1967 Alvis Tire Fitment Guide

1967 Alvis fitment centers on the TE 21, and it uses two tire sizes: 185R15 and 775-15. Both mount on 15-inch rims, but they are not the same kind of tire. The 185R15 is a radial size with product fitments spanning rim widths from 4.5 to 6.5 inches, while 775-15 is a bias-ply size with product fitments spanning 4.5 to 6 inches, depending on the tire chosen.

That means the first decision is not wheel diameter, since both sizes share a 15-inch rim, but which construction better matches your Alvis. Owners restoring a TE 21 for a stronger period look often gravitate toward 775-15 bias-ply tires, while owners planning more regular road use often lean toward 185R15 radials. Before ordering, confirm the actual wheel width on the car so the specific tire falls within its approved rim range.

On a 1967 Alvis, 185R15 is a metric radial size. The 185 refers to a nominal section width of 185 millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and the 15 is the rim diameter in inches. In this older Euro-metric format, the aspect ratio is not written into the code, and it is conventionally treated as an 80-series profile.

That coding matters because it tells you this is the more modern-style construction option offered for the TE 21, even though it still fits a period-correct 15-inch wheel diameter. Within 185R15, sidewall appearance can vary from blackwall to narrow whitewall to redline, and speed ratings can also differ between products. If your priority is road manners and a radial feel without changing wheel diameter, this is the size family to examine first.

On a 1967 Alvis, 775-15 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 775 identifies the tire’s nominal width class in the older numeric system, and the 15 denotes the rim diameter in inches. Unlike a modern metric radial code, it does not include a separate radial marker or a written aspect ratio.

That makes 775-15 especially familiar to restorers working with mid-century tire conventions. For the TE 21, it preserves the older construction style and opens up several period-style sidewall looks, including redline, narrow whitewall, and goldline treatments. Wheel diameter is still 15 inches, but rim-width suitability changes by product, so the exact tire choice should be matched to the wheel you have rather than chosen by size code alone.

For the 1967 Alvis range covered here, the TE 21 is the model in question, and it can use either 185R15 or 775-15. So there is no split between different Alvis models in this year-make grouping, but there is a meaningful split between two tire constructions that fit the same 15-inch rim diameter.

That is useful for buyers because the year and make alone do not force a single answer. Instead, your choice comes down to how your TE 21 is being used and presented. A car judged for authenticity may point you toward the bias-ply route, while a touring-oriented car may point you toward the radial route. Looking at the current wheel width and the sidewall style you want usually settles the question quickly.

For a 1967 Alvis TE 21, the choice between 185R15 and 775-15 is mainly a choice between radial and bias-ply construction. Both fit 15-inch rims, but they represent different eras of tire behavior and presentation. The 775-15 keeps the older numeric bias-ply format, while the 185R15 moves into a radial metric format more familiar to drivers who want a later-style road feel.

A TE 21 restored with originality in mind often looks most at home on 775-15 bias-ply tires, especially when paired with a period-style sidewall treatment. A TE 21 that is driven more regularly may be better served by a 185R15 radial, particularly when the owner wants tubeless construction and broader speed-rating choices. The wheel diameter does not decide this one; your intended use and the wheel’s actual width do.

1967 Alvis tires are available in several sidewall styles, and the choices differ by size. In 185R15 radial form, the TE 21 can be fitted with blackwall, narrow whitewall, or redline tires. In 775-15 bias-ply form, the sidewall choices include redline, narrow whitewall, and goldline.

That variety lets a TE 21 owner tune the car’s appearance without changing wheel diameter. For a British luxury grand tourer of the late 1960s, a restrained blackwall or narrow whitewall often feels most in character, while redline or goldline can push the visual presentation in a more personalized direction. If authenticity matters for event judging, size and construction usually matter first, and sidewall style should then be matched to the car’s restoration theme and market presentation.

Four brands cover 1967 Alvis fitment across the two TE 21 sizes: Coker Classic, Michelin, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. The 185R15 radial size is available from Coker Classic and Michelin, while the 775-15 bias-ply size is available from BFGoodrich and Firestone. That split mirrors the broader distinction between a metric radial path and a classic numeric bias-ply path.

