1952 Plymouth Tire Fitment Guide

1952 Plymouth vehicles use two tire sizes: 640-15 and 670-15. The P22 appears with both 640-15 and 670-15, while the P23 uses 670-15. Both sizes are bias-ply fitments and both mount on 15-inch rims. Rim width ranges in the available products run from 4.00 to 5.00 inches for 640-15, depending on brand, and from 4.50 to 6.00 inches for 670-15, again depending on the specific tire.

That means year and make alone are not enough if you own a P22, because the car may be associated with either size. P23 owners can start with 670-15 immediately, while P22 owners should confirm what is on the car now and compare it to the wheel width before choosing. Once the size is settled, the next decision is usually sidewall style rather than construction, since both sizes here stay within traditional bias-ply design.

A 640-15 tire on a 1952 Plymouth uses the older numeric bias-ply sizing system. The 640 portion is the nominal section width designation written in period style, and the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a modern metric size, and it does not encode the kind of aspect-ratio detail buyers expect from newer radial tire markings.

That older format matters because you should compare 640-15 only against other period numeric sizes, not assume it cross-references directly to a modern passenger-car code. On the 1952 Plymouth range, 640-15 is associated with the P22 only, so it is a more model-specific fitment than 670-15. If your goal is an authentic early-1950s look on a P22, this is one of the key sizes to confirm against the wheel already on the car.

No, all 1952 Plymouth models in this group do not use the same tire size. The P23 uses 670-15, while the P22 appears with both 640-15 and 670-15. Both sizes share a 15-inch rim diameter and both are bias-ply, but the actual size assignment still changes by model and, in the P22's case, by the specific setup on the car.

That difference is important because a buyer who only knows they have a 1952 Plymouth could easily end up comparing the wrong size first. Start by identifying whether the car is a P22 or P23, then verify the tire size currently fitted and the wheel width. Doing that early narrows the choices quickly and prevents confusion when you begin deciding between blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall versions.

The right choice for a 1952 Plymouth depends first on the model and existing wheel setup, not on a bias-ply versus radial decision, since both sizes here are bias-ply. The P23 uses 670-15, while the P22 can appear with either 640-15 or 670-15. Both fit 15-inch rims, but the available products show different rim-width ranges, so the car's actual wheel should be checked before treating them as interchangeable.

A P23 owner should begin with 670-15 because that is the size associated with that model. A P22 owner has to be more careful and should confirm whether the car is set up for the narrower 640-15 or the more broadly shared 670-15. After that, the decision usually shifts to the visual character you want, such as a blackwall for a plainer look or a whitewall for a more formal early-1950s appearance.

1952 Plymouth tires are offered in several sidewall styles depending on size. The 640-15 size is available in wide whitewall and narrow whitewall versions, while 670-15 appears in blackwall and wide whitewall form. Those options stay true to the period, since early-1950s American cars commonly appeared with blackwall or whitewall tires depending on trim level, market preference, and owner taste.

For a restoration-minded owner, sidewall choice has a strong influence on the finished look even when the tire size is correct. A wide whitewall gives a more upscale, highly period-correct visual impression for many 1952 Plymouth builds, while a blackwall suits a more understated presentation. If you are preparing the car for judged events, confirm the expected sidewall treatment with a Plymouth club or event rulebook before making the final call.

Several brands cover 1952 Plymouth fitments. In 640-15, the available brands are BFGoodrich and Firestone. In 670-15, the available brands are Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire. All of the listed options for these two sizes stay within traditional bias-ply construction, which aligns well with the character of an early-1950s American Plymouth.

Brand choice on a collector car often comes down to the look you prefer, the exact sidewall treatment you want, and how closely you want the tire to match the period style of the vehicle. Some owners focus on a specific heritage name, while others focus more on whitewall width or wheel-width compatibility. Once you narrow the size correctly, comparing brands within that size is the most useful next step.

