The 1965 Chrysler 300 came from an era when Chrysler still built full-size cars with a strong emphasis on long-wheelbase comfort, upscale presentation, and unmistakable mid-Sixties presence. For owners restoring or maintaining one today, tire fitment is less about broad experimentation and more about confirming the correct size for the car’s exact setup. The 1965 Chrysler 300 uses 855-14 and 885-14 bias-ply tire sizes on 14-inch rims. Period-style choices here center on BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires with narrow whitewall treatments, while a modern radial equivalent is also available for 855-14. The right decision depends on preserving the car’s traditional look, confirming wheel fitment, and matching the intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1965 Chrysler 300
The 1965 Chrysler 300 uses two primary tire sizes, both in bias-ply construction on 14-inch rims. That makes the first step confirming which size is on the car now, since the Base & L Series can use either 855-14 or 885-14. Once that is settled, the real choice becomes selecting the right period-style tire within that size and deciding whether a radial equivalent is worth considering where one is available.
The 855-14 size uses a vintage numeric bias-ply format in which 8.55 represents the nominal section width in inches and 14 identifies the wheel diameter. On a 1965 Chrysler 300, this is a traditional full-size passenger-car fitment for owners who want to stay with bias-ply construction and the look that comes with it. Available choices in this size come from BFGoodrich in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series with narrow whitewall treatments. It is also the size in this fitment range that offers modern radial-equivalent options, making it a useful comparison point for owners balancing appearance and road manners.
The 885-14 size is another vintage numeric bias-ply designation, with 8.85 indicating a nominal section width and 14 showing the required wheel diameter. For the 1965 Chrysler 300, it serves the same traditional 14-inch fitment family while moving to a slightly larger numeric size than 855-14. BFGoodrich offers this size in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line with a narrow whitewall presentation. Choosing 885-14 starts with confirming that the car’s wheels and current setup are meant for that specific size rather than assuming either 14-inch bias-ply size can be used interchangeably.
Fitment for the 1965 Chrysler 300 Base & L Series is straightforward in one sense and still worth checking carefully in another. The covered sub-model can use either 855-14 or 885-14, so the important step is confirming which size matches the car’s wheels and existing setup before choosing a replacement tire.
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1965 Chrysler 300 Base & L Series
The 1965 Chrysler 300 Base & L Series uses 14-inch bias-ply tire fitments and may be equipped with either 855-14 or 885-14. That means tire selection begins with confirming the exact size on the car, then choosing the preferred period-style whitewall presentation or evaluating a radial equivalent where the size supports one.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1965 Chrysler 300
For the original 855-14 tire size, three radial-equivalent options are available. 215R14 is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, P225/75R14 is the 75-series P-metric radial equivalent, and P235/70R14 is the 70-series P-metric radial equivalent. These options move from a Euro-metric radial format to progressively lower-profile P-metric formats rather than duplicating the original bias-ply exactly. A 5-7 inch rim-width range is associated with these equivalents, so wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance should be checked before making the change.
Modern Radial Equivalents
215R14
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (855-14)
P225/75R14
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (855-14)
P235/70R14
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (855-14)
Important Considerations When Replacing Bias Ply With Radial
Compare overall diameter and section width carefully to ensure proper fit.
Verify recommended rim range (5-7 in) and load needs match your vehicle specifications.
Check fender clearance, steering clearance, and stance before installation.
Consider suspension condition and intended road use when choosing equivalents.
Important Fitment Notes
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 1965 Chrysler 300 Tires for Sale
Available tires for the 1965 Chrysler 300 center on BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply options in 855-14 and 885-14. The main comparison points are size, narrow whitewall presentation, and rim-width compatibility within the correct 14-inch bias-ply fitment.
These FAQs focus on the tire sizes used on the 1965 Chrysler 300, how to confirm the right 14-inch fitment, when radial equivalents enter the conversation, and what to inspect before putting a collector-era Chrysler back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1965 Chrysler 300?
The 1965 Chrysler 300 uses two primary tire sizes: 855-14 and 885-14. Both are bias-ply sizes for 14-inch rims, and the Base & L Series can be associated with either size rather than one universal fitment for every car.
The practical step is to confirm which size is actually on the vehicle before ordering a replacement. Matching the existing wheel diameter is only part of the process, because 855-14 and 885-14 are different bias-ply sizes and should not be treated as automatic substitutes for one another without checking the wheel setup and clearance.
What size rim does a 1965 Chrysler 300 use?
The primary tire fitments for the 1965 Chrysler 300 use a 14-inch rim diameter. Both 855-14 and 885-14 are built around that 14-inch wheel size, so the car’s original-style fitment stays within one rim diameter even though two tire sizes are used.
Rim diameter is the first number to verify, but it should not be the only one. Wheel width still matters, especially when comparing available tires or considering a radial equivalent for 855-14, so checking the actual wheel on the car is the safest way to avoid choosing a tire that suits the diameter but not the wheel itself.
Why does the 1965 Chrysler 300 have more than one tire size?
A 1965 Chrysler 300 can use either 855-14 or 885-14, which means the fitment decision is not limited to a single size across every car in this model range. Both sizes are bias-ply and both use a 14-inch rim, but they are still distinct tire specifications.
That matters because a car may still be wearing its established wheel and tire combination, or it may have been changed during earlier service or restoration work. Confirming the exact size already fitted, along with the wheel width and the space available in the wheel opening, helps keep the replacement choice aligned with the car’s actual setup.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 855-14 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1965 Chrysler 300?
