1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk Tires

The 1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 710-15 and 800-14. Both sizes apply to the Golden Hawk Base, so there is not a single universal answer unless the wheel setup on the car is known first.

The practical difference is wheel diameter. A 710-15 mounts on a 15-inch rim, while an 800-14 mounts on a 14-inch rim. On a restored or modified car, the safest next step is to confirm the actual wheel diameter already installed before choosing a tire style, brand, or radial equivalent.

A 1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk can use either a 15-inch rim with 710-15 tires or a 14-inch rim with 800-14 tires. Both rim diameters are part of the covered fitment for this model.

That means the tire decision starts at the wheel, not the sidewall style. Measuring the wheel or confirming its stamp is worthwhile before ordering, especially if the car has changed hands or has had wheel swaps over the years. Rim width matters too, particularly when comparing among available products or evaluating a radial alternative.

The 1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk is associated with both 710-15 and 800-14 bias-ply fitments, which means more than one wheel-and-tire combination can be encountered on this model. The difference is tied to the wheel diameter used on the car.

For an owner, that means the correct choice is the size that matches the actual wheel setup rather than choosing by vehicle name alone. Once the rim diameter is confirmed, the rest of the decision becomes much easier: traditional bias-ply replacement, whitewall or blackwall appearance, and whether a radial-equivalent size deserves a closer look.

For the 1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk, 710-15 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It is a vintage numeric bias-ply format intended for a 15-inch wheel, not a radial size in its original construction form.

That matters because a buyer may be choosing between staying with a traditional bias-ply presentation or moving to a radial equivalent. The wheel diameter must still match, and the wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance should be checked before making a construction change, especially on a collector car where wheels or suspension may no longer be stock.

For 710-15, radial equivalents include 205R15, P215/75R15, P225/70R15, and 710R15 as a bias-look radial. For 800-14, the equivalent radial sizes are 205R14, P215/75R14, P225/70R14, and 800R14 as a bias-look radial.

Those choices span several sizing conventions, from Euro-metric radials to P-metric alternatives and bias-look radial versions meant to retain a more traditional visual character. Each one should be compared against the wheel on the car, along with section width, overall dimensions, and body or steering clearance, rather than treated as an automatic substitute.

Start by confirming the car's actual wheel diameter and the primary bias-ply size it uses, since the Golden Hawk can be found with either 710-15 or 800-14. Then compare the intended radial equivalent to the wheel's width range, because the recommended rim-width ranges differ between the two primary sizes.

Clearance should be checked at the fender, suspension, and steering stops before making the change. It is also smart to look at the condition of the steering and suspension on a car of this age, since a radial conversion can reveal wear that was less noticeable before. The goal is a compatible setup, not simply a same-diameter wheel fit.

The first priority is matching the tire to the wheel diameter already on the car, since the 1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk uses both 710-15 and 800-14 fitments. After size, the next considerations are construction, sidewall appearance, brand, tire series, and any rim-width guidance attached to the specific product.

A restoration-oriented car may call for a traditional bias-ply look with the right whitewall character, while a road-driven car may lead the owner to compare radial-equivalent options separately. It also helps to compare load figures where stated and to make sure the chosen tire suits the wheel and the way the car will actually be used.

Tires for the 1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. Those treatments appear across both primary sizes, although the exact selection varies depending on whether the car uses 710-15 or 800-14 tires.

That gives the Golden Hawk owner a meaningful appearance decision beyond simple fitment. Blackwalls create a more understated look, narrow whitewalls split the difference, and wide whitewalls lean into late-1950s visual character. The right choice depends on the wheel size on the car and whether the goal is a restrained driver presentation or a more restoration-minded finish.

Available tire brands for the 1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk include BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, US Royal, and Universal Vintage Tire. Brand coverage varies by size, with 710-15 offering the broadest spread and 800-14 also carrying several traditional options.

Brand is only one part of the decision. It makes sense to compare the tire series, sidewall style, rim-width specification where stated, and whether the product supports the visual direction you want for the car. Once the correct size is confirmed, those differences become the real basis for choosing among the available tires.

A period-style 1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk usually starts with the correct primary bias-ply size for the wheel on the car, either 710-15 or 800-14. From there, the strongest visual differences come from the sidewall treatment and the tire series rather than from the basic fitment itself.

Wide whitewalls often create the most distinctly late-1950s presentation, while blackwalls and narrow whitewalls give a different character without leaving the era entirely. Exact originality can depend on the individual car and its history, so owners chasing a highly accurate restoration should compare their tire choice against marque references and surviving vehicle details.

On a restored 1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk, bias-ply construction preserves the traditional tire shape and visual stance most buyers associate with the period. Radial equivalents are available, including bias-look radial options, but they should be viewed as alternatives rather than the same visual expression as a conventional bias-ply tire.

That distinction matters because tire construction changes more than ride and handling impressions; it also influences how the car sits and how the sidewall presents against the wheel opening. Owners trying to preserve a restoration-oriented look usually start by deciding whether authentic-era appearance or modernized road use carries more weight in the overall build.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk even when the tire size itself is otherwise appropriate. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered offset, suspension work, or ride-height changes can all influence how a 710-15 or 800-14 tire sits and clears the car.

That is especially important on a collector car that may have been updated years ago. A tire should be chosen only after confirming the actual wheel diameter and checking clearance at full steering lock and normal suspension travel. Those steps matter just as much when evaluating radial equivalents as they do with traditional bias-ply replacements.

Before driving a 1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition and correct diameter, confirm proper inflation for the installed tires, and look over the car's suspension and steering for looseness or worn components. Wheel hardware and valve stems also deserve attention on an older vehicle.

A short initial drive should be used to check for rubbing, pulling, vibration, or any sign that the tires are contacting body or chassis parts. After that, recheck pressure and give the tires another visual inspection. On a car that has been stored for long periods, a careful once-over is just as important as the new tires themselves.

Collector-car tires on a 1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspections, and attention to aging even if the car sees limited mileage. Sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and unexplained air loss all deserve prompt inspection.

Storage conditions matter too. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, whether it uses 710-15 or 800-14 fitment. It is also smart to inspect the tires before any longer outing, since low-use collector vehicles can develop condition issues long before the tread appears worn.