Willys 226 Tires

The Willys 226 uses two tire sizes across the 1955 to 1958 production span: 700-16 and 670-15. Size 700-16 appears for 1955, 1956, 1957, and 1958, and it uses a 16-inch rim. Size 670-15 appears for 1956, 1957, and 1958, and it uses a 15-inch rim. Both are bias-ply fitments in the available product range, with passenger-car styles as well as more utility-oriented truck and military-pattern options depending on the size.

The practical takeaway is that the year alone does not settle fitment on every Willys 226. A 1955 model points to 700-16, but 1956 through 1958 can be either 700-16 or 670-15, so the actual wheel diameter on the vehicle needs to be checked first. Once rim diameter is confirmed, you can narrow the choice further by sidewall style and by whether the vehicle is being restored as a passenger-oriented example or kept in a more work-focused configuration.

On a Willys 226, 700-16 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 700 portion indicates a nominal section width of 7.00 inches, with the decimal omitted in traditional sizing, and the 16 indicates a 16-inch rim diameter. Available 700-16 products for the Willys 226 are bias-ply tires, including blackwall, wide whitewall, and military-style tread choices.

That means 700-16 is not interchangeable with 670-15 simply because the overall look may seem similar at a glance. The tire is built around a different wheel diameter, so the first check should always be the wheel itself or an existing mounted tire if it is known to be correct. For a Willys 226 used in utility service or restored with a more rugged appearance, the available 700-16 range also offers patterns that are distinct from the more passenger-oriented 15-inch options.

A 1956 Willys 226 has both 700-16 and 670-15 listed because two wheel diameters were used within that model year. The 700-16 fitment is built for a 16-inch rim, while the 670-15 fitment is built for a 15-inch rim. The difference is not just tread choice or sidewall style; it starts with the wheel diameter itself.

That is why a 1956 Willys 226 owner should inspect the actual wheels before choosing a tire. Measure the rim diameter, check any surviving original wheel markings, and compare the vehicle’s configuration with restoration records if available. Once you know whether the car has 15-inch or 16-inch wheels, the correct tire group becomes much easier to sort, and you can then choose between blackwall, whitewall, or more utility-focused bias-ply patterns.

The Willys 226 uses both 16-inch and 15-inch rim diameters across the years covered here. Size 700-16 uses a 16-inch rim and is listed from 1955 through 1958, while size 670-15 uses a 15-inch rim and is listed from 1956 through 1958. The first year in which the 15-inch wheel fitment appears is 1956.

For fitment work, wheel diameter is the first fact to establish before comparing brands or sidewall styles. A Willys 226 with 16-inch rims needs the 700-16 group, and a Willys 226 with 15-inch rims needs the 670-15 group. If the vehicle has changed hands over the years or has been restored with replacement wheels, treat the current wheel as the authority unless you are intentionally returning the vehicle to a different original-era configuration.

A 1957 Willys 226 can use either 700-16 or 670-15, so the correct tire size depends on which wheels are actually on the vehicle. Size 700-16 is for a 16-inch rim, while 670-15 is for a 15-inch rim. Both are available in bias-ply construction, but the product mix differs, with 15-inch options leaning more toward passenger-car styling and 16-inch options including more utility and military-style patterns.

Start by confirming the wheel diameter, then compare the look and purpose you want from the vehicle. If the Willys 226 is being restored as a more passenger-oriented example, the 15-inch size offers a broad range of blackwall and whitewall choices. If the vehicle carries 16-inch wheels or has a more work-oriented presentation, the 700-16 group may be the better match. Original paperwork, wheel markings, and long-term ownership history can help settle borderline cases.

Willys 226 tires are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles across the listed sizes. The 700-16 options include blackwall and wide whitewall choices, while the 670-15 size has the broadest cosmetic range, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, and several wide whitewall treatments. All of these options are bias-ply products in the sizes listed for the Willys 226.

