Ford Customline Tires

Ford Customline uses 670-15 for 1952, 1953, 1954, and 1955 in this fitment group. The available products for that size are built around a 15-inch rim, with most rim width recommendations falling in the 4.50 to 5.00 inch range, though a few listings extend beyond that. Every listed Ford Customline product here is a bias-ply tire rather than a radial conversion size.

That means most owners are not deciding between several changing sizes by year, but between different versions of the same period-correct size. The real fitment work is confirming that the wheels on the car are still 15-inch originals or equivalent replacements, then choosing the sidewall style and tire series that match the car’s intended use and appearance.

On a Ford Customline, 670-15 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 670 indicates the nominal section width in inches with the decimal omitted, and the 15 identifies the rim diameter in inches. It is an older sizing system used on mid-century American cars, so it does not translate directly to a modern metric radial size without considering profile, construction, and overall appearance.

That matters because a Ford Customline looks and drives differently on its original-type numeric bias-ply size than it would on a modern substitute chosen only by rim diameter. If preserving stance, steering feel, and sidewall profile matters, stay with the proper 670-15 format and match it to the wheel width range the tire manufacturer specifies.

Ford Customline tires in this size group are bias-ply tires in a numeric format, and a tube is required. That applies across the available 670-15 offerings shown here, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions. Tube use is part of the correct installation approach for this style of vintage tire.

When a Ford Customline is being refitted, the tire choice and the tube choice should be treated as part of the same job rather than separate decisions. It is also wise to inspect the wheel condition, valve hole area, and bead seat surfaces before mounting, since old wheels can create problems that are not obvious until the tire is installed.

A 1952 Ford Customline in this fitment group uses 670-15 on a 15-inch rim. Because the size stays the same across 1952 through 1955, the confirmation step is less about model year changes and more about making sure the actual wheels on the car still match the original-type diameter. The product range also includes different rim width recommendations, so wheel width should be checked as well.

Start with the wheel itself, then compare that measurement to the tire’s recommended rim width range before making a final choice. If the car has changed wheels over the decades, appearance alone can be misleading. A hands-on measurement and a review of any restoration paperwork usually settle the question quickly.

Ford Customline tires are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. The wide whitewall options vary noticeably in band width depending on the brand and series, while the narrow whitewall choices offer a more restrained mid-fifties look. Blackwalls are also available for owners who want a more utilitarian or understated presentation.

Sidewall style changes the character of a Ford Customline almost as much as wheel covers or paint trim. A carefully restored car may call for a whitewall width that suits its period appearance, while a regular driver may lean toward a simpler blackwall. Matching all four tires for width and style is more important than chasing a dramatic look on only one axle.

Ford Customline tires in 670-15 are available from Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, BFGoodrich, Excelsior, Goodyear, Avon, and STA. Those brands cover several classic bias-ply series, including period-style passenger car lines as well as one truck-oriented offering. The broad brand spread gives Ford Customline owners a useful range of appearance and series choices within the same size.

Brand choice on a Ford Customline usually comes down to the look you want, the series you prefer, and whether the car is being restored, shown, or driven regularly. Many owners narrow the decision by starting with sidewall style and then comparing the available series within that appearance category rather than choosing by brand name alone.

Ford Customline is offered with several distinct series, including Firestone Classic Bias Ply, US Royal Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, Universal Classic Bias Ply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Excelsior Bias Ply, Turbospeed Mk4, Super Cushion, Custom Super Cushion, Super Cushion Deluxe, and Super Transport. Most are traditional passenger-car bias-ply lines, while Super Transport is a truck-oriented series and Turbospeed Mk4 is a separate bias-ply design. The differences here are mainly in brand family, tread and styling presentation, and intended use emphasis rather than a change in basic tire size.

For a Ford Customline restoration, the series often helps determine whether the tire looks like a mainstream American passenger tire of the period or a more specialized alternative. Owners who value factory-era visual character usually stay with the classic passenger-car series, while utility-minded buyers may look more closely at the heavier-duty option only if the vehicle’s use truly calls for it.

A stored Ford Customline should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and large temperature swings. Bias-ply tires can flat-spot when a collector car sits for long periods, especially if the car remains fully loaded on one position for months. Clean floors, proper inflation, and protection from solvents or petroleum contamination all help preserve the tire casing.

If a Ford Customline will sit for an extended season, roll it occasionally or relieve some weight from the tires with proper support under the chassis. Keep the tubes and valve areas monitored as part of storage checks. Good storage habits matter as much as tread depth on a low-use collector car because age and environment often retire the tire before wear does.

