The 1937 Chrysler Royal came from a period when Chrysler balanced streamlined late-Depression styling with practical six-cylinder transportation, and tire choice still played a major role in both stance and road character. For this Royal, the key fitment question is not just wheel diameter, but which 16-inch bias-ply size belongs on the exact body configuration. The covered sizes are 6.25-16, 600-16, and 650-16, with sub-model fitment determining which one applies. That opens up meaningful choices in blackwall, wide whitewall, and even double-whitewall styles across several vintage tire series. For a restoration-minded owner, the best starting point is matching the correct size first, then choosing the look and tread style that suits the car's intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1937 Chrysler Royal
The 1937 Chrysler Royal uses three primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model. All of them are bias-ply sizes for 16-inch rims, so the main task is confirming whether the car is the C16 6 Cyl. or the C16 6 Cyl. (7 Passenger). Once that is settled, the decision shifts to sidewall style, tire series, and whether the goal is passenger-car presentation or a more utility-oriented tread pattern.
In a numeric bias-ply size like 6.25-16, the first number refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches, while 16 identifies the rim diameter. This is a traditional bias-ply fitment that suits the 1937 Chrysler Royal's pre-war tire construction and overall look. The practical appeal of this size is keeping the car within its proper vintage sizing family rather than moving to a modern format. It is best evaluated by confirming the exact Royal sub-model and the wheel setup already on the car before selecting a replacement.
The 600-16 designation means a nominal 6.00-inch section-width bias-ply tire built for a 16-inch rim. On a 1937 Chrysler Royal, this size opens up the broadest range of visible choices, including blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall offerings from brands such as BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Goodyear, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Avon, STA, and Camac. Several tire series also appear in this size, ranging from traditional passenger-car styles to military and truck tread patterns. That makes 600-16 especially important for owners balancing restoration appearance against the car's intended road use.
A 650-16 tire is a numeric bias-ply size with an approximate 6.50-inch section width and a 16-inch rim diameter. It remains fully in character for a 1937 Chrysler Royal and is associated with the seven-passenger configuration rather than every Royal body style. This size is available in both blackwall and wide whitewall treatments from brands including BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Goodyear, Lester, STA, and Tornel, with both passenger-style and truck-style series represented. Choosing 650-16 starts with confirming the longer-body Royal setup and then narrowing the tire by appearance and use.
Tire fitment on the 1937 Chrysler Royal varies by sub-model rather than by rim diameter, since every covered size uses a 16-inch wheel. Checking the exact Royal body configuration matters because the standard C16 6 Cyl. and the seven-passenger version do not use the same tire-size range.
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1937 Chrysler Royal C16 6 Cyl.
The 1937 Chrysler Royal C16 6 Cyl. uses 6.25-16 or 600-16 bias-ply tires, so size confirmation is the first step before comparing actual tire choices. After that, selection usually comes down to whether the car calls for a simpler blackwall presentation, a restoration-oriented whitewall look, or a specialty tread style.
The 1937 Chrysler Royal C16 6 Cyl. (7 Passenger) uses 650-16 bias-ply tires, separating it from the smaller-size fitments used on other Royal configurations. That makes the buying decision more straightforward, with the main comparison points shifting to sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility.
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 Chrysler Royal Tires for Sale
Available 1937 Chrysler Royal tire choices center on 600-16 and 650-16 bias-ply fitments, with brands including BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Goodyear, Avon, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and others. The product grid shows meaningful variation in sidewall style, tire series, and rim-width compatibility, from traditional blackwalls and wide whitewalls to more utility-oriented tread designs.
These FAQs focus on the exact tire sizes used on the 1937 Chrysler Royal, how sub-model fitment changes the decision, and what to compare when choosing between bias-ply styles, wheel setups, and restoration-oriented tire appearances.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1937 Chrysler Royal?
A 1937 Chrysler Royal can use 6.25-16, 600-16, or 650-16 tires, depending on the exact sub-model. The C16 6 Cyl. uses 6.25-16 or 600-16, while the C16 6 Cyl. (7 Passenger) uses 650-16. All of these are bias-ply sizes built for 16-inch rims.
The important next step is matching the size to the car's actual configuration instead of choosing only by year and model name. On an older Chrysler, wheels may also have been changed over time, so it helps to confirm the installed rim size and compare the current tire markings before selecting a replacement.
What size rim does a 1937 Chrysler Royal use?
The covered tire fitments for the 1937 Chrysler Royal all use a 16-inch rim diameter. That holds true across 6.25-16, 600-16, and 650-16, even though the tire widths vary by sub-model. The difference is in the tire size itself, not the basic rim diameter.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a pre-war car. Wheel width also matters, especially when comparing 600-16 and 650-16 products, so the safest approach is to confirm the actual wheel dimensions on the car before changing size or moving between tire lines with different rim-width requirements.
