1958 Pontiac Tire Fitment Guide

1958 Pontiac vehicles use two tire sizes: 800-14 and 850-14. The 800-14 size fits the 1958 Pontiac Chieftain, Star Chief, and Super Chief, while 850-14 fits the 1958 Pontiac Chieftain, Pontiac, Star Chief, and Super Chief. Both sizes mount on 14-inch wheels. Approved rim width ranges shown in current product offerings are 5.00 to 6.00 inches for 800-14 and 5.50 to 6.00 inches for 850-14.

That means year and make alone are not enough to choose correctly on every 1958 Pontiac. If you own a Pontiac model listed simply as Pontiac, the choice is straightforward at 850-14. If you own a Chieftain, Star Chief, or Super Chief, confirm which of the two sizes matches your car before selecting a tire, especially if the goal is to preserve the proper stance and sidewall appearance.

An 800-14 on a 1958 Pontiac is a numeric bias-ply size. The 800 designates the nominal section width in the older numeric system, and the 14 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a modern metric size, and it does not indicate radial construction. On 1958 Pontiac applications, this size is used on Chieftain, Star Chief, and Super Chief models.

Knowing how to read that code helps you avoid confusing an original-style bias-ply fitment with a later tire sizing convention. It also helps explain why sidewall style matters so much on a late-1950s car, since an 800-14 is as much about period appearance as basic dimensions. If your car is judged for authenticity, this older numeric format is part of the restoration conversation.

No, all 1958 Pontiac models do not use the same tire size. The 850-14 size is shared across the full model list here, but 800-14 is limited to the 1958 Pontiac Chieftain, Star Chief, and Super Chief. That makes the 1958 Pontiac line a mixed-fitment year rather than a one-size-across-the-board application.

The practical takeaway is simple: identify the exact model before moving on to whitewall style or brand. A buyer working from a title or registration that only says Pontiac should verify the specific car rather than assume every full-size 1958 Pontiac used the same size. That extra step is especially worthwhile on restored cars that may already wear replacement wheels or reproduction tires.

Choose the size that matches your specific 1958 Pontiac model and application, not the one with the most visual appeal. The 800-14 is used on the Chieftain, Star Chief, and Super Chief, while the 850-14 is used on those three models plus the Pontiac line. Both are bias-ply tires and both fit 14-inch wheels, so the decision is about proper fitment within the model range rather than a bias-ply-versus-radial tradeoff.

Once the size is confirmed, the next choice is usually visual presentation. The 800-14 offers the broadest styling spread with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options, while 850-14 is offered in narrow and wide whitewall form. Owners aiming for a specific late-1950s look often make the final call based on the car’s trim level, restoration theme, and the sidewall treatment they want the car to wear.

1958 Pontiac tires are available in several sidewall styles depending on size. In 800-14, current offerings include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions. In 850-14, current offerings include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions. All of the listed options are bias-ply tires, which suits the era of the car.

Sidewall choice affects the entire visual character of a 1958 Pontiac because these cars were styled around bright trim and generous body proportions. A blackwall generally gives a plainer, more understated presentation, while narrow and wide whitewalls move the look further into period-correct late-1950s territory. If show authenticity matters, compare the sidewall style already associated with your restoration goals before settling on a final size-and-style combination.

Two brands appear in current 1958 Pontiac tire offerings: BFGoodrich and Universal Vintage Tire. The 800-14 size is available from both BFGoodrich and Universal Vintage Tire, while the 850-14 size is offered here by BFGoodrich. All of the listed tires are bias-ply products sized for 14-inch wheels and tailored to collector-car use rather than modern high-volume passenger-car fitments.

Brand selection on a 1958 Pontiac often comes down to which size you need and which sidewall treatment you want. BFGoodrich covers both listed sizes and offers multiple whitewall treatments, while Universal Vintage Tire expands the 800-14 choices with a wide whitewall option. For many owners, the brand question is secondary to getting the model-specific size right and then choosing the sidewall look that best matches the car.

