Chrysler Royal 25 Tires
Chrysler Royal 25 represents Chrysler's entry-level full-size passenger car line as it stood at the start of the 1940 model year, a period when American cars were blending prewar styling, comfort, and steadily improving road manners. The Chrysler Royal 25 sat in an era where tire selection still reflected true period construction and dimensions rather than modern metric replacements. Tire choice is more nuanced than it first appears because collector owners often balance originality, ride character, and restoration goals when replacing worn tires on a seldom-driven prewar car. Before selecting a tire for a Chrysler Royal 25, confirm that the car still carries its correct 16-inch wheels and compare the existing size against original vehicle records.
Chrysler Royal 25 Tire Size Guide
Chrysler Royal 25 uses one listed tire size across its production span here: 6.25-16 for 1940 models. This is a numeric bias-ply size, where 6.25 refers to the nominal section width in inches and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. A tube is required. For a Chrysler Royal 25 owner, that makes selection simpler than on many prewar applications, but the right choice still depends on keeping the car's original wheel diameter and period-correct construction in mind.
Chrysler Royal 25 Tires by Year
The year listing for Chrysler Royal 25 shows which tire size applies to each production year so you can match the car before choosing a replacement. Chrysler Royal 25 uses one listed size for 1940, which keeps the year-by-year check straightforward. Prewar cars benefit from a quick comparison against original vehicle records or guidance from a Chrysler specialist when authenticity matters.
1940 Chrysler Royal 25
- 6.25-16
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below focus on what Chrysler Royal 25 owners usually need to sort out first: the correct 1940 size, what the numeric code means, whether tubes are required, and how to care for collector tires on a lightly driven prewar sedan.
Size Basics & Fitment
The listed tire size for the Chrysler Royal 25 is 6.25-16, and it applies to the 1940 model year in this fitment group. That size is a period numeric bias-ply format, with 6.25 indicating the nominal section width in inches and 16 indicating the wheel diameter in inches. There is only one listed size here, so there is no year-to-year diameter change within this Chrysler Royal 25 group.
That simplicity helps, but it is still wise to inspect the wheels actually fitted to the car before replacing tires. Many prewar cars have seen wheel swaps, long storage, or restoration changes over the decades. Matching the installed wheel diameter and checking the car against factory literature, restoration records, or a Chrysler club reference is the best way to avoid ordering a period-looking tire that does not match the wheel on the car.
On a Chrysler Royal 25, the size 6.25-16 is a traditional numeric bias-ply designation. The first number, 6.25, identifies the nominal tire section width in inches, while the second number, 16, identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is an older sizing system used long before modern metric markings became standard on passenger cars.
Knowing how to read that code helps you avoid confusing a period size with a modern radial substitute that may look close on paper but change the car's stance or character. For a restoration-minded Chrysler Royal 25 owner, the original numeric format is also part of the car's period appearance. If preserving authentic proportions matters, stay with the correct vintage size format rather than choosing by diameter alone.
The Chrysler Royal 25 uses a numeric bias-ply size in this fitment group, and a tube is required. That is consistent with the period construction used on many prewar passenger cars. Tube-type fitment is part of how these tires were designed to function on the wheels used in that era.
When replacing tires on a Chrysler Royal 25, treat tubes, flaps if applicable, and wheel condition as part of the same job rather than separate items. Old wheels can have rust, burrs, or surface issues that shorten tube life even when the tire itself is new. A clean wheel interior and properly matched tube setup will do more for dependable service than tread depth alone on a collector car.
Buying the Right Tire
A 1940 Chrysler Royal 25 in this fitment group uses 6.25-16 tires. Since only one size is listed, the main confirmation step is verifying that the car still has 16-inch wheels and has not been altered during past service or restoration work. The size molded into an old tire can be helpful, but wheel measurement and vehicle records are better guides when there is any doubt.
Start with the spare as well as the four road wheels, because mixed wheel sets are not unusual on older cars. If the Chrysler Royal 25 has been restored, compare the installed wheels with restoration receipts, period manuals, or marque-club guidance. Taking a few minutes to confirm the wheel setup before replacing tires is especially worthwhile on prewar cars, where period sizing standards differ from modern tire conventions.
Maintenance & Longevity
A Chrysler Royal 25 should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from sunlight, ozone sources, and wide temperature swings. Electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and furnaces can all accelerate tire aging. On a prewar collector car, clean storage conditions matter because long idle periods are usually harder on tires than regular moderate use.
If the Chrysler Royal 25 will sit for an extended period, keep the tires properly inflated and move the car occasionally to reduce flat-spotting. Many owners also use wheel cradles or jack stands placed correctly under the chassis to reduce prolonged load on the tires. Good storage habits protect sidewalls, help the car roll more smoothly after lay-up, and preserve the appearance of expensive period-style tires.
Tires on a Chrysler Royal 25 should be inspected before each drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals throughout the year. On a collector car, age, storage conditions, and inactivity can matter as much as mileage. A careful inspection should include sidewalls, tread, valve stems, inflation pressure, and any signs of tube-related issues such as slow leakage or uneven shaping.
