The 1959 Lincoln Premiere came from an era when American luxury cars were longer, lower, and styled to make a dramatic impression on the road. With its late-1950s presence and substantial curb appeal, the Premiere depends heavily on the right tire profile to preserve both stance and character. This model uses a 950-14 bias-ply tire on a 14-inch rim, which keeps the fitment in line with the period look and feel expected from a full-size Lincoln of this vintage. Available choices center on classic bias-ply presentation, especially whitewall treatment. For a restoration-minded owner, the key decision is usually appearance as much as size.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1959 Lincoln Premiere
The 1959 Lincoln Premiere uses one primary tire size: 950-14. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 14-inch rim, and the same size applies to the covered Premiere sub-model. That makes the real decision less about finding between multiple fitment sizes and more about choosing the right period-style tire within 950-14, especially the sidewall treatment that best suits the car's appearance and intended use.
A 950-14 is a numeric bias-ply size in which the 9.50 designation refers to the tire's nominal section width class, while the 14 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1959 Lincoln Premiere, this construction matches the full-size luxury character of the car and preserves the tall, traditional profile associated with late-1950s American fitment. 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 main choice is how closely the tire's visual presentation matches the Lincoln's restoration goals and road-going style.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1959 Lincoln Premiere sub-model. The Premiere Base uses the same primary tire size, so the selection focus stays on bias-ply styling, rim compatibility, and the whitewall look that best complements the car.
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1959 Lincoln Premiere Base
The 1959 Lincoln Premiere Base uses the 950-14 bias-ply tire size. That keeps tire selection centered on choosing the right period-style presentation within that size, including whether a narrow or wide whitewall better suits the car's restoration direction.
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 Lincoln Premiere Tires for Sale
Available 950-14 options focus on BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply construction, with the main visual difference being sidewall style. Buyers can compare a 1.00 inch narrow whitewall and a 2.50 inch wide whitewall within the same 14-inch bias-ply fitment.
Owners researching 1959 Lincoln Premiere tires usually want clear answers on 950-14 fitment, 14-inch rim compatibility, whitewall appearance choices, and the basic checks that matter before putting a vintage Lincoln back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1959 Lincoln Premiere?
The 1959 Lincoln Premiere uses a 950-14 tire size. This is a bias-ply fitment on a 14-inch rim, and it is the primary size associated with the model.
That means the main fitment task is confirming that the car still has the proper 14-inch wheels and a wheel width compatible with the tire. If the Lincoln has been modified over the years, check the actual wheel setup on the car before selecting a tire, since aftermarket wheels or suspension changes can alter what works safely and what preserves the intended look.
What size rim does a 1959 Lincoln Premiere use?
The 1959 Lincoln Premiere uses a 14-inch rim with its 950-14 tire size. Available 950-14 bias-ply products in this fitment are built for a 14-inch wheel and suit rim widths in the 6.50 to 7.50 inch range.
Rim diameter is the first thing to confirm, because a 14-inch tire cannot be mounted on a wheel of a different diameter. Wheel width matters too, especially on a large vintage car where stance and sidewall shape affect both appearance and road manners. Measuring the wheel before purchase is a smart step if the car's wheel history is uncertain.
Does the 1959 Lincoln Premiere Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1959 Lincoln Premiere Base uses the same 950-14 bias-ply tire size as the covered model fitment. There is no alternate primary size shown for the Base sub-model.
That simplifies the fitment side of the decision, since the focus stays on choosing among the available 950-14 tire styles rather than sorting through multiple sizes. Even so, it is still worth checking the wheel diameter and width on the actual car, especially if it has been restored, customized, or fitted with replacement wheels at some point in its life.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 950-14 tire for a 1959 Lincoln Premiere?
Start with the correct size and construction: 950-14 in bias-ply form. From there, the main differences are visual and fitment-related, including sidewall style, wheel-width compatibility, and whether the tire suits a restoration-focused car or a driver that still needs a traditional presentation.
