The 1950 Lincoln EH comes from an era when Lincoln emphasized big-car comfort, formal styling, and quiet highway travel. Owners restoring or maintaining one today usually want a tire that looks right on a substantial postwar luxury car while still matching its original fitment character. This Lincoln uses an 800-15 bias-ply tire on a 15-inch rim, keeping the vehicle in the traditional sizing and construction language of its time. Within that size, the main visual distinction is whitewall treatment, and modern radial equivalents are also available for buyers considering a different road-going feel. The key is balancing authentic period-style appearance with wheel compatibility, clearance, and intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1950 Lincoln EH
The 1950 Lincoln EH uses one primary tire size: 800-15, a bias-ply fitment for a 15-inch rim. The 1950 Lincoln EH 8 Cyl. uses that same size, so the decision is less about sorting through multiple factory fitments and more about choosing the right whitewall presentation, staying with bias-ply construction, or evaluating a radial equivalent carefully.
An 800-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size in which the 800 refers to an approximate nominal section width of 8.00 inches, while the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. For a 1950 Lincoln EH, that keeps the car in the traditional postwar luxury-car sizing and construction style it was designed around. Available options in this size center on Coker Classic Bias Ply tires, with wide whitewall treatments offered in different whitewall widths. It is the right starting point for owners who want the proper period-style look and need to confirm wheel condition and visual presentation before moving to an alternative construction.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1950 Lincoln EH sub-model. The listed configuration uses the same 800-15 bias-ply size, so the main task is confirming the vehicle still has the correct 15-inch wheel setup and then choosing the preferred tire style within that fitment.
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1950 Lincoln EH 8 Cyl.
The 1950 Lincoln EH 8 Cyl. uses the same 800-15 bias-ply tire fitment associated with this model. That keeps selection focused on whether to retain a traditional bias-ply setup with the desired whitewall presentation or to compare a radial equivalent after checking wheel width, clearance, and overall vehicle setup.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1950 Lincoln EH
The original 800-15 size has four radial-equivalent options to consider. Those include 225R15 as an 80-series metric radial, P235/75R15 as a P-metric 75-series radial, P235/70R15 as a lower-profile P-metric 70-series radial, and 800R15 as a bias-look radial equivalent. Together, they give a range from conventional metric radial sizing to a more traditional-looking radial presentation. A 6-8 inch rim-width range is associated with these equivalents, so wheel width, overall dimensions, and vehicle clearance should all be checked before changing from the original size format.
Modern Radial Equivalents
225R15
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (800-15)
P235/75R15
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (800-15)
P235/70R15
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (800-15)
800R15
Bias-look Radial Equivalent (800-15)
Important Considerations When Replacing Bias Ply With Radial
Compare overall diameter and section width carefully to ensure proper fit.
Verify recommended rim range (6-8 in) and load needs match your vehicle specifications.
Check fender clearance, steering clearance, and stance before installation.
Consider suspension condition and intended road use when choosing equivalents.
Important Fitment Notes
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1950 Lincoln EH Tires for Sale
Available 800-15 choices focus on Coker Classic Bias Ply tires with wide whitewall styling in different whitewall widths. That makes the product comparison less about changing size and more about selecting the appearance and rim-width compatibility that best suits the car.
These FAQs focus on 1950 Lincoln EH tire size, 15-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial choices, wide whitewall selection, and the checks worth making before putting a collector Lincoln back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1950 Lincoln EH?
The primary tire size for a 1950 Lincoln EH is 800-15. That is a vintage numeric bias-ply size mounted on a 15-inch rim, and the listed 1950 Lincoln EH 8 Cyl. configuration uses that same fitment.
That means the first step is usually confirming the car still has its correct 15-inch wheels rather than sorting through multiple original sizes. Once wheel diameter is verified, the real choice becomes whether to stay with a traditional 800-15 bias-ply tire for period-style appearance or compare one of the available radial equivalents after checking wheel width and clearance.
What size rim does a 1950 Lincoln EH use?
The 1950 Lincoln EH uses a 15-inch rim with its 800-15 tire fitment. Product options in this size are built around that 15-inch wheel diameter, so the rim diameter itself is consistent.
Diameter is only part of the fitment picture on an older luxury car like this Lincoln. It is also worth confirming actual wheel width, especially if the car has been apart for restoration or fitted with replacement wheels over the years, because a correct diameter alone does not settle compatibility with every tire construction or equivalent size.
Does the 1950 Lincoln EH 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1950 Lincoln EH 8 Cyl. uses the same 800-15 bias-ply tire size as the model fitment shown here. That keeps the basic size decision simple for this covered sub-model.
Since the fitment does not change across that listed configuration, selection usually comes down to tire style and construction preference rather than sub-model differences. A buyer can focus on the look of the whitewall, the desire to keep a bias-ply setup, or the possibility of a radial equivalent, while still confirming the wheel and vehicle setup have not been altered.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 800-15 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1950 Lincoln EH?
For the 1950 Lincoln EH, 800-15 is the primary bias-ply tire size. That is the original construction style associated with this fitment and matches the traditional sizing system used on large American cars of the period.
Choosing to stay with bias-ply usually appeals to owners who want the Lincoln to retain a more authentic postwar appearance and tire character. A radial can still be considered through an equivalent size, but that decision should include wheel-width confirmation, vehicle clearance checks, and a realistic view of whether the goal is restoration-oriented presentation or regular road use.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 800-15?
