Chrysler Newport & 300 Series Tires

The listed Chrysler Newport & 300 Series tire sizes are 855-14 and 885-14 for 1968, plus H70-15 and H78-15 for 1970. The 855-14 and 885-14 sizes both use 14-inch rims, while H78-15 uses a 15-inch rim and H70-15 is also a 15-inch size by code. All listed products tied to these fitments are bias-ply tires.

The practical takeaway is that year alone is only the starting point, especially when more than one size appears in the same model year. Check the wheel diameter on the car first, then compare the sidewall marking, rim width, and the car’s original paperwork or restoration records to narrow the choice between the sizes listed for that year.

An 855-14 size on a Chrysler Newport & 300 Series is an older numeric bias-ply code. The 855 portion indicates a nominal section width of about 8.55 inches, and the 14 indicates the tire fits a 14-inch rim. In the listed range, that size appears for 1968 and is offered as a bias-ply tire in narrow whitewall form.

That matters because a modern buyer may mistake the code for a direct modern radial equivalent, and it is not read the same way. If your car still wears period-style 14-inch wheels and you want the original bias-ply look and stance, 855-14 is one of the 1968 sizes to compare against the car’s current tire markings and wheel width.

The Chrysler Newport & 300 Series uses both 14-inch and 15-inch rim diameters within the years covered here. The 1968 fitments, 855-14 and 885-14, are 14-inch sizes, while the 1970 fitments, H70-15 and H78-15, are 15-inch sizes. That makes the wheel diameter change one of the most important fitment differences on this page.

A car that has been restored, updated, or simply repaired over the years may not still carry its original wheel set, so measuring the wheel or reading the existing tire sidewall is the right first move. Once the wheel diameter is confirmed, you can sort out which of the listed sizes belongs to that specific year and configuration.

Every listed Chrysler Newport & 300 Series product here is a bias-ply tire, including the numeric 14-inch sizes and the alphanumeric 15-inch size with available products. On these period bias-ply fitments, a tube is required. That applies to the listed 855-14, 885-14, and H78-15 product offerings, and it is the appropriate assumption for H70-15 as well within this size family.

Tube use matters because the tire, wheel, and tube need to be treated as a matched assembly rather than separate parts. When replacing tires on a collector Chrysler, it is wise to inspect the wheel condition, verify correct rim width, and use the proper tube and flap arrangement where required so the finished installation matches the intended bias-ply setup.

Start with the model year, because the listed Chrysler Newport & 300 Series fitments divide cleanly between 1968 and 1970. For 1968, the sizes are 855-14 and 885-14 on 14-inch rims; for 1970, the sizes are H70-15 and H78-15 on 15-inch rims. Within each year, more than one size is still possible, so the sidewall marking and wheel dimensions remain important.

A careful buyer should compare the existing tire code, measure the wheel diameter, and check rim width before settling on one size. If the car has been through restoration work, wheel swaps, or trim changes over time, those checks will do more to prevent a mismatch than relying on the year alone.

The listed Chrysler Newport & 300 Series tires include narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and blackwall sidewall styles. The 855-14 and 885-14 products are narrow whitewalls, while the available H78-15 products include wide whitewall and blackwall options. That gives buyers both restoration-oriented and more understated appearance choices within the listed range.

Sidewall style affects the look of the car just as much as the size itself, particularly on large Chrysler body lines from this era. Match the sidewall treatment to the appearance of the specific car, its trim level, and the period look you want to preserve, then confirm that the selected style is attached to the correct year and wheel diameter.

The listed Chrysler Newport & 300 Series tire brands are BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and STA. BFGoodrich appears on the 14-inch 1968 sizes, while Coker Classic and STA appear on the available 15-inch H78-15 products for 1970. Those offerings cover both whitewall passenger-car styling and a blackwall Traxion option.

Brand choice should come after the basic fitment questions are settled, not before. Once the correct size, wheel diameter, and sidewall style are identified, the brand and series can help you refine the look and character of the finished car, whether your priority is a traditional whitewall appearance or a more utilitarian blackwall presentation.

The listed Chrysler Newport & 300 Series tire series are Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, and Traxion. Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Coker Classic Bias Ply are both period-style bias-ply passenger-car offerings, while Traxion is a bias-ply line presented here in an STA blackwall configuration with a Military & Truck attribute. All of them preserve an older construction style rather than a modern radial approach.

For a buyer, that means the series choice mainly affects appearance and intended character rather than switching between bias-ply and radial behavior. A whitewall bias-ply series will suit a more formal full-size Chrysler presentation, while the Traxion option makes more sense if the goal is a tougher blackwall look within the listed H78-15 fitment.

A Chrysler Newport & 300 Series should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, ozone sources, and petroleum contamination. Because these listed fitments are bias-ply tires, long periods of inactivity can encourage flat-spotting more readily than many modern radials. Tire pressure should be maintained during storage rather than ignored between drives.

