Hudson 28C Series Tires
Hudson 28C Series models from 1942 come from a brief, distinctive moment in American automotive history, when full-size Hudson cars combined prewar styling themes with the durability buyers expected from a serious road car. The Hudson 28C Series sits squarely in the classic American era, which means tire choice matters not just for appearance, but for steering feel, ride quality, and restoration character. Tire selection for Hudson 28C Series is less about sorting through multiple factory-era sizes and more about choosing the right construction, sidewall treatment, and duty type within one period size. Before selecting a tire, confirm that the car still carries its correct 16-inch wheels and decide whether you want passenger-car styling or a heavier military or truck-style tread.
Hudson 28C Series Tire Size Guide
Hudson 28C Series uses one listed tire size across its 1942 production span: 600-16. This is a numeric bias-ply size, where 600 indicates a nominal 6.00-inch section width and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. Available products for this size are built for 16-inch rims, with listed rim widths commonly in the 4.00 to 4.50 inch range and one tube-type military application extending to 5.0 inches. The size is offered in a broad range of passenger-car and military-style bias-ply series, including blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall designs. A tube is required, and the right choice comes down to whether the car is being restored to a civilian appearance or fitted for a specialty or utility-style use.
Hudson 28C Series Tires by Year
The year listing for Hudson 28C Series lets you match the 1942 model year to its correct tire size before narrowing the choice by sidewall style or tread family. The listed fitment stays on 16-inch wheels, so the main task is confirming that the car still has the proper rim diameter and has not been converted to another wheel setup.
1942 Hudson 28C Series
- 600-16
Best Hudson 28C Series Tires for Sale
Available Hudson 28C Series tires cover 1 size with 26 products from 10 brands, including blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall bias-ply choices. Confirm the correct 600-16 fitment and 16-inch rim diameter before selecting, especially if the car has been altered from original passenger-car use.
600-16 Products
These are the available products for 600-16.
Frequently Asked Questions
The FAQ below focuses on the single 600-16 fitment used by Hudson 28C Series, along with the practical differences between passenger-car bias-ply tires, military-style tread options, sidewall treatments, and long-term care for a low-use collector car.
Size Basics & Fitment
The listed tire size for Hudson 28C Series is 600-16 for 1942. All available products in this fitment use a 16-inch rim diameter, and the majority of the passenger-car offerings list rim widths around 4.00 to 4.50 inches. The same size is offered across several bias-ply product families, including standard passenger blackwalls, wide whitewalls, double-whitewalls, and heavier-duty military or truck-style tread designs.
That means the main fitment question is not which year uses which size, but whether the specific Hudson 28C Series still carries the correct 16-inch wheels and whether you want a civilian-style tire or a more specialty-duty tread. If the car is a restoration, match the sidewall and tread style to the way the car is being presented rather than choosing only by size.
On Hudson 28C Series, 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 sizing style, and the 16 indicates the rim diameter in inches. In the available Hudson 28C Series products, that size is consistently tied to bias-ply construction rather than radial construction.
Modern buyers sometimes read older numeric sizes as if they work like later metric codes, but they do not. For a Hudson 28C Series, the important practical step is confirming that the wheel is truly a 16-inch rim and then choosing among the available bias-ply interpretations of 600-16, since sidewall style and tread family can change the character of the finished car.
Hudson 28C Series uses a 16-inch rim diameter in the listed fitment. The available 600-16 products consistently correspond to 16-inch wheels, and several of the passenger-car tires specify rim widths in the 4.00 to 4.50 inch range. One military-style tube-type offering extends to a slightly broader listed rim-width range, but the wheel diameter remains 16 inches.
That makes wheel verification straightforward but still important, especially on older cars that may have changed wheels over time. Measure the wheel or confirm the stamping before choosing a tire, because the correct overall look and proper bead seating both depend on matching the tire to an actual 16-inch rim rather than assuming the car remains exactly as built.
Hudson 28C Series tire options in the listed 600-16 fitment are bias-ply designs, and a tube is required. That applies to the passenger-car blackwall and whitewall choices as well as the military and truck-style offerings in the same nominal size. One of the listed military products is explicitly identified as tube type, which aligns with the general requirement for this fitment family.