Rim width requirements for 1952 Plymouth tires vary by size and by the specific tire chosen within that size. In 640-15, available products cover rims from 4.00 to 5.00 inches wide, with some tires centered around 4.00 to 4.50 inches and others around 4.50 to 5.00 inches. In 670-15, the available range starts at 4.50 inches and extends up to 6.00 inches depending on the brand and product.

That spread is why it is important to measure or verify the wheel already on the car instead of assuming every 15-inch Plymouth wheel works equally well with every tire. A 15-inch rim diameter alone is only part of the fitment picture. Once the wheel width is confirmed, you can narrow the field to the tires built for that range and then decide which sidewall style best matches your 1952 Plymouth.

The listed 1952 Plymouth fitments are traditional bias-ply tires, and the available products are presented in tube-type style rather than modern explicitly tubeless passenger-car fitments. That applies to both 640-15 and 670-15 in the available range. On an early-1950s car, wheel condition also matters, because an original rim may have different sealing characteristics than a later tubeless-design wheel.

Inner-tube decisions should always be matched to the exact tire and wheel combination you plan to use. If the car still wears original-type wheels, many restorers treat tubes as part of a proper period setup and inspect the rim carefully before installation. It is wise to confirm tube compatibility, flap needs if any, and valve-stem details when finalizing the tire choice so the whole assembly works as intended.

Original 1952 Plymouth wheels can potentially be used with both listed tire sizes because 640-15 and 670-15 both mount on 15-inch rims. That shared diameter is the main point of compatibility across the range. The more important limit is rim width, since the available products for 640-15 and 670-15 do not all share the exact same approved wheel-width range.

A wheel that accepts one of these sizes is not automatically ideal for every version of the other size. Before reusing original wheels, confirm their actual width and compare that against the specific tire you are considering rather than relying on size name alone. That is especially important on a P22, where both 640-15 and 670-15 appear, because the car may have been fitted differently over time.

A 1952 Plymouth should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment. Bias-ply tires can develop temporary flat spotting more readily than later radials when they sit for long periods, so occasional movement helps. Keeping the car clean underneath and avoiding damp floors also helps protect both the tires and the wheels.

If the car will sit for months, maintain proper inflation and either roll it periodically or support it in a way that reduces continuous load on one contact patch. Many collector owners also use tire cradles or stands for long storage intervals. Good storage practice preserves the sidewalls, keeps the casing shape healthier, and makes the first drive of the season easier on an older Plymouth chassis.

Tires on a 1952 Plymouth usually age out before they wear out, especially on a collector car that sees limited mileage. A practical rule is to begin evaluating them closely once they reach about five to seven years of service and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement consideration regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code, if present on the tire, is the best way to establish age rather than guessing from appearance alone.

Collector cars often fool owners because low annual mileage can make an older tire look usable when the rubber has already hardened or begun to crack. Age, storage conditions, inflation history, and exposure to heat and ozone all matter more than odometer miles on a 1952 Plymouth. If the car has been stored for a long time, inspect the tires carefully before trusting them for regular road use.

Tires on a 1952 Plymouth should be inspected before every drive, with a more deliberate check before any longer outing. Look for visible sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, and signs of pressure loss. Because these are period-style bias-ply fitments, it is also smart to pay attention to valve-stem condition and to any symptoms that suggest tube or rim issues on a car that has been sitting.

A short local drive can hide a problem that becomes obvious only after speed and heat build on a longer run. Spend a minute checking pressure retention, tread condition, and the spare before heading out, especially if the car has not been used recently. On an older Plymouth, catching a tire issue early is one of the simplest ways to avoid roadside trouble and protect hard-to-replace original components.

A 1952 Plymouth P22 would have been fitted in the era with bias-ply tires, not modern radials, and the available P22 sizes here are 640-15 and 670-15. That matches what buyers expect from an early-1950s American Plymouth, when bias-ply construction was still standard practice. Sidewall style could vary by how the car was equipped and presented, with blackwall and whitewall choices both fitting the period visually.

