Dodge Special Six & Deluxe Tires

Dodge Special Six & Deluxe models from 1940, 1941, and 1942 use two listed tire sizes: 600-16 and 650-16. Both sizes fit 16-inch rims, but they are not the same overall fitment. The 600-16 products commonly pair with 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim widths, while 650-16 products commonly pair with 4.50 to 5.00 inch rim widths.

That means the deciding factor is not the year alone, because both sizes appear across the full 1940-1942 span. Check the tire size on the car now, measure the wheel width if needed, and compare the vehicle against factory literature or a marque specialist if the car has been restored or modified. A Dodge Special Six & Deluxe with replacement wheels can easily end up wearing the wrong width tire for its rim.

On a Dodge Special Six & Deluxe, 600-16 is a traditional numeric bias-ply size. The 600 portion means a nominal 6.00-inch section width, with the decimal omitted in period sizing practice, and the 16 means the tire fits a 16-inch wheel. Products in this size are bias-ply and commonly match rims in the 4.00 to 4.50 inch width range.

Modern buyers sometimes assume the first number works like a modern metric width, but it belongs to an older inch-based system. For a Dodge Special Six & Deluxe, this size is usually the narrower of the two listed options, so it should be matched to the wheel actually on the car rather than chosen simply because it appears in the correct model year. Tube-type bias-ply service should be expected with this fitment.

A 1940 Dodge Special Six & Deluxe can show both 600-16 and 650-16 because more than one fitment was used within that model group during the same year. The difference is not a wheel diameter change, since both sizes use 16-inch rims, but a width and configuration split within the line. The same pattern continues across 1941 and 1942 as well.

The practical takeaway is that year alone will not identify the correct tire. Look at the existing wheel and tire combination, confirm the wheel width, and compare the car's specific body style or equipment level if originality matters. On a Dodge Special Six & Deluxe, the correct choice is the size that matches the wheel and intended presentation, not simply the first size listed for that year.

Dodge Special Six & Deluxe tires in the listed 600-16 and 650-16 passenger-car fitments are bias-ply sizes, and a tube is required. That follows the period construction used across these sizes. While one 650-16 truck-oriented product is identified as tubeless, the main passenger-car fitments for the Dodge Special Six & Deluxe remain bias-ply tube-type selections.

Tube choice should match the tire size and wheel condition, especially on older rims that may have been refinished, repaired, or stored for long periods. If your Dodge Special Six & Deluxe still wears original-style wheels, inspect the inside of the rim for rust, pitting, or irregular surfaces before mounting new tires. A clean, properly prepared wheel and the correct tube matter just as much as the outer tire size.

A 1941 Dodge Special Six & Deluxe can take either 600-16 or 650-16, so the correct answer comes from the specific car rather than the year by itself. Both sizes are listed for 1941, and both fit 16-inch wheels, but they differ in width and typical rim-width pairing. The most direct clues are the size stamped on the existing tire, the wheel width, and the car's restoration or equipment history.

Start by reading the sidewall on the current tire if the car has an established fitment that looks correct. If the Dodge Special Six & Deluxe has old replacement tires, mismatched wheels, or an uncertain restoration history, measure the wheel and compare it with factory literature, original sales material, or a Dodge specialist's guidance. That extra step helps avoid choosing a tire that physically mounts yet looks or performs wrong on the car.

Dodge Special Six & Deluxe tires are available in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles within the listed 16-inch sizes. The broadest selection appears in blackwall and wide whitewall patterns, while double-whitewall options are present in 600-16. Product lines also vary by brand and by tread family, including standard passenger-car bias-ply designs and military or truck-style patterns.

Sidewall style affects the finished look of a Dodge Special Six & Deluxe as much as the size itself. A restrained blackwall suits a more utilitarian or factory-style presentation, while a wide whitewall gives a more formal period appearance associated with upscale restoration tastes. If the goal is authenticity, compare the sidewall style to period photos, trim level, and the way the car would have been presented when new.

