1962 Imperial Tire Fitment Guide

1962 Imperial vehicles use two tire sizes, and each size is tied to a specific model. The 1962 Imperial New Yorker uses 850-14 bias-ply tires, while the 1962 Imperial Newport uses 800-14 bias-ply tires. Both sizes mount on 14-inch wheels. Rim width support differs by size where published: 850-14 fits 5.50- to 6.00-inch rims, while 800-14 BFGoodrich versions fit 5.00- to 6.00-inch rims.

That means year and make alone are not enough for a correct choice on a 1962 Imperial. You need to confirm the model first, then confirm the wheel width on the car before settling on a product. Once the size is correct, sidewall appearance becomes the next decision, especially on a car where whitewall width has a major effect on the overall period look.

On a 1962 Imperial, 850-14 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 8.50 portion refers to the nominal section width, and the 14 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a modern metric radial code, so it does not read the same way as later P-metric or Euro-metric sizing. For 1962 Imperial fitment, 850-14 belongs to the New Yorker model.

That decoding matters because an 850-14 should be matched to a 14-inch wheel and the proper wheel width range rather than cross-referenced casually to another Imperial model. It is also a cue that you are dealing with an era-correct bias-ply format, which affects ride feel, steering response, and restoration authenticity in ways a later-style radial does not.

No, 1962 Imperial models do not all use the same tire size. The New Yorker uses 850-14, while the Newport uses 800-14, and both are bias-ply sizes for 14-inch wheels. Even within one make and one model year, Imperial split tire sizing by model rather than using one universal fitment across the range.

That model split is why owners should identify the car accurately before comparing brands or sidewall treatments. A Newport owner choosing a New Yorker size, or vice versa, can end up chasing the wrong proportions and the wrong wheel-width range. Once the model is confirmed, narrowing the choice becomes much easier because the construction type is consistent across the year.

1962 Imperial tires come in several sidewall styles, depending on model and size. The 850-14 for the New Yorker is available with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styling from BFGoodrich. The 800-14 for the Newport is available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions, with BFGoodrich covering all three looks and Universal Vintage Tire offering a wide whitewall option.

Sidewall style is more than a cosmetic afterthought on an early-1960s Imperial because it strongly shapes the car’s visual stance. Wide whitewalls usually align most closely with the formal luxury image many owners want, while narrow whitewalls and blackwalls create a subtler presentation. If authenticity matters, compare your car’s trim level, photos from the period, and marque references before deciding.

Two brands cover 1962 Imperial fitments: BFGoodrich and Universal Vintage Tire. BFGoodrich offers 850-14 for the New Yorker and multiple 800-14 choices for the Newport, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions. Universal Vintage Tire also offers an 800-14 wide whitewall option for the Newport. All of these fitments remain in bias-ply construction, which suits the period of the car.

Brand choice often comes down to the exact sidewall look you want and whether you are matching an existing set or starting fresh. On a car like a 1962 Imperial, visual consistency matters, so many owners focus first on whitewall width and then on series preference within the correct size. Staying with one matched set is usually the cleanest route for both appearance and road manners.

For a 1962 Imperial Newport in 800-14, BFGoodrich and Universal Vintage Tire differ mainly in sidewall offerings and published specification depth. BFGoodrich covers blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions, with a 1620-pound maximum load rating at 32 psi on the BFGoodrich products and a 5.00- to 6.00-inch rim width range. Universal Vintage Tire offers a wide whitewall 800-14 in the same bias-ply size and 14-inch diameter.

That makes BFGoodrich the broader choice if you are comparing multiple sidewall looks within one size, while Universal Vintage Tire is relevant if your goal is specifically a wide whitewall presentation. Since both stay within the same basic construction type, the decision is less about changing the character of the car and more about appearance, brand preference, and matching the wheel width on your Newport.

Rim width depends on which 1962 Imperial model and tire size you have. The 850-14 used on the New Yorker fits 5.50- to 6.00-inch rims. The 800-14 used on the Newport fits 5.00- to 6.00-inch rims on the BFGoodrich versions. Both sizes use a 14-inch rim diameter, but wheel width still matters because it affects how the tire seats and presents on the wheel.

Before choosing a tire, measure the actual wheel or confirm the wheel specification on the car rather than assuming all 14-inch Imperial wheels are interchangeable in width. That is especially important on restored cars that may have had wheel changes over the years. Correct rim width helps preserve the intended profile, appearance, and behavior of a bias-ply tire.

Original 1962 Imperial wheels can often accept both tire sizes in diameter terms because both 800-14 and 850-14 mount on 14-inch rims. The limiting factor is wheel width, not rim diameter alone. The 850-14 New Yorker tire is suited to 5.50- to 6.00-inch rims, while the 800-14 Newport size fits a 5.00- to 6.00-inch range on BFGoodrich versions.

That means a shared 14-inch wheel diameter does not automatically make the two sizes interchangeable between models. If a wheel falls outside the width range for the tire you want to run, the fit may not be appropriate even though the tire physically matches the rim diameter. Confirm the wheel width on the car before treating the two Imperial sizes as a simple swap.

A 1962 Imperial should be stored in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber prematurely. Keep the tires clean, maintain inflation, and move the car periodically so the same section of each bias-ply tire does not carry the load for months at a time. Long static storage can encourage flat-spotting more readily in bias-ply construction than many owners expect.

