The 1955 Hudson Wasp arrived during the final Detroit-built Hudson years, giving collectors a car that bridges early-1950s postwar styling with the changing American market of the mid-1950s. For owners restoring or maintaining one today, tire choice is a big part of preserving that character on the road. The 1955 Hudson Wasp uses a 670-15 bias-ply tire on a 15-inch rim, keeping the fitment firmly in the period-size world. That still leaves meaningful choice in brand, blackwall or whitewall presentation, classic bias-ply series, and even modern radial equivalents. The right decision depends on whether the priority is authentic appearance, touring comfort, or careful compatibility with the car's actual wheels.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1955 Hudson Wasp
The 1955 Hudson Wasp uses one primary tire size: 670-15. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 15-inch rim, and the covered 6 Cyl. 35540 Series uses that same size. Once the size is confirmed, the real decision becomes choosing the right sidewall look, tire series, and brand, or deciding whether a radial equivalent better suits the car's intended road use.
A 670-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size, with the 670 indicating an approximate 6.70-inch nominal section width and the 15 indicating a 15-inch rim. On a 1955 Hudson Wasp, this keeps the car in its traditional bias-ply fitment, which matters for stance, steering feel, and period-style appearance. Available choices include brands such as Firestone, US Royal, BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Universal Vintage Tire, Excelsior, Avon, Coker Classic, and STA, with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles across several classic tire series. It is the size to start with when the goal is preserving original-type fitment before narrowing the choice by appearance and wheel compatibility.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the covered 1955 Hudson Wasp range. The listed sub-model uses the same 670-15 bias-ply size, so the key step is confirming wheel condition and the kind of appearance or road-use character you want from the replacement tire.
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1955 Hudson Wasp 6 Cyl. 35540 Series
The 1955 Hudson Wasp 6 Cyl. 35540 Series uses the 670-15 bias-ply tire size on a 15-inch rim. That makes tire selection less about sorting through multiple fitments and more about choosing among period-style blackwall or whitewall options, brand preferences, and whether a radial equivalent is worth evaluating.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1955 Hudson Wasp
The original 670-15 size has four radial-equivalent options. Those include 195R15 as an 80-series metric radial, P205/75R15 as a 75-series P-metric radial, P215/70R15 as a 70-series P-metric radial, and 670R15 as a bias-look radial. Together they range from conventional metric sizing to a radial that keeps a more traditional visual presentation. A 5-7 inch rim-width range is associated with these equivalents, and wheel diameter, wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance should all be checked before changing construction.
Modern Radial Equivalents
195R15
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (670-15)
P205/75R15
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (670-15)
P215/70R15
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (670-15)
670R15
Bias-look Radial Equivalent (670-15)
Important Considerations When Replacing Bias Ply With Radial
Compare overall diameter and section width carefully to ensure proper fit.
Verify recommended rim range (5-7 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 Hudson Wasp Tires for Sale
Available 670-15 choices cover a wide spread of classic bias-ply options from Firestone, US Royal, BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Universal Vintage Tire, Excelsior, Avon, Coker Classic, and STA. Buyers can compare blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles across several vintage-oriented tire series and rim-width specifications.
These 1955 Hudson Wasp tire FAQs focus on the 670-15 fitment, 15-inch rim compatibility, radial-equivalent choices, sidewall and brand differences, and the practical checks that matter before putting a collector Hudson back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1955 Hudson Wasp?
The 1955 Hudson Wasp uses a 670-15 tire size. This is a vintage numeric bias-ply fitment on a 15-inch rim, and the covered 6 Cyl. 35540 Series uses that same primary size.
That means the first step is usually not choosing between multiple factory-type sizes, but choosing the right 670-15 tire for the car's actual setup. Sidewall style, brand, rim-width compatibility, and whether the car still runs stock-type wheels all matter before settling on a final tire.
What size rim does a 1955 Hudson Wasp use?
The 1955 Hudson Wasp uses a 15-inch rim with its 670-15 tire size. That rim diameter is the key fitment point, since the tire must match the wheel's bead seat diameter exactly.
Rim diameter alone is not the whole story on a collector car. Wheel width and wheel condition should also be checked, especially if the car has had wheels changed over the years or if corrosion, damage, or previous repairs are present on the original rims.
Does the 1955 Hudson Wasp 6 Cyl. 35540 Series use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1955 Hudson Wasp 6 Cyl. 35540 Series uses the same 670-15 bias-ply tire size as the core fitment for this model. There is no separate primary size to sort through for that covered sub-model.
That simplifies size selection, but it does not make every 670-15 choice identical. Whitewall width, blackwall versus whitewall presentation, brand, and rim-width specification can still change the finished look and how well the tire suits the wheels currently on the car.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 670-15 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1955 Hudson Wasp?
For the 1955 Hudson Wasp, 670-15 is the primary bias-ply tire size. That construction matches the car's original-era fitment style and is the baseline starting point when keeping the car in a traditional vintage tire format.
