1949 Chrysler Tire Fitment Guide

1949 Chrysler uses three distinct tire sizes depending on the model group. The Crown Imperial uses 890-15, the New Yorker and Saratoga C46 use 820-15, and the Royal and Windsor C45 use 760-15. All three sizes mount on 15-inch wheels. Rim width ranges are size-specific where listed: 890-15 uses 6.50 to 7.00-inch rims, 820-15 uses 6.00 to 6.50-inch rims, and 760-15 uses 5.50 to 6.00-inch rims on the products that publish that information.

That means the correct starting point is always the exact model group, not simply the fact that the car is a 1949 Chrysler. Once the model is identified, the next decision is mostly visual, such as blackwall versus whitewall width, because all of the listed fitments are bias-ply designs from the proper era. Matching the tire to the model first helps keep wheel fit, stance, and overall proportion in line with how these postwar Chryslers were intended to look.

On a 1949 Chrysler, 890-15 is an older numeric bias-ply tire size. The 890 portion is the nominal section width designation used in period sizing, and the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a modern metric size and it does not read like a later radial code. Within the 1949 Chrysler range, 890-15 belongs to the Crown Imperial.

That older numeric format matters because the replacement tire should be selected as a reproduction-style bias-ply size rather than by trying to convert it casually to a modern passenger-car code. It also points to the place of the Crown Imperial in the lineup, since Chrysler reserved the largest of the three listed sizes for its flagship model. When comparing products, focus on the correct size first, then choose the sidewall treatment that fits your restoration goals.

No, 1949 Chrysler models do not all use the same tire size. The Crown Imperial uses 890-15, the New Yorker and Saratoga C46 use 820-15, and the Royal and Windsor C45 use 760-15. Even though every one of those tires fits a 15-inch wheel, the sizes are assigned by model group rather than shared across the entire Chrysler line.

That distinction is important because a buyer who only knows the year and make can still end up in the wrong size. Chrysler's postwar lineup was broad enough that the flagship, upper-series, and core full-size cars each carried their own fitment. Once the model is confirmed, choosing among available blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall versions becomes much easier, and the result is more likely to preserve the proportions and visual character appropriate to that specific car.

1949 Chrysler tires are offered in several period-appropriate sidewall styles, but the choices vary by size. The 890-15 size appears in wide whitewall and blackwall form, 820-15 appears in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall form, and 760-15 appears in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall form. Those options give buyers room to match the tire to the character of the car, from a more restrained driver look to a fuller late-1940s presentation.

For a formal postwar Chrysler restoration, whitewalls are often the visual direction buyers expect, especially on upper-series cars, while blackwalls can suit a more understated look or certain personal-period builds. The important point is not just picking a whitewall, but picking the width that complements the model and the way the car will be judged or displayed. Marque specialists and period photos are helpful if you are chasing a market- and trim-appropriate presentation.

Several brands cover 1949 Chrysler fitments, and the brand mix changes by size. The 890-15 size is available from Firestone and Avon, the 820-15 size appears from BFGoodrich, Firestone, and US Royal, and the 760-15 size appears from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire. All of the listed fitments for these Chrysler applications are bias-ply designs rather than modern radials.

That brand spread gives buyers flexibility without changing the basic period-correct construction. In practice, the better comparison is often between sidewall appearance, published load figure, and the wheel-width range shown for the exact size, rather than simply picking by name alone. If you are trying to match a specific restoration style, brand heritage may matter to you, but the first priority is still selecting the correct Chrysler model group and then the correct numeric size.

In 890-15 for the 1949 Chrysler Crown Imperial, Firestone appears in wide whitewall versions with a listed maximum load of 2500 pounds at 40 psi and a stated rim-width range of 6.50 to 7.00 inches. Avon appears as the Turbospeed in blackwall form with a listed 110S marking, an S speed rating with a 112 mph ceiling, and a maximum load of 2,337 pounds. Both are bias-ply tires for the same 15-inch rim diameter.

That means the practical choice is less about overall fitment and more about appearance and the way you want the car presented. A wide whitewall Firestone supports the formal luxury look many buyers associate with a Crown Imperial, while the Avon blackwall offers a different visual character and includes an explicit speed rating in its size marking. Confirm the wheel width on the car before final selection, since that published range is not shown the same way on every product.

