The 1985 Chrysler New Yorker came from an era when American luxury sedans emphasized formal styling, comfort, and an upscale road presence rather than overt performance. As one of Chrysler’s flagship passenger cars of the mid-1980s, it appeals today to owners who want to preserve that composed, distinctive character. The 1985 Chrysler New Yorker uses a 185/70R14 radial tire on a 14-inch rim, so the fitment question is less about multiple sizes and more about choosing the right interpretation of that size. Available options include traditional blackwall radials, a wide whitewall treatment, and several well-known tire series. The right choice depends on whether the priority is restoration-oriented appearance, touring use, or maintaining the car’s original visual balance.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1985 Chrysler New Yorker
The 1985 Chrysler New Yorker uses one primary tire size: 185/70R14, a radial fitment for a 14-inch rim. The New Yorker Base uses that same size, so the main decision is not between multiple fitments, but between available tire styles, brands, and whether the car is being kept in a more traditional luxury presentation or a more understated blackwall look.
185/70R14 is a metric radial size in which 185 identifies nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 14 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1985 Chrysler New Yorker, this is the primary fitment and it matches the car’s mid-1980s radial-tire design. Choices within this size include blackwall options from Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, along with a 2.25-inch wide whitewall BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial. It is the size to use when the goal is to keep the car on its intended 14-inch wheel format while selecting the appearance and tire character that best suits the vehicle.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1985 Chrysler New Yorker. The covered New Yorker Base uses the same 185/70R14 radial size, so confirming the sub-model is mainly helpful for avoiding confusion rather than sorting between different tire dimensions.
1
1985 Chrysler New Yorker Base
The 1985 Chrysler New Yorker Base uses the 185/70R14 radial tire size on a 14-inch rim. That keeps tire selection focused on choosing among available radial products, sidewall presentation, and wheel-width compatibility rather than deciding between different primary fitments.
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.
Best 1985 Chrysler New Yorker Tires for Sale
Available 185/70R14 choices for the 1985 Chrysler New Yorker span BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. The product grid lets you compare blackwall and wide whitewall presentations, distinct tire series, and rim-width compatibility within the same primary radial size.
Showing 5 of 5
Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 185/70R14
Owners researching 1985 Chrysler New Yorker tires usually want clarity on the 185/70R14 fitment, 14-inch rim compatibility, available sidewall styles, and how to choose among the radial options for restoration use or regular road driving.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1985 Chrysler New Yorker?
The 1985 Chrysler New Yorker uses a 185/70R14 radial tire. That is the primary fitment for this model, and the covered New Yorker Base uses the same size, so there is no need to sort between multiple original tire dimensions for this page.
The practical next step is confirming that the car still has 14-inch wheels in an appropriate width range for the tire being considered. If the car has been changed to aftermarket wheels or a different wheel diameter at some point, the tire choice should be matched to the actual wheel on the car rather than assumed from model year alone.
What size rim does a 1985 Chrysler New Yorker use?
The 1985 Chrysler New Yorker uses a 14-inch rim with its 185/70R14 tire size. The tire size itself confirms the wheel diameter, since the final number in 185/70R14 refers to a 14-inch rim.
Wheel diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so wheel width still matters when comparing tires in this size. Product specifications in 185/70R14 show different approved rim-width ranges, making it smart to confirm the actual wheel width before choosing between available touring, whitewall, or blackwall radial options.
Does the 1985 Chrysler New Yorker Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1985 Chrysler New Yorker Base uses the same 185/70R14 radial tire size as the core fitment for this vehicle page. That makes sub-model fitment simple, with no alternate primary size to sort out for the Base.
Even with shared fitment, it is still worth checking the actual wheels on the car if it has been restored, personalized, or maintained over many years. A New Yorker that has different wheels than its original 14-inch setup may need a different tire strategy, but a stock-style wheel package keeps the search centered on 185/70R14.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 185/70R14 tire for a 1985 Chrysler New Yorker?
Start with the correct size and construction: 185/70R14 radial on a 14-inch rim. From there, the main differences are sidewall appearance, tire series, brand, approved rim-width range, and whether the tire suits the way the car will be presented and driven.
