1958 Studebaker Tire Fitment Guide

1958 Studebaker vehicles use six tire sizes: 640-15, 700-14, 670-15, 750-14, 710-15, and 800-14. The Champion uses 640-15, 700-14, 670-15, and 750-14; the Classic uses 710-15 and 800-14; the Commander uses 670-15, 750-14, 710-15, and 800-14; the Golden Hawk uses 710-15 and 800-14; and the President uses 710-15, 800-14, 670-15, and 750-14. Rim diameters are split between 14-inch and 15-inch sizes, and listed rim-width ranges vary by size from 4.00-4.50 inches up to 5.00-6.00 inches where specified.

That means year and make alone are not enough to choose a tire for a 1958 Studebaker. Confirm the model first, then verify whether the car is on 14-inch or 15-inch wheels, and finally compare the rim-width range of the exact tire you are considering. That approach narrows the search quickly and helps avoid crossing into the wrong size family for your particular Studebaker.

On a 1958 Studebaker, 640-15 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 640 portion is the traditional section-width code used in period sizing, and the 15 indicates a 15-inch wheel diameter. In current offerings for this size, the 1958 Studebaker Champion is the model tied to it, with rim-width listings of 4.00-4.50 inches on some products and 4.50-5.00 inches on others.

Modern buyers sometimes assume the first number is a metric measurement or an exact tread width, but it is really a period numeric size designation. On a 1958 Studebaker, that matters because 640-15 sits in a different fitment band than the larger 670-15 or 710-15 choices. If your Champion uses 15-inch wheels, this code helps you stay in the smaller, model-specific portion of the lineup.

No, 1958 Studebaker models do not all use the same tire size. The Champion reaches into its own 640-15 and 700-14 fitments, while the Commander and President share both 670-15 and 750-14 as well as the larger 710-15 and 800-14 sizes. The Classic and Golden Hawk are grouped with 710-15 and 800-14 rather than the Champion-specific sizes.

That overlap can make the lineup look simpler than it is, especially when several models share both a 14-inch and a 15-inch option. A buyer choosing tires for a 1958 Studebaker should identify the exact model before focusing on sidewall style or brand preference. Once the model is confirmed, the size list becomes much easier to narrow correctly.

1958 Studebaker tires are available in several period-style sidewall treatments depending on size. Blackwall appears in 700-14, 670-15, 710-15, and 800-14; narrow whitewall appears in 640-15, 700-14, 750-14, and 800-14; wide whitewall appears in 640-15, 670-15, 750-14, 710-15, and 800-14; and redline appears in 750-14. Every listed option remains within the bias-ply family, so the visual difference is primarily sidewall presentation rather than a change in construction type.

For a 1958 Studebaker, sidewall choice is often tied to the car's intended look as much as its fitment. Broad whitewalls usually suit a late-1950s American restoration theme, while blackwalls can feel more understated and redlines bring a sportier custom-era flavor. Once you know the correct size, choosing the sidewall style becomes one of the clearest ways to shape the car's final appearance.

Brands represented for 1958 Studebaker fitments include BFGoodrich, Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire. The smaller Champion-only sizes are covered by BFGoodrich and Firestone in 640-15 and by BFGoodrich in 700-14. Shared mid-range and upper-line sizes add more variety, with 670-15 offered in Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire, 750-14 in BFGoodrich, US Royal, and Coker Classic, 710-15 in BFGoodrich and Firestone, and 800-14 in BFGoodrich and Universal Vintage Tire.

Brand choice on a 1958 Studebaker often comes down to the combination of size availability and sidewall style rather than one brand covering every fitment equally. Some sizes have broad multi-brand support, while others are more limited. It is smart to start with the exact size your model uses and then compare the available sidewall treatments and wheel-range details within that brand group.

For a 1958 Studebaker in 710-15, both BFGoodrich and Firestone offer bias-ply tires for 15-inch rims with the same listed maximum load rating of 1550 pounds at 32 psi and the same stated rim-width range of 5.00 to 5.50 inches. BFGoodrich appears in both blackwall and wide whitewall versions, while Firestone appears in blackwall form in the listed products. Weight differs slightly among the products, with BFGoodrich examples at 21 to 23 pounds and the Firestone example at 24 pounds.

