1962 Lincoln Tire Fitment Guide

1962 Lincoln vehicles use two tire sizes: 885-14 and 950-14, both on the Lincoln Continental. Both are bias-ply tires and both mount on 14-inch wheels. The 885-14 is paired with a 6-inch rim width, while the 950-14 uses a 6.50- to 7.50-inch rim width range. That means the year and make do not narrow the decision to one universal size, even though only one model is involved.

The practical step for a 1962 Lincoln owner is to confirm the exact size already fitted to the car or verify the wheel and application before choosing a replacement. Once size is settled, the next decision is mostly visual, especially on 950-14 where both narrow and wide whitewall styles are available. If your car is being restored for authenticity, compare the existing wheel and sidewall presentation to period photos or marque-club references before making the final call.

On a 1962 Lincoln, 885-14 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 885 designation refers to the tire's nominal section width in the traditional numeric system, and the 14 identifies the rim diameter in inches. Because there is no radial construction marker in the size code, it is read as a bias-ply format. On 1962 Lincoln applications, this size is associated with a 14-inch wheel and a 6-inch rim width.

That matters because 885-14 is not just a styling label; it points to a specific wheel and fitment combination within the Continental range. If your 1962 Lincoln currently wears 885-14, staying with that size preserves the intended proportions and keeps you within the rim-width requirement tied to it. It is also the narrower of the two numeric sizes used that year, so moving to another size should never be treated as a cosmetic decision alone.

On a 1962 Lincoln, 950-14 is also a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 950 portion identifies the nominal section width in the traditional numeric system, while the 14 indicates a 14-inch rim diameter. Like 885-14, the absence of an R in the code means it is a bias-ply construction rather than a radial. For 1962 Lincoln applications, 950-14 fits 14-inch wheels and uses a broader 6.50- to 7.50-inch rim width range.

The larger numeric size gives the Continental a fuller sidewall presence, which can matter on a big early-1960s luxury car where visual stance is part of the overall character. It also opens up a whitewall choice, since 950-14 is available in both narrow and wide whitewall form. Before choosing it for a 1962 Lincoln, make sure your wheels fall within the correct rim-width range instead of assuming any 14-inch wheel will do.

A 1962 Lincoln owner should choose between 885-14 and 950-14 by confirming which size the car actually uses, not by treating them as interchangeable versions of the same tire. Both are bias-ply and both fit 14-inch rims, but they correspond to different wheel-width requirements. The 885-14 uses a 6-inch rim, while the 950-14 is intended for 6.50- to 7.50-inch rims. The construction choice is the same in both cases, so the decision is fitment first and appearance second.

Once the size is confirmed, the visual presentation becomes the meaningful choice. The 885-14 comes with a narrow whitewall, while the 950-14 can be had with either a narrow or wide whitewall, which can change how formal or dramatic the car looks. On a 1962 Lincoln Continental, that sidewall appearance is a major part of the car’s period character, but wheel compatibility still comes before style.

1962 Lincoln tires are available with more than one sidewall treatment, depending on size. The 885-14 comes as a narrow whitewall, while the 950-14 is available as either a narrow whitewall or a wide whitewall. All of these options are bias-ply tires, which keeps the period construction appropriate for an early-1960s Continental. The main visual difference is how much whitewall you want to show against the car’s substantial body and trim.

For many 1962 Lincoln owners, sidewall style is the finishing detail that sets the car’s attitude. A narrow whitewall tends to look a little more restrained, while a wide whitewall leans into the full formal luxury presence associated with the era. If the goal is show judging or restoration accuracy, compare your chosen whitewall width to factory literature, period photography, and Lincoln marque resources so the tire complements the exact presentation you want.

BFGoodrich makes the available tires for 1962 Lincoln fitments in both 885-14 and 950-14. The 885-14 is offered in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line with a narrow whitewall, and the 950-14 is offered in the same series with narrow or wide whitewall styling. That keeps brand choice straightforward for this year and make while still allowing a visible sidewall difference within the larger size.

For a 1962 Lincoln buyer, that means the important comparison is less about switching among multiple makers and more about selecting the right size and whitewall presentation. BFGoodrich has long-standing recognition in the American collector market, which makes it a familiar choice for domestic luxury cars of this era. If your focus is authenticity of appearance, spend more time matching sidewall width to the car than searching for a different construction or brand family.