For the 1965 Chrysler 300, 855-14 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It belongs to the vintage numeric bias-ply sizing system and is available in that traditional construction for owners who want the car to retain its period-style tire profile and presentation.
A radial enters the picture only as an equivalent alternative, not as the original primary construction in this fitment. Owners comparing the two should keep the intended use of the car in mind and verify wheel width, overall dimensions, and vehicle clearance before moving away from the established bias-ply setup.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 855-14?
Radial equivalents for 855-14 include 215R14, P225/75R14, and P235/70R14. Those represent three different radial sizing approaches: a Euro-metric 80-series style radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, and a 70-series P-metric radial.
Each one gives the owner a different comparison point rather than an automatic one-size-fits-all conversion. The associated rim-width range is 5-7 inches, so the wheel should be measured and the car should be checked for steering and fender clearance before selecting one of these radial alternatives for a 1965 Chrysler 300.
What should I check before converting my 1965 Chrysler 300 from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming the original tire size on the car and whether the conversion is being made from 855-14, since the radial equivalents are tied to that size. Then verify the wheel diameter, actual wheel width, and the condition of the suspension and steering components before choosing a radial alternative.
A conversion should also account for the car’s available clearance at the fenders and during full steering travel. Collector cars are often altered over time, so any wheel change, ride-height change, or prior bodywork can affect results even when the radial size is a recognized equivalent on paper.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 855-14 tire for a 1965 Chrysler 300?
Choosing a 855-14 tire for a 1965 Chrysler 300 starts with staying in the correct size and deciding whether the goal is a traditional bias-ply presentation or a radial-equivalent alternative. Within the bias-ply offerings, the available BFGoodrich choices keep the same Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series but differ in narrow whitewall treatment.
That makes the decision more about appearance, construction preference, and wheel compatibility than about jumping between unrelated products. Looking at the car’s restoration direction, confirming the wheel size and width, and checking how the vehicle will actually be driven will narrow the choice much faster than comparing size alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1965 Chrysler 300 tires?
The available tires for the 1965 Chrysler 300 use a narrow whitewall sidewall style. In 855-14, that appears in more than one whitewall width, while the available 885-14 option also follows the narrow whitewall theme rather than moving into blackwall or wide whitewall territory.
That consistency makes sidewall selection more of a presentation decision within a traditional full-size Chrysler look. Owners trying to match an existing restoration theme should compare the whitewall treatment already on the car, the overall visual balance of the wheel cover and body, and whether the goal is subtle elegance or a stronger period-style whitewall accent.
What brands offer tires for the 1965 Chrysler 300?
The available tire choices for the 1965 Chrysler 300 come from BFGoodrich. In these fitments, the brand appears in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line for both 855-14 and 885-14, keeping the available selection focused on traditional bias-ply construction rather than a mix of unrelated brands and styles.
That means choosing a tire is less about comparing several manufacturers and more about confirming the correct size and the preferred whitewall presentation. Once the fitment is settled, the useful points to compare are the exact sidewall treatment, the wheel specifications, and whether the car is being kept in a restoration-oriented bias-ply format.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1965 Chrysler 300?
A period-style 1965 Chrysler 300 starts with the correct primary bias-ply size for the car, either 855-14 or 885-14, on a 14-inch wheel. The available BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply options keep that traditional construction and suit an owner who wants the car to maintain a distinctly mid-Sixties full-size Chrysler presentation.
The better choice depends on the exact size the car is set up to use and how closely the owner wants to stay with an original-era visual character. When authenticity matters beyond general period style, checking marque-specific references and the car’s restoration history helps confirm whether the selected whitewall treatment matches the intended finish.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1965 Chrysler 300?
Tire construction has a strong effect on how a restored 1965 Chrysler 300 looks, especially on a large mid-Sixties Chrysler where the tire sidewall is a visible part of the overall stance. A bias-ply tire preserves the traditional format used in the primary fitment, while a radial equivalent changes the construction even if the general size relationship remains comparable.
That difference matters most to owners building a restoration with a distinctly period-style presentation. A radial can be worth considering for road use, but a bias-ply usually keeps the visual story closer to the car’s original era, so the decision should reflect whether appearance or modernized driving behavior is the higher priority.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1965 Chrysler 300?
Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1965 Chrysler 300 even when the tire size itself is correct. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel offset, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body repairs can influence how an 855-14, 885-14, or a radial equivalent sits in the wheel opening.
That is why a replacement tire should be matched to the car as it exists now, not only to its original size range. Checking steering clearance, fender room, and the actual wheel dimensions is especially important on collector cars that may have been restored, updated, or modified years after they left the factory.
What should I inspect before driving a 1965 Chrysler 300 on new tires?
Before driving a 1965 Chrysler 300 on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, suspension, steering components, and alignment condition. The tires themselves should be checked for proper inflation, secure bead seating, and adequate clearance at the fenders and suspension through straight-ahead and turning positions.
A full walk-around matters on a collector-era car because tire fitment is only one part of road readiness. Looking for fluid leaks, loose wheel hardware, uneven ride height, or signs of rubbing during the first miles can prevent small setup issues from becoming tire wear or drivability problems after the new set is installed.
How should 855-14 tires on a collector 1965 Chrysler 300 be maintained?
855-14 tires on a collector 1965 Chrysler 300 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and periodic examination for cracking, bulges, cuts, or unusual tread wear. Cars that spend long periods parked deserve even closer attention because age and storage conditions can affect tire condition before mileage does.
Proper storage helps as much as routine inspection. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can slow deterioration, while occasional movement helps avoid long-term flat spotting. Any sign of air loss, sidewall damage, or rubbing against the body or chassis should be corrected before normal road use resumes.
