1955 Studebaker Tire Fitment Guide

1955 Studebaker vehicles use three tire sizes: 640-15, 670-15, and 710-15. The Champion appears with 640-15 and 670-15, the Commander uses 670-15, and the President uses 710-15. All three sizes mount on 15-inch wheels. Listed rim-width ranges run 4.00 to 5.00 inches for 640-15 depending on the tire, 4.50 to 6.00 inches for 670-15 depending on the tire, and 5.00 to 5.50 inches for 710-15.

Model identification matters because 1955 Studebaker did not use one tire size across the entire passenger-car range. A Champion owner may need to sort between two possible sizes, while Commander and President owners have one main size to focus on. The smartest next step is to compare the car's model designation, the size already mounted if it is known to be correct, and the actual wheel width before choosing a reproduction tire.

On a 1955 Studebaker, 640-15 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 6.40 indicates the nominal section width in inches, and the 15 indicates the wheel diameter in inches. That coding style was standard on many American cars of the period and does not work like a modern metric radial size. In the 1955 Studebaker range, 640-15 appears only on Champion applications.

A buyer reading 640-15 should think in terms of period-correct bias-ply fitment, wheel diameter, and sidewall appearance rather than modern aspect-ratio math. For a Champion, that size usually points toward a more compact fitment than the larger 670-15 or 710-15 alternatives used elsewhere in the lineup. Before settling on a specific tire, confirm that the wheel falls within the selected product's listed rim-width range and choose the sidewall style that matches the car's restoration goal.

No, 1955 Studebaker models do not all use the same tire size. Champion models can use 640-15 or 670-15, Commander models use 670-15, and President models use 710-15. Even though all three sizes fit 15-inch wheels, the section widths and recommended wheel-width ranges differ enough that model-specific selection matters.

That means a buyer should not assume that any 15-inch Studebaker tire from 1955 is automatically correct for every car in the lineup. The Champion is especially important to verify because it appears with two possible sizes, while the President stands apart with the largest size in the group. If the car has changed hands over the years or has had wheels swapped, checking the actual wheel width along with the model badge will keep you from choosing by year alone.

1955 Studebaker tire choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles depending on size. The 640-15 offerings include wide whitewall and narrow whitewall versions, 670-15 includes blackwall and wide whitewall versions, and 710-15 includes blackwall and wide whitewall versions. Those style differences matter visually because 1950s American cars often wear much of their character in the tire sidewall treatment as much as in the tread itself.

Wide whitewalls generally suit a fuller period presentation on many mid-1950s American cars, while blackwalls can fit a plainer or more utilitarian look. A narrow whitewall on 640-15 gives Champion owners another appearance option that is distinct from the broader white band seen on other products. If the car is being restored for judged events, confirm what sidewall treatment is appropriate for the exact model and market presentation before choosing only by personal taste.

Several brands cover 1955 Studebaker sizes. The 640-15 range includes BFGoodrich and Firestone, the 670-15 range includes Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire, and the 710-15 range includes BFGoodrich and Firestone. All of the listed choices are bias-ply tires sized for the period and offered with sidewall treatments that fit the visual language of a 1955 American car.

Brand choice on a 1955 Studebaker often comes down to the size your model uses and the sidewall style you want to see on the car. Some sizes have a deeper spread of brands and sidewall variations than others, so a Commander owner shopping 670-15 will see broader choice than a President owner shopping 710-15. Once size is settled, compare the individual tire's appearance, rim-width compatibility, and published load rating instead of assuming every brand's version is identical.

Within 670-15 for a 1955 Studebaker, Firestone and Coker Classic differ in sidewall treatment, listed load rating, and wheel-width range. Firestone appears in blackwall form with a 1450-pound load rating at 32 psi and a 4.50 to 5.00 inch rim-width range, while Coker Classic appears as a 2.75-inch whitewall with a 1550-pound load rating at 32 psi and a broader 5.00 to 6.00 inch rim-width range. Both are bias-ply tires for 15-inch wheels.

