1969 Simca Tire Fitment Guide

1969 Simca vehicles use four sizes across two model lines: 145R13, 520-13, 155R13, and 560-13. The 1118 uses 145R13 and 520-13, while the 1204 uses those same two sizes plus 155R13 and 560-13. Every one of those sizes mounts on a 13-inch rim. Rim-width guidance appears on some products, including 4.00 to 5.00 inches for 145R13, 4.00 to 5.50 inches for 155R13, 3.5 inches or 3.50 to 4.00 inches for 520-13, and 3.50 to 4.50 inches depending on the 560-13 product.

The practical takeaway is that year and make alone are not enough for every 1969 Simca. If you own a 1204, you need to confirm whether your car uses the narrower shared fitments or the wider model-specific sizes. If you own an 1118, the decision stays between the two shared sizes and largely centers on construction type and appearance. Before choosing a tire, verify the exact size on the car now, check the wheel width if known, and compare the sidewall style to your restoration or driving goals.

On a 1969 Simca, 520-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.20 refers to the nominal section width in inches, written without a decimal in common period tire notation, and the 13 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. Unlike a modern metric radial code, it does not include a separate aspect ratio or a radial construction marker. That makes it a very familiar size format for small imported cars from the era when bias-ply tires were still common.

Seeing 520-13 on a 1969 Simca usually points you toward a more period-authentic visual and driving character than a metric radial size. It is shared by both the 1118 and 1204, so the size itself is not exclusive to one model. Sidewall treatment matters too, since 520-13 appears as both blackwall and narrow whitewall. If you are trying to match the look of a restoration, confirm whether your car should wear a plain black sidewall or a whitewall treatment before making your final selection.

No. Both 1969 Simca models share 145R13 and 520-13, but only the 1204 also uses 155R13 and 560-13. That means the 1118 stays within the narrower shared fitments, while the 1204 spans both the shared sizes and wider model-specific options. All four sizes fit 13-inch wheels, but the tire size choice still changes with the model.

That difference matters because a buyer with a 1969 Simca 1204 has more than one valid path, while a 1969 Simca 1118 has a narrower fitment range. If your car has been restored, modified, or repainted and its exact model designation is not immediately obvious, identify the model before choosing a size. Once that is settled, compare the current wheel width, the look you want, and whether you prefer a bias-ply or radial construction for how you use the car.

For a 1969 Simca 1118, and for some 1969 Simca 1204 applications, the choice between 520-13 and 145R13 is primarily a choice between bias-ply and radial construction. The 520-13 is a period-style numeric bias-ply size, while 145R13 is a metric radial. Both are shared sizes across the Simca range for that year and both mount on 13-inch wheels, so the difference is less about wheel diameter than about how closely you want to follow period tire character.

Choose 520-13 when your priority is a more era-correct presentation, especially if the rest of the car is being kept visually authentic. Choose 145R13 when you want to stay within a period European radial size family. The smartest approach is to look at the size already fitted, confirm that your wheel width suits the tire you want to run, and then decide whether restoration accuracy or radial construction matters more for the way you use your 1969 Simca.

1969 Simca tires are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles depending on size. The radial sizes 145R13 and 155R13 are blackwall only. The 520-13 bias-ply size appears as blackwall and narrow whitewall, while the 560-13 bias-ply size appears as narrow whitewall and wide whitewall. That gives the 1204 the broadest visual range because it can use both the shared sizes and the wider model-specific bias-ply size.

For a late-1960s French compact, blackwall is usually the safest direction when the goal is an understated European appearance. Whitewalls can still make sense if your car is being styled to a specific period look or personal presentation, especially on a bias-ply fitment. The important thing is consistency between the car’s overall character and the tire you choose. If authenticity matters for judging or marque-correct restoration, compare the sidewall style to period photos and consult a Simca specialist before finalizing the look.

Michelin, Firestone, Premium Sport, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich all have coverage for 1969 Simca applications across the four sizes. The 145R13 radial size is available from Michelin and Firestone. The 520-13 bias-ply size comes from Firestone and Premium Sport. The 155R13 radial size comes from Michelin and Dunlop, while the 560-13 bias-ply size comes from BFGoodrich and Firestone.

Brand choice on a 1969 Simca often ties into the kind of tire you want rather than a single best answer for every car. Michelin and Dunlop keep the focus on period-style European radial fitments, while Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Premium Sport broaden the options for bias-ply construction and whitewall presentation. Start by narrowing your size first, because each size has its own brand mix. Once the size is settled, compare the sidewall look, any load information present, and the overall visual character that best suits your Simca.

