Plymouth Suburban Tires

Plymouth Suburban applications in this group use three tire sizes: 640-15 for 1949 through 1951, 670-15 for 1949 and 1950, and 800-14 for 1958. Both 640-15 and 670-15 are 15-inch rim sizes, while 800-14 is a 14-inch rim size. All available products across those sizes are bias-ply tires, and the product range includes blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall choices depending on size.

The practical step is to identify the exact year first, then verify the wheel diameter on the car itself before narrowing down sidewall style. That matters most on 1949 and 1950 Plymouth Suburban models, where two sizes are listed, and on 1958 models, where the wheel diameter changes to 14 inches.

On a Plymouth Suburban, 640-15 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 640 portion represents a nominal 6.40-inch section width, with the decimal omitted, and the 15 indicates the tire fits a 15-inch rim. In the years covered here, 640-15 appears on 1949, 1950, and 1951 Plymouth Suburban applications, and the available products in that size are all bias-ply constructions.

That older numeric format looks simple, but it still needs to be matched to the wheel diameter and the intended appearance of the car. If your Plymouth Suburban is a 1949 or 1950 model, compare the existing wheel and the car’s current stance carefully because those years can also appear with the wider 670-15 size.

Plymouth Suburban models in the early years listed here use 15-inch wheels, while the 1958 Plymouth Suburban uses 14-inch wheels. The 640-15 and 670-15 sizes both fit 15-inch rims, and the 800-14 size fits a 14-inch rim. That means the wheel diameter changed within the production years covered on this page rather than staying constant across the entire Plymouth Suburban range shown here.

Wheel diameter is the first fitment detail to verify because a correct-looking tire in the wrong rim diameter will not solve the problem. If the car has been restored, modified, or had wheels swapped at some point in its life, measure the wheel directly before choosing between the earlier 15-inch sizes and the later 14-inch size.

The Plymouth Suburban sizes listed here are all offered as bias-ply tires in older numeric sizing, and a tube is required. That applies to 640-15, 670-15, and 800-14 in the available product range. Bias-ply collector tires of this type are typically matched to tube-type service even when the car itself comes from the postwar period rather than the prewar era.

Tube choice should be handled as part of the overall wheel-and-tire setup, not as an afterthought. Before fitting tires to a Plymouth Suburban, make sure the wheel condition, valve hole, rim contour, and any old rust or damage are suitable for safe tube use, especially if the wheels are original and have been stored for many years.

A 1949 Plymouth Suburban can appear with either 640-15 or 670-15, and both are 15-inch bias-ply sizes. The difference is in the nominal section width, with 6.40 inches for 640-15 and 6.70 inches for 670-15. That means the correct choice is not solved by year alone, even though the rim diameter remains the same.

Start with the wheel diameter, then compare the existing tire size if the car still carries a known-correct setup. If the car is a restoration or has an uncertain history, the best approach is to verify against factory literature, period service information, or a Plymouth expert who can identify which configuration your 1949 Plymouth Suburban was built with.

Plymouth Suburban tires in these sizes are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions. The exact selection varies by size, but all three sidewall styles appear within the overall range. That gives owners the choice between a more understated blackwall look and the more decorative whitewall styles associated with many postwar American restorations.

The right sidewall choice depends on the character you want the Plymouth Suburban to present and how closely you are following a period-correct restoration theme. Early postwar wagons often look especially natural on whitewalls, but blackwalls can suit a plainer working-car appearance, so it is worth matching the tire style to the trim level and finish of the car.

Plymouth Suburban tire options in the listed sizes come from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Avon, Excelsior, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, Goodyear, and STA. Not every brand appears in every size, and the broadest selection is in 670-15. The available lines also span several period-style bias-ply series, which lets owners choose among different historical looks within the same general fitment.

Brand choice usually comes down to the visual style you want, the exact sidewall treatment, and whether you are trying to echo a particular period appearance. Once the correct Plymouth Suburban size is confirmed, compare the sidewall width, tread character, and overall presentation rather than assuming every tire in the same size will look identical on the car.

Plymouth Suburban tires in these sizes appear in several series, including Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Super Safety Crossply, Excelsior Bias Ply, US Royal Classic Bias Ply, Universal Classic Bias Ply, Super Cushion, Custom Super Cushion, Super Cushion Deluxe, Turbospeed Mk4, and Super Transport. Most are passenger-car bias-ply collector tires, while Super Transport stands apart as a military and truck-oriented offering in 670-15. The series names mainly separate period styling and brand families rather than changing the basic need to match the correct size and rim diameter.

For a Plymouth Suburban restoration, the most meaningful differences are usually sidewall appearance, brand identity, and whether the tire presents as a passenger-car or heavier-duty style. If authenticity matters, choose the series that best suits the year and visual theme of the car, then confirm that the tire’s rim-width range works with the wheels you plan to run.

