The 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster came from an era when Buick’s top models balanced big-car luxury with dramatic late-1950s styling and a substantial road presence. Buyers restoring or maintaining one today usually want a tire that looks right under that broad fender line while still matching the car’s original fitment character. This Buick uses an 800-15 bias-ply tire on a 15-inch rim, so the main question is less about size and more about construction and appearance. Period-style wide whitewall bias-ply choices are available, and modern radial equivalents also exist for owners considering a different road-use setup. The right selection starts with preserving the Roadmaster’s stance, wheel compatibility, and intended presentation.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster
The 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster uses one primary tire size: 800-15. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 15-inch rim, and the covered 8-cylinder sub-model uses that same size. The real decision is choosing the right period-style tire within that fitment, or deciding whether to stay with bias-ply construction or evaluate one of the available radial equivalents.
An 800-15 tire uses the older numeric bias-ply sizing system, where the 800 designation refers to a nominal section width of about 8.00 inches and the 15 identifies the rim diameter in inches. On a 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster, this is the primary bias-ply fitment and suits the car’s original-era tire profile and visual proportions. Available choices in this size focus on Coker Classic Bias Ply tires with wide whitewall styling, including different whitewall widths for a more tailored period look. This size makes the most sense when the goal is to keep the Roadmaster’s traditional stance and full-size 1950s appearance.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the covered 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster range. The 8-cylinder sub-model uses the same primary tire size, so the main choice is not between different fitments but between tire appearance, construction, and overall restoration goals.
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1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster 8 Cyl.
The 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster 8 Cyl. uses the 800-15 bias-ply tire size on a 15-inch rim. That keeps tire selection focused on period-style whitewall presentation or, for owners considering a different driving setup, careful evaluation of the available radial-equivalent sizes.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster
The original 800-15 tire size has four radial-equivalent options to consider. 225R15 is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, P235/75R15 is the 75-series P-metric alternative, and P235/70R15 is the 70-series P-metric alternative. An 800R15 bias-look radial is also available for owners who want a more traditional visual style in radial construction. These options span different sizing conventions and profiles, with a recommended rim-width range of 6 to 8 inches, so wheel width, overall dimensions, and vehicle clearance should all be checked before changing setups.
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 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster Tires for Sale
Available 800-15 choices for the 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster center on Coker Classic Bias Ply tires with wide whitewall styling. The main comparison in the product grid is whitewall width, since both options share the same bias-ply construction, tire series, and 15-inch fitment character.
Common questions for the 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster usually center on the 800-15 tire size, 15-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial choices, whitewall appearance, and the checks worth making before putting a big 1950s Buick back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster?
The 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster uses an 800-15 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment and it mounts on a 15-inch rim, matching the full-size Buick’s original-era tire format and overall visual character.
That means the first step is not choosing between multiple primary sizes, but confirming that the car still has the proper 15-inch wheels and a stock-style setup. Once that is established, the real choice becomes whether to keep the traditional bias-ply construction or compare one of the available radial-equivalent sizes for a different road-use approach.
What size rim does a 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster use?
The 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster tire fitment is built around a 15-inch rim diameter. The primary 800-15 tire size uses that rim diameter, so any replacement tire under consideration needs to match a 15-inch wheel.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, especially on a large collector car. It is also worth confirming actual wheel width before making a final choice, particularly if the car has been changed from its original wheel setup or if a radial equivalent is being considered instead of the stock-style bias-ply format.
Does the 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster 8 Cyl. uses the same 800-15 bias-ply tire size as the core Roadmaster fitment. That keeps selection straightforward because the sub-model does not introduce a different primary size or rim diameter.
With size differences out of the way, attention can shift to the kind of tire that suits the car’s intended use. A restoration-oriented owner may focus on wide whitewall bias-ply presentation, while a road-use-minded owner may spend more time comparing the available radial-equivalent sizes and verifying wheel and clearance compatibility first.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 800-15 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster?
For the 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster, 800-15 is the primary bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing format associated with period full-size American cars, and it matches the traditional construction style used on this Buick fitment.
That matters because a bias-ply tire affects both appearance and setup decisions. Owners keeping a period-style presentation often stay with bias-ply construction, while owners exploring radial alternatives should treat that as a separate fitment decision and confirm wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and vehicle clearance before making the change.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 800-15?
Radial equivalents for 800-15 include 225R15, P235/75R15, P235/70R15, and 800R15. The 225R15 is an 80-series metric radial, P235/75R15 is a 75-series P-metric radial, P235/70R15 is a 70-series P-metric radial, and 800R15 is the bias-look radial option.
