The 1936 Reo Deluxe comes from the last years of an independent American automaker that built cars with a distinctly prewar character. For owners restoring or maintaining one today, tire choice has a strong effect on stance, road manners, and the overall visual impression of the car. This model uses a 6.25-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, which keeps the fitment rooted in its original era. The main decision is choosing the right period-style bias-ply tire presentation for the car rather than sorting through multiple primary sizes. That makes wheel condition, tire age, and authentic-looking proportions especially important before the car returns to regular road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1936 Reo Deluxe
The 1936 Reo Deluxe uses one primary tire size: 6.25-16. It is a bias-ply fitment for a 16-inch rim, and the same size applies to the covered 6 Cyl. sub-model, so the main decision is choosing the right tire style within that size and confirming that the wheels on the car still match the original diameter and width requirements.
In this numeric bias-ply size, 6.25 refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches and 16 identifies the rim diameter in inches. That makes it a traditional prewar fitment, with bias-ply construction that suits the period character and proportions of a 1936 Reo Deluxe. Buyers looking at this size are usually focused less on alternative sizing and more on preserving the correct visual profile and wheel relationship. It is the size to evaluate when the goal is proper prewar appearance, correct rim compatibility, and a tire that matches the car's original-era construction style.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1936 Reo Deluxe sub-model. The main reason to confirm the sub-model is simply to verify that the car still uses the expected prewar wheel and tire setup before selecting a replacement.
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1936 Reo Deluxe 6 Cyl.
The 1936 Reo Deluxe 6 Cyl. uses the same 6.25-16 bias-ply tire size as the core model fitment. That keeps the selection process centered on period-style tire choice, wheel verification, and the overall appearance you want from a prewar restoration or driver.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Owners researching tires for a 1936 Reo Deluxe usually need clear answers on 6.25-16 sizing, 16-inch rim fitment, period-style bias-ply selection, restoration appearance, and the inspection checks that matter before putting a prewar car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1936 Reo Deluxe?
The 1936 Reo Deluxe uses a 6.25-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment, with a nominal 6.25-inch section width and a 16-inch rim diameter, which is typical of prewar American passenger cars and matches the period construction style expected on this vehicle.
That means the first step is not comparing multiple primary sizes, but confirming that the car still has the proper 16-inch wheels. Older cars are sometimes fitted with replacement wheels over the decades, so checking actual wheel diameter and overall clearance before mounting new tires helps avoid ordering a size that matches the model but not the car's current setup.
What size rim does a 1936 Reo Deluxe use?
The 1936 Reo Deluxe uses a 16-inch rim with its 6.25-16 tire size. In this sizing system, the final number in the tire code identifies the wheel diameter, so the tire is built for a 16-inch wheel rather than a different vintage rim size.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a prewar car. It is also wise to confirm wheel width, bead-seat condition, and whether the car still retains original-style wheels before selecting tires. Those checks become especially important on vehicles that have been stored for long periods or have seen wheel changes during an earlier restoration.
Does the 1936 Reo Deluxe 6 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1936 Reo Deluxe 6 Cyl. uses the same 6.25-16 bias-ply tire size as the main model fitment. That makes tire selection fairly straightforward, because there is no separate primary size to sort out within the covered sub-model range.
Even with shared fitment, it still helps to inspect the wheels actually on the car before purchase. Prewar vehicles can accumulate substitutions over many decades, and a restorer may have changed wheels, hubs, or ride height at some point. Verifying the wheel setup on the car itself is the best way to keep the replacement tire choice aligned with safe, usable clearance.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 6.25-16 tire for a 1936 Reo Deluxe?
Start with the correct primary size, which is 6.25-16, and keep the construction appropriate to the car's era by focusing on bias-ply options. On a prewar vehicle like the 1936 Reo Deluxe, the tire's proportions and traditional construction contribute heavily to both the stance of the car and the way it presents visually.
After size and construction, compare the condition and dimensions of the wheels on the car, along with how the vehicle will be used. A restoration-oriented Deluxe may call for a strongly period-style appearance, while a touring car still needs the same fitment discipline but may place more emphasis on fresh rubber, sound wheel surfaces, and careful setup before regular driving.