Bias-ply selection usually appeals to owners who want the period look and a tire built in the original sizing system. If the car is being set up for more frequent road use, radial equivalents exist, but the wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and vehicle clearance should be reviewed before making that change.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 670-15?
Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15. Those options cover an 80-series metric radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, a 70-series P-metric radial, and a bias-look radial that keeps a more traditional visual character.
These sizes give different paths away from a bias-ply tire, but they should be treated as alternatives rather than automatic replacements. The recommended rim-width range for the equivalents is 5-7 inches, and it is wise to confirm wheel width, tire clearance, and the car's current suspension and steering setup before converting.
Can I use a bias-look radial on a 1955 Hudson Wasp?
Yes, 670R15 is available as a bias-look radial equivalent for the 1955 Hudson Wasp's original 670-15 size. It is intended for owners who want a radial construction while retaining a more traditional tire presentation than a modern metric sidewall usually gives.
That makes it a useful middle ground between strict bias-ply appearance and a more modern radial format. Even so, the switch still needs a careful fitment review, including wheel width, physical clearance around the body and suspension, and the condition of the wheels the tire will actually be mounted on.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 670-15 tire for a 1955 Hudson Wasp?
Start with the confirmed 670-15 size and 15-inch rim, then narrow the choice by construction, sidewall style, and wheel compatibility. For this Hudson, the main choices are among classic bias-ply products, along with the separate decision of whether to stay with bias-ply or evaluate a radial equivalent.
Appearance matters on a mid-1950s car, so blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options can change the car's presentation quite a bit. It also helps to compare the tire series and rim-width specifications against the wheels actually on the car, especially if the Wasp has been restored or altered over time.
What sidewall styles are available for 1955 Hudson Wasp tires?
The 1955 Hudson Wasp's 670-15 tire choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. That gives owners room to tailor the car's look from a plainer utility-oriented presentation to a more upscale mid-1950s whitewall appearance.
Choosing among them depends mostly on the visual direction of the car and how closely the owner wants to follow a period-style theme. A wide whitewall can dramatically change the car's stance and presence, while blackwall or narrower whitewall options keep the look more restrained.
What brands offer tires for the 1955 Hudson Wasp?
The 1955 Hudson Wasp's 670-15 size is available from Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, BFGoodrich, Excelsior, Avon, Goodyear, and STA. Those brands appear across several classic bias-ply series and sidewall treatments.
Brand choice is best handled as part of the overall fitment decision rather than as a stand-alone answer. Once the right size and construction are settled, compare each brand's series, sidewall style, rim-width specification, and the kind of visual presentation you want the finished car to have.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1955 Hudson Wasp?
A 670-15 bias-ply tire is the natural starting point for a period-style 1955 Hudson Wasp because it keeps the car in its original-era sizing and construction format. From there, the choice usually comes down to whether the car looks best with blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall styling.
Owners aiming for a restoration-oriented result should match the tire's appearance to the car's trim level, finish, and historical presentation rather than choosing by size alone. When exact originality matters, marque references, period photos, and vehicle-specific restoration documentation are worth checking before settling on a whitewall treatment.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1955 Hudson Wasp?
Tire construction changes more than road feel on a restored 1955 Hudson Wasp; it also affects how the car looks at a glance. A 670-15 bias-ply keeps the traditional vintage tire profile and presentation, while radial alternatives can shift the visual impression even when chosen as size equivalents.
That is why many restorers treat construction as both a fitment decision and an appearance decision. A bias-look radial can soften that difference for owners who want a more traditional sidewall impression, but the final choice should still be checked against the wheels and the restoration goals for the car.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1955 Hudson Wasp?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1955 Hudson Wasp even when the tire size remains 670-15 or an accepted radial equivalent. Wheel changes, altered wheel width, suspension work, lowering, or body repairs can all change how much room the tire has.
A collector car often passes through several owners, so it is smart to inspect what is actually on the vehicle before choosing tires. Measure wheel diameter and width, look for non-stock offset or stance changes, and verify steering and fender clearance with the car at normal ride height.
What should I inspect before driving a 1955 Hudson Wasp on new tires?
Before driving a 1955 Hudson Wasp on new tires, inspect the wheels for rust, cracks, bent flanges, and old balance issues, then confirm proper mounting and inflation. The suspension, steering components, and alignment condition also deserve attention on a car from this era.
A new tire cannot correct worn mechanical parts or poor wheel condition. It also helps to recheck lug torque, look for any contact at full steering lock, and make sure the spare and jack equipment still match the tire and wheel setup being used on the car.
How should 670-15 tires on a collector 1955 Hudson Wasp be maintained?
670-15 tires on a collector 1955 Hudson Wasp should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Watch for sidewall cracking, tread separation, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss, especially on a car that sits for long periods.
Collector vehicles often age their tires through time as much as through mileage. Keeping the Hudson out of prolonged sun, moisture, and ozone exposure helps preserve the rubber, and occasional inspections before local drives or longer tours can catch problems before they turn into roadside failures.