Do all 1937 Chrysler Royal sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1937 Chrysler Royal C16 6 Cyl. uses 6.25-16 or 600-16, while the 1937 Chrysler Royal C16 6 Cyl. (7 Passenger) uses 650-16. All are bias-ply fitments on 16-inch rims, but the correct tire size changes with the exact Royal configuration.
That distinction matters because a seven-passenger car should not be treated the same as every other Royal when ordering tires. Verifying the body style first keeps the search focused and helps avoid ending up with a tire that may share the same rim diameter yet still differ in width, stance, and wheel compatibility.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-16 tire for a 1937 Chrysler Royal?
Start by confirming that 600-16 is the correct size for the specific 1937 Chrysler Royal in front of you, since not every Royal uses it. Once the size is confirmed, the main comparison points are sidewall style, tire series, rim-width compatibility, and whether the tire has a traditional passenger-car look or a more utility-oriented tread pattern.
A blackwall can give the car a restrained appearance, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall versions create a more formal pre-war presentation. It also helps to compare load figures where they are stated and to make sure the wheel on the car falls within the tire's intended width range before making a final choice.
What sidewall styles are available for 1937 Chrysler Royal tires?
The available sidewall styles for 1937 Chrysler Royal tires include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall, depending on the size and product line. Most of the variety appears in 600-16 and 650-16, where the visual difference between a plain blackwall and a whitewall treatment can change the car's whole presentation.
Choosing a sidewall style is usually an appearance decision after the correct size is settled. Owners aiming for a formal restoration-style look often compare whitewall options closely, while drivers focused on a simpler or more utilitarian presentation may stay with blackwalls and concentrate on tire series, tread style, and wheel compatibility.
What brands offer tires for the 1937 Chrysler Royal?
Tires for the 1937 Chrysler Royal are available from brands including BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Goodyear, Avon, Excelsior, Lester, Ford Script, STA, Camac, Garfield, and Tornel. Brand availability depends on the tire size, with 600-16 and 650-16 offering the widest range of choices across several bias-ply series.
Brand alone should not decide the purchase on a pre-war fitment page like this. It is more useful to narrow the choice by the exact size first, then compare sidewall style, tread character, and wheel-width requirements so the finished tire matches both the Royal's setup and the look the owner wants.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1937 Chrysler Royal?
A period-style 1937 Chrysler Royal tire choice starts with the correct bias-ply size for the exact sub-model: 6.25-16, 600-16, or 650-16. From there, the visual direction usually comes down to blackwall versus whitewall and to whether the owner wants a more formal passenger-car presentation or a plainer road-use appearance.
For a restoration-oriented car, size and construction matter before brand name or tread detail. When exact historical authenticity is important, the final appearance decision should be checked against marque references, period photos, or other vehicle-specific documentation rather than assuming any modern offering in the right size automatically matches the car's original look.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1937 Chrysler Royal?
On the 1937 Chrysler Royal, the primary fitments are bias-ply tires, and that construction plays a large role in maintaining a pre-war visual character. The shape, stance, and overall presentation of a bias-ply tire suit the Royal's era in a way that aligns naturally with a restoration-focused car, especially when paired with an appropriate blackwall or whitewall treatment.
Appearance is only one part of the decision, but it is an important one on a car from this period. Even among bias-ply options, different sidewall treatments and tire series can shift the look from understated to formal, so the best result comes from balancing historical style, wheel compatibility, and how the car will actually be used.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1937 Chrysler Royal?
Yes. Even though the 1937 Chrysler Royal uses 16-inch bias-ply fitments, modifications can still affect which tire works on the car. Changes to wheel width, wheel design, suspension height, steering components, or body clearance can all influence how a 6.25-16, 600-16, or 650-16 tire sits and moves through its travel.
That is especially relevant on older cars that may have seen decades of repairs or upgrades. A Royal with replacement wheels or suspension work should be measured carefully before changing size, and the owner should check turning clearance, fender clearance, and wheel-width suitability instead of assuming that any tire with a 16-inch rim diameter will behave the same.
What should I inspect before driving a 1937 Chrysler Royal on new tires?
Before driving a 1937 Chrysler Royal on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or excessive rust, confirm the tire size matches the sub-model, and make sure the tires are seated properly and inflated correctly for their application. It also helps to check valve stems, wheel fasteners, and overall clearance at the fenders and steering components.
A short test drive should follow only after the car itself is ready for road use. Since collector cars may sit for long periods, it is smart to inspect brakes, suspension joints, and wheel bearings at the same time, then recheck tire pressure and look for any rubbing marks after the first few miles.
How should 1937 Chrysler Royal tires be maintained?
Tires on a 1937 Chrysler Royal should be kept clean, properly inflated, and inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and air loss. Because these are vintage-style bias-ply fitments, maintenance should also include periodic checks of wheel condition and confirmation that the tires still suit the way the car is being stored and driven.
Collector cars often age their tires through time and storage rather than heavy mileage. Parking away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the rubber, and any Royal that has been sitting should have its tires examined closely before returning to regular road use or taking a longer trip.