When fitting a Hudson 28C Series, plan the tire and tube as a matched installation rather than treating the tube as an afterthought. Good tube condition, correct flap use where applicable, and clean wheel surfaces all matter on a collector car that may sit for long periods and then return to service for tours, shows, or occasional road driving.
Buying the Right Tire
Hudson 28C Series tires in 600-16 are available in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. Blackwall choices appear across the broadest range of brands and series, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall offerings are available in several classic bias-ply lines. Those sidewall treatments all share the same basic size but create very different finished appearances on the car.
For a Hudson 28C Series restoration, sidewall style should be chosen with the car's intended presentation in mind. A restrained driver-quality car may suit a blackwall, while a more formal or show-oriented restoration may call for a whitewall treatment. The tire size stays the same, so the visual decision comes after basic fitment has been confirmed.
Hudson 28C Series tires in 600-16 are available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. Those brands cover several different period-style series, from classic passenger-car bias-ply lines to military NDT and utility-oriented tread patterns. All of the listed choices remain within the same general 16-inch fitment family for Hudson 28C Series.
Brand choice on a Hudson 28C Series usually comes down to the look and character you want rather than a change in base size. Some owners prefer a marquee classic-brand presentation, while others are more concerned with tread style, sidewall treatment, or a specialty-duty appearance that supports a specific restoration theme.
Hudson 28C Series tires in 600-16 appear in several series, including Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, Turbospeed Mk4, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Ford Script, Excelsior Bias Ply, Lester Classic Bias Ply, Tourist Crossply, Traction Mileage, Goodyear Military NDT, Deluxe All-Weather, Firestone Classic Military, Firestone Military NDT, Military NDT, NATO CJ110, and Firestone Classic Truck. The main differences are styling, tread purpose, and whether the tire is aimed at passenger-car appearance or military and utility-style service.
For a Hudson 28C Series used as a civilian restoration, the classic passenger-car bias-ply series are usually the most visually appropriate place to start. Military NDT, NATO, and truck-style series belong more naturally on specialty applications or themed builds, so the right series depends on whether authenticity, display style, or functional tread character is the priority.
A 1942 Hudson 28C Series uses the listed 600-16 size, so the remaining decisions are construction family, sidewall style, and duty type rather than year-to-year size differences. Passenger-car bias-ply products are offered in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall form, while separate military and truck-style 600-16 options use different tread intentions in the same basic size. All of them fit the same 16-inch wheel diameter.
Start by checking the wheel diameter on the car, then look closely at how the Hudson 28C Series is being restored or used. A stock-appearing sedan, a period-correct tour car, and a specialty build may all use 600-16, but they may not want the same tread pattern or sidewall treatment. Choosing by appearance and use after confirming the size usually produces the right result.
Maintenance & Longevity
A Hudson 28C Series should be stored in a cool, dry, dark environment with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, ozone sources, and chemical contamination. Bias-ply collector tires do best when the car is parked on a clean surface and moved periodically so one section of the casing is not loaded in exactly the same spot for months at a time. Proper inflation during storage also helps preserve shape.
If a Hudson 28C Series will sit for a season or longer, many owners use jack stands or increase attention to rotation and pressure checks to reduce flat-spotting and casing stress. Whitewall-equipped cars also benefit from gentle cleaning habits, because harsh solvents and aggressive scrubbing can prematurely age the sidewall and diminish the presentation of an otherwise well-kept restoration.
Tires on a Hudson 28C Series should be inspected before each drive and more thoroughly several times a year, even if the car covers very few miles. Check inflation, visible cracking, sidewall scuffs, tread separation, irregular wear, valve condition, and any signs that the tube or casing may have shifted on the rim. Collector cars often age their tires through time and storage conditions more than through mileage.
A practical routine is to make tire inspection part of every Hudson 28C Series start-up and seasonal service check. Because bias-ply tires communicate wear and age differently than modern radials, small changes in ride feel, steering effort, or vibration should be taken seriously. Catching a problem in the garage is far preferable to discovering it once the car is out on the road.
Hudson 28C Series tires should be replaced when they show age cracking, casing fatigue, recurring air loss, impact damage, sidewall distortion, or any sign of internal separation, even if the tread still looks substantial. Tread depth alone is not a reliable guide on a collector car because time, heat cycles, and storage conditions can age the tire long before the rubber appears worn out. Tubes and related components should be evaluated at the same time.
