Nash Statesman Tires

Nash Statesman uses two tire sizes across its 1950 to 1956 production span. The 1950 and 1951 Nash Statesman use 640-15, while the 1952 through 1956 Nash Statesman use 670-15. Both sizes are vintage numeric bias-ply sizes built for 15-inch rims, so the difference is in the nominal section width rather than the wheel diameter.

That means year is the first thing to verify, especially if a car has changed hands several times or has had wheel service in the past. Check the model year, confirm the wheel is still a 15-inch wheel, and then match the tire size to that year range before choosing a blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall version.

On a Nash Statesman, 640-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size code. The 640 represents a nominal 6.40-inch section width with the decimal omitted, and the 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. For Nash Statesman applications, that size belongs to the 1950 and 1951 model years.

Modern buyers sometimes expect a more detailed code with aspect ratio and construction letter, but older American sizing was much simpler. If your Nash Statesman is one of the first two years of production, 640-15 is the correct starting point, and you should also confirm the wheel width falls within the range suited to the tire you are considering.

On a Nash Statesman, 670-15 is also a vintage numeric bias-ply size code. The 670 represents a nominal 6.70-inch section width, and the 15 indicates a 15-inch rim diameter. This is the size used on 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, and 1956 Nash Statesman models.

The practical takeaway is that 670-15 is slightly larger than the earlier 640-15 fitment while still using the same wheel diameter. Owners of later Nash Statesman cars should start with this size, then compare wheel width and the look they want, since available versions include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall designs.

The available Nash Statesman tires in both 640-15 and 670-15 are bias-ply tires, and for these vintage numeric bias-ply sizes a tube is required. That applies across the full 1950 to 1956 run covered here. Tube use is part of the normal fitment practice for this kind of mid-century collector tire.

When replacing tires on a Nash Statesman, plan the job as a complete wheel-and-tire service rather than treating the tube as an afterthought. Matching the correct tube to the tire and wheel helps preserve ride quality and reduces trouble from pinching, leakage, or reuse of old tube components on a collector car that may sit for long periods.

The correct tire size for a Nash Statesman is tied directly to model year. A 1950 or 1951 Nash Statesman uses 640-15, while a 1952 through 1956 Nash Statesman uses 670-15. Both sizes fit 15-inch wheels, so the year split is the main identifier rather than a change in rim diameter.

Start by verifying the car’s model year and then inspect the actual wheels to confirm they are still the correct 15-inch type. If the car has been restored, modified, or assembled from mixed parts, compare the existing wheel width and any surviving factory literature or marque-club guidance so the selected tire matches both fitment and intended appearance.

Nash Statesman tires are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles across the listed 640-15 and 670-15 sizes. The exact whitewall widths vary by brand and series, with examples ranging from 1-inch narrow whitewalls to substantially wider period-style whitewalls. That gives owners a useful spread of visual options within the correct vintage size family.

For a restoration-minded Nash Statesman, sidewall style has a strong effect on how the car presents. Blackwalls usually suit a more understated look, while narrow and wide whitewalls can move the appearance toward a sharper early-1950s or more dressed-up mid-1950s character, so it helps to compare the tire choice with the car’s trim level, finish, and intended use.

Nash Statesman tires are offered here from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Avon, Excelsior, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, Goodyear, and STA. Those brands appear across the two correct sizes used during 1950 to 1956. Most options are traditional bias-ply passenger-car tires, with one 670-15 listing in a truck-oriented series.

Brand choice on a Nash Statesman usually comes down to the balance between appearance, period flavor, sidewall treatment, and how closely you want to match a particular restoration theme. Once the year-correct size is settled, compare the available brands by sidewall style and tire series so the finished car looks and drives in a way that suits your goals.

Nash Statesman tire series include Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Super Safety Crossply, Excelsior Bias Ply, US Royal Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, Universal Classic Bias Ply, Turbospeed Mk4, Super Cushion, Custom Super Cushion, Super Cushion Deluxe, and Super Transport. Most are passenger-car bias-ply or crossply collector tires, while Super Transport is the outlier with a truck-oriented positioning. The series differences mainly show up in brand identity, sidewall styling, and intended character rather than in a switch to modern radial construction.

For a Nash Statesman owner, that means the first decision is still year-correct size, followed by the look and personality you want the tire to bring to the car. A classic passenger-car series is usually the natural fit for stock restoration work, while the truck-oriented option deserves closer scrutiny to make sure it aligns with the way the car will actually be used.

A Nash Statesman should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with clean tires inflated evenly and kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, or ozone sources. Bias-ply collector tires benefit from a stable environment because long idle periods can encourage flat spotting and sidewall stress. Clean floors and tire cradles or simple barriers from bare concrete are also good practice.

