The 1937 Buick 80 Series came from an era when Buick’s larger eight-cylinder cars balanced prestige, road presence, and long-distance comfort in a distinctly prewar American way. Owners restoring or maintaining one today usually care just as much about stance and visual authenticity as basic drivability. This Buick uses a 700-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, keeping tire choice centered on proper vintage construction and proportions. Within that size, there are meaningful differences in brand, sidewall treatment, and tire series, including blackwall and wide whitewall options. The right selection depends on whether the priority is restoration-oriented appearance, traditional road manners, or confirming wheel suitability before putting the car back into regular use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1937 Buick 80 Series
The 1937 Buick 80 Series uses one primary tire size: 700-16. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and the covered 8 Cyl. sub-model uses that same size. That means the main decision is not sorting through multiple fitments, but choosing the right version of 700-16 based on appearance, tire series, brand preference, and the actual wheel setup on the car.
A 700-16 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size in which the leading number represents an approximate 7.00-inch nominal section width, while the final number identifies a 16-inch rim. On a 1937 Buick 80 Series, this size preserves the traditional prewar tire construction and look that suits the car’s original character. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall versions from brands such as Lester, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Avon, Tornel, and STA across several classic bias-ply and specialty series. It is the right starting point for owners who want to stay with the original-style sizing system while comparing appearance and application details within the same fitment.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1937 Buick 80 Series sub-model. The 8 Cyl. configuration uses the same 700-16 bias-ply size, so sub-model identification matters less than confirming the actual wheels and overall restoration direction of the car.
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1937 Buick 80 Series 8 Cyl.
The 1937 Buick 80 Series 8 Cyl. uses the 700-16 bias-ply tire size. That keeps selection focused on choosing the right sidewall presentation, brand, and tire series for a period-style look while also verifying that the car still has the correct 16-inch wheel 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 1937 Buick 80 Series Tires for Sale
Available 700-16 choices span Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA, with both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. The product mix also includes classic passenger-car bias-ply lines and specialty military or truck-style series, so appearance and intended use are key comparison points.
Owners of a 1937 Buick 80 Series usually want clear answers on 700-16 sizing, 16-inch rim fitment, sidewall choices, restoration-minded tire selection, and the checks worth making before returning a prewar Buick to road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1937 Buick 80 Series?
The 1937 Buick 80 Series uses a 700-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment used on a 16-inch rim, and the covered 8 Cyl. sub-model uses that same size rather than a separate alternate fitment.
That makes the main fitment task fairly simple: confirm that the car still has 16-inch wheels and select a 700-16 tire that suits the Buick’s appearance and driving use. On an older restoration, it is worth checking whether the wheels, brakes, or suspension were changed at some point before assuming the current setup matches the intended tire choice.
What size rim does a 1937 Buick 80 Series use?
The primary tire fitment for the 1937 Buick 80 Series is built around a 16-inch rim. The 700-16 size itself reflects that rim diameter, and several available products in this size are also associated with 4.50- to 5.50-inch rim widths.
Rim diameter should always be confirmed directly on the car, especially on a prewar vehicle that may have been restored or modified decades ago. Width matters too, since some 700-16 products are tied to a specific wheel-width range. Measuring the wheel before selecting a tire helps avoid appearance issues, mounting problems, or unwanted clearance surprises.
Does the 1937 Buick 80 Series 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1937 Buick 80 Series 8 Cyl. uses the same 700-16 bias-ply tire size as the core fitment for this model. There is no separate primary tire size shown for that sub-model within this application.
That consistency simplifies the search, but it does not eliminate the need to inspect the actual car. Wheels on collector vehicles are sometimes swapped, and an older Buick may have gone through multiple restorations over the years. Matching the tire to the wheel diameter, wheel width, and intended appearance is still the important final step before choosing a specific product.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-16 tire for a 1937 Buick 80 Series?
Start with the correct fitment: a 700-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch wheel. From there, the main differences are sidewall style, brand, tire series, and whether the tire is aimed at classic passenger-car use or a more specialized military or truck-style application.
