Hudson 112 Series Tires

Hudson 112 Series fitment in this range uses two year-specific tire sizes. The 1938 Hudson 112 Series uses 550-16 on a 16-inch rim, while the 1939 Hudson 112 Series uses 600-16 on a 16-inch rim. The wheel diameter stays the same across both years, but the tire section width changes from 5.50 to 6.00 in the older numeric bias-ply system.

That distinction matters because a buyer may see the same 16-inch wheel diameter and assume the tire size is interchangeable across both years. Start with the model year, then confirm the wheel and its width on the actual car before choosing between the narrower 550-16 and the wider 600-16. If the car has been restored or modified over the years, original paperwork or a Hudson specialist can help verify which setup it now carries.

On a Hudson 112 Series, 550-16 is an older numeric bias-ply size. The 550 portion indicates a nominal 5.50-inch section width, and the 16 indicates the wheel diameter in inches. Within this model range, 550-16 is the size associated with the 1938 Hudson 112 Series, and products for that size are built for 16-inch rims, with some listings showing rim widths from 3.25 to 4.00 inches.

That means 550-16 is not just a generic prewar size; it is the narrower of the two Hudson 112 Series fitments shown here. If your car is a 1938 model and still uses the proper 16-inch wheel, this is the size to evaluate first. Because these are bias-ply applications, tube-type installation is the right assumption unless a wheel and tire specialist advises otherwise for a particular wheel setup.

Hudson 112 Series models in this 1938 to 1939 range use 16-inch rims with both listed tire sizes. The 1938 size is 550-16 and the 1939 size is 600-16, but neither year introduces a different wheel diameter. What changes is tire width, not rim diameter.

That simplifies one major fitment question, but it does not eliminate the need to inspect the wheels actually fitted to the car. A replacement wheel from another prewar model can still create confusion, especially if the car has been apart for restoration. Confirm that the wheel is truly 16 inch, then match the tire size to the year so the Hudson 112 Series sits and drives as intended for its period.

Hudson 112 Series tires in the listed 1938 to 1939 sizes are all bias-ply applications, and the size formats are traditional numeric bias-ply sizes rather than modern tubeless metric radials. That makes tube-type fitment the correct expectation for both 550-16 and 600-16. Prewar wheels and bias-ply tires are generally treated as tube-required applications.

For the owner, that means tube condition and correct tube sizing matter just as much as the outer tire. When replacing tires on a Hudson 112 Series, inspect the rim carefully, use the proper tube and flap arrangement if the wheel requires it, and have the assembly handled by a shop familiar with vintage bias-ply work. Good tube practice helps prevent pinching, leakage, and uneven service on a low-use collector car.

The quickest way to confirm Hudson 112 Series tire size is to start with the model year. A 1938 Hudson 112 Series uses 550-16, while a 1939 Hudson 112 Series uses 600-16, and both fit 16-inch rims. That year split is the main fitment divider for this two-year range.

After matching the year, verify that the wheels on the car have not been swapped during earlier repairs or restoration work. It is also worth checking wheel width because some 550-16 and 600-16 products list different suitable rim-width ranges. Once the size is confirmed, the remaining decision is usually sidewall style and tread type, especially on 600-16 where passenger, military-style, and truck-style options are all present.

Hudson 112 Series tires in these sizes are available in several sidewall styles. Blackwall is offered in both 550-16 and 600-16, while wide whitewall appears in both sizes as well. The 600-16 size also includes double-whitewall options.

That gives a restorer room to match the character of the car, whether the goal is a more restrained driver presentation or a dressier prewar look. Blackwalls tend to suit simpler, workmanlike appearances, while whitewalls and double whitewalls create a more formal period effect. The right choice depends on how the Hudson 112 Series is being restored and whether the owner is aiming for factory-style presentation, show style, or personal preference.

Hudson 112 Series tires in the listed sizes are offered by Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Coker Classic, Ford Script, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. The brand spread is broader in 600-16 than in 550-16 because the later size has many more passenger and specialty-tread choices. All listed products remain within the bias-ply family for this application.

That brand range lets an owner prioritize different goals, such as a certain sidewall look, a familiar vintage name, or a specialty tread pattern for utility or military-style use. It is still important to choose by correct Hudson 112 Series size first, then by appearance and intended use. A handsome sidewall or well-known brand does not overcome a mismatch in the basic year-specific fitment.

Hudson 112 Series tires here span a wide range of series names, including Excelsior Bias Ply, Tourist Crossply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, Ford Script, Lester Classic Bias Ply, Turbospeed Mk4, Traction Mileage, Goodyear Military NDT, Deluxe All-Weather, Firestone Classic Military, Firestone Military NDT, Military NDT, NATO CJ110, and Firestone Classic Truck. Those series separate mainly by tread style, sidewall presentation, and intended use rather than by a shift to radial construction. Passenger-car patterns and military or truck-oriented patterns both appear in 600-16.

For a Hudson 112 Series owner, the practical question is what role the car serves. A restoration aimed at authentic prewar passenger-car character usually points toward the classic passenger bias-ply lines, while utility, military-style, or more rugged visual themes may lead toward NDT or truck-style options in 600-16. Keeping the car's year-correct size as the anchor helps narrow the series choice before deciding on style.

A Hudson 112 Series should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from sunlight, ozone sources, solvents, and sustained heat. Prewar bias-ply tires benefit from clean floors, proper inflation, and relief from long-term static loading when possible. If the car will sit for extended periods, moving it occasionally or using methods that reduce flat-spotting can help.