That makes the choice less about basic size or load fitment and more about the visual treatment and brand presentation you want on the car. A 1958 Studebaker owner comparing these two lines should look closely at sidewall style first, then confirm wheel width and the exact look that fits the restoration or driving plan. Both stay squarely within the period bias-ply category.

Rim-width requirements for 1958 Studebaker tires vary by size. The listed ranges are 4.00-4.50 inches or 4.50-5.00 inches for 640-15 depending on the tire, 5.00-5.50 inches for 700-14, 4.50-5.00 inches or 5.00-6.00 inches for 670-15 depending on the product, 5.00-5.50 inches for 750-14, 5.00-5.50 inches for 710-15, and 5.00-6.00 inches for 800-14. Those ranges are tied to the specific tire, not just the size code alone.

A 1958 Studebaker owner should match the wheel on the car to the exact rim-width range shown for the intended tire before making a final selection. That is especially important in sizes like 640-15 and 670-15, where different products within the same nominal size can call for different wheel widths. Confirming that detail helps preserve proper shape, handling feel, and sidewall appearance.

The listed 1958 Studebaker products do not carry tube-type or tubeless markings in the size descriptions, so tube use should be verified against the exact tire and wheel combination being assembled. Every available fitment here is a bias-ply design, which means the wheel's original construction and condition can matter as much as the tire itself. Tube decisions are especially important on older wheels, restored rims, or applications where the wheel was originally intended to work with tubes.

For a 1958 Studebaker, the safest approach is to inspect the wheel style and confirm the specific tire's sidewall marking before final assembly. If the car still wears original-type wheels, a marque specialist or experienced vintage tire installer can help determine whether tubes, flaps, or specific valve-stem hardware are appropriate. That extra check is worthwhile because it affects both air retention and long-term serviceability.

A 1958 Studebaker should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, and other ozone sources that accelerate sidewall aging. Keep the tires properly inflated during storage and move the car periodically if possible so the same section of each bias-ply tire is not loaded in one spot for months at a time. On longer storage intervals, some owners use stands to reduce static load on the tires and suspension.

Bias-ply tires can take a temporary set more readily than modern radials when a collector car sits, so storage habits affect how the car feels when it first goes back into service. A 1958 Studebaker that is exercised occasionally and protected from heat and ozone will generally keep its tires looking better and driving more smoothly than one left parked and neglected through the season.

Tire life on a 1958 Studebaker is usually judged more by age than by miles, because many collector cars see limited annual use. A good rule is to evaluate the tires closely once they are in the five- to seven-year range and to give serious replacement consideration as they approach ten years, even if the tread still looks presentable. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish the actual age of the casing.

That guideline matters because a lightly driven 1958 Studebaker can still age out its tires before it wears them out. Sidewall cracking, hardening rubber, repeated flat-spotting, or a loss of confidence at road speed are all signs that age is becoming the bigger issue. Owners who prioritize appearance sometimes keep older tires for display duty and move to fresher rubber for road use.

Tires on a 1958 Studebaker should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, objects lodged in the tread, and any loss of air pressure since the last use. On older collector cars, it also makes sense to inspect valve stems and the spare tire as part of the same routine.

Frequent inspection is especially important because many 1958 Studebaker cars spend more time parked than driven, and storage-related aging can creep in quietly. A short walk-around catches the problems most likely to spoil a drive before the car leaves the garage. It also gives you a chance to compare all four tires visually and make sure one corner is not aging or wearing differently from the others.

A 1958 Studebaker Champion would have been a bias-ply car when new, which aligns with the sizes used across the full 1958 Studebaker range today. The Champion is associated with 640-15, 700-14, 670-15, and 750-14 depending on the specific application, all within traditional bias-ply sizing conventions. That means a buyer pursuing period-correct fitment should stay in the proper Champion size family and use sidewall styling that suits the car's original presentation.

