Ford 78 Series Tires

Ford 78 Series uses 600-16 for the 1937 model year. The listed products for that fitment are built for 16-inch rims, with many passenger applications showing a rim width range of 4.00 to 4.50 inches. Every available tire in this fitment is bias ply, although the tread styles and sidewall treatments vary considerably.

That means the first fitment question is simple, but the final choice still matters. A restored passenger car may call for a blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall presentation, while a utility-oriented build may suit military NDT or truck tread patterns better. Verify the wheel diameter stamped on the car and then match the tire style to how the Ford 78 Series will actually be used.

On Ford 78 Series, 600-16 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 600 indicates a nominal section width of about 6.00 inches, and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. In the available Ford 78 Series fitment range, that size is consistently paired with 16-inch rims and bias-ply construction.

Modern buyers often focus only on the wheel diameter, but the rest of the tire’s design still affects stance, appearance, and driving feel. On a pre-war car like Ford 78 Series, numeric sizing belongs to the period and helps preserve the original look of the chassis and fenders. If the car has been altered over the years, confirm both wheel diameter and wheel width before settling on a replacement.

Ford 78 Series tire options in 600-16 are all bias-ply designs, and for this style of pre-war fitment a tube is required. That applies whether the tire is a standard passenger blackwall, a whitewall, a double-whitewall, or a military or truck-pattern bias ply in the same size family.

Inner tubes are part of the total fitment, not an afterthought. When replacing tires on Ford 78 Series, inspect the wheel condition closely, especially at the bead seat and inside the rim where age, rust, or previous repairs can affect service. A sound rim, correct tube, and proper flap where needed all contribute to how well the finished installation performs on a collector car.

Ford 78 Series tires are available in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles within the 600-16 size. Blackwall is the most common option across the range, while several passenger-style products offer wide whitewalls and a smaller group offers double-whitewalls. Those choices all share the same basic fitment size but create very different visual results on the car.

For a restoration, sidewall style should follow the period look you are trying to recreate rather than personal preference alone. A restrained blackwall presentation often suits a factory-correct pre-war driver, while wide whitewall or double-whitewall treatments can support a more formal or show-oriented appearance. Decide on the visual character first, then choose the tread and brand that fit that goal.

Ford 78 Series tires in 600-16 are offered by BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. Those brands cover passenger-style bias-ply tires along with military NDT and truck-oriented patterns, all within the same core size.

Brand choice on Ford 78 Series is usually about presentation and intended use as much as name recognition. Some buyers prefer a period-style sidewall or branded appearance for judged restoration work, while others are focused on a specific tread pattern for utility or military-themed builds. Start with the role of the car, then narrow the field by sidewall style, tread type, and overall historical look.

Ford 78 Series offerings include several distinct series such as Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Turbospeed Mk4, Tourist Crossply, Traction Mileage, Goodyear Military NDT, Firestone Military NDT, Firestone Classic Military, Military NDT, NATO CJ110, Firestone Classic Truck, Deluxe All-Weather, Ford Script, and Excelsior Bias Ply. The key differences are in tread intent, branding, and visual finish rather than wheel size, since they all remain in the 600-16 family.

That broad mix lets Ford 78 Series owners choose between a passenger-car restoration look and more specialized military or truck-style tread patterns. If the car is being restored as a standard roadgoing Ford, a classic passenger bias-ply series will usually be the most natural fit visually. If the project has a utility, military, or specialty presentation, the NDT and truck-family series may be more appropriate.

A 1937 Ford 78 Series points you to one core size, 600-16, so the remaining decision is which version of that size fits the car’s purpose. The available choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall passenger tires, along with military NDT and truck-pattern bias-ply tires, all on 16-inch rims.

Begin with the wheel itself and confirm that the car still has 16-inch rims in serviceable condition. Then look at the car’s build theme: factory-style restoration, show presentation, utility use, or military-inspired styling. Matching that role to the sidewall style and tread pattern will usually lead you to the correct Ford 78 Series tire more reliably than choosing by appearance alone.

Ford 78 Series should be stored clean, dry, and away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and major temperature swings. Bias-ply tires on pre-war cars benefit from being kept out of prolonged contact with oil, solvents, and damp concrete. Proper inflation during storage also helps the casing keep its shape.

If Ford 78 Series will sit for long periods, move it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces flat-spotting and sidewall stress. Check the tubes and valve stems as part of the storage routine, not just the tread. A car that is rarely driven can still age its tires through time, environment, and load, especially in a collector setting.

