In 1964 Bentley stood for traditional British luxury, with the S-series carrying forward the marque’s restrained styling, coachbuilt presence, and emphasis on effortless road manners. The 1964 Bentley range was focused on large, formal saloons, and tire choice matters because these cars reward the right period look as much as they do the right physical fit. Both 1964 Bentley models share a single tire size, 820-15, so the decision is less about model-to-model fitment and more about choosing the sidewall appearance that suits your restoration or driving goals. Before choosing a tire, confirm whether you have an S2 or S3 and decide what visual finish you want on the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 1964 Bentley
One tire size is used across 1964 Bentley vehicles, and it is shared by both models in the range. That means the main decision is not between different fitments, but between period-correct bias-ply products and the sidewall style that best matches your Bentley’s presentation. Understanding that distinction before choosing a product saves time and helps you match the tire to the car.
Year(s): 1964|Fit(s): S2, S3|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 15 in
820-15 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 8.20 indicates the nominal section width and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. This size is available from BFGoodrich, Firestone, and US Royal in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions, all on a 15-inch rim. Because 820-15 is the shared Bentley fitment for both the S2 and S3, the practical choice comes down to the sidewall look you want on a large 1960s luxury saloon rather than choosing between different tire constructions.
Two 1964 Bentley models are covered here. Both use the same 820-15 tire size, so once year and make are confirmed, the fitment question is straightforward and the finer choice becomes how closely you want the finished car to reflect a formal period appearance. Select a model below to narrow in on model-specific history and tire options.
1964 Bentley S2
The 1964 Bentley S2 sits within the stately S-series tradition, aimed at buyers who wanted Rolls-Royce mechanical refinement with Bentley badging and understated presence. Its 820-15 tires mount on 15-inch wheels, keeping the car in the tall-sidewall bias-ply world that suits its original character.
The 1964 Bentley S3 is the later and more visually updated S-series saloon, recognized for its quad-headlamp front end and polished, formal luxury-car character. It also uses 820-15 tires on 15-inch wheels, so tire selection centers more on restoration presentation than on a different physical fitment from the S2.
Seventeen products are available across one tire size for 1964 Bentley vehicles. The 820-15 has 17 bias-ply options from BFGoodrich, Firestone, and US Royal, with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles.
These FAQs focus on the shared 820-15 fitment used across 1964 Bentley models, along with sidewall-style choices, rim-width considerations, collector-car storage, and the originality questions that matter on a formal British luxury car of this era.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 1964 Bentley vehicles?
1964 Bentley vehicles use one tire size across the full model range: 820-15. That size fits both the 1964 Bentley S2 and 1964 Bentley S3, and it mounts on a 15-inch rim. Products in 820-15 are built for rim widths from 6.00 to 6.50 inches, which gives you a clear fitment window when checking original wheels or restored replacements.
That shared fitment makes the first step simple: identify the car as a 1964 Bentley, then verify whether the wheel still matches the original 15-inch diameter and falls within the proper rim-width range. Once that is confirmed, the next decision is mostly visual, since blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions each give the car a different finished look.
What does 820-15 mean on a 1964 Bentley tire?
On a 1964 Bentley tire, 820-15 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 8.20 portion is the nominal section width in inches, while the 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. This is an older sizing system common on luxury and full-size cars of the period, and it differs from later metric radial sizes that use millimeters and aspect-ratio conventions.
For a Bentley owner, the practical point is that 820-15 is not just a width and rim number; it also places the tire in the period-correct bias-ply family. If the car is being restored with a strong emphasis on factory-era appearance and stance, staying with the original-style numeric bias-ply format is usually the right direction before you decide on brand or sidewall treatment.
Do all 1964 Bentley models use the same tire size?
Yes. Both 1964 Bentley models covered here, the S2 and S3, use the same 820-15 tire size. There is no year-and-make split between model lines on size, so you do not need to choose between multiple diameters or separate front and rear fitments at this level.
That consistency simplifies shopping, but it does not make every tire choice identical in appearance. A stately S-series Bentley can look noticeably different on blackwalls versus a narrow or wide whitewall, so it still helps to decide whether the car is being finished as a restrained driver, a formal show presentation, or something in between.
Buying the Right Tire
What sidewall styles are available for 1964 Bentley tires?
1964 Bentley tires in 820-15 are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. BFGoodrich offers both blackwall and a 1.00-inch whitewall version, Firestone offers blackwall, and US Royal offers a 3.50-inch whitewall. All of these choices stay within the same basic 820-15 bias-ply fitment while changing the car’s visual character.
