The 1937 Ford 78 Series sits at an important point in prewar Ford design, blending streamlined late-1930s styling with the familiar appeal of Ford V8 power. For many owners, tire choice is part of preserving that unmistakable prewar stance as much as keeping the car road-ready. This Ford uses a 600-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, which keeps the fitment grounded in the period sizing and construction the car was built around. Within that size, there is meaningful choice in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles across several classic tire series. The key decision is usually balancing restoration appearance, intended road use, and proper wheel compatibility.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1937 Ford 78 Series
The 1937 Ford 78 Series uses one primary tire size: 600-16, a bias-ply fitment for a 16-inch rim. The 1937 Ford 78 Series V8 uses that same size, so the main decision is not choosing between multiple factory-size fitments, but selecting the right version of 600-16 for the car’s appearance, intended use, and wheel setup.
A 600-16 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size in which the 600 indicates an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width and the 16 identifies the rim diameter in inches. On a 1937 Ford 78 Series, this size preserves the traditional bias-ply construction and the visual proportions expected on a prewar Ford. Available choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall treatments from brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Ford Script, Coker Classic, Avon, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and Camac. Choosing among them comes down to the type of presentation and tread character that best suits a restoration, driver, or specialty-use car.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1937 Ford 78 Series sub-models. The size remains consistent, so the important step is choosing the right 600-16 tire style and series for the way the car is restored, displayed, or driven.
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1937 Ford 78 Series V8
The 1937 Ford 78 Series V8 uses the same 600-16 bias-ply fitment as the broader model line. That keeps selection focused on period-style blackwall or whitewall presentation, tread style, and confirming the wheel remains a proper 16-inch setup before installation.
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 Ford 78 Series Tires for Sale
Available 600-16 tires for the 1937 Ford 78 Series span BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Ford Script, Coker Classic, Avon, and other specialty lines. Buyers can compare blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles along with classic passenger, military NDT, and truck-oriented series.
These FAQs focus on 1937 Ford 78 Series tire size, 16-inch rim fitment, choosing among available 600-16 bias-ply tires, restoration-oriented sidewall styles, and the basic inspection steps that matter before putting a prewar Ford back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1937 Ford 78 Series?
The 1937 Ford 78 Series uses a 600-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment and it is the primary size used across the covered model line, including the 1937 Ford 78 Series V8.
That makes the first step fairly simple: confirm that the car still has 16-inch wheels and then choose the type of 600-16 tire that suits the vehicle. Since many surviving cars have been restored or modified over time, it is still smart to verify the wheel dimensions and overall clearance before mounting a new set.
What size rim does a 1937 Ford 78 Series use?
The 1937 Ford 78 Series uses a 16-inch rim with its 600-16 tire fitment. Many of the available 600-16 passenger-car products are built around wheel widths in the 4.00 to 4.50 inch range, with a few specialty applications extending slightly beyond that.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a prewar Ford. The wheel should also be checked for width, condition, and proper bead-seat compatibility, especially if the car has replacement wheels, later Ford wheels, or military-style specialty tires under consideration.
Does the 1937 Ford 78 Series V8 use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1937 Ford 78 Series V8 uses the same 600-16 bias-ply tire size as the covered 1937 Ford 78 Series fitment. There is not a separate primary tire size for that sub-model here.
Since the size stays the same, the real choice becomes which version of 600-16 best matches the car. A V8 being restored for show may call for a different sidewall treatment than a driver or utility-minded build, so the focus shifts from fitment differences to style, tread design, and wheel compatibility.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-16 tire for a 1937 Ford 78 Series?
Start with the correct 600-16 size and bias-ply construction, then narrow the choice by the car’s purpose. Some options lean toward traditional passenger-car presentation, while others use military NDT or truck-style tread patterns that create a very different look and road character.
The next comparison points are wheel-width compatibility, sidewall style, and load specifications where they are stated. A restored sedan aimed at period-style appearance may call for a whitewall treatment, while a more utilitarian or specialty build may point toward blackwall or NDT-style tires instead.
What sidewall styles are available for 1937 Ford 78 Series tires?
The 1937 Ford 78 Series has 600-16 tire choices in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall form. Those sidewall treatments appear across several classic bias-ply product lines, giving the car noticeably different visual personalities without changing the basic tire size.
That choice matters because sidewall treatment has a strong effect on how a prewar Ford presents from curb level. A blackwall usually creates a more restrained or utility-focused look, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall tires push the car toward a more formal restoration-oriented appearance.
What brands offer tires for the 1937 Ford 78 Series?
600-16 tires for the 1937 Ford 78 Series are available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. Those brands cover several classic passenger, military, and specialty tire series within the same basic size.
Brand alone should not decide the purchase. It helps more to compare the exact series, sidewall styling, rim-width guidance, load figures where shown, and the overall type of car being built, whether that is a restoration-minded Ford, a traditional driver, or a more specialized period-style project.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1937 Ford 78 Series?
A period-style 1937 Ford 78 Series starts with the correct 600-16 bias-ply size and then branches by presentation. Blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall options all exist in this size, so the right choice depends on whether the car is being finished as a restrained driver or a more formal restoration.
Tread style also matters visually. Standard passenger-car patterns usually suit a traditional prewar Ford appearance better than military NDT or truck-oriented tread, unless the vehicle is being built with that deliberate specialty look. When exact originality matters, marque-specific historical references are worth checking before settling on a sidewall style.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1937 Ford 78 Series restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1937 Ford 78 Series because tire size and construction strongly influence the car’s stance, proportions, and overall authenticity of appearance. A 600-16 bias-ply tire keeps the restoration anchored in the dimensions and visual character expected of a prewar Ford.
Fitment also affects practical details such as wheel compatibility and body clearance. Even when the car looks complete, mismatched wheels or later changes can alter how a new tire sits on the car. Taking time to confirm wheel size, width, and condition helps the finished restoration look right and operate more confidently.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1937 Ford 78 Series?
Yes. A 1937 Ford 78 Series may have had wheel, brake, suspension, or ride-height changes over the years, and any of those can affect how a 600-16 tire fits. Even when the nominal tire size stays the same, altered wheel width or offset can change clearance at the fender and steering components.
That is especially important on older cars that have passed through several owners or restorations. A quick visual check is not enough if the Ford has aftermarket wheels or modified suspension. Measuring the actual wheel and checking full-lock steering clearance can prevent fitment surprises once the new tires are mounted.
What should I inspect before driving a 1937 Ford 78 Series on new tires?
Before driving, inspect the wheels for cracks, bent areas, severe rust, or damaged bead seats, and make sure the tires are mounted in the correct 600-16 size. It also helps to check valve stems, lug hardware, and basic clearance at the fenders, steering arms, and suspension points.
A prewar Ford that has spent long periods parked deserves an extra look beyond the tires themselves. Brakes, wheel bearings, steering play, and alignment condition all influence how the car feels on the road. A new set of tires will perform best when the rest of the running gear is equally ready.
How should 600-16 tires on a collector 1937 Ford 78 Series be maintained?
Collector-car 600-16 tires should be checked regularly for air loss, visible cracking, tread wear, cuts, and any sidewall bulges. Maintaining proper inflation for the tire in use and moving the car periodically can help reduce stress from long stationary storage.
Storage conditions matter just as much on an older Ford. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, damp conditions, and ozone sources such as electric motors helps preserve the rubber over time. Routine inspection is especially important when the car is driven infrequently and problems can go unnoticed.
