1958 Ford Fairlane Tires

The 1958 Ford Fairlane uses two primary tire sizes: 800-14 and 850-14. Both are vintage numeric bias-ply sizes built for 14-inch wheels, and both appear within the Fairlane range for this model year. The difference between them is the nominal section width, with 850-14 representing the broader of the two sizes.

Choosing correctly starts with confirming which size belongs on the specific car rather than assuming every 1958 Fairlane used the same tire. Checking the existing wheel setup, the car’s current tire size, and any past changes to wheels or suspension will help narrow the right fitment before comparing brands, whitewall styles, or radial-equivalent alternatives.

The 1958 Ford Fairlane uses a 14-inch rim with its primary tire sizes. Both 800-14 and 850-14 are built around that same 14-inch wheel diameter, so the rim diameter stays consistent even though the tire width can vary between the two fitments.

Wheel diameter is only part of the picture on a vintage car. Rim width still matters, especially if the Fairlane has replacement wheels or if a radial equivalent is being considered, so it is worth measuring the wheel and comparing that dimension along with tire size, clearance, and the overall look you want the car to retain.

The covered 1958 Ford Fairlane sub-models do not point to a single shared size. Both the Retractable Hardtop and the Fairlane w/Air can use 800-14 or 850-14 bias-ply tires, which means the sub-model alone does not reduce the choice to one guaranteed size.

That makes it important to verify the individual car before selecting tires. A close look at the wheels already on the car, the size currently mounted, and any restoration or modification history is more useful than relying on the model name alone, especially when deciding between the narrower 800-14 and the wider 850-14 fitment.

For the 1958 Ford Fairlane, 800-14 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing format common to American cars of the 1950s, with an approximate 8.00-inch nominal section width and a 14-inch wheel diameter. The available primary products in this size are bias-ply tires rather than standard radials.

That matters because a true 800-14 bias-ply preserves the traditional profile and presentation many owners want on a late-1950s Fairlane. Anyone considering a radial alternative should treat it as a separate conversion choice and confirm wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance instead of assuming any radial marked as equivalent will behave the same as the original-type construction.

The 800-14 size has four radial-equivalent choices: 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 has three equivalents: 215R14, P225/75R14, and P235/70R14. Both size groups reference a recommended 5-7 inch rim-width range.

Those alternatives give a useful spread of radial sizing formats, from tall Euro-metric styles to lower-profile P-metric choices, with a bias-look option available for 800-14. Even with the same 14-inch rim diameter, an equivalent should still be checked against the actual wheel width, the car’s stance, and available steering and fender clearance before making the switch.

A bias-ply-to-radial conversion on a 1958 Ford Fairlane starts with the basics: confirm the original tire size, verify the 14-inch wheel diameter, and measure wheel width against the equivalent tire’s stated rim-width range. For this car’s common equivalents, the reference range is 5-7 inches, but overall tire dimensions and space around the body and suspension still matter.

Condition and setup should be part of the decision too. A Fairlane with aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, or worn steering and suspension parts can respond differently than a stock car, so checking alignment, clearance through full steering travel, and the intended use of the vehicle helps avoid treating an equivalent size as an automatic replacement.

Start with the correct primary size for the specific car, since a 1958 Ford Fairlane may call for either 800-14 or 850-14. Both are bias-ply sizes for 14-inch rims, so the next decisions usually involve construction preference, whitewall style, and the visual character you want the car to carry on the road or at a show.

After size is confirmed, compare practical details such as rim-width compatibility, load figures where they are given, and the available tire series within that size. A blackwall 800-14 creates a different presentation than a wide whitewall, and a restoration-minded owner may weigh appearance very differently from someone planning longer-distance collector driving.

Sidewall choices for the 1958 Ford Fairlane include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, though the exact selection depends on tire size. The 800-14 size offers the broadest appearance range, while 850-14 is available in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall form among the primary bias-ply options.

That sidewall decision has a major effect on how a late-1950s Ford presents visually. A wide whitewall can reinforce the period look many owners want, while a blackwall produces a plainer, more restrained appearance, so it helps to decide early whether the goal is a more dramatic restoration-style look or a simpler driving presentation.

The available 1958 Ford Fairlane tire lineup includes BFGoodrich, Goodyear, and Universal Vintage Tire. Those brands appear across the primary bias-ply fitments, with 800-14 offering the widest mix of brand and style combinations, while 850-14 is represented by BFGoodrich options within the available product range.

Brand is only one part of the comparison on a car like this. It makes sense to look at the tire series, sidewall treatment, rim-width specification, and the exact size first, because the best choice for one Fairlane owner may come down to period-style appearance or wheel compatibility rather than the badge on the sidewall.

A period-style 1958 Ford Fairlane usually starts with the correct primary bias-ply size for the car, either 800-14 or 850-14, on a 14-inch rim. Staying with a bias-ply construction preserves the traditional visual profile of the tire, and the choice can then be narrowed by sidewall treatment and the tire series available in that size.

Appearance goals matter here just as much as fitment. Some owners want a broad whitewall presence that feels right for the late 1950s, while others prefer a narrower whitewall or even blackwall in 800-14, and anyone chasing exact historical originality should compare the car against marque references, photos, or restoration records before deciding.

Tire construction changes more than ride characteristics on a restored 1958 Ford Fairlane; it also affects the car’s visual stance. A bias-ply tire carries the traditional sizing format and profile associated with the period, while a radial equivalent can shift the presentation depending on which metric or P-metric format is used.

That is why construction should be considered alongside sidewall style rather than as a purely mechanical choice. An owner focused on show presentation may prefer the look of a true bias-ply or an 800R14 bias-look radial, while someone leaning toward regular road use may still want to compare how a radial changes the car’s visual character.

Modifications can absolutely affect tire fitment on a 1958 Ford Fairlane, even when the tire size is one of the proper period sizes. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width or offset, lowered suspension, replacement springs, and body or brake modifications can all alter the space available for an 800-14, 850-14, or a radial-equivalent alternative.

That is why a modified Fairlane should be measured rather than judged by catalog size alone. Turning clearance, fender space, and suspension travel all deserve a quick check before committing to new tires, especially if the car no longer sits or steers as it did originally or if a wider or lower-profile radial is under consideration.

Before driving a 1958 Ford Fairlane on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the lug hardware is appropriate, and check that the tires are seated and inflated properly. It also helps to look over suspension and steering components, since a vintage car with worn parts can mask itself as a tire problem once it is back on the road.

A short, careful test drive is the best next step. Listen for rubbing, feel for pull or vibration, and recheck air pressure after the first miles, particularly on a collector car that may have spent long periods parked, because fresh tires perform best when the surrounding chassis and wheel setup are equally ready for use.

Collector-car tires on a 1958 Ford Fairlane should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age and condition even if the car is driven sparingly. An 800-14 or 850-14 bias-ply can look acceptable at a glance while still developing cracking, flat spotting, sidewall damage, or slow air loss from long storage periods.

Storage conditions make a real difference on a lightly used Fairlane. Keeping the car away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and moving the vehicle periodically or storing it thoughtfully can reduce stress on one contact patch, which is especially useful for vintage bias-ply tires on a collector vehicle.