On a British luxury car from the mid-1960s, sidewall style affects presentation almost as much as wheel trim. Owners aiming for a restrained European look often prefer blackwall or a narrower whitewall, while a wider whitewall can create a more formal, high-luxury period impression. The right choice depends on how the individual car was originally delivered and how closely you want to follow that look.
What brands make tires for 1964 Bentley vehicles?
1964 Bentley vehicles in 820-15 are covered by BFGoodrich, Firestone, and US Royal. Each brand offers the same core 820-15 bias-ply fitment, but the sidewall presentation differs by product. That gives Bentley owners the option to stay with one fitment while choosing the look that best suits the car.
Brand choice on a collector Bentley often comes down to restoration theme and visual preference rather than a need to change tire size. If the car is being judged or restored to a particular market appearance, compare the sidewall treatment first. If it is a touring car with a less formal brief, the most practical move is often to start with the preferred sidewall style and then narrow the brand from there.
What is the difference between BFGoodrich and Firestone 820-15 tires for a 1964 Bentley?
For a 1964 Bentley, BFGoodrich and Firestone both offer 820-15 bias-ply tires with the same 1920-pound maximum load rating at 32 psi and the same 15-inch fitment on 6.00 to 6.50-inch rims. The main differences here are sidewall presentation and weight: BFGoodrich appears in blackwall and 1.00-inch whitewall versions at 28 to 30 pounds, while the Firestone blackwall version is 33 pounds.
That means the choice is less about basic fit and more about how you want the car to look and which brand character you prefer on the finished restoration. If you want a whitewall from this pair, BFGoodrich is the direct route. If blackwall is the goal, either brand stays within the same size, load, pressure, and rim-width requirements.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 1964 Bentley tires require?
1964 Bentley tires in 820-15 are intended for 15-inch wheels with a rim width range of 6.00 to 6.50 inches. That applies across the available 820-15 products for the Bentley S2 and S3. Keeping the wheel within that range helps the tire maintain the intended section shape and supports proper bead seating on the rim.
Before replacing tires on a restored car, confirm the actual wheel dimensions rather than assuming every wheel on the car is original. Bentley saloons often pass through multiple owners and restoration phases, and wheel substitutions can happen over time. Verifying both diameter and width first prevents chasing handling or appearance issues that are really wheel-fit problems rather than tire-size problems.
Do 1964 Bentley tires require inner tubes?
The available 820-15 products for 1964 Bentley do not carry a tube-type or tubeless marker within the size notation shown here. That means the tube decision should be made by checking the exact tire sidewall marking and the construction and condition of the wheel itself, especially on an older luxury car that may still use original-style rims.
In practice, tube use on a mid-century collector car is often determined as much by the wheel as by the tire. If the wheels have been restored, repaired, or replaced over the years, inspect them carefully and match the final setup to the specific tire’s sidewall wording. When there is any doubt, a marque specialist or experienced vintage tire installer is worth consulting before assembly.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 1964 Bentley when the tires are fitted?
A 1964 Bentley should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment. Keep the tires clean, maintain proper inflation, and move the car periodically so the same footprint does not sit under load for months at a time. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to temporary flat-spotting after long static storage.
For longer layups, many owners either roll the car a short distance every few weeks or support it in a way that reduces sustained load without leaving the suspension hanging unnaturally. The goal is to protect the sidewalls and tread shape while preserving the tire’s visual finish. Whitewalls also benefit from careful cleaning and shielding from prolonged light exposure.
How long do tires on a 1964 Bentley typically last?
Tires on a 1964 Bentley should be evaluated by age as much as by tread depth. A collector-car tire often sees low mileage, so the more useful rule is to inspect closely after about five to seven years of service and treat around ten years as a serious replacement threshold, depending on storage conditions and overall condition. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the key age reference.
That matters because an elegant, lightly driven Bentley can still be riding on old rubber that looks presentable from a few feet away. Sidewall cracking, hardening, repeated air loss, or visible age in the spare all count. Age-based replacement is especially important on a heavy luxury saloon, where a deteriorated tire is carrying substantial vehicle weight even at gentle touring speeds.
How often should tires on a 1964 Bentley be inspected?
Tires on a 1964 Bentley should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, embedded debris, and signs of pressure loss. Check the spare as well, since many collector cars still carry an older spare that has aged out of safe road use.
A pre-drive inspection on a classic Bentley is quick insurance against turning a pleasant run into a roadside problem. If the car has sat for a while, pay extra attention during the first few miles for vibration that may come from flat-spotting or low inflation. Valve stems, wheel condition, and consistent pressure retention all deserve the same attention as tread and sidewalls.
