Imperial Imperial Tires

Imperial Imperial uses one tire size across the years covered here: 950-14 for 1957, 1958, and 1959. The available tires for that size are built for a 14-inch rim and list an approved rim width range of 6.50 to 7.50 inches. Both listed products are bias-ply tires in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, with a choice of narrow whitewall or wide whitewall sidewall styling.

That single-size consistency makes selection more straightforward than on many collector cars, but wheel verification still matters. A car that has been changed over the decades may have replacement wheels, so it is worth checking the actual wheel diameter and width before settling on a tire. Once those measurements match, the remaining decision is mainly whether the restoration calls for the narrower or wider whitewall appearance.

The 950-14 code is a traditional numeric bias-ply size. The 950 portion represents a nominal 9.50-inch section width, while the 14 identifies the rim diameter in inches. On Imperial Imperial, the products offered in this size are bias-ply tires intended for 14-inch wheels, and the listed rim width range is 6.50 to 7.50 inches.

That size format looks simple, but it reflects an older tire-sizing system rather than a modern metric radial code. For a late-1950s luxury car like Imperial Imperial, the number tells you the tire’s basic physical class and wheel fitment rather than a detailed aspect ratio. If the goal is proper period appearance and the handling character expected from the era, this original-style numeric bias-ply format is the place to start.

Imperial Imperial uses a 14-inch rim throughout the 1957 to 1959 fitment range shown here. The available 950-14 tires are built for that wheel diameter and specify a rim width range of 6.50 to 7.50 inches. There is no rim diameter change within these years, which simplifies year-to-year selection.

Even with that consistency, it is smart to measure the wheel on the car rather than relying on assumption alone. Collector cars often pass through multiple owners, and wheel swaps for appearance or convenience are not unusual. If the car still has 14-inch wheels within the listed width range, then fitment becomes much more straightforward and you can focus on sidewall appearance and period-correct construction.

The available Imperial Imperial products are bias-ply tires in a traditional numeric size format, and a tube is required. That fits the period character of a 1957 to 1959 Imperial Imperial and aligns with the construction type offered here. Tube use is part of the overall fitment, not an afterthought, and should be considered when planning a tire change on the car.

Inner tubes should be matched correctly to the tire size and installed only on wheels that are in suitable condition for tube-type service. Before fitting fresh tires, inspect the rim thoroughly for rust scale, rough edges, or distortion that could damage the tube during use. On a heavy luxury car such as Imperial Imperial, careful tube and rim preparation contributes as much to reliable service as the tire choice itself.

A 1957 Imperial Imperial uses the same listed tire size as the rest of this fitment group: 950-14. The products offered for that size are built around a 14-inch rim and suit wheel widths from 6.50 to 7.50 inches. For this model year, the main fitment question is not a year split but whether the car still carries wheels that match those dimensions.

Start by reading the tire size already on the car, then confirm the wheel diameter directly at the rim rather than depending on old paperwork or memory. If the car is under restoration, compare the wheel against factory literature or marque knowledge to make sure a later wheel change has not been introduced. Once the wheel checks out, choosing the correct tire becomes a matter of preserving the intended look and driving feel.

Imperial Imperial tires in the listed 950-14 size are available with two sidewall styles: a 1.00-inch whitewall and a 2.50-inch whitewall. Both are BFGoodrich bias-ply tires in the same Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, so the primary visible difference is the width of the white sidewall band. That gives restorers a choice between a more restrained presentation and a fuller late-1950s whitewall look.

Sidewall style has a major effect on how a luxury car from this era sits visually, especially on a model as design-conscious as Imperial Imperial. If the car is being restored for period-correct presentation, compare the chosen whitewall width against photographs, surviving original cars, and marque-specific references. The tire size remains the same either way, but the sidewall treatment can change the whole personality of the finished car.

BFGoodrich is the brand represented for Imperial Imperial in the listed 950-14 size. The available tires are both in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series and share the same basic size, load rating, and rim fitment. The difference between them is sidewall styling rather than brand or construction type.

Because the brand choice is focused here, the real buying decision shifts to how you intend to present and use the car. A touring-oriented driver may prioritize consistency and period-style behavior, while a concours-minded owner may spend more time evaluating which whitewall width best matches the car’s original appearance. With Imperial Imperial, getting the visual proportion right is often just as important as matching the numerical size.

Imperial Imperial is represented here by one tire series: Silvertown Classic Bias Ply in size 950-14. Both available products share that same series and bias-ply construction, with identical listed load capacity of 2000 pounds at 32 psi and the same 14-inch rim diameter. The distinction within the series is the sidewall style, not a change in casing design or overall fitment class.

That means the choice is less about technology and more about presentation and restoration intent. Owners who want the look and road feel associated with a late-1950s American luxury car will generally remain within this style of bias-ply tire. After confirming the wheel size and width, the practical next step is deciding which whitewall width best suits the particular Imperial Imperial being restored or maintained.

Imperial Imperial should be stored on a clean, dry surface away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, and sources of ozone that can age rubber prematurely. Keep the tires properly inflated and avoid letting the full weight of the car sit in one position for long periods without movement. Bias-ply tires on large collector cars are especially prone to developing temporary flat spotting when left standing for extended stretches.

