1968 Vauxhall Viscount Tires

The 1968 Vauxhall Viscount uses two primary tire sizes: 700-14 in bias-ply construction and 185R14 in radial construction. Both sizes are tied to the same vehicle and both use a 14-inch rim, so the main difference is the tire type and sizing system rather than wheel diameter.

That means the first decision is whether the car is staying with a traditional bias-ply setup or using a radial tire. Once that is settled, check the actual wheel width on the car, especially if the wheels have ever been changed, because the available products in these sizes do not all share the same rim-width range.

The 1968 Vauxhall Viscount uses a 14-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. The radial 185R14 and the bias-ply 700-14 are both built around that same rim diameter, which keeps wheel diameter consistent even though the sizing formats are different.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it is smart to confirm wheel width before choosing a tire. Some 185R14 radials work across a broader width range than the 700-14 bias-ply options, and that difference matters if the car has replacement wheels or if the goal is to switch constructions.

Yes. The 1968 Vauxhall Viscount Base uses the same fitment family as the core model, with both 185R14 radial and 700-14 bias-ply sizes associated with it. There is no separate sub-model-specific rim diameter to sort through here, since both sizes remain on a 14-inch wheel.

That keeps sub-model identification simple and shifts the decision to construction, appearance, and wheel compatibility. A Base model owner can focus on whether the car is being kept in a more traditional bias-ply presentation or set up with a radial tire, then compare sidewall style and rim-width requirements within that choice.

700-14 is the bias-ply tire size used on the 1968 Vauxhall Viscount. It is a vintage numeric size format, and the available products in this fitment are bias-ply tires rather than radials, making it the traditional construction choice for owners who want a period-style setup.

Choosing 700-14 keeps the car in its classic size language, but the wheel still needs to be checked before mounting tires. The available 700-14 products are intended for a narrower rim-width range than many 185R14 radials, so construction choice should be matched to the actual wheels and the way the car is meant to be driven.

Radial equivalents for 700-14 include 185R14 as an 80-series metric radial, P195/75R14 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P205/70R14 as a 70-series P-metric radial. These are three distinct radial alternatives tied to the 700-14 fitment family, and no bias-look radial equivalent is present here.

Those options give a buyer different radial sizing conventions to consider, but they should not be treated as automatic substitutions. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 6 inches is associated with these equivalents, and it remains important to verify wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and clearance around suspension and bodywork before making the switch.

Start by confirming the wheel diameter and width actually on the car, then compare the intended radial size against the bias-ply setup being replaced. For a 700-14 Viscount, the available radial-equivalent path includes 185R14, P195/75R14, and P205/70R14, all of which stay within the same general 14-inch fitment family.

After that, inspect clearance at the fenders, steering, and suspension through the full range of motion, especially if the car has been modified or sits differently than stock. A radial conversion can also change the tire’s visual character, so owners often balance road-use goals against appearance when deciding whether to stay with 700-14 bias-ply or move to a radial.

Begin with the correct size and construction for the way the car is being used. The 1968 Vauxhall Viscount can be fitted with a 700-14 bias-ply or a 185R14 radial, so the choice starts with whether a traditional period-style setup or a radial fitment better suits the car’s purpose.

From there, compare wheel-width compatibility, sidewall style, and the overall look you want on the car. A narrow whitewall can give the Viscount a more formal presentation, while a blackwall keeps the appearance cleaner and simpler. Brand and tire series also matter when comparing specifications within the same size and construction.

The available sidewall styles for the 1968 Vauxhall Viscount are blackwall and narrow whitewall. Both appear across the applicable fitments, with blackwall and narrow whitewall choices offered in 185R14 radial form, and blackwall and narrow whitewall options also available in the 700-14 bias-ply size.

That gives the owner room to shape the car’s look without changing the basic tire size. A narrow whitewall usually leans more formal and restoration-oriented, while blackwall tends to look more understated. The best choice depends on the character of the individual car and whether the priority is period-style presentation or a more restrained road-going appearance.

The 1968 Vauxhall Viscount has tire options from Michelin, Phoenix, Vredestein, and BFGoodrich. Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein appear in the 185R14 radial fitment, while BFGoodrich covers the 700-14 bias-ply side through the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series.

Brand choice should still come after the size and construction decision, since not every brand covers both fitment paths. Once the correct size is settled, compare details such as sidewall treatment, tire series, rim-width specification, and load information where it is given, rather than choosing by brand name alone.

For a period-style 1968 Vauxhall Viscount, the 700-14 bias-ply size is the most traditional starting point. Its numeric bias-ply format matches the kind of tire sizing commonly associated with the era, and the available BFGoodrich options keep that vintage construction and presentation intact.

A radial 185R14 can still be a sensible choice when road use matters more than preserving a fully traditional tire character. If exact originality is important for a restoration, the final decision should be checked against marque-specific historical references, but 700-14 remains the clearest route for maintaining an authentic period-style look.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1968 Vauxhall Viscount as much as the way the size is written on the sidewall. A 700-14 bias-ply keeps the car in a distinctly vintage format, while a 185R14 radial introduces a more modern tire designation even though it remains within the same 14-inch wheel diameter.

Sidewall treatment matters too, since blackwall and narrow whitewall options create noticeably different presentations on a large British saloon. Owners focused on a traditional restoration often start with the bias-ply size and then choose the sidewall style that best matches the car’s intended period look, rather than treating all correct-size tires as visually interchangeable.

Yes. Even though the 1968 Vauxhall Viscount uses 14-inch tire fitments, modifications can still affect whether a chosen tire works properly on the car. Aftermarket wheels, wheel-width changes, altered ride height, suspension work, or body and fender changes can all influence clearance and how comfortably a tire fits the available space.

That matters whether the car is on 700-14 bias-ply tires or 185R14 radials. Any change from the original wheel and suspension setup makes it more important to inspect turning clearance, fender clearance, and wheel width before mounting tires, especially if the owner is also changing construction type at the same time.

Before driving a 1968 Vauxhall Viscount on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, make sure the tires are seated properly, and verify clearances with the steering turned and the suspension loaded. It is also worth checking valve stems, lug hardware, and inflation pressure before the first road test.

A collector car deserves a broader look before heading out, especially if it has sat for long periods. Examine steering and suspension components, confirm there are no rubbing points, and watch for any early signs of air loss after installation. A short initial drive followed by a second inspection is a sensible way to catch problems early.

Tires on a collector 1968 Vauxhall Viscount should be checked regularly for pressure, tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and signs of slow air loss. Because older collector cars are often driven less, age and storage condition can become just as important as mileage when evaluating whether the tires are still roadworthy.

Storage habits matter as much as routine inspection. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition, and moving the vehicle occasionally can reduce stress from long periods of sitting. Before any longer drive, give the tires and wheels another close inspection rather than assuming low-use tires are automatically safe.