The 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith came from the final years of a coachbuilt Rolls-Royce tradition, when formal luxury, long-wheelbase presence, and bespoke bodywork still defined the marque’s most exclusive chassis. For owners and restorers, tire choice is part of preserving that stately character rather than simply filling a wheel opening. This model uses a 750-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, giving the page a very focused fitment story. Within that size, the real choices center on blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance and the type of bias-ply tire construction offered. Selecting the right 750-16 starts with how the car is being presented, maintained, and driven.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith
The 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith uses one primary tire size: 750-16. That is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and it remains consistent for the covered Base sub-model. With the size already established, the main decision shifts to the type of 750-16 tire that suits the car’s presentation and use, including sidewall style, tire series, and whether a traditional passenger-car look or a more utility-oriented construction makes sense.
A 750-16 size is a numeric bias-ply designation in which 7.50 refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches and 16 identifies the wheel diameter. On a 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith, this keeps the fitment in the traditional bias-ply construction associated with the car’s period. Available choices in this size include Firestone, Lester, BFGoodrich, and STA, with both blackwall and wide whitewall presentations and several different tire series. It is the right starting point when the goal is to stay with the original-style sizing format while choosing the appearance and specification that best matches the car.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith sub-model. The Base model uses the same 750-16 size, so the key step is choosing the right style and specification within that established fitment rather than sorting through multiple primary sizes.
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1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith Base
The 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith Base uses the 750-16 bias-ply tire size on a 16-inch rim. That makes selection more about presentation and tire type, such as a wide whitewall for a formal restoration-oriented look or a blackwall for a more restrained or utility-minded setup.
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 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith Tires for Sale
Available 750-16 choices span Firestone, Lester, BFGoodrich, and STA, with both blackwall and wide whitewall options. The product grid also includes several tire series and specifications, so buyers can compare traditional passenger-style bias-ply offerings against heavier-duty utility-oriented versions in the same size.
These FAQs focus on 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith tire size, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply construction, sidewall appearance, and the practical checks that matter before putting a collector luxury car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith?
The 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith uses a 750-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment, and it is the primary size used for the covered vehicle.
That makes the first step fairly simple: confirm that the car is still on the correct 16-inch wheels and then choose among the available 750-16 tires. Since the size itself is not changing, the real decision is whether the car needs a blackwall or wide whitewall appearance and whether a traditional passenger-style bias-ply tire or a more utility-oriented version is appropriate for the way the car will be used.
What size rim does a 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith use?
The 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith uses a 16-inch rim with its 750-16 tire size. Several available 750-16 products are built around a 16-inch rim and commonly reference a 5.00 to 6.00 inch rim-width range.
Rim diameter is the non-negotiable measurement, so a 16-inch wheel must be confirmed before choosing a tire. Rim width also matters, especially on a car that may have had wheels changed during restoration or long-term ownership. Checking the actual wheel dimensions before mounting helps avoid problems with tire profile, bead seating, and overall fit on a heavy coachbuilt luxury car.
Does the 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith Base uses the same 750-16 bias-ply tire size as the model fitment shown for this vehicle.
Because the size stays the same, there is no sub-model size split to sort out before choosing tires. The more useful comparison is between the available tire styles and specifications within 750-16, such as blackwall versus wide whitewall and passenger-style bias-ply options versus heavier-duty designs. It is still worth confirming that the wheels on the car remain 16-inch originals or the same functional size if the car has been changed over time.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 750-16 tire for a 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith?
Start with the correct 750-16 size and 16-inch rim, then narrow the choice by how the Silver Wraith is being used and presented. In this size, available options include traditional bias-ply passenger-style tires as well as more utility-oriented bias-ply designs.
Appearance is often just as important as specification on a car of this type, so sidewall style deserves attention. A wide whitewall can suit a formal restoration-oriented presentation, while a blackwall may fit a more understated look. Rim-width compatibility, load capacity where stated, and the overall character of the tire series should all be reviewed before making a final decision.
What sidewall styles are available for 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith tires?
The 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith has 750-16 tire choices in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. That gives owners a meaningful appearance decision even though the primary tire size itself stays the same.
A wide whitewall usually creates a more formal period-style presentation, which can be especially important on a coachbuilt Rolls-Royce chassis. Blackwall options deliver a more restrained look and also appear on several utility-oriented 750-16 products. The right choice depends on whether the car is being restored for visual authenticity, maintained as a driver, or equipped for a more specialized service role.
What brands offer tires for the 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith?
Brands available in 750-16 for the 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith include Firestone, Lester, BFGoodrich, and STA. Those choices cover several bias-ply tire series and more than one sidewall treatment.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It helps to compare the tire series, sidewall style, load figures where stated, and whether the product is oriented toward passenger-car presentation or heavier-duty service. On a large collector luxury car, the best comparison is the one that matches the vehicle’s appearance goals and wheel setup while staying within the correct 750-16 fitment.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith?
A period-style 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith should begin with the correct 750-16 numeric bias-ply size. Staying with that sizing format preserves the traditional tire profile and visual character expected on a late-1950s formal luxury car.
From there, the appearance choice usually comes down to sidewall treatment and tire series. Wide whitewall options often suit a more formal restoration-oriented presentation, while blackwalls create a quieter visual effect. Exact originality can vary by coachbuilder, delivery market, and individual history, so buyers pursuing a highly exact restoration should compare tire appearance against period photos, build records, or marque-club guidance before deciding.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith?
Tire construction shapes both stance and visual character on a restored 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith. The 750-16 fitment here is bias-ply, and that construction helps preserve the traditional look associated with the car’s era.
Sidewall presentation then changes the effect even further. A wide whitewall can emphasize the formal elegance of the body, while a blackwall makes the car look more restrained. Since this vehicle’s available fitment stays within bias-ply construction, the appearance decision is less about switching tire type and more about choosing a version of 750-16 that supports the restoration’s intended character.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith?
Yes. Even though the 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith uses a straightforward 750-16 fitment, wheel changes, brake updates, suspension work, or body alterations can still affect tire selection and clearance.
A Silver Wraith that has aftermarket wheels or changed suspension geometry should be measured before any tire is mounted. Confirm wheel diameter, actual rim width, and available clearance at the fender, steering, and suspension points. Those checks matter even when staying with the original size because an altered wheel or chassis setup can change how a 750-16 tire sits and operates on the car.
What should I inspect before driving a 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith on new tires?
Before driving a 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall mounting condition, then confirm that inflation is appropriate for the tire being used. The tread and sidewalls should be free from shipping damage, cuts, or visible defects after installation.
A short test drive should be paired with another inspection for air loss, bead seating, and any signs of rubbing. Collector cars that sit for long periods also deserve a close look at steering, suspension, and brake condition before regular road use begins. The tire may be new, but the rest of the chassis still needs to be ready for the weight and character of the vehicle.
How should 750-16 tires on a collector 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith be maintained?
750-16 tires on a collector 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Collector cars often accumulate little mileage, so age, storage conditions, and time spent sitting can matter as much as tread wear.
Look for sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, flat spotting, and slow air loss, especially after the car has been parked for an extended period. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition. Occasional inspection of wheel condition and alignment is also worthwhile, since a large formal car can mask early tire issues until road use becomes more frequent.