The 1936 Chrysler DL comes from an era when Chrysler was building large, substantial automobiles with advanced engineering for the time and a strong presence in the upper-middle reaches of the American market. For owners today, tire choice plays a major role in preserving that prewar character on the road and at shows. This Chrysler DL uses a 650-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, keeping the fitment firmly in traditional prewar territory. Within that size, there is meaningful variety in blackwall and wide whitewall styles, along with several period-style tire series. The right choice depends on whether the goal is restoration-minded appearance, touring use, or a more utilitarian presentation.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1936 Chrysler DL
The 1936 Chrysler DL uses one primary tire size: 650-16, a bias-ply fitment for a 16-inch rim. The DL C-8 8 Cyl. uses that same size, so the main decision is not which size fits, but which version of 650-16 best suits the car's appearance, intended road use, and wheel setup.
The 650-16 size uses a vintage numeric bias-ply format in which 6.50 refers to the nominal section width in inches and 16 identifies the wheel diameter. For a 1936 Chrysler DL, that keeps the tire choice aligned with the prewar bias-ply construction the car was built around. In this size, available options include blackwall and wide whitewall treatments from brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Lester, Excelsior, STA, and Tornel across several tire series. Choosing within 650-16 comes down to appearance, rim-width compatibility, and whether the car needs a passenger-car look or a more utility-oriented tread style.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1936 Chrysler DL sub-model. The main value in checking the sub-model is confirming that the car remains on its expected wheel and tire setup before choosing among the available 650-16 options.
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1936 Chrysler DL C-8 8 Cyl.
The 1936 Chrysler DL C-8 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim as the core model. That makes tire selection more about choosing the right sidewall style, tread character, and restoration-oriented presentation than sorting through multiple primary sizes.
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 Chrysler DL Tires for Sale
Available 650-16 tires for the 1936 Chrysler DL span BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Lester, Excelsior, STA, and Tornel. Choices include blackwall and wide whitewall designs, along with classic passenger-car series and more utility-oriented truck-style tread patterns.
Common 1936 Chrysler DL tire questions usually center on the 650-16 size, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply construction, sidewall appearance, and how to choose among period-style passenger and more utility-oriented tire options.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1936 Chrysler DL?
The 1936 Chrysler DL uses a 650-16 tire size. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and the covered DL C-8 8 Cyl. uses that same primary size as well.
That makes the next step less about sorting through multiple sizes and more about confirming the car still has the correct wheel setup. On a prewar car, wheels may have been changed over the years, so checking actual rim diameter and wheel condition before selecting a 650-16 tire is a smart place to start.
What size rim does a 1936 Chrysler DL use?
The 1936 Chrysler DL uses a 16-inch rim with its 650-16 tire size. That rim diameter is part of the tire code, and it is the wheel diameter the tire is built to mount on.
Rim diameter is only one part of fitment, especially on a car from the 1930s. Before mounting new tires, confirm that the wheels are actually 16-inch wheels, inspect them for age or damage, and compare their width to the specifications of the tire being considered so the fitment matches the wheel properly.
Does the 1936 Chrysler DL C-8 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1936 Chrysler DL C-8 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire size as the core 1936 Chrysler DL fitment. There is no separate primary size to sort out within the covered sub-model range.
That consistency simplifies the search, but it does not eliminate the need to verify the car itself. Older restorations, replacement wheels, or long-stored vehicles can create surprises, so it still helps to confirm wheel diameter, inspect the existing setup, and then choose the 650-16 tire that best matches the car's appearance and intended use.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-16 tire for a 1936 Chrysler DL?
Start with the correct 650-16 size and bias-ply construction, then compare the tire's intended character. Some 650-16 options focus on classic passenger-car presentation, while others use more utility-oriented tread patterns that may suit different visual or driving goals.
Sidewall style is especially important on a prewar Chrysler because it strongly affects the car's stance and period presentation. After appearance, look at wheel compatibility, load figures where stated, and whether the tire is meant to give the car a blackwall, wide whitewall, or more workmanlike look.
What sidewall styles are available for 1936 Chrysler DL tires?
The 1936 Chrysler DL has 650-16 tire choices in both blackwall and wide whitewall form. That gives owners a clear appearance decision within the correct size and construction rather than forcing a change in fitment.
A blackwall tire usually gives the car a more restrained and functional look, while a wide whitewall creates a stronger prewar visual statement. The best choice depends on how the Chrysler is being presented, whether the goal is a more formal restoration-minded appearance, and how closely the overall wheel-and-trim combination matches the look being pursued.
What brands offer tires for the 1936 Chrysler DL?
The 1936 Chrysler DL's 650-16 size is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. Those options include several classic passenger-car series as well as more utility-oriented designs.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor on a prewar fitment. It helps to compare the sidewall treatment, tire series, stated rim-width compatibility, and the overall look the tire gives the car, especially since a 1936 Chrysler can appear quite different depending on whether it wears blackwalls, wide whitewalls, or truck-style tread.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1936 Chrysler DL?
A period-style 1936 Chrysler DL starts with the correct 650-16 bias-ply size on a 16-inch rim. From there, the choice usually comes down to selecting a classic passenger-car series and deciding whether blackwall or wide whitewall better matches the car's trim, stance, and restoration direction.
For many prewar cars, sidewall presentation changes the overall appearance almost as much as paint or wheel finish. If exact originality matters, compare the tire choice against marque references, restoration photos, and other vehicle-specific historical sources so the finished look supports the era and character of the car.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1936 Chrysler DL restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters significantly on a 1936 Chrysler DL restoration. The proper 650-16 bias-ply size helps preserve the car's proportions, wheel opening relationship, and the visual balance expected of a large prewar Chrysler.
Fitment also affects how convincing the finished restoration looks in ordinary viewing, not just under close inspection. A tire that is the right size but the wrong sidewall style or overall character can change the entire impression, so size, construction, and sidewall treatment should all be considered together rather than as separate choices.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1936 Chrysler DL?
Yes. A 1936 Chrysler DL may still call for a 650-16 tire, but aftermarket wheels, brake changes, altered ride height, or other restoration-era modifications can affect how that tire fits the car in practice. Even on a single-size application, the actual setup matters.
Checking wheel diameter alone is not enough when the car's history is uncertain. It helps to confirm wheel width, inspect fender and steering clearance, and look for signs that suspension or body changes have altered available space, especially if the Chrysler has been rebuilt, lowered, or converted away from its earlier wheel equipment.
What should I inspect before driving a 1936 Chrysler DL on new tires?
Before driving a 1936 Chrysler DL on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, and the overall condition of the suspension and steering components. On the tires themselves, check inflation, seating, and visible signs of cuts, bulges, or damage before the car goes out on the road.
A prewar vehicle often sees irregular use, so road-readiness involves more than tread depth. It is wise to recheck air pressure after initial use, confirm that the tires clear through full steering travel, and make sure the car tracks properly once the new 650-16 tires have been mounted and driven.
How should 650-16 tires on a collector 1936 Chrysler DL be maintained?
650-16 tires on a collector 1936 Chrysler DL should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly, and stored away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources when the car is not in use. Collector cars often age their tires through time and environment as much as through mileage.
Regular visual checks are especially important on a low-use prewar car. Look for sidewall cracking, flat-spotting from long storage, irregular wear, and slow air loss, and give the tires a close inspection before any longer outing so the Chrysler is not relying on rubber that looks acceptable but has aged beyond comfortable road use.
