1972 Plymouth Valiant Tires

The 1972 Plymouth Valiant uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 695-14 and D78-14. Both are 14-inch fitments, but they represent different vintage sizing systems, so they should not be treated as the same size simply because the wheel diameter matches.

The practical step is confirming which size is actually correct for the car before comparing brands or sidewall styles. Many collector cars have been changed over the years, so it helps to verify the wheel setup already on the vehicle and then decide whether the goal is a traditional bias-ply appearance or, in the case of 695-14, a carefully checked radial equivalent.

The primary tire fitments for the 1972 Plymouth Valiant are built around a 14-inch rim diameter. That applies to both 695-14 and D78-14, which keeps wheel diameter consistent even though the two sizes use different vintage naming conventions.

Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, so it is still worth checking the wheel width before selecting a tire. That matters even more if the car has replacement wheels or an older restoration, since a 14-inch wheel can still vary in width and affect how a bias-ply tire sits and clears the car.

Yes. The 1972 Plymouth Valiant Scamp uses the same two primary bias-ply tire sizes as this application: 695-14 and D78-14. Both are mounted on 14-inch rims, so the sub-model does not introduce a different wheel diameter.

That shared fitment keeps the main decision centered on which of the two vintage sizes matches the car’s existing setup. Once that is confirmed, Scamp owners can focus on the details that shape the car’s presentation, such as blackwall, narrow whitewall, dual redline, or raised white letter styling in the available 695-14 product range.

On the 1972 Plymouth Valiant, 695-14 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing system common to the era, with the 14 indicating a 14-inch wheel and the construction centered on traditional bias-ply products.

That matters because staying with bias-ply helps preserve the vintage sizing format and the period-style tire selection available in this size. A radial alternative can be considered for 695-14, but the choice should be approached as a conversion decision rather than assuming the original primary fitment was radial from the start.

Radial equivalents for 695-14 include 175R14 as an 80-series metric radial, P185/75R14 as a P-metric 75-series radial, and P195/70R14 as a P-metric 70-series radial. These are the established radial comparison sizes associated with the original 695-14 bias-ply fitment.

Those options differ in sizing convention and profile, so the decision is not just about choosing any radial with a 14-inch diameter. The recommended rim-width range here is 4 to 6 inches, and the final choice should be checked against the wheel, the car’s actual clearances, and the overall stance the owner wants to preserve.

A conversion from the original bias-ply 695-14 fitment to a radial starts with the basics: wheel diameter, wheel width, and the equivalent radial size being considered. For this application, the 695-14 radial equivalents are 175R14, P185/75R14, and P195/70R14, with a 4- to 6-inch recommended rim-width range.

It is also smart to inspect steering and fender clearance, especially on a car with aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, or aging bushings and springs. A radial equivalent can be a useful alternative, but it should be evaluated as a full fitment package rather than chosen solely because the tire shares the same 14-inch rim diameter.

Start by making sure 695-14 is the correct primary size for the car, since the 1972 Plymouth Valiant also appears in D78-14. Once the size is confirmed, the main considerations are bias-ply construction, 14-inch wheel compatibility, and how the tire’s sidewall style and series support the car’s intended look.

This size offers a broad mix of character, from understated blackwall and narrow whitewall designs to dual redline and raised white letter treatments. Brand and series differences matter mostly as appearance and specification choices here, so matching the tire to the wheel setup, the car’s presentation, and how it will be driven is more useful than chasing a one-size-fits-all answer.

In 695-14, the 1972 Plymouth Valiant has access to several sidewall styles: blackwall, narrow whitewall, dual redline, RWL, and a raised-white-letter Blue Streak variation. That gives the car a wide visual range, from restrained original-era looks to more overt period performance styling.

The best choice depends on how the car is being presented rather than any single sidewall being universally right for every Valiant. A cleaner driver may suit blackwall or whitewall, while a more assertive build may lean toward redline or raised white letter, provided the tire size and wheel setup have already been confirmed.

Available 695-14 tires for the 1972 Plymouth Valiant come from BFGoodrich, US Royal, and Goodyear. Those brands appear across multiple vintage-style series, including Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, US Royal Classic Bias Ply, Blue Streak, and Power Cushion.

Brand choice is best treated as part of the overall presentation and specification decision rather than a shortcut to fitment. After confirming the correct size, compare the sidewall treatment, tire series, rim-width specification, and any load or weight details that matter for the way the car is restored, displayed, or driven.

A period-style 1972 Plymouth Valiant starts with one of its primary 14-inch bias-ply sizes, either 695-14 or D78-14 depending on the car’s setup. That keeps the tire choice grounded in the original-era sizing systems rather than shifting immediately to a later-looking radial format.

From there, the visual tone of the car becomes the deciding factor. Blackwall and narrow whitewall choices create a more conservative presentation, while dual redline or raised white letter options move the look in a sportier direction. Buyers pursuing exact originality should compare their final selection against marque-specific historical references for the individual car.

Tire construction changes the restored car’s look as much as its road manners. On a 1972 Plymouth Valiant, the primary fitments are bias-ply sizes, so keeping bias-ply construction preserves the older sidewall shape and vintage sizing language that suit the car’s era.

A radial equivalent for 695-14 can still be a sensible alternative, but it changes the visual character by moving into modern metric or P-metric sizing. Owners restoring for a traditional presentation often start with the bias-ply fitment first, then weigh whether road-use priorities justify a radial conversion after wheel width and clearance are checked.

Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1972 Plymouth Valiant even when the tire size itself is correct on paper. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel widths, suspension changes, ride-height adjustments, or bodywork differences can all change how a 14-inch bias-ply or radial-equivalent tire sits on the car.

That is why the car should be checked as it exists today rather than judged only by model-year fitment. Clearance at the fender, steering components, and suspension travel all matter, especially when moving from a bias-ply size to a radial equivalent that may follow a different sizing convention.

Before road use, inspect the wheel condition, lug hardware, valve stems, and the tire itself for proper seating and inflation. On a collector-era 1972 Plymouth Valiant, it is also smart to look over suspension and steering components so the new tires are not being asked to compensate for worn mechanical parts.

A short, careful shakedown drive helps confirm that the car tracks properly and that there is no rubbing at full steering lock or over suspension movement. After the first miles, recheck pressure and give the tires another visual inspection so any early fitment or installation issue is caught before regular use.

695-14 tires on a collector 1972 Plymouth Valiant should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and clean, dry storage conditions. Because collector cars often sit longer than daily drivers, sidewall aging, flat spotting, and slow air loss deserve more attention than tread wear alone.

Periodic inspection for cracks, bulges, cuts, or uneven wear helps catch problems before they become road-use issues. It also helps to keep the car away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, and ozone sources during storage, then inspect the tires again before longer drives after the vehicle has been parked for an extended period.