The 1937 Auburn 654 Series came at the close of Auburn’s dramatic Depression-era run, when striking design still mattered even as the independent car market grew increasingly difficult. That makes tire choice especially important today, because the right size does as much for stance and presence as it does for road manners. The 1937 Auburn 654 Series uses a 600-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, keeping the fitment firmly in prewar territory. Available choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall presentations across several traditional bias-ply series. For a restoration-minded owner, the decision is usually less about size and more about appearance, intended use, and wheel compatibility.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1937 Auburn 654 Series
The 1937 Auburn 654 Series uses one primary tire size: 600-16. It is a bias-ply fitment for a 16-inch rim, and the covered Base sub-model shares that same size, so the main decision is choosing the right tire style within 600-16 rather than sorting through multiple primary fitments. That usually means balancing restoration appearance, brand and series preference, and confirming the wheel setup on the car before selecting a tire.
In a numeric bias-ply size such as 600-16, the 600 indicates an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width, while 16 identifies the rim diameter in inches. This is a traditional prewar bias-ply fitment, which suits the 1937 Auburn 654 Series both visually and structurally when the car retains the proper 16-inch wheel setup. Within this size, there are meaningful choices in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall treatments, along with classic series from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Goodyear, Lester, Excelsior, Avon, and others. Choosing among them depends on the look you want, the wheel width being used, and whether the car is aimed more at restoration display or regular vintage road use.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1937 Auburn 654 Series sub-models. The shared 600-16 bias-ply size keeps the focus on selecting the right sidewall style and tire series rather than sorting through different size requirements.
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1937 Auburn 654 Series Base
The 1937 Auburn 654 Series Base uses the same 600-16 bias-ply fitment as the model core. That makes tire selection more about restoration style, wheel-width compatibility, and choosing between blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall presentation than about determining a different 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 1937 Auburn 654 Series Tires for Sale
Available 600-16 tires for the 1937 Auburn 654 Series span BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Goodyear, Lester, Excelsior, Avon, STA, Camac, and Ford Script offerings. The main points of comparison are sidewall style, tire series, bias-ply construction details, and rim-width compatibility where stated.
Owners of a 1937 Auburn 654 Series usually want to confirm the correct 600-16 fitment, understand what that size means, and sort through sidewall, brand, restoration, and road-use considerations before putting the car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1937 Auburn 654 Series?
The 1937 Auburn 654 Series uses a 600-16 tire. This is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and the covered Base sub-model uses that same primary size, so there is no split fitment to sort out within this page.
That simplifies the buying decision, but size alone is not the whole story. A 600-16 tire still needs to match the wheel diameter on the car, and wheel width should be checked before final selection. Many surviving prewar cars have had wheels, suspension parts, or cosmetic details changed over time, so it is worth confirming the actual setup before choosing among the available 600-16 options.
What size rim does a 1937 Auburn 654 Series use?
The primary tire fitment for the 1937 Auburn 654 Series uses a 16-inch rim. That rim diameter matches the 600-16 tire size, where the final number in the size code identifies the wheel diameter the tire is built to mount on.
Rim diameter is the first thing to verify on the car because a tire can only mount correctly to the proper wheel diameter. After that, wheel width also matters. Many 600-16 products are intended for relatively narrow vintage wheels, and some product listings in this size show rim-width guidance such as 4.00 to 4.50 inches, so the actual wheel should be measured rather than assumed.
What does 600-16 mean on a 1937 Auburn 654 Series?
On a 1937 Auburn 654 Series, 600-16 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 600 represents an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width, and the 16 identifies the rim diameter in inches. It is a traditional sizing format used on many prewar vehicles.
Understanding the size helps separate fitment from appearance. Once the 600-16 size is confirmed, the next choice is usually whether the car looks best with blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall styling, along with selecting a tire series that suits how the Auburn will be used. Because collector cars are often restored in stages, checking the actual wheel dimensions is still a smart step before mounting new tires.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-16 tire for a 1937 Auburn 654 Series?
Start with the confirmed 600-16 size and the 16-inch wheel, then narrow the choice by construction, appearance, and wheel compatibility. For the 1937 Auburn 654 Series, the available options stay within traditional bias-ply territory, so the most meaningful differences are sidewall style, tire series, brand, and stated rim-width specifications where they appear.
