The 1961 Lincoln marked one of the most dramatic styling shifts of the era, introducing the clean, formal Continental design that would define early-sixties American luxury. With its restrained lines, rear-hinged rear doors, and unmistakable presence, 1961 Lincoln appealed to buyers who wanted prestige without the ornament-heavy look of the late 1950s. For 1961 Lincoln, the tire question is unusually straightforward because the Continental uses a single 950-14 size across the model range, so the real choice is not between different fitments but between sidewall appearances within the same bias-ply format. Before choosing a tire, confirm that your car is a 1961 Continental and that your wheels match the original 14-inch fitment.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 1961 Lincoln
One tire size is available for 1961 Lincoln, and it is shared across the full model range. That makes the main decision less about fitment differences between models and more about choosing the right sidewall appearance for the look you want on a 14-inch wheel. Understanding that distinction before choosing a product saves time and helps match the tire to the car's restoration goals.
Year(s): 1961|Fit(s): Continental|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 14 in
The 950-14 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 9.50 indicating the nominal section width and 14 indicating the wheel diameter in inches. This size is available from BFGoodrich in both Narrow Whitewall and Wide Whitewall versions, and both carry a 2000-pound maximum load at 32 psi on 14-inch wheels with a 6.50 to 7.50-inch rim width range. For a 1961 Lincoln, this is the correct fitment path when the goal is authentic early-sixties ride character and appearance rather than changing to a different construction.
One model is covered for 1961 Lincoln. Because the entire year and make shares the same tire size, the choice does not change from one model to another; what changes instead is how closely you want the tire's sidewall appearance to match your restoration vision. Select the model below for model-specific fitment history and products.
1961 Lincoln Continental
The 1961 Lincoln Continental is one of the most recognizable American luxury cars of its decade, known for its crisp slab-sided styling and rear-hinged rear doors. Its tires mount on 14-inch wheels, and the shared 950-14 fitment reflects Lincoln's emphasis on full-size luxury proportions and a period-correct bias-ply driving feel.
Two products are available across one tire size for 1961 Lincoln vehicles. The 950-14 comes from BFGoodrich in bias-ply construction with Narrow Whitewall and Wide Whitewall sidewall styles, giving Continental owners a choice of visual presentation within the same fitment.
These FAQs focus on the single shared 950-14 fitment for 1961 Lincoln, the meaning of that numeric bias-ply size, whitewall style choices for Continental restorations, and the setup and care points that matter on a low-use collector car.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 1961 Lincoln vehicles?
1961 Lincoln vehicles use one tire size across the model range: 950-14. For this year, that fitment applies to the Lincoln Continental, and it mounts on a 14-inch wheel. Available products for the 950-14 are bias-ply tires with a rim width range of 6.50 to 7.50 inches.
That makes 1961 Lincoln one of the simpler year-and-make fitment cases, because there is no need to sort through multiple factory tire sizes. The key checks before ordering are the car's model identification, the actual wheel diameter, and whether you want a narrower or wider whitewall appearance to suit the look of your Continental.
What does 950-14 mean on a 1961 Lincoln tire?
On a 1961 Lincoln, 950-14 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 9.50 portion refers to the nominal section width, expressed in the older inch-based sizing convention, while the 14 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. Because there is no radial marker in the code, this is a traditional bias-ply format rather than a modern radial size description.
That matters because a numeric bias-ply tire looks and behaves like the tires expected on a luxury car of this period. If your goal is an authentic early-sixties stance and sidewall profile, 950-14 keeps you in the right visual and construction family for a 1961 Lincoln Continental.
Do all 1961 Lincoln models use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1961 Lincoln model range covered here uses the same 950-14 tire size, and that fitment applies to the Continental. There is no split between one model using a smaller tire and another using a larger one within this year-and-make grouping.
For a buyer, that means the selection process is more about restoration style than about comparing multiple fitments. Once you confirm you have a 1961 Lincoln Continental with the correct 14-inch wheels, the remaining decision is usually which whitewall presentation best matches the car's intended appearance.
Buying the Right Tire
What sidewall styles are available for 1961 Lincoln tires?
1961 Lincoln tires in 950-14 are available with two sidewall styles: Narrow Whitewall and Wide Whitewall. Both are BFGoodrich bias-ply tires in the same size and load rating, so the difference is visual presentation rather than basic fitment. That gives Continental owners a choice between a subtler whitewall look and a more pronounced full luxury-era appearance.