1958 Pontiac tire rim width requirements depend on size. The 800-14 products shown here fit 14-inch wheels with approved rim widths from 5.00 to 6.00 inches. The 850-14 products shown here fit 14-inch wheels with approved rim widths from 5.50 to 6.00 inches. Both sizes share the same wheel diameter, but they do not share the same full rim-width span.

That difference matters if you are sorting through original wheels, replacement rims, or a car with an uncertain restoration history. A 14-inch wheel alone does not settle the question. Before choosing between 800-14 and 850-14 on a Chieftain, Star Chief, or Super Chief, verify the actual wheel width so the tire falls within its intended mounting range and keeps the car’s stance and casing shape where it should be.

The listed 1958 Pontiac tires are not marked here with tube-type or tubeless designations, so tube fitment should be confirmed against the exact product and wheel you plan to use. That matters for both 800-14 and 850-14 because wheel design, wheel condition, and the specific tire’s sidewall marking all affect whether a tube is appropriate.

On a collector Pontiac, tube decisions are best made as part of the whole wheel-and-tire package rather than by assumption. Original wheels, restored wheels, and reproduction tires do not always create the same setup. Check the tire’s sidewall marking, inspect the wheel carefully, and if the car is being restored to strict period standards, confirm the intended arrangement with a Pontiac specialist before final assembly.

Original 1958 Pontiac wheels can potentially be used with both listed tire sizes because both 800-14 and 850-14 mount on 14-inch rims. Diameter compatibility is the easy part. The more important detail is wheel width, since 800-14 is shown for 5.00 to 6.00 inch rims and 850-14 is shown for 5.50 to 6.00 inch rims.

That means some original 14-inch wheels may suit both sizes, while others may be better matched to only one of them. If your car is a Chieftain, Star Chief, or Super Chief and could take either listed size, measure the wheel before assuming it can accept the wider numeric fitment. A quick width check is more useful than relying on appearance alone, especially on cars that have been apart for decades.

A 1958 Pontiac should be stored away from direct sunlight, electric motors, furnaces, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age the sidewalls. Keep the floor area dry, maintain proper inflation, and move the car periodically so the same section of each bias-ply tire is not carrying the load for months at a time. Bias-ply tires tend to develop temporary flat spotting more readily than modern radials during long static storage.

If the car will sit for an extended season, many owners either roll it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces continuous load on the tires without leaving the suspension hanging unnaturally. Storage discipline matters on a heavy late-1950s full-size car because the tires contribute so much to ride quality, steering feel, and the visual finish of the restoration once the car returns to the road.

Tires on a 1958 Pontiac should be judged more by age and condition than by miles traveled. Collector-car tires often see limited use, so tread depth can look healthy long after the rubber itself has begun to age. A sensible rule is to evaluate them closely once they reach about five to seven years of age and to treat roughly ten years as a serious replacement point, using the DOT date code and visible condition as guides.

That approach is especially important on a Pontiac that spends much of its life in storage, at shows, or on occasional weekend drives. Low mileage does not stop sidewall aging, internal deterioration, or ozone exposure. Even a handsome wide-whitewall tire can be past its safe service life if it is old enough, so appearance alone should never be the deciding factor.

Tires on a 1958 Pontiac should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Check for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, tread damage, and pressure loss. On a collector car, it also makes sense to inspect valve stems and to look closely at the spare, since a trunk-mounted spare may be just as old as the four tires on the car.

A quick walkaround catches many problems before they strand you or damage a restored car. Bias-ply tires can also reveal issues through changes in shape or stance that are easier to spot visually than on some modern applications. If the Pontiac has been stored for weeks or months, give the tires extra attention on the first outing and let them settle into normal running shape before extended speeds.

A 1958 Pontiac Chieftain would have been equipped in the bias-ply era, and the sizes associated with the model here are 800-14 and 850-14. Both are period-appropriate numeric bias-ply sizes for a full-size American car of this vintage. Original-equipment brand selection could vary by market and production practice, so the most reliable way to pin down a factory-delivery detail is to compare your car against Pontiac literature, surviving originals, and marque-club guidance.