A restoration-focused car may call for a different visual presentation than a driver that sees more regular road use. Blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall choices create distinctly different looks, and some products also vary in load figures and wheel-width guidance. Matching the tire to the car’s intended presentation, while confirming the actual wheel setup, usually leads to the most satisfying result.
What sidewall styles are available for 1937 Auburn 654 Series tires?
The 1937 Auburn 654 Series has 600-16 tire options in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. Those sidewall choices can change the visual character of the car substantially even when the tire size stays the same, which is why they matter so much on a prewar automobile.
A blackwall tire gives the Auburn a more restrained and utilitarian presentation, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall options lean more heavily into period-style dress. The right choice depends on how the car is restored and presented today. Owners seeking a historically convincing appearance should compare old photos, marque references, and the specific trim theme of the car before deciding on a sidewall treatment.
What brands offer tires for the 1937 Auburn 654 Series?
The 600-16 size for the 1937 Auburn 654 Series is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. Those offerings span several bias-ply series, including traditional passenger-car styles as well as some military or truck-oriented tread patterns in the same nominal size.
Brand choice should be used to compare tire character rather than to chase a simple winner. The more important question is whether a particular tire matches the Auburn’s intended look, wheel dimensions, and use. A wide whitewall passenger tire creates a very different result from a blackwall military-style tread, even though both may share the 600-16 size designation.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1937 Auburn 654 Series?
A period-style 1937 Auburn 654 Series starts with the correct 600-16 bias-ply size on a 16-inch rim. From there, the most important decision is usually sidewall presentation, since this size is available in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall forms across several traditional tire series.
For many prewar restorations, tire appearance strongly affects the car’s stance and overall visual balance. The right selection depends on the car’s restoration approach rather than a one-size-fits-all rule. Owners pursuing high historical accuracy should compare the car against period photos, marque-club references, and surviving examples, then choose the 600-16 tire that supports that specific presentation.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1937 Auburn 654 Series restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1937 Auburn 654 Series because prewar cars are especially sensitive to proportion. The proper 600-16 size helps preserve the vehicle’s intended visual balance, while the bias-ply construction and sidewall style influence how authentic or sympathetic the finished restoration appears.
Even when the car is not being restored for formal judging, the wrong wheel diameter, an inappropriate sidewall treatment, or a mismatched tread style can change the Auburn’s character quickly. Proper fitment also affects practical concerns such as wheel compatibility and clearance. Tire selection is one of the most visible finishing details on a car from this era, so it deserves careful attention.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1937 Auburn 654 Series?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1937 Auburn 654 Series even when the intended tire size remains 600-16. Changes to wheels, suspension height, brake components, or bodywork can alter clearance and wheel compatibility, which matters on a prewar car where original dimensions are often part of the overall look.
A car that has aftermarket wheels or altered ride height should be checked more carefully before new tires are mounted. Wheel diameter and width need to be confirmed first, followed by basic clearance at the fender, steering range, and suspension travel. Those checks are especially worthwhile on older restorations, where parts may have been changed long before the current owner acquired the car.
What should I inspect before driving a 1937 Auburn 654 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1937 Auburn 654 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and sound condition, confirm proper mounting, and verify that the tires clear the body and suspension through steering movement. Tire pressure should also be set appropriately, and the valve hardware, tubes if used, and wheel attachment should all be checked.
A short, cautious shakedown drive is wise on any collector car after tire replacement. Pay attention to pull, vibration, unusual rubbing, or air loss after the first miles. Because a prewar vehicle may spend long periods parked, it also helps to inspect steering, brakes, and suspension at the same time, since fresh tires cannot compensate for age-related issues elsewhere in the chassis.
How should 600-16 tires on a collector 1937 Auburn 654 Series be maintained?
600-16 tires on a collector 1937 Auburn 654 Series should be inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, flat-spotting, uneven wear, and slow air loss. Pressure should be checked on a routine schedule, and the car should be stored away from prolonged sunlight, excessive heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment whenever possible.
Collector cars often age their tires by time and storage conditions rather than by mileage alone. That means a tire can look usable at a glance while still needing closer inspection. Keeping the Auburn clean, properly inflated, and moved occasionally can help, but any sign of deterioration deserves attention before road use, especially if the car is about to go on a longer drive.