Rim-width guidance for 1969 Simca tires depends on the size. The 145R13 radial size uses 4.00 to 5.00-inch rims on one application, and 155R13 uses 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims. For bias-ply sizes, 520-13 appears with 3.5-inch and 3.50 to 4.00-inch rim guidance depending on the tire, while 560-13 appears with 3.50 to 4.00-inch or 4.00 to 4.50-inch guidance depending on the product. All of these tires fit 13-inch wheels, but width compatibility still varies by tire.

That means wheel diameter alone is not enough when setting up a 1969 Simca. A narrow original wheel may suit one 13-inch tire but not every 13-inch tire you might consider. Before mounting a different size or switching between bias-ply and radial constructions, measure the wheel width if possible and compare it to the specific tire’s acceptable range. That extra step helps you avoid a combination that physically mounts yet does not properly support the tire’s intended profile or road manners.

Some 1969 Simca tire choices are clearly tubeless, while others should be confirmed by the specific product and wheel condition. The 145R13 Michelin radial is marked TL, and the 155R13 Michelin radial is also marked TL, indicating tubeless construction. The bias-ply sizes do not consistently carry the same tube marking in the available size descriptions, so tube use should be checked against the tire’s sidewall designation and the design of the wheel itself rather than assumed from size alone.

That matters because an older wheel may have different sealing behavior than a modern rim, especially on a vintage compact that has seen decades of service. If you are fitting a bias-ply tire, inspect the wheel carefully for condition and confirm the intended tube setup before installation. If you are fitting a tubeless radial, make sure the rim and valve area are suitable for tubeless use. Matching the tire’s intended construction to the actual wheel setup is just as important as choosing the correct size.

Because every tire size used on 1969 Simca vehicles mounts on a 13-inch rim, original 13-inch wheels can often remain part of the equation across the full size range. That said, wheel width still matters. The radial sizes and the bias-ply sizes do not all share the same rim-width requirements, and even within the same size family some products call for slightly different widths. Diameter compatibility is straightforward here, but width compatibility still needs to be checked tire by tire.

For a 1969 Simca 1118, the question usually centers on whether the existing wheel suits both 520-13 and 145R13 correctly. For a 1969 Simca 1204, the wider 155R13 and 560-13 sizes make width verification even more important. If your car still has its original wheels, inspect their actual measured width rather than relying on memory or assumptions. That gives you a reliable foundation for choosing between the shared Simca sizes and the 1204-specific wider fitments.

A 1969 Simca stores best in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment. Clean tires and wheels before storage, keep the car off damp ground, and maintain inflation rather than letting the tires sit partially deflated. Bias-ply tires such as 520-13 and 560-13 are especially prone to flat-spotting during long static storage, while any vintage tire can suffer from sidewall aging if left near heat or ozone.

If your 1969 Simca will sit for months, move it periodically so one section of the tread does not carry the load continuously, or support it in a way that reduces prolonged tire stress while following safe storage practices. Radials generally recover from temporary flat spots more readily than bias-ply tires, but neither construction benefits from neglect. A little storage discipline protects both the look and the usable life of the tires, especially on a collector car that covers limited mileage each year.

On a 1969 Simca, tire life should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. Collector cars often wear out tires chemically long before they wear them out mechanically, so a tire should be evaluated carefully once it reaches about five to seven years of age, with replacement becoming a serious consideration as it approaches ten years. The DOT date code on the sidewall helps establish age, although some period-style products and imported specialty tires may present date markings differently than a modern daily-driver tire.

A lightly used 1969 Simca can look fine at a glance yet still ride on aging rubber that has hardened, cracked, or lost resilience. Regular inspection by date, not just by tread depth, is the sensible approach for a vintage import. If the car is driven only seasonally, keep a written service record with installation dates and annual inspections. That gives you a clearer picture of tire age and helps you decide when preservation of originality should give way to replacement for continued road use.

Tires on a 1969 Simca should be inspected before every drive and given a more thorough check before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, and signs that the tire is losing pressure. On cars using bias-ply tires, pay close attention to the sidewalls and to how the tire feels after the car has sat. If your wheel-and-tire setup uses tubes, include the valve stem and any signs of tube-related leakage in that inspection routine.

Frequent inspection matters because a collector car can spend long periods parked and then be asked to run at road speed with little warning. Problems that would reveal themselves quickly on a daily driver can go unnoticed on a seasonal Simca. Build the habit of checking pressure, looking across the tread for shape changes, and inspecting the spare at the same time. That pre-drive walkaround is one of the easiest ways to catch age-related issues before they interrupt a tour or weekend drive.

