1963 Chrysler Tire Fitment Guide

1963 Chrysler vehicles use four tire sizes across the model range: 800-14, 850-14, 760-15, and 900-14. The 300 uses 800-14, 850-14, and 760-15; All Wagons use 800-14 and 850-14; the New Yorker uses 850-14 and 900-14; and the Newport uses 800-14 and 850-14. Rim diameter is 14 inches for 800-14, 850-14, and 900-14, while 760-15 mounts on a 15-inch wheel. Rim-width coverage where available runs 5.00 to 6.00 inches for 800-14, 5.50 to 6.00 for 850-14 and 760-15, and 6.00 to 7.00 for 900-14.

That means year and make alone are not enough to choose a tire for a 1963 Chrysler. Start by identifying the exact model, then confirm whether the car is on a 14-inch or 15-inch wheel before narrowing to sidewall style. That is especially important with the Chrysler 300, since it crosses both wheel diameters, and with the New Yorker, which adds the larger 900-14 option.

On a 1963 Chrysler, 800-14 is a traditional numeric bias-ply tire size. The 800 refers to the tire’s nominal section-width class in the older inch-based system, and the 14 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. In this year-and-make group, 800-14 appears on the Chrysler 300, All Wagons, and Newport, and it is offered in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions.

Numeric bias-ply sizing does not read like a modern metric tire, so the key is to treat it as an original-style fitment code rather than convert it casually to a modern replacement size. If your 1963 Chrysler still uses original-type wheels and you are aiming for the proper full-size look and stance, 800-14 is the code you want to match exactly on the sidewall before moving on to brand or whitewall width.

No, 1963 Chrysler models do not all use the same tire size. Every model family shares 850-14 somewhere in the lineup, but 800-14 is used by the 300, All Wagons, and Newport, 760-15 is exclusive to the 300, and 900-14 is exclusive to the New Yorker. All four sizes are bias-ply, so the main fitment difference across the range is model application and wheel diameter, not a switch between radial and bias constructions.

For a buyer, that means the model badge matters just as much as the year. A Newport and a New Yorker may both be 1963 Chryslers, yet they can call for different sizes, and a 300 requires extra care because one fitment uses a 15-inch wheel. Checking the actual tire code on the car, the wheel diameter, and the owner history is a smart step before settling on a replacement.

1963 Chrysler tires are available in several sidewall styles depending on size. The 800-14 offers blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall choices; 850-14 offers narrow whitewall and wide whitewall; 760-15 offers narrow whitewall and wide whitewall; and 900-14 offers narrow whitewall and wide whitewall. All of these are bias-ply tires, so the sidewall decision is mainly about appearance and period presentation rather than construction type.

For a 1963 Chrysler, sidewall style can make a visible difference in how formal, sporty, or upscale the car looks. Wide whitewalls tend to suit luxury-oriented presentation, while blackwalls or narrower whitewalls can give a cleaner, more understated appearance depending on the model and restoration goal. If the car is being prepared for judging, match the sidewall treatment to the way the car would have been equipped in its market and trim level.

1963 Chrysler tires come from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire, depending on size. BFGoodrich covers all four sizes, Universal Vintage Tire appears in 800-14 and 760-15, and Coker Classic appears in 760-15. That makes BFGoodrich the broadest brand match across the year, while 760-15 owners have the widest brand spread within this Chrysler range.

Brand choice for a 1963 Chrysler often comes down to the exact size first and the sidewall treatment second. If you are replacing a 14-inch full-size Chrysler tire, your selection is narrower by brand than it is on the 15-inch 760-15 fitment for the 300. Once the size is confirmed, compare the whitewall width and overall visual character you want rather than assuming every brand is offered in every fitment.

For a 1963 Chrysler using 760-15 tires, BFGoodrich and Coker Classic both offer bias-ply fitments on 15-inch rims with a 5.50 to 6.00-inch rim-width range and maximum load figures of 1710 pounds at 32 psi on applicable products. BFGoodrich appears in both narrow and wide whitewall forms, including a 3.375-inch whitewall, while Coker Classic appears in a 3.00-inch whitewall version. Product weight is close as well, with BFGoodrich examples at 26 pounds and the Coker Classic example at 25 pounds.

The practical difference is mostly visual within the same original-style tire category. A 1963 Chrysler 300 owner choosing 760-15 is deciding between brand preference and the exact whitewall presentation that best suits the car’s look. Since the shared fitment dimensions are so close, the sidewall appearance and how it complements the restoration usually become the deciding factors.