Brand choice matters most after you have settled the size and construction. Within 185R15, Michelin and Coker Classic offer different sidewall presentations and speed-rated variants, while within 775-15, BFGoodrich and Firestone open up several period-style sidewall looks. Rather than starting with the brand name alone, narrow the search by deciding whether your TE 21 needs a radial road-car setup or a bias-ply restoration-oriented setup.

Rim width depends on which tire size you choose for a 1967 Alvis TE 21. For 185R15, approved rim widths run from 4.5 to 6.5 inches depending on the product, with some versions covering 4.5 to 6 inches and others 5 to 6.5 inches. For 775-15, approved rim widths run from 4.5 to 6 inches, with some bias-ply products intended for narrower 4.5 to 5-inch rims and others suited to 6-inch rims.

That is why wheel width should be measured before settling on a specific tire, even when the wheel diameter is already known to be 15 inches. Two tires can share the same nominal size and still have different approved rim-width windows. On a TE 21, this check is especially important if the car has replacement wheels, restoration-era wheel changes, or a long ownership history that may have altered what is on the car today.

For the 1967 Alvis TE 21, 185R15 radial products are tubeless, as shown by TL markings on the Michelin versions and the tubeless-style construction of the radial offerings in this size. The 775-15 bias-ply products here do not carry a TL marking, so tube use should be treated as a wheel-and-tire setup question rather than assumed away. Older wheel designs can matter just as much as tire construction when deciding on tubes.

In practical terms, a TE 21 owner should confirm whether the wheel is appropriate for tubeless service before relying on a tubeless radial setup. If the car retains older wheels, a marque specialist or experienced vintage tire installer can help determine whether tubes are advisable. This is also a good time to inspect valve stems, wheel condition, and sealing surfaces, since those details affect reliability as much as the tire itself.

A 1967 Alvis TE 21 uses two tire sizes that both mount on 15-inch rims, so the original wheel diameter is compatible with either 185R15 or 775-15. That makes wheel diameter the easy part of the decision. The more important question is whether the wheel’s actual width falls within the approved range for the specific tire you are considering.

Because some 775-15 bias-ply products favor narrower rims and some 185R15 radials extend to wider rim ranges, the same 15-inch wheel may not suit every version equally well. Many TE 21s have lived long enthusiast lives, and wheel changes over the decades are not unusual in collector circles. Confirming width before mounting avoids guesswork and helps preserve both proper tire shape and predictable road behavior.

A 1967 Alvis should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber prematurely. Keep the tires at proper inflation, and if the car will sit for extended periods, move it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces long-term static loading. Bias-ply tires are more prone to temporary flat-spotting during storage than radials, so the 775-15 setup benefits from extra attention when the car sits.

Good storage habits preserve both the appearance and structural condition of collector tires, especially on a low-volume car like the TE 21 that may not be driven weekly. Tire covers, clean floors, and avoiding petroleum contamination all help. If the car is stored for a season, inspect sidewalls and tread before the first drive rather than assuming the tires are fine because mileage is low.

On a 1967 Alvis, tire life is usually governed more by age than by mileage. Collector cars often accumulate limited use, so a tire can look visually acceptable while still aging internally. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating tires closely around five to seven years of service and to give serious replacement consideration as they approach ten years, using the DOT date code and overall condition as part of the decision.

That timeline applies whether your TE 21 runs 185R15 radials or 775-15 bias-ply tires, although storage conditions can shorten or extend useful life. Heat, ozone, underinflation, and long static periods all accelerate aging. If the car is driven at highway speeds or on extended tours, be more conservative, because a low-mileage collector tire can still be old enough to deserve retirement even when tread depth remains generous.

Tires on a 1967 Alvis should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, weather-checking, tread separation, bulges, embedded objects, uneven wear, and pressure loss. If your TE 21 runs a setup that uses tubes or may require them depending on wheel choice, valve stems and any signs of slow leakage deserve equal attention.

Frequent inspection matters because collector cars often sit for long stretches and then return to service all at once. Small problems that go unnoticed in storage can become major problems on the road, especially after the tires warm up. A quick walkaround with a pressure gauge and a close look at all five tires, including the spare, is one of the simplest and most valuable habits a vintage Alvis owner can develop.