For many restorations, sidewall style is one of the most visible tire decisions on the car. A wide whitewall generally suits the formal, upscale character associated with an early-sixties Lincoln, while a narrower whitewall can create a slightly more restrained appearance. The right choice depends on how closely you want to match your car's original delivery look or your preferred period style.
What brands make tires for 1961 Lincoln vehicles?
BFGoodrich makes 950-14 tires for 1961 Lincoln vehicles in the available fitment range here. The two BFGoodrich options share the same bias-ply construction, 14-inch rim diameter, and 2000-pound maximum load at 32 psi, with the main difference being whitewall width.
That gives you a focused choice rather than a long brand comparison. If you are narrowing your options for a 1961 Lincoln Continental, it is more useful to compare the visual effect of the Narrow Whitewall and Wide Whitewall versions than to spend time sorting through multiple unrelated fitment paths.
What is the difference between the BFGoodrich 1.00 Inch Whitewall and 2.50 Inch Whitewall for the 1961 Lincoln?
For a 1961 Lincoln, both BFGoodrich 950-14 offerings use the same Silvertown Classic Bias Ply construction, the same 14-inch rim diameter, the same 6.50 to 7.50-inch rim width range, the same 2000-pound maximum load at 32 psi, and the same 30-pound tire weight. The meaningful difference is the sidewall treatment: one uses a 1.00-inch Narrow Whitewall and the other uses a 2.50-inch Wide Whitewall.
That means your decision is almost entirely aesthetic. Choose the narrower whitewall if you want a cleaner, more understated look, or the wider whitewall if you want the fuller luxury-car presentation that many collectors associate with premium American cars from this period. Either way, the fitment foundation stays the same for the 1961 Lincoln Continental.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 1961 Lincoln tires require?
The 950-14 tires used on 1961 Lincoln vehicles fit 14-inch wheels with a rim width range of 6.50 to 7.50 inches. That range applies to both available BFGoodrich whitewall versions in this size, since they share the same basic casing dimensions and fitment requirements.
Before mounting new tires on a 1961 Lincoln Continental, measure the wheel or confirm its specification so the tire and rim work together as intended. Even when the diameter is correct, rim width still affects how the tire sits on the wheel and how closely the finished appearance matches the car's expected stance.
Do 1961 Lincoln tires require inner tubes?
The available 950-14 fitment for 1961 Lincoln does not carry a tube-type or tubeless marker in the size description, so tube use should be confirmed against the specific tire's sidewall marking and the wheel's design. On collector cars of this era, wheel condition and original wheel construction matter just as much as the tire itself when making that decision.
A practical approach is to inspect the wheels closely for their sealing surfaces, valve stem condition, and overall suitability before mounting new tires. If your 1961 Lincoln still wears original-style wheels, a restoration shop or marque specialist can help determine whether tube use is advisable for your exact wheel and tire combination.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 1961 Lincoln when the tires are fitted?
A 1961 Lincoln should be stored in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Because the car uses bias-ply tires, long static storage can encourage flat spotting more readily than many radial designs. Clean floors, stable temperatures, and proper inflation all help preserve the tires during extended downtime.
If the car will sit for weeks or months, move it periodically so the same part of the tread is not carrying the load the whole time. Some owners also use stands to reduce prolonged weight on the tires during long-term storage, but the suspension should still be supported appropriately and the car should not be left in a stressed position.
How long do tires on a 1961 Lincoln typically last?
On a 1961 Lincoln, tire age matters more than mileage because collector cars often see limited use. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating tires carefully once they are about five to seven years old and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement point regardless of tread depth. The DOT date code on the tire is the best guide to actual age.
A low-mile Continental can still have old tires that look presentable but have hardened rubber, internal age-related degradation, or sidewall cracking. If the car is driven only occasionally, make age checks part of your annual maintenance routine and do not rely on tread depth alone to judge whether the tires are still suitable for road use.
How often should tires on a 1961 Lincoln be inspected?
Tires on a 1961 Lincoln should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer trip. Look for sidewall cracking, tread damage, bulges, uneven wear, and any sign that the tire has been losing air. Since collector cars often sit for long periods, valve stems and bead areas deserve just as much attention as the visible tread.
