Wait to hear from LONGBOX55 about a substantial change in the wheel in 1955 (relative to making them different for using radials). I doubt it.
I'll be installing radials on 54 16" rims without tubes (nice rims) and will most likely seal around the rivets/joints with silicone sealant (these are beautiful rims that have been "trued" and powder-coated).
The rims on my Suburban were not in such good shape. I had to use radial tubes and plastic stem protectors (with SRM II Cooper Radials). These were installed by a Cooper dealer, even though these are tubeless truck radials. I have had no problems in 10 years of 1,000 miles/year driving (good, non-winding roads - mostly at highway speeds).
