1962 Imperial New Yorker Tires

The 1962 Imperial New Yorker uses an 850-14 tire size in bias-ply construction. That is the primary fitment for the model, and the covered New Yorker V8 uses the same size, so there is no separate original size to sort through within this application.

The practical decision is choosing the right tire within that 850-14 size. On this car, that usually means selecting the sidewall look you want and deciding whether to stay with the original-style bias-ply construction or compare one of the available radial equivalents after confirming wheel width and clearance.

The 1962 Imperial New Yorker uses a 14-inch rim with its 850-14 tire size. The available 850-14 bias-ply products for this application are built for a 14-inch wheel, which is the first dimension to confirm before choosing any replacement tire.

Wheel diameter should always be verified on the car itself, especially on an older Imperial that may have seen wheel changes over the years. Once the 14-inch diameter is confirmed, the next step is checking wheel width so the tire matches the wheel properly and maintains appropriate clearance.

Yes. The 1962 Imperial New Yorker V8 uses the same 850-14 bias-ply tire size as the main New Yorker fitment covered here. That makes sub-model selection relatively simple, because the original tire size does not change between these listings.

Even with shared sizing, the best choice can still vary based on how the car is being finished and driven. A restoration-oriented car may call for one whitewall style, while a road-use-minded owner may also want to compare radial equivalents after confirming wheel dimensions and overall fit.

For the 1962 Imperial New Yorker, 850-14 is the primary bias-ply tire size. That means the original fitment format uses traditional numeric sizing and bias-ply construction rather than a modern radial size designation.

Keeping the car on 850-14 bias-ply tires helps preserve its traditional appearance and period-style tire character. Owners considering a change in construction should treat radial options as equivalents to evaluate carefully, not as automatic replacements, and should confirm wheel width, clearance, and the overall setup before converting.

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 this fitment grouping.

Those alternatives give you several radial sizing formats to compare, each with the same 14-inch rim diameter but different sizing conventions. A recommended rim-width range of 5-7 inches is part of the equivalency guidance, and the final choice should still be checked against the vehicle’s wheel width and available clearance.

Start by confirming that the wheel diameter and width match the radial equivalent you are considering. For the 850-14 fitment, radial alternatives include 215R14, P225/75R14, and P235/70R14, with a recommended rim-width range of 5-7 inches for the equivalent comparison.

After that, inspect the actual car for suspension condition, steering travel, and fender clearance, especially if it has been modified or is sitting on replacement wheels. Construction changes can alter how the car feels on the road, so it helps to match the tire choice to your intended use as well as the New Yorker’s appearance.

Start with the original 850-14 size, 14-inch rim diameter, and bias-ply construction. From there, compare the available whitewall presentation, rim-width compatibility, and product specifications that matter to your car’s intended use and how closely you want to maintain a traditional early-1960s full-size luxury-car look.

For this New Yorker, the main choice within the primary size is visual character rather than a change in dimensions. A wide whitewall and a narrower whitewall can give the car a noticeably different presence, so it helps to decide whether the priority is restoration-oriented appearance, regular road use, or a balance of both.

The 850-14 tire choices for the 1962 Imperial New Yorker include Wide Whitewall and Narrow Whitewall sidewall styles. Both are offered in the same BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, so the core difference is the visual treatment rather than a change in the primary tire size.

That makes sidewall style an important part of the decision on a car with as much visual presence as an Imperial. Buyers usually choose between a broader, more formal whitewall look and a more restrained stripe, while still checking that the tire matches the wheel and overall presentation of the car.

The available 850-14 products for the 1962 Imperial New Yorker fall within the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. That keeps the tire-series choice simple, because the main distinction here is not between multiple series, but between different whitewall styles within the same traditional bias-ply family.

With the series staying consistent, selection becomes more about the appearance you want and whether the product’s rim-width specification suits your wheel. This can be useful for owners who want a period-style look without having to sort through several different series names in the same original size.

A period-style starting point for a 1962 Imperial New Yorker is the original-size 850-14 bias-ply tire. That keeps the car in its traditional sizing format and maintains the construction style most closely associated with full-size American luxury cars of the early 1960s.

From there, the appearance decision usually comes down to whitewall treatment. Some restorations lean toward a broader whitewall presentation, while others look better with a narrower band, and exact originality should be checked against marque-specific historical references if the car is being finished to a very exact standard.

Tire construction affects both stance and visual character on a restored 1962 Imperial New Yorker. An 850-14 bias-ply tire keeps the car in its original-style sizing language and supports the traditional look expected on a large early-1960s luxury sedan.

A radial equivalent may still be worth considering for road use, but it changes the conversation from strict original-style presentation to an alternate fitment approach. On a car with prominent wheel openings and strong side-profile styling, construction and whitewall style both have a visible effect on the finished appearance.

Yes. A 1962 Imperial New Yorker may have the correct nominal tire size on paper and still need a closer fitment check if the car has aftermarket wheels, altered suspension height, or body and brake changes. Those changes can affect wheel width, clearance, and the tire’s working space.

That matters whether you stay with 850-14 bias-ply tires or compare a radial equivalent. On a large collector car, it is smart to verify wheel diameter, wheel width, and steering clearance on the actual vehicle before mounting new tires, especially if the car’s history includes restoration or custom work.

Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, suspension condition, steering components, and the tire-to-fender clearance at full turn. On a 1962 Imperial New Yorker, it also helps to confirm proper tire pressure, look for any signs of rubbing, and make sure the car tracks and brakes evenly.

A full-size collector car can sit for long periods, so the surrounding hardware matters almost as much as the tires themselves. Checking for loose wheel hardware, uneven ride height, and any age-related issues in the chassis helps you get the most from a new set of tires and reduces surprises on the road.

Maintain 850-14 tires on a collector 1962 Imperial New Yorker by checking inflation regularly, inspecting the sidewalls and tread for cracking or damage, and watching for air loss on cars that are driven infrequently. A low-mileage collector car can age its tires even when tread wear remains minimal.

Storage conditions also matter. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, standing moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the tires between drives. Regular inspection is especially important on a heavy luxury car, since small issues in pressure or condition can become more noticeable once the car is back on the road.