Those sizes give the Roadmaster owner several ways to compare a radial alternative, but they should not be treated as automatic replacements. The recommended rim-width range attached to these equivalents is 6 to 8 inches, and the final decision should account for the car’s actual wheel width, tire dimensions, and available space around the fenders and suspension.
What should I check before converting my 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming that the Buick still has 15-inch wheels in a compatible width for the radial-equivalent size under consideration. Then compare the chosen radial’s dimensions and construction type carefully, since an equivalent size still needs to suit the wheel, body clearance, and general condition of the car.
A Roadmaster that has aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, or body work deserves extra attention before the switch. Clearance at the fender openings, steering range, and suspension travel should all be checked, and it is wise to look at overall tire condition elsewhere on the car so the full setup remains consistent and roadworthy.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 800-15 tire for a 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster?
Begin with the correct primary size, which is 800-15, and make sure the tire matches the Roadmaster’s 15-inch wheel setup. After that, the important factors are construction type, whitewall presentation, and whether the car is being kept in a traditional restoration-oriented format or adapted toward radial-equivalent road use.
Available 800-15 product choices for this Buick stay within the same bias-ply family, so the appearance difference is a major part of the decision. Whitewall width can noticeably change the visual effect on a large 1957 Buick, and wheel width should still be confirmed so the selected tire works with the car’s actual wheel setup.
What sidewall styles are available for 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster tires?
The available 800-15 bias-ply products for the 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster use a wide whitewall sidewall style. Within that look, there are options with different whitewall widths, which lets the owner tune the tire’s visual presence without changing the primary size or basic construction.
That is especially important on a large late-1950s Buick because sidewall treatment has a strong effect on the car’s finished stance and overall presentation. Buyers focused on a period-style restoration often compare whitewall width closely, while drivers more concerned with alternate road manners may also want to weigh radial-equivalent options separately.
What tire series are available for the 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster?
The available primary-fitment products for the 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster fall within the Coker Classic Bias Ply series. That keeps the selection centered on a traditional bias-ply construction with a restoration-oriented look rather than spreading choices across multiple unrelated tire families.
With a single series in play, comparing the product grid becomes simpler. The key differences are more about whitewall presentation and matching the tire to the car’s wheel setup and intended use, rather than sorting through several competing series with different constructions or sidewall themes in the same primary size.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster?
For a period-style 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster, the natural starting point is the primary 800-15 bias-ply size. That keeps the car in its proper-era sizing format and preserves the tall-profile visual character expected on a full-size Buick of this period.
From there, appearance comes down to details such as whitewall width and the kind of finished look the restoration is aiming for. Owners pursuing exact historical accuracy should compare their choice against marque references, original photos, or other Buick-specific restoration sources, since period-style fitment and exact factory delivery are not always the same thing.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because tire size and construction strongly influence how a 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster sits, fills the wheel opening, and reads visually as a late-1950s luxury car. The 800-15 bias-ply format supports that original-era stance better than an arbitrary modern substitute.
Restoration decisions are not only cosmetic, since wheel diameter and overall tire proportions affect the whole presentation of the car. Even when a radial equivalent is being considered for driving reasons, the owner should still compare how that change alters the Buick’s look and confirm that the wheel and clearance setup remain suitable.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster?
Yes. A 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster may have the correct 800-15 tire size on paper, but changes to wheels, suspension height, brakes, or bodywork can alter the space available around the tire. Even a proper 15-inch diameter does not guarantee the same results on a modified car.
Any Roadmaster with aftermarket wheels or suspension changes deserves a careful clearance check at the front and rear. Steering travel, fender room, and wheel width all become especially important if a radial-equivalent size is being considered, since the final fit depends on the actual setup now on the car rather than its original configuration alone.
What should I inspect before driving a 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster on new tires?
Before putting a 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster into regular road use on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and general condition, and make sure the tires are properly mounted and inflated. It is also wise to look over the suspension, steering components, and brake system on a car of this age.
The tires themselves should be checked for proper seating, consistent air pressure, and adequate clearance through steering and suspension movement. A short initial drive followed by another visual inspection helps catch rubbing, uneven stance, or other setup issues early, which is especially useful on a large collector Buick returning to the road after storage.
How should 800-15 tires on a collector 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster be maintained?
800-15 tires on a collector 1957 Buick 70 Roadmaster should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Even on a low-mile car, tires should be watched for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, or slow air loss that can develop over time.
Collector cars often spend long periods parked, so sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone exposure can matter almost as much as mileage. Moving the car periodically, keeping the tires clean, and checking condition before each meaningful drive helps preserve both appearance and roadworthiness on a heavy 1950s Buick.