1973 Plymouth Valiant & Duster Tires

The 1973 Plymouth Valiant & Duster uses two primary tire sizes: 695-14 and D78-14. Both are bias-ply fitments and both use a 14-inch rim, so the key distinction is the tire size format rather than a change in wheel diameter or construction style.

The practical next step is to confirm which size is actually on the car now, especially on a vehicle that may have seen wheel or tire changes over the years. Sidewall markings, wheel width, and overall clearance are worth checking before choosing between a traditional bias-ply replacement in the same format or a radial alternative based on 695-14.

The primary tire fitments for the 1973 Plymouth Valiant & Duster are built around a 14-inch rim diameter. That applies to both 695-14 and D78-14, so wheel diameter remains consistent even though the tire sizing systems differ between numeric and alphanumeric bias-ply formats.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it helps to verify wheel width as well before selecting a tire. A car that still carries its original-style 14-inch wheels may accept the intended size more easily, but aftermarket wheels, replacement rims, or long-ago changes can affect the right tire choice and available radial-equivalent options.

The covered 1973 Plymouth Valiant & Duster sub-models share the same two primary tire sizes, 695-14 and D78-14. That includes the 6 & 8 Cyl. version and the w/Disc Brakes version, both of which stay with 14-inch bias-ply fitment rather than switching to a different wheel diameter.

Even with shared fitment, it is still smart to inspect the actual car before ordering tires. Many compact Mopars have been updated with replacement wheels, altered suspension, or different tire formats over time, so the best approach is to match the tire choice to the wheel on the vehicle and the kind of appearance or road use you want.

On the 1973 Plymouth Valiant & Duster, 695-14 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing format, and the available products in this fitment are bias-ply tires offered in several period-style sidewall treatments rather than radial construction in the same primary size.

That matters because staying with 695-14 bias-ply keeps the car in its original-style construction family, which many restoration-minded owners prefer for appearance and feel. Buyers considering a radial route should treat it as an equivalent-size decision rather than the same tire, and should verify wheel width, dimensions, and clearance before making the switch.

Radial equivalents for 695-14 include 175R14 as an 80-series metric radial, P185/75R14 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P195/70R14 as a 70-series P-metric radial. These options give a modern radial sizing path while still referencing the original 695-14 bias-ply fitment used on the 1973 Plymouth Valiant & Duster.

Each equivalent should be treated as a comparison point, not an automatic replacement. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 6 inches is associated with these alternatives, and the right choice depends on the actual wheel, the car's current clearance, and whether the goal is a more traditional appearance or a different radial profile.

Start by confirming the wheel diameter and wheel width on the car, then compare the intended radial equivalent to the original 695-14 fitment. For this application, 175R14, P185/75R14, and P195/70R14 are the radial alternatives to review, each with its own sizing convention and profile relationship to the bias-ply tire.

A careful conversion also means checking fender and steering clearance, overall tire space in the wheel opening, and the condition of suspension and steering components. A Valiant or Duster that has aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, or replacement brake parts can respond differently than a stock-style car, so the whole setup should be evaluated before changing construction.

Start with the basics: make sure the car is actually using 695-14 rather than D78-14, and confirm that the wheel is a 14-inch rim with a compatible width. After that, the main choice is the kind of presentation you want, since 695-14 is available in several bias-ply series and sidewall styles.

A blackwall gives a plainer look, while narrow whitewalls, dual redlines, and raised white letter styles create very different period impressions. Brand and tire series matter mainly as part of that overall combination, so it helps to decide whether the car is aimed at restoration-minded appearance, casual cruising, or a more performance-themed vintage look.

In 695-14, the available sidewall styles include blackwall, narrow whitewall, dual redline, RWL, and a raised white letter Blue Streak-style presentation. Those choices give the 1973 Plymouth Valiant & Duster a wide appearance range, from restrained stock-looking simplicity to a more assertive muscle-era visual treatment.

The right sidewall depends on how the car is being finished and how closely the owner wants to follow a period-style theme. A subdued driver often looks right on blackwalls or narrow whitewalls, while dual redlines and raised white letter treatments tend to stand out more, so it helps to consider wheel style, paint color, and overall restoration direction together.

For 695-14 fitment, the available brands include BFGoodrich, US Royal, and Goodyear. Those brands appear across multiple bias-ply series, including Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, US Royal Classic Bias Ply, Blue Streak, and Power Cushion, giving buyers several ways to match look and series character to the car.

Brand choice should be weighed alongside sidewall styling, rim-width compatibility, and the kind of finish you want the car to have. Since several options share similar load figures and basic construction type, the decision often comes down to which combination of brand identity, tire series, and sidewall treatment best fits the intended appearance of the Valiant or Duster.

A period-style approach usually starts by staying with one of the original-type 14-inch bias-ply fitments, either 695-14 or D78-14, depending on the wheel-and-tire setup on the car. For buyers working from 695-14, the available bias-ply choices offer enough variety to tune the car toward a modest compact look or a more assertive early-1970s street presentation.

The final decision often comes down to sidewall treatment and overall stance rather than brand alone. If exact originality matters beyond a general period-style result, checking marque literature, surviving unrestored cars, and vehicle-specific restoration references is worthwhile before settling on a whitewall, blackwall, dual redline, or raised white letter style.

Tire construction changes more than ride behavior; it also changes how a restored 1973 Plymouth Valiant & Duster looks at a glance. A bias-ply tire keeps the car in the sizing and visual language of its era, while a radial equivalent based on 695-14 moves the presentation toward a more modern format even when the wheel diameter stays the same.

That difference becomes noticeable in the way the tire fills the wheel opening and complements the car's trim, wheel covers, or sportier wheel choices. Owners focused on a traditional restoration theme often stay with bias-ply construction, while owners prioritizing road use may consider radial alternatives after checking dimensions and overall visual balance on the car.

Yes. A 1973 Plymouth Valiant & Duster may have changes that affect tire fitment even when the intended sizes are still 695-14 or D78-14 on 14-inch rims. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension changes, brake conversions, or altered ride height can all influence the space available for the tire.

That is why the actual car should be inspected before settling on a replacement or a radial equivalent. Looking at wheel width, backspacing or offset, steering clearance, and fender clearance can prevent surprises, especially on a car that has been modified gradually over many years rather than kept in a completely stock-style configuration.

Before putting a 1973 Plymouth Valiant & Duster back into regular road use on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and the basic condition of steering and suspension components. It also helps to confirm that the installed tire size matches the wheel correctly and that there is no rubbing at full steering lock or through suspension travel.

Collector-era cars often spend long periods parked, so the first miles should be approached carefully while watching for vibration, pull, unusual noise, or signs of air loss. Tire pressure should be checked regularly, and the sidewalls and tread should be rechecked after the first drives to make sure the car is settling into the new setup normally.

695-14 tires on a collector 1973 Plymouth Valiant & Duster should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly, and protected from the aging conditions that often affect low-use vehicles. Long storage periods, direct sunlight, excessive heat, and exposure to ozone sources can all shorten tire life even when tread wear is minimal.

Routine checks should include looking for cracking, flat spotting, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and any gradual loss of air pressure. Moving the car periodically, storing it on a clean dry surface, and keeping suspension and alignment in sound condition all help preserve the tires, whether the car is maintained as a weekend driver or a more presentation-focused collector vehicle.