That comparison matters because two tires in the same labeled size may still suit different wheel setups and restoration goals. A buyer choosing between them should first decide whether the car needs a blackwall or whitewall look, then verify which wheel width is actually on the car. If the wheel sits at the narrow end of the range, that alone may steer the decision before brand preference ever enters the picture.

1955 Studebaker tire rim-width requirements vary by size and by product. In 640-15, listed fitments span 4.00 to 4.50 inches on one BFGoodrich tire and 4.50 to 5.00 inches on Firestone versions. In 670-15, listed products cover 4.50 to 5.00 inches or 5.00 to 6.00 inches depending on the tire. In 710-15, the listed products use 5.00 to 5.50 inch rims.

That spread shows why matching the tire to the actual wheel is just as important as matching it to the model name. Two products with the same size code can have different approved wheel-width windows, especially in 640-15 and 670-15. Before choosing a tire for a 1955 Studebaker, measure the wheel or confirm its width from a reliable source so the tire's profile and fit are correct for the wheel you plan to use.

Original 1955 Studebaker wheels can share 15-inch diameter compatibility across the listed sizes, because 640-15, 670-15, and 710-15 all mount on 15-inch rims. Diameter alone does not make every wheel suitable for every tire, though, because the approved rim-width ranges change from one size and product to another. A 640-15 tire may call for a narrower wheel than a 710-15 tire, and some 670-15 products also differ from each other.

That means a wheel swap within the 1955 Studebaker family should always be checked by width, not just by diameter or bolt-up. The size stamped on the tire sidewall and the model badge on the car are good starting points, but the wheel itself still has to support the chosen tire properly. If the car has aftermarket or later replacement wheels, verify the wheel width before assuming the original size logic still applies.

A 1955 Studebaker should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, and other ozone sources that accelerate sidewall aging. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to flat-spotting when a collector car sits for long periods in one position. Clean concrete is fine, but standing moisture and long-term contact with contaminants should be avoided.

Moving the car periodically or placing it on stands for extended storage can help reduce casing stress and temporary flat spots. Keep the tires inflated, avoid letting them sit under heavy load while underinflated, and inspect the sidewalls before returning the car to the road after a layup. A preserved 1955 Studebaker often sees low mileage, so storage conditions can age the tires more than actual driving does.

Tires on a 1955 Studebaker are usually judged by age and condition more than by miles driven. A collector car can wear out its tires chemically long before it wears them out in tread depth, so a careful evaluation beginning around five to seven years of age is sensible, with replacement often considered by around ten years regardless of appearance. The tire's date code is the first place to look when establishing age.

That matters because many restored cars are driven only occasionally and can seem fine right up to the point that cracking, hardening, or internal aging becomes serious. A 1955 Studebaker that attends shows and weekend drives still needs the same age-based attention as a higher-mileage car. If the tires are older, start with a thorough inspection and treat appearance alone as an incomplete measure of remaining service life.

Tires on a 1955 Studebaker should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and pressure loss, and give extra attention to a car that has been sitting for weeks or months. Collector cars often spend more time parked than driven, so deterioration can sneak up even when the odometer barely changes.

A quick pre-drive routine helps catch problems before they become roadside failures. Check pressure with the tires cold, inspect the spare, and make sure the valve stems are in good condition along with the visible tire surfaces. If the car develops a pull, shimmy, or new vibration, do not assume it is only a suspension issue; a bias-ply tire on a 1955 Studebaker can telegraph tire condition changes quite clearly.

A 1955 Studebaker Champion would have been a bias-ply car when new, and the listed Champion sizes are 640-15 and 670-15. That fits normal American passenger-car practice for the period, when bias-ply construction was standard and modern radial replacements had not yet become the mainstream fitment they would later be. The exact size used on a given Champion can depend on the specific model and original wheel setup.

