1959 Edsel Tire Fitment Guide

1959 Edsel vehicles use three tire sizes: 750-14, 800-14, and 850-14. The Ranger uses 750-14, 800-14, and 850-14, while the Corsair uses 800-14 and 850-14. All three sizes mount on 14-inch wheels. Rim width guidance varies by size, with 750-14 fitting 5.00 to 5.50-inch rims, 800-14 fitting 5.00 to 6.00-inch rims, and 850-14 fitting 5.50 to 6.00-inch rims.

That means the first step is identifying whether you own a 1959 Edsel Ranger or a 1959 Edsel Corsair, then checking which of the listed sizes belongs on your specific car. Because all of them are 14-inch bias-ply sizes, the main risk is choosing the wrong width designation rather than the wrong wheel diameter. A wheel measurement and a look at any surviving tire or factory literature will usually settle the question before you move on to sidewall style.

On a 1959 Edsel, 800-14 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 800 portion is the old-style nominal section-width designation, and the 14 indicates the tire fits a 14-inch wheel. It is not a modern metric code, and it does not include a separate aspect-ratio figure the way a later radial size would. For 1959 Edsel applications, 800-14 appears on both Ranger and Corsair models.

That old numeric format is typical for American passenger cars of the late 1950s, so it should be read as an era-specific sizing system rather than translated directly into a modern P-metric label. If your car calls for 800-14, the next decision is usually visual: blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall. Confirming wheel width is also worthwhile, since the available 800-14 tires are intended for 5.00 to 6.00-inch rims.

No, not all 1959 Edsel models use the same tire size. The 1959 Edsel Corsair uses 800-14 and 850-14, while the 1959 Edsel Ranger uses those same two sizes plus 750-14. All of them are 14-inch bias-ply fitments, but the listed width designations are not universal across the full model range.

For a buyer, that means year and make get you close, but model still matters. A Corsair owner can immediately eliminate 750-14, while a Ranger owner needs to verify whether the car belongs on 750-14, 800-14, or 850-14 before choosing a sidewall style or brand. That extra step is especially important on restored cars, where wheel swaps and later substitutions can blur what was originally fitted.

1959 Edsel tires are available in several period-style sidewall treatments. The 800-14 size can be found as blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall. The 850-14 size is offered in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall. The 750-14 size spans narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline, giving Ranger owners the broadest visual range among the listed sizes.

For a late-1950s American car, whitewall presentation is usually the most era-appropriate starting point, with the exact width depending on how factory-correct or personalized you want the car to appear. Blackwalls read more understated, while redlines create a stronger custom or enthusiast look on applicable cars. If show authenticity matters, compare the chosen sidewall style against period photos, factory literature, and marque-club guidance for your model and trim.

Several brands serve 1959 Edsel fitments. The 800-14 size is available from BFGoodrich and Universal Vintage Tire. The 850-14 size is represented by BFGoodrich. The 750-14 size is offered by BFGoodrich, US Royal, and Coker Classic. Every listed option for these Edsel sizes is a bias-ply tire rather than a radial.

Brand choice on a 1959 Edsel often comes down to the combination of size, sidewall appearance, and the particular vintage presentation you want. Some sizes simply offer more visual variety than others, especially 750-14. If you are narrowing the field, start with the exact size your model requires, then compare which brands carry the sidewall treatment that best matches your restoration goals or personal taste.

In 750-14 for 1959 Edsel vehicles, both BFGoodrich and US Royal offer bias-ply construction on 14-inch rims with a 5.00 to 5.50-inch rim-width range. BFGoodrich is available here as a narrow whitewall with a 1580-pound maximum load rating at 32 psi and a 23-pound tire weight. US Royal appears as a narrow whitewall and as a redline, each rated at 1500 pounds at 32 psi and weighing 22 pounds.

That makes the choice less about overall fitment and more about the visual statement you want and the exact published specifications you prefer. A buyer seeking a redline look in 750-14 will naturally land on US Royal, while a buyer prioritizing the listed BFGoodrich load figure may prefer that option. Either way, the tire still needs to match the Ranger application and the wheel’s 5.00 to 5.50-inch width range.

