1968 Alfa Romeo Tire Fitment Guide

1968 Alfa Romeo vehicles in this fitment group use two sizes: 155R15 and 560-15, and both apply to the 1968 Alfa Romeo 1600. Each size mounts on a 15-inch rim. Rim-width guidance is available for both sizes as well, with 155R15 fitting 4.00- to 5.50-inch rims and 560-15 fitting 4.5-inch or 4.50- to 5.50-inch rims depending on the tire.

That means the first step is not choosing between different models, but deciding which construction better suits your goals. A radial 155R15 generally appeals to owners who want a more modern road feel, while a 560-15 bias-ply appeals to owners focused on period style and traditional appearance. Checking the actual wheel width before ordering is still important, especially on a restored car that may no longer wear its original wheels.

On a 1968 Alfa Romeo, 560-15 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.60 portion refers to the nominal section width, and the 15 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. In practical terms, it is an older sizing convention commonly associated with period-correct bias-ply tires rather than a modern metric radial format.

That matters because a 560-15 is not just a different code for the same kind of tire as a 155R15. It also signals a different construction type and a different driving character. Owners restoring a 1968 Alfa Romeo for an era-appropriate look often prefer this format, especially when choosing narrow or wide whitewall styling, while owners prioritizing later-style highway feel often look at the radial alternative instead.

On a 1968 Alfa Romeo, 155R15 is a euro-metric radial size. The 155 indicates the nominal section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. With no aspect ratio written into the code, this format is conventionally understood as an 80-series radial.

That makes 155R15 easier for many modern buyers to recognize, but it still deserves a closer look before ordering because details can vary within the size. Some versions are tubeless, some are tube type, and speed ratings can differ as well. If your 1968 Alfa Romeo is driven regularly rather than judged primarily for originality, this size is often the one owners compare first.

For a 1968 Alfa Romeo 1600, the choice between 155R15 and 560-15 is mainly a choice between radial and bias-ply construction on the same 15-inch wheel diameter. The 155R15 is a radial in blackwall form from Firestone and Michelin, while the 560-15 is a bias-ply from Firestone and US Royal with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall options.

Owners aiming for a more period-minded presentation often lean toward the 560-15, especially when whitewall styling is part of the desired look. Owners who plan to spend more time on modern roads often prefer the 155R15 because a radial generally brings a different road feel than a bias-ply. The right answer depends on whether originality, appearance, or regular driving use is the priority for your 1968 Alfa Romeo.

1968 Alfa Romeo tires are available in more than one sidewall style. The 155R15 radial choices are blackwall, while the 560-15 bias-ply choices include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions. That gives the 1600 owner a meaningful appearance choice in addition to the construction choice.

For many European sports sedans and coupes of the late 1960s, blackwall tires tend to look the most natural, especially when the goal is a restrained factory-style presentation. Whitewalls can still appeal to owners building a personalized period look or following a specific market or restoration theme. If showing authenticity matters, compare your car's intended presentation with marque-club guidance before settling on a sidewall treatment.

1968 Alfa Romeo tires are available from Firestone, Michelin, and US Royal across the two applicable sizes. Firestone and Michelin cover the 155R15 radial size, while Firestone and US Royal cover the 560-15 bias-ply size. That gives buyers a mix of established American and European brand heritage within the correct size range for the 1600.

Brand choice often follows the same path as size choice. Buyers going radial can compare Firestone and Michelin within the 155R15 size, while buyers staying with bias-ply can compare Firestone and US Royal in 560-15. Once you have settled on construction and sidewall style, brand becomes a more focused decision about the character and presentation you want for your 1968 Alfa Romeo.

Rim-width guidance for 1968 Alfa Romeo tires depends on the size you choose. The 155R15 radial fits 4.00- to 5.50-inch rims. The 560-15 bias-ply appears in versions suited to 4.5-inch rims and versions suited to a 4.50- to 5.50-inch range, so the exact tire matters within that size.

That is why wheel inspection should happen before the tire decision is finalized, not after. Many collector cars have had wheel changes over the years, and a 15-inch diameter match by itself does not answer the whole fitment question. If your 1968 Alfa Romeo still wears original-style wheels, verify the wheel width and then choose the tire that falls within the approved range for that exact wheel.

Inner-tube use on 1968 Alfa Romeo tires depends on the size and the specific product. Within the 155R15 radial group, tube status varies by product: Michelin offers both tube-type and tubeless versions, and tubeless examples also exist within the size. The 560-15 bias-ply products here do not carry TT or TL markings in the size description, so the product itself should be checked carefully before installation.

This is one of the most important details to confirm before mounting tires on a collector car. Tube-type and tubeless construction affect the installation plan, the valve-stem setup, and the condition you need from the wheel itself. If your 1968 Alfa Romeo has older wheels, consult the tire's sidewall marking and the installer before deciding whether a tube is required or appropriate.

Both tire sizes used on the 1968 Alfa Romeo 1600 fit a 15-inch wheel diameter, so original 15-inch wheels can often be used with either 155R15 or 560-15. Diameter compatibility is the easy part here. Wheel width still needs to be checked against the approved range for the exact tire, because the radial and bias-ply options are not identical in their rim-width requirements.

That makes this a confirmation step rather than an assumption. A car with correct-diameter but non-original wheels may still need a different tire choice than expected. Before mounting either size on an original or replacement wheel, measure the wheel width and compare it with the tire's approved range so your 1968 Alfa Romeo gets a setup that is both appropriate and mechanically sound.

A 1968 Alfa Romeo should be stored in a cool, dry, dark environment away from direct sunlight, electric motors, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Keep the tires properly inflated and move the car periodically if it will sit for extended periods. Bias-ply tires tend to flat-spot more readily during long static storage, while any older-style collector tire can suffer sidewall aging if exposed to heat and ozone.

