The 1958 Imperial Le Baron came from Chrysler’s Forward Look era, when full-size American luxury cars leaned heavily on dramatic styling, long proportions, and a formal road presence. On a car of this scale and character, tire choice affects more than drivability; it shapes stance and overall presentation. The 1958 Imperial Le Baron uses a 950-14 bias-ply tire on a 14-inch rim, keeping the fitment firmly in period. Available choices center on traditional bias-ply construction with either a narrow whitewall or a wide whitewall in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. For a restoration-minded car, the real decision is usually appearance, wheel compatibility, and condition-conscious road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1958 Imperial Le Baron
The 1958 Imperial Le Baron uses one primary tire size: 950-14. That means the fitment question is straightforward, with a bias-ply tire mounted on a 14-inch rim, including the covered V8 LY1-H sub-model. Once size is confirmed, the real choice becomes how the tire should look on the car, especially whether a narrow whitewall or wide whitewall better suits the vehicle’s presentation and restoration direction.
A 950-14 is a numeric bias-ply size, with the 950 indicating an approximate 9.50-inch nominal section width and the 14 identifying the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1958 Imperial Le Baron, this format matches the car’s original-era tire construction and preserves the tall, substantial look associated with late-1950s American luxury cars. In this size, the main visual difference comes from whitewall treatment, with both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions available from BFGoodrich in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line. This size is the correct starting point when maintaining the car’s period-style stance and traditional bias-ply appearance.
Fitment is simple across the covered 1958 Imperial Le Baron sub-model range because the same primary tire size is used throughout. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm that the car remains on the expected wheel and tire setup before choosing a sidewall style.
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1958 Imperial Le Baron V8 LY1-H
The 1958 Imperial Le Baron V8 LY1-H uses the same 950-14 bias-ply fitment as the core model. That keeps tire selection focused on period-style presentation, especially whether a narrow whitewall or wide whitewall better matches the car’s restoration goals and overall look.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1958 Imperial Le Baron Tires for Sale
Available 950-14 options focus on traditional bias-ply construction from BFGoodrich in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. The main comparison point is sidewall appearance, with both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions offered on the same 14-inch fitment range.
Owners of a 1958 Imperial Le Baron usually need clear answers on 950-14 sizing, 14-inch rim fitment, bias-ply construction, whitewall choices, and the checks that matter before putting a large collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1958 Imperial Le Baron?
The 1958 Imperial Le Baron uses a 950-14 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment mounted on a 14-inch rim, and it is the primary size for the covered Le Baron application, including the V8 LY1-H sub-model.
That makes the size decision fairly straightforward, but the tire still needs to match the car’s actual wheel setup. On an older luxury car, it is worth confirming wheel diameter, wheel width, and overall clearance before replacement, especially if the car has been stored for years or changed from its original wheel and suspension configuration.
What size rim does a 1958 Imperial Le Baron use?
The 1958 Imperial Le Baron uses a 14-inch rim with its 950-14 tire size. Available 950-14 products for this fitment are built around that 14-inch wheel diameter and show a recommended rim-width range of 6.50 to 7.50 inches.
Wheel diameter is the first thing to verify because a 14-inch tire cannot be mounted safely on a different wheel size. Rim width matters too, particularly on a large, heavy collector car where stance and sidewall shape are noticeable. A quick wheel check helps avoid ordering the correct tire size for the wrong wheel setup.
Does the 1958 Imperial Le Baron V8 LY1-H use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1958 Imperial Le Baron V8 LY1-H uses the same 950-14 bias-ply tire size as the core 1958 Imperial Le Baron fitment. There is no separate primary tire size here, so the sub-model does not change the basic fitment direction.
With size consistency across this covered sub-model, the decision shifts to tire presentation and wheel compatibility rather than alternate sizing. Whitewall style becomes a major part of the choice, and it still makes sense to inspect the car’s actual wheels in case a previous owner changed the rims or altered the suspension over time.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 950-14 tire for a 1958 Imperial Le Baron?
Start with the basics: the 1958 Imperial Le Baron uses a 950-14 bias-ply tire on a 14-inch rim. From there, the main selection points are rim-width compatibility, load capacity, and the visual style of the sidewall, since available choices in this size include both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall treatments.
