1955 Ford Customline Tires

The 1955 Ford Customline uses a 670-15 tire size in bias-ply construction. That same primary size applies to both the 6 Cyl. and 8 Cyl. Customline sub-models covered here, so the basic fitment question is simpler than it is on vehicles with multiple factory-style tire sizes.

Once the size is confirmed, the real choice is within the 670-15 category itself. Blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions are all available, so the next step is matching the tire’s look and rim-width specification to your actual wheel setup and the way the car is being restored or driven.

The primary 670-15 tire fitment for a 1955 Ford Customline is built for a 15-inch rim. That rim diameter is consistent across the covered Customline fitment, which helps keep the decision centered on tire style and construction rather than sorting through multiple wheel diameters.

Rim diameter is only part of the picture, though. Before selecting a tire, it is worth confirming the wheel width actually on the car, especially if the Ford has replacement wheels or older service parts. That becomes even more important if a radial equivalent is being considered instead of staying with the original numeric bias-ply size.

Yes. The covered 1955 Ford Customline 6 Cyl. and 8 Cyl. sub-models both use the same 670-15 bias-ply tire size. There is no split here by engine designation, so the size question remains consistent across the listed Customline configurations.

That shared fitment means a buyer can focus less on sub-model differences and more on the tire’s presentation and construction. A broad whitewall can change the car’s visual character dramatically compared with a blackwall, and any move toward a radial equivalent should still be checked against the wheel width and overall vehicle setup.

For the 1955 Ford Customline, 670-15 is the primary bias-ply tire size. That numeric format belongs to the traditional bias-ply sizing system used on many American cars of the period, and the available primary fitment products in this size are bias-ply tires.

Staying with bias-ply construction helps preserve the Customline’s original sizing convention and period-style look. Owners considering a different driving feel often look at radial equivalents instead, but that should be treated as a conversion decision rather than the same thing as choosing among the standard 670-15 bias-ply options.

Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15. In that group, 195R15 is an 80-series metric radial, P205/75R15 is a 75-series P-metric radial, P215/70R15 is a 70-series P-metric radial, and 670R15 is the bias-look radial alternative.

Those sizes give the 1955 Ford Customline several different radial-format paths rather than one automatic substitute. A recommended rim-width range of 5-7 inches is associated with the equivalents, and the car’s actual wheel width, tire clearance, and overall stance should all be reviewed before moving away from the original bias-ply fitment.

Start by confirming the car’s actual wheel diameter and width, then compare the radial equivalent you are considering against the available 670-15 alternatives. For the 1955 Ford Customline, radial options include 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15, with a 5-7 inch rim-width range associated with those equivalents.

A conversion also calls for checking steering clearance, fender space, suspension condition, and the car’s stance at full turn and normal ride height. Radials and bias-ply tires do not present the same way on every wheel, so a Customline with aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, or worn suspension deserves extra fitment attention before the change.

Start with the correct 670-15 size and the 15-inch wheel it is meant to serve, then decide what kind of finished look the Customline should have. In this size, the main differences are sidewall treatment, brand, tire series, rim-width specification, and in some cases maximum load and product weight.

A blackwall gives the car a plainer, workmanlike presentation, while narrow and wide whitewalls move it toward a stronger mid-1950s visual style. Wheel width should be checked carefully before choosing among products, especially when comparing tires that call for slightly different rim-width ranges within the same 670-15 size family.

The 1955 Ford Customline’s 670-15 tire options include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Those choices appear across several brands and tire series, giving owners room to shape the car’s overall appearance without changing the primary fitment size.

Sidewall style matters a great deal on a mid-1950s Ford because the tire is such a visible part of the car’s stance and character. A restoration-minded owner may lean toward a whitewall presentation, while a simpler driver-style build may suit blackwalls better. The choice should still be made within a tire whose rim-width specification matches the wheels on the car.

670-15 tires for the 1955 Ford Customline are available from Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, BFGoodrich, Excelsior, Avon, Goodyear, and STA. Those brands cover several bias-ply series, with choices that range from plain blackwalls to multiple narrow and wide whitewall treatments.

Brand selection is most useful when it helps narrow the look or product character you want rather than treating one name as automatically better. After the visual preference is clear, compare the specific tire series, rim-width compatibility, and any load information tied to the individual tire before deciding what belongs on your Customline.

A period-style 1955 Ford Customline starts with the 670-15 bias-ply size, since that preserves the original sizing convention and the visual character associated with a mid-1950s full-size Ford. Within that size, the most noticeable appearance decision is usually blackwall versus narrow or wide whitewall.

The right choice depends on the kind of restoration or presentation you want the car to have. A broad whitewall creates a more dressed-up look, while blackwalls feel more restrained. When exact originality matters, compare your tire choice against marque references or other vehicle-specific historical sources rather than relying on appearance alone.

On a restored 1955 Ford Customline, staying with 670-15 bias-ply tires keeps the car closer to its traditional visual stance and sidewall profile. That matters because tire construction influences how the car sits and how strongly it reflects the look people expect from a mid-1950s American sedan.

A radial alternative can still be worth considering, especially if regular road use matters, but it should be chosen with appearance in mind as well as fitment. A bias-look radial such as 670R15 may appeal to owners who want a more traditional presentation while exploring radial construction, provided wheel and clearance checks are handled carefully.

Yes. Even though the 1955 Ford Customline’s primary fitment is 670-15, modifications can change how comfortably that size or any radial equivalent works on the car. Wheel width, wheel offset, ride-height changes, suspension alterations, and body or fender work can all influence final tire clearance.

That matters most when the car no longer sits on its original-style wheel setup. A Customline with aftermarket wheels or lowered suspension should be checked at full steering lock and normal ride height before new tires go into service. Those same checks are important when comparing the original bias-ply fitment with radial-equivalent alternatives.

Before driving a 1955 Ford Customline on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and sound condition, then confirm that the tires are seated properly and inflated to an appropriate pressure for the tire in use. It is also smart to look over steering and suspension components for looseness, wear, or obvious damage.

A short, careful road test is the right next step once the basic installation checks are complete. Watch for rubbing, unusual pull, vibration, or uneven stance, especially on a collector vehicle that may have sat for long periods. Early attention to those issues helps separate a normal break-in feel from a wheel, alignment, or clearance problem.

670-15 tires on a collector 1955 Ford Customline should be inspected regularly for air loss, tread wear, cracking, cuts, and sidewall bulges, even if the car is only driven occasionally. Low-mileage collector cars often age their tires through time and storage conditions rather than through normal road wear alone.

Consistent pressure checks and proper storage make a big difference on a seldom-driven Ford. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, while periodic movement can reduce long stationary loading. Any sign of age-related deterioration deserves attention before the Customline returns to regular road use.