1957 Lincoln Premiere Tires

The 1957 Lincoln Premiere uses two primary tire sizes: 800-15 and 820-15. Both are vintage numeric bias-ply sizes built for 15-inch rims, and the covered Premiere Base is associated with both sizes rather than just one fixed fitment.

That makes the practical next step confirming which size is already mounted on the car or which setup matches the stance and appearance you want to keep. A Premiere with replacement wheels, prior restoration work, or changed ride height should be checked carefully before choosing between 800-15 and 820-15.

The primary tire fitments for the 1957 Lincoln Premiere are built around a 15-inch rim diameter. Both 800-15 and 820-15 use that same 15-inch wheel diameter, so the tire-size decision is not about changing rim diameter between the two listed sizes.

Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, though. The car’s actual wheel width still matters, especially if it has been modified or fitted with non-original wheels over the years, so it is worth confirming both diameter and wheel dimensions before selecting a bias-ply tire or a radial equivalent.

The 1957 Lincoln Premiere is associated with both 800-15 and 820-15, which means more than one primary bias-ply size can apply within this exact year and model coverage. Both sizes use a 15-inch rim, but the nominal section width differs between the two listings.

For a buyer, that means tire selection starts with the actual configuration on the car rather than assuming one size fits every Premiere automatically. Checking the wheels already installed, the look you want to maintain, and any prior restoration or suspension changes will usually point you toward the correct starting size.

For the 1957 Lincoln Premiere, 800-15 is a primary bias-ply tire size, not a radial. It uses a vintage numeric sizing format and appears in traditional bias-ply offerings, including wide whitewall versions aimed at a classic presentation.

A radial alternative can still be considered, but it should be treated as an equivalent option rather than the same construction. Buyers comparing 800-15 with radial choices should verify wheel width, overall visual proportion, and clearance at the fender and steering range before moving away from the original-style bias-ply setup.

For 800-15, radial equivalents include 225R15, P235/75R15, P235/70R15, and the bias-look radial 800R15. For 820-15, the equivalent choices are 235R15, P235/75R15, P255/70R15, and the bias-look radial 820R15.

Those equivalents cover an 80-series metric radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, a lower-profile 70-series P-metric radial, and a bias-look radial that keeps a more traditional visual theme. Each should still be checked against the car’s actual wheels, the 6-8 inch recommended rim-width range, and available clearance before a conversion is finalized.

Start by matching the radial-equivalent size to the car’s current primary fitment, since 800-15 and 820-15 do not share exactly the same equivalent-size path. Then confirm the wheel diameter, the actual wheel width, and whether the selected radial falls within the recommended 6-8 inch rim-width range.

A 1957 Lincoln Premiere that has replacement wheels, altered suspension, or body changes deserves extra clearance checks at full steering lock and normal ride height. It also helps to compare the look you want from the car, because a standard metric or P-metric radial presents differently than a bias-look radial.

Begin with the correct primary size, since the 1957 Lincoln Premiere may use either 800-15 or 820-15. After that, the main decisions are whether to stay with bias-ply construction, whether to evaluate a radial equivalent, and what kind of sidewall treatment best suits the car’s appearance.

The product range also varies quite a bit by size. An 800-15 choice is more focused, while 820-15 opens the door to multiple brands, tire series, blackwall or whitewall presentations, and some specialty options, so wheel dimensions and intended use should guide the final comparison.

Sidewall choices for the 1957 Lincoln Premiere include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, depending on the size and product selected. The 800-15 offerings center on wide whitewall styles, while 820-15 includes the broadest appearance spread across blackwall, narrow whitewall, and multiple wide whitewall treatments.

That makes sidewall choice one of the biggest visual decisions on this car. A buyer focused on a formal late-1950s presentation may lean toward whitewall styles, while a simpler or more specialized look may point toward blackwall, especially within some of the performance-oriented 820-15 offerings.

Tires for the 1957 Lincoln Premiere are available from Coker Classic, BFGoodrich, Firestone, US Royal, Universal Vintage Tire, and Avon. Brand coverage depends on the tire size, with the broadest spread appearing in 820-15 and a more focused Coker Classic offering in 800-15.

Choosing among them usually comes down to the combination of size, sidewall appearance, tire series, and whether the tire is meant for traditional bias-ply road use or a more specialized application. Comparing those details matters more than brand name alone when narrowing the right fitment for the car.

A period-style 1957 Lincoln Premiere usually starts with one of its primary bias-ply sizes, 800-15 or 820-15, rather than jumping straight to a modern radial format. From there, the appearance can be shaped further through blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall selections, depending on the size chosen.

The right choice depends on how the car is being restored and what visual era or presentation you want to emphasize. When exact originality matters, it is worth checking marque-specific historical references or restoration documentation, because a correct size alone does not automatically settle the most appropriate sidewall treatment.

Tire construction changes more than ride feel on a restored 1957 Lincoln Premiere; it also changes the car’s visual character. A bias-ply tire preserves the traditional construction associated with the original-size fitments, while a standard metric or P-metric radial gives the car a more modern tire profile.

A bias-look radial sits in between those two directions by offering a radial alternative with a more traditional presentation. That can be appealing on a driver-focused restoration, but it is still wise to compare the overall look on the wheel and body before deciding that a radial construction matches the finish you want.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1957 Lincoln Premiere even when the tire size itself is one of the correct primary listings. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, altered suspension height, or body work can all influence clearance around the fenders and steering components.

That matters whether you stay with 800-15 or 820-15 bias-ply tires or compare one of the radial-equivalent sizes. A car that no longer sits on its original-style wheel setup should be measured carefully at normal ride height and through the steering range before a new tire choice is finalized.

Before driving a 1957 Lincoln Premiere on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and sound condition, then verify proper mounting, inflation, and valve condition. It also helps to check for rubbing at the fenders, suspension, and steering components once the car is back on its tires.

A collector-era luxury car should also get a broader road-readiness check before regular use. Looking over brakes, steering response, suspension condition, and any signs of uneven ride height can reveal issues that affect how the new tires behave, especially on a car that has spent long periods stored.

Collector-car tires in 800-15 or 820-15 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related condition even if the car is driven only occasionally. Sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, irregular wear, and gradual air loss all deserve attention on a large 1950s luxury car.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage. Keeping the Lincoln away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, excess moisture, and ozone-producing equipment helps protect the tires, and a careful inspection before each drive is a smart habit when the car spends long stretches parked between outings.