A New Yorker kept in a more formal, restoration-oriented style may call for a wide whitewall presentation, while a simpler blackwall may better suit a different look. It also helps to compare wheel width, load figures where stated, and the overall visual character of the tire so the finished car does not look over- or under-tired.
What sidewall styles are available for 1985 Chrysler New Yorker tires?
185/70R14 tires for the 1985 Chrysler New Yorker are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Blackwall options appear across several radial tire series, while the BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial offers a 2.25-inch whitewall for a more traditional luxury-car presentation.
That sidewall choice has a strong effect on how the car looks even when the size stays the same. A wide whitewall tends to emphasize the New Yorker’s formal mid-1980s luxury character, while blackwall tires create a more understated appearance, so the right answer depends on the look the owner wants to preserve.
What brands offer tires for the 1985 Chrysler New Yorker?
The 1985 Chrysler New Yorker’s 185/70R14 size is available from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Those brands cover several radial tire series, including Silvertown Radial, CR6ZZ, Sport Classic, Michelin XAS, and Sprint Classic.
Choosing among them comes down to the type of presentation and specification set that best matches the car. Some options lean toward a traditional collector-car look, while others present a more performance-oriented blackwall appearance, so it is useful to compare sidewall treatment, wheel-width suitability, and the overall visual tone each tire gives the New Yorker.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1985 Chrysler New Yorker?
A period-style 1985 Chrysler New Yorker should stay with the correct 185/70R14 radial size first. Within that size, the most appearance-driven choice is whether the car looks right with a wide whitewall treatment or with a blackwall radial that gives a more restrained mid-1980s presentation.
The decision depends on the specific restoration direction rather than on size alone. Owners pursuing a historically faithful look should compare the car’s existing trim, wheel covers, and reference photos from the era, then choose a tire that supports that visual balance without assuming every available sidewall style is equally authentic for every New Yorker.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1985 Chrysler New Yorker restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because the 185/70R14 size affects both stance and visual proportion on a 1985 Chrysler New Yorker. Even a luxury sedan from this period can look noticeably different when the tire profile, sidewall treatment, or wheel diameter departs from the intended overall presentation.
Restoration-minded owners should think beyond simple drivability and pay attention to how the tire fills the wheel opening and complements the car’s formal styling. Keeping the proper size on the proper rim diameter is the foundation, then the sidewall style and tire series can be chosen to support a cleaner, more era-appropriate finished appearance.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1985 Chrysler New Yorker?
Yes. A 1985 Chrysler New Yorker originally centered on a 185/70R14 tire, but modifications can change what is workable on the car. Different wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body and trim adjustments can all affect clearance and the way a tire sits in the wheel opening.
That matters most when the car no longer carries its stock-style wheel setup. Before choosing a tire, confirm the actual rim diameter and width, then look at steering clearance, fender clearance, and overall suspension condition so the selected 185/70R14 product matches the car as it exists today, not only as it left the showroom.
What should I inspect before driving a 1985 Chrysler New Yorker on new tires?
Before driving a 1985 Chrysler New Yorker on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the wheel size is correct, and check that the tires are mounted and inflated properly. It is also wise to look over suspension and steering components so the car can make proper use of the new radial tires.
A collector-era sedan that has sat for long periods deserves extra attention to brake condition, alignment, and any signs of rubbing at full steering lock. After installation, recheck air pressure and watch for vibration, pull, or uneven clearance, since those issues often reveal wheel, suspension, or mounting concerns that deserve correction early.
How should 185/70R14 tires on a collector 1985 Chrysler New Yorker be maintained?
185/70R14 tires on a collector 1985 Chrysler New Yorker should be kept at proper pressure, inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, and uneven wear, and protected from long periods of heat, sunlight, and moisture. Cars that are driven infrequently need tire attention even when tread still looks good.
Low-use storage can hide age-related issues, so maintenance should include checking for air loss and watching how the sidewalls and tread surfaces are aging over time. It also helps to move the car periodically and keep the suspension and alignment in sound condition, since an infrequently used luxury sedan can develop flat spotting or irregular wear patterns.