A 1967 Alvis TE 21 would have belonged to an era when bias-ply construction was still the traditional fitment style for many luxury and sporting cars, even as radial tires were becoming increasingly important in European road use. Within the sizes available here, 775-15 reflects that older numeric bias-ply tradition, while 185R15 represents the radial path in a metric format. Both fit the TE 21, but they convey different historical cues.

For a highly accurate restoration, original-market literature, factory references, and Alvis marque specialists remain the best way to verify exactly how a particular car was delivered, especially if it crossed markets or was updated early in life. The practical takeaway is straightforward: 775-15 aligns more closely with traditional period construction, while 185R15 fits owners who want a later-era radial interpretation without changing the 15-inch wheel diameter.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when a 1967 Alvis is judged for authenticity. On a car like the TE 21, judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the size, construction type, and sidewall treatment suit the period and the character of the restoration. A radial tire on a car presented as strictly original, or an eye-catching sidewall treatment on a restoration aiming for factory restraint, can stand out immediately.

That does not mean every show car must wear the same tire, but it does mean your choice should match the story the car is telling. A touring-focused restoration can justify one approach, while a concours-focused restoration may call for another. Event standards vary, so owners pursuing high-level judging should compare their intended tire against marque-club guidance and period photos before finalizing the setup.

For the 1967 Alvis TE 21 in 185R15, Michelin XVS and Coker Classic radial options differ in sidewall presentation, speed rating offerings, and approved rim-width spread. Michelin XVS appears in blackwall and narrow whitewall versions, with H-rated and V-rated examples, and fits rim ranges from 4.5 to 6.5 inches depending on the version. Coker Classic appears here as a redline radial with a 5 to 6.5-inch rim range and a load rating of 1355 pounds at 35 psi.

That makes the choice less about basic fitment and more about how you want the TE 21 to look and how closely the tire’s details align with your intended use. Michelin offers the broadest speed-rating spread within this size family, while Coker Classic gives a distinctive redline appearance in radial form. Matching the sidewall style to the car’s presentation and confirming rim width are the two most useful steps before deciding between them.

1967 Alvis tires can be suitable for highway driving when the size, construction, age, condition, inflation, and wheel compatibility are all correct. In 185R15 radial form, Michelin versions appear with H and V speed ratings, which correspond to 130 mph and 149 mph ceilings. The 775-15 bias-ply products shown here do not carry a stated speed letter, so they should be approached as traditional vintage-style tires rather than judged by modern high-speed expectations.

In real TE 21 use, the tire’s speed ceiling is only one piece of the picture. A 1967 British grand tourer’s braking system, suspension condition, steering precision, and overall mechanical health often matter more than the tire alone at normal highway speeds. Highway use is reasonable when the car is properly sorted, but an aged or poorly matched tire should never be asked to compensate for deferred mechanical maintenance.

Inflation pressure on a 1967 Alvis should be set by the tire you are using and then checked against factory guidance for the car. Within the available options here, the 185R15 Coker Classic radial carries a load rating of 1355 pounds at 35 psi, while the 775-15 bias-ply options shown carry 1490 pounds at 32 psi. Those figures are tire ratings, not a universal instruction to run every TE 21 tire at the same pressure.

The best approach is to start with the Alvis owner’s manual or marque guidance for vehicle pressure targets, then make sure the chosen tire’s rated pressure and load capacity fit that application. Do not transfer a pressure figure from one size or construction type to another just because both fit 15-inch wheels. Pressure should always be checked cold, and rechecked after any long storage period before driving.

Before a longer drive in a 1967 Alvis, inspect all tires for cracks, cuts, bulges, tread irregularities, and any signs of separation or prolonged underinflation. Confirm cold pressure, make sure the spare is serviceable, and check valve stems carefully. If the TE 21 is using a setup that depends on tubes or older wheels, leakage and stem condition deserve especially close attention.

Tires are only one part of longer-trip readiness on a car of this age, so they should be checked alongside brakes, wheel bearings, steering components, cooling, and basic fluid levels. A TE 21 can be a superb long-distance classic when properly prepared, but its age means small faults can become bigger ones far from home. A thorough pre-drive inspection is part of using the car with confidence rather than simply hoping for the best.