Citroen Tyres

Citroën Tyres

Citroën 2cv

The Citroen 2cv from 1954 to 1960 fitted a 125x400 Michelin. Click here to see the options available for your early Citroen 2cv.

The Citroen 2cv from to 1960 fitted a 125x380 Michelin X. The current equivalent is 125x15 Michelin X. Click here to see the options available for your Citroen 2cv.

In Spain the the standard equipment for a 2cv was a 135x15 Michelin ZX. Click here to see the options available for your Citroen 2cv.

The 135SR15 Michelin X was also fitted to the Citroen Ami.

Citroën Traction Avant

On the 18th of April 1934 the world was first shown the Citroen Traction Avant also known as the Light 15. This ground-breaking car featured a host of revolutionary features including monocoque construction, front wheel drive, all round torsion bar suspension and hydraulic brakes. The Citroen Traction Avant 7A (32bhp) was quickly followed by the more powerful 7B (35bhp) and 7 Sport (46bhp).

In 1935 the Citroen Traction (Light 15) 7C was launched with 36 bhp replacing the Citroen Traction Avant (Light 15) 7B. The 7 Sport was replaced by the 11 Légère (light) during this year. 1935 also saw the introduction of the Light 15 11CV which was wider and longer than the Light 15 7C and was fitted with a 1.9 litre engine. The Citroen Traction Avant (Light 15) 7 series came with either 140x40 or 150x40 Michelin SCSS tyres.

1938 saw the biggest change to the Traction Avant family with the introduction of the 15 Six or Big 15, this car came with a 2.8 litre 6 cylinder engine which necessitated a longer bonnet with cooling grilles fitted. This year also saw the fitment of the Michelin Pilote wheels with 165x400 Michelin X tyres. This entailed widening the wheelarches by 5cm. The Citroen Big 15 15S came with a 185x400 Michelin X.

During its lifetime the Citroen Traction Avant was available as a 4 door saloon, faux cabriolet, roadster, commerciale (with possibly the first production hatch back), coupe and familiale (with 8 seats!). The high development costs of the Citroen Traction Avant (Light 15) were directly responsible for the death of André Citroën and its consequent takeover by Michelin who owned Citroën until 1974. The iconic Citroen Traction Avant (Light 15) which wowed the world with its tenacious handling, magnificent comfort and advanced styling (so good even W.O.Bentley owned one!) ceased production in 1957.

165x400 Pirelli Cinturato™ now in stock!

Citroën DS and ID

The initial Citroën DS and ID fitted the 165x400 Michelin X radial tyre.

The first major change in tyre fitment occured in 1966 during Michelin's ownership of Citroën when they took the unique step of fitting a 180x15 at the front of the car and a smaller 155x15 or 165x15 at the rear, (as far as we are aware the only car legally allowed to do such a thing in the UK!)

The later cars fitted a 180x15 or 185x15 Michelin XAS all round.

We at Longstone Tyres would recomend the fitment of the 180HR15 Michelin XAS on pre '73 DS and ID Citroëns, as these tyres were designed for these cars.

165HR400 Pirelli Cinturato™ now in stock!

Citroën DS and ID History

After 10 years of secret development, with many ideas tested on the Traction Avant, the Citroen DS 19 was shown to a shocked public at the 1955 Paris motor show. As with the Traction Avant before it, the Citroen DS (Goddess!) featured a raft of technical advances. The most revolutionary of these was the high pressure hydraulic system which was used to actuate the clutch, gearchange, brakes, steering and of course the hydro-pneumatic suspension system (as seen earlier on the Citroen 15-Six-H Traction Avant). The amazing suspension system allowed the car to be raised or lowered by 6 inches meaning changing a tyre didn't require a jack, you simply raised your Citroen DS inserted the support and then lowered the car leaving one side dangling in the air! It was even possible to drive the car with only 3 wheels ( although not many people tried it ).

The styling of the Citroen DS was quite possibly its most controversial feature. Some people have called it a "space age" although it was penned 6 years before man entered space! It is very much a love it or hate it design with no middle ground.

In 1957 a slightly less complex version of the Citroen DS was introduced called the ID 19. This model retained the body and suspension of the DS but made do with conventional braking, steering, gear changing and basic trim. The introduction of the Citroen ID19 spelt the end for the much loved and admired Citroen Traction Avant, production of which ended in 1957.

In 1968 the Citroen DS and ID were given their first major redesign giving the car four headlights fitted behind plastic covers. The inner pair of headlights swivelled with the steering (a feature Mercedes have just introduced 38 years later!) while the outer pair were linked to the suspension to maintain a level beam.

Also in 1968 the Citroen DS21 (introduced in 1965) and the Citroen DS19 gained more power and the names were changed, the DS19 became the DS20 and the ID's became the D spécial ,if equipped with the old engine, or D Super if fitted with the new DS20 engine. The Citroen DS21 became the DS23 in 1972 when the 2.3 litre engine was fitted and the D Super was made available with the DS21 engine and 5 speed gearbox.

On the 24th April 1975 production of the Citroen DS ceased after selling 1,455,746 units. These included the 7 or 9 seater Safari (or Break), the Prestige (with a glass panel between Chauffeur and owner) and Decapotable (convertible) both made by Henri Chapron and the Pallas with leather trim and superior external finish. The Citroen DS made a formidable rally car and also gave birth to the remarkable Maserati powered Citroën SM (perhaps the car the DS always wanted to be?).

GS Citroen History

The GS Citroen fitted a Michelin XZX 145SR15. To view them, click here

The GS Citroen Birotor (with Wankel rotary engine) was fitted with a Michelin XAS 165HR14. To view them click here.

Citroen SM History

The first Citroen SM was equipped with 195/70x15 Michelin XWX tyres as standard. Unfortunatly these tyres are not available in the Michelin Collection. From our old data we can tell you that those tyres were only 14mm smaller in overall diameter and 8mm smaller in width than the current 205/70x15 Michelin XWX, which is the alternative recommended by the Michelin Collection Department.

The fuel-injected Citroen SM was equipped with 205/70x15 tyres as standard. Click here to see the options available for your Citroen SM. But in reality the only tyre to fit would be the XWX from Michelins Collection range of tyres.

Citroen CX

The early Citroen CX fitted a Michelin 185HR14. To view them click here.

The Citroen CX can fit a Michelin TRX 190/65VR390. To view them click here.

The Citroen CX GTI Turbo fitted a Michelin TRX 210/55VR390. To view them click here.