1963 Lincoln Tire Fitment Guide

1963 Lincoln vehicles use two tire sizes: 885-14 and 950-14. Both sizes apply to the 1963 Lincoln Continental, and both mount on 14-inch wheels. The 885-14 is paired with a 6-inch rim width, while the 950-14 uses a wider 6.50 to 7.50 inch rim width range. Both are bias-ply sizes, so the main fitment difference is not construction type but the actual size and wheel width requirement.

That makes size confirmation especially important on a 1963 Lincoln, because a 14-inch wheel alone does not tell the whole story. Check the tire size already on the car, compare it with factory literature or restoration references, and verify the wheel width before making a final choice. On a big luxury car like the Continental, the difference between these two sizes also affects visual presence, so fitment and appearance usually go hand in hand.

On a 1963 Lincoln, 885-14 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 8.85 figure refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches, and the 14 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a modern metric radial size, so it does not read the same way as something like a 215/75R14. For the 1963 Lincoln Continental, this size appears as a bias-ply fitment on a 14-inch rim with a 6-inch wheel width.

That matters because a modern buyer may assume every 14-inch tire code works the same way, but numeric bias-ply sizing comes from an earlier system. If your goal is a period-correct restoration, the format itself is part of the car’s original character. If you find 885-14 on your Continental, use that as your starting point and then compare whitewall styling and wheel compatibility rather than trying to translate it directly into a modern radial designation.

No. The 1963 Lincoln range covered here centers on the Continental, and that model appears with two different tire sizes: 885-14 and 950-14. Both are bias-ply and both fit 14-inch wheels, but they are not interchangeable in the sense of being the same overall fitment. The wheel width requirement differs between the two sizes, with 885-14 on a 6-inch rim and 950-14 on a 6.50 to 7.50 inch rim range.

For a buyer, that means year and make are not enough by themselves, even when only one model core is involved. You still need to identify which tire size your particular 1963 Lincoln Continental was set up to use. The simplest path is to confirm the existing size against the wheel and then decide whether you want a narrow or wide whitewall look where that choice exists.

Choose the size that matches your 1963 Lincoln Continental’s correct fitment, not simply the one with the look you prefer. Both 885-14 and 950-14 are bias-ply sizes for 14-inch wheels, but they are different numeric sizes and they require different wheel widths. The 885-14 uses a 6-inch rim, while the 950-14 fits a 6.50 to 7.50 inch rim range. Since both are bias-ply, this is primarily a size and wheel-match decision rather than a bias-versus-radial decision.

Once fitment is confirmed, presentation becomes the next consideration. The 885-14 is available with a narrow whitewall, while the 950-14 gives you a choice between narrow and wide whitewall styling. On a 1963 Lincoln, whitewall width has a strong effect on the car’s visual character, so many owners balance restoration goals and appearance after locking in the correct size.

1963 Lincoln tires are available with more than one sidewall treatment. The 885-14 comes in a narrow whitewall, while the 950-14 is available in both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall form. All of these options are bias-ply tires, which keeps the overall construction appropriate to the period. On an early-1960s American luxury car, whitewall styling is a major part of the finished look.

For a more restrained appearance, the narrow whitewall gives the Continental a cleaner and slightly more understated profile. The wider whitewall leans harder into full-size luxury presentation and can feel especially at home on a car restored to a strong showroom-era visual standard. If originality matters for judging, compare your intended sidewall style with period photos, factory literature, and event-specific standards before making the final call.

BFGoodrich supplies the 1963 Lincoln sizes covered here. The 885-14 is available as a BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply with a narrow whitewall, and the 950-14 is available in the same series with either a narrow or wide whitewall. That keeps brand choice simple and shifts the real comparison toward size and sidewall style. For a 1963 Continental, the BFGoodrich name also fits naturally within the period American tire landscape.

Because one brand covers both sizes, the buyer’s job becomes more straightforward than on year-make pages with multiple competing constructions and manufacturers. Start by deciding whether your Continental needs 885-14 or 950-14, then choose the sidewall style that best matches your restoration plan. When one brand spans the fitment range, consistency in visual character is often easier to maintain across a full set, including the spare.

