In the luxury-car world, 1968 Bentley marked a transition into a more modern era while still carrying the dignified road manners and formal presence buyers expect from the marque. The Bentley T shared much of its engineering character with its Rolls-Royce counterpart, but it remained a distinct choice for owners who appreciate understated British prestige. For 1968 Bentley, the tire question is unusually focused, because the model range centers on one size: 815-15 bias-ply. That makes the first step simple: confirm that you have a 1968 Bentley T, then decide whether your priority is period-correct appearance, including sidewall style, before choosing a tire.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 1968 Bentley
1968 Bentley uses one tire size across its model range, so the main decision is not between multiple fitments but between the available sidewall treatments within that single size. Because every 1968 Bentley T uses 815-15 on a 15-inch wheel, understanding what that older numeric size means will help you choose the right tire with less guesswork. Sorting that out first saves time and helps match the tire to your restoration goals.
Year(s): 1968|Fit(s): T|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 15 in
815-15 is a numeric bias-ply size, with the first number representing nominal section width in an older sizing system and the final number indicating a 15-inch rim diameter. This size is available from BFGoodrich in Narrow Whitewall and Whitewall-Redline styles, and both versions carry a 1610-pound load rating at 32 psi. Because it is the sole fitment used across the 1968 Bentley range, the real choice here is visual character rather than alternate sizing. Owners aiming for a traditional late-1960s look will want to choose the sidewall style that best suits the car's restoration theme and presentation.
One model is covered for 1968 Bentley. Because the Bentley T uses a single tire size across the range, identifying the model is straightforward, and the main differences come down to presentation, restoration direction, and the sidewall look you want on the car rather than alternate fitments. Select the model below to continue to model-specific tire details and products.
1968 Bentley T
The 1968 Bentley T brought Bentley into a more contemporary luxury-sedan format, blending traditional British craftsmanship with cleaner, more modern packaging than earlier coachbuilt-era cars. Its 815-15 tires mount on 15-inch wheels, keeping fitment simple while leaving room to tailor the car's finished look through sidewall styling. For many owners, the decision is less about changing size and more about choosing the appearance that best matches the car's intended presentation.
Two products are available across one tire size for 1968 Bentley vehicles. The 815-15 size includes two BFGoodrich bias-ply options with Narrow Whitewall or Whitewall-Redline sidewalls, so the key choice is confirming the sidewall style that best matches your car.
These FAQs cover how 815-15 fits the 1968 Bentley T, what that older numeric size means, which sidewall styles are available, and what to check for storage, setup, and longer road use on a collector Bentley.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 1968 Bentley vehicles?
1968 Bentley vehicles use one tire size: 815-15. That size applies to the 1968 Bentley T and mounts on a 15-inch rim. The products available in 815-15 are bias-ply tires, and the supported rim width range for that size is 5.00 to 6.50 inches.
That makes 1968 Bentley fitment more straightforward than many year-make pages, because you are not sorting between multiple diameters or model-specific alternatives. The important next step is verifying that the wheels on your car remain within the correct width range and then choosing the sidewall treatment that best fits your car's restoration style and intended appearance.
What does 815-15 mean on a 1968 Bentley tire?
On a 1968 Bentley, 815-15 is an older numeric bias-ply tire size. The first number is the tire's nominal section width in the period sizing system, while the final number identifies the wheel diameter in inches, which here is 15 inches. Because it is a bias-ply size, it follows vintage sizing conventions rather than modern metric radial notation.
Understanding that format helps prevent confusion when comparing reproduction collector tires to later radial markings. If you are accustomed to modern P-metric sizes, the most important takeaway is that 815-15 should be matched to the proper 15-inch wheel and chosen as a vintage-style fitment, not translated casually into a modern size without broader fitment research.
Do all 1968 Bentley models use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1968 Bentley range covered here centers on the Bentley T, and that model uses 815-15 throughout. There is no alternate size within this year and make, so the fitment question is much simpler than it is on makes with multiple sedans, coupes, or specialty variants using different wheel diameters.
That consistency shifts the buying decision away from model-by-model size differences and toward appearance and authenticity. Once you confirm that your car is a 1968 Bentley T and that it still wears the correct 15-inch wheel setup, you can focus on whether a narrow whitewall or a whitewall-redline presentation is more appropriate for the way you want the car finished.
Buying the Right Tire
What sidewall styles are available for 1968 Bentley tires?
1968 Bentley tires in 815-15 are available with two sidewall styles: Narrow Whitewall and Whitewall-Redline. Both are BFGoodrich bias-ply tires in the same size and carry the same 1610-pound load rating at 32 psi, so the difference is visual rather than dimensional. The car still remains within the same core fitment either way.
