1960 Simca Tire Fitment Guide

1960 Simca vehicles use seven sizes across six model lines: Arlane uses 185R15 and 6.50-15, Aronde uses 155R14, 560-14, and 5.75-15, Castel uses 155R14 and 560-14, Elysee & Montlry uses 155R14 and 560-14, Etoile uses 155R14 and 560-14, and Vedette uses 165-15 and 165R15. Rim diameters vary by model, with both 14-inch and 15-inch applications in the range. Where rim-width guidance is available, 185R15 fits 4.5 to 6.5-inch wheels depending on the product, 155R14 fits 4.0 to 5.5-inch wheels on applicable products, 560-14 fits 3.5 to 4.0-inch wheels, and 165R15 fits 4.5 to 6.0-inch wheels.

That means a 1960 Simca owner should identify the exact model first and then verify the wheel diameter actually on the car. Aronde is the one that deserves extra attention because it can appear with both 14-inch and 15-inch fitments depending on application. Once the model and wheel diameter are confirmed, the remaining decision is usually whether to stay with an era-correct bias-ply construction or move to a radial size where that model allows it.

On a 1960 Simca, 560-14 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.60 figure refers to the nominal section width in inches, and the 14 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. For 1960 Simca, this size fits the Aronde, Castel, Elysee & Montlry, and Etoile. Available products are bias-ply tires and appear in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions.

This is the sort of size code that often looks unfamiliar to buyers used to modern metric radials, but it is completely normal for compact European cars of the period. If your goal is a restoration-focused look and construction style on one of Simca's smaller 14-inch models, 560-14 is the size to compare first. It is also important to match it to the proper narrow wheel width rather than assuming any 14-inch wheel will be suitable.

No. 1960 Simca spans compact and larger models, and the tire sizes change accordingly. Four model lines share the 14-inch pair of 155R14 and 560-14, but Arlane uses 185R15 and 6.50-15, Vedette uses 165-15 and 165R15, and Aronde also has its own 5.75-15 application in addition to its 14-inch sizes. The year and make alone do not narrow the fitment enough.

That variation matters because a buyer can easily end up comparing the wrong tires if the car is identified only as a 1960 Simca. Start by confirming whether the car is an Arlane, Aronde, Castel, Elysee & Montlry, Etoile, or Vedette. Once that is settled, compare the tires that apply to that model and then check the actual wheel diameter on the car, especially if the car has been in long-term collector ownership or restored previously.

For a 1960 Simca Aronde, Castel, Elysee & Montlry, or Etoile, the choice between 155R14 and 560-14 is primarily a construction choice rather than a completely different class of vehicle fitment. 155R14 is a radial size offered in blackwall form, while 560-14 is a bias-ply size offered in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions. Both belong to the same group of 14-inch Simca models, but they deliver different period character and presentation.

Choose 560-14 if the project leans toward original-type appearance and traditional bias-ply construction. Choose 155R14 if you want to stay with the correct basic 14-inch fitment while using a radial-format tire. The right answer depends less on the badge on the trunk than on how the car will be judged, displayed, and driven. Before making the switch either way, confirm the wheel width against the tire you intend to run.

1960 Simca tire appearance varies by size. 185R15 is available in blackwall, redline, and narrow whitewall forms, 155R14 appears in blackwall, 560-14 comes in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, and 165R15 is available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall. Sidewall style is not uniform across the Simca range because different model groups and sizes have different product families attached to them.

For many restorations, sidewall choice influences the car's visual character almost as much as the size itself. Compact European sedans of the era often look most natural on blackwalls or restrained whitewalls, while a larger Vedette can visually carry more sidewall styling. The best approach is to match the sidewall treatment to the model's character, the car's restoration goal, and any event-specific authenticity standard you plan to follow.

1960 Simca tire coverage comes from several brands, depending on size. 185R15 is available from Coker Classic and Michelin, 155R14 from Michelin and Firestone, 560-14 from BFGoodrich, and 165R15 from Coker Classic, American Classic, Firestone, and BFGoodrich. The brand selection is strongest in the radial 15-inch sizes, especially for Vedette applications, while some of the smaller bias-ply sizes stay closely tied to a single classic-style line.

