1958 De Soto LS 1-L-8 Firesweep Tires

The 1958 De Soto LS 1-L-8 Firesweep uses 800-14 and 850-14 tire sizes in bias-ply construction. The Base sub-model can use either 800-14 or 850-14, while the Wagon uses 850-14. Both sizes are built for 14-inch rims, so the right starting point is identifying the exact sub-model and confirming which size is already on the car.

That distinction matters because this is not a one-size-fits-all Firesweep fitment. A car that has changed wheels over the years may no longer match its original setup, so checking the mounted wheel diameter and the current tire size before ordering is a smart step. Once the proper size is confirmed, the next decision becomes sidewall style, tire series, and whether to stay with bias-ply construction or compare radial-equivalent options.

The 1958 De Soto LS 1-L-8 Firesweep uses 14-inch rims with both of its primary tire sizes, 800-14 and 850-14. The size code itself ends in 14, which identifies the wheel diameter. That means the first fitment check is simple: the tire must be matched to a 14-inch wheel before anything else is considered.

Rim diameter is only part of the picture on a collector car, especially one that may have been altered during its life. Wheel width should also be checked against the tire being considered, and any aftermarket wheels should be measured rather than assumed. Confirming both diameter and width helps narrow the choice properly and avoids selecting a tire that looks right by size code but does not suit the actual wheel on the car.

No. The 1958 De Soto LS 1-L-8 Firesweep Base can use 800-14 or 850-14, while the Wagon uses 850-14. Both are bias-ply 14-inch fitments, but the size itself is not identical across every covered sub-model. That makes sub-model confirmation more important here than on a vehicle with only one universal tire size.

A buyer looking at whitewall style or comparing radial equivalents should settle the sub-model question first, because the available options differ by size. The same concern applies to a Firesweep that has been restored, modified, or fitted with replacement wheels years ago. Matching the tire to the exact configuration keeps the search focused and reduces the chance of choosing a tire that belongs to a different version of the car.

For the 1958 De Soto LS 1-L-8 Firesweep, 800-14 is a primary bias-ply tire size. In its original numeric form, it represents a vintage bias-ply fitment rather than a radial. The same vehicle family also uses 850-14 as another primary bias-ply size, depending on sub-model, so the original fitment story here is centered on bias-ply construction.

That matters because buyers often see an old size code and assume a modern radial in the same format exists as the standard choice. On this car, keeping 800-14 in bias-ply form maintains the original-style construction, while moving to a radial means choosing an equivalent size and checking the wheel setup carefully. Appearance goals, ride expectations, and the actual wheel dimensions all become part of the decision.

For 800-14, radial equivalents include 205R14, P215/75R14, P225/70R14, and 800R14 as a bias-look radial. For 850-14, the radial-equivalent choices are 215R14, P225/75R14, and P235/70R14. Those options cover an 80-series metric radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, and a 70-series P-metric radial, with 800-14 also offering a bias-look radial alternative.

Each equivalent follows a different sizing convention, so the comparison is about more than simply finding another 14-inch tire. The recommended rim-width range is 5 to 7 inches, and section width, overall dimensions, and body clearance should still be reviewed on the vehicle itself. That is especially important on a large late-1950s car that may have replacement wheels, suspension work, or age-related variations in stance.

Start by confirming the actual primary size on the car, whether that is 800-14 or 850-14, and then compare the available radial equivalents for that size. The wheel must remain a 14-inch wheel, and the wheel width should suit the equivalent being considered. For these Firesweep fitments, the stated radial-equivalent rim-width guidance is 5 to 7 inches.

A conversion should also include a close look at clearance around fenders, steering components, and suspension parts, especially if the car has aftermarket wheels or a changed ride height. Moving from bias-ply to radial can alter both appearance and road feel, so it helps to decide whether the car is being kept restoration-oriented or used more regularly. That keeps the choice grounded in how the Firesweep will actually be driven and presented.

The first decision is confirming whether the car needs 800-14 or 850-14, since the 1958 De Soto LS 1-L-8 Firesweep does not use the same size across every sub-model. Both primary sizes are bias-ply fitments for 14-inch rims, so once size is settled, the next layer is choosing the construction style, tire series, and sidewall presentation that suits the car.

A restoration-oriented owner may focus on traditional bias-ply construction and a sidewall style that matches the car’s intended look, while a driver considering more road use may also compare radial equivalents. Wheel width, load capacity, and the actual wheel setup on the car deserve attention too, especially if the vehicle has been changed over time. Starting with fitment accuracy makes the later style and brand decisions much easier.