Tires on a Ford Customline should be inspected before every meaningful drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals during the season. On a bias-ply collector tire, the important checks include air pressure, sidewall cracking, tread separation signs, uneven wear, impact damage, and any movement at the valve stem or tube area. A car that is driven infrequently still needs routine inspection because time and storage conditions affect vintage-style tires.

The practical routine is simple: walk around the Ford Customline before leaving, then perform a closer inspection whenever the car has been stored, transported, or driven on rough roads. Catching a small issue early is especially important with older suspension systems and lower annual mileage, where deterioration can hide behind otherwise good-looking tread.

Ford Customline tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, impact damage, casing irregularity, or any sign of separation appears, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector cars often age out tires long before they wear them out. A vintage-looking bias-ply tire can appear presentable while its rubber and internal structure have already moved beyond dependable road service.

That makes periodic age review just as important as checking tread depth on a Ford Customline. If the car sees regular road use, replacement decisions should be conservative rather than sentimental. Tires are one of the few restoration items that directly affect both drivability and the ability to enjoy the car with confidence.

Ford Customline uses 670-15 in this year group, and the available product families are all period-style bias-ply offerings rather than a single confirmed original-equipment tire line. Several classic passenger-car series are represented, including Firestone, US Royal, BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Universal, Coker Classic, and Excelsior. That means the tire size itself is the strongest starting point, while the exact brand and sidewall presentation should be matched to the individual car’s restoration goals.

Owners seeking the most exact restoration usually compare the car against original sales material, surviving photographs, and marque-club guidance to narrow the brand look and whitewall treatment. For many Ford Customline restorations, getting the correct 670-15 size and an era-appropriate bias-ply profile will matter more visually than chasing one nameplate without supporting evidence.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Ford Customline is judged, presented, and valued. On a 1950s American sedan, the proper numeric bias-ply size, correct overall profile, and suitable sidewall style all contribute to stance and authenticity. A tire that is visibly too modern, too wide, or styled for the wrong period can distract from otherwise strong restoration work.

For owners preparing a Ford Customline for show use, tire selection should be treated as part of the restoration plan rather than a final afterthought. Judges and experienced enthusiasts often notice sidewall treatment and profile immediately. Marque clubs and period photography remain the best references when deciding whether blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wider whitewall presentation suits a particular car.

Ford Customline restoration tires are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall forms. All three can make sense depending on the way the car was trimmed, presented, or restored, and the available wide whitewall options vary in width. Because the size stays consistent at 670-15, the sidewall treatment becomes one of the biggest visual choices in the finished restoration.

A Ford Customline aimed at factory-style authenticity should use a sidewall treatment that matches the car’s trim level, accessories, and period photographs rather than simply choosing the brightest option. Whitewall width changes the entire look of a mid-century Ford. Selecting the right sidewall can make the difference between a restoration that feels convincing and one that looks slightly out of era.

A properly installed, correctly sized 670-15 bias-ply tire can be suitable for public-road use on a Ford Customline when the rest of the car is equally roadworthy. That includes sound wheels, correct tube installation, proper inflation, and a suspension and brake system in good condition. Safety on a vintage Ford depends on the entire vehicle package, not the tire alone.

A Ford Customline on period-type bias-ply tires should still be driven with the expectations of a 1950s car rather than a modern sedan. Steering response, braking feel, and lane tracking differ from modern radial-equipped traffic. Leave room, avoid abrupt inputs, and make sure the car has been mechanically inspected before regular road use.

Before driving a Ford Customline, check tire pressure, sidewall condition, tread surface, visible wheel damage, and the area around each valve stem. Because these are bias-ply tires with tubes, pressure retention and valve condition matter just as much as tread appearance. It is also wise to make sure the spare is serviceable and matched to the car’s wheel diameter.

A short pre-drive routine pays off on a Ford Customline because collector cars often sit longer than modern daily drivers. Add a quick check of lug security, brake feel, and steering free play before heading into traffic. Vintage cars usually give warning signs if something is wrong, but only if the owner takes the time to look and feel for them.

A Ford Customline fitted with original-type 670-15 bias-ply tires should be driven at speeds that respect both the tire construction and the age of the vehicle’s steering, suspension, and braking systems. Bias-ply tires can perform well within their intended use, but they do not react like modern radials at sustained modern highway pace. Sensible speed is part of preserving both safety and mechanical sympathy.

In practical terms, a Ford Customline is happiest when driven smoothly and without pushing the chassis beyond what a mid-century family car was built to do. If the car is newly restored or recently returned to service, start with shorter runs and moderate speeds until handling, balance, and brake performance are fully sorted out.