Rim-width guidance for 1963 Chrysler tires varies by size. The 800-14 fits 5.00 to 6.00-inch rims on applicable products, 850-14 fits 5.50 to 6.00-inch rims, 760-15 fits 5.50 to 6.00-inch rims, and 900-14 fits 6.00 to 7.00-inch rims. Those ranges show that even when two sizes share the same wheel diameter, they may not share the same ideal rim-width window.

That is why wheel diameter alone is not enough when sorting out a 1963 Chrysler. A New Yorker using 900-14 expects a wider rim range than an 800-14 car, and the 300’s 15-inch setup should still be checked for width before mounting tires. Measure the wheel or verify it against a trusted specification source if the car has been restored, modified, or mixed with parts from another Mopar.

Inner-tube status is not marked the same way across 1963 Chrysler tire offerings, so tube use should be confirmed on the specific tire and wheel combination you plan to run. The tire sizes themselves are all bias-ply, but tube need can depend on the product design and the wheel you are using, especially on older original-style rims. That makes it important to check the sidewall marking and the wheel condition instead of assuming every tire in a given size is the same.

For a collector Chrysler, the wheel matters as much as the tire. Original rims, restored rims, and later replacement wheels can each change the setup decision, and a tube-type arrangement also means the valve stem and tube condition become part of routine inspection. If the car still wears vintage-style wheels, treat tube compatibility as a setup item to verify before mounting rather than as an afterthought.

Original 1963 Chrysler wheels can only be used with all tire sizes if the wheel diameter and rim width match the tire in question, and that is not universal across the range. Three sizes use 14-inch rims, but 760-15 requires a 15-inch wheel, and rim-width needs also vary from 5.00 to 7.00 inches depending on the size. A 14-inch wheel cannot accept 760-15, and a narrow 14-inch wheel may not be appropriate for 900-14.

That matters most on cars that have changed hands, been restored years ago, or had wheels swapped during their lives. The 1963 Chrysler 300 is the prime example because it appears with both 14-inch and 15-inch fitments. Before reusing original wheels, confirm the actual stamped or measured diameter and width so the tire choice follows the wheel, not the other way around.

A 1963 Chrysler should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone sources that age rubber. Keep the tires properly inflated, avoid parking on wet soil or bare concrete for long periods, and move the car occasionally so the same footprint is not carrying the full weight month after month. Because 1963 Chrysler fitments here are all bias-ply, temporary flat-spotting after long static storage is more common than many modern drivers expect.

Seasonal collector storage is easier on the tires when the car is clean, the wheels are checked for pressure before it goes away, and the tires are inspected again before spring use. If the car will sit for a very long period, some owners use cradles or stands to reduce stress, but the main goal is stable pressure, protection from ozone, and avoiding prolonged contact with damaging surfaces.

Tire life on a 1963 Chrysler is usually judged more by age than by mileage, because collector cars often cover relatively few miles each year. A good rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they are around five to seven years old and to consider replacement as they approach ten years, even if the tread still looks usable. The DOT date code, overall condition, and storage history matter more than the odometer when deciding whether an older bias-ply tire is still fit for service.

A lightly driven 1963 Chrysler can fool owners into thinking a tire is healthy simply because it still has tread depth. Sidewall cracking, hardening, repeated flat-spotting, and age-related separation risk are more relevant than wear bars on a hobby car. If the age is uncertain, checking the tire date code and comparing all five tires, including the spare, is the most sensible starting point.

Tires on a 1963 Chrysler should be inspected before every drive, and they deserve a more thorough check before any longer outing or highway trip. Look for cracking in the sidewalls, tread damage, bulges, uneven wear, and pressure loss, and pay attention to any vibration that was not present before. On older collector cars, the visual condition of the rubber can change more from age and storage than from routine mileage.

A more detailed seasonal inspection should also include the spare, the wheel condition, and the valve stems, since all of those become part of the reliability picture on an older Chrysler. If the tire setup uses tubes, stem condition and slow pressure loss deserve extra attention. Catching a problem in the garage is far better than discovering it after the car has been out long enough for heat and speed to magnify it.