The car’s intended use matters just as much as the specification. A restoration-oriented Imperial may call for a whitewall treatment that suits its late-1950s luxury character, while a more road-driven car still needs careful attention to wheel condition and general tire age. Matching the tire to the car’s appearance and actual wheel setup usually matters more than chasing extra variation in size.
What sidewall styles are available for 1958 Imperial Le Baron tires?
For the 1958 Imperial Le Baron’s 950-14 fitment, available sidewall styles include a narrow whitewall and a wide whitewall. Both are bias-ply tires in the same BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, so the key difference is the visual treatment rather than a change in basic size or construction.
That appearance choice has a major effect on how the car reads from the curb. A wide whitewall tends to emphasize the formal, high-style look associated with late-1950s luxury cars, while a narrower whitewall offers a more restrained presentation. Buyers aiming for historical accuracy should compare the tire’s look against vehicle-specific reference photos or marque guidance.
What tire series are available for the 1958 Imperial Le Baron?
The available 950-14 tires for the 1958 Imperial Le Baron are offered in the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. Within that series, the buyer’s main visible choice is whitewall style, with both a 1.00-inch whitewall and a 2.50-inch whitewall available in the same size.
Because the series remains the same, comparison becomes more about how the tire supports the car’s presentation than about changing tire family. A Le Baron with a stronger restoration focus may benefit from one whitewall look, while a driver-oriented car may simply need the version that best complements its current finish, wheel covers, and overall stance.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1958 Imperial Le Baron?
A period-style 1958 Imperial Le Baron should begin with the correct primary size and construction, which is a 950-14 bias-ply tire. That preserves the car’s proper sizing format and traditional sidewall shape, both of which are important to the visual character of a large late-1950s luxury car.
From there, the most visible decision is whitewall treatment. Both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions are available, and each gives the car a different presence. When exact originality matters, compare the tire’s appearance against model-specific restoration references, factory literature, period photography, or knowledgeable marque-club sources before making the final choice.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1958 Imperial Le Baron restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because tire size and construction strongly influence how a 1958 Imperial Le Baron sits and presents itself. A 950-14 bias-ply tire supports the proper period-style profile, while an incorrect size or modern-looking substitute can noticeably change the car’s stance and overall visual balance.
Restoration value is not only about appearance from a distance. Wheel diameter, rim width, and whitewall treatment all shape how authentic the finished car feels up close. Even on a non-concours restoration, taking time to match the tire’s size, construction, and sidewall style to the car’s character usually produces a more convincing and satisfying result.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1958 Imperial Le Baron?
Yes. Even though the primary fitment is 950-14 on a 14-inch rim, modifications can change whether that tire works as expected on a particular 1958 Imperial Le Baron. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body repairs can all influence clearance and how the tire sits on the car.
A visual check around the front suspension, rear wheel openings, and steering travel is worthwhile before mounting new tires. On older collector cars, small changes made over decades can matter more than the original specification. Confirming the actual wheel dimensions and watching for fender or steering interference helps avoid surprises once the car is back on the road.
What should I inspect before driving a 1958 Imperial Le Baron on new tires?
Before driving a 1958 Imperial Le Baron on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall wheel mounting surfaces, then verify tire pressure and basic clearance at full steering lock. It is also smart to check suspension wear, brake condition, and any signs of rubbing that could affect a freshly mounted 950-14 bias-ply tire.
A large collector car can place a lot of demand on tires that look fine at a glance, so a broader road-readiness inspection matters. Examine the old tires for uneven wear patterns that might point to alignment or suspension issues, and make sure the new tires are not being asked to compensate for bent wheels, tired bushings, or neglected chassis components.
How should 950-14 tires on a collector 1958 Imperial Le Baron be maintained?
Maintain 950-14 tires on a collector 1958 Imperial Le Baron with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and clean, dry storage conditions. Look for cracking, cuts, bulges, unusual tread wear, and slow air loss, especially on a car that spends long periods parked rather than accumulating steady road miles.
Collector cars often age their tires through time and storage as much as through use. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the sidewalls. It also pays to inspect the tires before every meaningful drive, since a low-use luxury car can develop condition issues long before the tread appears worn out.