1963 Lincoln tires use different wheel widths depending on size. The 885-14 pairs with a 6-inch rim, while the 950-14 fits a 6.50 to 7.50 inch rim width range. Both sizes mount on 14-inch wheels, but the wheel width requirement is not the same between them. That is why wheel measurement matters just as much as reading the size code on the sidewall.

If your Continental still has its original wheels, verify width before assuming either size will fit correctly. Owners sometimes focus on rim diameter alone, but the wrong wheel width can affect how the tire sits and presents on the car. Measuring the wheel and matching it to the proper size is the cleanest way to avoid fitment surprises and keep the car’s stance visually appropriate.

A tube requirement is not universal across all 1963 Lincoln tires, so the safest approach is to confirm the construction details on the specific tire you choose. Both 885-14 and 950-14 appear here as bias-ply products, but tube use can depend on the exact tire build and the wheel condition. On collector cars, wheel age, surface finish, and originality can influence whether a tube setup is appropriate even when buyers expect a straightforward answer.

Before final installation, inspect the wheel carefully and confirm the tire’s sidewall marking and manufacturer guidance. That step matters even more on an older luxury car whose wheels may have been refinished, repaired, or stored for decades. If your 1963 Lincoln will see regular driving, this is also a good time to evaluate valve stems, wheel sealing surfaces, and the condition of the spare so the whole package is sorted together.

Original 1963 Lincoln wheels can only be used with both tire sizes if the wheel width matches the size you plan to run. Both 885-14 and 950-14 fit 14-inch rims, so rim diameter compatibility is shared. The difference is width: 885-14 uses a 6-inch rim, while 950-14 calls for a 6.50 to 7.50 inch range. A wheel that works for one size is not automatically correct for the other.

That means a buyer should treat shared rim diameter as only the first checkpoint. Measure the wheel, confirm which size your Continental should use, and then match the tire accordingly. If the car has had wheel changes during its life, this check becomes even more important, because a previous owner may have installed a different wheel that still accepts a 14-inch tire but is not ideal for both available sizes.

A 1963 Lincoln 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 the sidewalls. Bias-ply tires also tend to develop temporary flat-spotting more readily during long static storage than many later radial designs. Keeping the car clean and the tires properly inflated helps reduce sidewall stress while it sits. Moisture control matters too, especially for a heavy luxury car that places substantial static load on each tire.

If the car will sit for extended periods, move it occasionally so the tires do not rest in one position for months at a time. Some owners also use stands to reduce load during long-term storage, though that should be done carefully and with the chassis supported properly. A simple routine of pressure checks, occasional rolling, and protection from heat and ozone goes a long way toward preserving collector tires on a 1963 Lincoln.

Tires on a 1963 Lincoln should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. Collector cars often accumulate very few miles, yet the rubber still hardens and ages over time. A sound rule is to begin close inspection once tires reach about five to seven years of age and to give serious replacement consideration by around ten years, even if tread depth still looks generous. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish that timeline.

That age-based approach is especially important on a seldom-driven Continental, where old tires can look usable while losing flexibility and reliability. Storage history also affects service life, so a tire kept indoors in stable conditions may age differently than one exposed to sun or ozone. When in doubt, let condition, age, and the car’s intended driving use guide the decision rather than relying on mileage alone.

Tires on a 1963 Lincoln should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Check for sidewall cracking, weathering, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and pressure loss. Because the Continental is a substantial full-size car, tire condition carries noticeable weight in how the car rides and tracks on the road. A quick look at the spare is worthwhile too, since collector cars often carry older backup tires that get forgotten.

A more thorough inspection several times a season is a good habit, especially if the car sees occasional highway use or long idle stretches between drives. Pay attention to valve stem condition and any signs of air loss after storage. Catching age-related issues early is far easier than dealing with them once you are already on the road, and routine checks are one of the simplest forms of preventive maintenance on a 1963 Lincoln.

The 1963 Lincoln Continental belongs to an era when bias-ply construction was still the expected original-type fitment for American luxury cars, and both 885-14 and 950-14 appear in bias-ply form for this year and make. That aligns well with a restoration aimed at period-correct appearance and road feel. Because original fitment could vary by body style, equipment, and market expectations, the most precise confirmation should come from factory literature, marque references, or Lincoln specialists familiar with 1963 cars.