Brand choice usually matters most when you are balancing appearance, period character, and the exact sidewall treatment you want. A buyer seeking a simple blackwall radial for a smaller Simca may compare different options than someone restoring a Vedette with a specific whitewall look in mind. Start with the correct size for the model, then compare the available brand families within that size rather than trying to choose a brand first and forcing the fitment afterward.

Rim-width requirements for 1960 Simca tires depend on the size. 185R15 products fit wheels from 4.5 to 6.5 inches wide depending on the tire, 155R14 reaches 4.0 to 5.5 inches on applicable products, 560-14 fits 3.5 to 4.0-inch wheels, and 165R15 fits 4.5 to 6.0-inch wheels. Those ranges are not interchangeable across all sizes, even when two tires share the same rim diameter.

That is why the wheel itself should be measured and not assumed correct just because the diameter matches. A narrow bias-ply fitment such as 560-14 belongs on a much narrower wheel than a radial 165R15 or 185R15. If the car has replacement wheels, widened rims, or a long-ago restoration, confirm the actual wheel width before settling on a tire. Doing that early avoids forcing a size onto a wheel outside its intended working range.

Tube use on 1960 Simca tires depends on the exact tire and size rather than on the year and make as a whole. Michelin 185HR15 and Michelin 155R14 carry TL tubeless markings, while other products in those metric sizes vary by product marking. The bias-ply sizes shown here do not carry a universal tube marker across every product entry, so tube decisions should be tied to the exact tire chosen and the wheel design it will be mounted on.

The practical rule is to inspect the tire's own sidewall marking and also consider the wheel condition and wheel type. A tubeless-marked tire mounted on an older wheel may still call for extra attention to sealing and valve hardware, while some restorers prefer a tube setup on certain vintage wheels. Tube choice is therefore a final setup question, not something to assume from the Simca badge alone.

A 1960 Simca should be stored in a cool, dry, dark environment away from direct sunlight, electric motors, furnaces, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Keep the tires clean, maintain inflation, and move the car periodically so one section of the tread is not carrying the load for months at a time. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to taking a temporary flat spot in storage, while any vintage-style tire can suffer from long-term exposure to heat and ultraviolet light.

If the car will sit for an extended season, many owners either roll it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces static load without leaving the suspension hanging unnaturally. Storage habits matter as much as mileage on collector cars, because a lightly used Simca can still age out its tires. Good storage preserves sidewall appearance, helps the tires stay rounder, and reduces the chance of surprises when the car goes back on the road.

On a 1960 Simca, tire age is usually more important than tread wear. Collector-car tires often deserve a close professional evaluation once they are about five to seven years old, and many owners begin serious replacement consideration by around ten years regardless of remaining tread depth. The DOT date code on the tire is the starting point for that conversation, even if the car is driven sparingly and stored indoors.

That timeline matters because an older Simca may cover very few miles each year, making the tires look usable long after the rubber has begun to harden. A bias-ply tire used mainly for show may age differently from a radial used on regular drives, but age still sets the baseline. If the date code shows the tires are well past their prime, replacement is usually wiser than trying to stretch service life based only on visual tread depth.

Tires on a 1960 Simca should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, signs of impact damage, and any loss of air pressure between drives. If the car uses a tube-type setup, include the valve stems and any signs of tube-related air loss in the inspection routine, because those details become more important on older wheels and low-use collector cars.

A short pre-drive walkaround catches problems early and is far easier than dealing with one on the roadside. Because Simcas are often hobby vehicles, they can sit long enough for air pressure changes or rubber aging to go unnoticed. A more thorough seasonal inspection should include checking the spare, verifying inflation with a quality gauge, and looking for any mismatch in size or construction that may have resulted from an older repair or partial tire replacement.

For a 1960 Simca Aronde, bias-ply construction is the period-correct starting point because that was still standard practice for many passenger cars of the era. Aronde applications include 560-14 and 5.75-15 in bias-ply form, while 155R14 appears as a radial option within the broader fitment picture. Which of those belongs on a particular Aronde depends on the exact model configuration and wheel fitted to the car.

