The 1959 Chrysler New Yorker came from an era when Chrysler’s Forward Look styling pushed full-size American cars toward longer, lower, more dramatic proportions. As one of Chrysler’s upscale models, it carries the kind of visual presence that makes tire stance and sidewall appearance especially important. This exact model uses a 900-14 bias-ply tire on a 14-inch rim, and that fitment stays consistent across the covered New Yorker sub-models. Available choices center on traditional bias-ply construction with either a wide whitewall or a narrower whitewall presentation in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line. For a restoration-minded owner, the real decision is how closely the tire’s look should match the car’s intended period character and road-use plan.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1959 Chrysler New Yorker
The 1959 Chrysler New Yorker uses one primary tire size: 900-14. It is a bias-ply fitment for a 14-inch rim, and that same size carries across both the 2 & 3 Seat Wagon and the All Except 2 & 3 Seat Wagon configurations. With size settled, the real choice becomes sidewall appearance within the correct bias-ply format and making sure the wheel setup still matches the original 14-inch tire specification.
Fit(s): 2 & 3 Seat Wagon and All Except 2 & 3 Seat Wagon
Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 14 in
A 900-14 tire uses a vintage numeric bias-ply sizing system, where the 900 designation refers to the tire’s nominal section width class and the 14 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1959 Chrysler New Yorker, this is a traditional bias-ply fitment that suits the car’s late-1950s full-size proportions and period driving character. Within this size, available choices focus on BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires with either a 2.25-inch whitewall or a 1.00-inch whitewall. Choosing 900-14 keeps the New Yorker in its proper size family while letting the owner decide how much visual emphasis the sidewall should add.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1959 Chrysler New Yorker sub-models because both use the same 900-14 bias-ply size. Checking the sub-model still helps confirm that the vehicle has retained its correct 14-inch wheel setup, especially if it has been altered over time.
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1959 Chrysler New Yorker 2 & 3 Seat Wagon
The 1959 Chrysler New Yorker 2 & 3 Seat Wagon uses the same 900-14 bias-ply tire as the rest of the covered range. That keeps tire selection focused on traditional construction and the visual difference between wide whitewall and narrow whitewall styling.
1959 Chrysler New Yorker All Except 2 & 3 Seat Wagon
The 1959 Chrysler New Yorker All Except 2 & 3 Seat Wagon also uses the 900-14 bias-ply size on a 14-inch rim. Selection comes down less to fitment differences and more to choosing the sidewall treatment that best suits the car’s restoration direction and presentation.
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 1959 Chrysler New Yorker Tires for Sale
Available 900-14 options for the 1959 Chrysler New Yorker stay within BFGoodrich’s Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series and center on appearance choice. The main comparison in the product grid is wide whitewall versus narrow whitewall, with the same 14-inch fitment and 6.00- to 7.00-inch rim-width range.
Common questions for the 1959 Chrysler New Yorker usually center on the 900-14 tire size, 14-inch rim fitment, bias-ply construction, whitewall appearance choices, and the checks that matter before putting a collector-era Chrysler back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1959 Chrysler New Yorker?
The 1959 Chrysler New Yorker uses a 900-14 tire. This is a bias-ply size mounted on a 14-inch rim, and it applies across both the 2 & 3 Seat Wagon and the All Except 2 & 3 Seat Wagon configurations covered here.
That makes the first step fairly simple: confirm that the car still has 14-inch wheels and has not been changed to a different wheel diameter over the years. Once that is established, the main selection choice is not between multiple primary sizes, but between period-style 900-14 tire options with different whitewall presentations.
What size rim does a 1959 Chrysler New Yorker use?
The 1959 Chrysler New Yorker uses a 14-inch rim with its 900-14 tire size. Available 900-14 products in this fitment are built for a 6.00- to 7.00-inch rim-width range, which is a useful reference when checking wheel compatibility.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed before any tire purchase, especially on a collector car that may have seen wheel changes during restoration or custom work. Rim width matters too, because even the correct tire size should be matched to an appropriate wheel width to maintain the intended profile and avoid unnecessary fitment complications.
Do all 1959 Chrysler New Yorker sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. Both covered 1959 Chrysler New Yorker sub-models use the same 900-14 bias-ply tire size. That includes the 2 & 3 Seat Wagon and the All Except 2 & 3 Seat Wagon versions.
