For a 1969 Dodge Polara 383 2-bbl, what was the original tire size
Executive summary
Contemporary sources reviewed show that 1969 Dodge Polaras with the 383‑ci V8 were fitted on 15‑inch steel wheels in surviving examples and auction listings [1], and specialist specs databases that catalogue factory tire data include a dedicated tire page for the 1969 Polara 383 2‑bbl [2] [3]. However, the exact factory tire designation (numerical size in original bias‑ply notation) is not visible in the excerpts provided, so the reporting here can confirm wheel diameter but cannot definitively publish the single factory tire size without the full tire‑page content [2].
1. Factory wheel diameter is clear; full numeric tire spec in excerpts is not
A Bring a Trailer auction record for a 1969 Polara convertible notes 15″ steel wheels on that car, and that example was outfitted with modern Firestone Supreme 215/75‑R15 tires in 2022 — confirming 15‑inch rims on extant cars though not proving the exact original tire code [1]. Automobile‑Catalog maintains a model specifications entry and a specific “tire” subpage for the 1969 Polara 383 2‑bbl that, by design, lists stock and alternate tire sizes; the presence of that page suggests factory tire data exists in the catalogue but the snippet supplied does not reproduce the specific original size string [2] [3].
2. Why modern listings can mislead restorers and buyers
Auction descriptions and barn‑find writeups commonly record what tires are presently fitted — often modern radial sizes such as 215/75‑R15 — which owners chose for safety, availability and ride comfort, not necessarily the original factory bias‑ply dimensions [1] [4]. Specialist databases like Automobile‑Catalog and Allpar contextualize original equipment data and handling characteristics, but modern tire fitments on preserved cars can create the impression that the car shipped from the factory with those same metrics unless one inspects build sheets or dealer literature [2] [5].
3. Where authoritative original tire numbers would normally come from
Restoration professionals and purists typically rely on factory build sheets, dealer brochures or the tire/maintenance chart in the owner’s manual to confirm the original size; automotive databases collate this information into model‑specific tire pages when available [2] [3]. The automobile‑catalog entries for the 1969 Polara family include detailed spec sheets for different body styles and engines, and their tire pages for 1969 Polara variants historically have listed stock and optional sizes — indicating that the precise OEM designation is likely recorded on the full page beyond the provided excerpt [3] [2].
4. Practical guidance and conflicting signals in the sources
The on‑car measurement recorded by Bring a Trailer (215/75) is concrete for that vehicle in 2022, and barn‑find reporting and enthusiast sites repeatedly document that Polaras sit on relatively large 15″ wheels — reinforcing that restoring to a 15″ wheel setup is period‑appropriate [1] [4] [5]. That said, without the full text from the automobile‑catalog tire subpage or a factory brochure excerpt in the material supplied here, this review cannot assert the original factory numeric tire code (e.g., bias‑ply “7.75‑15” or “8.15‑15”) with documentary citation [2].
5. Bottom line for restorers, buyers and curious owners
The reporting confirms 15‑inch wheels on 1969 Polara examples and that modern restorations frequently use 215/75‑R15 radials for fit and ride [1], and points to automobile‑catalog’s tire pages as the likely source of the factory original size data [2] [3]. To conclusively pin down the OEM tire designation for a 1969 Dodge Polara 383 2‑bbl — beyond the wheel diameter — the next step is to consult the full Automobile‑Catalog tire page, period dealer brochures or the original owner’s manual and axle/tire placard for that factory configuration, documents not reproduced in the supplied excerpts [2] [3].