1948 Chrysler Tire Fitment Guide

1948 Chrysler vehicles use three tire sizes: 890-15 for the Crown Imperial, 820-15 for the New Yorker & Saratoga C39 and for some Royal & Windsor C38 applications, and 760-15 for Royal & Windsor C38 applications. All three sizes mount on 15-inch rims. Where rim-width guidance is available, 890-15 fits 6.50 to 7.00-inch rims, 820-15 fits 6.00 to 6.50-inch rims, and 760-15 fits 5.50 to 6.00-inch rims.

That means the right tire for a 1948 Chrysler starts with identifying the exact model and then confirming the actual wheel width on the car. This matters most on Royal and Windsor C38 cars, because both 760-15 and 820-15 appear in the range, and the wheel itself helps determine which size belongs on your particular setup. A quick wheel check can prevent ordering a size that is correct for the year but wrong for the rim.

On a 1948 Chrysler, 820-15 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 8.20 designation is the nominal section width, and the 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a modern metric radial code, so it does not read like a P-metric or Euro-metric size. On 1948 Chrysler applications, 820-15 appears on the New Yorker & Saratoga C39 and also on Royal & Windsor C38 models.

Numeric bias-ply sizing is typical of the late 1940s, and understanding that helps you choose the right reproduction tire rather than trying to compare it directly to a modern passenger-car size by name alone. If your goal is an authentic postwar look, staying within the original numeric format is usually the cleanest path. Once the size is confirmed, you can refine the choice by selecting a Blackwall, Narrow Whitewall, or Wide Whitewall appearance.

No, 1948 Chrysler models do not all use the same tire size. The Crown Imperial uses 890-15, the New Yorker & Saratoga C39 use 820-15, and the Royal & Windsor C38 can use either 760-15 or 820-15 depending on the application. Even though all of these tires fit 15-inch rims, the tire width and compatible rim-width range are not the same across the full Chrysler lineup.

That distinction matters because a buyer who searches only by year and make can easily land on a tire that belongs to a different Chrysler model. The Crown Imperial, for example, sits in a different part of the range than a Royal or Windsor, and Royal/Windsor owners need to be especially careful because both sizes appear under that model family. Verifying the model badge and wheel width before making a final choice is the smart next step.

1948 Chrysler tires are available in several period-appropriate sidewall styles depending on size. The 890-15 size appears in Blackwall and Wide Whitewall versions, 820-15 is offered in Blackwall, Narrow Whitewall, and Wide Whitewall, and 760-15 is available in Narrow Whitewall and Wide Whitewall. All of the available sizes are bias-ply, so the visual choice is mainly about how formal or understated you want the finished car to look rather than switching between different construction types.

For many 1948 Chrysler restorations, sidewall style influences the car's presentation almost as much as the wheel itself. Wide Whitewalls tend to complement the upscale, fully styled postwar Chrysler look, while Blackwalls and narrower whitewalls can suit a more restrained appearance or a less formal restoration theme. If show authenticity matters, match the sidewall treatment to the way your specific model would have been trimmed and marketed, then confirm event-specific expectations with a Chrysler marque club.

Several brands cover 1948 Chrysler fitments, but the brand mix changes by size. The 890-15 size is available from Firestone and Avon, 820-15 is offered by BFGoodrich, Firestone, and US Royal, and 760-15 appears from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire. Every listed option for these fitments is a bias-ply tire, keeping the selection aligned with the postwar construction style Chrysler originally used.

Brand choice on a 1948 Chrysler usually comes down to appearance details, series preference, and which size your model requires rather than a completely different fitment strategy. A Crown Imperial owner, for instance, has a different brand pool than a Royal or Windsor owner simply because the size is different. Once the correct size is settled, comparing the available whitewall widths or a Blackwall option is often more useful than trying to force brand uniformity across the entire 1948 Chrysler range.

In 890-15 for 1948 Chrysler Crown Imperial models, Firestone offers Wide Whitewall versions with a listed 2500-pound maximum load at 40 psi and a stated rim-width range of 6.50 to 7.00 inches. Avon offers the Turbospeed in a Blackwall configuration with a 110S size marking and a listed 2,337-pound load figure. Both are bias-ply 15-inch tires, but they differ in sidewall appearance, load listing, and the presence of a speed symbol on the Avon tire.

