1959 Dodge Coronet Tires

The 1959 Dodge Coronet uses three primary bias-ply tire sizes: 750-14, 800-14, and 850-14. The correct size depends on the specific Coronet sub-model, so there is not one universal tire size that covers every configuration in the range.

The most important next step is confirming the exact sub-model and checking the wheel setup already on the car. A Base model may use 750-14 or 800-14, while wagon applications can differ, and a 3 Seat Wagon 4 Dr. may use either 800-14 or 850-14. Once the correct size is established, the decision usually shifts to sidewall style, brand, and whether to stay with bias-ply construction or compare radial equivalents.

The 1959 Dodge Coronet uses 14-inch rims with its primary tire sizes. That applies across the 750-14, 800-14, and 850-14 fitments, so the wheel diameter remains consistent even though the tire size itself can vary by sub-model.

That consistency makes wheel-diameter verification simpler, but it does not remove the need to confirm the actual wheel on the car. Many collector vehicles have had wheels changed over the years, and width matters as well as diameter. Before selecting a tire, confirm the wheel is still a 14-inch rim and compare its width with the tire’s intended range so the finished setup keeps the right proportions and avoids unnecessary fitment surprises.

No, 1959 Dodge Coronet sub-models do not all use the same tire size. The Coronet Base can use 750-14 or 800-14, All Wagons Except: uses 800-14, and the 3 Seat Wagon 4 Dr. can use either 800-14 or 850-14.

That variation is why the sub-model matters before comparing brands or sidewall styles. Two Coronets from the same year may both use 14-inch wheels but still need different bias-ply sizes, and that affects the tire choices available to you. If the car has been restored, modified, or fitted with replacement wheels, it is smart to check what is actually installed rather than relying only on model identification.

For the 1959 Dodge Coronet, 800-14 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It is part of the original-style numeric sizing system used on many American cars of the period, and it is offered in traditional bias-ply construction with several sidewall treatments.

That matters because a buyer deciding on 800-14 is also deciding whether to preserve the car’s period-style tire construction or move to a radial equivalent. A radial option can be considered, but it should be checked against wheel width, overall setup, and body clearance rather than treated as automatic interchangeability. Keeping the bias-ply format usually favors a more traditional appearance on a late-1950s full-size Dodge.

Radial equivalents for 800-14 are 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. For 750-14, the equivalent sizes are 195R14, P205/75R14, P215/70R14, and 750R14 as a bias-look radial.

Those options give the 1959 Dodge Coronet buyer several ways to compare modern radial sizing formats against the original bias-ply fitments. The 80-series metric sizes keep a traditional metric radial format, the 75-series and 70-series P-metric choices offer alternate profile conventions, and the bias-look radials aim to preserve a more vintage visual impression. Wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance should still be checked before making a conversion.

Start by confirming the original bias-ply size on the specific 1959 Dodge Coronet sub-model, then compare the intended radial equivalent to the actual wheel diameter and width on the car. The Coronet’s radial-equivalent choices differ by primary size, so the conversion begins with selecting the right equivalent for 750-14, 800-14, or 850-14.

The practical checks are wheel compatibility, section width, overall tire dimensions, and clearance at the fenders and steering components. A car that has been lowered, fitted with aftermarket wheels, or rebuilt with suspension changes deserves extra attention before changing tire construction. The goal is not simply picking a radial that seems close on paper, but confirming that the complete wheel-and-tire package suits the car’s current setup.

The first consideration is making sure 750-14 is the correct primary size for the particular 1959 Dodge Coronet, since not every sub-model uses it. Once size is confirmed, the main comparison points are brand, sidewall style, tire series, and rim-width compatibility within the available bias-ply options.

This size offers broad variety, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline presentations. That means the choice can lean toward a restrained driver-style look or a stronger restoration-oriented visual statement without leaving the proper size family. It also helps to compare load figures where they are given and confirm the wheel width on the car so the selected tire suits both the appearance goal and the hardware actually installed.

