The 1936 Buick 40 Series came from a period when Buick balanced upscale presence with practical road manners, giving mid-1930s buyers a car that still feels substantial and dignified today. On a restoration or preservation-minded car like this, tire choice affects both stance and character more than many owners expect. The 1936 Buick 40 Series uses a 650-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, keeping the fitment firmly in prewar territory. That still leaves room to choose among blackwall and wide whitewall presentations, along with several well-known vintage tire series. The real decision is how closely the tire should support your Buick's intended appearance, wheel setup, and road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1936 Buick 40 Series
The 1936 Buick 40 Series uses one primary tire size: 650-16. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and the same size carries across the covered 8-cylinder sub-model. That means the main choice is not between multiple primary sizes, but between period-style tire presentations, brand and series differences, and making sure the tire suits your Buick's wheels and intended use.
A 650-16 size uses the traditional numeric bias-ply system, where 6.50 refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches and 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. For a 1936 Buick 40 Series, this keeps the car in its proper prewar bias-ply format rather than shifting it into a later radial look. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall styles from brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and Tornel across several vintage tire series. This size is the right starting point when preserving the Buick's traditional proportions and road-era appearance.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1936 Buick 40 Series sub-models. The same primary size is used here, so the focus shifts from identifying different fitments to choosing the right bias-ply style, sidewall treatment, and product series for the car's restoration goals.
1
1936 Buick 40 Series 8 Cyl.
The 1936 Buick 40 Series 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply fitment as the model core. That makes tire selection more about presentation and usage, such as choosing a blackwall or wide whitewall and confirming that the wheel setup still matches the tire's intended rim dimensions.
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 1936 Buick 40 Series Tires for Sale
Available 650-16 choices cover a wide range of period-style bias-ply options, including BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and Tornel. Buyers can compare blackwall and wide whitewall styles, along with passenger-car and truck-style series that differ in character and rim-width specifications.
Owners of a 1936 Buick 40 Series usually need answers that go beyond the size itself, including 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply selection, sidewall appearance, and the inspections worth making before putting a prewar Buick back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1936 Buick 40 Series?
The 1936 Buick 40 Series uses a 650-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply size used on a 16-inch rim, and it is the primary fitment for the covered model and sub-model shown here.
That makes 650-16 the starting point for any replacement search, but the size alone is not the whole decision. Owners still need to choose between blackwall and wide whitewall styling, compare available tire series, and confirm that the wheels on the car have not been changed over the years.
What size rim does a 1936 Buick 40 Series use?
The 1936 Buick 40 Series uses a 16-inch rim with its 650-16 tire fitment. Product offerings in this size commonly pair with rim widths around 4.50 to 5.00 inches, with some 650-16 applications also appearing on slightly narrower widths.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before buying, especially on a car that may have had wheels replaced during restoration or long-term ownership. Diameter is the first check, and wheel width matters as well, since a tire that matches the size code still needs to suit the wheel it will actually be mounted on.
Does the 1936 Buick 40 Series 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1936 Buick 40 Series 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire size as the model core. There is no separate primary tire size shown for that covered sub-model.
That keeps fitment simple, but selection still depends on how the car is being finished and driven. A restoration-oriented Buick may call for a different sidewall presentation than a driver, and it is still smart to inspect the actual wheel diameter and width before mounting new tires.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-16 tire for a 1936 Buick 40 Series?
Start with the correct 650-16 size and a bias-ply construction that matches the Buick's original-era tire format. From there, the biggest differences are sidewall style, tire series, rim-width suitability, and whether the tire is a passenger-car style or a truck-style pattern.
A wide whitewall can change the car's visual character dramatically, while a blackwall keeps a more understated look. It also helps to compare load figures and wheel compatibility where those details are shown, particularly if the car has non-original wheels or will be driven more regularly than a show-only restoration.
What sidewall styles are available for 1936 Buick 40 Series tires?
The 1936 Buick 40 Series has 650-16 tire options in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. That gives owners a straightforward appearance choice while staying within the correct primary size and bias-ply construction.
Sidewall selection affects the car's presentation more than its basic fitment, so the right choice often comes down to restoration theme and personal preference. A wide whitewall creates a stronger prewar luxury look, while a blackwall can feel simpler and more restrained, especially on a car driven regularly rather than shown.
What brands offer tires for the 1936 Buick 40 Series?
The 1936 Buick 40 Series has 650-16 tire options from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. Those choices span several vintage bias-ply series and more than one sidewall treatment.
Brand choice should be weighed alongside the tire's series, appearance, and intended use rather than treated as the only deciding factor. Some 650-16 offerings are traditional passenger-car styles, while others lean toward truck or utility patterns, so the best match depends on how closely the tire should support the Buick's look and use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1936 Buick 40 Series?
A period-style 1936 Buick 40 Series should begin with the correct 650-16 bias-ply size. Within that fitment, the main visual choices are traditional blackwall or wide whitewall tires, along with vintage series from brands that reflect the look buyers typically want on a prewar car.
The right selection depends on whether the Buick is being restored as a restrained driver, a formal touring car, or a more presentation-focused show vehicle. When exact originality matters, it is worth checking marque references or period photos so the sidewall treatment and tread style support the car's intended historical presentation.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1936 Buick 40 Series restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1936 Buick 40 Series restoration because the tire has a major effect on stance, wheel-fill, and overall prewar character. Staying with the proper 650-16 bias-ply format keeps the car aligned with its era in a way a mismatched modern-looking tire would not.
Appearance is only part of the equation. Correct fitment also helps ensure the tire suits the wheel diameter and intended rim width, which is especially important on older cars that may have had wheel swaps or long service histories. A tire that looks right should also match the car's actual mechanical setup.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1936 Buick 40 Series?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1936 Buick 40 Series even when the replacement tire remains 650-16. Wheel changes, altered rim widths, suspension work, brake conversions, or body and fender adjustments can all change how much space the tire has and how it sits on the car.
A Buick that still carries its original-style wheels is much easier to size confidently than one that has been updated over the decades. Before mounting new tires, check actual wheel diameter and width, then look at steering clearance and body clearance so the chosen tire matches the car as it exists today.
What should I inspect before driving a 1936 Buick 40 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1936 Buick 40 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, mounting surfaces, and overall condition of the suspension and steering components. It also helps to confirm that each tire is properly inflated and that there is no interference at full steering lock or through normal suspension movement.
A prewar car can have issues that a fresh set of tires will not solve, including worn wheel hardware, poor alignment, or old brake and steering parts. After installation, recheck pressure and look for any signs of rubbing, uneven stance, or unusual behavior during the first short road miles.
How should 650-16 tires on a collector 1936 Buick 40 Series be maintained?
650-16 tires on a collector 1936 Buick 40 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and careful storage. Even on a low-mileage car, sidewall cracking, flat spotting, cuts, bulges, and gradual air loss deserve attention because age can matter as much as tread depth.
Collector cars often spend long periods parked, so storage conditions make a real difference. Keeping the Buick away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and occasional inspections before and after drives can catch condition issues before they become road-use problems.
