1959 Plymouth 8 Cyl. Tires

The 1959 Plymouth 8 Cyl. uses two primary tire sizes: 750-14 and 800-14. Both are bias-ply tires designed for 14-inch rims, and the covered Base application can use either size depending on the vehicle's exact setup.

That means the real fitment question is not just the year and model, but which size the car actually needs. A good starting point is checking the existing tire size, wheel width, and the car's current stance or restoration direction before selecting between the narrower 750-14 and the larger 800-14.

Both primary tire sizes for the 1959 Plymouth 8 Cyl. use a 14-inch rim diameter. That applies whether the car is running 750-14 or 800-14, so the wheel diameter remains consistent even though the tire sizes differ.

Rim diameter is only part of the picture, though, because wheel width still affects tire choice and radial-equivalent evaluation. Before ordering replacement tires, confirm the wheels on the car are actually 14-inch wheels and check their width, especially if the Plymouth has been changed from its earlier wheel and tire setup.

The 1959 Plymouth 8 Cyl. has two primary tire sizes because this application can be found with either 750-14 or 800-14 bias-ply tires. Both sizes share the same 14-inch rim diameter, but they represent different vintage width designations.

For the buyer, that means the size should be confirmed on the actual car rather than assumed from the model name alone. Existing wheels, prior restoration choices, and the visual stance you want to preserve can all influence whether 750-14 or 800-14 is the more appropriate starting point.

On the 1959 Plymouth 8 Cyl., 750-14 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It uses the vintage numeric sizing format common to full-size American cars of the period and is offered in several period-style bias-ply tire lines.

A radial alternative does exist, but that does not change the original fitment category of 750-14 itself. Owners choosing between bias-ply and radial should think about appearance goals, wheel-width compatibility, and how closely they want the car to retain the traditional look and construction of a late-1950s tire setup.

For 750-14, radial equivalents include 195R14, P205/75R14, P215/70R14, and the bias-look radial 750R14. For 800-14, the equivalent choices are 205R14, P215/75R14, P225/70R14, and the bias-look radial 800R14.

Those options span several sizing conventions, from Euro-metric radial to P-metric radial and bias-look radial formats. The comparison should include wheel width, tire dimensions, and vehicle clearance before making a change, since an equivalent size is a useful alternative reference point rather than an automatic replacement.

A conversion from bias-ply to radial tires on a 1959 Plymouth 8 Cyl. starts with confirming the original size being replaced, then matching it to the correct radial-equivalent range. Wheel diameter, wheel width, and the intended equivalent size all need to line up before the change is made.

The next checks are practical ones: steering clearance, fender clearance, suspension condition, and the overall stance of the car. A bias-look radial can help retain a more traditional visual character, while metric and P-metric alternatives introduce different sizing conventions that should be reviewed carefully against the wheel setup.

Start by confirming whether the car needs 750-14 or 800-14, since both are primary fitments for the 1959 Plymouth 8 Cyl. From there, the major selection factors are bias-ply construction, sidewall style, brand, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility.

A restoration-minded car may lean toward a particular whitewall or redline presentation, while a driver-focused car may prompt a closer look at radial equivalents. It also helps to compare the actual wheel dimensions on the car, because both sizes share a 14-inch rim diameter but do not represent the same vintage width class.

Available sidewall styles for the 1959 Plymouth 8 Cyl. include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline. Those treatments appear across the primary 750-14 and 800-14 bias-ply sizes, although the exact style mix is broader in 750-14 than in 800-14.

Sidewall choice has a major effect on how a late-1950s Plymouth presents visually, especially on a full-size car with prominent wheel openings and bright trim. Choosing among them usually comes down to the look you want to emphasize, while still keeping the correct size and wheel compatibility ahead of appearance alone.

The 1959 Plymouth 8 Cyl. has tire options from BFGoodrich, US Royal, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire. Depending on the size, those brands appear in series such as Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, US Royal Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Universal Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, and Custom Super Cushion.

Brand choice is best treated as part of the overall package rather than the first decision by itself. Size, construction, sidewall treatment, and wheel specification should narrow the field first, after which brand and tire series become useful ways to refine the look and character of the finished setup.

A period-style 1959 Plymouth 8 Cyl. usually starts with the correct primary bias-ply size, either 750-14 or 800-14, depending on the car's setup. From there, the strongest appearance decisions are the sidewall treatment and the classic tire series offered in that size.

Wide whitewalls, narrow whitewalls, blackwalls, and redlines create very different visual results on a fin-era Plymouth. When exact originality matters, the best approach is to confirm the car's historical configuration through marque-specific references, then choose the tire that matches both the documented look and the wheel dimensions actually on the car.

Tire construction can change the visual character of a restored 1959 Plymouth 8 Cyl. even when the overall sizing stays in the same general range. A traditional bias-ply keeps the vintage construction type associated with the car's original era, while a bias-look radial aims to preserve more of that classic presentation than a modern metric radial.

That matters because late-1950s styling depends on proportions and sidewall presentation as much as paint and trim. Owners balancing appearance with road use often compare standard bias-ply tires against bias-look radials first, then consider metric radial equivalents only after checking how the car sits and clears with the alternate sizing format.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1959 Plymouth 8 Cyl. even when the car still uses a 14-inch wheel. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, lowered suspension, replacement springs, or body and brake updates can all influence how a 750-14 or 800-14 tire sits and clears.

That becomes especially important when evaluating radial equivalents, since a change in sizing format adds another variable. The safest approach is to measure the actual wheels, inspect available clearance at steering lock and suspension travel, and verify the car's current setup before treating any vintage or equivalent size as suitable.

Before driving a 1959 Plymouth 8 Cyl. on new tires, inspect wheel condition, lug hardware, valve stems, and basic clearance around the fenders and steering components. Tire pressure should be set correctly for the tire being used, and the suspension and alignment should be in sound condition.

A collector car that has spent time parked also deserves a broader walk-around. Look for fluid leaks that could reach the tires, confirm nothing rubs during low-speed turning, and recheck the tires after the first short drive for any signs of air loss, shifting trim, or unexpected contact points.

Collector-car tires in 750-14 or 800-14 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and clean storage conditions. Even when tread wear is minimal, old bias-ply or radial tires can age from time, sunlight, heat, moisture, and long periods of inactivity.

A 1959 Plymouth 8 Cyl. that is driven occasionally benefits from routine checks for cracking, bulges, cuts, flat spotting, and slow air loss. Moving the car periodically, keeping it away from ozone-producing equipment, and inspecting the tires before each outing helps preserve both ride quality and confidence on the road.