1959 Chrysler Windsor Tires

The 1959 Chrysler Windsor uses 800-14, 850-14, and 900-14 tire sizes, all in bias-ply construction and all on 14-inch rims. The correct size depends on the exact sub-model, with the 2 & 3 Seat Wagon using 850-14 and 900-14, while the All Except: grouping uses 800-14 and 850-14.

That means the first step is identifying the specific Windsor configuration before choosing a tire. Once the correct size is confirmed, the next decision usually becomes sidewall style, tire series, and whether to stay with a traditional bias-ply tire or compare one of the available radial-equivalent sizes tied to 800-14 or 850-14.

The covered tire fitments for the 1959 Chrysler Windsor use a 14-inch rim diameter. That remains consistent across 800-14, 850-14, and 900-14, so the main fitment difference is tire size by sub-model rather than a change in wheel diameter.

Rim diameter is only part of the wheel check, especially on a full-size late-1950s Chrysler. Wheel width still matters, and it becomes more important if the car has replacement wheels, older service wheels, or a planned move to a radial equivalent, because the right 14-inch diameter does not automatically confirm the rest of the wheel setup.

The 1959 Chrysler Windsor has more than one tire size because fitment varies by sub-model. The wagon uses 850-14 and 900-14, while the All Except: grouping uses 800-14 and 850-14, so the car’s exact configuration determines which primary size belongs on it.

That distinction matters because a Windsor owner is not simply choosing among three interchangeable sizes. The practical path is to confirm the body configuration, verify the wheel setup already on the car, and then compare the available products in the correct size rather than picking a tire solely by appearance or by what happens to be mounted now.

For the 1959 Chrysler Windsor, 850-14 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It uses the traditional vintage numeric sizing format and keeps the period construction associated with the car’s original-era fitment approach, rather than being a primary radial specification.

Radial alternatives do exist for 850-14, but they should be treated as equivalent options rather than the same thing as the original construction. Owners considering a change should compare wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and clearance at the fenders and steering components, especially if the Windsor has been modified or no longer carries its original wheel setup.

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. These give a 1959 Chrysler Windsor owner several radial sizing formats to compare against the original bias-ply fitment.

Each of those options should be evaluated as an alternative, not as an automatic substitute. The stated rim-width range is 5-7 inches, and it is still important to confirm wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and body or steering clearance before converting, particularly on a full-size car that may have seen wheel changes over the years.

Start by confirming the Windsor’s exact primary tire size, then match any radial equivalent to the correct 14-inch wheel diameter and appropriate wheel width. For sizes with published equivalents, 800-14 and 850-14 each have specific radial alternatives, and 800-14 also has an 800R14 bias-look radial option.

Construction changes deserve a full fitment check rather than a simple size-name comparison. Measure the wheels, inspect clearance at full steering lock and normal suspension travel, and look closely at suspension condition if the car has been sitting or altered, since a radial conversion can change how closely the tire interacts with the existing chassis setup.

The most important starting point is the correct size for the exact Windsor sub-model, since this car uses 800-14, 850-14, and 900-14 depending on configuration. After that, the decision usually shifts to construction, sidewall appearance, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility within the correct size.

A restoration-minded car may call for a different look than a driver that prioritizes a certain presentation or a radial-equivalent comparison. It also helps to inspect what wheels are actually on the car today, because collector vehicles often change hands with replacement wheels or mixed tire sets that do not necessarily reflect the proper size path.

Available sidewall styles for 1959 Chrysler Windsor tires include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, depending on the exact size. The broadest appearance range appears in 800-14, while 850-14 and 900-14 are offered with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall choices.

Sidewall style has a major effect on how a late-1950s Chrysler presents visually, so this choice is often as important as the brand itself. A buyer should first confirm the correct size for the sub-model, then compare sidewall treatments within that size so the final look suits the car without stepping outside the proper fitment range.

The 1959 Chrysler Windsor is served by BFGoodrich, Goodyear, and Universal Vintage Tire, depending on the tire size. BFGoodrich appears across all three primary sizes, while Goodyear and Universal Vintage Tire are available in 800-14 with period-style bias-ply offerings.

Brand choice should be considered alongside the size, sidewall style, and tire series rather than as a stand-alone decision. Once the correct fitment is pinned down, comparing whitewall width, blackwall availability, and wheel-width specifications will usually tell an owner more about which tire belongs on the car than the brand name alone.

A period-style 1959 Chrysler Windsor starts with the correct bias-ply size for the exact sub-model: 800-14, 850-14, or 900-14. From there, the choice usually centers on traditional-looking bias-ply tire series and the whitewall treatment that best matches the car’s restoration direction.

Wide whitewall and narrow whitewall options can create noticeably different visual results on a late-1950s Chrysler, even within the same size. If exact originality matters, the safest approach is to confirm historical details through marque-specific references and then choose the tire that aligns with both the documented appearance and the car’s actual wheel setup.

Tire construction changes more than ride character on a restored 1959 Chrysler Windsor; it also changes the car’s visual stance and overall presentation. A bias-ply tire keeps the traditional construction associated with the period, while certain radial equivalents can shift the look even when they are chosen carefully by size.

That is why many restoration-oriented owners begin with the proper bias-ply size before deciding whether appearance or road-use priorities point elsewhere. On this Windsor, sidewall treatment matters too, since blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options can each push the finished car toward a very different late-1950s impression.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1959 Chrysler Windsor even when the tire size itself is correct. Replacement wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, lowering, or body work can all change how an 800-14, 850-14, or 900-14 tire sits within the car’s available space.

That makes it important to inspect the actual car rather than relying only on the original fitment path. A changed wheel can alter sidewall shape and clearance, and any conversion to a radial equivalent deserves extra attention at the front steering sweep, rear fender clearance, and normal suspension travel before regular road use.

Before driving a 1959 Chrysler Windsor on new tires, inspect wheel condition, valve stems, and basic clearances, then confirm the tires are mounted in the correct size for the sub-model. It also helps to check for suspension looseness, brake drag, or alignment issues that could affect how a newly installed tire behaves.

A collector car that has spent long periods parked deserves an especially careful walk-around after installation. Look for even seating on the rim, proper inflation for the tire being used, and any contact at full steering lock or over suspension movement, then take the car on a short controlled drive before treating it like a normal road car.

Collector-car tires on a 1959 Chrysler Windsor should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Whether the car uses 800-14, 850-14, or 900-14, owners should watch for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss, especially if the car is driven infrequently.

Long periods of inactivity can age a tire differently than regular use, so maintenance is not only about tread depth. Keeping the Windsor away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment helps preserve the tires, and routine inspections before each driving season make it easier to catch problems before they turn into road-use concerns.