1958 Edsel Citation Tires

The 1958 Edsel Citation uses an 850-14 tire size. That is a numeric bias-ply fitment mounted on a 14-inch rim, and it is the primary size used for the covered Citation application.

Once the size is confirmed, the next step is choosing within that fitment rather than looking for a different primary size. Owners typically compare sidewall appearance, especially wide whitewall versus narrow whitewall, and should also verify that the car still has the correct wheel diameter and an unmodified wheel and suspension setup before moving forward.

The 1958 Edsel Citation uses a 14-inch rim with its primary 850-14 tire size. Product fitments in this size also show rim-width compatibility in the 5.50- to 6.00-inch range for the available bias-ply options.

Rim diameter should be confirmed on the car before selecting tires, especially if the wheels have ever been changed. A tire can share a similar overall look yet still be wrong for the wheel, so checking the actual rim diameter and width helps avoid mounting issues and keeps the tire choice aligned with the Citation’s intended fitment.

Yes. The 1958 Edsel Citation Base uses the same 850-14 bias-ply tire size as the covered Citation fitment, so there is no separate primary size to sort through for that sub-model.

That consistency makes the buying process easier because the main decision is not between multiple fitments. It becomes a matter of choosing the appearance and driving direction that best suits the car, such as a wide or narrow whitewall bias-ply, or carefully reviewing one of the radial equivalents if the wheel setup and clearances are going to be checked.

For the 1958 Edsel Citation, 850-14 is the primary bias-ply tire size. The available products in this fitment are bias-ply tires, which makes that construction the period-style starting point for the car.

Bias-ply construction plays a major role in both appearance and driving feel on a late-1950s full-size car. Owners who want to keep the Citation visually traditional often stay with that format, while anyone considering a radial alternative should treat it as a separate fitment decision and confirm wheel width, tire dimensions, and vehicle clearance before changing construction.

Radial equivalents for 850-14 include 215R14, P225/75R14, and P235/70R14. Those correspond to an 80-series metric radial, a P-metric 75-series radial, and a P-metric 70-series radial, respectively.

These equivalents give Citation owners several radial-format options, but they should be treated as alternatives rather than automatic substitutions. The recommended rim-width range for the equivalent group is 5 to 7 inches, and it is still important to compare the tire choice against the car’s actual wheel width, steering clearance, fender space, and intended driving use.

Start by confirming the actual wheel diameter and width on the car, then compare the radial equivalent you are considering for 850-14. On the Citation, usable radial alternatives include 215R14, P225/75R14, and P235/70R14, with a recommended equivalent rim-width range of 5 to 7 inches.

A construction change should also prompt a close look at suspension condition, steering response, and available fender clearance. Older collector cars are often running replacement wheels, aged bushings, or altered ride height, so the safest approach is to verify the complete wheel-and-tire package on the vehicle rather than assuming every radial equivalent will behave the same way.

The first priority is staying with the correct 850-14 size and confirming that the car still has 14-inch wheels in the proper width range for the tire being considered. On the Citation, available bias-ply options also let the buyer choose between different whitewall presentations within the same basic fitment.

After size and wheel compatibility are settled, the decision usually comes down to how the car will be used and how it should look. A restoration-oriented Citation may call for one sidewall style, while a road-driven car may lead the owner to compare bias-ply appearance with the possibility of a radial equivalent after checking dimensions and clearances carefully.

The available 850-14 tires for the 1958 Edsel Citation include both Wide Whitewall and Narrow Whitewall sidewall styles. Both are offered in BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply form, so the size and construction stay consistent while the visual presentation changes.

That choice matters because sidewall treatment has a strong effect on how a late-1950s full-size car looks. A wider whitewall often creates a more formal and dramatic period-style appearance, while a narrower whitewall gives the same Citation fitment a more restrained look without changing the primary size or basic bias-ply character.

The available 850-14 tire options for the 1958 Edsel Citation are offered under the BFGoodrich brand. Those products are part of the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series and focus on traditional bias-ply construction with different whitewall treatments.

Since the brand choice is narrow in this fitment, comparison shifts toward the details within the available line. Sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, and the overall look you want for the car become more important than brand shopping alone, especially on a vehicle where visual presentation is such a large part of the tire decision.

A period-style 1958 Edsel Citation starts with the correct 850-14 bias-ply tire size on a 14-inch rim. That keeps the construction and overall presentation aligned with what buyers expect from a late-1950s American full-size car, especially when the goal is a restoration-oriented look.

From there, the biggest visual decision is usually whitewall treatment rather than size. A wide whitewall can give the Citation a more formal and dramatic curbside appearance, while a narrower whitewall looks more restrained. If exact originality matters, period photos, marque-club guidance, and vehicle-specific history are worth checking before settling on one presentation.

Tire construction changes more than ride characteristics on a restored 1958 Edsel Citation; it also changes how the car presents visually. The primary 850-14 fitment is a bias-ply tire, and that construction typically supports the traditional shape and stance collectors associate with a full-size 1958 American car.

Moving to a radial equivalent can alter the overall impression even when the wheel diameter stays the same. That does not make a radial wrong, but it does mean the owner should weigh road-use goals against restoration character. On a Citation, construction choice is often as important to appearance as the whitewall style itself.

Yes. Even though the 1958 Edsel Citation’s primary fitment is 850-14 on a 14-inch rim, modifications can change what actually works on the car. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, brake conversions, or body work can all affect usable tire dimensions and clearance.

That matters even more when comparing the original bias-ply size to a radial equivalent. A Citation with non-stock wheels or ride height should be measured before tire selection, with attention paid to steering sweep, fender clearance, and wheel width. A quick fitment check on the actual car is far more useful than relying on size code alone.

Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm the wheel diameter and width, and make sure the new tires are mounted and inflated properly. It is also smart to look over valve stems, lug hardware, and the basic condition of the suspension and steering components.

A collector car like a Citation can sit for long periods, so road readiness is about more than fresh rubber. Check for clearance at full steering lock, watch for any signs of rubbing, and recheck pressure after the first few drives. A short local test run often reveals issues that are easy to miss while the car is parked.

850-14 tires on a collector-driven 1958 Edsel Citation should be kept at the proper inflation for the tire and vehicle setup, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and air loss, and protected from long exposure to heat, sunlight, and ozone sources during storage.

Low annual mileage does not eliminate tire aging, so condition matters just as much as tread depth on an older car. Rotating attention between appearance and safety helps preserve both the Citation’s presentation and its road manners. A close inspection before each driving season and before longer trips is a sensible routine for any lightly used collector vehicle.