The 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98 came from Detroit’s high-style tailfin era, when full-size Oldsmobiles balanced dramatic design with smooth highway manners and unmistakable late-1950s presence. These big Oldsmobiles reward tire choices that look right under the body and suit the car’s substantial proportions. Primary fitment centers on 900-14 and 950-14 bias-ply tires, both built for 14-inch rims. Within those sizes, the real choices are traditional whitewall treatments and the proper visual stance for the car you are restoring or maintaining. For a road-ready cruiser or a restoration-minded car, correct size selection and wheel verification come before appearance details.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98
The 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98 uses two primary tire sizes, and both are bias-ply fitments for 14-inch rims. Because the same covered sub-model can be found with either size, the first step is confirming which tire is already on the car and checking actual wheel width before choosing between appearance options in the matching size.
A 900-14 numeric bias-ply size uses the leading number to indicate a nominal 9.00-inch section width, while the 14 identifies the rim diameter in inches. This is a traditional bias-ply fitment that suits the period driving character and visual presentation expected on a 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98. In this size, BFGoodrich offers the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series with both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall treatments. It is a useful choice when the car calls for the slightly narrower of the two primary sizes and the owner wants to stay with a restoration-oriented bias-ply construction.
A 950-14 numeric bias-ply size indicates a nominal 9.50-inch section width on a 14-inch rim, giving it a broader traditional footprint than 900-14. Like the other primary size for this Oldsmobile, it is a bias-ply construction that preserves the vehicle’s period-style tire format. BFGoodrich offers this size in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. This size deserves a closer look when the car is already set up for the larger original-format tire and the goal is to maintain the fuller late-1950s full-size appearance.
Fitment is straightforward at the sub-model level because the covered 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98 Base can use the same two primary tire sizes. What matters most is confirming which size and wheel setup are actually on the car before selecting a tire.
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1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98 Base
The 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98 Base can use either 900-14 or 950-14 bias-ply tires on 14-inch rims. That means tire selection is less about trim identification and more about confirming the car’s present wheel width, existing size, and the whitewall style that best suits the vehicle’s look.
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 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98 Tires for Sale
Available 900-14 and 950-14 choices center on BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments. The main comparisons in the product grid are size, whitewall presentation, load capacity, and rim-width compatibility within the correct 14-inch fitment.
These FAQs focus on the two bias-ply tire sizes used on the 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98, along with rim fitment, whitewall selection, restoration-minded choices, and the checks that matter before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98?
The 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98 uses two primary tire sizes: 900-14 and 950-14. Both are bias-ply tire sizes built for 14-inch rims, and the covered Base sub-model can use either size.
That makes confirmation more important than assumption. Check the tire size already on the car, then verify the actual wheel width before choosing a replacement. If the Oldsmobile has been restored, stored for years, or fitted with different wheels at some point, selecting by year and model alone is not enough to settle the size question.
What size rim does a 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98 use?
The primary tire sizes for the 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98 are built for 14-inch rims. Both 900-14 and 950-14 share that same rim diameter, so the wheel diameter remains consistent even though the tire section width changes.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture. The available 900-14 tires suit 6.00- to 7.00-inch rim widths, while 950-14 tires suit 6.50- to 7.50-inch rim widths. Measuring the wheel before buying helps avoid choosing a tire that matches the diameter but does not suit the rim width already on the car.
Why does the 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98 have more than one tire size?
This Oldsmobile can be found with either 900-14 or 950-14 bias-ply tires, even though both sizes use the same 14-inch rim diameter. The difference is in tire width, with 950-14 representing the broader of the two primary sizes.
For the owner, that means the decision starts with the car itself rather than a generic size chart. Existing wheel width, prior restoration choices, and the tire size already mounted all help determine which route makes sense. Once the correct size is confirmed, the next decision becomes sidewall appearance rather than basic vehicle compatibility.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 900-14 or 950-14 tire for a 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98?