Sidewall choices for 1959 Dodge Coronet tires include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline, although the exact styles vary by tire size. The broadest range appears in 750-14, while 800-14 offers blackwall plus both narrow and wide whitewall, and 850-14 focuses on whitewall options.

That variation makes sidewall style part of the fitment conversation rather than just a cosmetic afterthought. A buyer restoring a car toward a traditional late-1950s presentation may gravitate toward whitewall options, while a simpler blackwall or redline look can change the car’s visual character noticeably. Once the proper size is confirmed, compare the available sidewall treatments within that size instead of assuming every style is offered across the entire Coronet range.

Brands available for the 1959 Dodge Coronet include BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire. Brand coverage varies by size, with 750-14 showing the widest assortment and 850-14 presented through BFGoodrich offerings in the available selection.

Brand choice is most useful when it helps narrow the tire’s look and series rather than when it is treated as a ranking exercise. Some buyers focus on a specific name for restoration flavor, while others are really choosing between blackwall, whitewall, or redline presentation inside the correct size. It makes sense to confirm the proper fitment first, then compare brands within that size by series, sidewall treatment, and wheel-width suitability.

A period-style 1959 Dodge Coronet tire choice starts with the correct bias-ply size for the exact sub-model: 750-14, 800-14, or 850-14. From there, the visual direction usually comes from sidewall treatment and tire series, with blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and in some 750-14 cases, redline, all shaping the car differently.

For a restoration-oriented car, staying within the original-style size family matters more than chasing a generic vintage look. Whitewall width and brand presentation can change the Coronet’s stance and era feel, but those details should be matched to the car’s specific trim, photos, or marque references when exact originality matters. The safest appearance approach is to choose the correct size first, then refine the final look through the sidewall style offered in that size.

Tire construction has a visible effect on a restored 1959 Dodge Coronet because the car’s primary fitments are bias-ply sizes. A traditional bias-ply tire usually preserves the vintage sizing format and profile language associated with a late-1950s full-size American car, while a radial alternative can shift the visual presentation even when chosen carefully.

That does not make one construction universally right or wrong; it makes the decision more tied to the car’s purpose. A restoration focused on traditional appearance may stay with bias-ply, while a driver-oriented build may explore a radial equivalent or a bias-look radial where available. The key is to treat construction as part of the finished look, not just a hidden mechanical detail under the fender.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1959 Dodge Coronet even when the correct original-style tire size has been identified. Wheel changes, altered wheel width, suspension work, lowering, brake conversions, or body modifications can all change how a 750-14, 800-14, or 850-14 tire sits in the car.

A Coronet that still carries stock-style wheels is easier to evaluate than one that has been changed over the years. Even though all three primary sizes use 14-inch rims, width and clearance still need attention, especially when considering a radial equivalent. Any owner dealing with an older restoration or a modified car should inspect wheel dimensions and turning clearance before assuming the original fitment remains the practical choice.

Before driving a 1959 Dodge Coronet on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and sound condition, confirm lug hardware is appropriate, and make sure the tire size matches the car’s sub-model and wheel setup. It also helps to look over steering and suspension components so the new tires are not being installed on a worn or unstable foundation.

After installation, check for full steering clearance, proper inflation, and any signs of rubbing under normal ride height. A short shakedown drive should be followed by another look at air pressure and sidewall condition, especially on a collector car that may have sat for long periods before getting fresh tires. That routine helps separate true tire issues from unrelated chassis problems that only become noticeable once the car is back on the road.

Collector-car tires on a 1959 Dodge Coronet should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and attention to age-related condition as much as tread wear. Whether the car uses 750-14, 800-14, or 850-14, the owner should watch for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss between drives.

Storage habits matter on a low-use car from this era. Keeping the Coronet away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, standing moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve both the tire structure and the appearance of whitewall or redline sidewalls. A car that spends much of its time parked should still have its tires inspected routinely, because collector vehicles often age out their tires long before they wear them out.