The 1935 De Soto 6SG comes from an era when Chrysler’s De Soto line was positioned as a stylish, well-appointed step into mid-priced motoring, with substantial bodywork and road manners shaped by prewar engineering. Tire choice on a car like this affects not only stance and appearance, but also how authentic the whole presentation feels. The 1935 De Soto 6SG uses a 650-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim. Within that size, choices include blackwall and wide whitewall styles across several traditional bias-ply series. The key is matching the tire to the car’s intended purpose, whether that means restoration-minded appearance, touring use, or a more utilitarian road setup.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1935 De Soto 6SG
The 1935 De Soto 6SG uses one primary tire size: 650-16. That size is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and it carries across the covered Base sub-model, so the main decision is not which size fits but which version of that size best suits the car’s appearance, wheel setup, and intended road use.
A 650-16 tire uses the older numeric bias-ply sizing system, where 6.50 refers to the nominal section width in inches and 16 identifies the wheel diameter. On the 1935 De Soto 6SG, this is a traditional bias-ply fitment that preserves the period character of a prewar car far better than a modern-looking substitute size. In this size, there is meaningful choice among brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and Tornel, with both blackwall and wide whitewall presentations. The right selection depends on whether the car is being finished for authentic-looking display, general collector driving, or a more utility-oriented setup.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1935 De Soto 6SG sub-models. The Base model uses the same primary tire size, so the focus shifts from identifying a different fitment to choosing the right bias-ply tire style and series for the car’s intended look and use.
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1935 De Soto 6SG Base
The 1935 De Soto 6SG Base uses the 650-16 bias-ply tire size on a 16-inch rim. That makes tire selection more about choosing between blackwall, wide whitewall, and more specialized tread styles than sorting through multiple primary fitments.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1935 De Soto 6SG Tires for Sale
Available 650-16 choices span BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and Tornel, with blackwall and wide whitewall options across several classic bias-ply series. Some selections also differ in rim-width specification, load capacity, and whether they lean toward passenger-car or utility-style use.
Owners of a 1935 De Soto 6SG usually need to sort out one core fitment question first, then narrow the choice by sidewall style, brand, and intended use. These FAQs focus on 650-16 sizing, 16-inch rim fitment, restoration appearance, and road-use checks for a prewar collector car.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1935 De Soto 6SG?
The 1935 De Soto 6SG uses a 650-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment, and it is the primary size associated with the covered vehicle configuration, including the Base sub-model.
That means the main task is choosing the right version of 650-16 rather than searching across multiple primary sizes. Before ordering, confirm that the car still has 16-inch wheels and that the wheel width suits the tire being considered, especially if the car has been modified or fitted with non-original wheels over the years.
What size rim does a 1935 De Soto 6SG use?
The 1935 De Soto 6SG uses a 16-inch rim with its 650-16 tire size. The tire size itself confirms the 16-inch wheel diameter, and the available products for this fitment are built around that rim diameter.
Wheel diameter should be physically verified on the car before replacing old tires, since collector vehicles sometimes end up with swapped wheels after decades of service. Rim width also matters, because some 650-16 options are built around narrower wheel widths than others, which can affect which tire in this size is the better match.
Does the 1935 De Soto 6SG Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1935 De Soto 6SG Base uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire size as the covered model core. There is no separate primary tire size here that changes the fitment decision.
That consistency simplifies the search, but the actual tire choice still depends on the kind of car you are building or driving. A restoration-minded De Soto may point toward a traditional whitewall presentation, while a more practical road car may lead you toward a blackwall or a different bias-ply series within the same size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-16 tire for a 1935 De Soto 6SG?
Start with the correct size, which is 650-16, then compare construction, sidewall style, and the kind of service the tire is built for. On a 1935 De Soto 6SG, available choices include traditional passenger-car bias-ply tires as well as more utility-oriented 650-16 options.
Appearance matters on a prewar car, so blackwall versus wide whitewall can change the whole look. It also helps to compare wheel-width requirements and, where stated, load figures such as 1580 pounds at 32 psi or 1610 pounds at 45 psi so the tire suits the wheel and the way the car will actually be used.
What sidewall styles are available for 1935 De Soto 6SG tires?
The 1935 De Soto 6SG has 650-16 tire options in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. That gives owners a clear visual choice without changing the primary tire size or moving away from the traditional bias-ply construction associated with the car.
A blackwall tire generally gives the De Soto a more restrained and utilitarian presentation, while a wide whitewall creates a more formal prewar look. Since sidewall style changes the car’s appearance more than many buyers expect, it is worth deciding early whether the goal is a touring-ready driver, a restoration-oriented finish, or something in between.
What brands offer tires for the 1935 De Soto 6SG?
650-16 tires for the 1935 De Soto 6SG are available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. These options stay within the same primary size but vary in sidewall treatment, tire series, and intended character.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor on a prewar fitment. It is smarter to compare the full combination of appearance, series style, wheel-width suitability, and whether the tire is aimed at passenger-car presentation or more rugged utility use, then match that mix to how the De Soto will be driven and displayed.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1935 De Soto 6SG?
A 650-16 bias-ply tire is the right starting point for a period-style 1935 De Soto 6SG because it preserves the original sizing format and traditional construction type used on the car. Within that fitment, several classic bias-ply series are available from well-known vintage tire brands.
The final choice depends on how authentic or formal you want the De Soto to look. Wide whitewall versions often suit prewar styling especially well, while blackwalls create a plainer presentation. When exact originality matters, compare your selection against marque-club guidance, period photos, and vehicle-specific restoration references before settling on a sidewall treatment.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1935 De Soto 6SG restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment has a major effect on a 1935 De Soto 6SG restoration. The proper 650-16 size influences the car’s stance, wheel opening fill, and overall visual balance, and using a traditional bias-ply construction helps maintain the character expected of a prewar automobile.
Even a well-restored car can look visually off if the tire profile or sidewall treatment does not suit the era. Correct fitment also matters mechanically, since wheel diameter and wheel-width compatibility still need to line up with the tire you choose. That balance of appearance and proper mounting is what makes the finished car look settled and believable.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1935 De Soto 6SG?
Yes. Even though the primary size for a 1935 De Soto 6SG is 650-16, fitment can be affected if the car has different wheels, altered suspension height, brake conversions, or body repairs that changed wheel opening clearances. Those changes matter even when the tire size itself stays the same.
A careful check should include wheel diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and space at the fenders and suspension. Older cars often carry decades of changes that are not obvious at first glance, so physically inspecting the current setup is more reliable than assuming every surviving De Soto still matches its original wheel and chassis configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1935 De Soto 6SG on new tires?
Before driving a 1935 De Soto 6SG on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or excessive rust, confirm proper mounting, and make sure the tires are inflated appropriately for the tire and wheel setup. It is also wise to look over the steering and suspension for looseness that could affect how the car tracks on the road.
After installation, recheck for fender and steering clearance with the wheels turned and the suspension loaded. A short initial drive should be followed by another inspection for air loss, uneven seating, or contact marks. On a prewar car, road readiness depends on the complete wheel-and-chassis condition, not only on having fresh rubber.
How should 650-16 tires on a collector 1935 De Soto 6SG be maintained?
Collector-car 650-16 tires should be kept clean, properly inflated, and inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, or slow air loss. On a 1935 De Soto 6SG that may spend long periods parked, tire condition can change with age and storage even when tread wear is minimal.
Good storage habits help preserve both appearance and service life. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment can reduce premature aging, and moving the car occasionally helps avoid long-term flat spotting. Regular inspection matters because an old-looking tire and a roadworthy tire are not always the same thing.
