Lincoln EH Tires

Lincoln EH uses two tire sizes across the 1949 to 1951 production run. The listed fitments are 820-15 for 1949, 800-15 for 1950, and 820-15 again for 1951. Both sizes are built for 15-inch wheels, and the available standard fitment products are generally matched to 6.00 to 6.50-inch rim widths. All listed road-oriented fitments in these sizes are bias-ply tires.

The practical takeaway is that year matters more than wheel diameter on Lincoln EH, because the rim size stays the same while the tire size changes. Start by confirming whether the car is a 1949, 1950, or 1951 Lincoln EH, then match the tire size accordingly. After that, compare sidewall style, brand, and tire series to suit the car’s restoration character and intended use.

On a Lincoln EH, 820-15 is an older numeric bias-ply size code. The 820 portion represents a nominal 8.20-inch section width, with the decimal omitted in period fashion, and the 15 indicates the wheel diameter in inches. For Lincoln EH, this size appears in 1949 and 1951 and is offered in several bias-ply series and sidewall treatments on 15-inch rims.

That older numbering system can look unfamiliar if you are used to modern metric radials, but it is straightforward once decoded. When selecting 820-15 for a Lincoln EH, pay attention not just to the size itself but also to the intended presentation of the car. Blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options can all change the appearance substantially while keeping the correct nominal fitment.

Lincoln EH uses 15-inch rims throughout the 1949 to 1951 range covered here. Both listed tire sizes, 820-15 and 800-15, are 15-inch fitments, and the standard road-use products commonly specify rim widths in the 6.00 to 6.50-inch range. The year-to-year change on Lincoln EH is the tire size itself rather than a switch to a different wheel diameter.

That means a buyer should focus first on matching the correct year to the correct size, then confirming the wheel on the actual car has not been changed during restoration or long-term ownership. Collector cars are often updated, swapped, or rebuilt over time, so it is worth checking the wheel stamping or measuring the rim before finalizing a tire choice for a Lincoln EH.

Lincoln EH fitments listed here are numeric bias-ply tires, and a tube is required. That applies to both 820-15 and 800-15 in the standard bias-ply offerings shown for this model. The sizing, construction style, and period-correct fitment approach all align with tube-type collector tires rather than modern tubeless radial practice.

For a restored or maintained Lincoln EH, tube choice should match the tire size and wheel condition. It is also important to inspect the wheel carefully, because an older rim with corrosion, pitting, or damage can create trouble even when the tire size is correct. Proper tube installation and flap use, where applicable to the wheel and tire setup, are part of a sound vintage fitment.

A 1950 Lincoln EH uses 800-15, while 1949 and 1951 Lincoln EH models use 820-15. Both sizes fit 15-inch wheels, so the difference is not in rim diameter but in the year-specific tire size assigned to the car. The 1950 fitment is narrower on paper than the 820-15 size used in the surrounding years.

The best approach is to verify the car’s actual model year from its identification information and compare that with the wheel and any surviving original references that came with the car. If the Lincoln EH has been restored or modified in the past, do not assume the tires already on it are the right benchmark. Treat the year as the starting point, then confirm the wheel and overall stance you want.

Lincoln EH tires are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles within the listed products. The 820-15 size has the broadest range, including blackwall, 1.00-inch whitewall, and several wide whitewall treatments. The 800-15 size is offered here in wide whitewall form, with 2.50-inch and 3.00-inch whitewall options.

Sidewall choice affects the character of a Lincoln EH as much as the tire size itself. A blackwall gives a restrained look, while narrow and wide whitewalls push the appearance in a more formal postwar direction. For a restoration-minded owner, the right choice usually comes from period photos, surviving original paperwork, or the visual theme of the individual car rather than from size alone.

Lincoln EH tires in the listed sizes come from BFGoodrich, Firestone, US Royal, Universal Vintage Tire, Avon, and Coker Classic. Most of the 820-15 fitments are spread across BFGoodrich, Firestone, US Royal, Universal Vintage Tire, and Avon, while the 800-15 fitments shown here are from Coker Classic. All of the standard road-going options listed are bias-ply collector tires.

Brand choice on a Lincoln EH usually comes down to restoration preference, sidewall style, and the specific series appearance you want. Some owners prioritize a familiar vintage name on the sidewall, while others focus on matching the visual proportion of the whitewall to the car. Once the correct year and size are established, the brand comparison becomes much easier and more meaningful.

Lincoln EH tires appear here in several distinct series, including Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, US Royal Classic Bias Ply, Universal Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, Turbospeed Mk4, Dirt Track, and Dragster Cheater. The classic bias-ply series are the closest match to a conventional period road-car presentation, while Turbospeed Mk4 is a separate vintage-style bias-ply offering. Dirt Track and Dragster Cheater are specialized performance and racing-oriented series rather than ordinary collector road fitments.

For most Lincoln EH owners, the decision will center on the classic bias-ply families because they suit the car’s original era and visual proportions. The racing-oriented series make sense only for a very specific build direction and should not be chosen simply because they share the same basic size. Looking at sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, and the intended use of the car will narrow the correct series quickly.