Appearance often drives the decision on a prewar Buick, especially when comparing blackwall and wide whitewall options. Wheel width should also be checked, since several 700-16 products are associated with a 4.50- to 5.50-inch rim range. A restoration-minded car, a touring car, and a utility-oriented setup may all point toward different product choices within the same size.
What sidewall styles are available for 1937 Buick 80 Series tires?
The available 700-16 choices for a 1937 Buick 80 Series include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That gives owners a meaningful visual choice while staying within the correct vintage size and bias-ply construction.
A blackwall tire usually delivers a more understated traditional look, while a wide whitewall creates a dressier prewar presentation that many restoration owners prefer. Sidewall style should be chosen as part of the car’s overall finish rather than in isolation. Wheel color, trim level, and the intended look of the restoration all affect which sidewall treatment feels right on the Buick.
What brands offer tires for the 1937 Buick 80 Series?
The 700-16 fitment for a 1937 Buick 80 Series is available from Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA. Those brands appear across several classic bias-ply, military, and truck-oriented series within the same basic size family.
Brand choice is only one part of the decision. It helps to compare the tire series, sidewall style, and whether the tire is intended for a traditional passenger-car presentation or a more specialized use. Owners who want the Buick to look close to a period-style restoration often start with sidewall appearance first, then narrow the field by brand and wheel compatibility.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1937 Buick 80 Series?
A 700-16 bias-ply tire is the right period-style starting point for a 1937 Buick 80 Series. That size and construction preserve the visual proportions and vintage character expected on a large prewar Buick, while still leaving room to choose among different brands, tire series, and sidewall presentations.
The next decision is how formal or understated the finished car should look. Wide whitewall options create a more dressy restoration-oriented presentation, while blackwalls keep the appearance more restrained. When exact originality matters, period photos, marque-club guidance, and vehicle-specific historical references are the best way to confirm whether a particular sidewall treatment suits the car being restored.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1937 Buick 80 Series restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1937 Buick 80 Series because tire size and construction strongly influence the car’s stance, visual balance, and overall authenticity of presentation. A 700-16 bias-ply tire keeps the Buick in the proper vintage sizing language rather than shifting it into a more modern look.
Fitment also affects practical details such as wheel compatibility and body clearance. Even when the car already wears 700-16 tires, it is smart to inspect the wheel diameter and width before mounting new ones, especially on an older restoration. Small-looking changes in sidewall shape or tire type can alter the way a prewar car sits and presents.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1937 Buick 80 Series?
Yes. Any changes to wheel diameter, wheel width, suspension height, brake components, or body clearance can affect tire fitment on a 1937 Buick 80 Series, even when the intended replacement size remains 700-16. Older collector cars are often more altered than they first appear.
A Buick that has aftermarket wheels, changed springs, or bodywork repairs may not accept a new tire the same way it did when originally configured. Measuring the wheels and checking clearance at the fenders and steering components is a sensible step before mounting tires. That is especially important when the car has a long restoration history or uncertain parts history.
What should I inspect before driving a 1937 Buick 80 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1937 Buick 80 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition, verify the wheel diameter and width, and make sure the tires are properly mounted and inflated. It is also wise to check valve stems, lug hardware, and overall clearance at the fenders and steering range.
A prewar car benefits from a broader walk-around before any meaningful road use. Look at suspension wear, brake performance, and signs of rubbing once the tires are installed. The first drives should be short and cautious so any vibration, pull, or clearance issue can be caught early, before the Buick is taken on a longer trip.
How should 700-16 tires on a collector 1937 Buick 80 Series be maintained?
700-16 tires on a collector 1937 Buick 80 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even when tread looks good, a seldom-driven antique car can develop age-related issues such as sidewall cracking, flat spotting, air loss, or weather-related deterioration.
Clean, dry storage away from prolonged sunlight, heat, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition. The Buick should also be inspected before each driving season and again before longer trips, with attention to cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and wheel condition. Low annual mileage does not eliminate the need for tire inspections on a collector vehicle.