Dodge Special Six & Deluxe tires in the listed sizes are offered by BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, Tornel, Avon, Camac, and Ford Script. Those brands span mainstream collector-car bias-ply lines as well as military and truck-pattern options in the same nominal sizes. Brand choice therefore depends not only on size, but also on the visual style and use you have in mind.

A restored Dodge Special Six & Deluxe intended for shows may call for one brand and sidewall presentation, while a utility-minded car or special-purpose build may point toward a different tread family. Before settling on a brand, narrow the decision to the correct size first, then compare sidewall styling, load rating, and whether you want a standard passenger-car appearance or a more specialized military or truck-pattern tire.

Dodge Special Six & Deluxe tires appear in several series families, including Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Garfield Classic Bias Ply, Excelsior Bias Ply, Lester Classic Bias Ply, Deluxe All-Weather, Military NDT, Firestone Classic Military, Transport, Super Traxion, Transport Highway, Tornel Classic Truck, Firestone Classic Truck, Turbospeed Mk4, Tourist Crossply, Traction Mileage, NATO CJ110, and Ford Script. All are bias-ply constructions, but they differ in visual presentation, tread style, and intended use.

For most Dodge Special Six & Deluxe restorations, the passenger-car classic bias-ply series are the natural starting point because they preserve the period-correct look and ride character. Military NDT, truck, traction, and transport series are more specialized choices that suit utility, military-style, or off-pavement visual themes rather than a standard passenger-car restoration. Pick the series only after you have settled the correct 600-16 or 650-16 size and the look you want.

A Dodge Special Six & Deluxe should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from sunlight, electric motors, welders, ozone sources, and petroleum contamination. Bias-ply collector tires do best when the car is parked on a clean surface and the inflation pressures are kept stable. Long static storage on underinflated tires can flatten the carcass and stress the sidewalls.

If the Dodge Special Six & Deluxe will sit for extended periods, move it occasionally to change the footprint or place it on stands according to safe restoration-shop practice so the tires are not carrying full weight continuously. Clean the tires with mild soap and water only, and avoid dressings that can dry the rubber or hide cracking. Storage conditions matter as much as mileage on a low-use collector car.

Tires on a Dodge Special Six & Deluxe should be inspected before every meaningful drive and given a more thorough check several times each season. On a collector car using bias-ply tires, that inspection should cover pressure, tread and sidewall condition, valve stems, tube-related air loss, and any uneven wear that suggests alignment or wheel issues. A car that sits often can develop problems that are not linked to mileage at all.

Look closely for sidewall checking, flat spotting, impact damage, bead-area rust on the wheel, and any sign that the tire is shifting on the rim. If the Dodge Special Six & Deluxe has not been driven in months, roll it slowly and inspect the entire circumference rather than only the visible section. Regular visual inspection is one of the best habits for preserving both the tires and the wheels on a prewar car.

Tires on a Dodge Special Six & Deluxe should be replaced when age, cracking, casing deformation, repeated air loss, or impact damage appears, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector-car tires often age out long before they wear out, especially on cars driven only occasionally. Bias-ply construction can also hide internal deterioration that is not obvious from tread depth alone.

If a Dodge Special Six & Deluxe has spent years parked, any tire that looks hardened, checked, or misshapen deserves careful evaluation before road use. Age matters even more than mileage on a low-use prewar car. Replacing tires on condition rather than appearance alone protects the wheels, improves drivability, and helps preserve the car from damage that can result from a casing failure at speed.

Dodge Special Six & Deluxe models in this year range use 600-16 and 650-16 bias-ply sizes, and current offerings include multiple classic passenger-car series such as Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, Garfield Classic Bias Ply, Excelsior Bias Ply, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Deluxe All-Weather. That confirms period-style bias-ply construction as the appropriate starting point. More than one series exists within the same overall fitment family.