For a Bentley of this era, a narrow whitewall usually aligns more naturally with a formal luxury-sedan appearance. A redline treatment creates a more specialized period look and may appeal to owners building around a particular vintage style statement. The better choice depends less on fitment and more on how original, restrained, or personalized you want the finished car to appear.
What brands make tires for 1968 Bentley vehicles?
BFGoodrich covers the 1968 Bentley T in 815-15. The available options come from the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line and are offered in both Narrow Whitewall and Whitewall-Redline configurations. That gives Bentley owners a focused, period-style selection rather than a broad mix of unrelated constructions and sizing systems.
A single-brand offering can simplify the selection process because you are comparing appearance within one established vintage-style range instead of sorting through very different carcass designs or sidewall profiles. If your goal is a consistent collector-car presentation, the next question is not which brand to choose, but which sidewall treatment best suits your car's trim, color, and restoration intent.
What is the difference between the available BFGoodrich tires for the 1968 Bentley?
The two BFGoodrich choices for the 1968 Bentley share the same core specifications: 815-15 size, bias-ply construction, 15-inch rim diameter, 5.00 to 6.50 inch rim-width compatibility, 25-pound tire weight, and a maximum load of 1610 pounds at 32 psi. Their real point of difference is the sidewall design. One uses a 1.00-inch whitewall, while the other combines a 1.00-inch whitewall with a 3/8-inch redline.
Because the structural specifications match, your decision should be guided by appearance rather than by an expectation of major fitment or load differences. Owners pursuing a restrained luxury look will usually gravitate toward the whitewall version, while the whitewall-redline option suits a more distinct period-custom presentation without changing the base size or wheel diameter.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 1968 Bentley tires require?
The 815-15 tire used on the 1968 Bentley fits rims from 5.00 to 6.50 inches wide. Its rim diameter is 15 inches, so both diameter and width need to line up with the wheel actually on the car. Staying within that range helps the tire maintain the intended section shape and bead seating.
Before mounting any tire, measure the wheel or verify the wheel specification if the car has been restored, modified, or refitted over the years. A correct 15-inch diameter alone is not enough if the wheel width falls outside the recommended range. Confirming both numbers up front avoids appearance issues, unnecessary mounting complications, and drivability compromises.
Do 1968 Bentley tires require inner tubes?
The 815-15 products available for the 1968 Bentley do not carry a tube-type or tubeless marking in the size description, so the first thing to confirm is the tire's sidewall marking and the wheel design being used on your car. On collector cars of this age, tube use can depend as much on wheel construction and condition as on the tire itself.
That means tube decisions should be made as part of the wheel-and-tire package, not assumed from the vehicle year alone. If your Bentley retains original-style wheels, inspect the wheel condition carefully and verify the exact product marking before installation. A marque specialist or experienced vintage tire installer can help determine whether tube use is appropriate for your specific wheel setup.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 1968 Bentley when the tires are fitted?
A 1968 Bentley should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment. Clean tires last better when they are kept off oily or solvent-contaminated floors, and inflation pressure should be checked before the car sits for an extended period. Bias-ply tires are also more prone to temporary flat-spotting after long static storage than modern radials.
Moving the car periodically or placing it on stands during long-term storage can help reduce stress on the carcass and minimize flat spotting. If the Bentley sits for months at a time, cover the tires from light exposure and inspect the sidewalls before the car goes back into service. Careful storage is especially important on a low-use luxury car that may look fine cosmetically while the tires continue aging quietly.
How long do tires on a 1968 Bentley typically last?
On a 1968 Bentley, tire life is usually governed more by age than by mileage. Collector-car tires often deserve close evaluation once they are around five to seven years old, and many owners begin seriously considering replacement as they approach the ten-year mark, even if tread wear remains light. The DOT date code on the tire is the best reference point for tracking age.
That guideline matters because luxury collector cars are often driven gently and infrequently, which can disguise age-related deterioration. A tire with attractive tread depth may still have hardened rubber, sidewall weathering, or internal age concerns. If the Bentley spends much of its life on display or in storage, age-based inspection intervals are more useful than mileage-based habits borrowed from modern daily drivers.
How often should tires on a 1968 Bentley be inspected?
Tires on a 1968 Bentley should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing. Check inflation, sidewall cracking, tread condition, irregular wear, bulges, embedded debris, and whether the car has developed a storage flat spot. The spare deserves the same attention, especially on a car that may go long stretches between road use.