That is especially important on a Hudson 28C Series that sees intermittent use, since long idle periods can hide deterioration until the car is put back into service. If the tires have uncertain age or history, replacement should be considered part of basic recommissioning rather than an optional cosmetic upgrade. On older bias-ply applications, age matters as much as mileage.
Restoration & Authenticity
Hudson 28C Series is listed here with a 600-16 fitment for 1942, and the available replacement choices are all bias-ply products within that size family. Several series are offered, including classic passenger-car lines and more specialized military or utility-style tread designs. That means the correct restoration target is first the right size and construction type, then the appropriate series and sidewall look for the specific car.
If the goal is a highly exact Hudson 28C Series restoration, original manuals, period photos, and marque-club references are the best way to narrow the final presentation. The size itself is straightforward, but the visual finish can vary meaningfully between blackwall, wide whitewall, and specialty tread patterns. Matching the tire to the car's trim level and intended historical appearance strengthens authenticity.
Correct tire fitment can materially affect both presentation and judging on a Hudson 28C Series. Even when the base size is correct at 600-16, judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts will notice whether the sidewall treatment, tread style, and overall profile suit the period and character of the car. A military NDT tread and a classic wide whitewall create very different impressions on the same chassis.
For a Hudson 28C Series being prepared for show or resale, tire choice should be treated as part of the restoration story rather than a minor consumable decision. Marque clubs, period advertising, and surviving unrestored cars are useful benchmarks for visual correctness. The right tire helps the car look settled and believable, while the wrong one can distract even when the paint and trim are excellent.
Hudson 28C Series tires are available in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles within the listed 600-16 size. Any of those treatments can dramatically change the finished look of the car, even though the underlying fitment remains the same. The appropriate choice depends on how the specific Hudson 28C Series is being restored and presented rather than on a change in wheel diameter or tire size.
A conservative restoration often leans toward blackwall, while a more formal or show-oriented Hudson 28C Series may call for a whitewall treatment that better suits the era's styling language. Double-whitewall options create an even more distinctive period statement. The best approach is to match the sidewall to the car's trim, stance, and historical intent so the overall presentation feels coherent.
Safety & Road Use
Properly installed new bias-ply tires in the correct 600-16 size can be suitable for public-road use on a Hudson 28C Series when the entire car is mechanically sound. That includes sound wheels, correct tubes, proper inflation, good steering and brake condition, and suspension components that are up to the task. Tire safety on a collector car depends on the whole system rather than the casing alone.
A Hudson 28C Series should be driven with respect for the behavior of period-style bias-ply tires, which do not respond like modern radials in lane changes, braking feel, or directional stability. Short local drives and careful evaluation after installation are wise. The car may be fully roadworthy, but it should still be treated as a 1942 automobile rather than a modern commuter.
Before driving a Hudson 28C Series, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, wheel attachment, and any sign of rubbing or uneven wear. Also look at the broader chassis condition, especially steering response, brake feel, and wheel-bearing smoothness, because all of those systems influence how the tires perform. On a collector car, a brief walk-around often reveals problems before they become roadside failures.
That check matters even more after the Hudson 28C Series has been sitting, since flat spotting, pressure loss, and age-related cracking can develop without warning. If the car wears military or truck-style tread in the same 600-16 size, confirm that the ride and noise characteristics still suit the way you plan to use it. A few careful minutes in the garage make the first miles much more predictable.
A Hudson 28C Series on period-style bias-ply tires should be driven at moderate, sensible speeds that respect both the car's age and the behavior of bias construction. Even with the correct 600-16 size installed, the steering response, braking reserve, and heat tolerance of a 1942-era vehicle package are not equivalent to a modern car. Road speed should always reflect vehicle condition, tire condition, and route conditions.
In practice, that means a Hudson 28C Series is happiest when driven smoothly and conservatively rather than pressed hard in modern high-speed traffic. Avoid abrupt lane changes, sustained fast cruising in hot weather, and any use that asks the tire to behave like a contemporary radial. Preserving the car and enjoying it safely usually go together when speed expectations stay realistic.