That makes the decision less about whether one tire fits and more about which presentation better suits your Crown Imperial. A Firestone wide whitewall leans into the formal late-1940s luxury-car look, while the Avon Blackwall offers a more restrained appearance and carries an S speed marking, which corresponds to 112 mph. Before deciding, confirm that your wheel falls within the intended width range for the specific tire you are considering.

Rim-width guidance varies by tire size on 1948 Chrysler applications. The 890-15 size is paired with 6.50 to 7.00-inch rims, 820-15 with 6.00 to 6.50-inch rims, and 760-15 with 5.50 to 6.00-inch rims where that information is listed. All three sizes use a 15-inch rim diameter, but they are not meant for the same wheel width.

That difference is especially important on 1948 Chrysler Royal & Windsor C38 cars because both 760-15 and 820-15 can appear in the model group. If the car has been restored, re-wheeled, or assembled from mixed parts over the years, checking the actual wheel before choosing a tire is the safest approach. Matching the tire to the correct rim width supports proper profile shape, appearance, and overall fit on the car.

The available 1948 Chrysler tires are offered as bias-ply products, but the size markings shown here do not add a uniform tube-type or tubeless marker across the range. Because of that, tube use should be confirmed against the exact tire selected and the wheel that will carry it. On a late-1940s Chrysler with original-style wheels, inner tubes are commonly part of the conversation because wheel condition and design matter just as much as the tire itself.

The practical step is to inspect the wheel before final assembly rather than assuming that every 1948 Chrysler tire in a given size will be set up the same way. Original riveted or aging steel wheels may call for a more careful approach than freshly restored wheels prepared for modern service. If your car will be driven regularly, include valve stems, wheel surface condition, and the spare in the setup plan instead of treating the tire as a stand-alone component.

Original 1948 Chrysler wheels can often be used with the available tire sizes because every listed fitment uses a 15-inch rim diameter. That said, 890-15, 820-15, and 760-15 do not share the same rim-width range, so wheel diameter alone is not enough to confirm interchangeability. A wheel that suits one of these sizes may not be the right width for another.

This matters most when a car has changed hands several times or when wheels have been swapped between Chrysler models during a restoration. A Crown Imperial wheel setup should not be assumed to match a Royal or Windsor simply because both cars are 1948 Chryslers on 15-inch tires. Measure the wheel, identify the model correctly, and use those two points together before deciding which size belongs on the car.

A stored 1948 Chrysler should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Because these fitments are bias-ply, long stationary periods can encourage flat-spotting more readily than many modern radial applications. Maintaining proper inflation, keeping the car off damp surfaces, and moving it periodically can help reduce stress on both the casing and the sidewalls.

Collectors who plan to park a 1948 Chrysler for an extended season often benefit from rolling the car occasionally or using stands carefully to reduce sustained load, especially on a heavier model such as the Crown Imperial. Storage also affects appearance, not just service life, so a whitewall tire should be kept clean and protected from staining. A little preparation before storage can make spring recommissioning much easier and more predictable.

On a 1948 Chrysler, tire age usually matters more than mileage because many collector cars are driven sparingly. A sensible rule is to evaluate tires closely once they reach the five- to seven-year range and to treat around ten years from the date code as a point for serious replacement consideration, even if tread remains. That timeline applies whether the tire still looks presentable or has seen only occasional fair-weather use.

The reason is that rubber hardens and internal materials age over time, and a low-mileage postwar Chrysler does not escape that process. Whitewall cosmetics can stay attractive long after the casing has begun to age, so appearance alone is not enough. Checking the date code, reviewing how the car has been stored, and considering any prior underinflation or long static periods gives a much better picture of whether the tires are still appropriate for road use.

Tires on a 1948 Chrysler should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look closely for sidewall cracking, weathering, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, and pressure loss. On collector cars that spend a lot of time parked, those checks are often more important than mileage-based maintenance because the car may age its tires far more in storage than on the road.

A thorough inspection routine also helps catch supporting issues before they spoil a trip. Check valve stems, inspect the spare, and make sure the car is not developing wheel or suspension problems that show up through unusual tire wear. If your 1948 Chrysler uses tubes with its wheel-and-tire setup, keeping an eye on slow pressure changes becomes even more important, since a tire can look sound externally while still losing air over time.

