1958 Buick 40 Special Tires

The 1958 Buick 40 Special uses two primary tire sizes: 710-15 and 760-15. Both are bias-ply sizes designed for 15-inch rims, so the fitment question is not about choosing between different wheel diameters but about confirming which of the two width-based vintage sizes belongs on the car.

That distinction matters because 710-15 and 760-15 do not represent the same overall tire package. A Buick that has been restored, re-wheeled, or previously converted may already be set up around one size or the other, so checking the tires currently on the car, the wheel width, and available body and steering clearance is the sensible starting point before choosing a replacement.

The primary tire fitments for the 1958 Buick 40 Special are built around a 15-inch rim diameter. Both 710-15 and 760-15 use that same 15-inch wheel diameter, which keeps the basic wheel-size question simple even though the car can use two different vintage tire sizes.

Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture on a collector Buick. Wheel width still affects which tire works properly, especially if the car has replacement wheels or a different stance than stock, so it is worth measuring the actual wheels on the car instead of assuming every 15-inch rim is the same.

A 710-15 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 710 refers to an approximate 7.10-inch nominal section width, and the 15 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. It is a traditional sizing format from the period, not a modern metric radial designation.

Understanding that format helps when comparing replacements, because a modern radial equivalent will usually be labeled in metric or P-metric form rather than as another numeric bias-ply size. Once the size itself is confirmed, the next decision becomes whether to keep the bias-ply construction for period-style appearance or evaluate a radial alternative that still suits the Buick’s wheel setup.

For the 1958 Buick 40 Special, 710-15 is a primary bias-ply tire size. That means the original fitment style represented here is the traditional bias-ply construction associated with late-1950s American cars, rather than a radial being the base fitment in that same size code.

That matters because staying with 710-15 bias-ply preserves the vintage construction and the period-style presentation offered by the available blackwall and whitewall options. A radial can still be considered through equivalent sizing, but the change should be treated as a conversion decision that includes checking wheel width, overall dimensions, and available clearance around the front suspension and fenders.

Radial equivalents for 710-15 include 205R15 as an 80-series metric radial, P215/75R15 as a 75-series P-metric radial, P225/70R15 as a 70-series P-metric radial, and 710R15 as a bias-look radial. Those options give the 1958 Buick 40 Special several radial paths while keeping the same 15-inch rim diameter family.

Each equivalent reflects a different sizing convention and, in the case of the bias-look radial, a more traditional visual approach. The recommended rim-width range for these equivalents is 6-8 inches, but that does not make any one size automatic for every car, so wheel width, stance, steering clearance, and overall tire dimensions should be checked before changing construction.

The answer depends on how the 1958 Buick 40 Special is being used and how closely the tire choice should follow a period-style presentation. The primary fitments are bias-ply 710-15 and 760-15, while radial equivalents exist for both sizes, including metric, P-metric, and bias-look radial alternatives.

Bias-ply usually makes the most sense when visual authenticity and traditional construction matter most. Radial equivalents can be considered when road use leads you in that direction, but the decision should include the car’s actual wheel width, the dimensions of the alternative size, and any changes to ride height, steering components, or wheel fitment that could affect clearance.

Start by confirming that 710-15 is the tire size your 1958 Buick 40 Special is actually using, since the model can also take 760-15. From there, the main considerations are staying with bias-ply construction, matching the tire to the wheel’s dimensions, and deciding whether the car should wear blackwall, narrow whitewall, or a wider whitewall treatment.

Brand and series differences matter mostly in appearance and specification rather than in a simple yes-or-no fitment sense. BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, US Royal, and Universal Vintage Tire all appear in this size range, so the right choice usually comes down to the Buick’s restoration direction, the style of sidewall you want to see on the car, and the wheel setup already in place.

The available sidewall styles for 1958 Buick 40 Special tires include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, depending on whether you are looking at 710-15 or 760-15. That gives the car a broad range of visual treatments, from a restrained darker look to the brighter whitewall presentation strongly associated with the late 1950s.

Sidewall choice changes the car’s appearance much more than many owners expect, especially on a full-size Buick with substantial chrome and body length. A blackwall tends to read more understated, while narrow and wide whitewalls each create a different period-style emphasis, so it helps to decide whether the goal is conservative driver presentation or a more restoration-oriented visual statement.

Tires for the 1958 Buick 40 Special are available from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, and US Royal. Availability varies by size, so 710-15 and 760-15 do not present exactly the same brand mix or the same sidewall choices across every tire series.

That means brand selection should come after the fitment basics are settled. Once the correct size is confirmed, it becomes easier to compare which brands offer the sidewall style, series character, and wheel compatibility that suit the car, rather than picking a brand first and trying to force the Buick into a tire that does not match its setup.

A period-style 1958 Buick 40 Special generally starts with one of its primary bias-ply sizes, 710-15 or 760-15, rather than jumping immediately to a modern radial format. From there, the most visible styling decision is the sidewall treatment, with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options available depending on size and tire series.

Choosing between the two sizes still requires confirming which setup belongs on the car, because appearance is shaped by both tire width and sidewall style. When historical accuracy matters beyond a general period look, marque-specific references, restoration photos, and Buick-focused research are the best way to settle details such as how wide a whitewall presentation should be for your particular car.

Tire construction affects both the visual stance and the overall character of a restored 1958 Buick 40 Special. Bias-ply tires in 710-15 or 760-15 deliver the traditional construction associated with the era, while radial equivalents move the car into a more modern sizing language unless a bias-look radial is chosen.

That difference is especially noticeable on a late-1950s Buick because the tire is such a visible part of the car’s side profile. A restoration-oriented owner often wants the period-style look of a bias-ply or bias-look radial, while a driver-focused owner may place more weight on using a radial equivalent that still respects the car’s proportions and wheel requirements.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1958 Buick 40 Special even when the tire size itself looks correct on paper. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered offset, suspension work, lowering, or body repairs around the wheel openings can all influence whether a 710-15, 760-15, or a radial equivalent clears properly.

A modified car should be checked as it actually sits, not as a stock Buick would have been configured. Measuring the wheels, turning the steering through its full range, and checking clearance at the fenders and suspension components will usually tell you more than the size code alone, especially if the car has been restored over many decades.

Before driving a 1958 Buick 40 Special on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the tires are seated properly, and verify that nothing rubs at the fenders, steering, or suspension. Tire pressure should also be set correctly, and the car’s basic brake, steering, and suspension condition should be sound enough for road use.

A first drive should be treated as a fitment check rather than a long outing. Start with a short, careful run, then look again for any signs of contact, uneven stance, or unusual heat and air loss. That cautious approach is especially worthwhile on a collector Buick that may have older wheels, fresh restoration work, or long periods of storage behind it.

Collector-car tires in 710-15 or 760-15 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection, and thoughtful storage. Even when tread wear is low, a 1958 Buick 40 Special that is driven infrequently can still develop age-related issues such as cracking, flat spotting from long static periods, air loss, or sidewall damage that only becomes noticeable when the car returns to the road.

Good maintenance also means protecting the tires from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment in the storage area. Periodic inspection of tread, sidewalls, valve stems, and wheel condition is more useful than mileage alone on a collector vehicle, because time and storage environment often affect tire serviceability as much as actual road use.