The 1967 Mercury comes from an era when full-size American cars emphasized long-wheelbase comfort, substantial presence, and traditional road manners. Owners restoring or maintaining one today usually want tire fitment that suits both the car’s proportions and its period character. This Mercury uses 15-inch bias-ply fitments in 8.25-15 and 855-15, so the first step is confirming which of those original-style sizes matches the car’s current setup. For 855-15, there are also narrow whitewall bias-ply choices and several modern radial-equivalent paths. The right selection depends on whether the goal is restoration-minded appearance, road-use practicality, or a careful balance of both.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1967 Mercury
The 1967 Mercury uses two primary tire sizes, both in bias-ply construction on 15-inch rims. Because the covered fitment includes all models except Comet, Cougar, and Wagon, the important first step is confirming which original size is on the car now and checking the actual wheel setup before choosing between a period-style bias-ply replacement or, where available, a radial equivalent.
In the size 8.25-15, the 8.25 identifies the nominal section width in inches and the 15 identifies the wheel diameter. This is a traditional bias-ply fitment, which suits the driving feel and visual character expected on a full-size 1967 Mercury from this period. The main consideration with this size is preserving the correct overall look and construction style rather than sorting through a wide range of product variations. It is a useful choice when the car is being kept close to its original-type tire format and the existing wheel setup is already confirmed.
The size 855-15 uses an older numeric bias-ply format, with 8.55 indicating nominal section width and 15 indicating rim diameter. On a 1967 Mercury, it represents a traditional full-size car tire format that supports a period-style stance and appearance. Available choices in this size include BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply options with narrow whitewall styling in different whitewall widths. It is also the size with modern radial-equivalent alternatives, making it especially relevant for owners comparing restoration-oriented bias-ply presentation with a more contemporary construction path.
Tire fitment for the covered 1967 Mercury range is fairly straightforward, as the same two bias-ply 15-inch sizes apply across the included group of models. Checking the exact vehicle still matters, especially if wheels have been changed or if the car is being returned to a more period-style presentation.
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1967 Mercury All Models Except Comet, Cougar, Wagon
This covered 1967 Mercury group uses the same 8.25-15 and 855-15 bias-ply fitment on 15-inch rims. That means tire selection is less about trim differences and more about confirming the wheel setup, deciding how traditional the appearance should be, and evaluating whether 855-15 bias-ply or a radial equivalent better suits the car’s intended use.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1967 Mercury
For the original 855-15 size, four radial-equivalent options are available. 215R15 is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, P225/75R15 is the P-metric 75-series radial alternative, P235/70R15 is the P-metric 70-series option, and 760R15 is the bias-look radial equivalent. These choices give you a range from conventional metric radial sizing to a radial that keeps a more traditional visual presentation. A 6-8 inch rim-width range is associated with these equivalents, and wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance should all be checked before changing construction.
Modern Radial Equivalents
215R15
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (855-15)
P225/75R15
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (855-15)
P235/70R15
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (855-15)
760R15
Bias-look Radial Equivalent (855-15)
Important Considerations When Replacing Bias Ply With Radial
Compare overall diameter and section width carefully to ensure proper fit.
Verify recommended rim range (6-8 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 1967 Mercury Tires for sale
Current 855-15 choices center on BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires with narrow whitewall styling. The main comparison points are whitewall width, bias-ply presentation, and compatibility with 15-inch wheels in the appropriate rim-width range.
These FAQs focus on 1967 Mercury tire sizing, 15-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial decisions, whitewall selection, and the practical checks that matter before putting a collector-era full-size Mercury back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1967 Mercury?
The 1967 Mercury uses two primary tire sizes: 8.25-15 and 855-15. Both are bias-ply tire sizes for 15-inch wheels, and both apply to the covered group of models identified as all models except Comet, Cougar, and Wagon.
Choosing between those sizes starts with confirming what is already on the car and verifying the actual wheel dimensions. Many collector cars have seen wheel changes over the years, so the practical next step is checking the rim diameter, wheel width, and available clearance before selecting a new tire.
What size rim does a 1967 Mercury use?
The primary tire fitments for the 1967 Mercury use a 15-inch rim diameter. Both 8.25-15 and 855-15 are built around that same 15-inch wheel size, which keeps the wheel-diameter question straightforward even though more than one tire size applies.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it helps to check wheel width as well before ordering tires. That becomes especially important if the car has aftermarket wheels or if you are considering an 855-15 radial equivalent, since construction changes can bring additional wheel-compatibility and clearance considerations.
What does 855-15 mean on a 1967 Mercury?
On a 1967 Mercury, 855-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply tire size. The 8.55 portion refers to the nominal section width in inches, while the 15 identifies the rim diameter, also in inches.
That older sizing format is different from modern metric radial sizing, so it often raises questions for owners returning a car to the road after many years. The important takeaway is that 855-15 is a traditional full-size Mercury fitment, and it also has named radial-equivalent alternatives that should still be checked carefully against the wheel and vehicle setup.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 855-15 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1967 Mercury?
For the 1967 Mercury, 855-15 is a primary bias-ply tire size. In its original-format role on this vehicle, it is not a radial designation, even though radial-equivalent alternatives exist for owners considering a different construction.
