The 1959 Imperial Crown came from Chrysler’s Forward Look era, when Imperial stood apart as a dedicated luxury marque with dramatic fins, formal proportions, and a strong road presence. Cars of this period ask for tires that suit both their scale and their character, especially when appearance matters as much as road manners. The 1959 Imperial Crown uses a 950-14 bias-ply tire on a 14-inch rim, keeping the fitment squarely in the full-size American luxury tradition of the late 1950s. Available choices center on classic whitewall presentation, including narrow and wide whitewall styles. For restoration-minded owners, the main decision is how closely the tire’s construction and sidewall look should match the car’s intended presentation.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1959 Imperial Crown
The 1959 Imperial Crown uses one primary tire size: 950-14. That fitment is a bias-ply tire for a 14-inch rim, and it remains consistent for the covered Crown V8 MY1-M sub-model. Since size selection is straightforward, the real choice becomes sidewall style, restoration appearance, and making sure the wheel width and overall vehicle setup still match the original-style tire format.
A 950-14 is a numeric bias-ply size in which the 9.50 designation refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches, while the 14 identifies the wheel diameter. On a 1959 Imperial Crown, this format matches the traditional construction and proportions expected on a large late-1950s American luxury car. Available choices in this size center on BFGoodrich’s Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line, with both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments. This size is the right starting point when the goal is to keep the car in its correct fitment family and choose the visual presentation that best suits the restoration.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1959 Imperial Crown sub-models because the same primary tire size is used throughout. Checking the exact sub-model still matters so the tire choice stays aligned with the vehicle’s original-style wheel and overall presentation.
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1959 Imperial Crown V8 MY1-M
The 1959 Imperial Crown V8 MY1-M uses the same 950-14 bias-ply fitment found on the core model. That keeps the tire decision focused on period-style replacement and sidewall appearance, rather than sorting through multiple primary sizes or rim diameters.
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 Imperial Crown Tires for Sale
Available 950-14 choices for the 1959 Imperial Crown come from BFGoodrich’s Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series and focus on sidewall appearance. The main comparison in the product grid is between narrow whitewall and wide whitewall presentation, along with the shared 14-inch rim and 6.50 to 7.50 inch rim-width range.
Owners of a 1959 Imperial Crown usually want clear answers on the 950-14 fitment, 14-inch rim compatibility, whitewall choices, restoration appearance, and the basic checks to make before putting a large collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1959 Imperial Crown?
The 1959 Imperial Crown uses a 950-14 tire size. That is a numeric bias-ply fitment used on a 14-inch wheel, and it is the primary size for the covered Crown application.
Because there is only one primary size, the decision is less about sizing and more about choosing the right version of that size. Owners should confirm the wheel is still a 14-inch setup and that wheel width, suspension condition, and body clearance have not been altered before selecting a replacement tire.
What size rim does a 1959 Imperial Crown use?
The 1959 Imperial Crown uses a 14-inch rim with its 950-14 tire fitment. Available 950-14 tires in this application are built for that wheel diameter and are paired with a rim-width range of 6.50 to 7.50 inches.
Rim diameter should be confirmed on the actual car before ordering, especially if the vehicle has been changed over the years. A 14-inch tire will not mount correctly on a different wheel diameter, and wheel width also matters because it affects how the tire sits and presents on the car.
Does the 1959 Imperial Crown V8 MY1-M use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1959 Imperial Crown V8 MY1-M uses the same 950-14 bias-ply tire size as the core 1959 Imperial Crown fitment. That keeps sub-model tire selection simple and consistent within the covered application.
With size changes out of the equation, the remaining choice is mostly about appearance and condition. Whitewall style can make a big difference in how a late-1950s luxury car looks, so it helps to decide whether a narrower or wider whitewall better matches the restoration direction and the car’s overall presentation.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 950-14 tire for a 1959 Imperial Crown?