A restoration aimed at factory-style authenticity should begin with the correct size and construction type before worrying about finer appearance details. If the car is being prepared for marque judging, confirm the exact application through factory literature, period photographs, or Simca club sources because market variations and past wheel changes can complicate the answer. The safest rule is to treat bias-ply as the authenticity baseline and then confirm whether your specific Aronde used the 14-inch or 15-inch route.

Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1960 Simca because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, and sidewall appearance quickly. A 14-inch compact Simca wearing the wrong diameter, a larger Vedette with the wrong sidewall treatment, or a bias-ply-era car fitted with an obviously modern-looking substitute can change the whole impression of the restoration. Construction and presentation both influence authenticity.

For show use, the best result usually comes from matching the tire to the model's original character rather than simply choosing the most modern option available. Blackwall versus whitewall, radial versus bias-ply, and even the width of a white stripe can affect how convincing the restoration looks. Because standards vary by event and region, consult the relevant Simca club or judging rules before finalizing the tires on a car intended for concours or marque-specific display.

For a 1960 Simca in 155R14, Michelin X and Firestone F560 Radial approach the same basic size from slightly different angles. Both are radial blackwalls on a 14-inch rim, but the Firestone version includes a 990-pound load rating at 44 psi and a 4.0 to 5.5-inch rim-width range, while the Michelin version carries a 155R14 80T TL marking with a T speed rating capped at 118 mph. Their weights also differ, with the Firestone lighter than the Michelin.

That means the comparison is less about whether one fits a 1960 Simca and more about which set of details better matches your goals. A buyer concerned with exact sidewall branding may lean one way, while another may focus on the published load-and-pressure pairing or the tubeless and speed-marking details. Either way, the decision should happen only after confirming that 155R14 is the right size for the specific Simca model and wheel.

A 1960 Simca can be highway-driven on correctly selected tires in the proper size and condition, but safety depends on more than the sidewall alone. Among the radial sizes here, 155R14 includes a T-rated example with a 118 mph ceiling, 185R15 includes H-rated versions at 130 mph and V-rated versions at 149 mph, and other sizes vary by product marking. Those numbers are well beyond typical U.S. highway speeds, but the condition of the tire, the wheel, and the car itself matters more in practice.

On a vintage Simca, braking capability, suspension condition, alignment, and the general age of the mechanical systems often become the real limiting factors long before a modern highway speed rating does. Bias-ply and radial tires can both be used successfully when matched to the proper application, but they deliver different road feel. For any longer or faster driving, make sure the tires are fresh, correctly inflated, and free from age-related cracking or deformation.

Inflation pressure for a 1960 Simca should follow the factory recommendation for the specific model and size, but the tire's own rated pressure and load pairing is still important. Available figures include 155R14 at 990 pounds at 44 psi on one product, 560-14 at 906 pounds at 30 psi, 165R15 at 1168 pounds at 35 psi or 1170 pounds at 36 psi depending on product, and 185R15 at 1355 pounds at 35 psi on an applicable product. Those are tire ratings, not a blanket instruction to inflate every Simca tire to the same number.

The best approach is to begin with the owner's manual or factory placard for the car, then confirm that the chosen tire's load and pressure capability aligns with the intended use. Do not transfer a pressure figure from a 14-inch compact-car size to a 15-inch Vedette tire, or from a radial to a bias-ply, simply because both fit a 1960 Simca model. Matching pressure to the exact car, size, and construction preserves ride quality and avoids uneven wear.

Before a longer drive in a 1960 Simca, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and any sign that the casing has aged or been damaged. Check cold inflation pressure, confirm the valve stems are sound, and make sure the spare is usable rather than simply present. If the car uses a tube-type arrangement, pay extra attention to air retention and stem condition because a tire can look fine externally while a tube-related issue is developing.

A tire check should be part of a broader vintage-car pre-drive routine that includes brakes, wheel bearings, suspension, and fluid levels. Simcas are light, characterful cars, but they still rely on small contact patches and older chassis design, so tire condition has an outsized effect on confidence and control. Spending a few minutes on inspection before departure is the simplest way to reduce roadside trouble and enjoy the car as intended.