The available 950-14 options share the same BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, so the biggest decision is often appearance rather than a change in basic construction. Confirm that the wheel falls within the 6.50 to 7.50 inch rim-width range, then decide whether a narrower or wider whitewall better matches the Lincoln's overall finish and intended character.
What sidewall styles are available for 1959 Lincoln Premiere tires?
The available 950-14 tires for the 1959 Lincoln Premiere include two whitewall presentations: a narrow whitewall and a wide whitewall. Both are bias-ply tires in the same size and tire series, so the difference is primarily the visual treatment of the sidewall.
That choice can noticeably change the car's look, especially on a late-1950s full-size luxury model where the tire sidewall is part of the styling statement. A buyer focused on a restrained period-style appearance may lean toward the 1.00 inch whitewall, while a more dramatic traditional look may point toward the 2.50 inch whitewall.
What tire series are available for the 1959 Lincoln Premiere?
The available 950-14 tires for the 1959 Lincoln Premiere are offered in the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. Within that series, the main distinction is sidewall style rather than a change to a different construction or a different fitment size.
For the buyer, that means the comparison is fairly focused. Instead of sorting through several unrelated tire families, attention can stay on the traditional bias-ply profile and the whitewall presentation that best suits the car. Wheel-width compatibility, restoration goals, and how formal or dramatic the finished car should look are the practical factors that matter most.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1959 Lincoln Premiere?
A period-style 1959 Lincoln Premiere starts with the correct primary fitment, which is a 950-14 bias-ply tire on a 14-inch rim. Staying with that size and construction helps preserve the visual character expected from a full-size luxury car of this era.
The remaining choice is mostly about presentation. In this fitment, the available options are a narrow whitewall and a wide whitewall in the same Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. If exact originality matters, compare the finished look against marque references, restoration photos, or other vehicle-specific historical sources before settling on a particular whitewall treatment.
Which sidewall style suits a period-style 1959 Lincoln Premiere?
Both the narrow whitewall and wide whitewall available in 950-14 can suit a period-style 1959 Lincoln Premiere, but they create different visual impressions. The narrow whitewall gives a slightly more restrained look, while the wide whitewall produces a more prominent late-1950s luxury presentation.
Choosing between them depends on how the car is being finished rather than on fitment alone, since both remain within the same size and bias-ply series. Looking at the car's trim, paint, wheel covers, and overall restoration direction usually makes the decision clearer. On a large Lincoln, the sidewall can strongly influence the car's stance and visual balance.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1959 Lincoln Premiere?
Yes. A 1959 Lincoln Premiere is associated with a 950-14 bias-ply tire on a 14-inch rim, but modifications can change what actually fits the car today. Wheel swaps, altered ride height, brake conversions, or body and suspension changes can all affect tire selection.
Even when the tire size itself is correct on paper, changed wheel width or altered clearance can create problems at the fender, steering components, or suspension. A careful check of the actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and available space around the tire is worthwhile before mounting new tires, especially on a large vintage car with a long service history.
What should I inspect before driving a 1959 Lincoln Premiere on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm the wheel dimensions, and make sure the tires are mounted and inflated properly. It also helps to check for suspension wear, loose steering components, and any signs that the car may have clearance issues at full steering lock or over suspension travel.
A collector Lincoln that has seen limited use deserves a close look beyond the tires themselves. Check for fluid leaks that could reach the tires, verify even ride height, and watch for rubbing marks after a short test drive. Early attention to those details helps protect the new tires and makes the car safer and more predictable on the road.
How should 950-14 tires on a collector 1959 Lincoln Premiere be maintained?
Collector-car tires should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly, and protected from long periods of heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone exposure. On a 1959 Lincoln Premiere, routine checks should include tread condition, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and any signs of uneven wear or slow air loss.
Low annual mileage does not eliminate the need for inspection, because age and storage conditions matter as much as miles on many vintage vehicles. Moving the car periodically, keeping the tires clean, and addressing alignment or suspension issues early can help preserve the 950-14 tires and maintain the Lincoln's stance and ride quality.