For an accurate restoration, start with bias-ply construction and then narrow the car to the correct Champion application before deciding between 640-15 and 670-15. Sidewall styling also plays a large role in authenticity, since different whitewall widths can noticeably change the look of a mid-1950s Studebaker. If the car is being restored to factory-delivery standards, a Studebaker marque club or factory literature is the right place to confirm market- and body-style-specific details.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1955 Studebaker because size, construction type, and sidewall style all affect how authentic the car appears. A Champion wearing a President size, or a car using the wrong whitewall treatment for its intended presentation, can look noticeably off even to a casual enthusiast. In judged settings, those details often carry real weight because they influence stance, proportions, and period character.

For show purposes, the goal is usually to match the tire's physical look as closely as possible to what the car would have worn in period. On a 1955 Studebaker, that means starting with the correct numeric bias-ply size for the model and then choosing a sidewall treatment that fits the restoration plan. Marque-specific judging standards can vary, so event rules and Studebaker club guidance are worth checking before finalizing the tire choice.

In 710-15 for the 1955 Studebaker, BFGoodrich and Firestone share the same basic size, 15-inch rim diameter, and listed 1550-pound load rating at 32 psi, but they differ in sidewall presentation and weight. BFGoodrich appears in both blackwall and wide whitewall versions, with listed weights of 21 to 23 pounds depending on style, while Firestone appears in blackwall form at 24 pounds. The listed rim-width range for both is 5.00 to 5.50 inches.

That makes the choice less about raw fitment and more about appearance and brand preference within the correct President size. A wide whitewall BFGoodrich will change the car's visual character more than a blackwall Firestone, even though both fit the same wheel diameter and width range. When aiming for a particular restoration style, choose the sidewall look first and then confirm that the wheel still falls within the tire's approved range.

1955 Studebaker tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, in good condition, properly inflated, and used within their design intent. The listed 640-15, 670-15, and 710-15 products are all bias-ply tires, and no speed ratings are shown for these offerings. On a mid-1950s Studebaker, the car's own braking, suspension, steering, and overall mechanical condition are often just as important to road safety as the tire itself.

Practical highway confidence comes from matching the tire to the model, keeping the inflation correct, and making sure the car has been inspected as a whole. Bias-ply tires also have a different on-road feel from modern radials, so a driver should expect more vintage manners in tracking and response. If the car has been sitting or is newly acquired, a cautious shake-down drive is wise before any sustained higher-speed use.

The listed tires for 1955 Studebaker applications show their load ratings at 32 psi: 640-15 products are listed at 1190 pounds at 32 psi, with one narrow-whitewall version at 970 pounds at 32 psi; 670-15 products are listed at 1450 pounds at 32 psi or 1550 pounds at 32 psi depending on the tire; and 710-15 products are listed at 1550 pounds at 32 psi. Those figures are tire ratings, not a blanket inflation instruction for every Studebaker model.

Use the vehicle's original inflation guidance as your first reference, then compare it with the reproduction tire maker's published rating for the exact tire you select. Pressure should not be transferred casually from one Studebaker size to another just because all of them fit 15-inch wheels. If the car carries passengers, luggage, or sees longer road trips, keeping pressures consistent and checked cold becomes even more important.

Before a longer drive in a 1955 Studebaker, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, tread wear, and any signs of age-related separation. Check cold inflation pressure, verify that the spare is usable, and look over the valve stems while the car is on level ground. Since these are collector-era bias-ply fitments, it is also smart to pay attention to any vibration or pull that suggests a tire or wheel issue before the trip begins.

A tire check should be one part of a broader pre-drive routine that also includes brakes, steering, cooling, fluids, and lights. Longer trips put heat and sustained load into a vintage car in ways that short local drives do not, so small issues can become larger ones quickly. If the car has been stored for a while, drive it locally first and recheck the tires after the initial outing before committing to more miles.