Radial equivalents for 800-15 include 225R15, P235/75R15, P235/70R15, and 800R15. Those cover an 80-series metric radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, a 70-series P-metric radial, and a bias-look radial equivalent that keeps a more traditional visual style.
The useful distinction is that these alternatives do not all present the tire in the same way, even though they are grouped as equivalents. A 6-8 inch recommended rim-width range is associated with these radial options, so the Lincoln's actual wheel width, available fender and steering clearance, and overall dimensions should be checked before treating any one of them as the right conversion.
Can I use a bias-look radial on a 1950 Lincoln EH?
Yes, 800R15 is available as a bias-look radial equivalent for the 1950 Lincoln EH's original 800-15 fitment. It gives the buyer a radial option that aims to preserve more of the traditional visual character than a modern metric size alone.
That makes it especially appealing when the goal is to keep a period-style presentation without staying strictly with bias-ply construction. It still needs the same fitment discipline as any other conversion, including checking wheel width, confirming the 15-inch wheel setup, and making sure the tire's overall dimensions and clearances suit the particular car as it sits today.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 800-15 tire for a 1950 Lincoln EH?
Start with the correct 800-15 size and the 15-inch wheel diameter, then decide whether the car's purpose calls for a traditional bias-ply setup or a radial equivalent. For the available bias-ply products, the main visible difference is whitewall width rather than a change in overall fitment category.
It also helps to compare rim-width compatibility, load rating, and the type of appearance the Lincoln should carry once finished. On a large postwar luxury car, the tire is a major styling element, so the right choice often comes from balancing road use, restoration goals, and the wheel setup already on the vehicle instead of chasing a purely cosmetic preference.
What sidewall styles are available for 1950 Lincoln EH tires?
The available 800-15 bias-ply tires for the 1950 Lincoln EH use a wide whitewall sidewall style. Within that presentation, the visible difference comes from whitewall width, with both 3.00-inch and 2.50-inch whitewall versions offered.
That choice matters because whitewall proportion has a strong effect on how a full-size 1950 Lincoln looks at rest and on the road. A buyer comparing these options should think about the car's overall restoration theme, wheel and trim appearance, and how formal or restrained the finished look should be, rather than assuming one whitewall width automatically suits every EH equally well.
What tire series are available for the 1950 Lincoln EH?
The available products for the 1950 Lincoln EH's 800-15 fitment are part of the Coker Classic Bias Ply series. That keeps the series choice straightforward and places the emphasis on selecting the right visual treatment within the proper vintage size and construction.
Because the tire series is consistent, a buyer can spend more attention on details that actually separate one option from another, such as whitewall width, rim-width compatibility, and whether the car should remain bias-ply or be compared against a radial equivalent. That is often a more useful decision path than treating this fitment as a broad multi-series comparison.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1950 Lincoln EH?
A period-style starting point for a 1950 Lincoln EH is the original 800-15 bias-ply fitment. In the available options, that means focusing on a traditional bias-ply tire rather than beginning with a modern metric radial conversion.
The remaining decision is mostly visual, especially the whitewall width that best suits the car's trim, stance, and restoration direction. If exact originality is important, marque-specific historical references and restoration documentation are worth consulting, since a tire can be strongly era-appropriate without automatically being the exact brand or sidewall treatment the car carried when new.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1950 Lincoln EH?
Tire construction changes more than ride and handling on a restored 1950 Lincoln EH; it also changes the car's visual character. An 800-15 bias-ply keeps the Lincoln in the traditional tire format associated with its era, while radial equivalents move the car toward a more modern replacement approach.
That difference becomes especially noticeable on a large postwar sedan where sidewall shape and overall tire presence contribute heavily to the finished look. Buyers restoring for display, judged events, or a strongly period-style presentation often start with the original construction type, then weigh radial alternatives only after considering how much modernized appearance they are willing to accept.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1950 Lincoln EH?
Yes. Even though the 1950 Lincoln EH's primary fitment is 800-15 on a 15-inch rim, changes to wheels, suspension height, steering components, or body clearances can alter what works safely on the car. That matters even more when considering a radial equivalent.
A Lincoln that has aftermarket wheels, brake updates, or suspension work may not behave like a stock wheel-and-tire package. Measuring actual wheel width, checking inner and outer clearance, and looking for rubbing at full steering lock are sensible steps before settling on any tire, especially if the car has been restored in stages over many years.
What should I inspect before driving a 1950 Lincoln EH on new tires?
Before driving a 1950 Lincoln EH on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm valve stem condition, and make sure the tire size and construction match the intended setup. It also helps to verify inflation, wheel fastener condition, and visible clearance around suspension and fender areas.
On a collector Lincoln, the first road miles after installation should be treated as a careful shake-down rather than routine driving. Recheck air pressure, look for any signs of rubbing or uneven seating, and pay attention to steering feel and vibration. That approach is especially worthwhile if the car has spent long periods stored or has recently returned to the road.
How should 800-15 tires on a collector 1950 Lincoln EH be maintained?
Maintain 800-15 tires on a collector 1950 Lincoln EH by checking pressure regularly, inspecting for cracking, cuts, bulges, and irregular wear, and keeping the car stored away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources when possible. Collector cars often age tires by time and environment as much as by mileage.
Regular visual inspection is important because a low-use vehicle can look fine and still develop age-related issues. It is also smart to watch for slow air loss and to inspect the tires before longer drives after storage. If the Lincoln's wheel setup or suspension has changed, add periodic clearance checks so the tire continues to suit the car in actual road use.