For a car that spends much of its time parked, storage habits matter almost as much as mileage. If the 1968 Alfa Romeo will be inactive for months, some owners use stands or reposition the car occasionally to reduce prolonged loading in one spot. A clean storage floor, stable inflation pressure, and protection from UV exposure will do more for tire longevity than simply covering the car.

Tires on a 1968 Alfa Romeo should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage alone, especially on a collector car that may see only seasonal use. A sensible rule is to evaluate them closely once they are about five to seven years old and to consider replacement as they approach ten years, even if tread wear appears light. The DOT date code on the tire is the reference point for age.

That approach helps avoid the common collector-car mistake of trusting old-looking tires simply because they have few miles on them. Rubber hardens and the casing ages even when the car is rarely driven. If your 1968 Alfa Romeo spends long periods in storage, pair age checks with regular visual inspections so replacement timing is driven by safety and condition, not by tread depth alone.

Tires on a 1968 Alfa Romeo should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, punctures, bulges, uneven wear, and pressure loss. If your tire setup uses tube-type construction, add valve stems and any signs of slow leakage to the inspection routine as well.

Frequent inspection matters because collector cars often sit long enough for age-related issues to appear between drives. A brief walkaround before each outing can catch problems early, and a more careful inspection before a tour or club drive gives you time to correct them. On an older Alfa Romeo, tire condition is a key part of confidence on the road, especially when the car is driven less often than a modern daily driver.

A 1968 Alfa Romeo 1600 would have been associated with period bias-ply fitment in the broader historical sense, since bias-ply construction was still common in that era even as radials were becoming increasingly important on European cars. The two sizes used here are 560-15 in bias-ply form and 155R15 in radial form. Both are relevant to a 1968 Alfa Romeo owner, but they represent different points in tire design and driving character.

That makes original-fitment research especially worthwhile if the goal is strict authenticity rather than general period correctness. Market destination, delivery region, and restoration philosophy can all affect what is considered right for a specific car. For a 1968 Alfa Romeo being judged closely, confirm the expected construction type and sidewall treatment with Alfa Romeo marque specialists or period factory literature before making the final choice.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1968 Alfa Romeo because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, and sidewall appearance very quickly. A blackwall radial and a whitewall bias-ply create very different visual and historical impressions, even when both fit the same 15-inch wheel diameter. On a car presented for originality, an obviously modern-looking construction or an out-of-character sidewall can stand out immediately.

That does not mean every show uses the same standard, but it does mean the tire choice should match the level of authenticity you are pursuing. A local driver-class event may be more forgiving than a marque-focused concours. Before finalizing tires for a 1968 Alfa Romeo, compare your intended event type with club judging expectations so the tire complements the rest of the restoration rather than becoming an avoidable deduction.

For a 1968 Alfa Romeo in 155R15 fitment, Michelin XAS and Michelin XAS-FF share the same size family, 15-inch rim diameter, 4.00- to 5.50-inch rim-width range, blackwall appearance, and H speed rating with a 130 mph ceiling. The practical distinction here is tube status: the Michelin XAS appears as 155HR15 82H TT, while the Michelin XAS-FF appears as 155HR15 82H TL. Both also carry the same 80-series metric radial character.

That means the comparison is less about overall size and more about setup and installation. If your 1968 Alfa Romeo wheel condition or restoration plan points toward tube-type fitment, the XAS may align with that approach. If a tubeless H-rated radial better suits the wheel and the intended use, the XAS-FF may be the cleaner choice. Confirm the wheel condition and your installation plan before deciding between them.

1968 Alfa Romeo tires can be appropriate for highway driving when they are in good condition, correctly fitted, and used within their construction and speed limits. In the 155R15 radial size, T-rated products carry a 118 mph ceiling and H-rated products carry a 130 mph ceiling. The 560-15 bias-ply products shown here do not include a speed letter in the size description, so they should be treated according to the manufacturer's intended use and the realities of vintage-car driving.

On a car of this era, tire capability is only one part of the highway equation. Suspension condition, alignment, brakes, and steering feel often matter just as much as the tire's speed rating in real-world use. If your 1968 Alfa Romeo is driven on modern highways, choose a tire that suits the car's intended pace and make sure the rest of the chassis is equally ready for sustained road use.

Inflation pressure for 1968 Alfa Romeo tires should start with the factory recommendation for the car, then be checked against the tire's own rated information. In the 155R15 group, one radial carries a maximum load of 1,045 pounds at 44 psi. In the 560-15 group, products with load information carry a maximum load of 970 pounds at 32 psi. Those figures are tire-rating references, not automatic running pressures for every application.

The safest approach is to use the owner's manual or marque-spec pressure guidance for the vehicle first, then make sure the chosen tire is being operated within its rating. Do not transfer a pressure figure from the radial to the bias-ply or vice versa just because both fit a 15-inch wheel. The correct pressure for your 1968 Alfa Romeo depends on the specific tire construction, the car's setup, and the intended use.

Before a longer drive in a 1968 Alfa Romeo, inspect all tires for cracking, cuts, bulges, tread wear, proper inflation, and any sign of air loss. Check the spare as carefully as the four road tires, because collector-car spares are often older than the tires on the car. If your setup uses tube-type tires, pay close attention to valve stems and any history of slow leakage.

A longer outing is also the right time to think beyond the tires. Wheel fastener security, brake condition, steering response, and fluid levels all matter on an older Alfa Romeo that may not be driven every week. Treat the tire inspection as one part of a full pre-drive routine, and you will be far more likely to enjoy the trip without turning a simple age-related issue into a roadside problem.