Published rim-width ranges for 1949 Chrysler tires vary by size. The 890-15 products list 6.50 to 7.00-inch rim widths, the 820-15 products list 6.00 to 6.50-inch rim widths, and the 760-15 products list 5.50 to 6.00-inch rim widths on the products that include that specification. All three sizes use a 15-inch rim diameter, but the width requirement narrows as the tire size steps down through the Chrysler lineup.

That is why wheel diameter alone is not enough when checking a set of original or replacement wheels. A 15-inch wheel from one 1949 Chrysler model group is not automatically the right width for another size, even if it will accept the same bead diameter. Before finalizing a tire, measure the wheel you intend to use and compare it to the published width range for that exact size so the tire sits properly and preserves the right stance.

The listed 1949 Chrysler fitments are all bias-ply tires, but tube status is not marked the same way in every size listing. There are no TT or TL markings shown in the size fields for 890-15, 820-15, or 760-15, so tube use should be confirmed against the exact tire and wheel combination you plan to run. On collector cars of this era, wheel design and wheel condition are often just as important to the decision as the tire itself.

The practical approach is to inspect whether the car still uses original-style rims and to verify the exact product's sidewall marking before installation. Tube-type fitments also place more importance on the condition of the tube, flap if applicable, and valve stem, especially on a car that sits for long periods. Treat tube choice as part of the overall wheel-and-tire setup rather than assuming one rule applies across every 1949 Chrysler product in these sizes.

Original 1949 Chrysler wheels can only be shared across sizes if both the wheel diameter and the wheel width match the tire's requirements. All three 1949 Chrysler tire sizes use a 15-inch rim diameter, but their published rim-width ranges differ: 760-15 is narrower than 820-15, and 890-15 is wider still. That means wheel interchange is not a simple yes-or-no question across the entire Chrysler lineup.

A wheel from a Royal or Windsor should not automatically be assumed suitable for a Crown Imperial tire just because both use a 15-inch bead seat. Chrysler assigned different tire sizes to different model groups for a reason, and wheel width is part of that equation. If the car has replacement wheels or a mixed set collected over the years, measure each one and match it to the intended tire size before mounting anything.

A 1949 Chrysler should be stored in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment that can accelerate sidewall aging. Keep the tires properly inflated, roll the car occasionally so one section of the tread is not carrying the load for months at a time, and make sure the floor stays clean and free of petroleum contamination. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to flat-spotting during long static storage.

If the car will sit for an extended season, many collectors also reduce strain by using tire cradles or supporting the vehicle in a way that does not leave full weight on one contact patch indefinitely. The goal is to preserve both shape and sidewall condition, since a low-mileage collector tire can still age out while parked. Good storage habits make the car smoother and more confidence-inspiring when it returns to the road.

Tires on a 1949 Chrysler should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. On collector cars, a good rule is to begin close inspection and professional evaluation once a tire reaches about five to seven years of age, and to consider replacement as it approaches ten years, even if the tread still looks strong. The DOT date code, when present on the tire, is the best way to establish age.

That matters because many postwar Chryslers see occasional use, which can fool owners into thinking a tire is still fresh simply because it has not worn much. Sidewall weathering, internal aging, and long idle periods all count against an old tire, especially on a heavy full-size car. If a tire's age is nearing that upper range, replacement planning is usually wiser than waiting for visible failure signs to appear.

Tires on a 1949 Chrysler should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer road outing. Look closely for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, unusual tread wear, low inflation, and any sign that the car has been sitting on a soft tire. Since these are vintage-style bias-ply fitments, a quick visual inspection is not enough if the car has been parked for a long time; pressure retention and valve-stem condition matter too.

A more thorough inspection at regular service intervals is also wise, especially if the car is trailered to events or driven only occasionally. Check the spare as carefully as the four road tires, because an old unused spare often ages just as much as the mounted set. Building that inspection habit into your pre-drive routine is one of the simplest ways to avoid turning a pleasant vintage Chrysler outing into an avoidable roadside problem.

