1962 Chrysler New Yorker Tires

The 1962 Chrysler New Yorker uses two primary tire sizes: 850-14 and 900-14. Both are vintage numeric bias-ply sizes designed for 14-inch rims, and the New Yorker Base is associated with both sizes rather than one single fitment across every car still on the road today.

That makes the first job confirming what is actually on the car now, especially if it has seen wheel changes or past replacement work. Checking the existing tire size, wheel width, and overall clearance will help determine whether the car should stay with 850-14 or 900-14 before moving on to sidewall style and brand selection.

The primary tire sizes used on a 1962 Chrysler New Yorker are built for 14-inch rims. Both 850-14 and 900-14 share that same rim diameter, so the wheel diameter itself stays consistent even though the two tire sizes differ in nominal section width.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a large early-sixties Chrysler. Wheel width also matters, since 850-14 and 900-14 products carry different rim-width ranges. Measuring the actual wheels on the car is a smart step before ordering tires, particularly if the car has been restored, modified, or fitted with replacement wheels over the years.

On a 1962 Chrysler New Yorker, 850-14 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 850 indicates an approximate 8.50-inch nominal section width, and the 14 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. It is a vintage sizing format commonly seen on full-size American cars of this period.

Understanding that format helps separate the tire’s size designation from modern metric radial sizing. It also helps explain why choosing a replacement is about more than matching the last two digits. The wheel diameter must remain correct, and the tire’s width, rim-width suitability, and overall look should all be considered before selecting a period-style replacement or a radial equivalent.

For the 1962 Chrysler New Yorker, 850-14 is a primary bias-ply tire size. The available products in this fitment are BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires, which preserve the vintage construction and period-style appearance associated with a full-size Chrysler of this era.

That matters because bias-ply and radial tires are not simply different labels for the same thing. If the goal is a restoration-oriented look and traditional setup, staying with bias-ply keeps the sizing format and visual character aligned with the car’s period. If a radial alternative is being considered, the wheel width, dimensions, and vehicle clearance should be checked before making that change.

Radial equivalents for 850-14 include 215R14 as an 80-series metric radial, P225/75R14 as a P-metric 75-series radial, and P235/70R14 as a P-metric 70-series radial. A bias-look radial equivalent is not part of the available 850-14 equivalency set shown here.

Those alternatives give a 1962 Chrysler New Yorker owner several ways to compare modern radial sizing formats against the original bias-ply size. The recommended rim-width range for these equivalents is 5 to 7 inches, but that should not be treated as automatic interchangeability. Wheel width, tire dimensions, and steering or fender clearance still need to be confirmed on the individual car.

Start by confirming which original size the car uses, then compare the intended radial equivalent to the actual wheel diameter and wheel width on the car. On a 1962 Chrysler New Yorker using 850-14, radial alternatives include 215R14, P225/75R14, and P235/70R14, with a recommended rim-width range of 5 to 7 inches.

A conversion also deserves a careful look at overall tire clearance, suspension condition, and steering travel, especially on a large collector car that may have seen prior repairs or modifications. Radials can be considered as alternatives, but the choice should be judged against the car’s current setup, intended road use, and the owner’s preference for either period-style appearance or a more modern construction.

The biggest decision is confirming whether the car uses 850-14 or 900-14, since both are primary sizes for the 1962 Chrysler New Yorker and both are bias-ply fitments on 14-inch rims. Once the correct size is established, the next considerations are wheel width, sidewall style, and whether the car is being kept in a traditional bias-ply configuration.

That selection process is especially important on a large early-sixties luxury car, where tire size affects both appearance and stance. A narrow whitewall and a wide whitewall create a noticeably different look, and the wider 900-14 also carries a different rim-width requirement than 850-14. Matching the tire to the car’s actual wheel setup is the right starting point.

The available 1962 Chrysler New Yorker products in 850-14 and 900-14 offer two whitewall treatments: a 2.25-inch wide whitewall and a 1.00-inch narrow whitewall. Both are offered in BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires, so the visual choice can be made without changing the basic vintage construction.

That sidewall decision has a strong effect on the car’s presentation. A wide whitewall leans into a fuller early-sixties luxury-car look, while a narrow whitewall gives a cleaner, slightly more restrained appearance. Since both treatments are available within the same series, the owner can focus on matching the car’s style and restoration direction rather than changing tire type.

The available bias-ply products for the 1962 Chrysler New Yorker fall within the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. That applies across both primary sizes covered here, 850-14 and 900-14, with the main visible variation coming from the whitewall treatment rather than a change in series family.

That keeps the choice fairly focused, which can be helpful on a restoration-oriented car. Instead of sorting through several unrelated series, the buyer can compare the correct size, the sidewall presentation, and the wheel-width suitability tied to each tire size. Those factors usually matter more here than chasing variety for its own sake.

A period-style starting point for a 1962 Chrysler New Yorker is staying with the correct bias-ply construction in either 850-14 or 900-14, depending on the wheel and tire setup already on the car. The available BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply options fit that traditional approach and keep the vintage numeric sizing format intact.

From there, the choice becomes one of presentation as much as fitment. Wide whitewall and narrow whitewall versions create different visual impressions, and both can suit an early-sixties Chrysler depending on how the car is being restored. If exact originality matters, it is worth checking marque literature, build documentation, or club guidance before settling on a sidewall treatment.

Tire construction changes more than ride feel on a restored 1962 Chrysler New Yorker; it also changes the car’s visual character. A bias-ply tire maintains the vintage sizing format and traditional sidewall presentation associated with the car’s era, which is why many restoration-oriented owners stay with a bias-ply setup.

A radial alternative can still be considered, but it tends to move the car away from a purely period-style tire presentation. On a large, formal Chrysler, that difference can be noticeable even before the car leaves the garage. Owners balancing originality, drivability, and appearance should compare construction choice alongside whitewall style rather than treating size alone as the whole decision.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1962 Chrysler New Yorker even when the car still appears close to stock. Wheel changes, suspension alterations, ride-height changes, or body repairs can all influence whether an 850-14 or 900-14 tire has the clearance and wheel-width support it needs.

That is why the existing setup should be measured rather than assumed, especially on a collector car with decades of ownership history. Checking wheel diameter, wheel width, and visible clearance at the fender and steering positions can prevent ordering the right vintage size for the wrong current configuration. It is a simple step that avoids expensive guesswork.

Before putting a 1962 Chrysler New Yorker back into regular road use on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall clearance around the tire. It is also wise to look over steering and suspension components so the new tires are not being asked to compensate for looseness, misalignment, or worn hardware.

A large collector car deserves a full walk-around before longer use. Confirm inflation, recheck lug torque after installation, and watch for any signs of rubbing once the car has been driven and turned lock to lock. Even with brand-new tires, cracks in old wheels, air loss, or interference at the fender opening can still create avoidable problems.

Tires on a collector 1962 Chrysler New Yorker should be inspected regularly for air loss, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and uneven wear, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Low-use collector vehicles often age tires through time and storage conditions as much as through mileage, so appearance alone is not enough.

Good maintenance also includes keeping inflation consistent, moving the car periodically, and storing it away from prolonged heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources when possible. On a heavy full-size Chrysler, those habits help preserve both the tire and the way the car sits. Any vibration, pull, or sudden pressure change deserves immediate attention before further road use.