The 1936 Ford 68 Series sits squarely in the prewar Ford V8 era, a time when styling, value, and accessible performance helped define the American car market. Whether preserved as a traditional driver or restored with close attention to period character, tire choice has a major effect on both stance and presentation. The 1936 Ford 68 Series uses a 600-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, keeping the fitment rooted in prewar sizing and construction. Within that size, choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles across several classic series. The real decision is matching the tire’s look and purpose to the car’s restoration goals, wheel setup, and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1936 Ford 68 Series
The 1936 Ford 68 Series uses one primary tire size: 600-16. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and the same size carries across the covered V8 sub-model. That means the main choice is not between multiple primary sizes, but between sidewall appearance, tire series, and whether the tire is being selected for restoration-minded presentation, regular collector use, or a more specialized application.
A 600-16 numeric bias-ply size uses a nominal section width of about 6.00 inches, while the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1936 Ford 68 Series, this size preserves the prewar bias-ply construction and the traditional profile that suits the car’s original-era proportions. Available choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall versions, with brands such as BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Ford Script, Goodyear, Avon, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and Camac appearing in this fitment. Choosing among them comes down to the look you want, the wheel width being used, and whether the car is meant for show presentation, general touring, or more specialized use.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the covered 1936 Ford 68 Series range. The V8 sub-model uses the same primary tire size, so the focus stays on choosing the right bias-ply tire style and confirming that the wheel setup still matches the original 16-inch fitment.
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1936 Ford 68 Series V8
The 1936 Ford 68 Series V8 uses the same 600-16 bias-ply fitment as the model core. That keeps tire selection centered on period-style appearance, available blackwall or whitewall treatments, and making sure the wheels remain appropriate for a 16-inch prewar bias-ply setup.
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 Ford 68 Series Tires for Sale
Available 600-16 choices cover a broad range of period-style bias-ply options from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Ford Script, Goodyear, Avon, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and Camac. The product grid is where to compare sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width suitability within this single 16-inch fitment.
Owners of a 1936 Ford 68 Series usually need clear answers on 600-16 sizing, 16-inch rim fitment, sidewall choices, restoration-oriented appearance, and what to inspect before putting a prewar Ford back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1936 Ford 68 Series?
The 1936 Ford 68 Series uses a 600-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment, and it mounts on a 16-inch wheel, which keeps the tire sizing and overall look in line with a prewar Ford application.
That makes the first step fairly simple: confirm that the car still has 16-inch wheels and that they are appropriate for a 600-16 bias-ply tire. Once the basic fitment is confirmed, the real choice becomes sidewall style, tire series, and whether the car is being set up for restoration-oriented appearance, collector driving, or a more specialized tread pattern.
What size rim does a 1936 Ford 68 Series use?
The primary tire fitment for the 1936 Ford 68 Series uses a 16-inch rim. Product offerings in 600-16 commonly pair with rim widths around 4.00 to 4.50 inches, with some specialized options extending slightly beyond that range.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before ordering because a 16-inch tire cannot be safely mounted on a different wheel diameter. Wheel width matters too, especially if the car has replacement wheels or older rims of uncertain origin, since the available 600-16 tires do not all share exactly the same wheel-width recommendation.
Does the 1936 Ford 68 Series V8 use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1936 Ford 68 Series V8 uses the same 600-16 bias-ply tire size as the model core. That means there is no separate primary tire size to sort through for this sub-model.
Even with shared size fitment, it still helps to verify the wheels that are actually on the car today. A restored or long-owned prewar Ford may have had wheels changed over the years, so checking wheel diameter, width, and overall tire clearance is worthwhile before deciding between blackwall, wide whitewall, double-whitewall, or more specialized tread styles.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-16 tire for a 1936 Ford 68 Series?
Start with the basics: the tire should be a 600-16 bias-ply on a 16-inch wheel. From there, compare the tire’s intended character, including traditional passenger-car styling, military-style tread, truck-style tread, and the sidewall treatment that best suits the way the Ford is being presented.