That distinction matters because a bias-ply tire and a radial equivalent can change both appearance and setup considerations. Anyone moving away from the original bias-ply format should confirm wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and clearance at the fenders and suspension before assuming a radial alternative suits the car as currently configured.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 855-15?
Radial equivalents for 855-15 include 215R15 as the 80-series metric radial option, P225/75R15 as the P-metric 75-series radial option, P235/70R15 as the P-metric 70-series radial option, and 760R15 as the bias-look radial equivalent. Each one keeps the same basic 15-inch wheel diameter while using a different sizing convention.
Those options give you a range from conventional metric radial formats to a radial with a more traditional appearance. A 6-8 inch rim-width range is associated with the equivalent group, but wheel width, vehicle stance, and available clearance still need to be checked before making the change.
What should I check before converting my 1967 Mercury from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming the exact original size on the car, the 15-inch wheel diameter, and the wheel width. For an 855-15 conversion, the available radial-equivalent choices include 215R15, P225/75R15, P235/70R15, and 760R15, with a 6-8 inch rim-width range tied to those alternatives.
A construction change should also be checked against steering clearance, fender clearance, suspension condition, and the car’s actual ride height. On a collector vehicle that may have aftermarket wheels or older suspension components, those physical checks are more useful than assuming every radial equivalent will behave the same way once mounted.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 855-15 tire for a 1967 Mercury?
Choosing an 855-15 tire starts with keeping the correct vintage size and confirming that the car still uses a 15-inch wheel in the proper width range. In this size, the available products center on bias-ply construction, BFGoodrich branding, and narrow whitewall styling within the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series.
The real choice is usually about appearance and intended use. A restoration-minded car may stay with a traditional bias-ply presentation, while a driver-focused car may lead you to compare the separate radial-equivalent options. Whitewall width, wheel compatibility, and the overall look of the finished car all matter here.
What sidewall styles are available for 1967 Mercury tires?
Among the currently available products for the 1967 Mercury, the visible sidewall treatment in 855-15 is narrow whitewall. That gives the car a distinctly period-style full-size American look without moving into wider whitewall territory that may create a different visual balance.
There are two narrow whitewall presentations in the available 855-15 offerings, so sidewall choice is part of the selection process even when brand and series remain the same. The best match depends on how formal, restrained, or restoration-oriented you want the finished car to appear once the tires are mounted.
What tire series are available for the 1967 Mercury?
The available 855-15 products for the 1967 Mercury are part of the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. That series keeps the focus on a traditional bias-ply construction and period-style appearance rather than modern tread and sidewall presentation.
Series choice matters because it helps define the tire’s visual character and construction approach. In this case, the emphasis is on a classic full-size car look with narrow whitewall options, so the remaining decisions are mostly about whitewall width, wheel compatibility, and whether to stay with bias-ply or compare a radial-equivalent route.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1967 Mercury?
A period-style 1967 Mercury typically starts with one of its original-format bias-ply sizes, either 8.25-15 or 855-15, depending on the car’s setup. For owners focusing on 855-15, the available BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply options keep that traditional construction and vintage visual character intact.
The best restoration-oriented choice depends on how closely the finished car is meant to reflect a specific historical presentation. When exact originality matters, compare the tire’s size and sidewall treatment with marque references, period photos, or other vehicle-specific documentation rather than relying only on general full-size Mercury styling cues.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1967 Mercury?
Tire construction has a strong effect on the look of a restored 1967 Mercury because bias-ply tires present the car in a more traditional late-1960s full-size style. The primary fitments here are bias-ply, and that construction usually aligns more naturally with the visual proportions expected on a restoration-minded car.
A radial equivalent can still be considered, especially in 855-15, but it may change the overall presentation even when the wheel diameter stays the same. Owners balancing road use and appearance often compare a conventional metric radial with the 760R15 bias-look radial to keep a more vintage tire profile.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1967 Mercury?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1967 Mercury even when the correct original tire size is known. Wheel changes, altered ride height, suspension work, or body modifications can all change how 8.25-15, 855-15, or an 855-15 radial equivalent sits within the car’s available space.
That is why the existing setup should be checked before choosing tires strictly by year and model. Measure wheel diameter and width, inspect clearance at full steering travel, and look at the relationship between the tire, fender opening, and suspension parts so the finished setup matches the car as it stands today.
What should I inspect before driving a 1967 Mercury on new tires?
Before driving a 1967 Mercury on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and sound condition, then confirm proper mounting and inflation. It also helps to check for suspension wear, alignment issues, and any signs that the car has been sitting long enough for other age-related problems to affect road manners.
A short driveway or neighborhood check is useful before a longer trip. Listen for rubbing, watch for steering pull or vibration, and recheck air pressure after the first few drives. On a collector-era full-size car, these simple checks help confirm that the tire choice and the vehicle setup are working together properly.
How should 855-15 tires on a collector 1967 Mercury be maintained?
855-15 tires on a collector 1967 Mercury should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age even if tread wear is minimal. Collector cars often cover limited mileage, so sidewall cracking, flat-spotting from long storage, cuts, bulges, and slow air loss matter as much as tread depth.
Storage conditions also play a major role in tire life. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, excess heat, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. Before road use, inspect each tire closely and pay extra attention to any changes in ride feel, steering response, or visible sidewall condition.