The 1948 Chrysler Crown Imperial falls squarely in the postwar American period when bias-ply construction was the original standard, and its listed size here is 890-15. That makes a reproduction bias-ply tire in the correct numeric format the closest match to the type of tire the car would have carried when new. No specific original-equipment brand should be assumed unless you have period paperwork, factory literature, or a well-established Chrysler reference that confirms it for your exact car.

For a serious restoration, construction type, size, and sidewall presentation all matter more than choosing a famous period-sounding brand name at random. The Crown Imperial's formal character often makes whitewall selection especially visible, so appearance should be matched carefully to the way the car is being restored. If you are preparing a concours car, use the 890-15 bias-ply size as the foundation and then confirm market- or event-specific details through Chrysler club references.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1948 Chrysler because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice tire size, construction, and sidewall style immediately. A Crown Imperial wearing the wrong numeric size, or a Royal or Windsor fitted with a size that does not match its wheel-width setup, can look visibly off even before anyone studies the details. On a postwar Chrysler, a modern-looking substitute can also change the car's stance and visual balance.

For show purposes, getting the fitment right means more than simply finding any 15-inch tire that mounts. The whitewall width and the overall period appearance should support the model's original character, whether that is the flagship formality of the Crown Imperial or the more accessible Royal and Windsor presentation. Event standards vary, so once the proper size and bias-ply construction are chosen, a Chrysler marque club or judging guide is the best source for final authenticity expectations.

For 1948 Chrysler Royal & Windsor C38 models, both 760-15 and 820-15 appear as fitments, but they are not interchangeable by assumption. The 760-15 size is paired with 5.50 to 6.00-inch rims where listed, while 820-15 is paired with 6.00 to 6.50-inch rims. Both are numeric bias-ply 15-inch tires, yet they represent different width classes and support different wheel setups within the same Chrysler model family.

That distinction is important for restoration accuracy because a tire can be period-correct in style and still be wrong for the actual wheel on the car. On Royal and Windsor C38 models, the best path is to identify the specific car and measure the wheel rather than assuming one Royal/Windsor size suits every example. Doing that preserves the proper look and avoids forcing a wider or narrower tire onto a wheel it was not meant to use.

1948 Chrysler tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, properly installed, correctly inflated, and in sound condition. All listed fitments for these cars are bias-ply, and one 890-15 Avon offering carries an S speed rating, which corresponds to 112 mph. Other products in the range do not show a speed letter in the size marking, so they should be treated according to the manufacturer's intended use and the realities of the vehicle itself.

On a 1948 Chrysler, the car's own age, suspension condition, steering, and braking capability are usually more important to real-world highway confidence than chasing the highest theoretical tire speed ceiling. Bias-ply tires also feel different from modern radials, with more period-correct steering response and road feel. Before longer highway use, make sure the tires are fresh, the pressures are appropriate, and the rest of the chassis is ready for sustained speed.

Inflation pressure on 1948 Chrysler tires should be set with the specific tire size and the vehicle's factory guidance in mind, not copied from a different Chrysler model or tire size. The available load-and-pressure figures include 2500 pounds at 40 psi for 890-15, 1920 pounds at 32 psi for 820-15, and 1710 pounds at 32 psi for 760-15 on the products that list them. Those figures describe the tire's rated carrying capability, not automatically the exact pressure every car should run in service.

The best approach is to start with the owner's manual or period Chrysler inflation recommendation for your exact model and then compare that against the reproduction tire's own rated pressure information. A Crown Imperial should not be assigned the same pressure by default as a Royal or Windsor simply because both use 15-inch wheels. Keeping each size tied to its own rating avoids overgeneralizing and helps preserve ride, wear, and casing health.

Before a longer drive in a 1948 Chrysler, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and any sign of impact damage, then verify cold inflation pressure and make sure the spare is serviceable. A postwar Chrysler should also have its valve stems checked carefully, especially on older wheel-and-tire assemblies where age can affect sealing components as much as the tire itself. Whitewalls deserve a close look too, since cosmetic aging can sometimes distract from more important structural concerns elsewhere on the casing.

Tire preparation should be part of a broader pre-trip review on any 1948 Chrysler, especially one that has spent long periods off the road. Check steering response, brake behavior, and whether the car tracks straight before committing to a long outing. If the tires are the correct model-specific size and the rest of the chassis is in proper order, the car will be far better suited to the kind of steady touring these Chryslers were built to do.