Imperial All Models Tires

Imperial All Models use five size codes across the 1963 through 1974 span: 820-15 for 1963-1964, 9.15-15 for 1967-1970, L78-15 for 1970, L84-15 for 1971-1973, and LR78-15 for 1973-1974. Every listed size in this group uses a 15-inch rim, but the sizing language changes from numeric bias-ply to alphanumeric bias-ply and then to a radial-designated alphanumeric size.

The practical takeaway is that year alone may not be enough for crossover years like 1970 and 1973. Check the tire size already on the car, verify the wheel diameter is 15 inches, and compare the car’s intended use with the available construction type so the replacement fits both the wheel and the character of the car.

On Imperial All Models, 820-15 is an older numeric bias-ply size used for 1963 and 1964. The 820 portion represents a nominal section width of about 8.20 inches, and the 15 indicates the tire fits a 15-inch wheel. Available products in this size are bias-ply tires and come in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall variations.

That size should be chosen for early-sixties Imperial All Models that still use the original numeric fitment style and period look. Because the available products in this size are bias-ply, tube-type service is appropriate, and buyers restoring appearance should pay close attention to sidewall width since it can change the visual stance of a formal luxury car.

A 1970 Imperial All Models can show both 9.15-15 and L78-15 because that model year sits at a transition point between older numeric bias-ply sizing and the later alphanumeric bias-ply system. Both sizes fit 15-inch rims, so the difference is not a wheel diameter split. The change is in how the tire was classified and labeled during the period.

That means a 1970 owner should identify the car’s actual configuration and existing wheel-and-tire setup before selecting a replacement. Original paperwork, surviving tires, and marque-specific restoration references can help determine which notation belongs on the car, especially if originality matters for appearance, judging, or historical accuracy.

Imperial All Models sizes listed here in 820-15, 9.15-15, L78-15, and L84-15 are bias-ply formats, and those fitments should be treated as tube-required applications. The available products in 820-15 and L78-15 are bias-ply constructions, while LR78-15 is a radial-designated option with a bias-look radial construction. Tube use is tied to the construction style and wheel arrangement rather than the car’s name alone.

When fitting bias-ply tires to Imperial All Models, match the tube and flap requirements to the wheel and tire being used rather than assuming one setup fits every year. If the car is moving from an earlier bias-ply fitment to a later radial-style size, inspect the wheels carefully so the mounting hardware and wheel condition suit the intended tire.

A 1973 Imperial All Models can be listed with either L84-15 or LR78-15, which makes it one of the key crossover years in the range. L84-15 is an alphanumeric bias-ply size, while LR78-15 is an alphanumeric radial-designated size, and both use 15-inch rims. The difference is construction era and size language, not wheel diameter.

Start with the wheel and the existing tire size on the car, then compare that with original service records, build references, or marque-club guidance. That approach is more reliable than choosing by year alone, especially on a collector car that may have been changed over the decades for ride preference, restoration style, or maintenance convenience.

Imperial All Models tires in the available product range include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and dual-white-stripe sidewall styles. The broadest sidewall variety appears in 820-15 and L78-15, where several whitewall widths are offered alongside blackwall options. LR78-15 is represented by a narrow whitewall radial-style tire.

Sidewall choice has a strong effect on how an Imperial presents, especially on cars from the early and middle part of this range where whitewalls were a major styling element. Owners pursuing a restoration should match the sidewall treatment to the era of the car and the look they are trying to preserve, rather than choosing by size alone.

The available Imperial All Models tire listings include BFGoodrich, Firestone, US Royal, Universal Vintage Tire, Avon, Coker Classic, and STA. Those brands appear across the currently listed 820-15, L78-15, and LR78-15 product groups. The mix includes classic bias-ply offerings, specialty performance-style products, truck-duty patterns, and a later bias-look radial.

Brand choice should follow the car’s intended use and the visual result you want. A factory-style restoration, a driver-quality luxury cruiser, and a more specialized build can all point toward different brands or series, even when the nominal tire size is correct for Imperial All Models.

Imperial All Models products appear in several distinct series, including Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, US Royal Classic Bias Ply, Universal Classic Bias Ply, Turbospeed Mk4, Coker Classic Bias Ply, Super Traxion, Transport Highway, Dirt Track, Dragster Cheater, and Wide Oval Radial. Some are period-style passenger-car bias-ply tires, some are specialty performance or competition-oriented designs, some are truck-duty patterns, and the Wide Oval Radial is a bias-look radial construction.

That spread matters because the correct tire for a restored Imperial sedan is not necessarily the right one for a custom, exhibition, or specialty-use car. Narrow the field first by the proper size code for the year, then by construction style, and finally by sidewall treatment and series character so the tire matches the car’s purpose.