For a 1969 Simca 1118, the fitment range includes both 145R13 radial and 520-13 bias-ply. In the late 1960s, European small cars often sat near the transition point where radial adoption was becoming increasingly common, while bias-ply construction still remained part of the period landscape. That means both construction types belong within the era, but the exact original delivery tire can vary by market, equipment level, and how the car was sold new. A specific original-equipment brand should be confirmed separately before a concours restoration.

If your goal is authenticity, start with the size and construction that best match your car’s market history and surviving evidence. Period photos, factory literature, and Simca marque specialists are the right sources for fine points such as sidewall treatment or country-specific tire practice. For many owners, the decision comes down to whether they are restoring an 1118 to a strict factory-style presentation or preserving a long-used car with a size family that still looks at home on it.

Yes, correct tire fitment can matter a great deal when showing a 1969 Simca, especially in judged classes that emphasize authenticity. Size, construction type, and sidewall appearance all influence whether the car looks period-correct. A radial fitted to a car being judged as a strictly original bias-ply restoration may draw attention, just as an oversized whitewall can look out of place on a compact European car if it does not match the era or market presentation expected by judges.

Show standards vary, so the right answer depends on the event. A local cars-and-coffee crowd may welcome personal taste, while a marque-focused show may expect a much narrower interpretation of originality. If your 1969 Simca is being prepared for serious judging, settle the tire size first, then confirm whether blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall fits the car’s intended presentation. Marque clubs and event rulebooks are the best guides when the smallest authenticity details matter.

For a 1969 Simca in 145R13, Michelin XAS-FF and Firestone F560 Radial are both blackwall radial choices, but their available details differ. The Michelin version is marked 145HR13 74H TL, which identifies an H speed rating with a 130 mph ceiling and tubeless construction. The Firestone version uses the 145R13 size format, carries a 4.00 to 5.00-inch rim-width range, and shows a maximum load rating of 825 pounds at 44 psi. Weight also differs, with the Michelin at 18 pounds and the Firestone at 12.7 pounds.

That comparison is useful when a 1969 Simca owner wants more than a simple size match. Michelin leans into a distinctly period European radial identity, while Firestone adds clearly stated load and rim-width guidance that can help during setup. Neither should be chosen on brand name alone. Check which tire better suits your wheel width, how closely you want to follow a European-style presentation, and whether the sidewall markings align with the way you intend to use and present the car.

1969 Simca tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are in good condition, correctly matched to the wheel, and used within their construction and speed limits. The 145R13 Michelin and the 155R13 Michelin and Dunlop examples carry H speed ratings, which correspond to a 130 mph ceiling. Bias-ply options such as 520-13 and 560-13 are a different construction and should be approached with the expectations appropriate to a vintage-style tire, even when the car itself is capable of normal road use.

In real-world driving, a healthy 1969 Simca is more likely to be limited by age, braking performance, suspension condition, and general mechanical state than by the headline speed potential of an H-rated radial. Safety starts with the whole car, not just the tire. Before planning regular highway use, confirm tire age, pressure, and wheel condition, then make sure the steering, brakes, and alignment are equally ready. A reproduction or period-style tire should always be treated as part of a complete roadworthiness picture.

Inflation pressure for 1969 Simca tires should start with the factory recommendation for the car and then be cross-checked against the tire’s own sidewall information. Several sizes carry load-and-pressure figures: 145R13 appears at 825 pounds at 44 psi on one Firestone radial, 520-13 appears at 770 pounds at 32 psi on one Firestone bias-ply example and 1100 pounds at 60 psi on one Premium Sport version, and 560-13 appears at 850 pounds at 30 psi on the bias-ply examples shown here.

Those figures are load-rating reference points, not a universal instruction to run every 1969 Simca tire at its maximum rated pressure. A small vintage car often calls for lower operating pressures than the tire’s maximum sidewall figure. Use the owner’s manual or factory placard as the baseline for the car, then make sure the tire you choose is appropriate for that use. Do not transfer one pressure figure from 520-13 to 145R13 or from 560-13 to 155R13 simply because the wheel diameter is the same.

Before a longer drive in a 1969 Simca, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and signs of impact damage, then verify cold inflation pressure and make sure the spare is serviceable. If the car uses a tube-type setup, inspect the valve stems carefully and pay attention to any slow loss of pressure. Wheel fastener security, brake condition, steering feel, and overall suspension health should be part of the same pre-drive review, because tire safety on a vintage car depends on the surrounding systems as much as the tire itself.

A longer trip puts sustained heat and speed into parts that may spend most of their life on short local outings. That is why a 1969 Simca deserves a more careful check than a quick spin around town. If the car has recently come out of storage, take a short shakedown drive first and recheck the tires afterward for pressure stability and any unusual behavior. A few minutes of inspection can prevent the most common age-related tire issues from turning into roadside problems.