1958 Pontiac Super Chief Tires

The 1958 Pontiac Super Chief uses two primary tire sizes: 800-14 and 850-14. Both are bias-ply fitments for 14-inch rims, and the covered Super Chief Base can be found with either size rather than one universal fitment across every car still on the road today.

The practical step is to confirm which size the car is already set up to use before choosing a replacement tire. Existing wheel width, the tires currently installed, and overall vehicle setup all matter, especially on an older car that may have had wheel changes or prior restorations over the years.

The primary tire fitments for a 1958 Pontiac Super Chief use a 14-inch rim diameter. Both 800-14 and 850-14 share that same basic rim diameter, so the first wheel measurement to confirm is 14 inches before narrowing the choice to one of the two bias-ply sizes.

Rim diameter alone is not the whole fitment story on a collector Pontiac. Wheel width still affects which tire is appropriate, and that matters even more if the car has replacement steel wheels, aftermarket wheels, or a mixed setup from an older restoration. Checking the wheel itself avoids ordering the right diameter in the wrong overall fitment.

A 1958 Pontiac Super Chief can use either 800-14 or 850-14, so more than one primary size exists for this model. Both belong to the same vintage numeric bias-ply sizing family and both use a 14-inch rim, but they are not the same width designation.

That means a Super Chief owner should not assume one size simply from the model name. The best approach is to verify the current wheel and tire setup on the individual car, then select a replacement that matches that configuration and the intended goal, whether that is a period-style bias-ply appearance or a carefully checked radial-equivalent alternative.

For the 1958 Pontiac Super Chief, 800-14 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It is part of the vintage numeric bias-ply system, and the available products in this fitment are bias-ply designs rather than modern radial tires in the same original-style size code.

That matters because keeping 800-14 bias-ply tires preserves the original-style construction category and a traditional visual presentation. If a radial alternative is being considered instead, the equivalent size should be checked against wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance rather than treated as an automatic one-for-one substitution.

For 800-14, radial equivalents include 205R14, P215/75R14, P225/70R14, and 800R14 as a bias-look radial. For 850-14, the radial equivalents are 215R14, P225/75R14, and P235/70R14. Both primary sizes share a recommended radial-equivalent rim-width range of 5-7 inches.

Those choices give a Super Chief owner several ways to move from a vintage bias-ply size into modern radial sizing conventions. The 80-series metric and P-metric options differ in format and profile, while the bias-look radial keeps a more traditional appearance. Wheel width, tire dimensions, and clearance should still be confirmed before making the change.

A conversion from bias-ply to radial tires on a 1958 Pontiac Super Chief starts with confirming the car’s original-size baseline, then matching that to the correct radial equivalent for either 800-14 or 850-14. Rim diameter, wheel width, and the recommended 5-7 inch rim-width range are important checkpoints.

It also helps to inspect steering and fender clearance, especially if the Pontiac has replacement wheels, suspension changes, or worn components that alter ride height. A radial equivalent can be a useful alternative, but the owner should compare the complete wheel-and-tire package to the car’s actual setup instead of assuming every 14-inch radial will behave the same way.

Start by confirming whether the car uses 800-14 or 850-14, because both are legitimate primary sizes for a 1958 Pontiac Super Chief. From there, the main choice is whether to stay with a bias-ply tire for a more traditional presentation or move into an appropriate radial-equivalent size after checking wheel and vehicle compatibility.

Once size and construction direction are settled, compare sidewall style, tire series, brand, and wheel-width suitability. A wide whitewall creates a very different look than a blackwall or narrow whitewall, and some sizes also offer broader brand selection than others. The right choice depends on the car’s appearance goal and how it will actually be used.

The available sidewall styles for 1958 Pontiac Super Chief tires include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, depending on size and product line. The broadest variety appears in 800-14, while 850-14 is available in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall configurations.

Sidewall choice changes the car’s visual character as much as the tire brand or series. A blackwall gives a plainer, more understated presentation, while narrow and wide whitewalls move the car toward a stronger late-1950s look. Since appearance is often a major reason for choosing one tire over another, sidewall style should be weighed early in the decision.

Tires for the 1958 Pontiac Super Chief are available from BFGoodrich, Goodyear, and Universal Vintage Tire. Brand availability depends on size, with 800-14 offering the widest spread across multiple brands and series, while 850-14 is represented by BFGoodrich in the current size-specific assortment.

Brand alone should not drive the decision ahead of fitment and appearance. It is more useful to compare which brand offers the needed size, the desired sidewall treatment, and the tire series that best matches the car’s restoration direction. That keeps the selection focused on the actual Super Chief setup rather than a generic brand preference.

For a period-style 1958 Pontiac Super Chief, the natural starting point is the original-type bias-ply fitment category in either 800-14 or 850-14, depending on the car’s actual wheel and tire setup. That keeps the car in the vintage numeric bias-ply family rather than changing the visual character with a modern radial profile.

After size is confirmed, sidewall treatment becomes one of the biggest appearance decisions. Narrow whitewall and wide whitewall options can both suit a restoration-minded Pontiac, but exact originality should be checked against marque-specific references and the car’s own history if authenticity is more important than simply achieving a strong late-1950s presentation.

Tire construction changes both the look and feel of a restored 1958 Pontiac Super Chief. A bias-ply tire preserves the original-style construction category and typically supports the traditional stance and sidewall presentation most owners expect from a late-1950s full-size Pontiac.

A radial equivalent may be worth considering for road use, but it can alter the visual impression even when the rim diameter stays the same. That is why many restoration-oriented owners decide on construction first, then narrow the choice by size and sidewall style so the tire supports the car’s intended character instead of working against it.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1958 Pontiac Super Chief even when the tire size itself appears correct. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension alterations, lowering, or body work can all influence whether an 800-14, 850-14, or radial-equivalent setup has the clearance the car needs.

That is why an older Pontiac should be measured as it sits now, not only by model-year expectations. Wheel diameter and width, steering travel, and space at the fenders and suspension should all be checked on the actual car. A past restoration or modification can change the fitment picture more than the model name suggests.

Before driving a 1958 Pontiac Super Chief on new tires, inspect the wheels for proper size and condition, confirm the tires are mounted in the correct size, and check inflation carefully. It also makes sense to look over the valve stems, lug hardware, and the general condition of the suspension and steering components.

A short, cautious road test is a smart next step on a collector car, especially one that has sat for long periods. Watch for rubbing at full steering lock, unusual vibration, or any sign that the car tracks unevenly. Catching those issues early helps confirm that the wheel-and-tire package suits the Super Chief’s actual setup.

Collector-car tires in 800-14 or 850-14 size should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and clean storage habits. On a 1958 Pontiac Super Chief that may not be driven often, it is especially important to watch for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and slow air loss.

Storage conditions matter as much as mileage on an older hobby car. Keeping the Pontiac away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition over time. Even a tire with good tread should be examined closely before road use if the car has spent long stretches parked between drives.