1959 Mercury Wagons Tires

The 1959 Mercury Wagons use two primary tire sizes: 850-14 and 900-14. Both are bias-ply sizes designed for 14-inch rims, and the covered Base wagon can be associated with either size rather than one universal fitment across every car.

That means the right choice starts with confirming what is actually on the vehicle now. Check the existing tire size, wheel width, and overall setup before replacing anything, especially on a restored or modified wagon where wheels may have been changed over time.

Both primary tire sizes for the 1959 Mercury Wagons are built around a 14-inch rim diameter. That applies to 850-14 and 900-14, so the wheel diameter remains consistent even though the two tire sizes differ in nominal width.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, however. The available 850-14 products are paired with a different rim-width range than the 900-14 products, so measuring the wheel before choosing a tire helps keep the size, stance, and fitment in line.

The 1959 Mercury Wagons can be found with either 850-14 or 900-14 bias-ply tires, which means more than one primary fitment is relevant to this model. The difference is not rim diameter, since both use 14-inch wheels, but the tire size itself.

For a buyer, that makes vehicle verification more important than simply choosing by year and model name. A wagon that has been restored, serviced, or fitted with different wheels in the past may not still be using the same size it left the road with decades ago.

On the 1959 Mercury Wagons, 850-14 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It uses the vintage numeric sizing system and is offered in bias-ply construction for owners who want the traditional look and fitment style associated with the car’s original era.

That matters because a bias-ply tire affects both appearance and selection options. Buyers staying with 850-14 can focus on period-style presentation, while anyone considering a radial alternative should compare wheel width, overall size relationship, and clearance before making a construction change.

Radial equivalents for 850-14 include 215R14 as an 80-series metric radial, P225/75R14 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P235/70R14 as a 70-series P-metric radial. No bias-look radial equivalent is associated with 850-14 in this application.

Those sizes provide useful comparison paths, but they are not automatic replacements just because they share a general equivalency relationship. Wheel width, tire dimensions, and vehicle clearance should all be checked, and the recommended rim-width range tied to these equivalents is 5 to 7 inches.

Start by confirming which primary size is on the car, because radial-equivalent information is tied to 850-14 rather than both original sizes. Then verify the wheel diameter and width, since radial alternatives must still suit the actual rim and the wagon’s available clearance.

A construction change is also a good time to inspect suspension condition, steering components, and overall tire-to-fender space. Even when a radial equivalent is size-related to the original bias-ply tire, the car should be checked as an individual vehicle rather than treated as an automatic swap.

Begin with the correct primary size, since the 1959 Mercury Wagons can use either 850-14 or 900-14, both in bias-ply construction. After size is confirmed, compare sidewall style, wheel-width compatibility, and load capacity so the tire matches both the wheel and the wagon’s intended use.

Appearance plays a major role on a late-1950s full-size wagon, so the whitewall treatment can change the vehicle’s visual balance almost as much as the size itself. Buyers considering 850-14 also have the added question of whether to stay with bias-ply construction or explore a radial equivalent.

The available tires for the 1959 Mercury Wagons are offered with two sidewall treatments: wide whitewall and narrow whitewall. Both styles appear in the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line for the applicable 850-14 and 900-14 primary sizes.

That choice is mostly about visual character rather than basic fitment, but it can have a strong effect on the wagon’s presentation. A buyer trying to match an existing restoration or preserve a certain late-1950s look should decide on sidewall style only after confirming the correct tire size first.

The first divider is fitment, not brand, because both sizes are available in the same BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. Once the wagon’s correct size is confirmed, the remaining comparison points are whitewall style, rim-width compatibility, and the load rating tied to the chosen size.

An 850-14 product carries a different rim-width range than a 900-14 product, so wheel measurement matters before narrowing the choice to appearance. If the vehicle uses 850-14, radial-equivalent options also enter the decision in a way they do not for a buyer staying strictly within the larger primary size.

For a period-style 1959 Mercury Wagons, the starting point is one of the two original-type primary bias-ply sizes, 850-14 or 900-14, depending on the actual setup on the car. Staying with a bias-ply tire keeps the vintage sizing format and traditional sidewall profile associated with the era.

From there, appearance decisions usually come down to whitewall treatment rather than a change in basic construction. If exact originality matters beyond general period style, the most careful approach is to compare the wagon against marque references, surviving examples, or restoration records before settling on the final look.

On a restored 1959 Mercury Wagons, tire construction has a visible effect because bias-ply tires carry the traditional proportions and presentation associated with late-1950s full-size American cars. Both primary sizes for this application are bias-ply, which supports a more vintage overall look.

A move toward a radial equivalent can change the visual character even when the rim diameter remains the same. Buyers concerned with restoration appearance usually look at construction together with sidewall style, since a wide whitewall versus a narrow whitewall can reshape the wagon’s stance just as noticeably.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1959 Mercury Wagons even when the vehicle is being matched to one of its correct primary sizes. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, or body adjustments can all influence how an 850-14 or 900-14 sits on the car.

That is why the actual wheel and vehicle setup should be checked before ordering replacement tires. A wagon that has been lowered, widened, or updated over the years may need extra attention to steering clearance, fender space, and wheel dimensions beyond simply matching the original-size designation.

Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall tire installation, then confirm inflation pressure, visible clearance, and even seating around the rim. It is also wise to look over the suspension and steering on a 1959 Mercury Wagons, since collector cars often spend long periods parked.

A short local test drive can reveal rubbing, pull, vibration, or other issues before the wagon is used at distance. Recheck pressure after the first drive and keep an eye on sidewall condition, tread wear pattern, and any sign of air loss as the new tires begin service.

Collector-car tire maintenance starts with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and clean storage habits. On a 1959 Mercury Wagons using 850-14 or 900-14 tires, watch for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, or air loss, especially if the car spends more time stored than driven.

Long periods of inactivity can age tires even when tread remains deep, so condition matters as much as mileage. Keeping the wagon away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, and ozone-producing equipment helps preserve the tires, and periodic inspection is smart before each outing and before longer seasonal drives.