The 1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series comes from a period when Hudson was building substantial, road-going American cars with styling and engineering that bridged the gap between prewar tradition and a more modern driving experience. For collectors, tire choice on a Hudson of this age affects both stance and authenticity more than many later vehicles. This series uses bias-ply fitments in two sizes, 6.25-16 and 700-15, so the first step is confirming which wheel diameter is on the car. From there, the real choice centers on period-style presentation, sidewall treatment, and whether the car is being restored, toured, or maintained for careful occasional road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series
The 1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series uses two primary tire sizes, and the difference starts with wheel diameter: one fitment is for a 16-inch rim and the other is for a 15-inch rim. Before choosing a tire, confirm the exact wheel setup on the car, since both sizes are bias-ply and each creates a different starting point for replacement selection.
A 6.25-16 tire uses the older numeric bias-ply sizing system, where 6.25 refers to the nominal section width in inches and 16 identifies the wheel diameter. On a 1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series, this size keeps the vehicle in a traditional prewar bias-ply format suited to owners who want a restoration-minded tire construction. The key point with 6.25-16 is not comparing brands or sidewall treatments, but confirming that the car is actually equipped with 16-inch wheels. That check matters first, especially on vehicles that may have seen wheel changes over the decades.
A 700-15 tire is also an older numeric bias-ply size, with 7.00 indicating the nominal section width and 15 indicating the rim diameter. For the 1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series, this size opens up a broader selection that includes Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA options, along with blackwall and wide whitewall treatments across several tire series. Some 700-15 offerings also lean toward military and transport-style applications, so appearance and intended use both matter. It is the size to evaluate carefully when the car already wears 15-inch wheels and the owner wants more choice within the correct vintage construction.
1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series Sub-Model Tires
Fitment for the covered sub-model is straightforward in one sense and still requires a wheel check in another. The 8-cylinder version uses the same two primary tire sizes, so the important step is confirming whether the car is on 15-inch or 16-inch wheels before selecting a replacement.
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1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series 8 Cyl.
The 1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series 8 Cyl. uses bias-ply fitments in both 6.25-16 and 700-15. That means tire selection starts with verifying the wheel diameter on the car, then choosing the replacement that best suits a restoration-oriented look, sidewall preference, and intended road use.
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 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series Tires for Sale
Available 700-15 choices include Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA tires in several series, with blackwall and wide whitewall styles. The product range also spans classic passenger-car presentation and heavier-duty military or transport-style bias-ply options.
Buyers researching 1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series tires usually need to sort out wheel diameter first, then choose between period-style bias-ply options, sidewall appearance, and practical road-use considerations for an older collector car.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series?
The 1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 6.25-16 and 700-15. Those sizes are not interchangeable by name alone because they are built for different rim diameters, with 6.25-16 for a 16-inch wheel and 700-15 for a 15-inch wheel.
The practical decision is confirming which wheels are actually on the car before choosing a replacement tire. On an older Hudson, wheel changes over time are always possible, so the safest starting point is to inspect the installed rim diameter and then match the tire size to the wheel rather than relying on assumptions.
What size rim does a 1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series use?
A 1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series can use either a 16-inch rim with the 6.25-16 tire size or a 15-inch rim with the 700-15 tire size. Both fitments stay within the vintage bias-ply sizing system, but the wheel diameter determines which tire family applies.
Rim diameter should be verified before any purchase, especially on a prewar vehicle that may have had wheel substitutions during restoration or long-term ownership. Measuring the wheel and checking the mounted tire size together helps avoid selecting a tire that matches the era visually but does not correspond to the actual rim on the car.
What does 700-15 mean on a 1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series?
The 700-15 size is a vintage numeric bias-ply designation. In simple terms, the 7.00 indicates the tire's nominal section width in inches, while the 15 identifies the wheel diameter, so it is a bias-ply tire intended for a 15-inch rim.