If you are restoring a P22 for authenticity, start by confirming which of the two period sizes belongs on your specific car and wheel setup, then choose the sidewall treatment that best matches the build. Avoid assuming that a single Plymouth size applied to every body style or market variation. For show-level accuracy, compare against factory literature and consult Plymouth marque specialists before finalizing the tire and sidewall combination.

Correct tire fitment matters on a shown 1952 Plymouth because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the size, construction, and sidewall style suit the era. A tire can be mechanically usable and still look out of place if the sidewall treatment is wrong for the car's presentation or if the size does not match the expected stance. On an early-1950s Plymouth, bias-ply construction is usually part of that authenticity picture.

For a local driver, you may prioritize appearance and general period flavor. For a judged restoration, details become stricter, and the difference between a narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, or blackwall can matter almost as much visually as the tire size itself. If the car will be evaluated in a marque-specific setting, check that event's standards and compare your intended tire choice against known Plymouth references before mounting a full set.

The main difference between whitewall and blackwall tires for a 1952 Plymouth is visual character rather than basic fitment. In the available range, 640-15 comes in wide whitewall and narrow whitewall forms, while 670-15 is offered in blackwall and wide whitewall versions. All remain bias-ply tires, so the choice is largely about how formal, upscale, or understated you want the car to appear.

Whitewalls tend to emphasize the full early-1950s American look and often suit a carefully restored sedan or coupe especially well. Blackwalls create a plainer, workmanlike presentation that can still be entirely appropriate depending on the car and how it is being represented. If authenticity is the goal, choose the sidewall style that best matches the trim level, market presentation, and restoration standard you are following.

1952 Plymouth tires in these fitments are traditional bias-ply tires, and highway safety depends as much on condition, age, inflation, and wheel compatibility as on size alone. The listed tires include load ratings such as 1190 pounds at 32 psi for some 640-15 products and 1450 to 1550 pounds at 32 psi for listed 670-15 products. On a well-maintained collector car, the tire is only one part of the equation, since brakes, steering, suspension, and alignment all affect road manners on a 1952 Plymouth.

A sound bias-ply tire can be used on public roads when it is properly matched to the wheel and kept in good condition, but it will still feel different from a modern radial. Expect more vintage-style handling response and take that into account on longer or faster drives. Before regular highway use, make sure the tires are not aged out, the pressures are appropriate, and the rest of the car is equally ready for sustained road speed.

Available 1952 Plymouth tires in 640-15 and 670-15 include load figures rated at 32 psi on the listed products, including 1190 pounds at 32 psi on some 640-15 tires and 1450 to 1550 pounds at 32 psi on listed 670-15 tires. Those figures are tire ratings, not a blanket instruction to inflate every Plymouth to the same pressure in every use case. Tire size and tire model should always stay matched to their own rating information.

Use the original Plymouth owner's literature as the starting point for vehicle inflation guidance, then compare it with the tire maker's rating for the exact reproduction tire you are using. Do not transfer a pressure figure from 670-15 to 640-15 or assume all brands within one size should be treated identically. Pressure tuning on a collector car should be cautious, deliberate, and tied to the actual tire mounted on the wheel.

Before a longer drive in a 1952 Plymouth, inspect the tires for cracking, cuts, bulges, unusual wear, and pressure loss. Check the valve stems, confirm the spare is usable, and make sure the wheel hardware is secure. Because these are older-style bias-ply fitments, it is especially helpful to notice any vibration, pull, or flat-spot behavior during the first miles after the car has been stored.

Tire condition is only one part of preparing an early-1950s car for the road, so extend that check to brakes, steering, cooling, and fluid condition before committing to a longer outing. A 1952 Plymouth in good mechanical order can be very enjoyable to drive, but age-related weaknesses usually reveal themselves under sustained heat and distance. Spending a few extra minutes in the garage is easier than troubleshooting on the shoulder.