Plymouth P19 Tires
The Plymouth P19 belongs to Plymouth’s immediate postwar period, when practical American family cars were being refined for everyday use while still retaining many traditional engineering cues. Produced for 1950, Plymouth P19 models sit in a transitional era where styling became more modern, but tire selection still followed the bias-ply conventions of the day. Tire choice is less complicated here than on earlier multi-year platforms, but it still matters because period-correct construction, sidewall appearance, and proper 15-inch wheel fit all affect how the car looks and drives. Before choosing a tire, confirm that your Plymouth P19 still carries the correct 15-inch wheels and compare the tire size on the car against the original-size listing.
Plymouth P19 Tire Size Guide
Plymouth P19 models in this year group use one tire size: 640-15. This is a numeric bias-ply size, where 640 indicates the nominal section width in the older inch-based system, and the 15 identifies a 15-inch rim. Available products in this size use a 15-inch rim diameter, with listed rim width ranges including 4.00 to 4.50 inches and 4.50 to 5.00 inches depending on the tire. Multiple bias-ply choices are offered from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Avon, and Excelsior in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions. A tube is required.
Plymouth P19 Tires by Year
The year listing lets you match a Plymouth P19 tire size directly to the model year covered on this page. Plymouth P19 uses a 15-inch wheel with one listed size for 1950, so the year section serves as a quick confirmation point before comparing sidewall style and brand options.
1950 Plymouth P19
- 640-15
Best Plymouth P19 Tires for Sale
Available Plymouth P19 tire offerings include 8 products from 4 brands in 640-15, with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles represented. Confirm the correct size and 15-inch rim diameter before selecting.
640-15 Products
These are the available products for 640-15.
Frequently Asked Questions
The FAQ below focuses on Plymouth P19 tire sizing, what 640-15 means, tube-type bias-ply construction, and how to choose between blackwall and whitewall options for a correct postwar restoration or roadgoing collector car.
Size Basics & Fitment
The Plymouth P19 uses 640-15 tires for 1950. All listed Plymouth P19 tire options in this group are built for a 15-inch rim, and the available products are bias-ply designs rather than modern metric radials. That makes 640-15 the key fitment reference for this model year.
Start by checking the sidewall on the existing tire and the wheel diameter on the car to confirm that the car still carries its correct 15-inch wheels. After that, the main choice is not between different sizes, but between blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall appearance, plus the brand and series that best suit the way your Plymouth P19 is being restored or driven.
A 640-15 size on a Plymouth P19 is an older numeric bias-ply tire designation. The 640 refers to the nominal section width in the traditional inch-based sizing system, with the decimal omitted, and the 15 indicates the rim diameter in inches. In the available Plymouth P19 offerings, that size is matched to 15-inch wheels.
That older size format matters because it should not be confused with later alphanumeric or modern metric sizing. When replacing tires on a Plymouth P19, use the original numeric size as the starting point, then verify the wheel width range of the specific tire you are considering so the tire matches the rim and retains the proper period look and stance.
The Plymouth P19 uses a 15-inch rim with the listed 640-15 tire size. Every available product in this size group is built around a 15-inch rim diameter, and several options also specify rim width ranges from 4.00 to 4.50 inches or 4.50 to 5.00 inches. Rim diameter is the non-negotiable measurement here.
If a Plymouth P19 has had wheels changed at some point in its life, confirm the actual wheel diameter before fitting new tires. Measure the wheel or verify part numbers if needed, because a tire that is otherwise period-correct in appearance will not mount properly unless the bead diameter matches the 15-inch wheel exactly.
Yes, the Plymouth P19 should be treated as a tube-type application with the listed 640-15 bias-ply tires. Every tire offered here for Plymouth P19 is bias-ply, and the size format and construction style align with the tube-required practice typical of the period. Tube service is part of proper fitment for this type of wheel-and-tire combination.
