The 1962 Lincoln Continental belongs to one of the most recognizable luxury-car eras of the American postwar period, known for its formal lines, restrained styling, and substantial road presence. Buyers restoring or maintaining one today usually care as much about stance and sidewall appearance as they do basic fitment. Tire selection centers on two 14-inch bias-ply sizes, 885-14 and 950-14, with fitment changing by configuration. Available choices stay true to the car’s period character through the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line, including narrow and wide whitewall presentations. The key is matching the correct size to the specific Continental setup before deciding how traditional or formal the finished look should be.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1962 Lincoln Continental
The 1962 Lincoln Continental uses two primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the exact configuration. Both are bias-ply tires built for 14-inch rims, but sub-model fitment is not the same across the range. Before choosing a tire, confirm whether the car is a convertible, an air-conditioned model, or a non-air car, because that determines whether 885-14 remains in the picture or 950-14 is required.
In the size code 885-14, the leading number represents a nominal section width of about 8.85 inches, while the 14 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. This is a bias-ply tire size, which suits the period construction and appearance expected on an early-1960s Continental. In this fitment, 885-14 is available as a BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply with a 1.00 inch whitewall, giving the car a restrained traditional sidewall treatment. It is the size to evaluate when the Continental is an all-models-except-w-air-and-convertible configuration and the goal is keeping the original-style tire format.
Fit(s): All Models Except w/Air & Convertible, All Models w/Air, and Convertible
Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 14 in
The size code 950-14 denotes a nominal section width of about 9.50 inches on a 14-inch rim, using the vintage numeric bias-ply sizing system. As a bias-ply fitment, it matches the construction type associated with this Continental and is especially important on the heavier or differently equipped configurations that call for it. BFGoodrich offers this size in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series with either a 1.00 inch narrow whitewall or a 2.50 inch wide whitewall. That makes 950-14 the key size for buyers balancing correct fitment with the visual tone they want from the finished car.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1962 Lincoln Continental because not every configuration uses the same tire size. The biggest distinction is that air-conditioned cars and convertibles move to 950-14, while some non-air cars may use either 885-14 or 950-14 depending on the exact setup.
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1962 Lincoln Continental All Models Except w/Air & Convertible
This Continental configuration can use either 885-14 or 950-14 bias-ply tires, so tire selection starts with confirming which wheel-and-tire setup is actually on the car. Once that is settled, the choice becomes one of period-style fitment and sidewall presentation rather than switching away from the original construction type.
Air-conditioned 1962 Lincoln Continental models use the 950-14 bias-ply size. That narrows the decision to the available 950-14 options, including whether a narrow or wide whitewall better suits the car’s restoration direction and overall appearance.
The 1962 Lincoln Continental Convertible uses the 950-14 bias-ply tire size. With size and construction already defined, the practical comparison is between the available whitewall styles and making sure the wheels match the rim requirements for this larger 14-inch fitment.
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 1962 Lincoln Continental Tires for Sale
Available 1962 Lincoln Continental tires stay within the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line. Buyers can compare 885-14 and 950-14 fitments, with sidewall choice centered on narrow whitewall styling in both sizes and a wide whitewall option in 950-14.
These FAQs focus on 1962 Lincoln Continental tire sizing, 14-inch rim fitment, sub-model differences, bias-ply selection, whitewall appearance, and the checks worth making before putting a large collector Lincoln back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1962 Lincoln Continental?
The 1962 Lincoln Continental uses two primary tire sizes: 885-14 and 950-14. Both are bias-ply sizes for 14-inch rims, but they do not apply the same way across every configuration. Air-conditioned models and convertibles use 950-14, while all models except w/Air and Convertible may use either 885-14 or 950-14.
That makes the first step identifying the exact Continental configuration and then confirming what is currently on the car. A non-air car may still need closer inspection before ordering, since both sizes appear in that fitment group. Once the correct size is established, the remaining choice is usually sidewall style and restoration presentation rather than a change in construction type.
What size rim does a 1962 Lincoln Continental use?
Both primary tire sizes for the 1962 Lincoln Continental, 885-14 and 950-14, are built for 14-inch rims. The wheel diameter stays the same even though the two tire sizes differ in section width. That means rim diameter is straightforward on this application, while exact tire size still depends on the particular sub-model or configuration.
Wheel width still deserves attention before choosing a tire, especially when moving into 950-14 products that carry their own rim-width requirements. A car that has had wheels changed over the years should be measured rather than assumed correct. Confirming both wheel diameter and actual wheel width helps avoid appearance, clearance, and mounting issues on a large luxury car like the Continental.
Do all 1962 Lincoln Continental sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1962 Lincoln Continental does not use one universal tire size across every sub-model. Air-conditioned cars and convertibles use 950-14, while the all-models-except-w/Air-and-Convertible grouping can use either 885-14 or 950-14. All of these are bias-ply fitments on 14-inch rims, but the size choice still varies by configuration.
That variation matters because the correct tire is tied to how the car was equipped, not just the year and model name. A buyer looking at a sedan without air should not assume it uses the same tire as a convertible. Checking the car’s existing wheel and tire setup before purchase is the safest way to sort out whether 885-14 or 950-14 belongs on that specific Continental.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1962 Lincoln Continental tire?