Appearance and wheel compatibility usually drive the decision. A blackwall gives a restrained period look, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall options create a more formal restoration-oriented presentation. It also helps to compare rim-width guidance and load figures where they are stated, particularly if the car sees regular road use or no longer wears its original wheels.
What sidewall styles are available for 1936 Ford 68 Series tires?
The 1936 Ford 68 Series has 600-16 tire options in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall form. Those choices all stay within the same primary size, but they create very different visual impressions on a prewar Ford.
Blackwalls tend to suit a simpler traditional presentation, while wide whitewalls and double-whitewalls lean more toward a dressier restoration style. Sidewall choice does not change the need to confirm the same core fitment, so the best approach is to choose the appearance first, then compare the available series and wheel-width specifications within that version.
What brands offer tires for the 1936 Ford 68 Series?
The 600-16 fitment for the 1936 Ford 68 Series is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. Those brands appear across a mix of classic passenger, military-style, and truck-style bias-ply offerings.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It is more useful to compare the series, sidewall treatment, wheel-width guidance, and the kind of look the tire creates on the car. A restoration-minded owner may focus on sidewall appearance first, while a driver using the Ford more regularly may also pay closer attention to tread style and load specification.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1936 Ford 68 Series?
A period-style 1936 Ford 68 Series should begin with the correct primary size and construction: 600-16 bias-ply. That preserves the prewar sizing format and the traditional tire profile that looks appropriate on a car from this era.
The next decision is visual character. Blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall choices can all change the car’s presentation without changing the basic fitment. If exact historical accuracy matters beyond general period style, compare the tire choice against marque-club guidance, surviving photos, or other vehicle-specific references before settling on a brand or sidewall treatment.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1936 Ford 68 Series?
On a restored 1936 Ford 68 Series, bias-ply construction has a strong effect on the car’s overall look because it preserves the period-style profile associated with the original-era fitment. In this application, the primary tire size is a 600-16 bias-ply, so construction and appearance are closely connected.
That matters because prewar cars can look noticeably different when the tire shape or sidewall treatment changes. Even within the same construction, a blackwall creates a more understated result, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall versions produce a more decorative presentation. Matching construction to the restoration goal usually makes the whole car look more cohesive from wheel opening to stance.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1936 Ford 68 Series?
Yes. Even though the 1936 Ford 68 Series uses a straightforward 600-16 fitment, modifications can still change whether a specific tire works comfortably on the car. Wheel swaps, suspension changes, brake conversions, or body and fender alterations can all influence space around the tire.
A prewar Ford that no longer has its original wheel setup should be checked carefully before any tire is selected. Verify wheel diameter, wheel width, and how much clearance exists at the fenders and steering components. That is especially important when choosing among passenger, military-style, or truck-style 600-16 tires, since tread type and wheel recommendations may differ.
What should I inspect before driving a 1936 Ford 68 Series on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, and the overall condition of the suspension and steering components. The tires themselves should be checked for proper inflation, secure mounting on the 16-inch rims, and adequate clearance at full steering lock and through normal suspension movement.
Collector vehicles often sit for long periods, so it also pays to watch for uneven ride height, loose wheel fasteners, and any rubbing marks that suggest an alignment or clearance issue. A short, careful test drive followed by a second inspection can reveal contact problems, air loss, or wheel-fit concerns before the Ford is taken on a longer run.
How should 600-16 tires on a collector 1936 Ford 68 Series be maintained?
600-16 tires on a collector 1936 Ford 68 Series should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and abnormal wear, and protected from long exposure to sun, heat, moisture, and ozone sources. Bias-ply tires also benefit from periodic visual checks even when the car is driven only occasionally.
Storage habits matter as much as mileage on a prewar car. Move the Ford occasionally to avoid prolonged flat spotting, and examine each tire before road use if the car has been parked for an extended period. Consistent inspections help catch age-related issues early, which is especially important on collector vehicles that may look sound but spend much of their time off the road.
