The 1935 Studebaker President came from a period when American luxury and engineering character were expressed through long hoods, substantial fenders, and confident road manners. As Studebaker’s top-line offering, the President deserves tire fitment that suits both its era and its stance. This model uses a 700-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, keeping the selection grounded in authentic prewar sizing and construction. Within that size, there is still meaningful choice in blackwall and wide whitewall presentations, along with several classic bias-ply series. The real decision is how closely the tire should match your restoration goals, driving use, and wheel setup.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1935 Studebaker President
The 1935 Studebaker President uses one primary tire size: 700-16, a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim. The 1935 Studebaker President 1-C 8 Cyl. uses that same size, so the main choice is not between multiple fitments, but between sidewall style, tire series, and the type of period-style presentation you want for the car.
A 700-16 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size in which the 700 designates an approximate 7.00-inch nominal section width and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1935 Studebaker President, this is the traditional prewar-style construction that preserves the look and character expected from the original fitment era. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall versions from brands such as Lester, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Avon, Tornel, and STA across several classic series. This size is the right starting point when the goal is correct rim diameter, era-appropriate appearance, and proper fitment review before road use.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1935 Studebaker President sub-models. The key step is still confirming the exact sub-model and wheel setup so the 700-16 bias-ply fitment matches what is currently on the car.
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1935 Studebaker President 1-C 8 Cyl.
The 1935 Studebaker President 1-C 8 Cyl. uses the 700-16 bias-ply tire size on a 16-inch rim. That keeps selection focused on whether the car needs a restoration-oriented wide whitewall look, a blackwall presentation, or a more specialized classic truck or military-style tread within the same size.
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 Studebaker President Tires for Sale
Available 700-16 choices span Lester, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Avon, Tornel, and STA, with both blackwall and wide whitewall options. The product grid also shows several classic bias-ply series, including passenger, truck, and military-style tread patterns that should be matched to the car’s intended use and appearance.
Owners of a 1935 Studebaker President usually need answers about the 700-16 fitment, 16-inch rim compatibility, sidewall appearance, and what to inspect before putting a restored or lightly driven prewar car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1935 Studebaker President?
The 1935 Studebaker President uses a 700-16 tire size. That is a vintage numeric bias-ply fitment used on a 16-inch rim, and the covered 1935 Studebaker President 1-C 8 Cyl. uses the same size.
The main task is not sorting through multiple primary sizes, but making sure the car still has the correct wheel diameter and an appropriate wheel width for the tire being considered. On a prewar car, that is especially important if the wheels, brakes, or suspension have been changed during restoration or long-term ownership.
What size rim does a 1935 Studebaker President use?
The tire fitment for the 1935 Studebaker President is built around a 16-inch rim. The 700-16 size itself reflects that wheel diameter, and the available products for this fitment are designed around 16-inch application.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before ordering because a prewar vehicle may have had wheels changed at some point in its life. Some 700-16 products also show a 4.50- to 5.50-inch rim-width range, so width matters along with diameter when selecting a tire and checking how the wheel and tire work together.
Does the 1935 Studebaker President 1-C 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1935 Studebaker President 1-C 8 Cyl. uses the same 700-16 bias-ply tire size as the core 1935 Studebaker President fitment. That keeps tire selection relatively simple for this covered sub-model.
Even with a shared size, the right choice can still vary depending on how the car is being finished and driven. A wide whitewall gives a more formal restoration-oriented look, while blackwall options keep a plainer presentation, and any long-stored car should have its wheels and clearances checked before new tires go into service.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-16 tire for a 1935 Studebaker President?
Start with the correct 700-16 size and the proper 16-inch wheel, then decide what kind of presentation and use the car needs. For a 1935 Studebaker President, the available choices are all bias-ply, but they differ by sidewall style, tire series, load specifications, and intended character.
A restoration-minded owner may focus first on wide whitewall versus blackwall appearance, while a driver may compare series details and wheel-width compatibility more closely. It also helps to look at the car’s actual setup, since an older vehicle may have replacement wheels or other changes that affect which 700-16 option makes the most sense.
What sidewall styles are available for 1935 Studebaker President tires?
The 700-16 tire options for a 1935 Studebaker President include both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. That gives the car owner an appearance choice without changing the primary tire size or moving away from the proper bias-ply construction type.
Sidewall style has a big effect on how a prewar Studebaker presents, especially on a full-fender car where the tire is visually prominent. A wide whitewall creates a more formal period-style look, while blackwall can suit a simpler driver presentation, so the best choice depends on the restoration direction rather than fitment alone.
What brands offer tires for the 1935 Studebaker President?
Tires in the 700-16 size for the 1935 Studebaker President are available from Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA. Those choices span several bias-ply series, including traditional passenger-style offerings and some truck or military-style tread patterns.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It is better to compare sidewall treatment, series character, load details where shown, and wheel-width compatibility so the tire suits both the car’s appearance and the way it will be used on the road.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1935 Studebaker President?
A period-style 1935 Studebaker President should begin with the correct 700-16 bias-ply size and a 16-inch wheel. From there, the decision usually comes down to whether the car looks more appropriate with a blackwall or a wide whitewall presentation within the available classic bias-ply offerings.
For many prewar restorations, tire appearance matters almost as much as the size itself because sidewall treatment strongly influences the car’s stance and overall visual balance. When exact originality is important, compare the tire choice against marque references, restoration photos, or other period evidence tied specifically to your car’s configuration.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1935 Studebaker President restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1935 Studebaker President restoration because tire size, construction, and sidewall style all affect how the finished car sits and reads visually. The proper starting point is the 700-16 bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim.
An incorrect diameter, the wrong wheel size, or a sidewall style that clashes with the build can change the car’s proportions even before it turns a wheel. Good restoration results usually come from matching the tire to the vehicle’s intended era presentation while also confirming the current wheels and mechanical condition are ready for service.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1935 Studebaker President?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1935 Studebaker President even when the intended tire size remains 700-16. Changes to wheel diameter, wheel width, offset, brake components, ride height, or suspension parts can all alter how a tire sits and clears the car.
That matters most on older vehicles that have passed through several owners or restorations. A quick check of the wheel dimensions, steering travel, and fender clearance before mounting new tires can prevent a mismatch, especially if the car no longer retains its original-style wheels or has been adapted for a different type of use.
What should I inspect before driving a 1935 Studebaker President on new tires?
Before driving a 1935 Studebaker President on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or rust issues, confirm the wheel diameter and width, and make sure the tires are mounted and inflated correctly. It is also wise to check valve stems, wheel hardware, and overall clearance at both straight-ahead and turned positions.
A prewar car that has been parked for long periods also deserves a close look at the suspension, steering, brakes, and wheel bearings before road use. Fresh tires improve nothing if the surrounding chassis components are worn, loose, or binding, so a basic mechanical review should be part of the return-to-road process.
How should 700-16 tires on a collector 1935 Studebaker President be maintained?
700-16 tires on a collector 1935 Studebaker President should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and periodic review of how the car is stored. Collector vehicles often age tires by time and environment long before they wear them out by mileage.
Good storage habits help preserve both the tire and the vehicle’s presentation. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources is helpful, and occasional inspection during storage makes it easier to catch air loss or age-related condition changes before the next drive.