1957 Studebaker Commander Tires

The 1957 Studebaker Commander uses two primary tire sizes: 670-15 and 710-15. Both are bias-ply sizes designed for 15-inch rims, so the correct choice is not a matter of modern metric sizing but of confirming which vintage fitment your car actually uses.

That distinction matters because the two sizes are not simply styling variations. Before replacing anything, check the existing tire size, the wheel width, and the overall setup on the car, especially if it has changed hands or has had wheel work over the years. Once the size is confirmed, the next decision becomes sidewall style, brand, series, or whether to compare one of the available radial equivalents.

The primary tire fitments for a 1957 Studebaker Commander use a 15-inch rim diameter. That is true for both 670-15 and 710-15, so the key difference between the two fitments is not wheel diameter but the tire size and the wheel width range that best suits it.

A 15-inch diameter alone does not settle the fitment question, especially on a collector car. It is worth checking the actual wheel width stamped on the wheel or measuring it directly, because some tires in these sizes are paired with narrower or wider rim ranges than others. That step becomes even more important if the car has replacement wheels or if a radial-equivalent size is under consideration.

The 1957 Studebaker Commander 57B 8 Cyl. can use the same two primary tire sizes found on this page: 670-15 and 710-15. Both are bias-ply fitments on 15-inch rims, so the sub-model itself does not narrow the choice down to one size automatically.

That means the practical task is confirming which wheel and tire combination is on the individual car. Looking at the sidewall of the existing tires, measuring wheel width, and checking for any past wheel changes will help settle the choice. Once that is verified, selecting a blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall treatment becomes much easier and more consistent with the car’s intended appearance.

On the 1957 Studebaker Commander, 670-15 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It uses a vintage numeric sizing format rather than a modern radial format, so a 670-15 selection preserves the traditional construction style associated with the original fitment pattern for this car.

That matters for both appearance and setup. A bias-ply tire maintains the period-style profile and presentation many restorers want, while a radial alternative changes both the construction and the sizing convention. If the car currently wears 670-15 tires and a conversion is being considered, compare the radial-equivalent size carefully against wheel width, clearance, and the car’s intended use before making the switch.

For 670-15, radial equivalents include 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15 as a bias-look radial. For 710-15, the equivalent choices are 205R15, P215/75R15, P225/70R15, and 710R15 as a bias-look radial. Those options cover Euro-metric, P-metric, and bias-look radial formats.

The choices differ in sizing convention and profile family, not just in name. A buyer comparing them should also look at the recommended rim-width range: 5 to 7 inches for the 670-15 equivalents and 6 to 8 inches for the 710-15 equivalents. Clearance at the fenders and steering components still needs to be confirmed on the car before treating any equivalent as a practical replacement candidate.

Start by identifying whether the car currently uses 670-15 or 710-15, then match that size to the correct radial-equivalent family. The wheel diameter remains 15 inches, but wheel width, tire profile, and the exact equivalent chosen all affect whether the conversion makes sense for the car.

A careful check should include the wheel width, the condition of the wheels, fender and steering clearance, and any suspension or ride-height changes that may have been made over time. It is also wise to compare the visual result with the car’s restoration goals, since a standard radial and a bias-look radial can present very differently even when both are reasonable alternatives in the same fitment conversation.

Begin with the verified primary size on the car, because the 1957 Studebaker Commander can use either 670-15 or 710-15. After size is settled, compare construction, wheel compatibility, sidewall style, and load-capacity details where they are shown, since those factors shape both the appearance and the practical fitment of the tire.

The best choice often depends on how the car is being used and how it is meant to look. A blackwall gives a more understated presentation, while narrow and wide whitewalls move the car in a more restoration-oriented direction. Comparing rim-width specifications can also help narrow the field, especially if the wheels on the car are not known to be original to its long-term setup.

1957 Studebaker Commander tires are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles across the two primary bias-ply sizes. Those choices appear in both 670-15 and 710-15, although the exact whitewall widths and brand offerings vary from one product line and tire series to another.

That gives owners flexibility to match the tire to the car’s visual direction rather than treating every correct-size tire as the same. A blackwall tends to look simpler and more restrained, while whitewall treatments add more period presence. Because sidewall style does not change the need for correct size and wheel fitment, confirm those fundamentals first and then choose the appearance that best suits the car.

Tire choices for the 1957 Studebaker Commander include Firestone, BFGoodrich, US Royal, Universal Vintage Tire, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Excelsior, Avon, and STA depending on the size and series. Most of the assortment centers on bias-ply offerings, with brand availability varying between 670-15 and 710-15.

Brand comparison is most useful after the correct size is confirmed. From there, look at the series name, sidewall treatment, rim-width specification, and load figures where those details are shown, because those elements affect how closely a tire matches the intended use and visual style of the car. The goal is not simply choosing a brand name, but selecting the overall fitment and presentation that suits the Commander.

A period-style 1957 Studebaker Commander usually starts with the correct primary size already on the car, either 670-15 or 710-15, in bias-ply construction. That preserves the vintage sizing format and traditional visual character more closely than moving immediately to a modern radial format.

Once the size is confirmed, the appearance decision often comes down to blackwall versus whitewall treatment and the particular tire series that best matches the car’s restoration direction. Exact originality can depend on trim level, delivery details, and historical documentation, so owners pursuing highly precise restoration work should compare their tire choice against marque references and vehicle-specific history rather than relying on size alone.

Tire construction has a visible effect on a restored 1957 Studebaker Commander because bias-ply and radial tires do not present exactly the same way on the car. A bias-ply tire keeps the Commander in its original-era sizing language, while a modern radial usually introduces a more contemporary look even when it is chosen as an equivalent.

That difference becomes especially noticeable when whitewall styling is part of the restoration plan. Owners who want a more traditional presentation often stay with a bias-ply option, while those who want radial construction may look at a bias-look radial to retain more of the vintage visual impression. The right answer depends on how much priority is being given to period style versus alternate construction.

Yes. Even though the 1957 Studebaker Commander uses 15-inch primary tire fitments, wheel changes, suspension work, ride-height changes, and brake upgrades can all alter how a tire fits on the car. That becomes especially important when deciding between 670-15 and 710-15 or when considering a radial-equivalent size.

A Commander with aftermarket wheels may still have the right rim diameter but a different width or offset than expected. That can change sidewall shape, steering clearance, and fender clearance enough to affect the final choice. Any modified car should be checked as it sits now rather than assumed to match a stock setup, especially before ordering wider tires or moving into a different construction type.

Before putting a 1957 Studebaker Commander back on the road with new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm the wheel diameter and width, and make sure the tires are mounted in the correct primary size. It is also smart to verify valve stems, balance, and general clearance at the fenders and steering components.

A short road check after installation can reveal rubbing, pull, vibration, or air-loss issues before they become bigger problems. Tire pressure should be set appropriately for the tire and wheel setup being used, and the car’s suspension and steering condition deserve attention as well. New tires perform best when they are part of a sound overall chassis, not an isolated replacement on a neglected front end.

Collector-car tires on a 1957 Studebaker Commander should be inspected regularly even if the car is driven only occasionally. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, bulges, cuts, air loss, and uneven wear, and keep the tires clean and properly inflated for the way the car is stored and used.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a low-use car. Long exposure to sunlight, excess heat, moisture, or ozone sources can age tires prematurely, and extended parking in one position can also affect them over time. Rolling the car periodically, checking pressures before each drive, and giving the tires a close visual inspection before longer outings helps preserve both safety and appearance.