Original delivery details could vary by body style, market, and how the car was equipped, so the best final check is always the car itself along with factory literature or a Studebaker marque club. For most restorations, getting the right size, construction type, and visual sidewall character matters more than chasing a specific brand name. That keeps the result faithful to how a 1958 Studebaker Champion would have looked in its era.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when a 1958 Studebaker is judged for authenticity. Size, construction type, and sidewall appearance all shape whether the car looks consistent with late-1950s American practice, and the wrong combination can stand out immediately even to casual observers. On a car from this era, bias-ply construction and an era-appropriate blackwall or whitewall treatment usually align more closely with restoration standards than a visually modern substitute would.

The level of scrutiny depends on the event, because some local shows reward overall presentation while marque-specific judging can be more exacting. A 1958 Studebaker owner preparing for serious judging should verify the exact size family for the model and compare sidewall style against period photos, factory literature, and club guidance. That extra effort often has as much effect on the car's visual credibility as paint or trim details.

For a 1958 Studebaker using 800-14, BFGoodrich offerings include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions, each listed for a 14-inch rim and a 5.00-6.00 inch rim-width range, with a stated maximum load capacity of 1620 pounds at 32 psi on the shown products. Universal Vintage Tire is represented in the same size as a wide whitewall bias-ply tire on a 14-inch rim. The BFGoodrich examples shown weigh 23 to 25 pounds, while the Universal example is listed at 24 pounds.

A buyer comparing these 800-14 options for a 1958 Studebaker is mostly choosing among presentation details and the exact tire specification that best matches the wheel on the car. BFGoodrich provides the broadest sidewall variety in this size, while Universal gives another wide-whitewall path within the same period bias-ply category. Checking the actual wheel width before deciding remains just as important as choosing the preferred brand.

1958 Studebaker tires in these fitments are all bias-ply products, and the listed examples do not show modern speed-rating letters. That means highway use should be approached with the understanding that the car's overall age, suspension design, steering feel, braking ability, and condition are just as important as the tires themselves. A properly matched, fresh bias-ply tire can be entirely appropriate for normal collector-car road use, but it should be treated like a period-style tire rather than a modern high-speed radial.

For most 1958 Studebaker owners, the practical goal is steady, sensible touring rather than sustained high-speed running. Before any highway trip, verify pressure, inspect the tires closely, and make sure the car tracks properly and feels stable at lower speeds first. If the vehicle's mechanical systems are sorted and the tires are in good shape, the car is far more likely to feel confident and predictable on the road.

The listed maximum load and pressure figures for 1958 Studebaker tires vary by size and by product, so they should not be treated as interchangeable. Examples include 1190 pounds at 32 psi for 640-15, 1360 pounds at 32 psi for 700-14, 1450 to 1550 pounds at 32 psi for 670-15 depending on the tire, 1500 to 1580 pounds at 32 psi for 750-14, 1550 pounds at 32 psi for 710-15, and 1620 pounds at 32 psi for 800-14 where listed. Those are tire ratings, not a blanket vehicle setting.

A 1958 Studebaker owner should start with the vehicle's factory recommendation when available and then confirm that the chosen reproduction tire is being used within the tire maker's stated load and pressure limits. Pressure should always be checked cold and adjusted with the actual size and wheel setup in mind. Avoid carrying a pressure figure from one Studebaker size into another just because the cars are from the same year.

Before a longer drive in a 1958 Studebaker, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, tread separation, uneven wear, and correct cold inflation pressure. Check the valve stems, look over the spare, and confirm that all four tires are the intended size for the car's model and wheel diameter. Since these are bias-ply fitments, it is also wise to pay attention to how long the car has been sitting and whether any temporary flat-spotting has appeared.

The tire check should be one part of a broader pre-trip inspection that includes brakes, wheel bearings, steering, cooling, and basic fluid levels. A 1958 Studebaker can be an enjoyable road car, but its age means small issues compound faster than on a modern vehicle. Catching tire and chassis problems in the garage is far easier than dealing with them on the shoulder.