The 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons came from a year when American full-size wagons emphasized long, low styling, V8 power, and family-car comfort wrapped in unmistakably late-1950s design. That character matters when choosing tires, because the stance and sidewall presentation play a big role in how these wagons look on the road. Primary fitment centers on 14-inch bias-ply sizes, with 850-14 and 900-14 both used depending on configuration. Whitewall treatment is part of the visual decision, and radial equivalents are available for 850-14 for owners considering a more modern construction. The right choice starts with the exact sub-model and wheel setup, then balances restoration appearance with intended driving use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons
The 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons use two primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model. Both are bias-ply tires for 14-inch rims, but 900-14 appears on all wagons with air and can also apply to non-air cars, while 850-14 is limited to certain non-air applications. Before choosing a tire, confirm whether the wagon is a Non-Air or w/Air configuration and verify the actual wheel size still on the vehicle.
850-14 is a numeric bias-ply size in which the 850 designates an approximate 8.50-inch nominal section width and the 14 identifies the wheel diameter. For a 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons application, it represents a traditional bias-ply fitment that suits the visual character of a late-1950s full-size wagon. Available choices stay within the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line and focus on whitewall presentation, including wide whitewall and narrow whitewall styles. This size is the one to evaluate when the wagon is a Non-Air model using the narrower of the two primary fitments.
900-14 is also a numeric bias-ply size, with the 900 indicating an approximate 9.00-inch nominal section width and the 14 showing the wheel diameter. On the 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons, this is the broader primary fitment and it applies to all w/Air wagons as well as some Non-Air configurations. Product choices include the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series in both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall treatments, giving owners a clear appearance decision within the correct size. This is the size to confirm first when the wagon has air suspension equipment or when wheel and tire clearance have already been set up around the larger fitment.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons because tire size is not identical across every configuration. Non-Air wagons can use either primary size, while wagons equipped with air use 900-14, so confirming the exact setup helps narrow the tire choice before comparing sidewall style and construction options.
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1958 Oldsmobile Wagons Non-Air
The 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons Non-Air configuration can use either 850-14 or 900-14 bias-ply tires on 14-inch rims. That makes wheel and existing vehicle setup especially important, since the tire decision is not only about appearance but also about confirming which of the two primary sizes belongs on the wagon.
The 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons w/Air configuration uses the 900-14 bias-ply size. Tire selection is more straightforward here, and the main choice becomes whether to stay with a traditional bias-ply presentation and which whitewall style best suits the wagon's restoration or road-use goals.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons
For the original 850-14 size, three radial-equivalent options are available. 215R14 is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, P225/75R14 is the 75-series P-metric radial equivalent, and P235/70R14 is the 70-series P-metric radial equivalent. These choices move from a traditional metric radial format to lower-profile P-metric alternatives. A 5-7 inch recommended rim-width range is associated with these equivalents, so wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance should all be checked before changing from the primary bias-ply size.
Modern Radial Equivalents
215R14
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (850-14)
P225/75R14
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (850-14)
P235/70R14
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (850-14)
Important Considerations When Replacing Bias Ply With Radial
Compare overall diameter and section width carefully to ensure proper fit.
Verify recommended rim range (5-7 in) and load needs match your vehicle specifications.
Check fender clearance, steering clearance, and stance before installation.
Consider suspension condition and intended road use when choosing equivalents.
Important Fitment Notes
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 Oldsmobile Wagons Tires for Sale
Available 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons tires center on BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply fitments in 850-14 and 900-14. The main comparison points in the product grid are tire size, whitewall treatment, and rim-width compatibility, with both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall styles represented.
Common questions for the 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons usually come down to identifying the correct primary size, understanding Non-Air versus w/Air fitment, comparing bias-ply tires with radial equivalents, and checking wheel condition, clearance, and tire age before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons?
The 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons use either 850-14 or 900-14 as primary tire sizes, both in bias-ply construction on 14-inch rims. Non-Air wagons can use 850-14 or 900-14, while wagons equipped with air use 900-14.
The first step is identifying whether the wagon is a Non-Air or w/Air configuration, then confirming the wheel diameter still on the car. Many collector vehicles have seen wheel or suspension changes over time, so the correct tire choice should match both the sub-model and the actual hardware currently installed.
What size rim does a 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons use?
The primary tire fitments for the 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons are built around a 14-inch rim diameter. Both 850-14 and 900-14 share that same wheel diameter, so the main fitment difference is tire size rather than rim diameter.
Rim diameter is only part of the check, especially on an older wagon that may have replacement wheels. Width matters too, because the available 850-14 and 900-14 products are intended for different rim-width ranges. Verifying both diameter and width helps avoid choosing a tire that looks right on paper but is mismatched to the wheel.
Do all 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons sub-models use the same tire size?
No. Tire fitment varies within the 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons line. The w/Air version uses 900-14, while the Non-Air version can use either 850-14 or 900-14, so tire size is not completely uniform across every covered configuration.
That difference matters before comparing whitewall style or considering a radial alternative. A wagon with air equipment should be treated as a 900-14 application, while a Non-Air wagon needs closer confirmation of its existing setup. Checking the current wheel and tire combination on the vehicle is a sensible step before ordering replacement tires.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 850-14 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons?
On the 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons, 850-14 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It uses the vintage numeric sizing format and is part of the traditional tire presentation associated with many late-1950s American full-size cars and wagons.
