The 1959 Imperial Le Baron came from Chrysler’s Forward Look era, when full-size luxury cars were styled to make a statement and expected to deliver a smooth, commanding ride. On a car this substantial, tire choice affects more than appearance; it shapes stance, road manners, and restoration character. The 1959 Imperial Le Baron uses a 950-14 bias-ply tire on a 14-inch rim, keeping the fitment rooted in period construction. Available choices center on traditional bias-ply presentation with either a narrow whitewall or a wide whitewall in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line. For restoration-minded owners, the main decision is matching the tire’s look and fitment to the car’s intended presentation and road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1959 Imperial Le Baron
The 1959 Imperial Le Baron uses one primary tire size: 950-14 in bias-ply construction on a 14-inch rim. That keeps fitment straightforward, including the covered Le Baron V8 MY1-H sub-model, so the real choice is how you want the tire to present on the car, especially in sidewall style, while staying within the correct size and wheel specifications.
A 950-14 uses the older numeric bias-ply sizing system, where the 950 indicates a nominal section width of about 9.50 inches and the 14 identifies the rim diameter in inches. On the 1959 Imperial Le Baron, this is a period-style bias-ply fitment that suits the car’s original luxury-era proportions and ride character. In this size, BFGoodrich offers the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series with both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall treatments. Choosing within 950-14 is less about changing fitment and more about selecting the sidewall appearance that best matches the car’s restoration style and wheel setup.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1959 Imperial Le Baron. The covered Le Baron V8 MY1-H uses the same primary tire size, so tire selection comes down to correct 950-14 fitment and the appearance details you want on the car.
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1959 Imperial Le Baron V8 MY1-H
The 1959 Imperial Le Baron V8 MY1-H uses the same 950-14 bias-ply fitment as the model core. That makes tire selection more about choosing the right whitewall presentation and confirming the wheel remains within the proper 14-inch size and compatible width range.
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 Le Baron Tires for Sale
Available 950-14 choices center on BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires with two distinct sidewall presentations: a 1.00 inch narrow whitewall and a 2.50 inch wide whitewall. Both share the same bias-ply construction, 14-inch rim diameter, and 6.50 to 7.50 inch rim-width compatibility.
Common questions for the 1959 Imperial Le Baron usually center on 950-14 fitment, 14-inch wheel compatibility, whitewall selection, restoration appearance, and the checks worth making before putting a large collector luxury car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1959 Imperial Le Baron?
The 1959 Imperial Le Baron uses a 950-14 bias-ply tire. That is the primary fitment for this model and it appears on the covered Le Baron V8 MY1-H sub-model as well, making the basic size question fairly straightforward for most owners.
The important follow-up is confirming that the car still has the proper 14-inch wheels and a wheel width suited to the tire. If the car has been changed at some point, verify the actual wheel dimensions before ordering, then choose the sidewall style that best matches the car’s restoration goals and intended road use.
What size rim does a 1959 Imperial Le Baron use?
The 1959 Imperial Le Baron uses a 14-inch rim with its 950-14 tire size. Available tires in this fitment are built for a rim-width range of 6.50 to 7.50 inches, which gives a useful reference point when checking original or replacement wheels.
Rim diameter is the first measurement to confirm, but wheel width matters too. A collector car may have replacement wheels installed over the years, and a 14-inch tire still needs the right width range to sit properly. Checking both dimensions helps avoid appearance issues, clearance concerns, and unnecessary mounting problems.
Does the 1959 Imperial Le Baron V8 MY1-H use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1959 Imperial Le Baron V8 MY1-H uses the same 950-14 bias-ply tire size as the model core. That means owners of this sub-model are working from the same primary fitment rather than sorting through multiple factory size options.
With size fitment staying consistent, the main decision shifts to the tire’s presentation and wheel compatibility. Confirm that the car still carries 14-inch wheels in a suitable width, then decide whether a narrow whitewall or wide whitewall better suits the car’s look, from a more restrained luxury style to a fuller late-1950s visual statement.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 950-14 tire for a 1959 Imperial Le Baron?
Start with the correct 950-14 size, bias-ply construction, and 14-inch rim diameter. From there, the meaningful differences are the tire’s sidewall treatment, whether the wheel falls within the 6.50 to 7.50 inch rim-width range, and product details such as maximum load capacity of 2000@32 psi.
