Hudson Commodore Tires

Hudson Commodore models in 1946 and 1947 are associated with two tire sizes: 6.50-15 and 700-15. Both sizes use a 15-inch rim, and 700-15 products are commonly listed for 5.00 to 5.50 inch rim widths where that detail appears. Both are period numeric bias-ply sizes rather than modern metric radials.

The practical difference is that 6.50-15 is the narrower listed option, while 700-15 is the wider listed option and has the broader product selection here. Start by checking the wheel diameter stamped on the rim, then measure or confirm wheel width before choosing between the two. On a restored Hudson Commodore, that approach is more useful than relying on year alone, since both sizes appear in both model years.

A 700-15 Hudson Commodore tire uses a period numeric size code. The 700 designates a nominal section width of about 7.00 inches, and the 15 identifies the rim diameter in inches. In the available Hudson Commodore products, 700-15 is a bias-ply size offered on 15-inch rims, often with a 5.00 to 5.50 inch rim-width range.

That matters because a modern buyer may mistake the first number for a complete dimensional specification when it is really a traditional width designation. If your Hudson Commodore already wears 15-inch wheels and you want the fuller section width associated with the larger listed size, 700-15 is the one to compare first. It also opens up the widest choice of sidewall styles and specialty patterns in the current offerings.

A 1946 Hudson Commodore has both 6.50-15 and 700-15 listed because the model appears with more than one period size in the same year, while still remaining on 15-inch wheels. That is a same-year size split rather than a wheel-diameter change. Both choices are bias-ply fitments in the period numeric system.

For an owner, the takeaway is that year by itself does not settle the fitment question. Check the actual wheel width, compare the car’s present stance, and decide whether the restoration is aiming for the narrower or wider listed appearance. If the car has been apart for many years or has replacement wheels, comparing against factory literature or Hudson club guidance is the cleanest way to settle which of the two belongs on your specific Hudson Commodore.

Hudson Commodore sizes in this set are period numeric bias-ply sizes, and tube-type use is the safe assumption for those traditional passenger fitments unless a specific wheel and tire combination is clearly engineered otherwise. The 700-15 passenger-style offerings are bias-ply, and tube-type construction appears within the broader 700-15 product family as well. That places the Hudson Commodore firmly in the era where inner tubes remain part of normal tire setup.

In practice, tube choice should match the exact tire size and the condition of the wheel. A restored rim with pitting, old rivets, or uncertain sealing surfaces deserves especially careful attention before mounting any new tire. When preparing a Hudson Commodore for road use, treat the tube, flap if required, and wheel condition as part of the fitment decision rather than thinking only about the outer tire size.

A 1947 Hudson Commodore can use either 6.50-15 or 700-15, so the first step is confirming what is actually on the car. Both listed sizes use 15-inch rims, but 700-15 is the wider of the two and is the size with the larger product selection here. Wheel diameter and wheel width matter more than the model year alone.

Begin with the wheel itself, then compare the present tire size if the car already wears period-correct rubber. After that, decide whether the goal is strict restoration appearance or a broader selection of available products within the listed range. If the Hudson Commodore has changed hands several times, or if the wheels may have been swapped, original owner literature and marque-club guidance are the best final check.

Hudson Commodore tires in the available 700-15 offerings include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. The blackwall choices appear across several bias-ply passenger and specialty patterns, while wide whitewall options are also available in period-style passenger tires. That gives restorers a visible styling choice without changing the basic 15-inch fitment.

For a postwar Hudson Commodore restoration, sidewall style has a strong effect on the car’s character even when the size remains the same. A blackwall generally gives a more restrained look, while a wide whitewall creates a more formal, upscale presentation that many owners prefer on full-size 1940s American cars. Match the sidewall to the trim level, restoration theme, and surviving period photography of your own car if authenticity matters.

Hudson Commodore tire options here come from Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA. Firestone and BFGoodrich appear in period-style passenger bias-ply offerings, while STA appears in several specialty and truck-oriented 700-15 patterns. Altogether, those three brands cover the current selection associated with this Hudson Commodore size range.

Brand choice should follow the kind of Hudson Commodore you are building. A show-oriented restoration often starts with the passenger-style bias-ply offerings and the sidewall treatment that suits the car, while a more specialized application may look at the heavier-duty 700-15 options. Choosing by brand alone is less important than choosing the correct size, sidewall, and construction style for the way the car will actually be used.

Hudson Commodore 700-15 products appear in several series, including Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Traxion, Firestone Classic Military, Super Transport, and Transport Highway. The first two are passenger-style classic bias-ply lines, while the others reflect military, traction, and transport-oriented designs within the same basic size. All remain bias-ply constructions, but they serve different visual and functional purposes.

That means the right series depends on whether your Hudson Commodore is being restored as a period passenger car or adapted for a more specialized look or use. A classic passenger series usually makes the most sense for authentic presentation, especially if sidewall appearance matters. The military and transport series are worth considering only when their tread style, load character, or specific theme fits the car you are building.

A Hudson Commodore should be stored on a clean, dry surface away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and large temperature swings. Keep the tires properly inflated for storage, and avoid letting the full weight of the car sit in one position for months at a time if possible. Bias-ply collector tires benefit from a stable environment and regular movement more than modern daily-driver tires do.

