Ford Mainline Tires

Ford Mainline uses three listed tire sizes across the years shown: 600-16 for 1952, 670-15 for 1953 and also some 1956 applications, and 710-15 for 1956 applications. The 600-16 size fits a 16-inch rim, while both 670-15 and 710-15 fit 15-inch rims. Among the listed products, 600-16 commonly appears with 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim widths, 670-15 with about 4.50 to 5.00 inch rim widths, and 710-15 with about 5.00 to 5.50 inch rim widths.

That means year alone is not always enough, especially for 1956 Ford Mainline cars where two sizes are listed. Start by confirming the wheel diameter on the car, then compare the existing tire size, wheel width, and the car's overall stance against the year listing. If the car has been restored or modified over time, the wheel currently on the vehicle may matter more than the model year badge.

On a Ford Mainline, 600-16 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 600 indicates a nominal 6.00-inch section width, with the decimal omitted in the older size format, and the 16 indicates the wheel diameter in inches. The available 600-16 products for Ford Mainline are bias-ply tires built around 16-inch rims, with several options listed for 4.00 to 4.50 inch wheel widths.

Modern buyers sometimes assume an older number string works like a newer metric code, but it does not. On a 1952 Ford Mainline, this size points you toward a traditional postwar bias-ply fitment and the matching 16-inch wheel family. If your car wears 15-inch wheels instead, 600-16 is not the place to start even if the tread or sidewall style looks appealing.

A 1956 Ford Mainline can use either 670-15 or 710-15 in the year range shown, and both are built for 15-inch rims. Because the rim diameter stays the same, the split is not a 15-inch versus 16-inch change; it is a same-diameter size variation within the 1956 model year. Both listed sizes are bias-ply constructions, so the difference centers on section width and the wheel fitment range that goes with each size.

That makes 1956 a year where the specific configuration matters more than the calendar year by itself. Check the size marked on the tire presently on the car, measure the wheel width, and compare the stance and clearance at the front fenders and rear wheel openings. A Ford Mainline that has been changed during its life may no longer match the size it left the factory with, so verification on the actual car is important.

Ford Mainline uses two rim diameters across the years shown. The 1952 Ford Mainline is paired with 16-inch tires in size 600-16, while the 1953 and 1956 Ford Mainline move to 15-inch tires in sizes 670-15 and 710-15. That year break is the biggest fitment dividing line on this page because none of the 15-inch sizes interchange with the 16-inch wheel setup.

When a collector car has changed hands several times, wheel swaps are common, so the safest approach is to inspect the wheel and existing tire markings before making a decision. If the car is a 1952 model, begin with the 16-inch family. If it is a 1953 or 1956 Ford Mainline, begin with the 15-inch family and then narrow it further by the exact size the specific car requires.

A 1956 Ford Mainline has two listed tire sizes: 670-15 and 710-15, and both are bias-ply tires for 15-inch rims. The first step is to confirm that the car actually has 15-inch wheels, then compare wheel width and the size marked on the current tires if the car is already fitted with a serviceable set. The available products also show that 670-15 commonly suits slightly narrower rim widths than 710-15.

Use the year listing as the starting point, then verify against the actual car rather than relying on memory or a generic parts reference. If the Ford Mainline is restored, lowered, or wearing replacement wheels, those changes can affect which of the two 1956 sizes makes sense. Original manuals, build references, and marque specialists can help settle the question when the car's history is unclear.

Ford Mainline tires in the listed sizes are available in several sidewall styles, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and in 600-16 also double-whitewall. The broadest variety appears in the 15-inch passenger-car sizes, especially 670-15 and 710-15, where multiple brands offer blackwall and different whitewall widths. The 600-16 group also includes specialty military and truck-style blackwall patterns alongside traditional passenger-car styles.

Sidewall choice has a big effect on the finished look of a Ford Mainline, especially on an early-1950s sedan where whitewall width can change the whole character of the car. A restoration-minded owner will usually match the sidewall style to the period appearance they want, while a driver may prioritize a plainer blackwall. Choose the sidewall after the size and wheel diameter are settled, not the other way around.

Ford Mainline tire listings here include products from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Goodyear, STA, Camac, US Royal, and Universal Vintage Tire. Not every brand appears in every size, and the 600-16 category includes both passenger-style and military or truck-oriented offerings. The 670-15 and 710-15 sizes have especially strong representation from Firestone, BFGoodrich, Goodyear, US Royal, and Universal Vintage Tire.

Brand choice often comes down to restoration taste, preferred tread pattern, and the sidewall treatment that best suits the car. Once the correct size is established for your Ford Mainline, compare brands within that size rather than trying to choose a brand first. That keeps the decision anchored to fitment, wheel diameter, and the period look you want the car to carry.

Ford Mainline tires are offered across several series, including Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, US Royal Classic Bias Ply, Universal Classic Bias Ply, Super Cushion, Custom Super Cushion, Super Cushion Deluxe, Ford Script, Tourist Crossply, Turbospeed Mk4, Excelsior Bias Ply, and several military or truck families. The key distinction is that these are all bias-ply constructions, but they vary by tread style, visual branding, and intended appearance. Some series are clearly passenger-car focused, while others lean toward utility, military, or commercial-style use.

For a Ford Mainline passenger-car restoration, most buyers will stay within the classic bias-ply passenger series and then choose the sidewall style that suits the car. The military and truck-oriented series can share the size but create a very different look and use case. Matching the series to the character of the car usually matters just as much as matching the numerical size.

