Chevrolet Wagon Tires

Chevrolet Wagon uses seven listed tire sizes across the 1948 to 1965 range: 600-16 for 1948, 670-15 for 1948 and 1950 through 1953 and 1955 through 1956, 750-14 for 1957, 800-14 for 1957 through 1961, 850-14 for 1959 through 1961, 650-13 for 1962 through 1964, and 700-13 for 1962 through 1965. Their corresponding rim diameters are 16, 15, 14, and 13 inches, as shown in the size codes.

The practical point is that year alone is not always enough, because some Chevrolet Wagon years carry two listed sizes. Start by confirming the wheel diameter on the car, then narrow the choice by year and by whether the wagon uses the narrower or wider fitment listed for that period.

On a Chevrolet Wagon, 670-15 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 670 represents a nominal 6.70 inch section width with the decimal omitted, and the 15 identifies the wheel diameter as 15 inches. This size appears on 1948 Chevrolet Wagon applications and on 1950 through 1953 and 1955 through 1956 cars.

That makes 670-15 a typical early-to-mid-1950s wagon fitment rather than a later low-profile size in the modern sense. If your Chevrolet Wagon has 15 inch wheels and falls within those years, this is a strong candidate, but the wheel itself should still be checked before final selection because 1948 also appears with a 16 inch option.

A 1957 Chevrolet Wagon has two listed tire sizes because both 750-14 and 800-14 appear for that model year. Both sizes use the same 14 inch rim diameter, so the split is not a wheel-diameter change. It reflects two wagon fitments within the same year, with one narrower and one wider than the other.

For a 1957 Chevrolet Wagon owner, that means the wheel diameter alone does not settle the question. You will want to compare the existing tire size, wheel width if known, and any original vehicle paperwork or marque reference so you can match the car to the correct 14 inch size rather than choosing only by model year.

Chevrolet Wagon uses several rim diameters across its production span. The listed sizes show 16 inch and 15 inch applications in 1948, 15 inch applications through 1956, 14 inch applications from 1957 through 1961, and 13 inch applications from 1962 through 1965. The major transitions are into 14 inch fitments in 1957 and into 13 inch fitments in 1962.

That progression reflects how American wagons changed over time, and it is the first thing to verify on any Chevrolet Wagon. A quick measurement of the wheel or a check of the current sidewall size will usually prevent the most common mistake, which is selecting a period-correct tire for the right year range but the wrong wheel diameter.

A 1960 Chevrolet Wagon has two listed sizes: 800-14 and 850-14. Both are 14 inch tires, so the decision is not between different wheel diameters but between two widths used within the same model year. That same kind of split also appears in several other Chevrolet Wagon years, especially where wagons could be equipped differently within the same production season.

The best approach is to inspect the tire size already on the car, verify the wheel diameter, and compare the car’s specific configuration with original literature or a Chevrolet wagon specialist. Doing that is more reliable than choosing by year alone, especially on restored cars that may have had wheels changed decades ago.

Chevrolet Wagon tires are offered in several sidewall styles across the listed sizes, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, double-whitewall, and redline. The broadest variety appears in the earlier 15 and 16 inch sizes, while some later 13 and 14 inch sizes have a narrower selection. Those options give owners room to match a driver, a show restoration, or a custom visual preference within period-looking bias-ply construction.

Sidewall style can change the whole stance and era impression of a Chevrolet Wagon even when the tire size stays the same. If originality matters, compare the sidewall width and style to period photos, sales literature, or judging standards for your specific wagon before settling on a blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall presentation.

Chevrolet Wagon tires in these sizes are offered by BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, US Royal, Universal Vintage Tire, STA, and Camac. Some brands appear across several sizes, while others are limited to one or two applications. The product mix also includes multiple period-style series within the same brand, especially in the 15 and 16 inch sizes.

That variety lets Chevrolet Wagon owners balance appearance, brand preference, and the exact sidewall treatment they want without leaving the correct size family. When comparing brands, focus first on the proper size and rim diameter, then narrow the choice by sidewall style and series that best suits the wagon’s year and intended use.

Chevrolet Wagon applications include a wide mix of tire series such as Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, US Royal Classic Bias Ply, Universal Classic Bias Ply, Tourist Crossply, Turbospeed Mk4, Super Cushion, Custom Super Cushion, Super Cushion Deluxe, Deluxe All-Weather, Super Transport, Military NDT, NATO CJ110, and several military or truck-oriented Firestone series. Most are period-style bias-ply passenger designs, while others lean toward utility, military tread, or specialty vintage construction.

For a Chevrolet Wagon owner, the key is to separate appearance-correct passenger tires from truck or military-pattern tires that happen to share the same size. A restored family wagon will usually call for a passenger-car bias-ply series with the right sidewall treatment, while the heavier-duty tread patterns are better reserved for specialty uses where that look is intentional.

A Chevrolet Wagon should be stored on clean, properly inflated tires in a cool, dark, dry space away from sunlight, ozone sources, and petroleum contamination. Concrete floors are common in garages, so using tire pads or barriers under the tires is a sound precaution for long-term storage. If the wagon will sit for extended periods, rolling it occasionally helps avoid prolonged flat spotting in bias-ply casings.