A Plymouth Suburban should be stored on a clean, dry surface away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, and ozone sources that age rubber. Keep the tires properly inflated, roll the car occasionally if practical, and avoid letting one spot of the tread carry the full weight for long stretches. Collector bias-ply tires also benefit from a cool environment with stable temperatures rather than repeated heat cycling.

Long stationary storage can flatten the tread and stress older casings, especially on heavy postwar wagons. If the Plymouth Suburban will sit for an extended period, many owners use tire cradles or support the vehicle to reduce static load while still keeping the suspension in a sensible resting position.

Tires on a Plymouth Suburban should be inspected before each drive and given a more thorough review several times a year, even if the car sees only light use. Check inflation, sidewall condition, tread wear, cracking, punctures, and the valve stems, and inspect the wheels at the same time. On a collector car, time and storage conditions often matter more than mileage alone.

Bias-ply tires can change shape or develop issues gradually while the car is parked, so a quick walkaround is worthwhile every time the Plymouth Suburban comes out of the garage. If the steering starts to feel different, the car pulls, or vibration appears, inspect immediately rather than assuming the issue will clear up once the tires warm.

A Plymouth Suburban tire should be replaced when age, cracking, impact damage, separation, irregular wear, or long-term storage history raises doubt about its structural condition, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector tires often age out before they wear out because they spend more time parked than driven. Tread depth alone is not a reliable measure of remaining service life on an older bias-ply tire.

The sensible approach is to judge the whole tire, not just the visible tread face. If the Plymouth Suburban has been sitting for years, or if the sidewalls show checking and stiffness, have the tires evaluated by a specialist familiar with vintage tire construction before returning the car to regular road use.

The Plymouth Suburban uses period-style bias-ply sizes that vary by year, with 640-15 and 670-15 appearing in the 1949 to 1951 range and 800-14 appearing in 1958. The available product families include classic bias-ply and crossply series from several historic brands, which closely match the type of construction associated with the period. More than one series and sidewall treatment is represented, so there is not a single one-answer tire across all years shown here.

For an exact restoration, the right path is to match the tire size first, then compare period photos, factory literature, and club knowledge for the correct sidewall presentation. A 1949 Plymouth Suburban restored for authenticity may call for a different visual treatment than a 1958 Plymouth Suburban, even though both belong to the same model family.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely influence how a Plymouth Suburban is judged and how convincing the restoration looks. Size, wheel diameter, sidewall style, and overall stance all affect whether the car presents as accurate for its year. Judges and experienced enthusiasts notice when a wagon sits too tall, too low, or carries a sidewall style that does not suit the era of the restoration.

That does not mean every Plymouth Suburban must be restored to concours standards, but tire choices should be intentional. If your goal is serious show evaluation, compare the chosen size and sidewall style with period references and Plymouth club guidance so the finished car looks right from the ground up.

Plymouth Suburban tires in the available range include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. Any of those can be historically appropriate depending on the year, the trim character of the car, and the look you are trying to recreate. The earlier postwar years and the later 1950s can each support whitewall presentations, but the exact width changes the visual tone of the restoration noticeably.

A blackwall Plymouth Suburban tends to read as more practical and utilitarian, while a wide whitewall gives the car a fuller period showroom look. If originality matters, compare the chosen sidewall width against surviving photos, sales literature, and marque-club references rather than choosing strictly by modern taste.

Properly fitted vintage-style bias-ply tires can be suitable for public-road use on a Plymouth Suburban when they are in sound condition, correctly inflated, and mounted on wheels that are equally sound. They are, however, period-type tires with driving manners different from modern radials. Steering feel, straight-line tracking, braking behavior, and reaction to road grooves will reflect the design era of the tire and the car.

Safe use depends as much on the condition of the vehicle as the tire itself. Before putting a Plymouth Suburban back into regular road service, inspect the steering, suspension, wheel bearings, brakes, and alignment so the tires are not being asked to compensate for worn mechanical parts.

Before driving a Plymouth Suburban, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, wheel fastener security, and any signs of rubbing or uneven wear. On a collector car with bias-ply tires, it is also wise to look for flat spotting after storage and to confirm that each tire matches the intended size for the car. A brief inspection can catch problems that are easy to miss when the vehicle has not been driven recently.

The first few miles should be treated as a systems check rather than a chance to run at modern traffic speed. Let the Plymouth Suburban settle in, feel for pull or vibration, and pay attention to steering response so you can stop early if a wheel, tube, tire, or suspension issue appears.

A Plymouth Suburban running period-style bias-ply tires should be driven at moderate, sensible speeds that respect both the age of the vehicle and the handling character of bias-ply construction. Even when a tire is new, the overall system still includes an older chassis design, older wheel specifications, and braking performance that may not match modern traffic expectations. Smooth, conservative driving is far more appropriate than treating the car like a modern highway cruiser.

The right pace is the speed at which the Plymouth Suburban feels settled, steers predictably, and leaves plenty of room for braking. If the car is newly restored or recently recommissioned, build speed gradually over several outings so you can confirm the tire setup, wheel condition, and overall road manners before attempting longer drives.