1958 Edsel Pacer Tires

The 1958 Edsel Pacer uses two primary tire sizes: 800-14 and 850-14. Both are bias-ply sizes designed for 14-inch rims, and the Pacer Base is associated with either size rather than one single fitment across every car you may encounter today.

That means the first step is confirming which size is actually on the car or which wheel-and-tire setup it currently uses. A long-stored car, a past restoration, or a wheel change can affect what belongs there now, so matching the replacement tire to the existing diameter and wheel width is more useful than choosing by appearance alone.

The tire sizes associated with the 1958 Edsel Pacer use a 14-inch rim diameter. Both 800-14 and 850-14 are built around that same wheel diameter, so the final number in each size code points to a 14-inch rim.

Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, especially on a collector car. Before ordering tires, check the actual wheel diameter stamped on the wheel if possible, then compare the wheel width to the tire’s intended range so the sidewall shape and clearance stay appropriate for the car’s setup.

On a 1958 Edsel Pacer, 800-14 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 800 refers to an approximate 8.00-inch nominal section width class, while the 14 indicates the rim diameter in inches.

That format differs from modern metric radial sizing, so it helps to read it as a vintage width-and-rim code rather than a modern performance label. Understanding that size language makes it easier to compare period-style bias-ply tires, choose among whitewall and blackwall options, and evaluate a radial equivalent without confusing it for a second primary fitment.

For the 1958 Edsel Pacer, 800-14 is a bias-ply primary tire size. It belongs to the vintage numeric bias-ply system and appears in available products from BFGoodrich, Goodyear, and Universal Vintage Tire as a traditional bias-ply construction.

That matters because a buyer deciding on 800-14 is usually choosing between different period-style bias-ply presentations rather than between bias-ply and radial within the same primary fitment. A radial can still be considered through equivalent sizing, but the wheel width, overall dimensions, and available clearance should be checked before treating the car like a simple radial conversion case.

The 800-14 size has four radial-equivalent paths: 205R14 as an 80-series metric radial, P215/75R14 as a 75-series P-metric radial, P225/70R14 as a 70-series P-metric radial, and 800R14 as a bias-look radial. The 850-14 size maps to 215R14, P225/75R14, and P235/70R14.

Each of those alternatives stays within the same 14-inch wheel diameter family, but they are still alternatives rather than automatic replacements. The recommended rim-width range associated with both primary sizes is 5-7 inches, and the final choice should be checked against wheel width, tire dimensions, and body or steering clearance before making the switch.

Start by identifying whether the car currently uses 800-14 or 850-14, then match that primary size to the appropriate radial-equivalent group. For 800-14, that means choices such as 205R14, P215/75R14, P225/70R14, or 800R14, while 850-14 corresponds to 215R14, P225/75R14, or P235/70R14.

After that, verify the wheel diameter and compare wheel width to the 5-7 inch recommended range tied to those equivalents. It also helps to inspect clearance at the fenders and steering stops, especially if the car has been altered over the years, because equivalent sizing still needs to work with the actual wheel and suspension setup.

The most important decision is confirming whether the car uses 800-14 or 850-14, since both are associated with the 1958 Edsel Pacer and both are bias-ply sizes for 14-inch rims. After size is settled, compare construction style, sidewall appearance, rim-width compatibility, and the tire series available in that size.

A restoration-oriented Pacer may point toward a traditional whitewall bias-ply, while a car meant for regular road use may lead you to study radial equivalents separately. It also helps to compare product details such as maximum load figures where stated, because those details shape how well a given tire matches the car’s intended use.

Sidewall choices for 1958 Edsel Pacer tires include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, depending on the size and product selected. The broader variety appears in 800-14, while 850-14 products center on narrow whitewall and wide whitewall options.

That gives the Pacer owner room to tune the car’s visual character without moving away from a period-style size. Sidewall choice should still come after size confirmation, since not every presentation appears in both 800-14 and 850-14, and a style that looks right on the car still needs to be attached to the correct tire and wheel combination.

Available brands for the 1958 Edsel Pacer include BFGoodrich, Goodyear, and Universal Vintage Tire. Brand coverage is strongest in 800-14, while 850-14 options in this fitment group come from BFGoodrich.

Brand is only one part of the decision, so it helps to compare each option by tire series and sidewall style rather than choosing by name alone. For example, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Custom Super Cushion, and Universal Classic Bias Ply each speak to a slightly different presentation within the same vintage fitment approach.

A period-style 1958 Edsel Pacer usually starts with one of its original-type bias-ply size families, either 800-14 or 850-14 on a 14-inch rim. Within those sizes, the strongest period-oriented choices are traditional bias-ply tires offered in classic series and whitewall treatments that suit late-1950s American styling.

The right choice depends on how strictly the car is being restored and which size the car actually uses. When exact originality matters, compare the tire selection against marque references, period photos, or vehicle-specific historical documentation, then make sure the wheel width and current setup still support the size you plan to run.

Tire construction has a visible effect on a restored 1958 Edsel Pacer because bias-ply tires carry the traditional sizing format and period-style presentation associated with the car’s era. A radial equivalent can change that visual impression even when it stays close in intended fitment and wheel diameter.

That does not make one construction universally right and the other wrong; it simply changes the balance between vintage appearance and alternative road-use goals. Owners focused on restoration character often begin with the correct bias-ply size first, then compare sidewall style and tire series to get the look that best matches the car.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1958 Edsel Pacer even when the intended size is still 800-14 or 850-14. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, lowering, or body repairs can influence how much room the tire has at the fender, steering components, and wheel opening.

A Pacer that has been changed from its original wheel setup should be measured before replacement tires are chosen by size code alone. Checking actual wheel diameter and width, then turning the steering through its range and inspecting clearance under load, helps prevent fitment surprises on a car that may not remain exactly stock.

Before driving a 1958 Edsel Pacer on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, make sure the tires are inflated appropriately for the application, and verify that each tire clears the suspension, fenders, and steering range. Lug hardware and valve stems also deserve a close look on a newly mounted set.

Collector cars often sit for long periods, so the first road test should also include a check of brakes, steering response, and any signs of rubbing after a short drive. A quick reinspection afterward can reveal contact marks, air loss, or mounting issues before the car is taken on a longer outing.

Collector-car tires on a 1958 Edsel Pacer should be checked regularly for air pressure, tread condition, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and signs of age-related hardening. Whether the car wears 800-14 or 850-14 tires, long periods of storage make visual inspection especially important before putting meaningful miles on the car.

Storage habits matter as much as mileage on a low-use vehicle. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and occasional movement can help avoid long-term flat spotting. Any tire showing visible deterioration should be evaluated before the Pacer returns to regular road use.