1935 Graham Special Tires

The 1935 Graham Special uses a 600-16 tire in bias-ply construction. That is the primary fitment for this model, and the covered 6 Cyl. sub-model uses the same size, so there is no separate alternate passenger-car size to sort through here.

That makes the next decision more practical than technical: choosing the tire style that suits the car. Before final selection, confirm that the car is still on 16-inch wheels and has not been changed to a different rim diameter or aftermarket setup, because modifications can affect what size actually works on the vehicle today.

The 1935 Graham Special uses a 16-inch rim with its 600-16 tire size. That rim diameter is central to the fitment, because the “16” in 600-16 refers to the wheel diameter the tire is built to mount on.

Rim diameter should be confirmed directly at the wheel before ordering tires, especially on an older collector car that may have seen decades of repairs or substitutions. Rim width matters too, since many of the available 600-16 products are intended for narrow vintage-style wheels rather than wider modern rims.

Yes. The 1935 Graham Special 6 Cyl. uses the same 600-16 bias-ply tire size as the core 1935 Graham Special fitment. That keeps sub-model selection simple, because the basic tire size does not change within the covered configuration.

Even with shared fitment, there is still room to tailor the car’s look and use. A blackwall creates a more understated presentation, while wide whitewall or double-whitewall versions lean more heavily into restoration-oriented styling. Wheel condition, rim size, and any past modifications should still be checked before mounting new tires.

Start with the correct size and construction: 600-16 in bias-ply form on a 16-inch rim. From there, the most meaningful differences are sidewall style, tire series, rim-width compatibility, and whether the tire is intended for traditional passenger-car presentation or a more utility-oriented tread style.

A restoration-minded car may call for a blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall appearance that matches the build’s visual direction. A car driven more often may place more emphasis on wheel compatibility, load specification, and the tire’s overall character. Comparing those factors side by side is more useful than focusing on brand name alone.

The 600-16 tires available for a 1935 Graham Special include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall sidewall styles. Those options create noticeably different appearances while keeping the vehicle in the same basic vintage-size and bias-ply fitment category.

Sidewall choice should follow the look you want from the finished car rather than the assumption that one style is automatically right for every restoration. Blackwalls tend to look more restrained, while whitewall treatments add stronger period flair. It is also worth confirming that the selected tire’s rim-width specification suits the wheels on the car.

Brands available in 600-16 for the 1935 Graham Special include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. Those options span several classic bias-ply series as well as some more utility- and military-style tread designs in the same nominal size.

Brand should be considered alongside the tire’s sidewall treatment, intended use, and wheel compatibility rather than on reputation alone. A Graham restored for show can point in a different direction than one driven regularly on local roads. The better comparison is how each product presents visually and how closely its specifications match the car’s setup.

A period-style starting point for a 1935 Graham Special is a 600-16 bias-ply tire, since that keeps the car in the correct size family and vintage construction type. From there, the decision usually narrows to the sidewall presentation and tire series that best suit the car’s restoration direction.

A restrained restoration may favor a blackwall, while a more formal pre-war presentation may lean toward a wide whitewall or double-whitewall. When exact originality matters, it is wise to compare the car against period photos, marque references, and restoration documentation rather than assuming every tire offered in the size reflects the way the car left the factory.

On a restored 1935 Graham Special, bias-ply construction contributes strongly to the car’s visual authenticity because the tire shape, sidewall character, and overall stance remain in line with pre-war fitment practice. In this application, 600-16 is offered as a bias-ply size, which supports that traditional presentation.

Appearance is not only about the tread or the brand name. Sidewall treatment has a major effect on the finished look, and the wheel itself needs to match the tire’s intended rim dimensions. A carefully chosen bias-ply whitewall can give a much different impression than a blackwall in the same size, even though both fit the same basic application.

Yes. A 1935 Graham Special is associated with a 600-16 tire on a 16-inch rim, but later wheel swaps, brake changes, suspension work, or body alterations can change what actually fits the car today. On long-lived collector cars, it is common to find equipment that no longer matches original-era dimensions.

The most useful checks are wheel diameter, wheel width, and the available clearance at the fender, steering, and suspension points. Even when staying with the same nominal tire size, an altered setup can affect mounting and running space. Confirming the actual hardware on the car prevents costly mistakes and helps preserve safe road clearance.

Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and mounting surfaces, then verify that the tires are seated properly and inflated to the pressure appropriate for the tire and vehicle setup. On the car itself, steering components, suspension condition, and brake function deserve attention because tire replacement cannot compensate for worn chassis parts.

A pre-war car also benefits from a careful walkaround after the first few miles. Look for signs of rubbing, uneven stance, air loss, or unusual heat buildup. Since many collector vehicles spend long periods parked, it is also smart to recheck lug security and pressure regularly rather than assuming a freshly mounted tire is ready for extended driving.

Maintain 600-16 tires on a collector 1935 Graham Special by keeping inflation consistent, checking for cracking, cuts, bulges, and irregular wear, and inspecting them regularly even when the car is driven only occasionally. Older collector vehicles can age their tires through time and storage conditions as much as through mileage.

Storage matters almost as much as road use. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the sidewalls, especially on restoration-oriented whitewall tires that owners want to keep presentable. During the driving season, periodic pressure checks and visual inspections are the simplest way to catch problems before they become roadside issues.