1968 Imperial Tire Fitment Guide

1968 Imperial vehicles use one tire size across the full model range: 9.15-15. That size is shared by all models, so there is no split between one Imperial body style and another at the year-and-make level. The tire mounts on a 15-inch wheel, which is the critical wheel-diameter match to confirm before moving on to any product choice.

Because the fitment is uniform, most buyers are choosing among bias-ply tire styles rather than sorting through multiple size families. That makes the process simpler, but it is still smart to confirm the wheel actually on the car, especially if it has been restored, modified, or fitted with replacement wheels at some point in its life.

On a 1968 Imperial, 9.15-15 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 9.15 refers to the tire’s nominal section width, and the 15 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. Unlike a modern metric radial size, it does not use the later width-aspect-ratio-rim format that many modern drivers recognize today.

That matters because a numeric bias-ply size should be understood in the context of its era, not translated too casually into a modern passenger-car size. If your goal is to preserve the Imperial’s original stance, steering feel, and period look, staying with the proper numeric bias-ply format is usually the best starting point before comparing individual tire designs.

Yes. All 1968 Imperial models use the same 9.15-15 tire size, so there is no year-and-make split that requires one Imperial model to run a different size from another. That makes Imperial simpler than many other late-1960s full-size cars, where a buyer may need to sort out trim, chassis, or body-specific tire differences.

Even with a shared size, buyers still need to think about how authentic they want the finished car to look and how they expect to drive it. A carefully judged restoration may favor one sidewall treatment, while a general collector car meant for occasional road use may call for a different presentation within the same size and construction family.

1968 Imperial tires in 9.15-15 can vary by sidewall treatment depending on the specific tire. On a late-1960s American luxury car, sidewall appearance plays a major role in how correct the finished car looks, because whitewall width and overall sidewall presentation were part of the visual identity of the period as much as the wheel cover or body trim.

For a restoration-minded buyer, the right sidewall style often matters just as much as the correct size. The best approach is to compare your Imperial’s original sales literature, period photos, and show standards, then choose the sidewall style that matches the car’s intended presentation rather than treating every 9.15-15 as visually interchangeable.

Choosing a 9.15-15 tire for a 1968 Imperial starts with the fact that all models share the same basic size and bias-ply construction family. That means your decision usually comes down to period appearance, sidewall style, and whether the car is being finished for show presentation, preservation, or occasional pleasure driving rather than to a size difference between models.

A buyer restoring a car to a factory-style look will usually put the most weight on correct visual character, while a driver-focused collector may care more about how the tire complements regular but limited road use. Either way, begin with the correct 15-inch numeric bias-ply size, then compare the tire’s appearance and setup details against your Imperial’s goals.

Tires for 1968 Imperial vehicles are offered in the 9.15-15 size, and the exact brand mix depends on the tire options available in that size. For a car from this era, brand matters partly for heritage and partly for the visual details that distinguish one reproduction or specialty collector tire from another, especially in sidewall treatment and overall presentation.

Many Imperial owners narrow the field by deciding first whether the car is headed toward judged restoration, high-level preservation, or enjoyable touring use. Once that is settled, brand choice becomes easier because you can compare the visual character and construction details of the tires that exist in 9.15-15 instead of trying to solve a fitment problem that does not actually vary by model.

Inner-tube requirements for 1968 Imperial tires depend on the specific 9.15-15 tire and the wheel it is being mounted on. Because collector-car tires can differ in tube-type or tubeless design, and original wheels can vary in condition after decades of use and restoration, tube use should be confirmed against the tire’s sidewall marking and the wheel’s actual construction.

That check matters most when working with original wheels that may have pitting, age-related corrosion, or an uncertain service history. A tire shop familiar with vintage cars can inspect the wheel, valve-stem area, and bead seat before installation so the final setup matches both the tire design and the realities of a 1968 Imperial wheel that may no longer be in factory-fresh condition.

Yes, because 1968 Imperial uses one tire size across the year-and-make range: 9.15-15 on a 15-inch wheel. There is no alternate year-and-make size to sort through, so the main compatibility issue is whether the wheel on the car is the correct diameter and remains serviceable after decades of age, storage, and possible refinishing.

That makes original-wheel use straightforward in principle, but wheel condition still deserves real attention. Have the rims checked for straightness, bead-seat condition, rust scale, and valve-stem integrity before mounting fresh tires, especially on a heavy luxury car where ride quality and confidence depend on the wheel being as sound as the tire itself.

A 1968 Imperial should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone sources that can accelerate sidewall cracking. Because bias-ply tires can flat-spot more readily during long stationary periods, keeping the car at proper inflation and moving it periodically is especially helpful on a heavy full-size luxury car.