A short walk-around can catch problems before they become roadside issues or damage a hard-to-replace wheel. On an older Bentley, tire inspection should be part of a broader pre-drive routine that includes brakes, fluid levels, and suspension feel. Frequent checks matter even more when the car is used occasionally, since problems often emerge from storage time rather than from continuous driving.
Restoration & Authenticity
What tires were originally fitted to the 1968 Bentley T?
A 1968 Bentley T would have been associated with bias-ply fitment in the period reflected here, and the available reproduction size is 815-15. That aligns with the era's luxury-car tire conventions before radial replacement became the default expectation in later decades. For market-specific, coachbuilder-specific, or exceptionally detailed concours work, owners should still confirm period references through Bentley marque literature and clubs.
The practical point for restoration is that size, construction type, and sidewall look all contribute to whether the car presents as authentically late 1960s. If you are restoring for judged events, verify what standard the event uses before choosing a sidewall treatment. A broadly period-correct bias-ply tire can still look more or less authentic depending on whether the whitewall style matches the car's intended presentation.
Does correct tire fitment matter for showing a 1968 Bentley?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1968 Bentley because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction, and sidewall presentation. On a formal British luxury car, an obviously incorrect modern-looking tire or an out-of-character sidewall style can distract from an otherwise careful restoration. The 815-15 bias-ply format keeps the basic fitment in the right period lane for this year.
Show expectations vary by event, so it helps to decide whether you are building for national concours standards, marque-club judging, or a more relaxed local display environment. If authenticity is a priority, confirm the sidewall treatment that best suits your specific car and market presentation. Tire choice may seem like a finishing detail, but on a restrained design like the Bentley T, finishing details stand out.
Is a narrow whitewall or a redline more authentic on a 1968 Bentley?
For a 1968 Bentley, a narrow whitewall generally reads as the more traditional luxury-car presentation. A whitewall-redline combination is still period-themed, but it creates a more stylized look that is less conventionally associated with a formal Bentley sedan. Both options exist in the correct 815-15 bias-ply size, so authenticity here is mainly a question of sidewall appearance rather than basic fitment.
Owners restoring to a factory-leaning or concours-oriented standard will usually want to confirm period photographs, marque references, and event expectations before choosing the redline version. If the goal is a tasteful driver with a bit more visual personality, the redline may still appeal. The key is deciding whether your Bentley is being finished as a strict restoration or as a period-inspired personal expression.
Safety & Road Use
Are 1968 Bentley tires safe for highway driving?
The available 1968 Bentley tires are bias-ply 815-15 products, and no speed rating appears in the size marking for these options. That does not automatically make them unsuitable for road use, but it does mean they should be treated as vintage-style collector tires and driven with the mechanical realities of a late-1960s luxury car in mind. On many cars of this age, the condition of the brakes, suspension, steering, and wheel bearings is just as important as the tire itself.
Highway use is most reasonable when the tires are fresh, correctly inflated, properly mounted, and matched to a car that has been thoroughly inspected. Owners should avoid assuming that a reproduction bias-ply tire should be driven like a modern high-speed radial. Sensible speeds, smooth steering inputs, and a full pre-drive check are the right mindset for getting the most from a collector Bentley on modern roads.
What inflation pressure should I use for 1968 Bentley tires?
The available 815-15 tires for the 1968 Bentley carry a maximum load of 1610 pounds at 32 psi. That figure is the tire's load-and-pressure rating, not automatically the factory operating pressure for every driving condition. The right working pressure for your car should be checked against Bentley's original recommendations along with the tire manufacturer's limits for the exact product being used.
Using one pressure number blindly can affect ride quality, steering feel, tread wear, and load carrying. Start by confirming the owner's manual or marque reference for the car, then make sure the tire's rating is being respected. Keep all four tires checked with an accurate gauge, especially if the car is driven infrequently, because slow pressure loss is common on collector vehicles that spend long periods parked.
What should I check before taking a 1968 Bentley on a longer drive?
Before a longer drive in a 1968 Bentley, inspect each tire for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, unusual wear, embedded debris, and proper cold inflation. Check the spare as well, since collector-car spares are often overlooked for years at a time. The wheels should also be examined for condition and security, especially if the car has recently come out of storage.
Tire inspection is only one part of the preparation for an older Bentley. A longer outing also calls for a quick review of brake feel, fluid levels, steering response, suspension behavior, and whether the car tracks straight without vibration. Taking a few extra minutes before departure is worthwhile on a vintage luxury car, where age-related issues are more likely to surface during the first sustained run than on a short local trip.