A car as large and visually distinctive as a 1959 Imperial Le Baron benefits from a tire that matches both its physical scale and its intended presentation. Choose the whitewall style that fits the look you want, then confirm wheel dimensions and overall tire condition if the car is being returned to regular road use after storage.
What sidewall styles are available for 1959 Imperial Le Baron tires?
The available 950-14 tires for the 1959 Imperial Le Baron come in two sidewall styles: Narrow Whitewall and Wide Whitewall. Both are BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires, so the sidewall presentation is the main visual difference rather than a change in basic size or construction.
That choice has a strong effect on the car’s finished appearance. A narrow whitewall gives a more restrained look, while a wide whitewall leans into the full late-1950s luxury presentation many owners want. Either way, the tire still needs to match the wheel’s 14-inch diameter and suitable width before final selection.
How do I choose between the available 950-14 tires for a 1959 Imperial Le Baron?
The available 950-14 choices are both BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires, so the decision is mainly between a 1.00 inch whitewall and a 2.50 inch whitewall. Each keeps the same size, construction, rim diameter, load capacity, and basic fitment profile for the 1959 Imperial Le Baron.
That makes the tire choice largely an appearance decision once wheel compatibility is confirmed. Owners building a more understated car may prefer the narrower whitewall, while a broader luxury-era look often points to the wider whitewall. It is still wise to inspect wheel condition, measure width, and confirm clearance on any car with past modifications.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1959 Imperial Le Baron?
A 950-14 bias-ply tire is the right starting point for a period-style 1959 Imperial Le Baron because it preserves the original size format and construction type used on the car. Within that fitment, the main visual choice is between narrow whitewall and wide whitewall BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply options.
The best presentation depends on how the car is being finished and what reference point guides the restoration. Owners seeking exact originality should compare the tire choice against period photos, marque-club guidance, and vehicle-specific historical documentation. For many restorations, the decision comes down to whether a restrained or more dramatic whitewall look suits the car.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1959 Imperial Le Baron restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1959 Imperial Le Baron restoration because tire size and construction affect stance, wheel-fill, and the way the car presents from every angle. A 950-14 bias-ply tire keeps the sizing format and visual character aligned with the car’s late-1950s luxury design language.
Appearance is only part of the equation. Proper fitment also means confirming the 14-inch wheel diameter and a compatible rim width so the tire sits correctly on the wheel. Even a beautifully restored car can look off if the tire profile or whitewall treatment is mismatched, so restoration planning should treat tires as a visible finishing component.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1959 Imperial Le Baron?
Yes. Even though the 1959 Imperial Le Baron uses a 950-14 bias-ply fitment, changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, or body modifications can affect how that tire sits and clears the car. A collector car’s current setup does not always match its original wheel and suspension configuration.
That is why the actual wheel diameter and width should be measured before replacing tires on a modified car. It also helps to check steering travel, fender clearance, and suspension condition once the tires are mounted. A correct size on paper still needs to suit the way the car is presently configured.
What should I inspect before driving a 1959 Imperial Le Baron on new tires?
Before road use, inspect wheel condition, lug hardware, valve stems, tire pressure, and the tire’s seating on the wheel. On the car itself, look at steering components, suspension wear, and basic clearance around the fenders and chassis, especially on a large, heavy luxury car like the 1959 Imperial Le Baron.
Collector vehicles often spend long periods parked, so a broader safety walkaround matters just as much as the new tires. Check for fluid leaks that could reach the tires, confirm even ride height, and make sure the brakes are ready for road use. A short, careful test drive is a sensible final step before regular driving.
How should 950-14 tires on a collector 1959 Imperial Le Baron be maintained?
Maintain 950-14 tires on a collector 1959 Imperial Le Baron by checking inflation regularly, watching for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss, and keeping the car stored away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources. Low annual mileage does not prevent tire aging.
Regular movement also helps prevent flat spotting on a bias-ply tire, especially on a heavy car. It is smart to inspect the tires before every drive rather than assuming they are fine because tread depth still looks good. Any sign of age-related deterioration should be taken seriously before the car returns to the road.
