1957 Chrysler Tire Fitment Guide

Two tire sizes fit 1957 Chrysler passenger cars in this range: 900-14 for the 1957 Chrysler New Yorker and 850-14 for the 1957 Chrysler Windsor. Both are bias-ply sizes and both mount on 14-inch rims. The 900-14 products fit rim widths from 6.00 to 7.00 inches, while the 850-14 products fit rim widths from 5.50 to 6.00 inches.

That means year and make alone are not enough to choose a tire for a 1957 Chrysler. You need to identify the model first, then confirm the actual wheel on the car. A New Yorker and a Windsor may look closely related at a glance, but their tire sizing is not interchangeable as a blanket rule, and the correct choice starts with matching the tire to the model-specific wheel and stance Chrysler intended.

On a 1957 Chrysler tire, 900-14 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 900 identifies the nominal section-width class used in period tire sizing, and the 14 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1957 Chrysler range covered here, that size belongs to the New Yorker and is offered in bias-ply construction with either a wide or narrow whitewall.

Numeric sizing can look unfamiliar if you are used to modern metric radials, but it is standard for many 1950s American cars. For a New Yorker restoration, the important takeaway is that 900-14 is the proper family of size to research, not an 850-14 Windsor tire and not a modern metric substitute chosen by guesswork. Once the size is confirmed, the next step is choosing the whitewall width that suits the look you want.

No. The 1957 Chrysler New Yorker uses 900-14, while the 1957 Chrysler Windsor uses 850-14. Both are 14-inch bias-ply fitments, but they are assigned by model rather than shared across the full Chrysler lineup for the year. The tire-size difference reflects the fact that the two cars occupied different places in Chrysler’s range.

That model split matters because choosing by year and make alone can lead you to the wrong section-width class and the wrong rim-width range. If you are unsure which 1957 Chrysler you have, verify the model designation on the car before comparing products. Once that is settled, the selection becomes much simpler, since each model here points to one correct period-style numeric size.

1957 Chrysler tires are available with either a wide whitewall or a narrow whitewall in both model-specific sizes. The 900-14 New Yorker fitment and the 850-14 Windsor fitment each come in BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply form with a 2.25-inch whitewall option and a 1.00-inch whitewall option. Both choices stay within the visual language of 1950s American full-size cars.

The practical difference is appearance, not basic fitment. A wider whitewall usually delivers a stronger mid-century luxury look, which many owners prefer on highly styled Forward Look Chryslers, while a narrower whitewall gives a cleaner and slightly more restrained presentation. If the car is being restored for judged use, match the sidewall treatment to period photos, factory literature, and the standards used by the club or event that will evaluate the car.

BFGoodrich makes the currently listed tires for 1957 Chrysler vehicles in both required sizes, 900-14 for the New Yorker and 850-14 for the Windsor. In each size, the available products are from the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line and are offered with either a wide whitewall or a narrow whitewall. All of the listed fitments remain faithful to the bias-ply construction associated with the period.

For a buyer, that narrows the decision to model-correct size first and sidewall appearance second, rather than comparing several different brands with different construction approaches. BFGoodrich also carries strong historical recognition in the American collector market, which matters to owners who care about period flavor as much as fitment. If your goal is consistency across a full restoration, it helps that both 1957 Chrysler sizes available here come from the same classic-style product family.

For the 1957 Chrysler, the BFGoodrich 2.25 Inch Whitewall and 1.00 Inch Whitewall options differ primarily in sidewall appearance rather than basic construction. In 900-14, both New Yorker products are bias-ply, both carry a 1860-pound maximum load capacity at 32 psi, both fit 14-inch rims, and both fit 6.00 to 7.00-inch rim widths. In 850-14, both Windsor products are also bias-ply, both carry a 1740-pound maximum load capacity at 32 psi, both fit 14-inch rims, and both fit 5.50 to 6.00-inch rim widths.

That means the choice comes down to how much whitewall presence you want on the car. A 2.25-inch whitewall creates a more formal, upscale late-1950s look, while a 1.00-inch whitewall gives a subtler presentation without changing the underlying size or load rating. Owners restoring a car to a particular visual theme should compare old photos, dealer brochures, or club guidance before deciding which whitewall width best suits their 1957 Chrysler.