A good routine is to roll the car occasionally, keep it out of sustained heat, and use a storage environment with stable temperatures. If the car will sit for a season, many owners also reduce localized stress by moving it slightly every few weeks rather than leaving the contact patch fixed. Those simple habits help preserve both the tire shape and the visual finish of whitewall sidewalls.

Tires on an Imperial Imperial should be given a visual inspection before each drive and a more thorough inspection at regular intervals even if the car sees only occasional use. On a heavy late-1950s luxury car with bias-ply tires, look for cracking, sidewall scuffing, embedded debris, uneven wear, and any sign of tube-related air loss. Whitewall surfaces also benefit from inspection because cosmetic deterioration can appear before structural problems become obvious.

Collector cars often age their tires by time rather than mileage, so a tire that looks lightly used can still deserve close scrutiny. Include the valve stems, wheel condition, and inflation pressure in the inspection routine, not just the tread. Building that habit before every outing is one of the simplest ways to avoid discovering a preventable problem after the car is already on the road.

Tires on an Imperial Imperial should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, sidewall damage, repeated air loss, or casing irregularities appear, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector-car tires often age out long before they wear out, especially when the car is driven only occasionally. Bias-ply construction and tube-type service also make it important to assess the whole assembly rather than judging condition by tread alone.

Replacement decisions should be guided by age, storage history, and physical inspection rather than mileage totals. If the car has spent years parked, the tires may no longer be suitable for regular road use even if they still present well at a glance. For a substantial car like Imperial Imperial, replacing aged tires before visible failure is a sensible part of preserving both the vehicle and the driving experience.

Imperial Imperial in the 1957 to 1959 fitment range is represented here by the 950-14 size, with available replacements in BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply construction. That establishes the original-style size and construction approach for this page, but sidewall appearance can still vary within the available offerings. The listed choices include both a narrow whitewall and a wider 2.50-inch whitewall treatment.

For a specific restoration, the exact visual treatment should be checked against period photographs, factory literature, and marque expertise for the particular car. Luxury cars from this era often relied heavily on whitewall presentation as part of their design statement. Getting the size right is essential, but matching the sidewall style to the car’s original character is what completes an authentic restoration.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how an Imperial Imperial is judged and how seriously a restoration is taken. Judges and knowledgeable buyers notice whether the tire size, construction type, and whitewall treatment suit the period and the car’s intended presentation. A proper 950-14 bias-ply tire supports the right stance and visual balance in a way that an incorrect substitute often does not.

That does not mean every car needs the same cosmetic choice, but it does mean the tire should match the restoration goal. A preservation car, concours build, and driver-quality restoration may each justify a slightly different emphasis within the same correct size family. Marque clubs and period reference material remain the best places to settle fine points when appearance and judging matter.

Imperial Imperial tires in the listed 950-14 size are available with a 1.00-inch whitewall and a 2.50-inch whitewall. Both are period-appropriate styles for a late-1950s American luxury car context, but they create very different visual effects on the car. The narrower whitewall reads a bit more restrained, while the wider version gives a more dramatic and era-forward luxury appearance.

The correct choice depends on how the specific Imperial Imperial is being restored and what reference point you are following. Original photography, showroom literature, and marque-club guidance are useful for deciding which whitewall width best matches the car’s intended presentation. Since both options keep the same size and construction, the decision is about authenticity of appearance rather than basic wheel fitment.

A correctly fitted, properly maintained bias-ply tire in the listed 950-14 size can be suitable for public-road use on an Imperial Imperial, provided the whole car is mechanically sound and the wheels are correct. The available tires carry a listed load capacity of 2000 pounds at 32 psi and are intended for 14-inch rims within the specified width range. Safe use depends on the complete condition of the tire, tube, wheel, suspension, and braking system rather than the tire alone.

Road use on a large collector car should always begin with a realistic assessment of how the car is actually used. Bias-ply tires will not feel like modern radials, and the driver should expect period-style response, tracking, and ride behavior. A careful shakedown at moderate speeds after installation is wise before taking the car on longer or faster trips.

Before driving an Imperial Imperial, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, valve stems, wheel security, and any signs of uneven wear or impact damage. On a tube-type bias-ply setup, you should also be alert for slow leaks or changes in how the car sits after being parked. Because Imperial Imperial is a substantial luxury car, proper inflation and sound wheel condition are especially important to how safely and smoothly it travels.

A short pre-drive inspection should be paired with a broader mechanical review if the car has been sitting. Brakes, steering play, suspension condition, and wheel bearing health all influence how well the tire can do its job. Many collector-car problems show themselves only once the car is moving, so a cautious first few miles after storage are always time well spent.

An Imperial Imperial on original-style 950-14 bias-ply tires should be driven with the expectations appropriate to a late-1950s collector car, not as though it were on modern performance radials. Even when new, bias-ply tires delivered a different feel in cornering, braking, and straight-line tracking than modern tire designs. Appropriate speed depends on road conditions, tire age, inflation, load, and the overall mechanical state of the car.

For most owners, the practical approach is to drive at moderate, conservative speeds that respect the age and design of both the tire and the automobile. Higher-speed touring should be reserved for cars whose tires, tubes, wheels, and chassis have all been carefully inspected and proven in use. The best test is not what the car can briefly do, but what it can do confidently and consistently.