Rim width requirements for 1959 Edsel tires depend on the size. A 750-14 tire calls for a 5.00 to 5.50-inch rim. An 800-14 tire fits a 5.00 to 6.00-inch rim. An 850-14 tire fits a 5.50 to 6.00-inch rim. All of these are 14-inch wheel applications, but the acceptable rim-width window changes with tire size.

That range matters because a tire can share the same wheel diameter as another size and still be wrong for the wheel’s width. Before mounting a new set, measure the wheels actually on the car rather than assuming they are original. This is especially helpful on collector vehicles that may have seen wheel changes over the years, since the right rim width supports proper section shape, handling feel, and sidewall appearance.

The listed 1959 Edsel tires are not marked here with tube-type or tubeless designations, so tube use should be confirmed by the specific tire’s sidewall marking and by the wheel itself. That is an important distinction on late-1950s cars, because reproduction bias-ply tires and original-style wheels do not always lead to the same tube decision from one setup to another.

A practical approach is to inspect the wheel condition, verify whether the rim is suitable for tubeless service, and confirm the recommendation attached to the exact tire you plan to run. If tubes are used, include the valve stems and the spare in the same inspection routine as the road tires. Getting that answer right before mounting avoids disassembly later and helps preserve both ride quality and air retention.

Original 1959 Edsel wheels can often be used with all listed tire sizes in the sense that 750-14, 800-14, and 850-14 all fit 14-inch rims. Wheel diameter, however, is only part of the equation. The published rim-width ranges differ by size: 750-14 wants 5.00 to 5.50 inches, 800-14 wants 5.00 to 6.00 inches, and 850-14 wants 5.50 to 6.00 inches.

That means a switch between listed sizes may be possible on some original wheels, but it still requires checking the wheel width before mounting. A Ranger owner considering 750-14 versus 850-14, for example, should not assume both are equally appropriate for the same rim. Measuring the wheel and matching it to the tire’s approved width range is the cleanest way to avoid fit and appearance problems.

A 1959 Edsel should be stored on clean, properly inflated tires in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, furnaces, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment. Bias-ply tires are more prone to flat-spotting during long static storage than later radial designs, so leaving the car motionless for extended periods is harder on them. Moisture under the tires and contact with petroleum-contaminated surfaces should also be avoided.

For a collector car that sits, move the 1959 Edsel periodically to change the tire contact patch, or use appropriately placed stands if the car will be parked for a very long time. Tire cradles can also help reduce flat spotting during seasonal storage. These steps preserve sidewall shape and help the car feel smoother when it returns to road use after long periods off the road.

Tires on a 1959 Edsel should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage alone. Collector cars often accumulate very few miles, yet the rubber continues to age from heat cycles, ozone exposure, and time. A sensible routine is to start evaluating them closely once they reach about five to seven years of service, with replacement becoming a serious consideration as they approach roughly ten years, regardless of tread depth.

The date code on the tire sidewall helps establish its age, and that should be part of any ownership file for a hobby car. A lightly used 1959 Edsel can still be riding on tires that look acceptable at first glance but are well beyond their prime. Replacing older tires before symptoms become severe is usually a better decision than waiting for visible cracking or an on-road failure to force the issue.

Tires on a 1959 Edsel should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look closely for sidewall cracking, tread separation, punctures, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and signs that the tire is no longer holding pressure consistently. Valve stems deserve the same attention, and if the car is running tubes, the stems and tube-related hardware should be part of the inspection routine as well.

That pre-drive habit matters even more on a collector car that may sit for days or weeks between outings. Problems often appear during storage rather than during active driving, especially if the car is parked in changing temperatures. A careful walkaround and pressure check takes only a few minutes, but it can reveal age-related issues before they affect ride quality, steering feel, or safety on the road.

A 1959 Edsel Ranger would have been a bias-ply car in period, which aligns with the available 750-14, 800-14, and 850-14 fitments listed for the model today. Those sizes reflect the late-1950s American sizing system, not later metric radial practice. Original-equipment brand choice could vary by market and production circumstances, so the most dependable baseline for authenticity is correct size, correct bias-ply construction, and an era-appropriate sidewall treatment.