A brief pre-drive inspection is especially important on a heavy luxury car such as the 1961 Lincoln Continental, where tire condition strongly affects ride quality and confidence on the road. If anything looks questionable, address it before driving rather than assuming the car is fine because it was not used much since the last outing.
Restoration & Authenticity
What tires were originally fitted to the 1961 Lincoln Continental?
The 1961 Lincoln Continental belongs to an era when bias-ply construction was still the expected original fitment type on American luxury cars, and the correct year-and-make size here is 950-14. That makes a bias-ply 950-14 the right starting point for an owner seeking period-correct fitment. Original-equipment brand choices could vary by market and production circumstances, so the most important authenticity markers are size, construction, and sidewall style.
If you are restoring a car for high-level authenticity, compare your tire choice against factory literature, period photography, and Lincoln marque-club guidance for your exact car. That extra step helps you decide whether a narrow or wide whitewall better matches the presentation expected for your particular restoration goal.
Does correct tire fitment matter for showing a 1961 Lincoln?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a shown 1961 Lincoln because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, and sidewall treatment immediately. A 950-14 bias-ply tire aligns with the car's period, while an obviously modern construction or an out-of-era sidewall presentation can stand out even on an otherwise well-restored Continental.
For serious show preparation, treat the tire as part of the car's visual architecture, not just a service item. The 1961 Continental's clean slab-sided design puts a great deal of emphasis on wheel opening proportion and whitewall balance, so selecting the right bias-ply size and sidewall width can make the overall restoration feel more convincing.
What is the difference between the BFGoodrich 1.00 Inch Whitewall and 2.50 Inch Whitewall for the 1961 Lincoln?
For authenticity-focused 1961 Lincoln restorations, the two BFGoodrich 950-14 options differ in whitewall width rather than in basic construction. Both are bias-ply tires in the same size, with the same rim diameter, load rating, pressure rating, and rim width range. The visual effect is the deciding factor: one presents a restrained 1.00-inch whitewall, while the other uses a more prominent 2.50-inch band.
That distinction can influence how faithfully the finished car reflects a particular showroom-era appearance. Owners restoring to a broad early-sixties luxury look often prefer the fuller whitewall presentation, while others choose the narrower version for a cleaner, slightly less formal effect. Event standards can vary, so concours entrants should compare against period references and club guidance.
Safety & Road Use
Are 1961 Lincoln tires safe for highway driving?
A properly maintained 950-14 bias-ply tire for a 1961 Lincoln can be used for highway driving within the tire's condition limits and the vehicle's overall mechanical limits. The available fitment here does not include a speed rating letter in the size marking, so the smarter approach is to drive with the restraint appropriate to a full-size early-sixties luxury car. On a vehicle of this age, brakes, steering, suspension condition, and alignment often affect road confidence just as much as the tire itself.
That means highway use should begin with a realistic assessment of the whole car, not just fresh rubber. If your 1961 Lincoln Continental is mechanically sorted and the tires are in sound condition, moderate-speed touring is a more appropriate mission than sustained high-speed driving, especially on older roads or in hot weather.
What inflation pressure should I use for 1961 Lincoln tires?
The available 950-14 tires for 1961 Lincoln carry a maximum load rating of 2000 pounds at 32 psi. That figure is the tire's rated load-and-pressure limit for this reproduction fitment, not automatically the exact operating pressure your Continental should run in normal service. Factory vehicle pressures can differ from the tire's maximum rating.
The best practice is to use the original owner's manual or factory service information as your first reference for vehicle pressure guidance, then compare that with the tire manufacturer's specifications for the exact product you are using. Do not assume one pressure is correct for every old car simply because the tire size matches.
What should I check before taking a 1961 Lincoln on a longer drive?
Before a longer drive in a 1961 Lincoln, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, and check the spare as carefully as the four tires on the car. Pay attention to valve stems and bead areas, especially if the wheels are original or recently restored. A bias-ply tire that has spent long periods parked should also be checked for flat spotting before heading out on the road.
The tire check should be part of a broader touring inspection that includes brakes, cooling system, steering, and fluid levels. A 1961 Lincoln Continental is a substantial, road-going luxury car, and a calm pre-drive inspection routine goes a long way toward making longer trips more comfortable and less eventful.