A Ford Mainline should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and standing moisture. Bias-ply tires benefit from being kept at proper inflation during storage because low pressure can encourage flat spotting and sidewall stress. Clean floors, tire cradles, or barriers between the rubber and bare concrete can also help reduce long-term deterioration.

If the Ford Mainline will sit for extended periods, move it occasionally or slightly change its position so the same spot on the tire is not carrying the load month after month. Owners storing the car through a full season often support some weight off the tires while keeping the suspension in a natural position. A careful storage routine helps preserve both the tire shape and the period-correct appearance of the car.

Tires on a Ford Mainline should be inspected at least before every meaningful drive and more thoroughly several times each season. On a collector car using bias-ply tires, inspection should include pressure, visible cracking, tread separation signs, sidewall cuts, valve stem condition, and any uneven wear pattern that suggests an alignment or suspension issue. Because many collector cars spend long periods parked, age-related changes can matter more than miles traveled.

A short walk-around before driving catches most problems early and is especially worthwhile after winter storage or any long idle period. If the Ford Mainline has tubes fitted, watch for gradual pressure loss that may not be obvious at a glance. Regular inspection is one of the simplest ways to protect the car, the tires, and the experience of driving an early-1950s full-size Ford.

A Ford Mainline tire should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, bulging, vibration, or structural concerns appear, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector-car tires often age out before they wear out, especially on a lightly driven car that spends more time parked than rolling. Bias-ply construction and long storage periods make regular age and condition review more important than tread depth alone.

Treat the sidewall and casing condition as seriously as the tread surface on a Ford Mainline. If a tire shows weather checking, persistent air loss, or any sign of internal failure, it is time to move on from it. A conservative replacement schedule is especially wise on a heavier postwar sedan where old rubber can change both road feel and basic safety.

Ford Mainline original-type fitment depends on the year shown here. The listed year-and-size pairings are 600-16 for 1952, 670-15 for 1953, and 670-15 or 710-15 for 1956, with all of the available options built around bias-ply construction. Several period-style series and brand presentations are available within those sizes, including blackwall and multiple whitewall treatments that suit a mid-1950s restoration.

For an exact restoration, the right answer is not just the size but the combination of size, sidewall treatment, and overall visual character that matches the specific car. A Ford Mainline being prepared for concours or marque judging should be checked against factory literature, period photos, and club references. Those sources help narrow whether a plain blackwall or a particular whitewall look best fits the car's original presentation.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Ford Mainline is judged and how buyers perceive its quality. Size, wheel diameter, sidewall style, and overall stance all influence whether the car looks authentically restored or merely assembled. On a 1950s Ford, an incorrect switch between 16-inch and 15-inch wheel families is especially noticeable because it changes both appearance and proportion.

For value and presentation, tire choice should support the era and trim character of the car rather than fight it. A Ford Mainline restored with the right diameter, proper bias-ply look, and an era-appropriate sidewall usually feels more coherent to informed enthusiasts. Marque clubs and judges often focus on these details because tires are one of the first visual clues to whether the restoration was thoughtfully finished.

Ford Mainline tires are available here in blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and, in 600-16, double-whitewall form. Any of those can create a distinctly different restoration look, even when the numerical size is correct. The early-1950s period allows room for both plain blackwalls and whitewall treatments, but the exact style should match the character and presentation level of the specific Ford Mainline.

A more restrained restoration often leans toward blackwall or a narrower whitewall, while a brighter period presentation may call for a wider white stripe. The important part is keeping the sidewall treatment consistent with the year and overall build theme of the Ford Mainline. When authenticity matters, period photos and model-specific references are the best way to settle the final whitewall width.

A properly selected, properly mounted, and properly maintained tire from the listed Ford Mainline sizes can be suitable for public-road use, but the car's overall mechanical condition matters just as much as the tires themselves. All of the listed Ford Mainline tire options are bias-ply designs, so they deliver the road feel, tracking behavior, and steering response typical of the period rather than the manners of a modern radial-equipped car.

That means road use should be approached with realistic expectations about braking distances, steering sensitivity, and ride behavior on crowned or grooved pavement. Before regular driving, make sure the Ford Mainline's suspension, steering, brakes, and wheel condition are as sound as the tires. A correctly sorted car on fresh bias-ply tires can be enjoyable, but it should still be driven as a 1950s car, not a modern sedan.

Before driving a Ford Mainline, check tire pressure, visible sidewall and tread condition, valve stems, wheel fasteners, and any sign of rubbing or uneven wear. Because the Ford Mainline shown here can carry either 16-inch or 15-inch wheel families depending on year, it is also wise to confirm that all four road tires match in size and construction. A mismatch in old-car tires can upset handling and make diagnosis harder if the car wanders or vibrates.

Beyond the tires, give equal attention to brake function, steering play, and wheel bearing condition before heading onto public roads. A short low-speed test near home is smart after long storage or recent tire work. On a Ford Mainline, a careful pre-drive routine is part of responsible ownership and helps catch small problems before they turn into larger ones.

A Ford Mainline on period-style bias-ply tires should be driven at moderate speeds that respect both the tire design and the capabilities of an early-1950s full-size car. Even when the tires are fresh, the steering feel, braking performance, and heat buildup characteristics of bias-ply construction are different from modern radial behavior. Comfortable cruising speed depends on the tire's condition, inflation, balance, and the car's overall mechanical health.

The practical rule is to build speed gradually and let the car tell you where it feels settled rather than forcing modern traffic pace from a vintage setup. If the Ford Mainline shows wander, vibration, or excessive heat after a drive, slow down and inspect the car before continuing. Conservative speeds are part of preserving both the tires and the experience these cars were built to deliver.