When fitting new tires to a Plymouth P19, make sure the wheel condition is suitable for tube use and that the tube and flap, where applicable, match the tire and rim correctly. Proper tube installation helps avoid pinching, heat buildup, and air loss, which are especially important on a collector car that may sit for long periods between drives.
Buying the Right Tire
A 1950 Plymouth P19 uses 640-15 tires on 15-inch wheels. Since only one listed size applies to this model year, confirming the correct tire is mainly a matter of verifying that the car still has its proper wheel diameter and has not been changed to a later or non-original wheel. The available choices then come down to brand, sidewall style, and exact bias-ply series.
Check the existing tire size, inspect the wheel diameter, and compare the wheel width to the range recommended by the tire you are considering. That extra step matters on an older Plymouth P19 because even when the tire size is correct, a mismatch between the wheel and the tire’s intended rim width can affect mounting, appearance, and how the car feels on the road.
Plymouth P19 tires are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles within the 640-15 size. The listed options include blackwall tires from multiple brands, a 1.00-inch narrow whitewall, and wider whitewall choices measuring 2.125 inches, 2.75 inches, and 3.00 inches. That gives a restorer room to match either a restrained driver look or a more formal postwar presentation.
For a Plymouth P19 restoration, sidewall choice can strongly influence the finished appearance even when the size stays the same. Owners pursuing a very era-conscious presentation often compare period photos, original sales literature, or club guidance before choosing between blackwall and whitewall treatments, while drivers who prioritize simplicity often stay with blackwall.
Plymouth P19 tires in 640-15 are available from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Avon, and Excelsior. The BFGoodrich and Firestone offerings include both blackwall and whitewall bias-ply choices, while Avon and Excelsior add additional blackwall options in their respective series. All of them are aimed at vintage-style fitment rather than modern metric conversion.
Brand selection on a Plymouth P19 usually comes down to the look you want, the tire series you prefer, and whether you are matching a broader restoration theme. Some owners prioritize a classic American brand presence, while others focus on tread character or sidewall appearance, but the first requirement remains staying with the correct 640-15 size and 15-inch rim.
Plymouth P19 tire choices include Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Super Safety Crossply, and Excelsior Bias Ply. These are all bias-ply or crossply-type offerings in the correct vintage construction style, but they differ in brand identity, tread family, and available sidewall treatments. Firestone and BFGoodrich offer multiple whitewall variations, while Avon and Excelsior are listed here in blackwall form.
For a Plymouth P19 owner, the practical difference is usually one of restoration character rather than basic fitment, since the listed series stay within the same 640-15 size and 15-inch wheel requirement. Choose the series that best aligns with your visual goal for the car, and compare rim width recommendations so the tire matches the wheel already on the vehicle.
Maintenance & Longevity
A Plymouth P19 should be stored on a clean, dry surface away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and large temperature swings. Bias-ply tires on collector cars are especially vulnerable to flat-spotting and sidewall stress when a car sits in one position for long periods. Correct inflation and a stable indoor environment do more for tire preservation than occasional cosmetic cleaning.
If the Plymouth P19 will be parked for an extended period, move it periodically or support the vehicle in a way that reduces prolonged load on the same part of each tire. Keep petroleum products and solvents away from the rubber, and inspect the sidewalls before returning the car to service after seasonal storage.
Tires on a Plymouth P19 should be inspected before each drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals during the season. A quick inspection should include inflation, visible cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and any signs of tube-related air loss. On an older bias-ply tire, problems can develop with little mileage simply because of age and long periods of inactivity.
A hands-on inspection is worthwhile even when the car appears fine at a glance. Check the tread, sidewall, valve area, and wheel condition together, because a Plymouth P19 that is driven infrequently may age its tires out long before it wears them out, and catching small issues early is far easier than dealing with a roadside failure.
A Plymouth P19 tire should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, deformation, repeated air loss, or structural damage appears, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector-car tires often spend more time aging than wearing, so tread depth alone is not a reliable measure of serviceability. Bias-ply construction also deserves close attention because age-related deterioration can change how the tire behaves long before the tread is gone.