Tires on Ford 78 Series should be inspected before every drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals during the season. On a pre-war bias-ply fitment, that means looking for cracking, sidewall distortion, tread separation, air loss, uneven wear, and any sign that the tube or rim may be causing trouble.

A brief walk-around catches many problems before the car moves under its own power. Because collector cars often spend long periods parked, the inspection should include the area where the tire meets the floor, not just the visible sidewall. If anything looks irregular on Ford 78 Series, have the tire, tube, and wheel assembly checked by a shop familiar with vintage fitments.

Tires on Ford 78 Series should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, impact damage, casing distortion, or repeated air-loss issues appear, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector-car tires often age out long before they wear out. That is especially true on pre-war bias-ply applications that may see infrequent use.

A Ford 78 Series that spends most of its life in the garage can still develop unsafe tires through time alone. Replacement decisions should consider the whole assembly, including the tube and the condition of the wheel. If a tire is an older specialty or period-style piece, conservative inspection standards are wise because appearance alone does not tell the full story.

Ford 78 Series is represented here by the 600-16 size, and the available products around that size are all bias ply. Several period-appropriate passenger series are offered, along with branded and specialty tread alternatives, which means the basic size family is clear even though appearance and series details can vary.

For a precise restoration, the best approach is to pair the known 600-16 fitment with original Ford literature, surviving photos, or marque-club guidance for the exact car being restored. That is especially important when choosing between blackwall and whitewall presentations or when deciding whether a branded sidewall suits the restoration goal. Correct size is the foundation; period-correct finish completes the picture.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Ford 78 Series is judged and how credible the restoration appears. Size, construction type, sidewall style, and tread character all contribute to whether the car looks authentically finished. A correct 600-16 bias-ply fitment supports the visual proportions expected of a 1937 Ford.

Judges and experienced collectors often notice tire details immediately because they change the car’s stance and period character. A military tread on a standard passenger restoration, for example, creates a very different impression than a classic blackwall or whitewall passenger tire. If value or show presentation matters, use marque references and period photography to guide the final tire choice.

Ford 78 Series tires are available in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles in 600-16. All three can be era-appropriate depending on the look being recreated, but they signal different levels of formality and trim character. Blackwall is the most restrained period presentation, while whitewall treatments create a more dressed appearance.

The right restoration choice depends on the exact car and how faithfully you want to mirror its original presentation. A modestly trimmed Ford 78 Series may look most convincing on blackwalls, while a more upscale or show-focused restoration may be better served by wide whitewalls or double-whitewalls. Compare the finished car against original photos and trim level cues before making the final decision.

A properly fitted new bias-ply tire in the correct 600-16 size can be suitable for public-road use on Ford 78 Series when the car is mechanically sound and driven within the limits of its era. Tire safety is only one part of the equation on a 1937 automobile. Brakes, steering, suspension, wheel condition, and alignment all have to be considered together.

Treat Ford 78 Series as a pre-war collector car, not as a modern traffic appliance. Even with fresh tires, it will respond differently to braking, grooves, crosswinds, and emergency maneuvers than a later radial-equipped car. A careful pre-drive inspection and realistic speeds matter just as much as choosing the correct tire size.

Before driving Ford 78 Series, check inflation, visible sidewall condition, tread integrity, valve stems, and whether the tire is seated properly on the wheel. Because the fitment is tube-type bias ply, the inspection should also include any sign of slow air loss or wheel condition problems that could affect the tube inside.

A quick but disciplined routine makes vintage driving safer and less stressful. Look beyond the tires to steering play, brake feel, wheel fasteners, and any vibration that has appeared since the last outing. On Ford 78 Series, small issues are best addressed in the garage rather than discovered on the road after the car is already underway.

Ford 78 Series should be driven at sensible, moderate speeds that respect both the design of a 1937 automobile and the behavior of bias-ply tires. Even in the correct 600-16 size, the car’s braking, suspension, and steering characteristics remain those of the pre-war period. Smooth, unhurried driving is part of using the car properly.

Practical speed choice depends on road conditions, traffic, tire condition, and the overall health of the vehicle. A well-sorted Ford 78 Series may tour comfortably, but it should never be treated like a modern car in lane changes, emergency stops, or sustained high-speed travel. Let the car’s responses guide you and leave a wide safety margin at all times.