For a collector car, storage habits often affect tire life more than mileage does. Keep the Hudson 112 Series out of direct weather, avoid parking with the tires pressed against damp surfaces, and inspect sidewalls after any long lay-up. Good storage preserves both appearance and serviceability, especially on narrow prewar sizes that may see limited annual use but still age in place.

Tires on a Hudson 112 Series should be inspected before each drive and more thoroughly at regular service intervals, even if the car covers very few miles. Bias-ply collector tires deserve close attention to air pressure, sidewall condition, tread surface, bead area, and any signs of tube-related leakage or chafing. A prewar car that sits often can develop age-related issues without obvious tread wear.

That routine matters because storage, underinflation, and long periods of inactivity can affect a Hudson 112 Series as much as road use. Look for cracking, bulges, persistent pressure loss, or uneven wear that might indicate alignment or suspension issues. An annual inspection by a shop familiar with vintage tires is a sensible habit, particularly before touring season or after the car has been dormant for months.

Hudson 112 Series tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, deformation, repeated air loss, or other structural concerns appear, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector-car tires often age out long before they wear out. On a prewar bias-ply application, visible condition alone is not enough to judge continued roadworthiness.

That means an owner should treat time and condition as seriously as mileage on a Hudson 112 Series. If a tire has been on the car through long storage periods, has spent years under load, or shows any change in ride, vibration, or sidewall shape, it deserves prompt evaluation. A conservative replacement schedule is wise for cars that may still be driven on public roads rather than displayed only at shows.

Within this 1938 to 1939 Hudson 112 Series range, the original-style fitment pattern follows the year-specific numeric bias-ply sizes shown here: 550-16 for 1938 and 600-16 for 1939. Several bias-ply series are available today in those sizes, including classic passenger-car lines and, in 600-16, some specialty military or truck-oriented patterns. The presence of multiple modern offerings does not mean every series matches original passenger-car presentation equally well.

For an accurate restoration, the most useful next step is to pair the correct year size with a tread and sidewall style that suit how the specific Hudson 112 Series was equipped or presented when new. Factory literature, period photographs, and Hudson marque sources can help narrow that down. Size comes first, then series and sidewall style refine the authenticity of the finished car.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Hudson 112 Series is judged and how seriously a restoration is taken. On a prewar car, judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the size matches the year and whether the sidewall style and overall stance look appropriate for the period. Using 550-16 on a 1938 car and 600-16 on a 1939 car preserves that year-specific visual accuracy.

The practical effect is that tires influence more than ride quality; they shape the car's proportions and authenticity. If the Hudson 112 Series is being restored for shows or resale, consult Hudson club resources and period references before settling on whitewall width, blackwall versus whitewall, and tread style. Those details can strengthen the overall impression of a well-sorted, carefully researched restoration.

Hudson 112 Series tires in these sizes are available as blackwalls, wide whitewalls, and in 600-16 also as double whitewalls. Any of those can create a period look, but they do not all present the same character. Blackwalls read more restrained, while whitewalls and double whitewalls produce a more dressed, formal prewar appearance.

The best choice depends on the specific Hudson 112 Series being restored and the presentation goal. A car intended to reflect a simpler factory look may lean toward blackwalls, while a more upscale or show-oriented restoration may favor wide whitewalls. Period photos, sales literature, and marque-club guidance are the strongest references when deciding which sidewall style looks most convincing on the finished car.

A properly fitted, properly maintained Hudson 112 Series tire from the listed modern bias-ply offerings can be suitable for public-road use within the limits of a prewar automobile. Safety depends on correct size, sound wheels, proper inflation, good tubes, and the overall mechanical condition of the car. A 1938 or 1939 Hudson 112 Series should be evaluated as a complete vintage driving system, not just a tire purchase.

In practice, that means road use should be approached with realistic expectations about braking, steering feel, and bias-ply handling. Keep the Hudson 112 Series on tires matched to its year, inspect the chassis and wheel hardware carefully, and avoid treating a late-1930s car like a modern highway machine. Even the best-looking vintage-style tire cannot compensate for neglected mechanicals or mismatched fitment.

Before driving a Hudson 112 Series, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and whether the tire size matches the car's year. Also inspect wheel security, brake performance, steering response, and any signs of tube leakage or irregular tire shape. On a prewar car, small tire issues can quickly become significant once the car is moving.

That pre-drive routine is especially important if the Hudson 112 Series has been sitting for days or weeks between outings. Bias-ply tires can develop temporary flat spotting, and an aging tube or rim problem may show up first as a pressure loss. A few minutes of inspection before each drive is far easier than dealing with roadside trouble in a car built for a very different motoring era.

A Hudson 112 Series on original-type bias-ply tires should be driven at moderate, mechanically sympathetic speeds that respect both the tire construction and the capabilities of a late-1930s automobile. Even when the tire is new, the driving experience remains different from that of a modern radial-equipped car. Stability, braking distances, and steering response all reflect the period design.

That means the wise approach is to build speed gradually, avoid abrupt lane changes, and cruise at speeds the car can sustain comfortably without strain. A Hudson 112 Series used for tours, secondary roads, and relaxed collector driving is living in the environment these tires suit best. Fast highway operation may be possible in some conditions, but conservative pace is the better habit for both preservation and safety.