The 1966 Imperial All Sedans represents Chrysler luxury at its most formal and substantial, with the long, elegant presence and highway character that made Imperial stand apart from other full-size American cars of the period. A car of this size and era depends heavily on proper tire fitment to preserve its stance, steering feel, and overall road manners. For this application, the primary tire size is 9.15-15 in bias-ply construction on a 15-inch rim. That makes the decision less about finding the right size and more about choosing the right period-style tire within that fitment. For restoration-minded owners, appearance, construction choice, and wheel compatibility all deserve careful attention.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1966 Imperial All Sedans
The 1966 Imperial All Sedans uses one primary tire size: 9.15-15. It is a bias-ply fitment for a 15-inch rim, and the covered sedan sub-model uses that same size. With fitment settled, the real decision becomes selecting the right tire within that period sizing system and confirming that the wheels on the car still match the original-style diameter and width before replacement.
The 9.15-15 size is a numeric bias-ply designation in which 9.15 refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches and 15 identifies the wheel diameter. On a 1966 Imperial All Sedans, this size reflects the large American luxury-car sizing convention used before modern metric radial formats became common. Bias-ply construction is also a major part of the vehicle's traditional appearance and period driving character. Choosing this size keeps the fitment aligned with the sedan's original tire-sizing era, but the actual wheel setup should still be confirmed if the car has been changed over the years.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1966 Imperial All Sedans sub-model lineup. The sedan application stays with the same primary tire size, so the main task is confirming that the car still has the correct 15-inch wheel setup before choosing a replacement tire.
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1966 Imperial All Sedans Base
The 1966 Imperial All Sedans Base uses the same 9.15-15 bias-ply fitment as the core sedan application. That keeps tire selection focused on finding the right period-style replacement and checking wheel condition, diameter, and compatibility on a car that may have seen decades of service or modification.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
These FAQs focus on 1966 Imperial All Sedans tire size, 15-inch wheel fitment, bias-ply construction, restoration-minded selection, and the checks worth making before putting a large collector-era luxury car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1966 Imperial All Sedans?
The 1966 Imperial All Sedans uses a 9.15-15 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment associated with a 15-inch wheel, and it is the primary size for the covered sedan application.
That means the first step is not comparing several factory sizes, but making sure the car still has the correct wheel diameter and an appropriate wheel setup for this vintage tire size. On a large collector car like an Imperial, the tire size also affects stance and presentation, so staying with the proper sizing format helps preserve the car's period character.
What size rim does a 1966 Imperial All Sedans use?
The primary tire fitment for a 1966 Imperial All Sedans is built around a 15-inch rim. The 9.15-15 size itself confirms that wheel diameter, with the final number in the size code identifying the rim.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed directly on the car before replacement, especially on a vehicle that may have changed hands many times. A 15-inch wheel is only part of the picture, since wheel width, condition, and any later wheel changes can also affect whether a vintage-style tire is the right match for the current setup.
Does the 1966 Imperial All Sedans Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1966 Imperial All Sedans Base uses the same 9.15-15 bias-ply tire size as the covered sedan application, so there is no separate size split within that sub-model.
With the size remaining consistent, tire choice comes down to selecting a suitable replacement within that fitment and verifying that the wheels on the car still reflect the intended 15-inch arrangement. That is especially important on older luxury cars, where replacement wheels, long-term storage, or previous restoration work may have altered the setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 9.15-15 tire for a 1966 Imperial All Sedans?
Start with the correct primary size and construction: 9.15-15 in bias-ply form. That keeps the tire selection aligned with the original sizing system used on the 1966 Imperial All Sedans and preserves the period relationship between the tire, wheel, and body proportions.
Beyond size alone, look at wheel compatibility, the car's intended use, and the appearance you want from a restoration or driver-quality car. A sedan of this size benefits from careful attention to wheel condition and overall setup, since even the right nominal size should still be matched against the actual wheels currently installed on the vehicle.
How do I choose between the available 9.15-15 tires for a 1966 Imperial All Sedans?
Choosing among 9.15-15 tires for a 1966 Imperial All Sedans begins with staying in the proper bias-ply size and then comparing the product details that matter to your goals. On a collector-era luxury sedan, buyers usually weigh period-style appearance, intended road use, and compatibility with the wheels already on the car.
A car built for formal comfort and presence may call for a different presentation than one being prepared for regular touring or judged restoration display. Once the correct size is settled, compare construction details, wheel requirements, and the visual style of the tire so the finished result suits both the vehicle and how it will actually be used.
Why is staying with the correct tire size important on a 1966 Imperial All Sedans?
Using the correct 9.15-15 size matters because the 1966 Imperial All Sedans was designed around that vintage fitment standard. Tire size has a strong effect on the car's visual balance, ride height, and overall character, especially on a large full-size luxury car from the mid-1960s.
Moving away from the proper size without carefully checking the whole setup can create issues with wheel compatibility, body clearance, or a look that no longer matches the car's proportions. Even when the goal is simply safe road use, the best starting point is the correct primary size and a careful review of the wheels actually mounted on the vehicle.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1966 Imperial All Sedans?
A period-style 1966 Imperial All Sedans should begin with the proper 9.15-15 bias-ply fitment. That size and construction place the car in the correct visual and historical tire-sizing era for a full-size American luxury sedan of the mid-1960s.
From there, the right choice depends on how closely the car is being restored and how it will be used. A show-focused restoration may emphasize traditional presentation, while a road car may balance appearance with practical service needs. When exact originality matters, marque-specific references and restoration records remain the best guide for fine-detail appearance decisions.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1966 Imperial All Sedans restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1966 Imperial All Sedans restoration. The proper 9.15-15 bias-ply size helps maintain the car's intended stance, wheel-to-body proportion, and the overall visual impression expected from a large Chrysler luxury car of this period.
Tires are one of the most noticeable finishing details on a restored vehicle, and the wrong size can change the look even before the car moves. Proper fitment also supports a more coherent restoration outcome by keeping wheel compatibility and body clearance in line with the car's original-era setup rather than forcing a modernized appearance.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1966 Imperial All Sedans?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1966 Imperial All Sedans even when the intended tire size remains 9.15-15. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, suspension work, or brake conversions can all influence the space available around the tire and the way it seats on the wheel.
A large collector sedan may also have accumulated changes over decades that are not obvious at first glance. Checking actual wheel diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and body clearance before mounting new tires is the sensible approach, particularly if the car no longer sits or drives exactly as it did when new.
What should I inspect before driving a 1966 Imperial All Sedans on new tires?
Before driving a 1966 Imperial All Sedans on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition, verify the 15-inch rim setup, and make sure the tires are mounted and inflated appropriately for the application. It also helps to check basic chassis items that affect how a large sedan carries and controls its tires.
Look over suspension wear points, steering response, and available clearance at the fenders and during full steering travel. On an older car, it is also smart to confirm there are no rubbing issues, air-loss concerns, or visible wheel problems before any longer outing, since new tires perform best when the rest of the setup is equally sound.
How should 9.15-15 tires on a collector 1966 Imperial All Sedans be maintained?
9.15-15 tires on a collector 1966 Imperial All Sedans should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and sensible storage habits. Collector vehicles often spend long periods parked, so tread condition, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and signs of air loss deserve more attention than mileage alone might suggest.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as road use on a vintage luxury car. Keeping the Imperial away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help protect the tires between drives. A careful inspection before each outing is worthwhile, especially when the car has been idle for extended periods.