Sidewall style changes the visual character of a Willys 226 as much as the tread pattern does. Blackwalls usually suit a more utilitarian presentation, while whitewalls tend to push the vehicle toward a more passenger-car restoration look. The best choice depends on how the particular Willys 226 was equipped and how it is being restored today, so it is worth matching the sidewall style to period photos, surviving trim, and the overall finish level of the vehicle.

Brands represented for Willys 226 tire sizes include Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, STA, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, Excelsior, and Goodyear. The 700-16 range includes brands such as Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA, while the 670-15 range adds US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, Excelsior, and Goodyear. Brand choice also overlaps with tread style, sidewall appearance, and the intended use of the vehicle.

That gives Willys 226 owners room to choose for authenticity, appearance, or service character rather than simply taking a one-brand approach. Some owners will prioritize a familiar period brand name, while others will focus on finding the right whitewall width or a more rugged truck-style tread. Narrow the decision by size and wheel diameter first, then compare the available brands within that size for the look and driving purpose that best suits the individual Willys 226.

Willys 226 tire options span several series, including Lester Classic Bias Ply, Traction Mileage, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Military, Tornel Classic Truck, Military NDT, US Royal Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, Universal Classic Bias Ply, Excelsior Bias Ply, Turbospeed Mk4, Super Cushion, Custom Super Cushion, Super Cushion Deluxe, and Super Transport. Most are passenger-style classic bias-ply series, while others are truck or military-oriented with different tread character and load emphasis. The series names matter because they signal whether the tire is styled for a restored passenger vehicle, a commercial-duty look, or a military-pattern application.

For a Willys 226 owner, the key is to separate appearance and intended use before getting deep into brand preference. A classic bias-ply passenger series will usually be the right direction for a stock-looking restoration, especially in blackwall or whitewall form. Military and truck series make more sense where the vehicle carries that kind of visual or functional character. Once size and rim diameter are settled, comparing series is the best way to choose a tire that matches how the Willys 226 is supposed to look and be used.

A Willys 226 should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and prolonged contact with standing moisture. Tires on collector vehicles age more from time and environment than from mileage, especially when the vehicle sits for long periods. Correct inflation for the tire being used and a clean storage surface both help reduce flat spotting and sidewall stress.

If a Willys 226 will sit for months at a time, move it periodically or support it in a way that reduces continuous load on one section of the tire. Keep the vehicle clean underneath so dirt and fluids do not work into the casing or wheel area. Good storage habits preserve both appearance and service life, which matters even more on bias-ply collector tires that may see very limited annual mileage.

Tires on a Willys 226 should be inspected before every meaningful drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals even if the vehicle is rarely used. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, impact damage, bead-area issues, uneven wear, and any change in how the tire holds air. Because the Willys 226 uses bias-ply tires in the listed sizes, visual condition and casing age are especially important.

A brief walk-around before driving can catch the problems that matter most on a collector vehicle. It is also wise to inspect the wheels, valve stems, and tube-related hardware whenever the tires are off the car, since the tire is only one part of the assembly. If the Willys 226 has been in storage or has not been driven since the previous season, give the tires a closer look before returning the vehicle to regular road use.

Tires on a Willys 226 should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, impact damage, casing distortion, or persistent air loss shows that the structure is no longer trustworthy, even if tread depth still looks usable. Collector tires often age out before they wear out, particularly on low-mileage vehicles. Visible tread alone is never enough to judge whether an older bias-ply tire remains suitable for service.

That matters because a Willys 226 may spend long periods parked, which can hide age-related deterioration until the car is put back on the road. If the vehicle has older tires of uncertain history, replacement is usually the safer path than trying to extend life based on appearance alone. A tire specialist familiar with collector vehicles can evaluate borderline cases, but age and condition should carry more weight than remaining tread on a lightly used classic.

Willys 226 fitments in the years covered here include 700-16 and 670-15, with multiple bias-ply series available in each size grouping. The available range includes passenger-oriented classic bias-ply lines as well as truck and military-style series in 700-16. That tells you the Willys 226 did not live in a one-tire world, and the correct original-style choice depends on the year, wheel diameter, and the specific character of the vehicle being restored.