A Lincoln EH should be stored in a cool, dry, dark environment with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and large temperature swings. Clean concrete is better than damp ground, and tire pressure should be maintained so the sidewalls are not left carrying the car while underinflated. Because Lincoln EH uses bias-ply collector tires, long periods in one position can encourage flat spotting.

If the car will sit for months at a time, move it periodically or support it in a way that reduces continuous load on the same contact patch. Storage habits matter as much as mileage on a collector Lincoln EH, especially when the car is driven infrequently. Proper storage helps preserve sidewall appearance, casing shape, and overall ride quality when the car goes back on the road.

Tires on a Lincoln EH should be inspected before every meaningful drive and given a more thorough check several times during the season, even if tread wear is minimal. Look for cracking, bulges, irregular wear, cuts, air loss, and signs that the tube or bead area may be creating trouble. On a low-mileage collector car, age and storage history often matter more than miles traveled.

A careful inspection routine is especially important on a heavier postwar luxury car like Lincoln EH, where tire condition has a direct effect on ride stability and braking feel. Include the spare in the same schedule, because it may be just as old as the road tires. If anything looks questionable, a specialist familiar with vintage bias-ply tires should evaluate the set before further driving.

A Lincoln EH tire should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, deformation, 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 see occasional use and long storage periods. Tread depth alone is not a reliable measure of remaining service life on an older bias-ply tire.

The practical rule for a Lincoln EH is to judge the entire condition of the casing, sidewall, and running surface rather than waiting for obvious tread wear. If the car has sat for years, the tires deserve a close professional inspection before returning to regular road use. Replacement decisions should be conservative, because the consequences of running an aged collector tire are greater than the cost of preserving the car properly.

Lincoln EH is listed here with 820-15 in 1949, 800-15 in 1950, and 820-15 again in 1951, all on 15-inch rims. The available replacement tires are bias-ply products, and the listed series include several classic bias-ply families along with a few specialty offerings in the 820-15 size. That year-by-year size pattern is the most reliable starting point when recreating an original-style appearance.

For a truly accurate restoration, size is only the first layer of the decision. Whitewall width, brand preference, and the visual profile of the tire can all influence how authentic a Lincoln EH looks when finished. Original owner literature, factory material, period photos, and marque-club guidance remain the best references when two era-appropriate options both appear plausible.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Lincoln EH is judged and how seriously the restoration is taken. Size, sidewall treatment, and overall period appearance all contribute to whether the car looks coherent for its year. A Lincoln EH wearing a visibly incorrect width or an anachronistic sidewall style can stand out immediately to knowledgeable judges and collectors.

That does not mean every Lincoln EH must wear the exact same visual treatment, but the choice should make historical sense for the car and its year. If the car is intended for concours or marque judging, consult club standards and original reference material before choosing between blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wider whitewall presentations. Good tire fitment supports both authenticity and the car’s finished stance.

Lincoln EH tires are offered here in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles, depending on size and series. In the 820-15 fitment especially, there is a broad spread from blackwall to 1.00-inch whitewall and several wider whitewall treatments. The 800-15 fitment shown for 1950 is represented by wide whitewall options.

The correct sidewall style for a Lincoln EH restoration depends on the specific visual direction of the car and the year being recreated. Postwar luxury cars often look dramatically different depending on whitewall width, so period photography is especially helpful here. If authenticity is the goal, use the car’s year and restoration standard to guide the choice rather than picking a whitewall width purely by taste.

A Lincoln EH can be driven on public roads with properly selected, correctly installed, and well-maintained collector tires that match the car’s listed size and wheel. The road-oriented options here are bias-ply designs, so they should be judged by vintage-car standards rather than by the behavior of a modern radial. Condition, age, inflation, alignment, and wheel integrity all matter at least as much as the name on the sidewall.

For practical use, a Lincoln EH owner should expect traditional bias-ply manners, including a different steering feel and road response than a modern car. Before any regular road driving, inspect the tires and wheels carefully and make sure the car’s suspension and braking systems are also up to the task. A sound tire choice is only one part of making a postwar luxury car roadworthy.

Before driving a Lincoln EH, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stem area, and any signs of air loss or casing distortion. Confirm that the tires are the correct listed size for the model year, that the 15-inch rims are in suitable condition, and that any tube-type components have been fitted properly. A quick visual walkaround should also include checking for uneven stance that may suggest low pressure or a structural issue.

A collector Lincoln EH benefits from a more deliberate pre-drive routine than a modern daily driver. If the car has been parked for an extended period, roll it slowly at first and pay attention to vibration, pull, or thumping that could indicate flat spotting or deeper tire trouble. Those simple checks can prevent damage to both the car and the tires before a short drive becomes a roadside problem.

A Lincoln EH on period-style bias-ply tires should be driven at sensible, moderate speeds that respect both the age of the car and the behavior of vintage tire construction. Even when the tires are new collector reproductions, they do not transform a postwar luxury car into a modern high-speed cruiser. Steering response, braking distance, and heat buildup all deserve more caution than they would in a current vehicle.

The right approach is to let the mechanical condition of the entire Lincoln EH set the pace, with the tires treated as part of that larger system. Smooth inputs, conservative cruising, and extra following distance are wise habits. If the car is newly restored, newly acquired, or fitted with older tires of uncertain age, keep speeds especially restrained until the whole combination has been thoroughly evaluated.