How do I choose between available 6.25-16 tires for a 1936 Reo Deluxe?
The most useful way to compare 6.25-16 tires for a 1936 Reo Deluxe is by looking at construction style, period presentation, and how closely the tire suits the car's intended use. Since the primary fitment is not split across several sizes, the choice is mostly about selecting the right version of the same vintage-format tire.
A show-focused car may place more emphasis on authentic-looking proportions, while a car driven more often may benefit from giving extra attention to wheel condition, tire age, and overall readiness for road use. The goal is not to chase a different size, but to choose a 6.25-16 tire that matches the car's restoration goals and actual driving plans.
What rim-fitment details should I compare when choosing 1936 Reo Deluxe tires?
The 1936 Reo Deluxe uses a 6.25-16 tire on a 16-inch rim, so the basic rim-fitment details begin with correct diameter and a wheel suitable for vintage bias-ply construction. On a prewar car, proper wheel condition matters just as much as the nominal size stamped into the tire.
Check for bent wheels, bead-seat corrosion, repaired rims, and any evidence that the car has been fitted with later replacement wheels. It also helps to confirm that the tire sits correctly in the wheel opening and clears suspension and steering components through their full range. Those checks matter more than brand preference when basic fitment is the first priority.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1936 Reo Deluxe?
A period-style 1936 Reo Deluxe should start with the proper 6.25-16 sizing and a bias-ply construction that matches the car's prewar character. That keeps the profile, stance, and general visual relationship between tire and body in line with what buyers expect to see on a mid-1930s American passenger car.
Appearance-focused restorations benefit from resisting the urge to treat tire choice as a generic maintenance item. The tire is a major visual element on a prewar car, especially around the wheel opening and overall ride height impression. When exact originality matters, it is worth comparing period photos, marque references, and restoration guidance before choosing the final tire presentation.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1936 Reo Deluxe restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1936 Reo Deluxe restoration. The proper 6.25-16 size helps preserve the vehicle's intended proportions, and the bias-ply construction keeps the car visually and mechanically aligned with its prewar design era rather than giving it a noticeably later look.
Tire fitment affects more than appearance alone. An incorrect size can alter wheel opening fill, stance, and clearance around suspension and fenders, all of which become noticeable on a car from this period. Even if the car is mainly for shows or limited fair-weather driving, verifying wheel dimensions and selecting the correct vintage-format size is a meaningful part of a thoughtful restoration.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1936 Reo Deluxe?
Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1936 Reo Deluxe even when the intended tire size remains 6.25-16. Replacement wheels, altered suspension height, brake conversions, or body repairs around the fender openings can all affect how much clearance the tire has once mounted and inflated.
That is why the car itself should be checked before treating any replacement tire as automatic. Measure the wheel diameter, inspect wheel width and condition, and look for signs of interference at the front suspension and steering stops. Small differences in an older modified vehicle can matter more than they do on a modern car built around tighter factory tolerances.
What should I inspect before driving a 1936 Reo Deluxe on new tires?
Before driving a 1936 Reo Deluxe on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, mounting surfaces, and the overall condition of the suspension and steering components. A fresh set of 6.25-16 tires cannot make up for loose front-end parts, damaged wheels, or a braking system that has been sitting unused.
Once the tires are mounted, confirm inflation, look for even seating on the rims, and check clearance with the steering turned from lock to lock. A short, careful initial drive is a smart way to watch for vibration, pull, or rubbing. On a prewar car, road-readiness depends on the entire chassis being sound, not simply on the tires being new.
How should 6.25-16 tires on a collector 1936 Reo Deluxe be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1936 Reo Deluxe should be inspected regularly for cracking, air loss, sidewall damage, tread wear, and any changes that appear after storage. Because many prewar cars spend long periods parked, tire age and storage conditions often matter as much as tread depth in determining whether the car is ready for road use.
Clean, dry storage away from prolonged sunlight, heat sources, and ozone-producing equipment helps preserve the tires between drives. It also helps to keep inflation consistent and move the car occasionally so one part of the tire is not carrying load for months at a time. Routine visual checks before each outing are especially important on collector vehicles used infrequently.