For restoration work, the best path is to confirm the wheel size on the individual Willys 226 and then compare surviving factory literature, period photos, and marque-club knowledge to the available series. A vehicle restored as a passenger model may call for a very different visual result than one preserved with a more utilitarian or commercial flavor. The listed tires provide the size range; originality comes from matching that range to the exact configuration of the vehicle.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect both the judged authenticity and the market impression of a Willys 226. Size, rim diameter, sidewall style, and tread character all contribute to whether the vehicle looks coherent for its year and configuration. A Willys 226 sitting on the wrong wheel diameter or an obviously mismatched sidewall treatment can stand out immediately to experienced collectors.

That does not always mean there is only one acceptable answer, especially on vehicles that could be equipped for different uses, but it does mean details matter. For show-focused restorations, compare the tire choice against period references and marque-club standards before mounting a full set. For driver-quality restorations, getting the correct size and era-appropriate look will usually do more for the overall presentation of a Willys 226 than chasing small cosmetic details elsewhere.

A Willys 226 restoration can be matched with blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall tires, depending on the wheel size and the visual direction of the restoration. The 670-15 size offers the widest spread of sidewall choices, while 700-16 is available in blackwall and wide whitewall forms. All of those styles can make sense within a 1950s restoration context, but they do not create the same impression.

Blackwalls generally suit a more restrained or utility-focused Willys 226, especially where the vehicle is preserved with a practical character. Narrow and wide whitewalls push the look toward a more passenger-car presentation and can significantly change how the vehicle reads from the curb. The right answer comes from matching the tire style to the trim level, wheel diameter, and period image you are trying to recreate rather than choosing a sidewall style in isolation.

A properly selected and properly mounted tire from the listed Willys 226 sizes can be suitable for public-road use when the entire vehicle is in sound mechanical condition. The available products here are bias-ply tires, and some 700-16 options are truck or military-pattern designs, so road manners and use expectations may differ from modern passenger radials. Tire condition, wheel condition, alignment, brakes, steering, and suspension all matter just as much as the size itself.

For a collector vehicle, safe road use starts with honest expectations. A Willys 226 on bias-ply tires should be driven with more margin, more attention to pressures, and more respect for its period handling characteristics than a modern car. If the vehicle has been dormant, recently restored, or fitted with older tires of uncertain age, a careful inspection of the full rolling assembly is wise before regular use on public roads.

Before driving a Willys 226, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, wheel security, and any signs of rubbing or uneven wear. Also make sure the tire size matches the wheel diameter on the vehicle, since the Willys 226 can use either 15-inch or 16-inch rims depending on configuration and year. Because the listed tires are bias-ply designs, they should also be checked for flat spotting or stiffness after storage.

The tire check should be part of a broader pre-drive routine that includes brakes, steering play, fluid leaks, and suspension condition. On a lightly used collector car, the biggest risk is often assuming that a vehicle that looked fine in storage is ready for the road without a proper inspection. A few minutes spent checking the Willys 226 before departure can prevent damage to hard-to-replace wheels, bodywork, and suspension parts.

A Willys 226 fitted with period-style bias-ply tires should be driven at moderate, sensible speeds that suit both the tire type and the overall condition of the vehicle. Even when the tires are new manufacture, bias-ply behavior is different from modern radial behavior, especially in tracking, braking feel, and response to road grooves or crosswinds. Utility and military-pattern treads can also feel different from passenger-car tread designs at speed.

In practice, the right approach is to let the vehicle, the road, and the tire construction set the pace rather than trying to drive the Willys 226 like a modern car. Build speed gradually, pay attention to steering feel, and back off if the car feels unsettled. If the vehicle has older components, fresh restoration work, or tires with any condition concerns, conservative driving is the right standard until the entire setup has proven itself under controlled use.