1955 Buick Tire Fitment Guide

1955 Buick vehicles use three tire sizes: 710-15, 760-15, and 800-15. The 40 Special appears with either 710-15 or 760-15, the 50 Super uses 760-15, the 60 Century uses 760-15, and the 70 Roadmaster uses 800-15. All three sizes mount on 15-inch rims, but their recommended rim width ranges differ where published: 710-15 fits 5.00 to 5.50 inches, 760-15 fits 5.50 to 6.00 inches, and 800-15 fits 6.00 to 6.50 inches.

The practical takeaway is that year and make alone are not enough for a 1955 Buick. You need to identify whether you have a Special, Super, Century, or Roadmaster first, then verify the wheel width on the car before selecting a tire. That matters most on Specials, since they can follow two different size paths within the same model line.

A 710-15 on a 1955 Buick is a numeric bias-ply tire size. In this older sizing system, the first number is the nominal section width designation rather than a modern metric width, and the final number means the tire fits a 15-inch wheel. On 1955 Buick applications, 710-15 belongs to the 40 Special and is offered in traditional bias-ply construction with blackwall or wide whitewall styling.

Modern buyers sometimes assume the code works like a radial size, but it does not. The value of understanding 710-15 is that it points you toward a true period-style tire for a Special, along with the correct 15-inch wheel diameter and the narrower rim-width window associated with that size. That helps avoid comparing it directly to larger Buick sizes that look similar on paper but serve different models.

No, 1955 Buick models do not all use the same tire size. The 40 Special can use 710-15 or 760-15, the 50 Super and 60 Century use 760-15, and the 70 Roadmaster uses 800-15. Buick kept the same 15-inch rim diameter across the line, but the tire section sizes step up as you move through the range.

That means a Roadmaster owner should not assume the same tire that fits a Super or Century is correct, even though the wheel diameter matches. It also means Special owners should be especially careful, because their model is the one place where more than one size appears. Verifying the exact model and checking the wheel width already on the car is the cleanest way to narrow the choice.

The right choice for a 1955 Buick depends on the model, not on a preference between different construction types, because all three available sizes are bias-ply. The 40 Special uses 710-15 or 760-15, the 50 Super and 60 Century use 760-15, and the 70 Roadmaster uses 800-15. Since all are 15-inch bias-ply sizes, the main selection issue is matching the tire to the Buick model and wheel width rather than deciding between bias-ply and radial behavior.

For a buyer, that simplifies the decision in one sense and makes model identification more important in another. If your goal is an era-correct 1955 Buick appearance and driving character, each listed size already points you in that direction. The remaining choice comes down to the model line, the wheel dimensions on the car, and whether you want blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall styling where available.

1955 Buick tires are available in several period-appropriate sidewall styles, depending on size. The 710-15 size can be found as blackwall or wide whitewall, the 760-15 size is available in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall form, and the 800-15 size is offered as wide whitewall with different whitewall widths. Those choices align well with the styling expectations of mid-1950s American cars, where whitewall presentation was an important part of the finished look.

The best sidewall choice depends on how original you want the car to appear and which Buick model you own. A blackwall can suit a more understated presentation, while wide whitewalls are often what people expect to see on a restored 1955 Buick. If show judging matters, it is wise to compare your tire’s sidewall width and appearance to period photos, factory literature, or marque-club guidance for your exact model and market.

Several brands cover 1955 Buick fitments. The 710-15 size is available from BFGoodrich and Firestone, the 760-15 size is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire, and the 800-15 size is available from Coker Classic. All of those offerings are bias-ply tires, which is appropriate for a Buick of this era.

Brand choice usually comes down to the size your Buick requires and the appearance you want, especially when comparing blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options. Because some brands appear only in certain sizes, the model can narrow the field quickly. A Roadmaster owner, for example, has a different brand mix from a Special owner, simply because the size itself is different.

