being prepared for concours or marque judging, confirm expectations with the event or club before settling on a sidewall style. Correct tire presentation helps the whole car read properly from the ground up.

For a 1960 Alvis in 640-15, BFGoodrich and Firestone share the same basic size, 15-inch rim diameter, bias-ply construction, and a 1,190-pound-at-32-psi load figure on the wide whitewall versions. The BFGoodrich wide whitewall is approved for 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims, while the Firestone wide whitewall versions are approved for 4.50 to 5.00-inch rims. Firestone also offers a narrow whitewall 640-15 with a lower 970-pound-at-32-psi load figure.

That makes the choice partly visual and partly wheel-specific. A 1960 Alvis owner with narrower wheels may find the BFGoodrich fit window more relevant, while owners seeking a Firestone look or a narrower whitewall may lean the other way. Compare the actual wheel width on the car and decide whether the restoration goal favors a broad whitewall presence or a more restrained sidewall treatment.

1960 Alvis tires in these sizes are vintage-style bias-ply products, and no speed-rating letters are attached to the available 640-15 or 670-15 versions here. That means highway suitability should be approached conservatively, with equal attention paid to tire age, inflation, wheel condition, alignment, suspension health, and braking condition. On a car like the TD 21, overall mechanical condition matters at least as much as the tire itself during normal road use.

A well-prepared 1960 Alvis can certainly be driven on modern roads, but it should be driven with period-aware expectations rather than as if it were a contemporary GT car. Fresh, correctly fitted tires are only one part of that equation. Before sustained highway driving, make sure the car tracks properly, holds pressure consistently, and does not show vibration, pull, or heat-related changes as speed increases.

Several 1960 Alvis tire options carry load-and-pressure markings that help define their rated capacity. In 640-15, some versions are rated at 1,190 pounds at 32 psi, while one Firestone narrow whitewall is rated at 970 pounds at 32 psi. In 670-15, examples reach 1,450 pounds at 32 psi and 1,550 pounds at 32 psi depending on the tire.

Those figures are tire ratings, not a one-size-fits-all inflation recommendation for every 1960 Alvis. Use the car’s factory literature as the baseline for operating pressure, then make sure the tire you choose is suitable for that use and wheel width. Never transfer a pressure assumption from 640-15 to 670-15, or from one product to another, just because the tires share the same rim diameter.

Before a longer drive in a 1960 Alvis, inspect all tires for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, embedded debris, and consistent air pressure. Check the spare as carefully as the four road tires, and look over the valve stems and wheel condition at the same time. Since the TD 21 is a collector-era grand tourer, tires should be considered one part of a broader pre-drive check that includes brakes, steering, cooling, and fluid condition.

That routine pays off because long periods of storage can reveal weaknesses only after the car is back in motion. A 1960 Alvis that feels stable around town may still show age-related vibration or pressure loss once distance and heat build. Giving the tires a careful look before departure helps you catch small problems while they are still garage fixes instead of roadside problems.