The 1963 Chrysler 300 used bias-ply tires, which aligns with normal original-equipment practice for an American full-size car of that era. Within this year-and-make range, the 300 appears with 800-14, 850-14, and 760-15 fitments, so the correct size depends on the specific wheel and equipment on the car rather than the 300 name alone. No single original-equipment brand should be assumed without car-specific evidence.

For restoration work, that means construction type is straightforward but exact size still needs to be verified against the car’s wheel setup and period references. If the goal is factory-accurate presentation, compare the current wheels, old photos, surviving paperwork, and marque-club knowledge before settling on one of the 300’s three fitments. That approach is especially useful on a model that could be equipped more than one way.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1963 Chrysler, especially in judged restoration classes. Size, construction, and sidewall treatment all affect whether the car looks right for its period, and a mismatch can stand out quickly on a large full-size Chrysler. A New Yorker on the wrong section-width tire or a 300 wearing the wrong wheel diameter fitment would be more than a minor cosmetic detail.

The exact judging standard depends on the event, but most serious evaluation looks at whether the tire supports the car’s year-correct stance and appearance. Wide whitewall versus narrow whitewall can also influence how authentic the finished presentation feels. If the car is being prepared for concours use, verify expectations with the relevant club or event organizers before choosing a sidewall style that may suit your taste but not the class standard.

In 800-14 for a 1963 Chrysler, BFGoodrich and Universal Vintage Tire both cover the same basic bias-ply fitment category, but they differ most clearly in sidewall offerings and the amount of published fitment detail. BFGoodrich appears in blackwall, 1.00-inch whitewall, and 2.25-inch whitewall forms, with maximum load figures of 1620 pounds at 32 psi and a 5.00 to 6.00-inch rim-width range on applicable products. Universal Vintage Tire appears in a wide whitewall version in the same 800-14 size.

For restoration purposes, the choice comes down to the appearance you want the car to carry and how closely that matches your goal for the build. A blackwall can give a simpler look, while the whitewall options move the car toward a more upscale early-1960s presentation. On a 1963 Chrysler, that visual difference is obvious enough that many restorers choose the brand only after deciding on the exact sidewall treatment.

1963 Chrysler tires can be used for highway driving when they are in sound condition, correctly mounted, and operated within the limits of their design, but these fitments are bias-ply tires and should be treated like period-style products rather than modern high-speed radials. No speed ratings are marked in the available size designations here, so the sensible approach is to match your driving to the car’s age, tire construction, and overall mechanical condition. On a full-size early-1960s Chrysler, brakes, steering, suspension condition, and alignment are often just as important as the tire itself.

For regular road use, safety comes from the whole package: fresh rubber, proper inflation, sound wheels, and a car that tracks and stops as it should. A bias-ply Chrysler will not feel exactly like a modern sedan at interstate speed, and it should not be driven as if it will. If your planned use includes long highway trips, inspect the car carefully and make sure the tires are age-appropriate and matched side to side.

Load-and-pressure figures differ by size on 1963 Chrysler tires, so inflation should never be copied from one fitment to another. The 800-14 carries 1620 pounds at 32 psi, 850-14 carries 1740 pounds at 32 psi, 760-15 carries 1710 pounds at 32 psi on applicable products, and 900-14 carries 1860 pounds at 32 psi. Those figures reflect the tire’s rated load pressure, not necessarily the exact running pressure Chrysler originally recommended for every model.

Use the vehicle’s original literature as the starting point for factory operating pressure, then make sure the tire you select is appropriate for that application and load. That distinction matters because a reproduction collector tire may have a rated pressure associated with its load capacity, while the car’s normal service pressure may be different. Keep the front and rear pressures consistent with the vehicle’s intended setup rather than inflating purely to the maximum figure.

Before a longer drive in a 1963 Chrysler, inspect all four tires and the spare for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, uneven wear, and correct cold inflation. Confirm that the wheel hardware is secure, the valve stems are in good shape, and the tread is not showing age-related separation or suspicious distortion. On an older full-size Chrysler, tire condition is only one part of the readiness check, but it is one of the fastest ways to avoid a trip-ending problem.

Once the tires pass inspection, broaden the check to the rest of the car: brakes, steering response, cooling system, belts, hoses, and fluid levels all deserve attention before a long outing. A collector Chrysler that feels fine on local roads can expose weak points once heat and distance build. Verifying the spare and the tools to change it is especially worthwhile, since an otherwise drivable vintage car can still be sidelined by something as simple as an aged spare tire.