Prewar cars reward a slower, more deliberate inspection routine because they are often driven less frequently and then asked to perform after long periods at rest. Look for cracking, bulges, cord exposure, puncture damage, and changes in ride feel or steering response. If anything appears questionable on the Chrysler Royal 25, a tire specialist familiar with vintage bias-ply construction should inspect the assembly before further road use.
Tires on a Chrysler Royal 25 should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, separation, flat-spotting that does not clear, or visible structural deterioration appears, even if tread depth still looks usable. Collector cars often age out tires long before they wear them out. That is especially true for prewar applications, where period-style tires may spend years carrying weight in storage rather than accumulating road miles.
A Chrysler Royal 25 owner should think of tire replacement as a condition-based decision, not a tread-only decision. If the car has been stored for long periods, has unknown tire age, or shows vibration and sidewall fatigue, replacement is often the prudent course. Regular inspection by a vintage-tire specialist is a sound habit, because age-related failure risk can develop long before a low-mile collector tire looks obviously worn.
Restoration & Authenticity
The Chrysler Royal 25 fitment listed here uses size 6.25-16, which places the car in a traditional prewar numeric passenger-car tire format. That gives a strong starting point for restoration work, but original-equipment details can vary by how a specific car was equipped when new. The important confirmed point is that 1940 Chrysler Royal 25 fitment in this group centers on a 16-inch wheel with a 6.25-section-width tire.
For a factory-correct restoration, use that size as the baseline and then compare sidewall appearance, tread style, and period literature for the exact car you are restoring. Marque references and original Chrysler sales or service material are especially useful when the goal is concours-level authenticity. Getting the size right is the first step; matching the overall period look is what completes the restoration visually.
Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Chrysler Royal 25 is judged and how seriously a restoration is taken. Judges and experienced collectors notice when overall tire dimensions, sidewall appearance, and construction style suit the era of the car. A modern-looking substitute may function on the road, but it can visually change the car's stance and weaken historical accuracy.
For owners concerned with resale value, show presentation, or authenticity, tires are part of the car's finished presentation rather than a minor accessory. A Chrysler Royal 25 wearing properly sized period-style tires usually looks more settled and correct than one fitted with a casual modern replacement. If the car will be judged, use the standards of the relevant Chrysler club or event as the final reference point.
Sidewall style on a Chrysler Royal 25 restoration should match the car's intended presentation, whether that means a broadly period-appropriate road car or a more exacting show restoration. Prewar American passenger cars can look correct with era-suitable sidewall treatments, and the right visual choice often depends on the trim level, body style, and restoration target rather than size alone.
A Chrysler Royal 25 owner aiming for authenticity should compare surviving photos, factory literature, and club guidance before deciding on a sidewall style. The visual effect is significant because sidewalls occupy a large part of the car's overall stance. Even when the tire size is correct, the wrong sidewall treatment can make an otherwise careful restoration look less coherent and less faithful to period practice.
Safety & Road Use
A properly fitted, properly maintained vintage-style tire can be appropriate for public-road use on a Chrysler Royal 25, provided the entire car is mechanically sound and the tire assemblies are in good condition. Prewar cars were designed around different braking, steering, and suspension standards than modern traffic expects. Tire safety on a Chrysler Royal 25 is therefore tied to the condition of the whole vehicle, not just the rubber.
Road use should be conservative and respectful of the car's age, construction, and handling limits. Before regular driving, inspect inflation, wheel condition, steering play, brake performance, and overall stability. A Chrysler Royal 25 that is mechanically sorted and fitted with the correct tire type can be enjoyed on the road, but it should be driven with more margin and more attention than a modern passenger car.
Before driving a Chrysler Royal 25, check tire inflation, sidewall condition, valve stems, visible wheel integrity, and any signs of leakage or age cracking. Prewar cars also deserve a quick look at brakes, steering response, suspension movement, and wheel fasteners before leaving the garage. A collector car that sits for long periods can develop issues in storage even when it looked fine on the previous outing.
Take the first miles slowly and pay attention to pull, vibration, shimmy, and braking balance. Those early signals often tell you more than a visual inspection alone, especially on a Chrysler Royal 25 that has been parked for weeks or months. If anything feels unusual, stop and inspect rather than trying to drive through it, because small tire or chassis issues can become much larger problems on older road machinery.
A Chrysler Royal 25 fitted with period-style tires should be driven at moderate speeds that suit both the tire construction and the mechanical realities of a 1940 automobile. Even when the tire size is correct, a prewar sedan does not deliver the braking reserve, steering precision, or high-speed stability of a modern car. Sensible operation matters at least as much as the tire itself.
The practical approach is to drive a Chrysler Royal 25 at speeds that feel relaxed, stable, and well within the limits of the road and the car's condition. Longer trips call for extra caution in heat, rough pavement, and fast-moving traffic. If the car is newly restored or returning to service after storage, begin with short, low-speed runs and build confidence only after the tires and chassis prove themselves.