Collector wagons often spend far more time parked than driven, and that changes how the tires age. Keeping the Chevrolet Wagon clean, covered, and out of direct heat does more for tire life than mileage alone, especially with vintage-style bias-ply tires that can develop flat spots or weathering when left in one position for too long.

Tires on a Chevrolet Wagon should be inspected before every meaningful drive and more thoroughly at regular seasonal intervals. Check inflation, sidewall cracking, tread separation signs, bead condition, valve stems, and any uneven wear that might point to alignment or suspension issues. On a bias-ply equipped collector wagon, visual inspection matters because age and storage conditions can affect the tire long before tread is worn out.

A short walk-around before driving a Chevrolet Wagon can catch most problems early, particularly on cars that are used only occasionally. It is also wise to inspect after long storage, after the first drive of the season, and any time the wagon begins to pull, vibrate, or feel different than it did on its last outing.

Chevrolet Wagon tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, bulges, tread separation, or casing damage appears, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector tires often age out before they wear out because the car is driven infrequently. A tire that looks presentable on a parked wagon can still be unsuitable for road use if the rubber and internal structure have deteriorated.

That is especially important with a Chevrolet Wagon that spends most of its life in storage or show use. Replacement decisions should be guided by condition and age as much as mileage, and any tire of significant age deserves close evaluation before road driving, particularly if the wagon is expected to travel farther than local parade or event use.

Chevrolet Wagon used several tire sizes over its production run rather than one single original fitment. The listed range includes 600-16 and 670-15 in the earliest years covered here, 14 inch sizes in the late 1950s, and 13 inch sizes in the early to mid-1960s. The available tire series are all period-style offerings, but the exact original combination depends on the specific year and wagon configuration.

For restoration work, the right answer for a Chevrolet Wagon comes from matching the specific year, wheel diameter, and original appearance target. If the car is being judged, original literature, build information, and Chevrolet club references should guide the final choice more than broad year-range assumptions.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Chevrolet Wagon is judged and, in some cases, how it is valued by knowledgeable collectors. Size, sidewall style, tread character, and overall stance all contribute to whether the wagon presents as authentically restored for its year. A visibly incorrect wheel diameter or an out-of-period sidewall can distract from otherwise careful restoration work.

That matters most when a Chevrolet Wagon is being prepared for marque judging, concours display, or sale to a serious collector audience. Choosing the right size first, then refining the sidewall style and brand presentation to suit the wagon’s era, is usually the best route to a result that looks convincing and historically appropriate.

Chevrolet Wagon tires are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, double-whitewall, and even redline in certain sizes. The correct choice depends on the exact year and the look being restored, because Chevrolet Wagon styling changed significantly between the late 1940s and the mid-1960s. Earlier wagons often suit blackwall or fuller whitewall treatments, while later cars may call for narrower whitewalls depending on the intended presentation.

For a restoration, sidewall style should be treated as part of the car’s visual trim rather than an afterthought. Period photos, brochures, and club judging guidance will help narrow the right look for your Chevrolet Wagon once the proper tire size and wheel diameter have already been confirmed.

These tires can be appropriate for public-road use on a Chevrolet Wagon when they are the correct size, properly mounted, in sound condition, and suited to the wagon’s intended use. The listed Chevrolet Wagon products are overwhelmingly bias-ply designs, which deliver period appearance but do not behave like modern radials. Road safety depends as much on the condition of the tire, wheel, brakes, steering, and suspension as it does on the size itself.

A Chevrolet Wagon that is used on public roads should be treated like a collector car rather than a modern commuter. Keep speeds sensible, allow more following distance, and make sure the entire chassis has been inspected so the tires are working within a well-sorted mechanical package rather than compensating for age-related vehicle problems.

Before driving a Chevrolet Wagon, check tire inflation, sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and any signs of age cracking or flat spotting. Also confirm that all four tires match in size and general construction type, and that the spare is not mistaken for a serviceable road tire if it is old. Because some Chevrolet Wagon years have more than one listed size, it is also worth confirming that the fitted tires actually match the wheel diameter on the car.

A pre-drive inspection takes only a few minutes and is especially important on a Chevrolet Wagon that sits for weeks or months between outings. If the car has developed a shake, pull, or steering wander since the last drive, stop and inspect before heading onto faster roads.

A Chevrolet Wagon on original-type bias-ply tires should be driven at moderate, comfortable speeds appropriate to the car’s condition, road surface, and overall mechanical state. These tires are built to preserve period character, not to make a mid-century wagon behave like a modern highway car. Even when properly fitted, bias-ply tires typically reward smooth inputs and conservative cruising rather than abrupt lane changes or sustained high-speed operation.

In practical terms, a Chevrolet Wagon should be driven at a pace that respects its steering, braking, and suspension as a complete vintage system. If the wagon is newly restored or newly fitted with tires, spend time at lower speeds first so you can assess tracking, braking feel, and ride behavior before taking it on longer road trips.