The available sidewall styles for the 1958 De Soto LS 1-L-8 Firesweep include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, depending on tire size. The 800-14 offerings show the widest variety, while 850-14 is available in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall form. Those differences make sidewall style one of the biggest visual choices on this particular car.

A Firesweep’s styling responds strongly to sidewall treatment because the body and wheel openings are substantial and highly visible. Blackwall gives a plainer, more understated presentation, while narrow and wide whitewalls move the look in a more period-style direction. The right choice depends on the appearance you want from the finished car, but it should always follow the correct size and wheel fitment rather than replace those basics.

Tires for the 1958 De Soto LS 1-L-8 Firesweep are available from BFGoodrich, Goodyear, and Universal Vintage Tire, depending on size. The 800-14 fitment has the broadest brand mix, while 850-14 choices are more limited and center on BFGoodrich offerings. The available series include Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Universal Classic Bias Ply, and Goodyear Custom Super Cushion.

Brand choice should be treated as part of the overall package rather than the first decision on its own. Size accuracy, wheel compatibility, construction type, and preferred sidewall treatment matter just as much on a collector-era car. Once those basics are settled, comparing brands and series becomes more useful because the buyer can focus on presentation and specification differences within the correct fitment instead of mixing unlike options.

For a period-style 1958 De Soto LS 1-L-8 Firesweep, the starting point is the correct primary bias-ply size for the exact sub-model, either 800-14 or 850-14. Bias-ply construction keeps the tire visually and structurally aligned with the car’s late-1950s character. From there, the main appearance decision becomes whether the car looks right to you with blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall sidewalls.

A restoration-oriented choice is usually less about finding one universally correct tire and more about matching the car’s intended presentation. Some owners want a broad whitewall look that emphasizes the era, while others prefer a cleaner or more restrained treatment. If exact originality matters beyond period style, marque-specific references and historical documentation are worth consulting before settling on a sidewall treatment or tire series.

Tire construction can noticeably change the presentation of a restored 1958 De Soto LS 1-L-8 Firesweep. The original primary fitments are bias-ply sizes, and that construction contributes to the traditional visual character expected on a full-size late-1950s car. A radial equivalent may still suit the vehicle well, but it can shift the overall look away from a strictly vintage tire presentation.

That difference is especially relevant on a car with prominent fender lines and a lot of visible sidewall. Buyers balancing road use against appearance often compare standard radial equivalents with a bias-look radial where available, since that can preserve more of the older visual language. The decision comes down to how closely the finished car should follow a restoration-oriented style versus how much modernized tire behavior the owner wants.

Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1958 De Soto LS 1-L-8 Firesweep even when the tire size itself appears correct. Aftermarket wheels, changed wheel widths, altered offsets, suspension work, or ride-height changes can all affect how an 800-14, 850-14, or radial equivalent sits in the car. That is why original size alone should not be treated as the only fitment check.

A Firesweep that has been lowered, rebuilt, or updated over the decades may need more verification than an untouched car. Measuring the actual wheel, checking steering travel, and looking at fender and suspension clearance can prevent problems that do not show up on paper. Those checks become even more important if you are moving away from the original bias-ply construction into one of the available radial-equivalent sizes.

Before driving a 1958 De Soto LS 1-L-8 Firesweep on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm proper inflation, and make sure the tires clear the body and suspension through normal steering movement. On a collector car, it also makes sense to look over the valve stems and check that the mounted tire size matches the intended fitment for the specific sub-model.

The rest of the car deserves attention too, especially if it has been stored or driven only occasionally. Steering components, suspension wear, brake condition, and alignment can affect how a new set of tires behaves on the road. A short, careful test drive after installation helps reveal rubbing, pull, vibration, or air-loss concerns early, before the car is taken on a longer outing.

Collector-car tires in 800-14 or 850-14 size should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to storage conditions. Even when tread wear is minimal, low-use tires can age through time, heat, and inactivity. Sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss are all worth watching on a 1958 De Soto LS 1-L-8 Firesweep.

Good storage habits matter because many collector cars spend long periods parked. Keeping the Firesweep away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. It also helps to inspect them before each outing rather than relying on mileage alone, since age-related deterioration often appears on seldom-driven vehicles long before the tread looks worn out.