For restoration work, that means starting with the tire size confirmed for your specific Ranger, then choosing the sidewall style that best fits the way the car was delivered or commonly presented in its era. Factory literature, unrestored-car photos, and Edsel marque clubs are the right places to settle close originality questions. Those sources are especially useful if your goal is concours judging rather than a general period-correct appearance.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1959 Edsel because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the size, construction type, and sidewall style look appropriate for the car’s year and market position. A 1959 Edsel should present as a late-1950s bias-ply application, and the difference between blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline can change the car’s visual authenticity substantially depending on the model and the event.

That does not mean every show applies the same standard, but a clearly incorrect construction type or visibly out-of-era sidewall treatment can stand out quickly. Owners preparing a show car should compare the chosen tire against period references and consult Edsel specialists or club judging manuals when available. Getting those details right supports the whole restoration, because tires strongly influence stance, profile, and first impressions.

In 750-14 for 1959 Edsel vehicles, BFGoodrich and Coker Classic are both bias-ply 14-inch tires built for 5.00 to 5.50-inch rims, but they differ in visual treatment and published specs. The BFGoodrich example here is a 1.00-inch narrow whitewall rated at 1580 pounds at 32 psi and weighs 23 pounds. The Coker Classic example is a 2.25-inch wide whitewall rated at 1580 pounds at 32 psi and weighs 22 pounds.

For restoration-minded buyers, that makes the decision largely about the look you want on the car rather than a major difference in fitment category. The BFGoodrich option gives a more restrained whitewall presentation, while the Coker Classic option delivers a broader, more pronounced late-1950s visual effect. If the rest of the car is being restored to a particular showroom or period-photo appearance, the whitewall width may matter as much as the size itself.

The listed 1959 Edsel tires are bias-ply tires intended for vintage applications, and they can be suitable for highway use when they are correctly sized, properly mounted, correctly inflated, and in sound condition. No speed ratings are shown here for these sizes, so the sensible limit is not to treat them like modern high-speed performance tires. On a 1959 Edsel, the age and mechanical condition of the car itself are often more important to safe cruising than any theoretical top-end capability of the tire.

In practical terms, a well-sorted 1959 Edsel should be driven within the expectations of a full-size late-1950s American car, not a modern sedan. Bias-ply tires track and respond differently, and the steering, brakes, and suspension around them are from the same era. If you are planning regular highway use, make sure the tires are fresh, pressures are set correctly, and the rest of the chassis is equally ready for sustained road speeds.

Published maximum load figures for 1959 Edsel tires here are paired with 32 psi. The 750-14 size appears with ratings of 1500 pounds at 32 psi and 1580 pounds at 32 psi depending on the product. The 800-14 size is listed at 1620 pounds at 32 psi, and the 850-14 size at 1740 pounds at 32 psi. Those figures are product ratings, not automatic factory inflation specifications for every Edsel application.

For actual running pressure, compare the original owner’s manual or factory service information with the recommendation tied to the exact reproduction tire you are using. Do not transfer a pressure from 750-14 to 850-14 or assume a maximum-rated pressure is the ideal everyday setting. The right answer depends on the tire, the car, and the way the vehicle is used, so pressure should be verified rather than guessed.

Before a longer drive in a 1959 Edsel, inspect each tire for sidewall cracks, bulges, cuts, exposed cords, uneven wear, and stable air pressure. Check the spare as well, since many collector cars carry an old spare that has been overlooked for years. If your setup uses tubes, inspect the valve stems carefully and make sure nothing suggests leakage or deterioration around the stem area.

Tire condition is only one part of longer-trip preparation on a 1959 Edsel, but it is a critical one because older cars often spend long stretches parked between outings. Add a quick review of wheel hardware, brake condition, steering feel, and fluid levels before heading out. That broader check helps ensure the car is ready not just to move, but to cruise confidently once road speeds and heat build over the course of the drive.