The 1973 Lincoln Continental belongs to an era when Lincoln full-size luxury emphasized quiet highway travel, long-wheelbase presence, and a distinctly formal American touring character. Whether the car is a Continental sedan or a Mark IV personal luxury coupe, tire choice plays a major role in preserving that substantial, composed look. For this exact model year, the primary fitments are 230R15 and 235R15, both radial sizes on 15-inch rims. That makes the decision less about switching construction types and more about confirming which radial size suits the car and its wheels. Appearance, overall stance, and careful fitment checks all matter on a large collector Lincoln like this.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1973 Lincoln Continental
The 1973 Lincoln Continental uses two primary tire sizes: 230R15 and 235R15. Both are radial fitments for 15-inch rims, and both appear across the covered sub-models, so the key step is confirming which size is already on the car and whether the wheel setup remains original. From there, the real decision becomes selecting the radial size that best matches the vehicle's current fitment, stance, and clearance needs.
230R15 is a Euro-metric radial size where 230 refers to the nominal section width in millimeters, R identifies radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1973 Lincoln Continental, that means a modern-style radial format suited to the car's original 15-inch wheel diameter rather than a vintage bias-ply code. This size is useful for owners who want to stay within the known primary fitment range while preserving a substantial full-size luxury-car tire profile. It should still be checked against the actual wheel width and the car's present suspension and body clearances before selection.
235R15 follows the same Euro-metric radial format, with 235 indicating nominal section width in millimeters, radial construction marked by the R, and a 15-inch rim diameter. For the 1973 Lincoln Continental, it represents the second primary radial fitment in the same wheel diameter, giving buyers another correct size range to evaluate. The slight difference in section width can influence how the tire fills the wheel opening and how closely it matches the car's existing setup. This size deserves a careful comparison against the wheels currently on the vehicle before making a final choice.
Fitment is straightforward because both covered 1973 Lincoln Continental sub-models use the same two primary radial tire sizes. Checking the exact sub-model still helps, but the more important step is confirming which of the two 15-inch radial sizes is already matched to the car's wheel and overall setup.
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1973 Lincoln Continental Base
The 1973 Lincoln Continental Base uses the same two primary radial fitments found across this model line: 230R15 and 235R15 on 15-inch rims. Tire selection comes down to confirming which size best matches the car's current wheels, stance, and clearance rather than sorting through different construction types.
The 1973 Lincoln Continental Mark IV also uses 230R15 and 235R15 radial tires on 15-inch rims. That keeps size selection focused on the actual wheel-and-tire combination on the car, especially if appearance, ride height, or previous replacement choices are part of the decision.
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
Common questions for the 1973 Lincoln Continental usually center on choosing between 230R15 and 235R15, confirming 15-inch rim fitment, and understanding how tire size affects appearance, wheel compatibility, and road-use checks on a large collector Lincoln.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1973 Lincoln Continental?
A 1973 Lincoln Continental uses two primary tire sizes: 230R15 and 235R15. Both are radial tires built for 15-inch rims, and both sizes apply within this year and model range, including the Base and Mark IV sub-models.
That means the first job is not choosing between bias-ply and radial, but confirming which of those two radial sizes belongs on the specific car in front of you. Checking the existing wheel size, the current tire size, and the vehicle's present ride height and clearances is especially important if the car has had replacement wheels, suspension work, or past tire changes.
What size rim does a 1973 Lincoln Continental use?
The primary tire sizes for a 1973 Lincoln Continental both use a 15-inch rim diameter. That applies to 230R15 and 235R15, so the common fitment point across the model range is a 15-inch wheel.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, though. A tire can share the same 15-inch diameter and still differ in section width or overall fit on the vehicle, so it is smart to verify the wheel's actual width and the car's current setup before replacing tires. That matters even more on collector cars that may no longer wear their original wheels.
Do all 1973 Lincoln Continental sub-models use the same tire size?
The covered 1973 Lincoln Continental sub-models share the same tire-size choices. Both the Base and the Mark IV use 230R15 and 235R15 radial tires, so sub-model fitment does not split into different construction types or different rim diameters.
Even with that shared fitment range, it is still worth confirming which size is already on the car and whether the wheels remain unchanged. One owner may prefer to stay with the present size for consistency in stance and clearance, while another may be working from an older replacement setup that should be checked more closely before ordering new tires.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 230R15 or 235R15 tire for a 1973 Lincoln Continental?
