Lincoln Premiere Tires

Lincoln Premiere fitments in this year range use four sizes: 800-15 and 820-15 for 1956-1957, 900-14 for part of 1958, and 950-14 for part of 1958 plus 1959-1960. The listed 800-15 and 820-15 products use 15-inch rims, the 900-14 products use 14-inch rims, and the 950-14 products also use 14-inch rims. That means the tire choice is tied not just to model year, but also to which wheel diameter and size grouping the specific car carries.

Start by checking the wheel diameter on the car, because that immediately separates the early 15-inch applications from the later 14-inch ones. Once wheel diameter is confirmed, compare the existing tire size, wheel width, and any original paperwork or restoration records so you can choose between the two sizes listed for 1956-1958 with confidence.

On a Lincoln Premiere, 800-15 is a traditional numeric bias-ply size. The 800 means an approximate 8.00-inch nominal section width, with the decimal omitted in the old sizing system, and the 15 means the tire fits a 15-inch wheel. The listed products for 800-15 are bias-ply tires for 15-inch rims and 6.00 to 6.50-inch wheel widths.

That makes 800-15 one of the earlier Lincoln Premiere sizes, used in 1956 and 1957. If your car currently wears a 15-inch wheel and carries this narrower of the two listed early sizes, 800-15 is the place to focus; if the car has a fuller stance or paperwork indicating the larger early fitment, compare it directly against 820-15 before making the final call.

The 1958 Lincoln Premiere has both 900-14 and 950-14 listed because more than one fitment was used within that model year. Both sizes share the same 14-inch rim diameter, so the split is not a wheel-diameter change within 1958; it is a size variation within the 14-inch group. The available product dimensions also show different wheel-width ranges, with 900-14 on 6.00 to 7.00-inch rims and 950-14 on 6.50 to 7.50-inch rims.

That means a 1958 Lincoln Premiere owner needs to identify the specific wheel and current size, not just the year badge, before choosing a tire. Check the wheel width, any surviving original-size markings, and restoration notes so you can determine whether the car belongs in the 900-14 or 950-14 fitment group.

Lincoln Premiere uses two rim diameters across this production run: 15-inch wheels in 1956-1957 and 14-inch wheels from 1958 through 1960. The early sizes, 800-15 and 820-15, both fit 15-inch rims, while the later sizes, 900-14 and 950-14, both fit 14-inch rims. The change happens in 1958, making wheel diameter the first specification to verify on any car in this model group.

If your Lincoln Premiere is a 1956 or 1957 car, stay within the 15-inch fitment family; if it is a 1959 or 1960 car, it belongs in the 14-inch family. A 1958 Lincoln Premiere needs an extra check because both listed sizes are 14-inch, so once wheel diameter is confirmed you still need to sort out which of the two 14-inch sizes your car uses.

The most reliable path is to identify the car by year first, then verify the wheel diameter, then compare the current tire size and wheel width. Lincoln Premiere uses 15-inch sizes in 1956-1957 and 14-inch sizes in 1958-1960, with two possible sizes in 1956, 1957, and 1958. That means year alone narrows the field, but it does not always finish the job.

Look at the sidewall of any existing tire, measure the wheel diameter directly, and compare the wheel width against the listed ranges where available. If the car is a restored example, original paperwork, judging manuals, and marque specialists can help determine whether the narrower or wider listed size is the more appropriate match for the specific configuration.

Lincoln Premiere tire offerings in these sizes include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions. The broadest variety appears in 820-15, where blackwall, narrow whitewall, and several wide whitewall treatments are available across multiple brands. The 900-14 and 950-14 options shown here are whitewall tires, with both narrower and wider bands represented.

Sidewall choice affects both period appearance and how closely the finished car matches a specific restoration goal. A preservation-minded owner should compare the whitewall width on the car against period photos, factory literature, or judged examples, while a driver may simply want the sidewall look that best complements the stance and trim of the Lincoln Premiere.

Lincoln Premiere tires in the listed sizes are available from Coker Classic, BFGoodrich, Firestone, US Royal, Universal Vintage Tire, and Avon. Brand choice varies by size, with the largest concentration in 820-15 and a more limited brand spread in the later 14-inch sizes. The product families also vary, from classic bias-ply lines to specialty performance-oriented bias-ply offerings in 820-15.

Brand selection should follow fitment first and appearance second. Once you have confirmed the correct size and wheel diameter for your Lincoln Premiere, compare the available brands by sidewall style, tread family, and the overall look you want for touring, show presentation, or a more specialized period-style build.

Lincoln Premiere products here include several series names: Coker Classic Bias Ply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, US Royal Classic Bias Ply, Universal Classic Bias Ply, Turbospeed Mk4, Dirt Track, and Dragster Cheater. Most are traditional bias-ply street tires aimed at period-correct road use, while Turbospeed Mk4 is a distinct vintage-style bias-ply line and the Dirt Track and Dragster Cheater products are specialty competition-oriented bias-ply tires. Those differences matter because the intended use changes even when the nominal size remains the same.

A restored roadgoing Lincoln Premiere will usually point you toward one of the classic bias-ply street series rather than a racing series. Specialty lines can share the same size code but have very different tread design, rim-width compatibility, and visual character, so it is wise to separate show-and-road restoration goals from hot rod or competition-inspired plans before choosing among them.