For restoration purposes, the big decision is usually not whether to use bias-ply but which of the listed numeric sizes and which sidewall treatment best suits the specific car. The Chieftain’s final look can change noticeably between a blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall presentation. If the car is being prepared for judged competition, verify the size and sidewall expectation for your exact body style and restoration standard.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1958 Pontiac because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction type, and sidewall style quickly. A late-1950s Pontiac shown for authenticity is expected to wear an era-appropriate bias-ply presentation, and the difference between 800-14 and 850-14 can affect the car’s profile as much as the wheel covers or ride height. Sidewall treatment also matters, especially on a car from the whitewall-heavy styling years.

What counts as correct can vary by event, class, and judging standard, so there is no single universal answer for every restored Pontiac. Some venues focus on broad period correctness, while others scrutinize model-specific details. Before finalizing a show set, compare your intended tire size and sidewall style with Pontiac club resources, factory literature, and the standards of the event where the car will actually be judged.

For the 1958 Pontiac 800-14 size, BFGoodrich and Universal Vintage Tire both offer bias-ply options, but the listed range differs in sidewall presentation and supporting specifications. BFGoodrich appears in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall forms, with listed max load capacity of 1620 pounds at 32 psi and approved rim widths of 5.00 to 6.00 inches. Universal Vintage Tire appears here in a wide whitewall version of the same size.

The practical distinction is that BFGoodrich gives a broader spread of appearance choices within 800-14, while Universal Vintage Tire adds another wide whitewall route for owners focused on visual impact. Since both remain bias-ply and period-minded in character, the deciding factor is usually style preference and how closely the finished tire complements the exact restoration theme you are chasing on the car.

The listed 1958 Pontiac tires can be appropriate for normal road use when they are the correct size, properly installed, correctly inflated, and in sound condition. Both listed sizes are bias-ply tires, which means their road feel and tracking behavior differ from modern radials even when everything is working as intended. No speed-rating markings are shown here for these offerings, so highway use should be approached with the expectations appropriate to a vintage full-size car.

On a 1958 Pontiac, the car’s own age, braking system, suspension condition, steering wear, and alignment are often just as important as the tire itself once speeds rise. A reproduction bias-ply can serve well on the road, but it should be driven as part of a period vehicle, not as though it were a modern sedan. Smooth inputs, correct pressure, and realistic cruising expectations make the biggest difference.

Inflation pressure on 1958 Pontiac tires should follow the vehicle’s original factory guidance for normal use, while also respecting the reproduction tire’s own load-and-pressure limits. The listed 800-14 products show a maximum load capacity of 1620 pounds at 32 psi, and the listed 850-14 products show a maximum load capacity of 1740 pounds at 32 psi. Those figures are tire limits, not blanket instructions to run every Pontiac at maximum pressure all the time.

Start with the pressure specification appropriate to the car, then make sure it stays within the tire’s rated limits. Do not transfer a pressure assumption from 800-14 to 850-14, or from one restored car to another, simply because both are 1958 Pontiacs on 14-inch wheels. If the car’s original recommendation and the tire’s service details need to be reconciled, treat the vehicle manual and the tire manufacturer’s specifications as the two references to compare.

Before taking a 1958 Pontiac on a longer drive, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, tread separation signs, irregular wear, and stable air pressure. Check the spare as well, since it may be old enough to be unusable even if it has never touched the road. A late-1950s full-size car should also have its steering, brakes, cooling system, belts, hoses, and fluid levels reviewed before any extended trip.

Tire preparation is only one part of making an older Pontiac road-ready, but it is one of the easiest places to prevent trouble. A car that looks sound in the garage can reveal weak sidewalls, old valve hardware, or pressure loss once it is loaded for distance. If the tires have aged through long storage, take a shorter local drive first and recheck them before committing to sustained highway mileage.