If the car will sit for an extended period, rolling it occasionally or supporting it appropriately can help reduce stress on the casings. Whitewalls also benefit from gentle cleaning so staining does not set in. Storage habits matter on a heavy luxury car like a 1962 Imperial because weight, inactivity, and age all work together to shorten tire life if the car is simply parked and forgotten.

Tires on a 1962 Imperial should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. Collector cars often accumulate very few miles, yet rubber compounds still age over time from heat cycles, storage conditions, sunlight, and ozone exposure. A practical rule is to evaluate tires closely once they are around five to seven years old and to give serious replacement consideration as they approach ten years, regardless of tread depth.

Checking the manufacturing date code is a smart part of any inspection, especially on a car that may be driven only occasionally. A tire can look usable at a glance but still be too old for confident road use. On a large, heavy car like a 1962 Imperial, fresh rubber is as much about preserving predictable behavior and ride quality as it is about avoiding visible deterioration.

Tires on a 1962 Imperial should be inspected before every drive, and they deserve a more careful look before any longer outing. Check sidewalls for cracking, cuts, bulges, or impact damage, and look across the tread for irregular wear or signs that the tire has been run low. Pressure should be verified regularly rather than assumed, especially on a collector car that may sit between drives.

A monthly inspection schedule works well even when the car is not being driven, because storage-related aging can appear before mileage-related wear does. On a full-size early-1960s luxury car, small problems can become more noticeable once the vehicle is loaded and moving at speed. Catching aging or pressure issues early is the easiest way to keep an occasional-use Imperial road-ready.

The 1962 Imperial New Yorker uses 850-14 bias-ply tires, which is consistent with the construction type expected on an American luxury car of this period. Bias-ply tires were still the standard fitment style in the early 1960s, and a 14-inch wheel is correct for this model’s tire size. No specific original-equipment tire brand should be assumed without factory literature or marque-specific evidence.

For most restoration work, the important starting points are the correct size, the correct bias-ply construction, and the sidewall look that best matches the car’s original presentation. Owners pursuing very exact authenticity should compare surviving showroom photos, original sales material, and Imperial club resources. That is the best way to sort out whether a narrow or wider whitewall look makes sense for a particular car.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1962 Imperial, especially in judged restoration settings. Size, construction type, and sidewall appearance all affect how authentic the car looks to experienced judges and marque enthusiasts. A wrong-size tire, an obviously incorrect sidewall treatment, or a construction style that does not suit the period can all work against an otherwise strong presentation.

That does not mean every event applies the same standards, so owners should match the tire choice to the kind of showing they plan to do. A local cruise night rewards a different level of correctness than formal concours judging. If points judging is the goal, consult Imperial and Chrysler marque references first so the tire complements the car rather than becoming an easy deduction.

For a 1962 Imperial, the BFGoodrich 2.25 Inch Whitewall and BFGoodrich 1.00 Inch Whitewall differ primarily in sidewall presentation rather than in core construction. In 850-14 for the New Yorker, both are bias-ply tires with the same 1740-pound maximum load rating at 32 psi, the same 14-inch rim diameter, the same 5.50- to 6.00-inch rim width range, and the same 25-pound weight. The visual difference is the width of the whitewall band.

That makes the choice mostly about how formal or restrained you want the car to look. A 2.25-inch whitewall gives a stronger early-1960s luxury statement, while a 1.00-inch whitewall reads more understated. Since the fitment specs stay the same, owners can focus on restoration goals and period style rather than worrying that one version changes the basic wheel match.

1962 Imperial tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, in sound condition, properly inflated, and matched to wheels within the correct width range. The available fitments here are bias-ply designs, so they should be driven with the road feel and response characteristics typical of period construction rather than the expectations of a modern touring radial. Tire age and condition are just as important as the size stamped on the sidewall.

On a big early-1960s luxury car, the broader mechanical condition of the car matters every bit as much as the tires. Steering, suspension, brakes, alignment, and wheel condition all affect how confidently the car behaves at speed. If the tires are fresh and properly matched, normal highway driving is usually more limited by the vehicle’s vintage systems and maintenance level than by the basic tire size itself.

Published load information for 1962 Imperial tires includes 1740 pounds at 32 psi for the 850-14 BFGoodrich size and 1620 pounds at 32 psi for BFGoodrich 800-14 versions. Those figures describe the tire’s rated load at that pressure, but they are not automatically the same thing as the carmaker’s recommended operating pressure for every driving condition. Pressure should always be tied to the exact tire size and product on the car.

The best approach is to start with the factory pressure guidance for the vehicle, then confirm that your chosen reproduction tire’s pressure range aligns with that use. Do not carry a pressure figure from 800-14 over to 850-14, or from one product family to another, just because both fit a 1962 Imperial. Matching pressure to the exact tire preserves handling balance and helps the tread wear more evenly.

Before a longer drive in a 1962 Imperial, inspect each tire for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, weathering, uneven wear, and proper inflation. Check the spare as well, since a roadside issue is harder to solve if the backup tire is old or flat. Wheel condition, valve stems, and basic retention of air over time should also be part of the inspection, especially on a collector car that may sit between outings.

A longer trip is also a good reason to think beyond the tires and look at the whole car in period-appropriate fashion. Brakes, cooling system, steering play, and suspension condition all influence how relaxed the drive will be. Tires are only one part of the equation, but they are the part that touches the road, so a careful inspection before departure is one of the smartest habits an Imperial owner can develop.