A Lincoln Premiere should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment. Tire pressure should be checked before storage and maintained at a level appropriate to the tire and the car’s weight so the sidewalls are not left underinflated. Clean floors and stable temperatures also help preserve both rubber and whitewall appearance.

Because Lincoln Premiere is a large, heavy collector car, long periods of standing in one position can create flat spotting and unnecessary stress on the casing. Rolling the car periodically, using tire cradles, or placing the car on properly positioned stands for longer storage intervals can help protect the tires and keep the car ready for smoother return-to-road use.

Tires on a Lincoln Premiere should be inspected before every drive and more thoroughly several times a year, even if the car covers very little mileage. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, impact damage, irregular wear, air loss, and signs of age around the bead and shoulder. Whitewall tires also deserve close cosmetic inspection because discoloration or surface changes can sometimes draw attention to deeper issues.

Collector cars often age out their tires long before they wear them out, and a large luxury car like the Lincoln Premiere places meaningful load on each corner. Regular inspection helps catch problems early and is especially important after winter storage, before long drives, and any time the car’s ride, steering feel, or braking behavior changes.

Tires on a Lincoln Premiere should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, casing damage, or repeated air-loss issues appear, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector-car tires can retain plenty of visual tread while becoming less trustworthy because time, storage conditions, and heat cycles affect the rubber and structure. Tread depth alone is not a complete measure of serviceability on a low-use classic.

If the car has been sitting for years, has unknown tire age, or shows vibration and flat spotting that do not improve with use, replacement should move to the front of the list. This is particularly important on a heavy Lincoln Premiere, where old tires may still look presentable but no longer offer the stability and consistency you want on the road.

Lincoln Premiere used more than one size across its 1956-1960 run, so there is no single original tire specification that covers every year. The listed fitments show 800-15 and 820-15 in 1956-1957, 900-14 in part of 1958, and 950-14 from part of 1958 through 1960, all represented here as bias-ply offerings. That reflects the model’s change in wheel and tire practice over time rather than one fixed setup.

For restoration work, the right original-style tire is the one that matches the exact year, wheel diameter, and intended presentation of the individual car. Factory literature, build records, marque clubs, and period photographs are the best way to settle whether a specific Lincoln Premiere should wear the narrower or wider listed option in years where more than one size appears.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Lincoln Premiere is judged and how seriously a restoration is taken. Size, wheel diameter, sidewall treatment, and overall stance all influence whether the car looks authentically finished for its year. On a high-style 1950s or 1960 Lincoln, tire profile and whitewall width can be visually prominent enough to help or hurt the presentation.

A Lincoln Premiere restored for concours or marque-club judging should have its tire choice aligned with the car’s year and period appearance, not simply whichever size happens to mount. Even for a driver-quality car, using the right diameter and an era-appropriate sidewall style tends to support both value perception and the car’s overall historical credibility.

Lincoln Premiere tires in these sizes are available as blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall depending on size and brand. The strongest variety appears in 820-15, while the later 14-inch options shown here center on whitewall treatments. That gives restorers a useful range of appearance choices within the correct period style family for a full-size luxury American car of this era.

The correct sidewall style for a Lincoln Premiere restoration depends on the exact year, trim presentation, and the visual goal of the build. If originality matters, compare surviving factory photography, brochures, and judged cars to determine whether a narrower or wider whitewall is appropriate, because that choice can change the character of the car almost as much as the wheel cover design.

A properly fitted, properly maintained tire of the correct size can be suitable for public-road use on a Lincoln Premiere, but suitability depends on condition, age, inflation, wheel condition, alignment, and how the car is driven. The listed offerings for this model group are bias-ply tires, which deliver an authentic feel but behave differently from modern radial tires in ride, tracking, and response. The car itself is also a large, heavy machine that asks a lot from its tires.

Road use should begin with a careful inspection of the tires, wheels, suspension, and braking system rather than focusing on tread alone. Once the Lincoln Premiere is sorted mechanically, keep speeds moderate, leave generous stopping distance, and remember that period-style tires reward smooth inputs more than abrupt steering, braking, or lane changes.

Before driving a Lincoln Premiere, check tire pressure, visible condition, valve stems, wheel attachment, and whether the tires show cracks, bulges, or unusual wear. On a collector car, it is also wise to inspect fluid levels, brakes, steering play, and suspension condition before a longer outing. Because the Lincoln Premiere changed wheel diameters during production, confirming that the fitted tires actually match the wheel size is also worthwhile.

A quick walkaround catches many of the issues that sideline low-use classics. If the car has been stored for months, drive the first few miles gently and pay attention to vibration, pull, brake feel, and steering response, since those early signals can tell you whether the tires and chassis are ready for regular road duty.

A Lincoln Premiere on period-style bias-ply tires should be driven at sensible, moderate speeds that respect both the car’s age and the handling character of bias-ply construction. Even when the tires are fresh, these cars do not respond like modern vehicles on modern radials, especially in crosswinds, hard braking, and quick lane changes. Straight-line cruising can feel comfortable, but smoothness matters more than outright pace.

The right approach is to build speed gradually, avoid sustained high-speed running unless the entire car has been thoroughly sorted, and leave a wider safety margin than you would in a late-model vehicle. If the Lincoln Premiere is newly restored or newly returned to service, treat the first drives as evaluation runs and let the car tell you how confident it feels before asking more of it.