Rim width requirements for 1962 Lincoln tires depend on the size. The 885-14 is matched to a 6-inch rim width, while the 950-14 uses a wider 6.50- to 7.50-inch rim range. Both sizes share a 14-inch rim diameter, but the width requirement is not the same. That difference is the key reason these two sizes should not be treated as simple appearance swaps.

Before replacing tires on a 1962 Lincoln, confirm the actual wheel dimensions on the car rather than relying only on the fact that the wheels are 14-inch. A tire can match the diameter and still be wrong for the rim width. If the car has had wheel changes during its life, measuring the wheel or checking with a knowledgeable Lincoln specialist is a better path than assuming the current setup is original.

Inner tube status is not marked in the available 1962 Lincoln tire sizing and product naming, so tube fitment should be confirmed by the exact tire and wheel combination you plan to use. Both 885-14 and 950-14 are bias-ply sizes for 14-inch wheels, but wheel design and tire construction details can influence whether a tube is appropriate. Collector cars from this era also sometimes retain original wheels that deserve closer inspection before final assembly.

For a 1962 Lincoln, the safest approach is to check the sidewall markings on the exact tire you select and examine the wheel condition at the same time. If the car still uses original steel wheels, pay attention to surface condition, valve-stem area integrity, and overall sealing surfaces. That way the decision about tubes is tied to the real wheel and tire in front of you, not a blanket assumption about early-1960s luxury cars.

Original 1962 Lincoln wheels can potentially be used with both tire sizes only if the wheel diameter and width match the tire's requirements. Both 885-14 and 950-14 fit 14-inch wheels, so diameter compatibility is shared. Rim width is where the fitment splits: 885-14 uses a 6-inch rim, while 950-14 requires 6.50 to 7.50 inches. That means wheel diameter alone is not enough to confirm interchangeability.

A 1962 Lincoln owner should verify the exact wheel width before changing from one size to the other. If the car already has correct factory wheels for one application, that does not automatically make them correct for the other size. This is especially important on a collector car that may have seen wheel swaps or previous restoration work over the decades. A quick measurement now can prevent bead-seat, appearance, and handling compromises later.

A 1962 Lincoln should be stored in a cool, dry, dark environment with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment. Because both 885-14 and 950-14 are bias-ply tires, they are more prone to temporary flat-spotting during long static storage than many modern radial tires. Keeping the tires properly inflated and moving the car periodically helps reduce stress in one contact patch area.

If a 1962 Lincoln will sit for an extended period, many collectors either roll the car a little every few weeks or support it in a way that reduces long-term tire loading. Clean, dry concrete is better than damp dirt or grass, and breathable indoor covers help more than trapping moisture. The goal is preserving both the tire carcass and the sidewall finish, especially on whitewall tires where cosmetic aging can become visible before structural issues do.

Tires on a 1962 Lincoln should be judged more by age, storage history, and condition than by mileage. Collector cars often accumulate very few miles, but rubber still ages from time, heat cycles, ultraviolet exposure, and ozone. A good rule is to begin careful evaluation around the five- to seven-year mark and to treat about ten years as a serious replacement consideration, even if tread depth still looks strong. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age.

That approach matters on a 1962 Lincoln because a large, heavy luxury car places meaningful demand on its tires even during occasional use. Sidewall condition, consistent pressure retention, and any signs of cracking or internal separation deserve more attention than odometer readings alone. If the car is driven only to shows, age still matters, and if it is driven on tours or highways, aging rubber should be taken even more seriously.

Tires on a 1962 Lincoln should be inspected before every drive and more thoroughly before any extended outing. Check for sidewall cracking, weathering, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, uneven tread wear, and any sign that the tire is losing pressure. Since the available fitments are bias-ply, a car that has been parked for a while may also need a short drive to round out after mild flat-spotting. Whitewall surfaces should be checked for cracking as well as general appearance.

A quick walkaround is often enough before a short local drive, but a touring day or event trip deserves a deeper inspection that includes the spare and valve stems. On an older luxury car like a 1962 Lincoln, tire condition should be considered part of a broader readiness check that includes brakes, steering, and suspension. Catching a sidewall issue early is far easier than dealing with a roadside problem in a very heavy early-1960s car.