Start with the size already fitted to the car, because both 230R15 and 235R15 are primary radial fitments for the 1973 Lincoln Continental. The right choice depends on matching the car's existing wheel diameter, confirming wheel width, and deciding whether you want to maintain the current stance and overall visual balance.
A large Lincoln can look noticeably different with even a modest size change, so the decision is partly cosmetic and partly practical. It helps to compare the present tires, inspect wheel-to-fender space, and think about how the car is used, whether that means preservation driving, local shows, or more regular road use on a collector vehicle.
How do I choose between the available 230R15 and 235R15 tires for a 1973 Lincoln Continental?
Choosing between 230R15 and 235R15 comes down to which size properly matches the car's current setup. Both are correct primary radial sizes for the 1973 Lincoln Continental, so the better option is the one that aligns with the installed wheels and preserves the fitment the car already accommodates cleanly.
A careful owner will compare the existing tire size, wheel dimensions, and how the tire sits in the wheel opening before making the switch. That approach helps avoid unintended changes in appearance or clearance, especially on a long, heavy luxury car where visual proportion and smooth road manners are part of the ownership experience.
What rim-width specifications should I compare when choosing 1973 Lincoln Continental tires?
Rim width matters because 230R15 and 235R15 may share the same 15-inch diameter while still responding differently to the wheel they are mounted on. A 1973 Lincoln Continental owner should confirm that the chosen tire size is compatible with the actual wheel width on the car, not just the wheel diameter.
That check becomes especially useful on collector cars that may have seen wheel replacements over the years. A mismatched wheel width can affect tire shape, sidewall appearance, and available clearance, so comparing the wheels already on the car with the intended tire size is one of the most practical steps before committing to a new set.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1973 Lincoln Continental?
A period-style 1973 Lincoln Continental should begin with one of its primary radial sizes, either 230R15 or 235R15, depending on the car's current wheel and tire setup. Staying within those known fitments helps preserve the substantial full-size luxury-car presence that suits this generation of Continental.
From there, the best choice depends on how closely the owner wants to match the car's established stance and presentation. For restoration work where exact originality matters, it is wise to compare the tire decision with marque-specific historical references and the vehicle's own build and ownership history rather than relying on size alone.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1973 Lincoln Continental restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1973 Lincoln Continental because the car's appearance depends heavily on proportion. Using one of the proper primary sizes, 230R15 or 235R15, helps keep the wheel opening, sidewall presence, and overall visual balance in line with the way a full-size Lincoln of this era is meant to look.
Restoration-minded owners should also think beyond appearance and confirm the wheel dimensions already on the car. A tire that is close in spirit but mismatched to the wheel or body setup can alter stance or clearance, so fitment should be treated as part of the restoration plan, not as an afterthought once the car is finished.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1973 Lincoln Continental?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1973 Lincoln Continental even when the tire size stays within the primary 230R15 or 235R15 range. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, suspension alterations, or body and ride-height adjustments can influence how much space the tire has at the fender, steering components, and suspension.
That is why a size that belongs on the model generally may still need closer evaluation on an individual car. Checking wheel width, backspacing or offset where relevant, and visible clearance at full steering lock helps prevent surprises, especially on a collector vehicle that may have been updated long after it left the factory.
What should I inspect before driving a 1973 Lincoln Continental on new tires?
Before driving a 1973 Lincoln Continental on new tires, inspect the wheel condition, confirm proper inflation, and make sure the selected size matches the car's actual wheel and body setup. It is also smart to look for any signs of rubbing risk, loose suspension components, or uneven wear patterns that may point to alignment or mechanical issues.
A short, careful road test is a good follow-up once the tires are mounted. Pay attention to steering feel, straight-line tracking, and any contact noises during turning or over bumps, since a large, heavy luxury car can reveal fitment problems gradually rather than immediately when sitting still in the garage.
How should 230R15 and 235R15 tires on a collector 1973 Lincoln Continental be maintained?
Collector-car tires in 230R15 or 235R15 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and attention to age-related condition as well as tread wear. A 1973 Lincoln Continental often spends long periods parked, so sidewall cracking, flat spotting, bulges, cuts, and slow air loss deserve as much attention as mileage.
Storage conditions matter too. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, standing moisture, and ozone-producing equipment can help protect the tires between drives, while occasional movement helps avoid one position bearing the vehicle's weight for too long. Even seldom-driven collector tires should be inspected closely before each road outing.
