1958 Studebaker Champion Tires

The 1958 Studebaker Champion uses four primary bias-ply tire sizes: 640-15, 700-14, 670-15, and 750-14. The correct size depends on the exact Champion sub-model and the wheel diameter on the car, since this model line includes both 14-inch and 15-inch applications.

That means the first step is confirming the car’s actual setup before selecting a tire. A Champion wearing replacement wheels, changed suspension, or a non-original wheel and tire package may not match the size currently mounted, so the safest approach is to verify sub-model, wheel diameter, and wheel width together.

A 1958 Studebaker Champion can use either a 15-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on the tire size and sub-model. The 640-15 and 670-15 sizes use 15-inch rims, while the 700-14 and 750-14 sizes use 14-inch rims.

Rim diameter is the most important checkpoint on this car because two different wheel diameters appear within the same model line. Looking only at the vehicle badge is not enough if the car has been modified over time, so the actual wheel should be measured and matched to the intended tire before any purchase decision.

No. The 1958 Studebaker Champion sub-models covered here do not all share one tire size. The 58G-D1 Wagon and Base use 640-15 and 700-14, while the 58G-D4 Wagon uses 670-15 and 750-14.

That difference matters because it changes both the section width category and the wheel diameter options involved. Before comparing brands or sidewall styles, identify the exact sub-model and then confirm whether the car is running the 14-inch or 15-inch setup, especially if it has been restored, updated, or assembled from mixed parts.

On the 1958 Studebaker Champion, 670-15 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It is one of the original-style fitment formats used on this model, and the available 670-15 products in the main fitment category are bias-ply tires rather than primary radial fitments.

Radial alternatives do exist for buyers considering a conversion, but they should be treated as equivalents rather than the same construction. Choosing between a 670-15 bias-ply and a radial option affects appearance, wheel compatibility, and the overall setup, so the wheel width and available clearance should be checked before changing construction.

Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15 as an 80-series metric radial, P205/75R15 as a 75-series P-metric radial, P215/70R15 as a 70-series P-metric radial, and 670R15 as a bias-look radial. The recommended rim-width range associated with these equivalents is 5-7 inches.

Those options give a buyer several ways to move from a numeric bias-ply size into radial sizing, but they are not all the same in format or profile family. The right choice depends on the wheel being used and how closely the owner wants to preserve a traditional visual presentation while checking clearance and overall fit on the car.

Start by matching the Champion’s primary bias-ply size to the correct radial equivalent for that exact size and wheel diameter. Then confirm the wheel’s width against the recommended rim-width range for the equivalent you are considering, since the Champion uses both 14-inch and 15-inch fitments across different sub-models.

After the size match is narrowed down, inspect front and rear clearance at normal ride height and while steering lock-to-lock. A car with replacement wheels, altered suspension, or body changes deserves extra attention, because a radial equivalent can be a useful alternative without automatically matching every wheel and chassis combination.

A 670-15 buyer should begin with the basics: confirm that the car actually uses the 15-inch 670-15 fitment and then compare the available bias-ply options by construction, sidewall treatment, tire series, and rim-width specification. This size has one of the widest product selections in the Champion range.

Once fitment is confirmed, the choice usually comes down to intended appearance and use. Blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions are all available, along with several brand and series options, so a restoration-oriented wagon may call for a very different visual presentation than a driver-focused car using the same primary size.

Sidewall choices for the 1958 Studebaker Champion include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline, depending on the tire size selected. The broadest sidewall variety appears in the 670-15 and 750-14 categories, while 640-15 and 700-14 offer a narrower range of traditional styles.

That makes sidewall selection a meaningful part of the buying process rather than a minor detail. A blackwall gives a plainer, utility-minded presentation, while whitewall widths and redline options can shift the car toward a more dressy or sport-oriented period-style look without changing the underlying primary fitment category.

Depending on size, 1958 Studebaker Champion tires are available from BFGoodrich, Firestone, US Royal, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, Avon, Excelsior, and STA. Brand availability is not uniform across all four sizes, so the selection changes once the correct primary fitment is confirmed.

That means brand comparison should come after size and wheel-diameter confirmation, not before it. Some sizes offer only a couple of product paths, while others provide many combinations of brand, tire series, and sidewall style, giving the owner more flexibility to match the car’s appearance and intended use.

A period-style 1958 Studebaker Champion usually starts with the correct primary bias-ply size for the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. From there, the best match depends on whether the car’s presentation calls for blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, or, in some 750-14 offerings, a redline treatment.

Construction and sidewall style both influence how authentic the car feels visually. When exact originality matters, the right approach is to use the correct size as the foundation and then compare the tire’s brand and sidewall treatment against marque-specific references, period photography, and restoration documentation for the particular car.

Tire construction changes more than ride feel on a restored 1958 Studebaker Champion; it also changes the car’s visual character. A bias-ply tire maintains the traditional construction type used in the Champion’s primary fitments, while a radial equivalent can introduce a different overall presentation even when the sizing category is carefully matched.

For many restorers, that visual difference is just as important as the driving experience. Staying with a bias-ply often aligns more naturally with a period-style restoration, while a radial equivalent may suit an owner who wants a modern construction but still intends to keep the car’s proportions and sidewall treatment within a vintage-looking range.

Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1958 Studebaker Champion even when the selected size matches one of the original-style fitment categories. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body and fender work can all influence whether a given tire setup clears properly.

That is especially important on a Champion because both 14-inch and 15-inch wheel applications exist within the model line. A car that has been updated over the years should be checked for actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and steering and fender clearance before moving from an old tire size to a fresh bias-ply or radial-equivalent replacement.

Before road use, inspect the wheel condition, verify the tire size against the car’s wheel diameter, and confirm that each tire is seated properly and inflated for service. It also helps to look over the suspension and steering for looseness or wear, since older collector cars can reveal chassis issues once fresh tires are installed.

A short clearance check is worth doing before any serious drive. Turn the steering from lock to lock on the front, look for fender or chassis interference, and make sure the tires do not contact suspension or body parts under normal ride height, especially if the Champion has replacement wheels or non-stock ride height.

Collector-car 670-15 tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, and slow air loss, since low-mileage vintage cars can age tires out long before they wear them out.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a Studebaker that is driven occasionally. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the tires, while routine inspection before local drives and longer trips helps catch age-related problems before they become road-use concerns.