A 1962 Lincoln Continental would have originally been fitted with bias-ply tires, which matches the construction used in the available 885-14 and 950-14 fitments. Both sizes are period-appropriate in construction for an American luxury car of this era, and both use 14-inch rims. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and delivery circumstances, so the most reliable authenticity markers are correct size, correct construction, and a sidewall style that suits the car’s presentation.

For a restoration, the best next step is to confirm whether your particular 1962 Lincoln should wear 885-14 or 950-14, then decide whether a narrow or wide whitewall best matches period photos and factory literature. Owners pursuing concours-level correctness should also compare surviving examples and consult Lincoln marque clubs. That extra research helps settle details that go beyond simple tire size, especially when visual authenticity matters as much as basic fitment.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1962 Lincoln because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction, and sidewall style immediately. On a car from this period, bias-ply construction is part of the authentic visual and historical presentation. A mismatch in size or an obviously wrong whitewall treatment can disrupt the proportions of the Continental’s body and wheel openings, even if the car otherwise looks carefully restored.

The practical takeaway is that show preparation should treat tires as a restoration detail, not an afterthought. Confirm whether your 1962 Lincoln belongs on 885-14 or 950-14 first, then choose the sidewall width that best matches the look you are trying to recreate. Event-specific standards can vary, so owners aiming for judged competition should check with Lincoln clubs or the organizing body rather than assuming every period-looking whitewall will be scored the same way.

For the 1962 Lincoln, the two 950-14 tires share the same basic fitment and construction details: both are BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires, both fit 14-inch rims, both use the same 6.50- to 7.50-inch rim width range, both weigh 30 pounds, and both carry a 2,000-pound load rating at 32 psi. The meaningful difference is the sidewall presentation. One uses a 1.00-inch narrow whitewall and the other uses a 2.50-inch wide whitewall.

That makes this a visual authenticity question more than a technical one. A narrow whitewall gives a more restrained look, while a wide whitewall creates a stronger period luxury statement that many owners associate with early-1960s American flagship cars. If your 1962 Lincoln restoration is guided by a specific trim appearance, delivery photo, or judging standard, choose the whitewall width that best matches that reference rather than assuming wider is always more correct.

1962 Lincoln tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, in sound condition, properly inflated, and matched to wheels in good condition. The available 885-14 and 950-14 fitments are both bias-ply tires, so they should be driven with the road feel and tracking characteristics typical of period construction. Highway confidence in a 1962 Lincoln depends on the entire car, not just the tires, and the vehicle’s brakes, suspension, steering, and alignment deserve equal attention before sustained road use.

For a collector car owner, that means safety starts with realistic expectations rather than treating a reproduction tire like a modern touring radial. A well-sorted 1962 Lincoln can be very enjoyable on the road, but it should be driven in a way that respects its size, age, and original chassis character. If the car will see regular higher-speed driving, begin with a thorough mechanical inspection and make sure the tires are fresh, evenly worn, and pressure-stable.

The available 1962 Lincoln tires carry their stated load ratings at 32 psi. The 885-14 is rated at 1,860 pounds at 32 psi, and the 950-14 is rated at 2,000 pounds at 32 psi. Those figures identify the pressure tied to the tire’s maximum rated load, but they are not automatically the same as the factory running pressure recommendation for every 1962 Lincoln application. Tire size and vehicle setup should always be considered together.

For day-to-day use, a 1962 Lincoln owner should compare the tire’s rating information with the original owner’s manual or factory specifications for the car. Avoid borrowing pressure figures from another size just because both tires fit 14-inch wheels. If your car has been restored, carries unusual load, or uses wheels that are not known to be original, treat pressure setup as part of the overall fitment review instead of a one-number shortcut.

Before taking a 1962 Lincoln on a longer drive, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, and check that the spare is usable as well. Look over the whitewall surfaces for age-related cracking, and make sure valve stems are in good shape. Since these are bias-ply fitments, pay attention to any vibration or shape irregularity after the car has been parked for an extended time. Tires are only one part of the pre-trip process on a big early-1960s luxury car.

A smart touring checklist for a 1962 Lincoln also includes brakes, steering play, suspension response, fluid levels, cooling system condition, and charging performance. The goal is not just avoiding a flat, but making sure the whole car is ready for sustained use at modern traffic speeds. If the car has not been driven much lately, a short local shakedown run before a longer trip can reveal tire and chassis issues before they become roadside problems.