The 1957 Imperial Crown came from Chrysler’s Forward Look era, when styling, presence, and road-going luxury were central to the car’s identity. Its long, formal proportions and upscale character call for a tire that looks right on the car as much as it fits the wheel correctly. This Imperial Crown uses a 950-14 bias-ply tire on a 14-inch rim, keeping the fitment firmly in period-style territory. Available choices center on traditional bias-ply construction with either a narrow whitewall or a wider whitewall treatment. For a restoration-minded owner, the real decision is how closely the tire’s appearance should match the car’s intended presentation and use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1957 Imperial Crown
The 1957 Imperial Crown uses one primary tire size: 950-14. It is a bias-ply fitment for a 14-inch rim, and the Crown V8 uses the same size, so the main decision is not which size fits but which whitewall presentation best suits the car and how closely you want to stay with a traditional bias-ply look and feel.
The 950-14 designation is a vintage numeric bias-ply size, with the leading number indicating a nominal section width of about 9.50 inches and the final number identifying a 14-inch rim. On a 1957 Imperial Crown, that keeps the tire selection aligned with the car’s original-era sizing system and traditional construction. Available choices in this size include BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires with either a 1.00-inch narrow whitewall or a 2.50-inch wide whitewall. The most important decision is choosing the sidewall style that best matches the car’s restoration direction, wheel setup, and visual character.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1957 Imperial Crown sub-models. The Crown V8 uses the same primary tire size, so the focus stays on selecting the right whitewall style and confirming the wheel remains the correct 14-inch setup.
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1957 Imperial Crown V8
The 1957 Imperial Crown V8 uses the same 950-14 bias-ply tire size as the core model. That makes tire selection more about appearance and intended use, especially whether a narrow whitewall or wide whitewall better suits the car’s presentation.
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 Imperial Crown Tires for Sale
Available 950-14 choices for the 1957 Imperial Crown center on BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires. The main comparison in the product grid is sidewall appearance, with both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions built for the same 14-inch rim and similar rim-width range.
Common 1957 Imperial Crown tire questions usually come down to the 950-14 size, 14-inch rim fitment, whitewall appearance, and what to inspect before putting a collector-era luxury car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1957 Imperial Crown?
The 1957 Imperial Crown uses a 950-14 tire size. This is a bias-ply fitment on a 14-inch rim, and the Crown V8 uses the same size, so there is no separate primary size to sort through within the covered sub-model range.
That makes the buying decision more about choosing the right tire style within 950-14 rather than deciding between multiple fitments. It is still worth confirming that the car retains its correct wheel diameter and width, especially if it has been stored for years or changed hands several times.
What size rim does a 1957 Imperial Crown use?
The 1957 Imperial Crown uses a 14-inch rim with its 950-14 tire size. Available tires in this size are built around that rim diameter, and the product options in this fitment also share a rim-width range of 6.50 to 7.50 inches.
Rim diameter is the first thing to verify before ordering replacement tires, because a 14-inch tire cannot be mounted on a different wheel diameter. Measuring the wheel and checking for any later wheel swaps is especially important on collector cars that may have received aftermarket or replacement wheels over time.
Does the 1957 Imperial Crown V8 use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1957 Imperial Crown V8 uses the same 950-14 bias-ply tire size as the core 1957 Imperial Crown fitment. That keeps sub-model fitment simple and avoids the need to choose between different primary tire sizes within the covered range.
Even with shared fitment, tire selection can still vary by the look you want the car to have. A narrow whitewall and a wide whitewall create very different visual results, so it helps to decide whether the car is being kept closer to a formal restoration style or a more general period-inspired presentation.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 950-14 tire for a 1957 Imperial Crown?
Start with the correct 950-14 size, the 14-inch rim diameter, and the bias-ply construction that belongs to this fitment. From there, the biggest choice is sidewall appearance, since available options include both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions in the same BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series.
The car’s intended use should guide the final decision. A restoration-minded owner may focus on the visual balance of the whitewall against the Imperial’s trim and body lines, while a road-use owner should also confirm wheel width, tire condition, and the load needs of a large 1950s luxury car.
What sidewall styles are available for 1957 Imperial Crown tires?
The 1957 Imperial Crown has 950-14 tire options with two distinct sidewall styles: Narrow Whitewall and Wide Whitewall. Both are bias-ply tires in the same Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, so the difference is mainly visual rather than a change in basic construction or size.
That choice matters because sidewall treatment strongly affects how a 1957 luxury car presents on the road or at a show. Looking at period photos, marque references, and the car’s trim level can help narrow the look you want, especially when aiming for a more formal restoration-oriented appearance.
What tire series are available for the 1957 Imperial Crown?
The available 950-14 products for the 1957 Imperial Crown are in the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. Within that series, the main distinction is the whitewall treatment rather than a change to a different construction family or a different primary size.
That keeps comparison fairly simple. Once the correct size and wheel dimensions are confirmed, attention can shift to whether the tire’s sidewall appearance matches the car’s overall look and whether the rim-width specification and load capacity suit the wheel and intended driving use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1957 Imperial Crown?
A period-style 1957 Imperial Crown starts with the correct 950-14 bias-ply sizing and a 14-inch wheel. The available BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply options stay within that traditional format, making them appropriate starting points for an owner who wants the car to retain a distinctly 1950s tire presentation.
The most visible difference is the whitewall treatment. A narrow whitewall gives a more restrained look, while a wide whitewall creates a stronger luxury-era statement, so the right choice depends on the car’s trim, finish, and restoration goals rather than on fitment alone.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1957 Imperial Crown restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1957 Imperial Crown restoration because tire size, construction, and sidewall style all shape how the car sits and how authentic the finished presentation feels. Using the proper 950-14 bias-ply format helps preserve the visual proportions expected on a large late-1950s Imperial.
Appearance is only part of the equation. The wheel still needs to match the tire’s required diameter and width range, and the tire should be selected with the car’s actual use in mind. Owners pursuing exact originality should also compare their choice against marque-club references and restoration documentation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1957 Imperial Crown?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1957 Imperial Crown even when the original tire size is 950-14. Wheel swaps, altered suspension height, brake changes, or body work can change the space available around the tire and may also affect whether the wheel still falls within the proper width range.
A collector car should be checked as it sits today, not just by its original specification. Measuring wheel diameter and width, looking for steering or fender interference, and confirming that all four corners match will help avoid problems, especially on a car that has had restoration or custom work done.
What should I inspect before driving a 1957 Imperial Crown on new tires?
Before driving a 1957 Imperial Crown on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the tires are properly mounted and inflated, and make sure there is no contact at the fenders or steering components. Lug hardware, valve stems, and overall wheel integrity also deserve a close look.
A large 1950s luxury car also benefits from a broader road-readiness check. Steering components, suspension wear, brake condition, and alignment can all affect how a fresh set of bias-ply tires behaves, so addressing those items before regular use helps the tire perform as intended.
How should 950-14 tires on a collector 1957 Imperial Crown be maintained?
950-14 tires on a collector 1957 Imperial Crown should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Watch for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss, especially on a car that spends long periods parked or is only driven occasionally.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a collector vehicle. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excessive heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the sidewalls, and moving or driving the car periodically can help prevent long-term flat spotting during extended storage.
