The 1955 Chrysler New Yorker arrived in an era when Chrysler was leaning hard into power, presence, and upscale American touring comfort. Its long, substantial look and V8-equipped prestige made tire choice part of the car’s overall stance as much as its road manners. For this exact model, the primary fitment is an 800-15 bias-ply tire on a 15-inch rim, which keeps the car in its original sizing language. Within that size, the main visible difference is sidewall treatment, with wide whitewall options that suit a restoration-minded presentation. The real decision is whether to stay with traditional bias-ply construction or carefully evaluate a modern radial equivalent.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1955 Chrysler New Yorker
The 1955 Chrysler New Yorker uses one primary tire size: 800-15, a bias-ply fitment for a 15-inch rim. The New Yorker V8 & Wagon C68 shares that same sizing, so the decision is less about picking between multiple factory-type sizes and more about choosing the right sidewall presentation, staying with bias-ply construction, or comparing one of the available radial equivalents.
An 800-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size, where the 800 indicates an approximate 8.00-inch nominal section width and the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1955 Chrysler New Yorker, this size preserves the period bias-ply construction and the overall visual character expected of a large mid-1950s American luxury car. Available choices in this size focus on Coker Classic Bias Ply tires with wide whitewall styling, including 2.50-inch and 3.00-inch whitewall treatments. That makes 800-15 the key size for owners balancing road use, visual presentation, and restoration-oriented fitment.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1955 Chrysler New Yorker sub-model. The New Yorker V8 & Wagon C68 uses the same primary tire size, so selection centers on construction preference, sidewall appearance, and confirming the actual wheel setup on the car.
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1955 Chrysler New Yorker V8 & Wagon C68
The 1955 Chrysler New Yorker V8 & Wagon C68 uses the same 800-15 bias-ply sizing as the model core, keeping fitment simple at the sub-model level. That lets the buyer focus on whether to maintain a traditional bias-ply setup or compare radial-equivalent alternatives while also choosing the whitewall presentation that best suits the car.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1955 Chrysler New Yorker
For the original 800-15 size, four radial-equivalent options are available. 225R15 is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, P235/75R15 is the P-metric 75-series radial equivalent, P235/70R15 is the P-metric 70-series radial equivalent, and 800R15 is the bias-look radial equivalent. These choices differ mainly in sizing convention, profile family, and whether the tire keeps a more traditional visual character. A 6-8 inch rim-width range is associated with these equivalents, and wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance should be checked before changing construction.
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 1955 Chrysler New Yorker Tires for Sale
Available 800-15 choices center on Coker Classic Bias Ply tires with wide whitewall styling. The main comparison points are the 2.50-inch versus 3.00-inch whitewall treatment, along with shared 15-inch rim fitment, 6.00-6.50 inch rim-width compatibility, and traditional bias-ply construction.
Common questions for the 1955 Chrysler New Yorker usually come down to the 800-15 tire size, 15-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial choices, whitewall appearance, and the checks worth making before putting a large collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1955 Chrysler New Yorker?
The 1955 Chrysler New Yorker uses an 800-15 tire size in bias-ply construction. That is the primary fitment for the model core, and the New Yorker V8 & Wagon C68 uses the same size as well.
That makes the size question fairly simple, but the next step still matters. A buyer should confirm that the car still has 15-inch wheels in the proper width range for the intended tire, especially if the car has been restored, modified, or fitted with replacement wheels at some point in its life.
What size rim does a 1955 Chrysler New Yorker use?
The 1955 Chrysler New Yorker uses a 15-inch rim with its primary 800-15 tire fitment. Product fitments in this size are built for 15-inch wheels, and the available bias-ply options shown for this application are suited to 6.00-6.50 inch rim widths.
Rim diameter is the first non-negotiable measurement, because a 15-inch tire must mount on a 15-inch wheel. Rim width is also worth checking before purchase, particularly on a collector car that may have replacement wheels, since width influences the tire’s shape, fit, and overall compatibility.
Does the 1955 Chrysler New Yorker V8 & Wagon C68 use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1955 Chrysler New Yorker V8 & Wagon C68 uses the same 800-15 bias-ply tire size as the model core. There is no separate primary size split here, which keeps sub-model fitment relatively straightforward.
That shared sizing means the real choice moves away from sub-model identification and toward tire style and construction. Owners can concentrate on whitewall presentation, traditional bias-ply appearance, or a carefully checked radial-equivalent alternative if the car’s wheel width, clearance, and overall setup support the change.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 800-15 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1955 Chrysler New Yorker?
For the 1955 Chrysler New Yorker, 800-15 is the primary bias-ply tire size. It uses a vintage numeric bias-ply format, with the 15 indicating the wheel diameter and the 800 representing the tire’s nominal section-width class in period sizing language.
That matters because staying with bias-ply construction preserves the traditional look and feel associated with the original fitment style. Anyone considering a radial should treat that as a construction change rather than the same tire in a different version, and should verify wheel width, tire dimensions, and clearance before converting.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 800-15?
Radial equivalents for 800-15 include 225R15 as an 80-series metric radial, P235/75R15 as a 75-series P-metric radial, P235/70R15 as a 70-series P-metric radial, and 800R15 as a bias-look radial equivalent. Each option keeps the 15-inch rim diameter while approaching the original size through a different radial format.