If the Imperial will sit for an extended season, many owners either roll the car occasionally or support it in a way that reduces continuous load on the same contact patch. Clean floors, stable temperatures, and protection from moisture all help preserve both the tire casing and the wheel finish while the car is in long-term collector storage.

Tires on a 1968 Imperial should be evaluated by age as much as by tread wear, because collector cars often accumulate very few miles. A practical rule is to inspect more carefully once tires reach the five- to seven-year range and to treat around ten years from the date code as a serious replacement point even if the tread still looks usable.

That timeline matters because rubber ages internally as well as externally, and a seldom-driven Imperial can still have tires that are visually attractive but no longer ideal for road use. Checking the DOT date code, overall flexibility of the sidewall, and signs of cracking or hardening gives a much better picture than tread depth alone on a collector car.

Tires on a 1968 Imperial deserve a quick inspection before every drive and a more thorough inspection before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, embedded objects, uneven tread wear, and any sign that the tire is losing pressure. On a collector car, long periods of sitting can reveal problems just as easily as regular road use can.

A full check should also include valve stems, wheel condition, and the spare, since a decades-old spare can be unusable even when it appears clean. Catching age-related issues early is especially important on a heavy luxury car, where smooth ride quality can sometimes mask tire problems until they become more serious on the road.

A 1968 Imperial would have been fitted in a period when full-size American luxury cars commonly used bias-ply tires, and the year-and-make fitment here centers on 9.15-15. That makes a bias-ply tire in the correct numeric size the natural starting point for an owner trying to stay faithful to the car’s original type of construction and overall era character.

Original-equipment details could still vary by market expectations, delivery specifications, or how a particular car was equipped, so owners pursuing top-level authenticity should compare against factory literature and marque expertise. For most restoration work, getting the size, construction family, and sidewall look right will matter more than chasing assumptions about a brand name without hard confirmation.

Yes, correct tire fitment matters when showing a 1968 Imperial because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction type, and sidewall appearance very quickly. On a formal late-1960s luxury car, a tire that looks too modern, carries the wrong sidewall treatment, or departs from the proper numeric bias-ply character can interrupt the period look even if the car is otherwise beautifully restored.

That does not mean every event uses the same standards, but it does mean tire details deserve attention early in the restoration plan. Marque clubs, event judging manuals, and period photos can help you decide whether your Imperial should wear a particular whitewall presentation or another correct-looking sidewall treatment for the kind of showing you intend to do.

Bias-ply construction is important to the authenticity of a 1968 Imperial because it matches the period tire technology associated with American luxury cars of the late 1960s. The construction affects more than the sidewall marking alone; it also contributes to the visual stance, the profile of the tire on the wheel, and the overall impression of a car restored in the spirit of its original era.

Owners do not all use their cars the same way, so authenticity priorities can vary, but a serious restoration usually starts with the proper construction family before moving to sidewall details. If your Imperial is headed for concours-style presentation, treat the tire as a visible restoration component, not simply a replaceable wear item with the right rim diameter.

1968 Imperial tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, properly installed, correctly inflated, and in sound condition for their age and construction type. Because Imperial is a large late-1960s luxury car, tire safety depends not only on the tire itself but also on the broader condition of the vehicle, including steering, suspension, brakes, and wheel condition.

For practical road use, focus on a fresh, age-appropriate tire, stable pressure, and a careful pre-drive inspection rather than assuming any old-looking tire is ready for highway speeds. A well-sorted Imperial often reaches the tire’s comfort zone long after the car’s own vintage chassis and braking character have already become the more meaningful real-world limitation.

Inflation pressure for 1968 Imperial tires should follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation for the car and the tire manufacturer’s guidance for the specific 9.15-15 tire being used. Pressure should never be borrowed casually from a different size or a modern passenger-car application, because the Imperial’s weight, tire construction, and intended use all shape what is appropriate.

The most useful approach is to start with the vehicle’s original reference point, then verify that it aligns sensibly with the reproduction or specialty tire’s own rated conditions. After that, monitor wear pattern, ride quality, and pressure stability rather than chasing a generic number, since a big collector luxury car can respond noticeably to even modest inflation changes.

Before a longer drive in a 1968 Imperial, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, irregular wear, and cold inflation pressure, and make sure the valve stems and spare are in serviceable condition. On a heavy, older luxury car, the tire check should happen alongside a broader inspection of brakes, steering play, suspension behavior, fluids, belts, and basic electrical reliability.

A careful pre-trip routine is especially worthwhile on collector cars that may spend long stretches parked between outings. Even when the tires are the correct 9.15-15 size, the safest road experience comes from treating them as one part of the Imperial’s overall readiness rather than as an isolated component divorced from the rest of the car.