Start with the confirmed tire size on the car and the wheel width it uses. A 900-14 and a 950-14 are both correct-format bias-ply options for this Oldsmobile, but they do not share the same rim-width range, so size selection comes before appearance.
After the fitment basics are settled, compare sidewall style, load capacity, and the visual effect each tire creates on a large 1959 body. A narrow whitewall gives a more restrained presentation, while a wide whitewall delivers a stronger late-1950s look. Those appearance choices matter, but only after the tire matches the wheel.
What sidewall styles are available for 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98 tires?
The available sidewall styles for the 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98 are narrow whitewall and wide whitewall. In 900-14, BFGoodrich offers a 1.00-inch whitewall and a 2.25-inch whitewall, while 950-14 is offered with a 1.00-inch whitewall and a 2.50-inch whitewall.
That gives the car two distinct visual directions. A narrow whitewall can keep the look cleaner and slightly less formal, while a wide whitewall better matches the dramatic design language many owners want from a 1959 full-size Oldsmobile. Sidewall style should complement the restoration goal, but the first requirement is staying with the correct tire size.
What tire series are available for the 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98?
The available tires for this fitment are in the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. That keeps product selection focused, since the main differences are not between multiple series but between the two primary sizes and the whitewall treatments offered within each size.
For the buyer, that simplifies comparison. Once 900-14 or 950-14 has been confirmed, the remaining decision is mostly about the sidewall presentation and whether the tire’s rim-width range matches the wheel on the car. It is a straightforward way to keep a traditional bias-ply look without sorting through unrelated product types.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98?
A period-style approach for a 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98 starts with one of its primary bias-ply sizes, either 900-14 or 950-14, depending on the wheel setup and the size already associated with the car. That keeps the construction and overall visual language in line with a late-1950s full-size American car.
Once the correct size is established, the appearance decision shifts to whitewall treatment. Wide whitewalls create a stronger era-specific presence, while narrow whitewalls offer a more restrained look. If exact originality matters beyond general period style, consult marque-specific references and the car’s own restoration history before settling on a final presentation.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98?
Tire construction has a major effect on how a restored 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98 looks at curbside. Its primary fitment is bias-ply, and that construction helps preserve the traditional profile and visual character expected on a large fin-era Oldsmobile.
Appearance is not only about sidewall width; the basic tire shape matters too. Choosing the correct bias-ply size first keeps the stance more believable, then the whitewall treatment fine-tunes the look. That is especially important on a car with such strong body lines, where tire proportions can either support the restoration or distract from it.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98 even when the tire size seems correct on paper. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered ride height, suspension work, or body repairs can all influence how a 900-14 or 950-14 tire sits in the wheel opening.
A modified car should be checked more carefully than a stock-appearing one. Measure wheel diameter and width, inspect steering and fender clearance, and look for rubbing marks before settling on a replacement. That extra step matters because both primary sizes use 14-inch rims, yet each size still needs the right wheel and surrounding clearance.
What should I inspect before driving a 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98 on new tires?
Before driving a 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98 on new tires, inspect wheel condition, lug hardware, valve stems, and the basic suspension and steering components that influence alignment and tracking. Tires should also be set to the appropriate pressure for the setup being used and checked for proper seating on the rim.
A collector car benefits from a slow, careful first road test. Listen for rubbing, feel for pulling or vibration, and recheck tire pressure after the first drive. On a large late-1950s car, worn bushings, tired shocks, or neglected front-end parts can make a fresh set of tires feel wrong even when the size choice itself is correct.
How should 900-14 or 950-14 tires on a collector 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98 be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 & 98 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age as well as tread. Bias-ply tires often spend long periods parked, so cracking, flat spotting, bulges, cuts, or gradual air loss deserve as much attention as mileage.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as road use. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires between drives. It also helps to move the car periodically and inspect the whitewalls for condition and cleanliness, especially when the goal is to keep both appearance and road manners in good order.