1957 Chrysler rim-width requirements depend on model and tire size. The 900-14 tire used on the 1957 Chrysler New Yorker fits 6.00 to 7.00-inch rim widths, while the 850-14 tire used on the 1957 Chrysler Windsor fits 5.50 to 6.00-inch rim widths. Both sizes use a 14-inch rim diameter, but they do not share the same approved rim-width range.

That distinction is one of the most important checks to make before replacing tires on a car that may have had wheels swapped during its lifetime. Even when the wheel diameter matches, width still affects how the tire sits and behaves. Measure the wheel or verify the wheel specification already on the car before finalizing your choice, especially if the vehicle has been restored, customized, or passed through multiple owners.

The available 1957 Chrysler products are listed as bias-ply tires, but the size markings shown here do not carry a tube-type or tubeless designation. That means tube requirements should be confirmed against the wheel design and the specific tire’s sidewall marking before installation. On a 1950s American car, wheel condition and whether the rim was intended for tubeless service are just as important as the tire itself.

A good installation plan starts by inspecting the wheels for rust, pitting, and bead-seat condition, then verifying whether your chosen product and wheel combination should run with a tube. If your 1957 Chrysler still has original-style wheels, it is wise to have a vintage-tire specialist assess them rather than assume that every 14-inch bias-ply setup is handled the same way. That extra step can prevent leaks, pinched tubes, and mounting problems.

Original 1957 Chrysler wheels can only be shared across both tire sizes if the actual wheel matches the required 14-inch diameter and the correct rim-width range for the intended model. The New Yorker’s 900-14 tires need 6.00 to 7.00-inch rims, while the Windsor’s 850-14 tires need 5.50 to 6.00-inch rims. Shared diameter alone does not make the wheels interchangeable in every case.

For that reason, wheel compatibility should be checked model by model rather than assumed across the whole 1957 Chrysler line. If a car has replacement steel wheels, aftermarket wheels, or a mixed set gathered over many years, verify width before mounting tires. Owners often focus on the 14-inch diameter because it is easy to see, but width is the detail that determines whether the tire sits in its intended range.

A 1957 Chrysler should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone sources that age rubber. Keep the tires properly inflated, roll the car periodically if possible, and avoid leaving it parked for very long periods on damp concrete or in standing moisture. Bias-ply tires also tend to flat-spot more readily during extended static storage than later radial designs.

For a collector Chrysler that sits through winter or long restoration pauses, a little preparation goes a long way. Clean the tires before storage, keep the car out of petroleum spills and solvents, and consider moving it or supporting it appropriately if it will remain parked for months at a time. Good storage habits preserve sidewall appearance, help reduce temporary flat spotting, and protect the investment in hard-to-find vintage-style tires.

Tires on a 1957 Chrysler should be judged more by age and condition than by tread wear, because many collector cars accumulate low mileage. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating them closely once they are about five to seven years old and to treat around ten years as a strong point for replacement consideration, even if they still look usable. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish actual age.

That age-based approach matters because rubber can harden and crack long before the tread appears worn out on a hobby car. A Chrysler that comes out only for shows, local cruises, or occasional highway trips may still be riding on old tires that have aged beyond their comfortable service life. If the car’s history is unclear, start with the date code, then inspect the sidewalls and tread area carefully before planning regular road use.

Tires on a 1957 Chrysler should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, tread separation, uneven wear, and signs that the tire has lost pressure while parked. On a collector car that may sit for stretches, the inspection should also include valve stems and the condition of the spare.

Frequent checks matter because age-related tire issues often appear long before a classic car covers enough miles to wear the tread down. A quick walk-around before leaving the garage can catch a tire that has gone soft, developed a visible crack, or picked up damage since the last drive. For a larger 1957 Chrysler, that simple habit is one of the easiest ways to protect both the car and the trip you planned.

The 1957 Chrysler New Yorker in this range uses 900-14 sizing, and bias-ply construction is consistent with what buyers would expect from a late-1950s American full-size luxury car. The currently available products in that size are bias-ply BFGoodrich tires with either a wide whitewall or a narrow whitewall. For exact market- or trim-specific presentation details, period literature and Chrysler marque specialists remain the best final reference points.

