1958 De Soto LS 2-H-8 Firedome & LS 3-H-8 Fireflite Tires

The 1958 De Soto LS 2-H-8 Firedome & LS 3-H-8 Fireflite uses two primary tire sizes: 850-14 and 900-14. Both are bias-ply sizes built for 14-inch rims, so the fitment question is not about radial versus bias-ply at the factory-size level, but about which of the two widths belongs on the specific car.

The most practical next step is to confirm the tire size already fitted and make sure the wheel width matches that size. Since both sizes appear on the same covered application, choosing the right one depends on the actual wheel and vehicle setup rather than assuming every 1958 De Soto in this group used the same width.

Both primary tire sizes for the 1958 De Soto LS 2-H-8 Firedome & LS 3-H-8 Fireflite are built around a 14-inch rim diameter. That applies to 850-14 and 900-14, so the wheel diameter remains consistent even though the car can use two different tire widths.

Rim diameter alone does not settle the fitment, because wheel width still matters when choosing between the two sizes. An 850-14 product here suits a narrower rim-width range than a 900-14, so measuring the wheel or confirming the actual wheel specification is worthwhile before selecting a new set.

This De Soto application carries two primary bias-ply sizes, 850-14 and 900-14, because the covered fitment includes more than one acceptable tire-width setup on the same 14-inch wheel diameter. The difference is width, not a change in basic construction type or rim diameter.

That makes the buying decision more dependent on the actual car than the model name alone. Checking the existing tire size, wheel width, and any past wheel changes helps prevent choosing a wider or narrower bias-ply tire than the current setup was intended to carry.

For the 1958 De Soto LS 2-H-8 Firedome & LS 3-H-8 Fireflite, 850-14 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It uses the vintage numeric sizing format common to the period, and the available products in this fitment are traditional bias-ply tires rather than radial tires in the same original size notation.

That matters because a buyer deciding on 850-14 is really choosing whether to stay with the period-style construction or move to one of the radial equivalents tied to that size. Construction changes should always be checked against wheel width, tire dimensions, and vehicle clearance before making the switch.

Radial equivalents for 850-14 include 215R14, P225/75R14, and P235/70R14. Those represent an 80-series metric radial, a P-metric 75-series radial, and a P-metric 70-series radial, giving this De Soto owner several modern-format alternatives tied specifically to the original 850-14 size.

These equivalents are comparison choices rather than automatic replacements, so the car still needs a wheel and clearance check before conversion. A recommended rim-width range of 5 to 7 inches provides a useful benchmark, and it is smart to compare the radial option against the De Soto’s actual wheel width and overall stance goals.

Start by confirming which original size the car uses, because the available radial equivalents are tied to 850-14 rather than both primary sizes. Then verify the wheel diameter, check the actual wheel width against the recommended radial range, and compare the candidate radial’s overall dimensions to the De Soto’s available fender and steering clearance.

Road-use goals matter too, since a collector car kept close to period presentation may call for a different choice than one driven regularly. Suspension condition, ride height, and any previous wheel changes should be reviewed before conversion so the new construction works with the car’s current setup rather than just its model designation.

The first consideration is making sure the car actually uses 850-14 or 900-14, since both are primary fitments for this De Soto application. After size confirmation, the main factors become wheel-width compatibility, whether the car should remain on bias-ply construction, and which whitewall presentation best matches the vehicle’s style.

Product details help narrow the choice further. The 850-14 and 900-14 options here differ in rim-width range and load specification, with 850-14 carrying 1740@32 psi and 900-14 carrying 1860@32 psi, so the buyer should match the tire to the wheel and intended use rather than choosing by appearance alone.

The available sidewall styles for this 1958 De Soto application are Wide Whitewall and Narrow Whitewall. Both 850-14 and 900-14 bias-ply products are offered in these two whitewall treatments, giving the owner a clear appearance choice while staying within the correct vintage-style tire family.

That choice affects the car’s visual character more than its basic fitment. A wider whitewall tends to emphasize late-1950s luxury style, while a narrower whitewall gives a more restrained period look, so it helps to decide whether the goal is a fuller restoration-oriented presentation or a subtler traditional appearance.

The available products for this De Soto are in the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. That means the main selection differences are not between multiple series families, but between the two primary sizes and the available whitewall styles within a single traditional bias-ply line.

For the buyer, that simplifies comparison. Instead of sorting through several series personalities, the focus stays on choosing 850-14 or 900-14 correctly, then selecting the sidewall treatment and checking rim-width compatibility so the tire matches both the car’s setup and its intended appearance.

A period-style approach for the 1958 De Soto LS 2-H-8 Firedome & LS 3-H-8 Fireflite starts with the correct primary bias-ply size, either 850-14 or 900-14, depending on the car’s actual setup. Staying with bias-ply construction preserves the vintage sizing format and visual character that suit a late-1950s full-size De Soto.

Appearance then comes down largely to sidewall choice. Wide whitewall and narrow whitewall options are both available, so the right selection depends on the specific restoration direction and supporting historical references for the individual car if exact originality matters more than a broadly period-style presentation.

On a restored 1958 De Soto, tire construction affects both stance and visual character. A bias-ply tire in 850-14 or 900-14 keeps the car in its traditional fitment family, while a radial equivalent for 850-14 introduces a more modern sizing format even when chosen carefully for vintage use.

That does not automatically make one choice right and the other wrong. Buyers focused on restoration-oriented presentation often stay with bias-ply construction, while owners prioritizing road use may look at radial alternatives, but either path should be checked against wheel setup and the overall look the finished car is meant to convey.

Yes, modifications can change tire fitment on a 1958 De Soto LS 2-H-8 Firedome & LS 3-H-8 Fireflite even when the car still carries a correct-looking 14-inch wheel diameter. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body-height adjustments can all affect how an 850-14, 900-14, or radial equivalent sits and clears.

The safest approach is to inspect the car as it exists today rather than relying only on the model designation. Wheel width, steering travel, fender clearance, and the space around suspension components should all be checked, especially if the De Soto has been lowered, re-wheeled, or converted from its earlier tire construction.

Before road use, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and sound condition, confirm the tire size matches the actual setup, and make sure the tires are inflated properly for the application. It is also worth checking valve stems, wheel hardware, and whether the new tires clear the fenders and steering components through full movement.

A collector-era car deserves a broader once-over before its first real drive. Brakes, suspension wear, alignment condition, and any signs of rubbing should be reviewed, since a fresh set of tires can reveal problems that older or mismatched tires had been masking on a seldom-driven De Soto.

Collector-car tires should be inspected regularly even when tread wear is low. On a 1958 De Soto running 850-14 or 900-14 tires, look for cracking, bulges, cuts, flat spotting after storage, and slow air loss, because age and inactivity can matter as much as mileage on a seldom-driven full-size car.

Storage conditions also play a major role in tire life. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber, and occasional pressure checks and visual inspections before each outing make it easier to catch problems before they turn into roadside issues.