1959 Plymouth Savoy Tires

The 1959 Plymouth Savoy uses two primary tire sizes: 750-14 and 800-14. Both are bias-ply fitments and both mount on 14-inch rims, so the size decision is not about wheel diameter but about which of the two original-style sizes matches the car’s present setup.

The most practical way to choose between them is to inspect the tires already on the car and confirm the wheel width. A Savoy that has been restored, re-wheeled, or otherwise altered may not still be using its earlier size, so matching the tire to the actual wheel and checking body and steering clearance matters before selecting a replacement.

The primary tire fitments for the 1959 Plymouth Savoy use a 14-inch rim diameter. Both 750-14 and 800-14 are built around that same wheel diameter, which keeps the first fitment check fairly simple compared with vehicles that used multiple rim diameters.

Rim diameter is only part of the picture, though. Wheel width still matters, especially if the car has replacement steel wheels, aftermarket wheels, or a mixed set assembled over time. Confirming both the 14-inch diameter and the actual wheel width helps narrow whether 750-14 or 800-14 is the better match for the Savoy’s current configuration.

On a 1959 Plymouth Savoy, 750-14 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size. The 7.50 portion refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches, while 14 refers to the wheel diameter in inches, and the size reflects the traditional bias-ply sizing language used on many American cars of the period.

That older format can look unfamiliar next to modern metric sizes, but it is still the key starting point for choosing the correct type of tire. Once the size is confirmed, the next step is deciding whether the goal is a period-style bias-ply replacement or a radial equivalent that still works with the Savoy’s wheel and clearance requirements.

For the 1959 Plymouth Savoy, 750-14 is a primary bias-ply tire size. The available period-style products in that size use bias-ply construction, which keeps the traditional shape and visual character expected on a late-1950s full-size Plymouth.

A radial alternative can still be considered, but it should be treated as an equivalent choice rather than the original primary construction. Buyers usually make that decision based on appearance goals, driving expectations, and wheel compatibility, with close attention paid to rim width, clearance, and the car’s actual setup before making a construction change.

For 750-14, radial equivalents include 195R14, P205/75R14, P215/70R14, and 750R14 as a bias-look radial. For 800-14, the equivalent choices are 205R14, P215/75R14, P225/70R14, and 800R14 as a bias-look radial, giving the Savoy both traditional-looking and more modern sizing-format alternatives.

Those options differ by sizing convention and profile family, not just by name. The 750-14 group is associated with a 4-6 inch rim-width range, while the 800-14 group is associated with a 5-7 inch range, so the wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and fender and steering clearance should all be checked before choosing an equivalent.

Start by confirming which primary size the car uses now, then compare that size to the intended radial equivalent for the same 14-inch wheel diameter. On a 1959 Plymouth Savoy, that means making sure the radial option matches the wheel width range associated with either the 750-14 or 800-14 fitment family.

The next step is inspecting how the car is actually set up. Wheel width, suspension condition, ride height, steering clearance, and any prior wheel or brake changes can all affect the result, even when the tire is in the correct equivalent family. A careful conversion keeps the decision centered on fitment, appearance, and intended road use.

The first priority is confirming whether the car is set up for 750-14 or 800-14, since both are valid primary sizes for the 1959 Plymouth Savoy. After size, the next considerations are maintaining bias-ply construction or exploring a radial equivalent, then narrowing the choice by sidewall style, brand, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility.

That process usually comes down to how the Savoy will be used. A restoration-oriented car may lean toward traditional bias-ply appearance, while a driver-focused car may prompt a closer look at radial equivalents. Either way, the actual wheel size, wheel width, and the car’s present stance should guide the final decision more than appearance alone.

The 1959 Plymouth Savoy has a broad range of sidewall choices in its primary bias-ply sizes. Available styles include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline, although the exact combination varies by tire size and by the brand or series built around that size.

That makes sidewall choice one of the biggest visual decisions on the car. Blackwall gives a plainer, more understated look, while narrow and wide whitewalls push the Savoy further into a distinct late-1950s presentation. Redline appears in 750-14, so owners chasing a specific period-style appearance should confirm both size and sidewall before selecting a tire.

Tires for the 1959 Plymouth Savoy are available from BFGoodrich, US Royal, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire, depending on whether the car uses 750-14 or 800-14. The offerings span classic bias-ply series such as Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, US Royal Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, Universal Classic Bias Ply, and Custom Super Cushion.

Brand choice is best treated as part of the overall fitment and appearance decision rather than as a ranking exercise. Once the correct size is confirmed, compare the available sidewall styles, the specific tire series, and the wheel-width specifications tied to that product so the final choice suits both the Savoy’s look and its wheel setup.

A period-style 1959 Plymouth Savoy usually starts with the correct primary bias-ply size already on the car, either 750-14 or 800-14, because the construction and sidewall shape are a big part of the car’s late-1950s presentation. From there, the tire choice often turns on whether the desired look is blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, or, in 750-14, redline.

That decision should follow the type of restoration being pursued. A broad whitewall can strongly reinforce the Savoy’s era, while blackwall keeps the look more restrained. When exact originality matters, it is worth checking marque references or other vehicle-specific historical material rather than assuming any available sidewall treatment is correct for every restored example.

Tire construction changes more than ride character on a restored 1959 Plymouth Savoy; it also changes how the car sits visually. Bias-ply tires preserve the traditional profile associated with the car’s original era, while radial equivalents can alter the presentation even when they remain in the proper general size family.

For many restorers, that makes construction part of the visual planning, not just a mechanical choice. A bias-look radial can be useful when a more traditional appearance is still important, but it should be evaluated carefully alongside wheel width and overall dimensions. The best approach is to decide how strictly the Savoy’s finished appearance needs to follow period style.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1959 Plymouth Savoy even when the car stays with a 14-inch wheel. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, altered ride height, brake conversions, or suspension work can shift the space available for either a 750-14 or 800-14 tire.

That matters most when replacing tires by size alone without checking the current setup. A Savoy that has been lowered, widened at the wheel, or fitted with non-original offsets may need closer review at the fenders and through the steering range. A careful inspection keeps the tire choice tied to the actual car rather than assumptions about a stock configuration.

Before driving a 1959 Plymouth Savoy on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, confirm proper mounting, and make sure the tires clear the fenders and steering components through their full range of travel. It also helps to check overall tire condition, inflation, and whether the car shows any suspension or alignment issues.

A collector car can hide problems simply because it has not been used much. Sidewall aging on older spare tires, dry components, or long-stored wheel hardware can still affect early road use after fresh tires are installed. A short local test drive, followed by another visual check, is a sensible way to catch any rubbing, settling, or pressure change.

Collector-car tires on a 1959 Plymouth Savoy should be checked regularly for inflation, uneven wear, visible cracking, cuts, bulges, and slow air loss, even if the car is driven only occasionally. That advice applies to both 750-14 and 800-14 tires, because age and storage conditions can matter as much as mileage on a low-use vintage car.

Good storage habits help preserve both appearance and service life. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, standing moisture, and ozone-producing equipment can reduce premature deterioration, and moving the vehicle periodically can help avoid long-term flat spotting. Before any longer trip, a close walk-around and pressure check are worthwhile on a full-size collector Plymouth.