To identify what is right for a particular Dodge Special Six & Deluxe, compare the car with original manuals, period photographs, and marque-club guidance rather than assuming one brand or series fits every example. Restoration correctness depends on body style, trim presentation, and the standard expected in judging. Once size is settled, the remaining authenticity questions usually come down to sidewall style and the preferred period tread family.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect both judging and perceived value on a Dodge Special Six & Deluxe. Judges and experienced buyers notice whether the tire size matches the stance of the car, whether the sidewall style suits the period, and whether the tread family looks appropriate for a prewar passenger Dodge. An obviously wrong width, mismatched sidewall treatment, or truck-style tread on a standard restoration can distract from otherwise good work.

That does not mean every Dodge Special Six & Deluxe must be restored to concours standards, but it does mean the tires should support the car's intended character. A touring restoration can prioritize drivability and clean presentation, while a judged restoration should be checked against club standards, period literature, and marque experts. Tires are one of the most visible finishing details on the whole car, so they influence first impressions immediately.

Dodge Special Six & Deluxe tires are available in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles across the listed fitments. For a prewar American passenger car, blackwall and wide whitewall presentations are the most natural restoration directions, while double-whitewall options exist mainly in 600-16 for a more stylized look. The correct choice depends on how the individual Dodge Special Six & Deluxe was originally presented and how closely the restoration aims to follow that appearance.

Choose blackwall if the goal is a restrained, everyday prewar look, or wide whitewall if the car is being restored with a more formal showroom flavor. Double-whitewall can suit a personalized or period-inspired presentation, but it should be weighed against originality standards if judging matters. Period photos, brochures, and marque-club references are the best way to settle sidewall style on a Dodge Special Six & Deluxe restoration.

A properly mounted, correctly sized new bias-ply tire can be suitable for public-road use on a Dodge Special Six & Deluxe when the rest of the car is mechanically sound. The available 600-16 and 650-16 options include standard passenger-car bias-ply designs as well as more specialized military and truck-pattern tires, so tread choice matters. Safety depends on selecting the right type for the car's use, maintaining proper inflation, and ensuring the wheels and tubes are in good condition.

Public-road driving in a Dodge Special Six & Deluxe should always reflect the limitations of a prewar chassis, brakes, steering, and bias-ply behavior. Even when the tires are new, the car will not react like a modern sedan in panic stops, lane changes, or wet weather. Treat tire selection as part of the whole vehicle system, and road-test the car cautiously after installation to evaluate tracking, braking feel, and any pull or vibration.

Before driving a Dodge Special Six & Deluxe, check tire pressure, sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and whether all four tires match in size and general type. Also inspect the wheels for bead-seat rust or damage, since these are 16-inch bias-ply applications where wheel condition matters. A Dodge Special Six & Deluxe that has sat for months should have every tire examined for flat spots and age-related cracking before it leaves the garage.

The pre-drive walkaround should also include wheel fasteners, brake feel, steering free play, and suspension behavior, because an old car can make a tire problem feel like a chassis problem and vice versa. If the Dodge Special Six & Deluxe has mixed 600-16 and 650-16 tires or mixed passenger and truck-style tread patterns, correct that before regular road use. Consistency across the set is a major part of stable handling.

A Dodge Special Six & Deluxe on period-style bias-ply tires should be driven at moderate speeds that respect both the tire construction and the car's overall prewar engineering. Even with fresh tires, bias-ply handling, longer braking distances, and greater sensitivity to road crown are part of the experience. Practical touring speeds are far more appropriate than sustained high-speed highway running.

The right speed for a Dodge Special Six & Deluxe is the speed at which the car feels composed, the steering remains settled, and the driver can safely manage traffic without stressing old mechanical systems. That usually means building speed gradually and avoiding aggressive cruising simply because the roadway permits it. If the car wanders, vibrates, or feels harsh, reduce speed and inspect the tire, wheel, and chassis setup before continuing.