Shared sizing simplifies the search, but it still helps to verify what is actually on the car today. A New Yorker that has been modified with different wheels, replacement rims, or suspension changes may need extra checking for wheel width and clearance, even though the original fitment path remains the same across these sub-models.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 900-14 tire for a 1959 Chrysler New Yorker?
Start with the correct primary fitment: 900-14 in bias-ply construction on a 14-inch rim. From there, the main factors are wheel-width compatibility, the tire’s traditional appearance, and whether the car is being finished as a restoration-oriented cruiser or simply maintained with a period-style look.
For this New Yorker, available choices are less about changing the basic fitment and more about selecting the visual presentation that suits the car. A wide whitewall creates a stronger late-1950s look, while a narrower whitewall offers a more restrained appearance. It also helps to compare load specification and confirm the actual wheel width before settling on a tire.
What sidewall styles are available for 1959 Chrysler New Yorker tires?
The 1959 Chrysler New Yorker’s available 900-14 tire options include two sidewall styles: a 2.25-inch wide whitewall and a 1.00-inch narrow whitewall. Both are bias-ply tires in the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series.
That choice mainly affects the car’s visual presentation rather than its core fitment. A wider whitewall tends to emphasize the formal, highly styled late-1950s look, while a narrower whitewall gives a cleaner and slightly less pronounced period appearance. The better option depends on how the car is being restored, displayed, and driven.
What tire series are available for the 1959 Chrysler New Yorker?
Available 900-14 tires for the 1959 Chrysler New Yorker are offered in the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. That keeps the selection focused on a traditional bias-ply construction with appearance differences centered on whitewall width rather than on multiple unrelated tire families.
A single series can still require careful comparison. Look at sidewall treatment, confirm the tire matches the car’s 14-inch wheel setup, and check that the wheel width falls within the supported range. For an owner trying to preserve the New Yorker’s period presentation, that narrower set of choices can actually make the decision more focused.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1959 Chrysler New Yorker?
A period-style starting point for a 1959 Chrysler New Yorker is the correct 900-14 bias-ply size on a 14-inch rim. Staying with that original size family preserves the car’s visual stance and keeps the tire profile aligned with the way a full-size late-1950s Chrysler is typically presented.
The more personal restoration decision is the sidewall look. A 2.25-inch whitewall brings a stronger traditional visual statement, while a 1.00-inch whitewall tones that effect down. When exact originality matters, it is wise to compare the car against marque literature, surviving examples, or restoration references before choosing the final whitewall treatment.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1959 Chrysler New Yorker?
Tire construction affects more than ride character on a restored 1959 Chrysler New Yorker; it also influences the car’s visual impression. A 900-14 bias-ply tire maintains the traditional construction style associated with the New Yorker’s era and works naturally with the car’s broad sidewalls and formal late-1950s proportions.
Appearance is also shaped by the sidewall itself, especially on a car with prominent body lines and bright trim. Since available choices here remain within bias-ply construction, the visual distinction centers on wide whitewall versus narrow whitewall presentation. That lets an owner tune the final look without moving away from the original size family.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1959 Chrysler New Yorker?
Yes. A 1959 Chrysler New Yorker may originally use a 900-14 bias-ply tire, but wheel swaps, brake conversions, altered ride height, or suspension work can change what actually clears the car. Even when the intended replacement stays in the original size family, modified hardware can affect the final fit.
It helps to check wheel diameter, wheel width, and the space around fenders and steering components before mounting new tires. A collector car that has passed through several owners can carry changes that are not obvious at first glance, so confirming the actual setup on the car is just as important as knowing the original tire size.
What should I inspect before driving a 1959 Chrysler New Yorker on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage or excessive corrosion, confirm that the 14-inch rims are appropriate for the 900-14 tires, and make sure the tires are properly mounted and inflated. It is also smart to check valve stems, lug hardware, and overall clearance at full steering lock.
A large collector-era car places a lot of trust in the condition of its chassis and braking system, so tire installation should be paired with a basic mechanical check. Look over suspension wear, alignment behavior, and any signs of rubbing once the car is rolling. A short local drive is a better first test than an immediate long trip.
How should 900-14 tires on a collector 1959 Chrysler New Yorker be maintained?
900-14 tires on a collector 1959 Chrysler New Yorker should be inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss. Bias-ply tires also benefit from proper inflation and periodic visual checks even when the car is driven only occasionally or stored for long stretches.
Storage conditions matter as much as mileage on many collector vehicles. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the sidewalls and preserve the tire’s appearance. It also pays to inspect the tires before each outing rather than assuming low annual mileage means the tires remain road-ready.