That matters because a bias-ply tire affects both appearance and construction choice. An owner keeping a restoration-oriented look may want to stay with the original-style format, while an owner considering radial alternatives should compare wheel width, overall dimensions, and vehicle clearance carefully rather than assuming every 14-inch radial option behaves the same.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 850-14?
Radial equivalents for 850-14 include 215R14 as an 80-series metric radial, P225/75R14 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P235/70R14 as a 70-series P-metric radial. No bias-look radial equivalent is associated with 850-14 here.
Those options give a few different sizing conventions, but none should be treated as automatic interchangeability. The recommended rim-width range tied to these equivalents is 5-7 inches, and the vehicle should also be checked for wheel width, steering clearance, and fender clearance before changing from the primary bias-ply size.
What should I check before converting my 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming the wagon's exact primary size, wheel diameter, and wheel width, then compare those measurements with the intended radial equivalent. For an 850-14 application, the available radial equivalents are 215R14, P225/75R14, and P235/70R14, each representing a different sizing format.
A conversion should also account for actual vehicle setup, especially on a wagon that may have replacement wheels, suspension work, or body-height changes. Steering clearance, fender clearance, and general tire-to-vehicle proportions all deserve a close look. The goal is to confirm compatibility with the car as it sits now, not just with its original catalog description.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 900-14 tire for a 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons?
The main considerations are confirming that 900-14 is the correct primary size for the wagon, matching it to a 14-inch wheel, and choosing the sidewall treatment that suits the vehicle's look. In this size, available products are bias-ply BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires in wide whitewall and narrow whitewall forms.
It also helps to verify that the wheel width matches the tire's intended range, since 900-14 products call for a wider rim than 850-14. Owners using the wagon for restoration presentation may focus on whitewall appearance first, while owners planning regular road use may place equal emphasis on wheel condition and overall vehicle setup.
What sidewall styles are available for 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons tires?
The available sidewall styles for 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons tires are wide whitewall and narrow whitewall. Both styles appear in the primary bias-ply offerings, giving owners a meaningful appearance choice without stepping away from the correct vintage tire format.
Sidewall style can noticeably change how a late-1950s wagon presents, especially on a large-bodied Oldsmobile where the tire is visually prominent. A wide whitewall usually leans more formal and period-oriented, while a narrow whitewall has a slightly cleaner, less expansive look. The best choice depends on the wagon's finish, trim, and restoration goals.
What brands offer tires for the 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons?
BFGoodrich is the brand represented in the current tire selection for the 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons, with products offered in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. The available choices cover both 850-14 and 900-14 in whitewall-focused bias-ply form.
Since brand variety is limited here, the more useful comparison points are size, whitewall style, and wheel compatibility rather than brand-to-brand differences. Choosing between 850-14 and 900-14 remains the first task, followed by matching the visual presentation of the tire to the wagon's intended restoration character or driving use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons?
A period-style 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons usually starts with the correct primary bias-ply size for the exact configuration, either 850-14 or 900-14. Staying with the vintage numeric bias-ply format preserves the traditional tire profile and sidewall character that suit a full-size late-1950s wagon.
Once the size is confirmed, the real restoration-oriented choice is often the sidewall presentation rather than the basic fitment. Wide whitewall and narrow whitewall options create different visual results, and owners seeking exact historical accuracy should compare those choices with marque references, period photos, or other vehicle-specific documentation before deciding.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons?
Tire construction influences both the stance and the visual character of a restored 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons. A bias-ply tire keeps the vehicle in its traditional sizing language and supports the kind of sidewall presentation most collectors associate with large American wagons from the late 1950s.
A radial alternative can change the way the tire is labeled and perceived even when it serves as a comparable size. That does not make it wrong, but it does shift the restoration presentation. Owners balancing originality, road manners, and appearance should decide early whether the wagon is being finished for period-style authenticity or for more regular driving.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons?
Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons even when the nominal tire size stays within the original 850-14 or 900-14 range. Wheel width changes, aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, or suspension updates can all affect how much space the tire has around the body and steering components.
That is especially important on a collector wagon that may have been updated over the years. Any change in wheel dimensions or stance should prompt a fresh fitment check before replacing tires. Looking at clearance at full steering lock and under normal suspension load helps confirm that the chosen tire still suits the vehicle's actual setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons on new tires?
Before driving a 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition and correct size, confirm proper inflation, and make sure the tires clear the fenders and steering components. Lug hardware, valve stems, and general wheel integrity also deserve attention on an older vehicle.
A short shakedown drive is a smart follow-up, especially after mounting bias-ply tires or changing sizes within the wagon's fitment range. Listen for rubbing, note any pull or vibration, and recheck pressure after the first outing. Collector vehicles that sit for long periods benefit from this extra attention before returning to regular road use.
How should 850-14 and 900-14 tires on a collector 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons be maintained?
Collector-car tires in 850-14 or 900-14 size should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, or uneven wear, and protected from long exposure to heat, sunlight, and ozone sources. Tires on seldom-driven wagons can age out visually and structurally even when tread wear remains minimal.
Regular inspection matters as much as mileage on a 1958 Oldsmobile Wagons. Moving the vehicle occasionally can help avoid long-term flat spotting, and any persistent air loss should be addressed promptly. Before longer drives, a close look at sidewalls, tread condition, and wheel hardware is a sensible routine for an older wagon.
