1968 Chrysler New Yorker Tires

The 1968 Chrysler New Yorker uses an 855-14 tire size. That is a vintage numeric bias-ply size used on a 14-inch rim, and it is the primary fitment for the covered New Yorker application here.

Because there is one main size rather than several factory fitments to sort through, the next step is confirming that the car still has the correct wheel setup. On a car of this age, wheel changes, suspension work, or previous replacements can alter what is currently installed, so it helps to verify the wheel diameter and overall tire clearance before selecting either a bias-ply tire or a radial equivalent.

The primary 1968 Chrysler New Yorker tire fitment uses a 14-inch rim. The 855-14 size is built around that wheel diameter, so confirming a 14-inch wheel is essential before moving ahead with any replacement choice.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a collector car. It is also smart to check the actual wheel width, especially if the car has been changed from its earlier setup, because available 855-14 bias-ply products and radial equivalents may have different wheel-width considerations. Measuring the wheel directly prevents ordering a tire based only on appearance or an old sidewall marking.

Yes. The 1968 Chrysler New Yorker Base uses the same 855-14 bias-ply tire size as the covered New Yorker fitment. That keeps sub-model selection simple because there is not a second primary size to sort out within this application.

Even when the sub-model fitment is consistent, the car itself may no longer be exactly as built. A wheel swap, altered ride height, or a move to radial tires at some point in its life can change what works best today. Matching the sub-model is the first step, but checking the wheel diameter, wheel width, and present-day clearance helps ensure the selected tire still suits the car’s actual setup.

For the 1968 Chrysler New Yorker, 855-14 is the primary bias-ply tire size. The available products in that exact size are bias-ply tires, which makes this the original-style construction format associated with the car’s vintage fitment.

That matters because staying with bias-ply construction preserves the period-style sizing and look many restorers want. A switch to radial construction is possible only through equivalent sizes rather than the same primary size code, so the decision becomes one of appearance, driving expectations, and wheel compatibility instead of simply choosing another tire with the same sidewall markings.

Radial equivalents for 855-14 include 215R14, P225/75R14, and P235/70R14. Those represent an 80-series metric radial, a P-metric 75-series radial, and a P-metric 70-series radial, giving the 1968 Chrysler New Yorker several modern-format alternatives to compare.

Each of those sizes uses a 14-inch rim, but that does not make them automatic substitutes in every situation. The recommended rim-width range for the equivalent setup is 5 to 7 inches, and the final choice should still be checked against the car’s actual wheel width, suspension condition, and body clearance. That is especially important on a large vintage sedan where stance and tire profile affect the overall presentation.

Start by confirming that the car still has 14-inch wheels and then compare the intended radial equivalent size with the wheel width being used. For the 855-14 fitment, common radial alternatives include 215R14, P225/75R14, and P235/70R14, with a recommended rim-width range of 5 to 7 inches.

After that, inspect for clearance at the front fenders, rear wheel openings, and steering range, particularly if the car has aftermarket wheels or suspension changes. A conversion also changes the visual presentation from the original-style bias-ply setup, so owners pursuing a restoration-oriented look often weigh appearance just as carefully as road feel and modern sizing convenience.

The starting point is staying with the correct 855-14 size and deciding whether the goal is an original-style bias-ply presentation or a move toward a radial equivalent. In the exact 855-14 size, the available choices center on BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires with narrow whitewall styling.

From there, compare the visible sidewall treatment and the wheel-width requirements of the tire you are considering. A large luxury car like the New Yorker depends heavily on proper visual proportion, so sidewall appearance can change the character of the car even when the size remains the same. Buyers should also confirm the actual wheel setup before assuming an older replacement matches the tire the car needs today.

For the 1968 Chrysler New Yorker’s 855-14 fitment, the available products use narrow whitewall styling. The differences here are subtle rather than dramatic, which suits a full-size Chrysler where whitewall width plays a major role in the finished appearance.

Choosing between narrow whitewall variations is mostly an appearance decision once the correct size and construction are settled. Some owners prefer a slightly more formal luxury-sedan presentation, while others want a more restrained period-style look. Since sidewall detail is one of the first things noticed on a restored car, it helps to compare the tire to the wheel covers, paint color, and overall restoration theme before making the final choice.

The available 855-14 choices are both bias-ply BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires, so the decision is less about changing construction and more about selecting the sidewall presentation that suits the car. Both options share the same size, load specification, and general vintage fitment character.

That makes visual intent especially important. A New Yorker restored toward a formal late-1960s luxury look may call for a different whitewall presence than a car aimed at regular touring with a cleaner, more understated appearance. It also helps to confirm the wheel width on the car, since product compatibility should match the actual rim being used rather than relying only on the tire size marked on the sidewall.

A period-style approach starts with the 855-14 size in bias-ply construction, because that preserves the vintage sizing format used on the 1968 Chrysler New Yorker. The available BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply options keep the car in an original-style visual range rather than shifting immediately to a modern radial profile.

From there, the finer choice is sidewall presentation. On a large Chrysler sedan, whitewall detail contributes heavily to the car’s stance and luxury character, so selecting between narrow whitewall variations can be just as important as the brand itself. Owners chasing exact historical authenticity should still compare their tire choice against marque literature, surviving examples, or restoration references tied to the specific car.

Yes, correct tire fitment matters because tire size and construction have a strong effect on how a 1968 Chrysler New Yorker sits, looks, and presents as a late-1960s full-size luxury car. An 855-14 bias-ply tire maintains the vintage sizing language and traditional profile associated with that era.

Even a well-finished restoration can look noticeably off if the tires are too modern in profile or visually out of scale with the car. Correct fitment also helps avoid practical issues such as clearance concerns or mismatched wheel dimensions. For many restorers, the tire is one of the final details that ties the stance, wheel covers, ride height, and sidewall appearance together into a coherent finished car.

Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1968 Chrysler New Yorker even when the intended tire size remains 855-14 or a 14-inch radial equivalent. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, or ride-height changes can all influence clearance and overall compatibility.

That is why the actual car should be checked rather than assuming every New Yorker still matches its original setup. Steering clearance, fender room, and the space around suspension components all deserve a look before mounting new tires. On an older full-size car, a small change in wheel setup can matter just as much as the tire size itself when fitment is being evaluated.

Before driving, inspect tire pressure, wheel fasteners, valve stems, and visible clearance at the fenders and suspension. It is also smart to check that the tires seat properly on the rims and that there is no contact at full steering lock if the 1968 Chrysler New Yorker has had any wheel or suspension changes.

A collector car should also be looked over beyond the tires themselves. Worn steering parts, aged shocks, weak springs, or alignment issues can make a new set of tires feel wrong even when the size is correct. A short, careful road test followed by a second visual inspection helps catch rubbing, air loss, or handling issues before the car is taken on a longer drive.

855-14 tires on a collector 1968 Chrysler New Yorker should be kept properly inflated and inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, irregular wear, and signs of air loss. Because collector cars often spend long periods parked, condition and age matter just as much as tread depth.

Storage habits play a big role in tire life. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve both the sidewalls and overall casing condition. It also helps to move the car periodically and inspect the tires before road use, since a vehicle that looks fine in storage can still develop age-related tire issues that are easy to miss.