The 1949 Chrysler Crown Imperial falls squarely in the period when American passenger cars were built around bias-ply tires, and its listed fitment is 890-15. That makes a bias-ply reproduction in the correct numeric size the right starting point for an authentic restoration. The exact sidewall treatment can vary depending on how the car was ordered and presented, so buyers pursuing factory-level accuracy should confirm market and trim details through period photos, literature, or Chrysler marque experts.

For most restorers, the biggest authenticity markers are the size itself, the bias-ply construction, and the visual character of the sidewall rather than the name on the tire. A Crown Imperial asks for a tire that matches its flagship presence, and the larger 890-15 size is part of that identity. If the car will be shown, it is worth checking event-specific judging standards before making the final blackwall versus whitewall decision.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1949 Chrysler because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction type, and sidewall appearance almost immediately. A Crown Imperial on 760-15 tires, or a Royal on 890-15 tires, would look visibly off to anyone familiar with the line. The same applies to sidewall treatment, since an incorrect whitewall width can change the whole stance and era impression of the car.

Even at casual shows, tire fitment has a strong effect on how authentic the car feels at first glance. Chrysler's 1949 lineup ranged from core full-size cars to a formal flagship, and the tire should support that identity rather than blur it. If you are preparing for judged competition, check with the relevant Chrysler club or event organizers so your size and sidewall choice aligns with the standards that particular venue expects.

In 760-15 for 1949 Chrysler Royal and Windsor C45 models, BFGoodrich appears in both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall versions, while Coker Classic appears in a wide whitewall version. The published BFGoodrich wide whitewall and the Coker Classic wide whitewall both list a maximum load of 1710 pounds at 32 psi and both fit 15-inch rims with a 5.50 to 6.00-inch width range. Their listed weights are close as well, with BFGoodrich at 26 pounds and Coker Classic at 25 pounds.

That leaves the practical difference centered more on brand preference and sidewall presentation than on a major fitment split. If you want a narrow whitewall in this size, BFGoodrich gives you that route, while buyers after a broad whitewall have more than one period-style choice. Since Royal and Windsor models are the most accessible cars in the 1949 Chrysler family, the tire's visual finish can play a major role in whether the car reads as restrained, upscale, or fully dressed for show.

1949 Chrysler tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, in sound condition, properly inflated, and used within their design limits. All of the listed fitments are bias-ply tires, and one 890-15 option carries an S speed rating, which corresponds to a 112 mph ceiling. That is far beyond normal highway use, but tire capability is only part of the picture on a large postwar Chrysler whose braking, suspension, steering, and overall mechanical condition deserve equal attention.

For real-world use, the safest approach is to think in terms of the complete car rather than the tire alone. A freshly inspected set of correct tires on a well-sorted Chrysler is more important than chasing an abstract top-speed number. Before any sustained road use, verify the condition of the wheel bearings, steering components, brakes, and alignment, because those systems often define how comfortable and secure an older Chrysler feels at modern traffic speeds.

Inflation pressure for 1949 Chrysler tires should not be guessed from another size in the lineup. Published maximum load and pressure figures differ by size: 890-15 examples list 2500 pounds at 40 psi, 820-15 examples list 1920 pounds at 32 psi, and 760-15 examples list 1710 pounds at 32 psi where load information is shown. Those are tire ratings, not blanket instructions for every 1949 Chrysler application.

The best practice is to begin with the original Chrysler owner's manual or factory tire-pressure guidance for your exact model, then compare that with the reproduction tire manufacturer's recommendations for the specific product you are using. A heavier Crown Imperial and a lighter Royal do not ask the same thing of their tires, even though both are 1949 Chryslers. Keeping pressure matched to the correct size and application helps preserve ride quality, wear pattern, and stability.

Before taking a 1949 Chrysler on a longer drive, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, and proper inflation. Make sure the spare is usable, the valve stems are sound, and the wheels are free of visible damage or severe corrosion. On an older collector car, tires are only one part of the equation, so the pre-drive check should also include brakes, steering response, fluid levels, cooling system condition, and basic lighting.

That broader inspection matters because a long trip puts steady heat and load into a car that may normally see only short local outings. A Chrysler that looks fine at a show field can reveal very different behavior after an hour on the road. Spending a few extra minutes on the tires and the rest of the chassis before departure is one of the most effective ways to make the drive more enjoyable and to avoid preventable trouble far from home.