1958 Chrysler Saratoga Tires

A 1958 Chrysler Saratoga uses two primary tire sizes: 850-14 and 900-14. Both are bias-ply tires sized for 14-inch rims, so the main fitment difference is not wheel diameter but the width relationship between the tire and the wheel used on the car.

Choosing between them starts with confirming the actual wheel setup on the Saratoga, especially if the car has been restored or altered over the years. An 850-14 and a 900-14 are both valid primary sizes, but they are not interchangeable by assumption, so wheel width and vehicle clearance should be checked before settling on one.

The 1958 Chrysler Saratoga uses 14-inch rims with its primary tire fitments. Both 850-14 and 900-14 are built around that same 14-inch rim diameter, which simplifies the diameter question even though the car can use more than one tire width.

Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture on a Saratoga. The next step is checking wheel width, because the available 850-14 and 900-14 tires have different rim-width ranges. That matters even more on a collector car that may have replacement wheels, altered suspension, or a mix of original and later components.

Yes. The 1958 Chrysler Saratoga Base uses the same two primary tire sizes found on this application: 850-14 and 900-14, both in bias-ply construction for 14-inch rims. That means the sub-model itself does not narrow the choice down to a single size.

The practical question becomes which of those two sizes matches the wheels and setup on the specific car. A Saratoga Base with original-style wheels may differ from one that has been restored or modified, so the safest path is to verify wheel width and current tire clearances rather than choosing only by the sub-model name.

For the 1958 Chrysler Saratoga, 850-14 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric bias-ply format that was common in the period, with 14 indicating the wheel diameter and 850 representing the nominal width class of the tire.

That matters because staying with 850-14 bias-ply keeps the original sizing language and traditional construction style of the car’s era. Buyers who want to consider a radial instead should treat the radial sizes as equivalents rather than the same tire, then compare wheel-width suitability and available clearance before making the change.

Radial equivalents for 850-14 include 215R14, P225/75R14, and P235/70R14. Those represent three different radial sizing approaches: a Euro-metric 80-series style radial, a P-metric 75-series radial, and a lower-profile P-metric 70-series radial.

Each of those sizes should be evaluated as an alternative rather than an automatic replacement. The recommended rim-width range is 5 to 7 inches, and the final choice should be checked against the Saratoga’s wheel width, the car’s actual stance, and available clearance at the fenders and steering components before conversion.

Start by confirming the original tire size on the car, then match that to the available radial equivalent if you are converting from 850-14. The wheel diameter must remain correct, and the wheel width should also fall within the recommended range for the radial size being considered.

A conversion is more than a size-code change on a late-1950s Chrysler. Compare wheel width, tire clearance at full steering travel, and the condition of suspension and steering parts before making the switch. Cars that have sat for long periods or have replacement wheels deserve extra attention, since small setup changes can affect how a radial fits and behaves.

Begin with the correct primary size for the car’s actual wheel setup: 850-14 or 900-14. Both are bias-ply tires for 14-inch rims, so the important differences are tire width, wheel-width compatibility, and whether the Saratoga is being kept in a traditional bias-ply configuration or evaluated for a radial equivalent in the 850-14 range.

After size and wheel fitment are confirmed, the most visible choice is sidewall style. BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply options are available in wide whitewall and narrow whitewall treatments, which can shift the car’s overall character noticeably. Restoration goals, intended driving use, and the look you want on the finished car should guide the final decision.

The available sidewall styles for 1958 Chrysler Saratoga tires are wide whitewall and narrow whitewall. Both styles appear in BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply options for 850-14 and 900-14, giving the car two distinct traditional looks within the correct period-style size family.

A wide whitewall typically gives the Saratoga a stronger late-1950s visual presence, while a narrow whitewall creates a more restrained presentation. Neither choice should be treated as automatically correct for every car, especially on restored vehicles with mixed history, so it helps to match the sidewall treatment to the appearance goal of the specific Saratoga.

The available tire series for this application is Silvertown Classic Bias Ply. It is offered in both 850-14 and 900-14 sizes and gives the 1958 Chrysler Saratoga a period-style bias-ply presentation with a choice of whitewall treatments rather than a mix of unrelated modern series.

Since the series stays consistent, choosing the right tire is less about comparing multiple lines and more about selecting the proper size and sidewall style. Buyers should also compare rim-width compatibility between 850-14 and 900-14, because the right series still needs to match the wheel and stance of the particular car.

A period-style 1958 Chrysler Saratoga usually starts with one of its primary bias-ply sizes, 850-14 or 900-14, rather than a modern-looking substitute. Keeping the original numeric bias-ply sizing format preserves the visual character of the car more closely, especially on a full-size late-1950s Chrysler where tire profile and sidewall treatment are easy to notice.

The better choice depends on the actual wheels on the car and the appearance you want once it is sitting at ride height. If historical accuracy is especially important, the final decision should be cross-checked against marque references, restoration photos, or other vehicle-specific documentation instead of relying only on general period style.

Tire construction changes the look of a restored 1958 Chrysler Saratoga more than many buyers expect. A bias-ply tire keeps the older sizing format and traditional presentation associated with the car’s era, while a radial alternative can change the visual impression even when it remains in a comparable fitment range.

Sidewall treatment adds another layer to that appearance choice. Wide whitewall and narrow whitewall options can each suit the Saratoga differently depending on the restoration style, paint, and trim. Buyers trying to balance road use with a traditional look often start by deciding how important original-era construction is before choosing a sidewall style.

Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1958 Chrysler Saratoga even when the tire size itself is one of the correct primary options. Changes to wheel width, wheel offset, suspension height, steering parts, or body clearance can all alter how an 850-14 or 900-14 sits and moves on the car.

That is why a Saratoga with aftermarket wheels or suspension work should be measured rather than assumed to match a stock setup. Turning clearance, fender space, and the wheel’s actual dimensions deserve a close look before installing new tires, especially on large collector cars where a small hardware change can noticeably affect fit.

Before driving a 1958 Chrysler Saratoga on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, verify that the tires are properly seated, and confirm inflation pressure for the tires being used. It also helps to check steering and suspension components so the new tires are not being asked to compensate for worn hardware.

A short, careful test drive is a smart follow-up on any collector car. Listen for rubbing, watch for unusual pull or vibration, and recheck pressure after the first miles. Cars that have spent long periods in storage should also be inspected for brake drag, wheel-bearing issues, and any old alignment problems that could affect new tire wear.

Collector-car tires on a 1958 Chrysler Saratoga should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age as well as tread. An 850-14 or 900-14 tire may look lightly used on a low-mile car, but cracking, flat spotting, and air loss can still develop over time.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a collector Chrysler. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the sidewalls, while periodic movement can reduce long-term flat spotting. Any sign of bulges, cuts, repeated pressure loss, or visible cracking deserves immediate inspection before road use.