Start with the correct size for the exact car: 885-14 or 950-14. Both are bias-ply 14-inch fitments, so the main decision is not bias-ply versus radial here, but matching the proper size to the sub-model and wheel setup. After that, compare sidewall style, rim-width suitability, and product specifications such as load capacity at the stated inflation pressure.
A restoration-oriented car may call for a different visual treatment than a road-use driver, especially on a Continental where whitewall width changes the car’s presence noticeably. The larger 950-14 size also brings its own wheel-width considerations. Choosing carefully means looking at fitment first, then selecting the sidewall and product details that suit the way the car will be used and presented.
What sidewall styles are available for 1962 Lincoln Continental tires?
Sidewall choice on the 1962 Lincoln Continental centers on whitewall styling. The 885-14 fitment is available with a narrow whitewall, while 950-14 is offered with both a narrow whitewall and a wide whitewall. Those options keep the selection focused on period-style presentation rather than modern sidewall treatments that would change the car’s overall look.
The right whitewall depends on the appearance you want from the finished car. A narrow whitewall gives a more restrained luxury look, while a wider band creates a more formal early-1960s visual statement. Since sidewall treatment is one of the most visible details on a Continental, it makes sense to settle the correct tire size first and then choose the whitewall width that complements the car’s restoration direction.
What tire series are available for the 1962 Lincoln Continental?
The available tires for the 1962 Lincoln Continental fall within the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. That keeps the selection consistent in overall construction and vintage character, whether the car uses 885-14 or 950-14. Within that series, the main visible difference is sidewall treatment rather than a switch to a completely different performance-oriented tire line.
For most buyers, that simplifies the decision. Instead of sorting through unrelated series with very different personalities, the focus stays on correct size, wheel compatibility, load specification, and whitewall appearance. On a car like the Continental, where style and stance matter as much as fitment, a consistent bias-ply series helps maintain a cohesive period-style presentation across the whole vehicle.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1962 Lincoln Continental?
A period-style 1962 Lincoln Continental tire choice starts with the proper bias-ply size for the exact configuration: either 885-14 or 950-14. Both sizes preserve the vintage sizing system and construction associated with the car’s era. From there, the visual decision usually comes down to sidewall treatment, especially if the car uses 950-14 and can be finished with either a narrow or wide whitewall.
The best period-style result comes from matching fitment first and appearance second. A non-air car should not be forced into a look-driven choice until its actual size is confirmed, while an air car or convertible already points to 950-14. If exact originality is important beyond general period style, marque-specific restoration references are worth checking before choosing whitewall width.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1962 Lincoln Continental?
On a restored 1962 Lincoln Continental, bias-ply construction contributes strongly to the vehicle’s visual character. The tire shape, sidewall profile, and whitewall presentation all work with the formal body lines and upright luxury styling of the car’s era. Since this Continental’s primary fitments are bias-ply, staying within that construction keeps the overall tire presentation aligned with the period.
Appearance is not just about whitewall width; the underlying tire format matters too. Even before the car moves, tire construction affects stance and how authentic the wheel opening looks at a glance. That is why many restoration-minded owners settle size and construction first, then decide whether a narrow or wide whitewall better matches the intended finish of the vehicle.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1962 Lincoln Continental?
Yes. Even though the 1962 Lincoln Continental uses 14-inch bias-ply tire sizes, modifications can change what works safely and cleanly on the car. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body and brake modifications can affect clearance and mounting suitability. Those issues matter whether the car is using 885-14 or 950-14.
A Continental that has been lowered, fitted with different wheels, or rebuilt with non-original components should be checked carefully before ordering tires. Wheel diameter, wheel width, and available clearance at the fender and steering components all deserve confirmation. On a large collector car, assuming the original fitment still applies can lead to preventable installation and clearance problems.
What should I inspect before driving a 1962 Lincoln Continental on new tires?
Before putting a 1962 Lincoln Continental into regular road use on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall clearance around the tire. Verify that the rims are the correct 14-inch diameter and that wheel width suits the chosen tire size. It also helps to confirm suspension condition so the car sits properly and the tires are not working around worn components.
Collector cars often spend long periods parked, so the tire itself is only part of the picture. Check for any rubbing on full steering lock, make sure lug hardware is correct and secure, and watch initial air retention after installation. A short test drive followed by a second inspection can reveal clearance or seating issues before the Continental goes on a longer outing.
How should 885-14 and 950-14 tires on a collector 1962 Lincoln Continental be maintained?
Bias-ply 885-14 and 950-14 tires on a collector 1962 Lincoln Continental should be inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and air loss. Pressure should be maintained consistently, and the car should not be left sitting for long periods on underinflated tires. Clean, dry storage away from prolonged heat, sunlight, and ozone-producing equipment also helps preserve tire condition.
Maintenance matters even more on low-use luxury cars because age and storage can affect tires before tread wear does. A Continental that looks ready for the road may still have issues from sitting. Regular visual checks, periodic pressure checks, and occasional movement of the car to avoid prolonged flat spotting all support better service life and safer road use.