For restoration work, the key point is that a 900-14 bias-ply tire keeps the New Yorker within the visual and engineering language of its original era. Whitewall width can then be matched to the look you are trying to recreate, whether that means a broader luxury appearance or a more restrained sidewall treatment. If the car will be judged, verify what the event expects before choosing the final sidewall style.

Correct tire fitment matters on a shown 1957 Chrysler because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the size, construction type, and sidewall style fit the era and the model. A New Yorker wearing 850-14 Windsor tires, or a Windsor wearing the wrong section-width class, can look visibly off to someone familiar with the cars. Sidewall appearance also affects whether the finished car reads as properly restored.

For most events, the safest path is to start with the proper model-specific size and then choose the whitewall width that best matches your target presentation. Club standards, concours expectations, and regional judging practices can vary, so owners seeking points should compare period photos and ask the relevant marque group what they consider acceptable. Getting the tires right helps the whole stance and attitude of a 1957 Chrysler come together.

For restoration use on a 1957 Chrysler, the BFGoodrich 2.25 Inch Whitewall and 1.00 Inch Whitewall versions are mechanically alike within each size and differ mainly in appearance. In 900-14 for the New Yorker, both share the same bias-ply construction, 14-inch rim diameter, 6.00 to 7.00-inch rim-width range, 27-pound weight, and 1860-pound maximum load at 32 psi. In 850-14 for the Windsor, both share the same bias-ply construction, 14-inch rim diameter, 5.50 to 6.00-inch rim-width range, 25-pound weight, and 1740-pound maximum load at 32 psi.

That makes the whitewall width a styling decision rather than a fitment or load-capacity decision. A broader whitewall often better suits the dramatic, upscale visual tone many enthusiasts associate with 1957 Chrysler design, while the narrower band gives a cleaner custom or restrained restoration look. If authenticity is the priority, use period photography and event standards to decide which treatment best reflects the way your particular Chrysler should present.

1957 Chrysler tires in the sizes covered here are bias-ply products, and no separate speed-rating letter is shown for the available 900-14 or 850-14 offerings. A properly installed, correctly inflated, age-sound bias-ply tire can be used for normal road driving, but its road feel and response will remain true to period construction rather than modern radial behavior. On a 1957 Chrysler, overall highway confidence also depends heavily on the condition of the brakes, steering, suspension, and wheel bearings.

For practical road use, the safest approach is to treat the tires as one part of the larger system and to drive a freshly checked collector car within sensible limits. Bias-ply tires can follow grooves and feel different from modern cars, especially on rough pavement or after long storage. If your Chrysler has been off the road for some time, inspect the tires closely and have the rest of the chassis evaluated before planning extended highway travel.

The listed 1957 Chrysler tires show a maximum load and pressure of 1860 pounds at 32 psi for 900-14 and 1740 pounds at 32 psi for 850-14. Those figures describe the tire’s rated maximum load condition, not automatically the pressure Chrysler specified for every driving situation. The correct running pressure for your car should be checked against the factory recommendation for the model and the tire maker’s guidance for the reproduction tire you choose.

The important point is not to transfer a pressure assumption from one 1957 Chrysler model to the other just because both use 14-inch bias-ply tires. New Yorker and Windsor fitments differ in size, load rating, and rim-width range, so pressure should be set deliberately rather than by habit. If the owner’s manual and tire guidance differ, work from model-correct recommendations and the tire manufacturer’s limits rather than inflating to the sidewall maximum by default.

Before taking a 1957 Chrysler on a longer drive, inspect all four tires and the spare for cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, and stable inflation. Confirm that the car is wearing the correct model-specific size, 900-14 for a New Yorker or 850-14 for a Windsor, and make sure the valve stems and wheel condition look sound. A long-stored collector car also deserves a broader mechanical check that includes brakes, steering, cooling, and fluid leaks.

That pre-trip routine matters more on a 1950s Chrysler than on a modern daily driver because age, storage, and infrequent use can create problems that are not obvious at a glance. Even a tire with good tread can be compromised by age or sidewall deterioration. Building a habit of checking the tires first, then the rest of the chassis, gives you a much better chance of enjoying the drive instead of troubleshooting at the roadside.