1955 Studebaker Champion Tires

A 1955 Studebaker Champion uses either 640-15 or 670-15 bias-ply tires, depending on the sub-model. The Champion 6 Cyl. uses 640-15, while the Champion Wagon uses 670-15. Both sizes are built around a 15-inch rim, but they are not the same primary fitment.

The important next step is confirming the exact Champion configuration before choosing a tire. Once the correct size is established, the real decision becomes selecting the right brand, sidewall style, and tire series, or deciding whether a radial equivalent deserves a closer look for the way the car will be driven.

The 1955 Studebaker Champion uses a 15-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. That applies whether the car is fitted with 640-15 or 670-15 bias-ply tires, so the wheel diameter remains consistent even though the tire size changes by sub-model.

Diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on an older car that may have had wheels changed over the years. It is still worth checking the actual wheel width on the car before choosing among available products or considering a radial equivalent, since width compatibility and clearance both affect the final decision.

No. The 1955 Studebaker Champion 6 Cyl. uses 640-15, while the 1955 Studebaker Champion Wagon uses 670-15. Both are bias-ply sizes for 15-inch rims, but the size itself changes with the sub-model.

That difference matters because a buyer should not assume that any Champion tire listing applies across the whole model line. Verifying the body style or trim designation first helps narrow the search quickly and keeps the focus on the right group of tires, sidewall treatments, and radial-equivalent options for that exact vehicle.

On the 1955 Studebaker Champion, 640-15 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It is used on the Champion 6 Cyl. and keeps the car in the vintage numeric sizing system typical of the period rather than a modern radial size format.

That matters because a buyer choosing 640-15 is usually balancing traditional appearance and period-style construction against the possibility of switching to a radial equivalent. Any move away from bias-ply should be checked against the actual wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and available clearance so the conversion stays compatible with the car’s setup.

Radial equivalents for 670-15 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. The recommended rim-width range attached to these equivalents is 5-7 inches.

Each of those alternatives approaches the original size from a slightly different sizing convention or profile family. The key is to treat them as comparison choices rather than automatic substitutions, then verify wheel width, overall dimensions, steering clearance, and body clearance before changing from the original bias-ply construction.

Start by matching the radial equivalent to the Champion’s actual primary tire size, since 640-15 and 670-15 do not share the same radial alternatives. After that, confirm the wheel diameter, compare the wheel width to the recommended range for the equivalent size, and make sure the chosen tire still suits the car’s intended use.

A conversion also deserves a careful clearance check at the fenders, steering, and suspension, especially if the car no longer sits on original wheels or stock ride height. Construction changes can alter the character of the car, so appearance goals and road-use expectations should be settled before choosing a radial path.

A 640-15 tire choice for a 1955 Studebaker Champion starts with confirming that the car is the 6 Cyl. configuration that uses this size. From there, the main considerations are keeping the bias-ply construction, selecting a blackwall or whitewall presentation, and comparing product details such as rim-width guidance, load figures, and tire series.

Available 640-15 options span BFGoodrich, Firestone, Avon, and Excelsior, so the decision is more about matching the tire to the car’s look and use than chasing one universal answer. A restrained blackwall creates a different impression than a wide whitewall, and wheel width should be checked before settling on a specific product.

The 1955 Studebaker Champion has blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall choices across its applicable tire sizes. Those sidewall treatments appear in both 640-15 and 670-15, although the exact mix varies by size, brand, and tire series.

Sidewall style can change the whole visual character of a mid-1950s car, even when the tire size stays correct. A blackwall tends to feel more understated, while narrow and wide whitewalls move the car toward a more formal period presentation, so the best choice usually depends on how original-looking or personalized the finished Champion needs to appear.

Tires for the 1955 Studebaker Champion are available from brands including Firestone, BFGoodrich, Avon, Excelsior, US Royal, Goodyear, Universal Vintage Tire, Coker Classic, and STA. Brand availability depends on whether the car uses 640-15 or 670-15, so the exact sub-model still matters before narrowing the field.

Brand is only one part of the selection process on a vintage fitment like this. It helps to compare the tire series within the correct size, then look at sidewall styling, wheel-width suitability, and the overall look you want the car to carry rather than assuming every brand option serves the same purpose.

A period-style 1955 Studebaker Champion should begin with the correct primary bias-ply size for the specific sub-model: 640-15 for the 6 Cyl. and 670-15 for the Wagon. Staying with bias-ply construction preserves the vintage sizing format and gives the owner access to blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall treatments.

The final choice depends on how the car is being presented rather than on one universally correct answer. If exact originality matters, marque references and restoration documentation are worth consulting, but for many owners the best result is simply a tire that keeps the Champion’s proportions right and suits the intended visual style.

Tire construction affects more than ride and handling on a restored 1955 Studebaker Champion; it also influences visual character. A bias-ply tire preserves the original-era sizing language and traditional sidewall shape, while a radial equivalent introduces a more modern construction even when it is chosen to approximate the original fitment.

That difference is especially noticeable on a mid-1950s car where wheel opening proportion and sidewall presentation are part of the overall design. Owners restoring for a strongly period-style result often stay with bias-ply, while owners planning more regular road use may compare radial equivalents after checking wheel width and vehicle clearance.

Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1955 Studebaker Champion even when the tire size itself is correct for the sub-model. Aftermarket wheels, changed wheel width, altered ride height, suspension work, or body changes can all influence whether a 640-15, 670-15, or radial equivalent has adequate room.

A modified car should be checked at full steering travel and through normal suspension movement before settling on a final tire. Clearance at the fender, frame, and suspension becomes especially important when moving away from the original bias-ply construction, since an equivalent radial still needs to suit the actual wheel and chassis setup.

Before driving a 1955 Studebaker Champion on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and sound condition, then confirm the tires are mounted in the proper size for the car’s sub-model. It also makes sense to check valve stems, inflation pressure, and basic clearance at the fenders and steering components.

A collector car should also get a broader once-over before road use, because tire installation does not correct unrelated age issues. Brake condition, suspension wear, and alignment can all affect how the new tires behave, and a short low-speed test drive is a smart way to catch rubbing, pull, or vibration early.

Collector-car tires on a 1955 Studebaker Champion should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to aging as well as tread wear. Both 640-15 and 670-15 bias-ply tires deserve periodic checks for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and any sign of slow air loss, especially on a car that spends long periods parked.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on an older vehicle. Keeping the Champion away from prolonged sun, excessive heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber, and occasional inspections during storage make it easier to catch condition issues before the next drive rather than after the car is back on the road.