Collector-car owners get the best results by moving the car periodically, keeping it on a clean surface, and avoiding months of static load in one position if possible. If the car will sit for an extended period, regular pressure checks and occasional rolling can help preserve ride quality and prevent avoidable stress on the tire casing.

Tires on a Chrysler Newport & 300 Series should be inspected before each drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals even if the car covers very few miles. A collector car can develop age-related issues such as cracking, tread separation, air loss, tube problems, or casing distortion long before the tread appears worn out. Bias-ply tires especially deserve close visual and hands-on inspection.

That inspection should include sidewalls, tread surface, valve stems, inflation pressure, and the condition of the wheel itself. If the car has been sitting, inspect it again after the first short drive, because slow leaks, vibration, and flat spotting often show up only once the Chrysler is back in motion.

Tires on a Chrysler Newport & 300 Series should be replaced when they show age cracking, deformation, impact damage, persistent air loss, or any sign of structural deterioration, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector-car tires often age out before they wear out. The decision should be driven by condition, age, and intended road use rather than tread depth alone.

That principle is especially important on a heavy full-size Chrysler, where load and heat can expose weaknesses quickly once the car is driven at road speed. If there is any doubt about casing integrity, tube condition, or long-term storage effects, a specialist inspection is far cheaper than discovering the problem on the highway.

The listed Chrysler Newport & 300 Series fitments show multiple period-correct style possibilities rather than a single universal original tire across all years covered here. The 1968 cars use 855-14 and 885-14 bias-ply sizes, while the 1970 cars use H70-15 and H78-15 bias-ply sizes. The available series include Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, and Traxion for the size where that option appears.

For a restoration, the exact original specification should be matched to the individual car’s year, wheel diameter, and intended presentation standard. Factory literature, original sidewall photos, surviving paperwork, and marque-club guidance are the best ways to narrow the choice once you know which of the listed size families belongs on the car.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect the value and judging outcome of a Chrysler Newport & 300 Series, especially on a car restored for authenticity. Size, sidewall treatment, construction type, and overall stance all influence whether the finished car looks right for its year. A mismatch in wheel diameter or an incorrect whitewall width is often noticeable even to non-specialists.

That means tire selection should be treated as part of the restoration plan rather than a final cosmetic decision. If the car is being prepared for concours judging or serious marque events, compare the chosen tire’s size and sidewall appearance against period photos and club standards so the final presentation supports the car’s historical character.

The listed Chrysler Newport & 300 Series restoration choices include narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and blackwall styles, depending on size. Narrow whitewalls appear on the 1968 14-inch offerings, while the available 1970 H78-15 choices include wide whitewall and blackwall versions. That spread reflects how appearance could vary within the broader full-size Chrysler family.

The right restoration choice depends on the exact year, wheel size, and the look your particular car carried when new or early in its life. Owners aiming for a formal upscale presentation often prioritize the whitewall style that best matches surviving photos and trim, while a blackwall setup suits a more restrained or utility-oriented appearance.

These listed Chrysler Newport & 300 Series tires are bias-ply products intended for period-correct use, and they can be used on public roads when they are correctly matched to the car, properly installed, and kept in sound condition. They do not behave like modern radials, and a large full-size Chrysler will make those differences in tracking, steering feel, and braking response more noticeable. Condition and correct fitment matter as much as the size itself.

The practical standard is to treat road use with respect for the age and design of the tire type. A careful pre-drive inspection, proper inflation, and realistic speed expectations will do far more for safety than simply choosing a bigger or more aggressive-looking tire within the listed range.

Before driving a Chrysler Newport & 300 Series, check inflation pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and any signs of tube-related air loss or casing distortion. On a car with multiple possible fitments, also confirm that all four tires are the same size family and belong on the wheel diameter fitted to the car. A mixed 14-inch and 15-inch assumption can create obvious fitment trouble very quickly.

It is also wise to watch for age-related issues that appear after long storage, including flat spotting, vibration, and slow leaks. On a heavy late-1960s or 1970 Chrysler, those checks should be paired with a broader mechanical review of brakes, steering, and suspension before any meaningful road use resumes.

A Chrysler Newport & 300 Series on period-style bias-ply tires should be driven at moderate speeds appropriate to the condition of the car, the age of the tires, and the handling characteristics of older construction. Even when the size is correct, a bias-ply tire will typically feel different from a modern radial in lane tracking, cornering response, and braking confidence. Road speed should reflect those realities rather than the car’s engine capability.

For most collector-car use, smooth secondary-road driving and conservative highway behavior are the sensible baseline. If the car is newly restored, newly fitted with tires, or returning to service after storage, begin with short drives at restrained speeds and increase use only after the Chrysler proves stable, predictable, and mechanically sound.