Restoration & Authenticity
What tires were originally fitted to the 1964 Bentley S2?
A 1964 Bentley S2 belongs to an era when bias-ply construction was still the expected original-style fitment on many luxury cars, and the correct size here is 820-15. That makes an 820-15 bias-ply tire the right starting point for an authenticity-minded restoration. Original-delivery details can vary by market, coachwork, and owner preference, so confirming finer points through Bentley marque resources remains worthwhile.
For most restorers, the key authenticity questions are size, construction type, and sidewall appearance. Once 820-15 bias-ply is established, the remaining judgment call is whether the car should wear blackwalls, a restrained whitewall, or a more formal wide whitewall presentation. If the car will be judged, consult the event’s standards and Bentley club knowledge before finalizing that cosmetic detail.
Does correct tire fitment matter for showing a 1964 Bentley?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a shown 1964 Bentley because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction, and sidewall style immediately. An 820-15 bias-ply tire keeps the car aligned with its period, while an incorrect modern format or an out-of-era sidewall treatment can stand out even if the car is otherwise beautifully restored. The tire is a visible part of the car’s stance and authenticity.
For concours or marque events, the safest path is to match the car’s likely original presentation as closely as possible and verify any market-specific preferences before mounting tires. A Bentley finished in a sober touring style may look most convincing on a subtler sidewall, while another restoration may call for a more formal whitewall treatment. Event standards and club guidance should have the final word.
What is the difference between BFGoodrich and US Royal 820-15 tires for the 1964 Bentley?
For the 1964 Bentley, BFGoodrich and US Royal both offer 820-15 bias-ply tires with the same 1920-pound maximum load rating at 32 psi and the same 15-inch fitment for 6.00 to 6.50-inch rims. The most visible difference is sidewall presentation: BFGoodrich appears in blackwall and 1.00-inch whitewall forms, while US Royal offers a 3.50-inch whitewall. Weight also differs, with the BFGoodrich 1.00-inch whitewall at 30 pounds and the US Royal wide whitewall at 29 pounds.
That makes this comparison especially useful for restoration planning. If the goal is a conservative, tailored look, the BFGoodrich options keep the whitewall more restrained or eliminate it entirely. If the car is being finished with a more formal luxury appearance, the wider US Royal whitewall changes the visual balance of the whole car while staying within the same core size and load specification.
Safety & Road Use
Are 1964 Bentley tires safe for highway driving?
A properly maintained 820-15 tire in good condition can be used for normal road driving on a 1964 Bentley, but safety begins with age, inflation, condition, and correct wheel fit rather than with tread depth alone. No speed rating appears in the size notation for these 820-15 products, so the wiser approach is to treat them as period-style bias-ply tires and drive within the practical limits of both the tire and the car.
On a large 1960s Bentley, the vehicle’s own age, suspension condition, braking performance, and steering feel can become more limiting than outright engine capability at modern traffic speeds. Bias-ply tires also have different tracking and response characteristics than modern radials. A careful shakedown drive after installation and a conservative touring mindset are the right combination for longer highway use.
What inflation pressure should I use for 1964 Bentley tires?
The available 820-15 tires for 1964 Bentley carry a maximum load rating of 1920 pounds at 32 psi. That figure is the tire’s load-and-pressure rating, not automatically the exact operating pressure your Bentley should use in service. Factory running pressure should be checked against the owner’s handbook or marque literature for the specific car and how it is driven.
The practical rule is to separate tire capacity from vehicle recommendation. Use the Bentley factory guidance as the baseline for normal operation, then confirm that the chosen reproduction tire’s rated pressure range is being respected. If the car is used with passengers, luggage, or sustained touring speeds, revisit pressure as part of the broader setup rather than assuming one number suits every condition.
What should I check before taking a 1964 Bentley on a longer drive?
Before a longer drive in a 1964 Bentley, inspect all four tires and the spare for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation. Confirm that the 820-15 tires are seated correctly on the wheels, that valve stems are sound, and that each tire is holding pressure consistently. A quick look at wheel hardware and hub areas is also good practice on any older saloon.
Tires are only one part of long-distance readiness on a car of this age, so pair that inspection with a broader mechanical check of fluids, brakes, cooling, and steering. The Bentley may feel composed and substantial, but age affects rubber and mechanical systems alike. Catching a weak spare, cracked sidewall, or slow leak before departure is far easier than sorting it out on the roadside.