An Imperial All Models should be stored on a clean, dry surface away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and large swings in temperature. Keep the tires inflated to a stable pressure appropriate to the tire and avoid letting the car sit for long periods with excessive load concentrated on one contact patch. A large luxury car places meaningful weight on its tires even when parked.

If the car will sit for months, roll it periodically or use well-positioned supports that reduce flat-spotting while respecting suspension geometry. Tire covers, a cool enclosed garage, and routine visual checks for cracking, bulging, or weathering go a long way toward preserving both bias-ply and radial-style collector tires on Imperial All Models.

Tires on an Imperial All Models should be inspected before every meaningful drive and more thoroughly several times a year, even if the car sees limited mileage. Check inflation, tread condition, sidewall cracking, bead area condition, and any signs of impact damage or separation. On a collector car, age and storage history can matter more than tread wear.

A pre-drive inspection is especially important on a heavy luxury car because small issues can become more noticeable once the full vehicle weight is in motion. Include the spare, and if the car uses bias-ply tires, pay attention to irregular wear patterns or steering feel changes that may suggest alignment, suspension, or inflation issues.

Imperial All Models tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, bulges, vibration, repeated air loss, or structural concerns appear, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector tires often age out before they wear out, particularly on cars that spend more time parked than driven. Visual appearance alone is not enough to judge the condition of an older tire.

Owners should think in terms of condition, age, and use pattern rather than waiting for the tread to look worn. If an Imperial All Models has sat for years, or if a tire’s age is uncertain, a careful inspection by a professional familiar with collector tires is a sensible step before putting the car back into regular road use.

Imperial All Models were fitted across this period with several size conventions rather than one single specification. The year range includes 820-15, 9.15-15, L78-15, L84-15, and LR78-15, and the available product family includes classic bias-ply series plus a later bias-look radial option for the radial-designated years. That tells you the original fitment story changed as the car moved through the 1960s and into the 1970s.

For a precise restoration, match the year first and then verify the car against period owner literature, surviving original tires, or Imperial-focused club references. That is especially helpful for transition years such as 1970 and 1973, where more than one size notation appears and authenticity may depend on the exact configuration of the car.

Correct tire fitment can affect both the judged presentation and the perceived value of an Imperial All Models because tire size, construction style, and sidewall treatment all shape how authentic the car appears. A full-size luxury car from this period carries a very specific visual stance, and the wrong whitewall width or an incorrect era of tire marking can stand out immediately.

For owners preparing a concours-level restoration, the goal is to match the car’s year and presentation as closely as possible rather than simply finding a tire that mounts on the wheel. Marque clubs, period brochures, and restoration judges’ standards are the best references when deciding between blackwall, whitewall widths, and bias-ply versus later radial-style presentation.

Imperial All Models restoration tires are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and dual-white-stripe styles within the listed product range. Earlier and more formal luxury-car presentations in this era often align visually with whitewall treatments, while later cars can also suit narrower stripe formats depending on the year and desired appearance. The correct answer depends on the specific year and how faithfully the restoration follows period presentation.

Choosing sidewall style should be treated as a restoration decision, not just a cosmetic afterthought. Compare the car to period photos, factory literature, and surviving original examples, because an Imperial’s presence is heavily influenced by the amount of white sidewall visible around the wheel opening.

Imperial All Models can be driven on public roads when the tires are the correct size for the year, are in sound condition, and are matched to a car whose wheels, brakes, suspension, and steering are also in proper order. The listed range includes traditional bias-ply tires as well as a later bias-look radial option in LR78-15. Construction type influences how the car responds, especially on a heavy American luxury platform.

Road safety depends on the whole package, not the tire alone. Before regular driving, confirm that all four tires match in size and type, inspect age-related deterioration, and be realistic about the handling and braking behavior of a large collector car that may still be running period-style tire construction.

Before driving an Imperial All Models, inspect tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread integrity, valve stems, wheel condition, and whether all four tires match in size and construction. On crossover years, also confirm that the tire size fitted to the car matches the intended year-specific specification, especially where 1970 and 1973 can fall between two size formats.

A short visual walkaround catches many collector-car tire issues before they become road problems. If the car has been stored for an extended time, add a careful low-speed shakedown for vibration, pull, or thumping, since those symptoms can point to flat spotting, aging, or internal damage that is not obvious at rest.

A Imperial All Models on period-style bias-ply tires should be driven at moderate speeds consistent with the age of the car, the condition of the tires, and the capabilities of the suspension and brakes. Even when the car was a premium highway machine in its day, a restored collector example on older-style construction should not be treated like a modern sedan. Radial-style fitments can improve drivability, but they do not erase the limits of a vintage chassis.

The sensible approach is to build speed gradually and judge the car by stability, steering feel, braking confidence, and tire condition rather than by what the engine will do. Long interstate runs at modern traffic pace deserve extra care on Imperial All Models, particularly when the car remains on bias-ply construction for originality.