Published rim width guidance for 1955 Buick tires varies by size. The 710-15 size is paired with 5.00 to 5.50-inch rims, 760-15 is paired with 5.50 to 6.00-inch rims, and 800-15 is paired with 6.00 to 6.50-inch rims. All of the Buick sizes here use a 15-inch rim diameter, but the wider tire sizes need correspondingly wider wheels.

That makes wheel measurement an important part of setup, especially on cars that may have had wheels swapped during earlier restorations. A tire can share the correct 15-inch diameter and still be a poor match for the wheel if the rim width falls outside the intended range. Checking the actual wheel before mounting tires is the best way to avoid stance, wear, and fitment issues.

The available 1955 Buick products are listed as bias-ply tires, but the individual size markings shown here do not carry a tube-type or tubeless designation. That means the correct tube decision should be confirmed from the specific tire’s sidewall marking and from the wheel itself, especially on original-style mid-1950s rims. Tube use on collector cars is often influenced as much by wheel design and condition as by the tire alone.

A buyer should treat tubes as a fitment detail to verify before final installation rather than a feature to assume across the entire Buick range. If the car retains original wheels, inspect the wheel condition, valve stem area, and sealing surfaces carefully. When in doubt, checking the exact tire and wheel combination with a marque specialist or experienced vintage tire installer is the safest approach.

Original 1955 Buick wheels share a 15-inch tire diameter across the Special, Super, Century, and Roadmaster ranges, so the tire bead diameter is consistent. That said, 710-15, 760-15, and 800-15 do not all call for the same rim width. Published ranges step from 5.00 to 5.50 inches for 710-15, to 5.50 to 6.00 inches for 760-15, and to 6.00 to 6.50 inches for 800-15.

The important distinction is that a shared wheel diameter does not automatically make every 15-inch Buick wheel ideal for every Buick tire size. A Special-size wheel may not be the right foundation for a Roadmaster-size tire, even though both are 15-inch applications. If your car has replacement wheels or mixed parts, measuring before purchase is much smarter than relying on the wheel diameter alone.

A 1955 Buick should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Bias-ply tires also tend to develop flat spotting more readily during long periods of sitting than modern radials, so regular movement helps. Clean floors, stable temperatures, and protection from moisture all contribute to longer tire life on a collector car.

For a Buick that spends long stretches parked, slightly changing its position from time to time can reduce the stress of static loading on one patch of tread. Some owners also use stands or carefully managed storage methods for longer layups, but the key is not to leave the car neglected on soft, underinflated tires. Storage habits matter as much as mileage on low-use collector vehicles.

Tires on a 1955 Buick should be judged more by age and condition than by miles traveled. A useful rule for collector vehicles is to begin evaluating tires closely once they are around five to seven years old and to give serious replacement consideration as they approach ten years, even if the tread still looks good. The DOT date code on the tire is the quickest way to establish age.

That matters because many restored Buicks see light seasonal use, which can make old tires appear healthy long after the rubber has begun to harden. Sidewall cracking, loss of flexibility, persistent air loss, or a rougher ride can all appear before the tread is worn out. Age-based replacement thinking is one of the simplest ways to keep a collector car more trustworthy on the road.

Tires on a 1955 Buick should be inspected before every drive and given a more thorough check before any longer outing. Look for visible cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and signs that the tire is no longer holding pressure consistently. On an older Buick, the condition of the spare should be checked too, because it may be the oldest tire on the car.

A short pre-drive inspection is especially worthwhile on collector cars that may sit between uses. If the tire and wheel combination ultimately uses tubes, valve stems and any signs of slow leakage deserve extra attention. Catching small issues before a road trip is far easier than dealing with a failure on the shoulder in a heavy, mid-1950s full-size car.

A 1955 Buick 40 Special would have originally used bias-ply tires, which was still the standard American passenger-car construction for the period. Within the 1955 Buick range, the Special appears with 710-15 and 760-15 fitments, so the correct starting point is to confirm which application your particular car follows. Original-equipment branding can vary by market and production details, so the most reliable path is to focus first on the correct size, construction, and sidewall presentation.