Those choices give a buyer several ways to compare modern radial sizing against the original bias-ply fitment. The associated rim-width range is 6-8 inches, but that does not remove the need to check wheel width, overall tire dimensions, steering clearance, and body clearance before selecting one for a specific car.
What should I check before converting my 1955 Chrysler New Yorker from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming the actual wheel diameter and width on the car, then compare the intended radial equivalent against the New Yorker’s available space at the fenders, suspension, and steering stops. A radial equivalent for 800-15 should also be reviewed against the car’s intended use and overall stance.
A 1950s car may no longer sit on its original wheels or ride height, so conversion decisions should be made from the vehicle in front of you rather than assumption. It also helps to inspect suspension wear, alignment condition, and the age of any existing tires before changing construction and returning the car to road use.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing an 800-15 tire for a 1955 Chrysler New Yorker?
Begin with the correct 800-15 size and a 15-inch wheel, then narrow the choice by construction and appearance. For this New Yorker, the available primary-fitment products stay within traditional bias-ply construction, so the visible decision is largely the whitewall treatment and how period-oriented you want the finished car to look.
Rim-width compatibility should be checked before purchase, especially on a collector car that may have replacement wheels. It also helps to think about use: a restoration-focused car may prioritize traditional presentation, while a regularly driven car may push the buyer toward comparing bias-ply choices with a separately evaluated radial-equivalent option.
What sidewall styles are available for 1955 Chrysler New Yorker tires?
The available 800-15 primary-fitment products for the 1955 Chrysler New Yorker use wide whitewall sidewall styling. The visible variation is the whitewall width, with both 2.50-inch and 3.00-inch whitewall treatments offered in the same size and construction family.
That choice has a strong effect on the car’s overall presentation because sidewall detail is a major visual element on a full-size 1950s Chrysler. A buyer comparing these options should think about restoration style, wheel cover design, and how bold or restrained the finished look should appear once the tires are mounted.
How do I choose between the available 800-15 tires for a 1955 Chrysler New Yorker?
The available 800-15 options are both Coker Classic Bias Ply tires, so the main difference is the whitewall presentation rather than a change in primary size or construction. Each uses the same 15-inch rim diameter, the same 6.00-6.50 inch rim-width compatibility, and the same 1800@32 psi load specification.
That means selection comes down to appearance and vehicle intent. A larger whitewall can emphasize the car’s upscale mid-1950s look, while a narrower whitewall gives a slightly more restrained presentation. Since the specifications closely align, visual balance and the character of the restoration become the deciding factors.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1955 Chrysler New Yorker?
For a period-style 1955 Chrysler New Yorker, the natural starting point is the original 800-15 bias-ply size on a 15-inch rim. Keeping the car in its vintage numeric bias-ply format preserves the scale and traditional presentation expected on a large Chrysler from the middle of the 1950s.
Appearance details matter just as much as size on a restoration-oriented car, especially with broad sidewalls and prominent wheel openings. If exact historical accuracy is important, whitewall width and brand presentation are worth checking against marque-specific references, period photography, or build-related documentation before making the final selection.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1955 Chrysler New Yorker?
Tire construction changes more than road feel on a restored 1955 Chrysler New Yorker; it also changes how the car presents visually. An 800-15 bias-ply keeps the traditional sizing language and period-style profile associated with the original fitment approach for a mid-1950s full-size American car.
A radial equivalent can be a useful alternative, but it may create a different visual impression depending on the sizing format selected. Buyers who want the car to retain a strongly vintage look often start by comparing the original bias-ply size with the available bias-look radial before considering more modern metric or P-metric equivalents.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1955 Chrysler New Yorker?
Yes. Modifications can absolutely affect tire fitment on a 1955 Chrysler New Yorker, even when the intended tire size is still 800-15 or a listed radial equivalent. Wheel width changes, aftermarket wheels, suspension alterations, and body or brake modifications can all change the space the tire has available.
That is why an owner should inspect the car as it sits today rather than assuming every New Yorker still matches its original wheel and suspension setup. Checking wheel dimensions, steering travel, and fender clearance before mounting new tires helps prevent avoidable fitment problems on a restored or modified collector car.
What should I inspect before driving a 1955 Chrysler New Yorker on new tires?
Before driving a 1955 Chrysler New Yorker on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter, width, and overall condition, then confirm proper mounting and inflation. It also makes sense to look over suspension and steering components, since looseness or wear can affect how a large, heavy 1950s car behaves on the road.
A road-ready check should also include visual clearance at the fenders and steering stops, plus a quick look for fluid leaks or uneven ride height that could signal chassis issues. On a collector vehicle, new tires solve only one part of the problem if the rest of the running gear has been sitting for years.
How should 800-15 tires on a collector 1955 Chrysler New Yorker be maintained?
800-15 tires on a collector 1955 Chrysler New Yorker should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Sidewalls should be checked for cracking, cuts, bulges, and signs of age, while tread surfaces should be watched for irregular wear that may point to alignment or suspension issues.
Collector cars often accumulate little mileage, so time and storage conditions can matter as much as tread depth. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and occasional inspections during storage are wise even when the New Yorker is not being driven often.