Understanding that format helps when comparing older replacement tires, because the size code is describing an era-specific tire system rather than a modern metric radial. For a 1937 Hudson, that means the buyer should focus on matching the wheel diameter first, then comparing sidewall style, tire series, and intended use within the correct 700-15 category.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-15 tire for a 1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series?
Start by confirming that the car is actually on 15-inch wheels, since 700-15 applies only to that rim diameter. After that, the main considerations are bias-ply construction, sidewall style, tire series, and whether the car is being kept in a traditional passenger-car presentation or used in a way that makes a transport or military-style pattern more appropriate.
A wide whitewall gives a more formal restoration-oriented look, while blackwall options create a plainer or more utilitarian appearance. Rim-width compatibility, load figures where stated, and the car's intended road use all deserve a close look so the tire choice suits both the vehicle's setup and the owner's goals.
What sidewall styles are available for 1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series tires?
For the available 700-15 options, sidewall choices include blackwall and wide whitewall. Those two treatments create very different visual results on a 1937 Hudson, even when the underlying size and bias-ply construction remain within the same general fitment family.
Sidewall appearance should be chosen with the car's restoration direction in mind rather than as an afterthought. A buyer who wants a more formal prewar presentation may lean toward a wide whitewall, while a more understated or utility-focused build may suit blackwall better, provided the tire still matches the wheel diameter and use requirements.
What brands offer tires for the 1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series?
The available 700-15 tires for a 1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series come from Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA. Within those brands, the choices span classic bias-ply passenger-car styles as well as heavier-duty military and transport-oriented offerings.
Brand alone should not drive the decision. It makes more sense to compare the correct size, sidewall treatment, tire series, and whether the tire's character matches the car's intended appearance and road use. That approach is especially important on a prewar vehicle where visual presentation and wheel compatibility matter as much as the name on the sidewall.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series?
A period-style 1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series should stay with the correct primary bias-ply size for the wheel on the car, either 6.25-16 or 700-15. That keeps the tire construction aligned with the vehicle's era and preserves the tall, traditional visual character expected on a prewar Hudson.
From there, appearance details become the deciding factors, especially if the car uses 700-15, where blackwall and wide whitewall choices are available. Buyers pursuing exact historical accuracy should compare the finished look against marque references, restoration photos, or period documentation before deciding on a sidewall treatment.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series because tire diameter, sidewall shape, and construction strongly influence how a prewar car sits and presents. Using the wrong rim diameter or an inappropriate tire style can change the car's proportions even before it is driven.
Fitment also affects practical restoration concerns such as clearance and how the car carries itself on the road. Even when the goal is mainly visual, the tire still needs to match the installed wheel correctly and suit the vehicle's intended use, so restoration appearance and mechanical compatibility should be considered together.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series. If the car has different wheels, altered suspension height, brake conversions, or body changes, those changes can influence which tire size works properly and how much clearance remains at the fenders and steering components.
That is especially important here because the Hudson uses two different rim-diameter paths, 15-inch and 16-inch. Any owner working with a modified car should inspect actual wheel diameter and width, then check turning clearance and body space carefully before selecting a replacement tire in either vintage size.
What should I inspect before driving a 1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series on new tires?
Before road use, inspect wheel condition, lug hardware, valve stems or tubes as applicable, and the overall condition of the suspension and steering. A 1937 Hudson should also have its tire pressures set correctly for the installed tires, and the owner should confirm that the tires seat properly on the rims and clear the body through steering movement.
A short local drive is a smart first test on a collector car of this age. After that, recheck air pressure and look for any signs of rubbing, uneven stance, or contact marks. Those early checks help catch wheel or clearance issues before the car is taken on a longer trip.
How should tires on a collector 1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1937 Hudson 74, 75, 76 & 77 Series should be inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss. Even when tread looks fine, age and storage conditions matter, especially on vehicles that spend long periods parked and are driven only occasionally.
Storage habits can make a major difference in tire life. Keeping the Hudson away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the sidewalls, and periodic pressure checks help prevent flat spotting or casing stress. Any tire that shows visible deterioration should be evaluated before the car returns to regular road use.