For restoration work, that means a bias-ply replacement is the appropriate architectural match for the car’s era. If your goal is a factory-style appearance, compare your Buick against period literature, unrestored examples, and marque-club references to settle the exact size and whitewall treatment. That extra step is worthwhile on Specials because they are the one 1955 Buick model line here that spans two size possibilities.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1955 Buick, especially at events that judge authenticity. Judges and knowledgeable Buick enthusiasts often notice whether the tire size suits the model, whether the construction matches the era, and whether the sidewall treatment looks appropriate for the car’s year and presentation. On a 1955 Buick, using Roadmaster-size tires on a Special or the wrong whitewall style can change the car’s visual proportions quickly.

Even when a show is not fully concours-level, proper tire fitment helps the whole restoration read correctly. The tire is one of the largest visual elements on the car, and it affects stance, wheel opening fill, and period character. If event rules are strict, check with Buick marque clubs or the specific judging body so the size, construction, and sidewall details match what that event expects.

For a 1955 Buick using 710-15, BFGoodrich and Firestone both offer bias-ply options in that size, and both share the same published load rating of 1550 pounds at 32 psi where shown. BFGoodrich appears in blackwall and wide whitewall versions, while Firestone appears here in blackwall form. Published weights are close but not identical, with BFGoodrich listings around 21 to 23 pounds and Firestone at 24 pounds.

The meaningful difference for most owners is visual presentation rather than a dramatic change in fitment. If you want a 710-15 blackwall, both brands are part of the conversation, while a wide whitewall points you toward the BFGoodrich offerings listed here. Since the rim-width range stays the same at 5.00 to 5.50 inches where shown, the final choice is largely about brand preference and the sidewall look you want on the Special.

The available 1955 Buick tires shown here are all bias-ply designs, and no speed ratings are listed for these products. That means they should be approached as period-style tires for period-style cars, with the understanding that the Buick’s own braking, suspension, steering, and overall mechanical condition are just as important as the tires at modern road speeds. A healthy 1955 Buick on properly selected, properly maintained tires can be driven on public roads, but it should be treated with the respect any mid-1950s full-size car deserves.

Highway use is less about chasing the tire’s outer limit and more about driving within the comfort zone of the entire vehicle. If the car wanders, vibrates, pulls, or reacts poorly to crosswinds, those issues should be corrected before sustained higher-speed driving. Safe road use starts with the right size, proper inflation, good alignment, and realistic expectations for a heavy classic Buick on bias-ply rubber.

Published maximum load figures for 1955 Buick tires here are tied to 32 psi where listed: 710-15 is shown at 1550 pounds at 32 psi, 760-15 at 1710 pounds at 32 psi, and 800-15 at 1800 pounds at 32 psi. Those figures are tire capacity ratings, not necessarily the factory operating pressure Buick specified for every model. The right running pressure should be confirmed against the owner’s manual or factory service information for your exact Buick, then checked against the tire maker’s guidance for the reproduction tire you choose.

The key point is not to transfer a pressure number casually from one size to another just because all three use 15-inch wheels. A Special on 710-15 and a Roadmaster on 800-15 are not the same application. Start with the car’s original pressure guidance, verify that it makes sense for the specific tire being used, and monitor wear and ride quality as part of normal setup.

Before a longer drive in a 1955 Buick, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, visible cord, and uneven wear, then confirm that all four hold pressure consistently. Check the spare as carefully as the road tires, since it may have aged out even if it has never been used. A tire inspection should be part of a larger walk-around that also includes brakes, steering feel, fluid levels, lights, and cooling-system readiness.

Longer trips put more heat and stress into every part of a vintage car, so small tire issues become more important. A car that only goes to local events may hide problems that show up after an hour at speed. Giving the tires a deliberate inspection before departure is one of the easiest ways to reduce roadside surprises in a 1955 Buick.