1958 Mercury Convertible & Wagon Tires

The 1958 Mercury Convertible & Wagon uses two primary tire sizes: 800-14 and 850-14. Both are bias-ply sizes intended for 14-inch wheels, and the covered Base sub-model can be associated with either size rather than one universal fitment across every car.

That makes the real job confirmation, not guesswork. Checking the size already on the car, the wheel width, and the actual wheel setup is especially important before ordering replacement tires. A Mercury that has been restored, modified, or fitted with different wheels over the years may not still match the same tire size it left the period with.

Both primary tire sizes used on the 1958 Mercury Convertible & Wagon are built for 14-inch rims. Whether the car is running 800-14 or 850-14, the wheel diameter stays the same, so the main fitment difference is tire size rather than a change in rim diameter.

Rim diameter is only one part of the check, though. Wheel width still matters, especially if the car has replacement steel wheels, aftermarket wheels, or a mixed setup from an older restoration. Confirming both diameter and width helps narrow the choice between the two primary sizes and reduces the chance of selecting a tire that does not suit the car's current wheel arrangement.

A 1958 Mercury Convertible & Wagon can be associated with both 800-14 and 850-14, so tire selection is not limited to one numeric bias-ply size. Both fitments use the same 14-inch rim diameter, but the sizes represent different nominal section widths within the same vintage sizing family.

On an older collector vehicle, multiple sizes usually mean the owner should verify the actual setup rather than assume either one is automatically correct for the car in front of them. Existing wheel width, any prior wheel changes, and the tire size already fitted to the car are the most practical checkpoints before deciding which replacement path makes the most sense.

On the 1958 Mercury Convertible & Wagon, 800-14 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It uses the vintage numeric sizing system rather than a modern metric radial format, which is why the tire has the traditional profile and presentation many owners want on a late-1950s full-size Mercury.

That distinction matters because a bias-ply replacement keeps the car in its original construction style, while a radial alternative changes the tire type even if it is chosen as an equivalent. Owners comparing both should confirm wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and clearance before making the change, especially on a car with older wheels or any suspension or ride-height changes.

For 800-14, radial equivalents include 205R14, P215/75R14, P225/70R14, and 800R14 as a bias-look radial. For 850-14, the available radial equivalents are 215R14, P225/75R14, and P235/70R14. These choices cover 80-series metric, 75-series P-metric, and 70-series P-metric formats, with a bias-look radial available only for 800-14.

Each option should be treated as an alternative, not an automatic substitute. The recommended rim-width range is 5 to 7 inches, and the final decision should account for wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and clearance at the fenders and steering components. That is especially important on a large 1950s car that may have seen wheel or suspension changes over time.

Start by confirming which primary size the car uses now, either 800-14 or 850-14, and then compare the correct radial-equivalent options for that size. The wheel diameter remains 14 inches, and the recommended rim-width range for the radial equivalents is 5 to 7 inches, so wheel compatibility is one of the first checks.

Beyond wheel size, inspect the car's actual clearance with the front wheels turned, the condition of the suspension, and whether the Mercury has aftermarket wheels or altered ride height. A radial equivalent may be a useful alternative, but the tire's dimensions and the car's setup still need to be verified carefully before moving away from the original bias-ply construction.

Begin with the exact primary size the car uses, since the 1958 Mercury Convertible & Wagon can take either 800-14 or 850-14. Both are bias-ply fitments for 14-inch rims, so the first decision is confirming the existing size and wheel setup before comparing construction style, appearance, and individual product characteristics.

After size is settled, focus on the factors that change the look and use of the car: sidewall treatment, brand, tire series, and whether a traditional bias-ply replacement or radial equivalent better matches the intended driving plan. Whitewall width has a strong visual effect on a 1958 Mercury, while wheel width and general clearance still need to line up with the chosen tire.

Sidewall choices for the 1958 Mercury Convertible & Wagon include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall in both primary sizes, with blackwall also available in 800-14. That gives owners room to tune the tire's appearance from understated to more formal and period-styled without changing away from the correct vintage size family.

The sidewall choice is often just as important visually as the tire size on a late-1950s Mercury. A wide whitewall creates a fuller traditional presentation, while a narrow whitewall or blackwall shifts the look in a different direction. Once the correct size is confirmed, the sidewall becomes one of the clearest ways to match the car's restoration style or personal presentation.

Available brands for the 1958 Mercury Convertible & Wagon include BFGoodrich, Universal Vintage Tire, and Goodyear. The brand spread is strongest in 800-14, where choices include multiple sidewall treatments and tire series, while 850-14 is currently represented by BFGoodrich options in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line.

Brand matters mainly as part of the overall comparison rather than a shortcut to the right answer. The better approach is to confirm the size first, then compare what each brand offers in sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width suitability. That helps keep the choice tied to the car's setup and appearance rather than selecting only by name.

A period-style 1958 Mercury Convertible & Wagon usually starts with one of its primary bias-ply sizes, 800-14 or 850-14, on the proper 14-inch wheel. That keeps the car in the vintage construction family and preserves the proportions and visual character most owners expect from a late-1950s full-size Mercury.

After the size is confirmed, the strongest appearance decisions are the sidewall and tire series. Narrow and wide whitewall options can change the car's presentation noticeably, and some owners may prefer blackwall in 800-14 for a different look. For exact originality, compare the chosen tire style against marque references or restoration records tied to the specific car.

Tire construction has a visible effect on a restored 1958 Mercury Convertible & Wagon because bias-ply and radial tires do not present the car in exactly the same way. The original fitment family here is bias-ply, so staying with 800-14 or 850-14 bias-ply tires keeps the restoration closer to the period tire style.

A radial equivalent may still be worth considering for road use, but it should be viewed as a different construction choice rather than the same visual result in another form. On a car from this era, whitewall width, sidewall shape, and overall stance all contribute to the finished appearance, so construction should be chosen with both use and presentation in mind.

Yes, modifications can change tire fitment on a 1958 Mercury Convertible & Wagon even when the car still appears stock at a glance. Wheel-width changes, aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, suspension work, or body repairs can all affect how well an 800-14, 850-14, or radial-equivalent size works on the car.

That is why it helps to inspect the actual setup instead of relying only on a catalog fitment. Measure the wheel diameter and width, look at clearance near the fender openings and steering components, and note any signs that the car sits lower or differently than expected. Those details matter before moving between the two primary sizes or changing construction type.

Before road use, inspect wheel condition, valve stems, lug hardware, and the general condition of the suspension and steering components on the 1958 Mercury Convertible & Wagon. New tires should also be checked for proper inflation, even tread seating, and adequate clearance at the front wheels with the steering turned through its normal range.

A collector Mercury can place as much demand on old wheels and chassis parts as it does on the tires themselves. It is also smart to recheck pressure after the first drives and look for any signs of rubbing, unusual wear, or air loss. Those early inspections help confirm that the chosen size and the car's current setup are working together properly.

Collector-car tires in 800-14 or 850-14 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even on a low-mileage 1958 Mercury Convertible & Wagon, tire condition matters because age, long stationary periods, and environmental exposure can affect the sidewalls and casing as much as miles on the road.

A practical routine includes checking for cracking, cuts, bulges, flat spotting, and slow air loss before and after drives. Tires last better when the car is stored away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors. Occasional movement, clean wheels, and prompt attention to any pressure change help keep a collector Mercury road-ready.