If the Hudson Commodore will sit for an extended period, roll it occasionally or use cradles to reduce flat spotting and casing stress. Check that tubes, valve stems, and wheel hardware are also in good condition, since storage affects the whole assembly. A little preventive care during storage preserves ride quality, appearance, and service life far better than waiting to address problems when driving season returns.

Tires on a Hudson Commodore should be inspected before every meaningful drive and given a more careful review several times through the year, even if the car covers very few miles. Look for pressure loss, sidewall cracking, tread separation, irregular wear, and signs that the tube or valve stem may be failing. On a collector car with bias-ply tires, time and storage conditions matter as much as mileage.

Inspection should include the spare, because an emergency replacement is only useful if it is serviceable. While checking the tires, also inspect wheel condition, bead areas, and any rubbing or clearance problems that could point to the wrong size or wheel setup. A Hudson Commodore that lives mostly in a garage can still develop age-related tire problems, so low annual mileage should never be treated as a reason to skip inspections.

Hudson Commodore tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, bulges, separation, repeated air loss, or impact damage appear, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector tires often age out long before they wear out, especially on cars that are driven lightly and stored for long periods. Tread depth alone is a poor guide for an older bias-ply tire.

The important habit is to judge the whole tire, not just the visible tread face. A Hudson Commodore used for occasional shows, tours, or local driving should still have its tires evaluated on age and structural condition by someone familiar with vintage tires. Replacing early is usually cheaper than dealing with fender damage, wheel damage, or loss of control caused by a tire that looked fine at a glance.

Hudson Commodore models in 1946 and 1947 are associated here with two period sizes, 6.50-15 and 700-15, both on 15-inch rims. The available products also show period-style bias-ply passenger options, including classic bias-ply series and both blackwall and wide whitewall presentations. That establishes the general type of tire family that suits the car without tying every individual Hudson Commodore to one single surviving specification.

For a restoration, the best approach is to use the listed sizes and construction style as the starting point, then compare against original Hudson literature, build records, and marque-club references for your specific car. Sidewall style and exact section width can affect how authentic the finished car looks. Owners aiming for judged authenticity should settle those details before choosing between the two listed sizes.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect the presentation and judged authenticity of a Hudson Commodore. Size, sidewall style, and construction all influence whether the car looks properly restored for the mid-1940s period. A Hudson Commodore on the wrong section width or an obviously off-period sidewall can look incorrect even to casual observers.

That does not mean every owner must restore the car for concours rules, but tire choice should match the goal of the project. If the Hudson Commodore is being built for serious judging, consult Hudson club standards and period photography before selecting size and sidewall. If the car is a driver, a visually appropriate bias-ply tire in one of the listed sizes still preserves much of the car’s historical character.

Hudson Commodore tire choices here include blackwall and wide whitewall styles in 700-15. Both are period-appropriate looks for a late-1940s American car, but they create noticeably different visual results. Blackwall reads more restrained and functional, while a wide whitewall gives the Hudson Commodore a more formal postwar appearance.

The right answer depends on the exact restoration target. If you are duplicating a specific Hudson Commodore as delivered, period photos, showroom literature, or surviving family photos can guide the sidewall choice. If you are restoring for era-correct presentation rather than one exact car, selecting between blackwall and wide whitewall is often one of the most visible decisions you will make.

A properly mounted, properly inflated, undamaged vintage-style tire can be suitable for public-road use on a Hudson Commodore when the car itself is mechanically sound. The available Hudson Commodore products are bias-ply designs, so they deliver a period driving character rather than modern radial behavior. Safety depends on the complete condition of the car, the tire assembly, and the realism of how the car is driven.

That means road use should begin only after checking brakes, steering, suspension, wheel condition, and tire age. A Hudson Commodore on fresh, correctly sized tires still needs more space, more attention, and gentler inputs than a modern car. Conservative speeds and frequent inspections are part of safe vintage motoring, not signs that anything is wrong with the tire.

Before driving a Hudson Commodore, check cold tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and wheel fasteners. On a car using period-style bias-ply tires, also look for flat spotting after storage and any sign that the tire is rubbing the body or suspension. If the car uses tubes, air retention and valve condition deserve extra attention.

A short walk-around catches problems that become serious once the car is moving. After that, drive the Hudson Commodore gently for the first few miles and pay attention to pull, vibration, or unusual noise that could indicate a tire or wheel issue. Vintage cars communicate problems early if the driver listens, and that habit is one of the best safety tools an owner has.

A Hudson Commodore on period-style bias-ply tires should be driven at moderate speeds that respect both the tire design and the overall capability of a late-1940s automobile. Even with new production vintage tires, the handling response, braking distances, and straight-line feel are different from a modern radial-equipped car. The right pace is one that keeps the car settled and the driver fully ahead of traffic conditions.

In practical terms, a Hudson Commodore should be driven smoothly and conservatively rather than pushed to modern expectations. Keep speeds appropriate to road conditions, tire condition, and the mechanical state of the car, especially after long storage or recent restoration work. If the car feels busy, wanders, or develops heat quickly, treat that as a signal to slow down and inspect the setup.