If the Nash Statesman will sit for months at a time, move it occasionally or place it on stands in a way that supports the car safely and appropriately. Owners who drive only to shows or local events should make storage care part of routine preservation, because age and environment tend to affect collector tires more than tread wear does.

Tires on a Nash Statesman should be inspected before every drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals during the season. Look for pressure loss, uneven wear, sidewall cracking, tread separation signs, valve issues, and any damage around the bead area. On a collector car with bias-ply tires, small changes can matter even when the car is driven only occasionally.

A practical routine is to give the Nash Statesman a quick visual check before moving it and a hands-on inspection several times each year, especially after winter storage. Any vibration, pulling, or sudden change in ride quality should be treated as a reason to stop and examine the tires, tubes, and wheels before returning the car to regular use.

Tires on a Nash Statesman should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, bulges, separation, repeated pressure loss, or visible structural deterioration appear, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector-car tires often age out before they wear out. That is especially true on cars that spend much of their lives parked, trailered, or driven only occasionally.

Treat calendar age and condition as more important than mileage on a Nash Statesman. If there is any doubt about the integrity of an older tire, especially one with uncertain service history, a specialist inspection is wise before further road use, since failure on a heavy 1950s sedan can damage both the car and surrounding bodywork.

Nash Statesman used 640-15 in 1950 and 1951, then 670-15 from 1952 through 1956. The available replacement tires are period-style bias-ply offerings from several classic brands and series, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions. Those sizes provide the correct starting point for an authentic-looking restoration.

Original-delivery details could vary by year, trim presentation, and period replacement history, so the most exact restoration work benefits from checking factory literature, period photography, or marque-club references. Once size is confirmed, sidewall choice becomes the next authenticity decision, because it strongly influences whether a Nash Statesman looks modestly equipped or more upscale.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Nash Statesman is viewed in both formal judging and private-sale presentation. Judges and experienced collectors notice whether the size matches the proper year range, whether the sidewall style suits the period, and whether the tire construction looks appropriate for the car. Tires are one of the first details that can either support or undermine an otherwise careful restoration.

For owners aiming at club events or preservation-minded resale, choosing the right 640-15 or 670-15 size matters as much as choosing an attractive sidewall. A Nash Statesman with year-correct tires tends to present as a more coherent restoration, so it is worth checking marque guidance before making a final decision on both size and visual style.

Nash Statesman restoration options here include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall tires. All three styles can make sense within the model’s 1950s context, but they create different visual results. Blackwalls read more restrained, while narrow and wide whitewalls add progressively more period presence.

The best choice depends on the particular Nash Statesman being restored and the look you are trying to recreate. A conservatively trimmed car may look right on blackwalls or a narrow whitewall, while a more upscale presentation can support a wider whitewall, so period photos and marque-club standards are the best final reference when appearance matters.

Properly fitted collector tires in the correct Nash Statesman size can be suitable for public-road use when they are in sound condition, correctly inflated, and mounted on wheels in equally sound condition. The listed Nash Statesman options are bias-ply tires, so their handling feel and response will remain true to the period rather than mimicking a modern radial-equipped car. Safe use depends on condition and correct fitment, not on size alone.

A road-driven Nash Statesman should be treated like a preserved 1950s sedan, with conservative speeds, more stopping distance, and regular checks of tires, tubes, brakes, and steering. If the car has been dormant for years, put overall mechanical inspection ahead of any planned driving, because fresh tires cannot compensate for weaknesses elsewhere in the chassis.

Before driving a Nash Statesman, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, lug security, and whether the tires match the correct year-based size. Also look at the wheels themselves for damage, corrosion, or poor prior repair. On a collector car with bias-ply tires, small issues can become noticeable on the road much sooner than many owners expect.

Beyond the tires, a Nash Statesman deserves a full pre-drive walkaround that includes brakes, steering play, fluid leaks, lights, and suspension behavior. If the car has sat for a long period, the first outing should be short and cautious so you can feel for pull, shimmy, vibration, or heat buildup before committing the car to sustained road use.

A Nash Statesman on period-style bias-ply tires should be driven at moderate, conservative speeds that respect both the age of the car and the character of the tire construction. Even with new collector tires, the chassis, braking system, steering design, and bias-ply handling feel are all very different from a modern sedan. Smooth inputs and reasonable cruising are more appropriate than sustained high-speed driving.

The practical rule is to let the whole car set the pace, not just the tire. A well-sorted Nash Statesman can be enjoyed comfortably on secondary roads and local highway use, but owners should leave generous following distance, avoid abrupt lane changes, and remember that tire age, wheel condition, and overall mechanical health matter just as much as the nominal size on the sidewall.