For most restoration work, the key authenticity markers are the correct size, correct bias-ply construction, and an appropriate whitewall treatment. The choice between narrow and wide whitewall can noticeably change how the car reads visually, so period photos are especially useful. If you plan to enter judged events, compare your tire choice against the standards used by the specific club or concours rather than assuming every show evaluates originality the same way.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1963 Lincoln, especially a Continental, because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction, and sidewall style quickly. A bias-ply tire with an era-appropriate whitewall presentation generally supports a more authentic appearance than a visibly modern alternative. Even when a tire physically fits the wheel, the wrong size or the wrong whitewall proportion can alter the car’s stance and visual balance in ways that stand out on a show field.

That does not mean every event applies the same standard, but it does mean tire choice should be deliberate if authenticity is one of your goals. Start with the correct numeric size for your car, then choose the sidewall treatment that best reflects your target presentation. For high-level judging, marque clubs and event rulebooks remain the best guides to what will be viewed as acceptable, preferred, or incorrect on a 1963 Lincoln.

On the 1963 Lincoln, the two 950-14 tire options share the same size, the same bias-ply construction, the same 14-inch rim diameter, the same 6.50 to 7.50 inch rim width range, and the same 2000-pound load rating at 32 psi. The real difference is sidewall presentation: one uses a 1.00 inch narrow whitewall and the other uses a 2.50 inch wide whitewall. Since the structural specifications are the same, the decision comes down to appearance rather than load or wheel compatibility.

That makes this a styling choice with restoration implications. A narrow whitewall tends to look cleaner and more restrained, while the wide whitewall delivers a stronger luxury-era visual statement that many enthusiasts associate with full-size American cars of the period. If your Continental is being restored to a specific showroom look or family-era memory, this sidewall choice can be one of the most visible details on the whole car.

1963 Lincoln tires in these sizes are bias-ply collector tires, and they can be suitable for highway use when they are in good condition, correctly fitted, and used within their intended limits. No separate speed rating appears here for the 885-14 or 950-14 products, so the safest approach is to treat them as period-style tires and drive with the manners appropriate to a large early-1960s luxury car. On a Continental, braking, suspension condition, steering feel, and overall vehicle age often matter as much as the tire itself at normal road speeds.

That means safety comes from the entire package rather than from one specification alone. Fresh, properly inflated tires are only part of the equation on a 1963 Lincoln that may still rely on decades-old mechanical systems or restoration work of varying age. Before regular highway use, make sure the car tracks properly, the wheels are sound, and the tire size matches the wheel width and intended fitment.

The pressure figures attached to these 1963 Lincoln tires are 32 psi for both sizes at their stated maximum loads. The 885-14 carries 1860 pounds at 32 psi, while the 950-14 carries 2000 pounds at 32 psi. Those numbers describe the tire’s rated load-and-pressure relationship, not automatically the exact day-to-day operating pressure your Continental should use. Factory vehicle recommendations and tire manufacturer guidance both matter when setting inflation for a collector car.

Use the original owner’s manual or factory service information as your first reference for the vehicle’s intended operating pressure, then compare that with the tire maker’s guidance for the product you are using. Avoid copying a pressure from one size to another simply because both fit 14-inch wheels. Correct inflation affects ride quality, wear pattern, and steering character, all of which are especially noticeable on a large 1963 Lincoln.

Before a longer drive in a 1963 Lincoln, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and stable air pressure. Confirm that the tire size matches the wheel setup on the car, and check the spare as carefully as the four road tires. A big collector Lincoln can feel composed on the road, but tire condition has a direct effect on ride quality and driver confidence. If the car has sat for a while, expect the tires to need a close once-over before putting miles on them.

Tires are only one part of the trip-prep routine, so combine that inspection with checks of brakes, steering, suspension, and fluid levels. Long-stored collector cars often reveal small issues once they are back in motion, and catching those issues at home is always better than finding them on the roadside. For the tires specifically, give extra attention to sidewalls, valve stems, and the age of the spare before heading out.