If a Plymouth P19 has been sitting for years, have the tires evaluated before putting the car back into regular use. Replacement is the prudent choice whenever there is doubt about the rubber’s condition, because an attractive vintage-looking tire can still be past its safe service life even on a lightly driven collector car.
Restoration & Authenticity
The listed original-style size for the Plymouth P19 is 640-15, and the available replacement tires for that fitment are bias-ply designs. Several series are offered in that size, including Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Super Safety Crossply, and Excelsior Bias Ply. Those choices reflect the period style of tire appropriate to a 1950 Plymouth P19.
If you are restoring a Plymouth P19 to a very specific factory-delivery appearance, use the 640-15 size as the foundation and then compare brand and sidewall treatment against period photos, sales literature, or marque-club guidance. That is the best way to distinguish between a generally correct postwar look and a highly exact restoration presentation.
Yes, correct tire fitment can affect both how a Plymouth P19 is judged and how convincingly it presents as a restoration. Judges and knowledgeable buyers often notice whether the car wears the proper period size, correct construction type, and an era-appropriate sidewall treatment. A 640-15 bias-ply tire supports the authentic visual proportions expected on a 1950 Plymouth P19.
For an owner concerned with authenticity, tire details should be chosen with the same care as trim or paint. Whitewall width, brand presentation, and overall tire profile can all influence the finished impression, so it is worth comparing your Plymouth P19 against period references and any judging standards used by the club or event where the car will appear.
Plymouth P19 restorations can use blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall tires within the listed 640-15 size, depending on the appearance being pursued. The available options include blackwall tires, a 1.00-inch narrow whitewall, and wider whitewalls up to 3.00 inches. All are presented in bias-ply form, which keeps the construction style aligned with the period.
Choosing the most correct sidewall style for a Plymouth P19 comes down to the specific presentation you want for the car. A plainer driver-oriented look often favors blackwall, while a more upscale postwar appearance may call for a whitewall, and original photos or surviving unrestored cars are often the best guide when deciding how bold that whitewall should be.
Safety & Road Use
Yes, properly fitted vintage-style tires can be appropriate for driving a Plymouth P19 on public roads, provided the car is mechanically sound and the tires are in good condition. The listed options are bias-ply designs sized for the car’s 15-inch wheels, so they preserve the original type of handling feel rather than converting the car to a modern radial setup. Safe road use still depends on condition, inflation, installation quality, and the overall state of the vehicle.
A Plymouth P19 should be driven with the expectations of a 1950 automobile, not a modern sedan. Leave extra following distance, avoid abrupt maneuvers, and inspect the tires carefully if the car has been sitting, because proper size alone does not make an old tire or an old chassis ready for regular road use.
Before driving a Plymouth P19, check tire inflation, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and any sign of the car pulling or leaning on one corner. Because the listed tires are bias-ply and tube-type in character, pressure loss, age cracking, and mounting issues deserve close attention. It is also wise to inspect the spare, since older collector cars often rely on a spare that has been forgotten for years.
A short pre-drive routine goes a long way with a Plymouth P19. If the car has been parked for some time, examine each tire after the first few miles as well, since flat spotting, heat, and vibration can reveal problems that were not obvious while the car was standing still.
A Plymouth P19 on original-type bias-ply tires should be driven at moderate speeds that respect both the tire construction and the capabilities of the car itself. The correct 640-15 bias-ply tire preserves the period character of the Plymouth P19, but it will not behave like a modern radial at highway pace, especially in emergency maneuvers or on rough surfaces. Smooth, measured driving is the right approach.
Treat a Plymouth P19 as a vintage road car and build speed gradually, paying attention to steering feel, braking response, and road crown sensitivity. If the car is newly returned to service, begin with short local drives before attempting longer trips, so you can evaluate how the tires, wheels, and chassis behave under real operating conditions.