1959 Dodge Royal Tires

The 1959 Dodge Royal uses two primary tire sizes: 800-14 and 850-14. Both are bias-ply sizes designed for 14-inch rims, and Royal Base & Custom models can use either one depending on the vehicle’s actual setup.

The important next step is confirming which size is already on the car and whether the wheel width matches the tire being considered. Since both sizes apply to the same model family, choosing correctly comes down to the wheel configuration, the look you want, and whether you plan to stay with a traditional bias-ply tire or evaluate a radial equivalent.

The 1959 Dodge Royal uses a 14-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes, 800-14 and 850-14. That shared rim diameter simplifies the search, because the first fitment question is not wheel diameter but which of the two bias-ply sizes belongs on the car.

Rim diameter is only one part of the check. Wheel width also matters, especially if the car has replacement wheels or has been changed over time. Looking at the actual wheels on the vehicle before ordering helps prevent choosing a tire that matches the diameter but is not as well suited to the wheel width or intended appearance.

Royal Base & Custom models share the same tire-size range rather than having separate sub-model-only fitments. Both 800-14 and 850-14 are primary bias-ply sizes for the 1959 Dodge Royal, all on 14-inch rims.

That means the sub-model name alone does not settle the decision. A buyer still needs to verify which size the car is actually set up to use, especially on a vehicle that may have had wheel or tire changes during its life. Once size is confirmed, the comparison usually shifts to sidewall style, brand, and whether to remain with bias-ply construction.

Both 800-14 and 850-14 are primary bias-ply tire sizes for the 1959 Dodge Royal. They use the older numeric sizing system and preserve the construction style that matches the car’s original era rather than a later metric radial format.

That matters because the construction choice affects more than size alone. A bias-ply selection keeps the traditional look and sizing language, while a radial alternative should be treated as a separate conversion decision. Anyone considering a change should confirm wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance rather than assuming that a radial equivalent behaves exactly like the original bias-ply fitment.

For 800-14, radial equivalents include 205R14, P215/75R14, P225/70R14, and 800R14 as a bias-look radial. For 850-14, radial equivalents include 215R14, P225/75R14, and P235/70R14. The recommended rim-width range attached to these equivalents is 5 to 7 inches.

Those options give a buyer several ways to move from a numeric bias-ply size into a radial format, but they do not all represent the same tire profile or presentation. The best approach is to compare the chosen equivalent against the car’s actual wheels and available clearance, especially if the Dodge has seen wheel changes, suspension work, or any body alterations over the years.

Start by identifying whether the car uses 800-14 or 850-14, then compare the available radial equivalents for that exact primary size. On the 1959 Dodge Royal, that means choosing among metric, P-metric, or in the case of 800-14, a bias-look radial alternative.

Wheel width is an important part of the decision, and the recommended rim-width range for these equivalents is 5 to 7 inches. It also helps to inspect steering clearance, fender clearance, and suspension condition before making the switch. A radial equivalent can be a useful alternative, but it still needs to match the actual wheel and vehicle setup rather than the size label alone.

The first consideration is confirming whether the car is set up for 800-14 or 850-14, since both sizes apply to the 1959 Dodge Royal. After size, the next decisions are construction, sidewall style, and whether the car is being kept in a traditional bias-ply format or compared against a radial equivalent.

Once fitment is settled, the choice becomes more about use and presentation. A period-style restoration may point toward a bias-ply tire with the right whitewall treatment, while a road-use-focused car may lead you to study radial-equivalent options carefully. Brand, tire series, wheel-width compatibility, and load figures can also help narrow the field without treating every product as the same.

Available sidewall styles for the 1959 Dodge Royal include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, depending on the tire size and product selected. The broadest variety appears in 800-14, while 850-14 choices focus on narrow whitewall and wide whitewall presentations.

Sidewall style changes the look of the car immediately, especially on a full-size late-fifties Dodge where the tire is part of the overall visual balance. A blackwall gives a plainer, understated appearance, while narrow and wide whitewalls move the tire closer to a more restoration-oriented presentation. The best choice depends on the way the car is finished and how strictly period-style appearance matters.

Tires for the 1959 Dodge Royal are available from BFGoodrich, Goodyear, and Universal Vintage Tire. Those brands appear across the primary bias-ply fitments, with BFGoodrich covering both 800-14 and 850-14, while Goodyear and Universal Vintage Tire appear in 800-14 selections.

Brand is only one part of the comparison. It helps to look at which tire series each brand offers, the sidewall treatments available in the needed size, and the wheel-width fitment attached to a given product. That approach makes it easier to choose a tire that suits the car’s setup and appearance, rather than selecting only by brand name.

A period-style 1959 Dodge Royal usually starts with one of its primary bias-ply sizes, either 800-14 or 850-14, after confirming which size belongs on the car. That keeps the tire in the same vintage sizing and construction family that suits a late-fifties full-size Dodge visually.

After size is confirmed, appearance often comes down to sidewall treatment and tire series. Narrow whitewall and wide whitewall options are both available, and each creates a different visual effect. If exact originality matters beyond a general period-style look, it is wise to compare the car against marque references or restoration records before settling on a specific whitewall presentation.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1959 Dodge Royal as much as the sidewall does. A bias-ply tire preserves the older numeric sizing format and traditional profile language associated with the car’s era, while a radial introduces a more modern construction even when chosen in an equivalent size.

That difference matters most on a car with strong late-fifties styling, where the tire contributes to the overall stance. A bias-look radial can help bridge that gap for an 800-14 application, but it should still be evaluated as an alternative rather than as an automatic stand-in. Choosing the right construction depends on how closely the restoration follows period presentation versus road-use priorities.

Yes. A 1959 Dodge Royal may have had wheel, suspension, or ride-height changes over the years, and those changes can affect how 800-14, 850-14, or any radial equivalent sits in the car. Even when the rim diameter remains 14 inches, width and clearance can change the fitment picture.

Checking the actual wheel width, steering clearance, and fender space is especially important before moving from one primary size to the other or before trying a radial alternative. Cars that have been lowered, fitted with aftermarket wheels, or rebuilt with replacement suspension parts deserve an extra inspection so the new tire suits the current setup rather than the original assumption.

Before driving a 1959 Dodge Royal on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, make sure the tires are mounted in the correct size, and verify that inflation is appropriate for the tire in use. It also helps to check for any obvious interference at full steering lock and normal ride height.

A careful first inspection should include suspension and steering components as well, since looseness or misalignment can affect how a vintage car behaves on fresh tires. After a short initial drive, recheck pressure and look for any signs of rubbing or uneven contact. That simple follow-up is especially worthwhile on collector cars that have spent long periods parked.

Collector-car tires on a 1959 Dodge Royal should be inspected regularly for pressure loss, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven tread wear, whether the car uses 800-14, 850-14, or a radial equivalent. Low annual mileage does not eliminate tire aging, so appearance and condition matter as much as tread depth.

Storage conditions also play a role in long-term tire health. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber between drives. A Royal that sits for extended periods benefits from more frequent visual checks before road use, since collector vehicles often age their tires quietly rather than wearing them out through mileage.