Start with the correct primary fitment: 950-14 in bias-ply construction on a 14-inch rim. For this Imperial, the available choices stay within the same classic tire family, so the biggest differences are sidewall appearance and confirming that the wheel width matches the tire’s intended mounting range.
A large luxury car from 1959 often looks noticeably different depending on whitewall treatment, so appearance is a real part of the decision. It also helps to compare load capacity, wheel width, and the condition of the car’s wheels before installation, especially if the vehicle has been stored or rarely driven.
What sidewall styles are available for 1959 Imperial Crown tires?
The 1959 Imperial Crown’s 950-14 tire choices include both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Both are bias-ply tires in the same general series, so the main distinction is visual presentation rather than a change in primary size or construction type.
That visual choice matters on a late-1950s Imperial because the tire sidewall has a strong effect on the car’s overall stance and period feel. Narrow whitewalls create a more restrained look, while wide whitewalls deliver a more dramatic traditional presentation, so the better choice depends on the look the owner wants to emphasize.
What tire series are available for the 1959 Imperial Crown?
The available 950-14 tires for the 1959 Imperial Crown are offered in BFGoodrich’s Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. Within that series, the main variation is sidewall style, with both 1.00 inch whitewall and 2.50 inch whitewall options in the same basic fitment.
Since the series remains consistent, the selection process is straightforward. Focus on the whitewall look that best suits the car, then confirm the wheel is still a 14-inch rim within the appropriate width range so the chosen tire preserves the intended stance and fit on the vehicle.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1959 Imperial Crown?
A period-style 1959 Imperial Crown should begin with the correct primary fitment family: a 950-14 bias-ply tire on a 14-inch rim. Staying with that size and construction preserves the broad look and traditional character expected on a full-size American luxury car from this era.
After the size is settled, the whitewall treatment becomes the key appearance choice. A narrow or wide whitewall can each suit the car differently, and owners pursuing exact originality should compare surviving photos, marque references, or restoration documentation before deciding which visual treatment best matches the intended presentation.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1959 Imperial Crown restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because a 1959 Imperial Crown is a large, visually distinctive car and the tires strongly influence its stance and overall character. Using the proper 950-14 bias-ply format keeps the restoration anchored to the tire proportions associated with the car’s original era.
Appearance is only part of the story. Correct size and wheel compatibility also affect how the car sits, how much sidewall is visible, and whether the finished restoration feels cohesive. Even when the car is not being restored to strict judging standards, tire fitment still shapes the final result in a very visible way.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1959 Imperial Crown?
Yes. A 1959 Imperial Crown may have had wheel, suspension, or brake changes over the years, and those changes can alter how a 950-14 tire fits. Even when the primary factory-style fitment is straightforward, later modifications can complicate wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance.
A car with aftermarket wheels or altered ride height should be checked carefully before tire selection. Measure the actual wheel diameter and width on the vehicle, then inspect clearance at the fender, steering components, and suspension so the chosen tire suits the current setup rather than only the original specification.
What should I inspect before driving a 1959 Imperial Crown on new tires?
Before driving a 1959 Imperial Crown on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or heavy corrosion, confirm valve stems are in good condition, and make sure the tires are mounted on the correct 14-inch rims. Tire pressure should also be set appropriately before road use.
A collector car deserves a broader walk-around as well. Check for suspension wear, brake condition, uneven tire clearance, and any sign that the car has been sitting on flat or aging components. A short test drive at moderate speed is a smart way to confirm balance, tracking, and general road readiness.
How should 950-14 tires on a collector 1959 Imperial Crown be maintained?
Collector-car tires in 950-14 size should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly, and protected from long periods of sun, heat, moisture, and ozone exposure. Even a car that sees limited mileage still needs routine checks for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and gradual air loss.
Storage habits matter as much as mileage on a rarely driven Imperial. Keeping the car in a clean, dry environment and moving it occasionally can help reduce long stationary periods on one contact patch. Owners should also inspect tire condition before every meaningful outing rather than assuming low use means low risk.
