The 1959 Imperial came from Chrysler’s late-1950s Forward Look era, when dramatic styling, long proportions, and upscale road presence defined the brand’s flagship cars. Owners restoring or maintaining one of these big luxury Mopars usually want a tire that supports both the car’s visual character and its substantial size on the road. This model uses a 950-14 bias-ply tire on a 14-inch rim, keeping the fitment firmly in period-style territory. Within that size, the main choice is sidewall presentation, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall options in the same Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. That makes the decision less about size and more about appearance, wheel compatibility, and intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1959 Imperial
The 1959 Imperial uses one primary tire size: 950-14. It is a bias-ply fitment for a 14-inch rim, and the covered sub-model uses the same size, so the main decision is choosing the right period-style presentation within that fitment rather than sorting through multiple primary sizes.
The 950-14 size uses the vintage numeric bias-ply system, where 9.50 refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches and 14 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1959 Imperial, this is a traditional bias-ply fitment that suits the car’s original-era look and wheel format. Available choices in this size include BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires with either a 1.00-inch narrow whitewall or a 2.50-inch wide whitewall. The right selection comes down to the appearance you want, along with confirming the wheel matches the required 14-inch rim and appropriate width range.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1959 Imperial covered here. The listed sub-model uses the same 950-14 bias-ply size, so the key step is confirming the vehicle configuration and then choosing the sidewall style and tire presentation that best suits the car.
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1959 Imperial V8 MY1-L
The 1959 Imperial V8 MY1-L uses the same 950-14 bias-ply fitment as the core model. That keeps tire selection focused on maintaining the proper vintage size and deciding whether a narrow whitewall or wide whitewall better matches the car’s restoration style.
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 Tires for sale
Available 950-14 choices center on BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires, with the same bias-ply construction offered in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall form. That makes the product comparison mostly about sidewall appearance and confirming the wheel falls within the tire’s rim-width range.
Owners of a 1959 Imperial usually need clear answers on the 950-14 fitment, 14-inch rim compatibility, whitewall choices, restoration-oriented appearance, and the basic inspections that matter before putting a large collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1959 Imperial?
The 1959 Imperial uses a 950-14 tire size. This is a vintage numeric bias-ply size, and it is the primary fitment for the covered model and sub-model shown here.
That means the first priority is matching the 950-14 size and the 14-inch wheel diameter before comparing whitewall style or brand presentation. If the car has had wheel changes over the years, confirm the actual wheel diameter and width on the vehicle, since a collector car may no longer be running its original-style wheel setup.
What size rim does a 1959 Imperial use?
The 1959 Imperial uses a 14-inch rim with its 950-14 tire fitment. Available 950-14 tires in this application also pair with a rim-width range of 6.50 to 7.50 inches.
Rim diameter is the non-negotiable starting point, because a 14-inch tire must mount to a 14-inch wheel. Rim width matters too, especially on a large full-size car, so it is worth checking the wheel before mounting replacement tires if the car has aftermarket wheels, older service replacements, or uncertain restoration history.
Does the 1959 Imperial V8 MY1-L use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1959 Imperial V8 MY1-L uses the same 950-14 bias-ply tire size as the core 1959 Imperial fitment shown here. There is no separate primary size to sort through for that sub-model.
With the size staying the same, the real choice becomes how you want the car to look and how closely you want to stay with a traditional bias-ply presentation. It is still smart to inspect the wheels already on the car, because a sub-model may share the same tire size even when an individual vehicle has been altered over time.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 950-14 tire for a 1959 Imperial?
Start with the correct 950-14 size, bias-ply construction, and 14-inch rim requirement. From there, the main distinctions are sidewall appearance, the intended look of the car, and whether the wheel width falls within the tire’s compatible range.
A large late-1950s luxury car can look very different depending on whether it wears a narrow whitewall or a wide whitewall. Beyond appearance, check the wheel width, inspect the condition of the rims, and make sure the tire’s load capacity and general construction suit how the car will actually be driven and displayed.
What sidewall styles are available for 1959 Imperial tires?
The available 950-14 tires for the 1959 Imperial include two whitewall presentations: a narrow whitewall and a wide whitewall. Both are BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires in the correct numeric bias-ply size.
That choice matters mostly for visual character. A narrow whitewall gives a more restrained look, while a wide whitewall leans harder into the late-1950s luxury-car presentation many Imperial owners want. If authenticity is a top concern, compare the sidewall style you are considering with period photos, marque-club references, or restoration documentation for your specific car.
What tire series are available for the 1959 Imperial?
The available tires in 950-14 for the 1959 Imperial are in the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. Within that series, the variation comes from sidewall treatment rather than a change to a different tire family.
Since the series remains the same, your comparison is simpler than it would be on a vehicle with many competing constructions or tread families. Focus on whether you want the narrow or wide whitewall presentation, then verify the wheel dimensions and overall condition of the car’s rolling stock before mounting fresh tires.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1959 Imperial?
A 950-14 bias-ply tire is the period-style starting point for a 1959 Imperial. In this fitment, the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply keeps the traditional size and construction while giving you a choice of whitewall presentation.
The better pick depends on the character you want the car to project. A wide whitewall often suits the dramatic luxury-car styling of the era, while a narrower whitewall creates a subtler appearance. When originality matters at a high level, compare the tire style against vehicle-specific restoration references rather than relying on era assumptions alone.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1959 Imperial?
Tire construction has a visible effect on how a restored 1959 Imperial sits and reads visually, and a bias-ply tire preserves the traditional presentation tied to its original-era fitment. On this car, the correct 950-14 bias-ply size supports that vintage look directly.
Appearance is not only about the sidewall color or whitewall width. The overall stance and period feel of a late-1950s Imperial are strongly influenced by keeping the proper size and construction family in place. That is why many restoration-oriented buyers settle the fitment first, then choose the sidewall style that best matches the build.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1959 Imperial?
Yes. Even though the 1959 Imperial’s primary size is 950-14, wheel changes, suspension work, or body modifications can affect what actually works on a specific car. That is especially important on long-owned collector cars that may have been altered decades ago.
A tire can be correct in size and still create problems if the wheel width is wrong or the car’s ride height and clearances have changed. Check the actual wheel diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and fender clearance before mounting tires, particularly if the Imperial has aftermarket wheels or non-stock suspension components.
What should I inspect before driving a 1959 Imperial on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, verify proper inflation, and make sure each tire is seated correctly. It is also wise to check suspension and steering condition on a heavy full-size car like a 1959 Imperial.
Fresh tires cannot compensate for worn tie-rod ends, weak shocks, loose wheel bearings, or alignment issues. A short test drive should include listening for rubbing, feeling for pull or vibration, and rechecking air pressure afterward. That extra inspection step helps confirm the new tires are working with the car’s existing chassis condition.
How should 950-14 tires on a collector 1959 Imperial be maintained?
Maintain 950-14 tires on a collector 1959 Imperial by checking air pressure regularly, watching for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, and signs of air loss. Low-use collector cars still need routine tire inspection even when tread wear is minimal.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage. Keep the car away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources when possible, and inspect the tires before every road outing after long periods of sitting. A careful pre-drive walkaround is especially important on a large, seldom-driven luxury car from this era.
