Suburban wheel size

[Kungfupanda]

I was hoping someone would know if the 1959 Custom Suburban had an option for 15" wheels. The person I bought if from swears the wheels on it are factory and that he confirmed it with Galen Govier. I have only seen the 750-14 and 800-14 tire options listed for the Plymouth Suburban. Clarification would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Denver 59 Fin Convert]

I would not trust Galen on this. He is wrong more times then he is right on the Mopar Muscle stuff of the late 60's and 70's.I have know him over 20 years and have numerous conversations with him. He would hardly be an authority on FL stuff.

But in looking in the 59 FSM and the owners manual I can only see the 14 inch wheels availble. But with Mopar, you could special order anything or have a dealer install what you want on a new car. Nothing is impossible with Chrysler.

I will defer to others in the Forum for definite statements.

The wheels them selves may be original Mopar factory 15 inchers but were from another car and not original to our 59's/ They would look good but did not leave the factory with them on.

John Q.

[Matthew Keij]

If i remember correctly there was an option for 9.00X14 tyres that was recommended for both Suburban and Convertibles.

So probably they never had 15 inch wheels for an option.
All other Forward look cars also had 14 inch?

Just checked the parts book! It is listing 15 inch wheels only for Chrysler and Imperial.
So even if you could get those wheels on your Plymouth back in the days, the full wheelcovers were 14 inch so they won't fit.
You might have had the smaller ones that will only cover the center of the wheel.
15 Inch wheels are 100% sure not in the Plymouth option book

[rogerh]

Perhaps he is confused, because you could get WIDER tires on the Suburban, and larger BRAKES.
15'" rims do fit, but they were neither standard nor optional.

[big m]

All Mopars in '59 used 14" wheels. 15 inchers were never an option.

Also, the wheels for the wagons were wider, and heavier. Passenger car wheels will split along the bead if used on long trips on a wagon that is loaded. How do I know this? I found out the hard way on an 8,000 mile trip in a freshly restored '58 Sierra.

---John

[Kungfupanda]

Thanks guys. I used to own a restored '59 Sport Fury (weeps openly), so I was aware of the normal 14" wheels on the Plymouths, but not sure of the Suburban options. It looks as though the original owner swapped them out. Even the spare with original WWW is 15". I guess I will use these until it is restored, then switch back to 14". I have other questions, but I will post them with a different subject heading. Thanks again.

[Denver 59 Fin Convert]

Kung Fu Panda!, 15 incher's are fine but just not correct. It will throw off the speedometer a couple miles but what the heck. Cruise in your 15" and if you go to a local judging show slap on the 14" and the wheel covers and you will period correct. Or what ever your fancy is!

I will have a set of 15" also but a set of 14' for exactly why stated above. Some have Mopar/Ford Road Wheels on there car. Just depends on what you want to do on any given day.

John Q.