The 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl. comes from a late pre-war era when ride quality, road manners, and visual presence were shaped as much by tire construction as by the car itself. Buyers restoring one today usually want a tire that looks right under full-fender bodywork and suits the measured pace of a preserved collector car. This Lafayette uses a 600-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim. Within that size, choices include traditional blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall treatments across several vintage-style tire series. The real decision is less about size and more about balancing period-style appearance, intended road use, and wheel compatibility.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl.
The 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl. uses one primary tire size: 600-16 in bias-ply construction on a 16-inch rim. The Base model shares that same fitment, so the main choice is not between sizes but between sidewall style, tire series, and whether the tire's character suits a restoration-oriented presentation or a more specialized use.
A 600-16 is a numeric bias-ply size in which the 600 indicates an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl., this is the traditional bias-ply fitment and it preserves the construction style associated with the period. Available choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall versions from brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Avon, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and Camac across several vintage-style series. This size makes sense when the goal is to keep the car on its correct rim diameter while choosing the appearance and tread character that best matches the vehicle's use.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl. sub-models. The shared tire size keeps the focus on selecting the right bias-ply style, sidewall treatment, and product series rather than sorting through multiple size combinations.
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1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl. Base
The 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl. Base uses the same 600-16 bias-ply fitment as the model range shown here. That keeps tire selection centered on appearance choices such as blackwall or whitewall styling, along with confirming that the wheel setup still matches the original 16-inch 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 Lafayette 6 Cyl. Tires for Sale
Available 600-16 choices cover a wide range of vintage-style bias-ply options from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Avon, Excelsior, Lester, STA, Camac, and Ford Script. The product grid is where to compare sidewall treatments, tire series, and rim-width specifications within the same primary size.
Owners of a 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl. usually need clear answers on 600-16 sizing, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply tire selection, restoration-oriented appearance choices, and the checks that matter before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl.?
The 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl. uses a 600-16 tire in bias-ply construction. That is the primary fitment for the covered model, and the Base sub-model uses the same size, so there is no separate size split to sort through here.
Once the size is confirmed, the real choice becomes the style of 600-16 tire that suits the car. Blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall options are available, along with several tread and series variations. It is still worth checking the actual wheel on the car, since older collector vehicles sometimes wear replacement wheels that differ from the original 16-inch setup.
What size rim does a 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl. use?
The tire fitment for the 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl. is built around a 16-inch rim. That rim diameter matches the 600-16 size code, where the final number identifies the wheel diameter the tire is designed to mount on.
Rim diameter is only part of the picture on a pre-war vehicle. Before choosing a tire, check the wheel itself for correct diameter, condition, and width, especially if the car has been restored over time. Several 600-16 products also call for rim widths in the 4.00 to 4.50 inch range, with some variations extending to 5.0 inches.
Does the 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl. Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl. Base uses the same 600-16 bias-ply tire size as the model coverage shown here. That keeps fitment simple and avoids the need to sort between different sub-model-specific tire sizes.
Even with shared sizing, there can still be meaningful differences in the tire you choose. Some 600-16 options emphasize a traditional passenger-car look with blackwall or whitewall styling, while others use military or truck-oriented tread patterns. Matching the tire's appearance and intended use to the car is just as important as matching the size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-16 tire for a 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl.?
Start with the fixed points: 600-16 size, bias-ply construction, and 16-inch rim diameter. From there, compare the tire's intended character, sidewall presentation, and rim-width requirements so the choice suits both the car and the wheel it will mount on.
A restoration-minded owner may focus on a traditional whitewall or blackwall appearance, while another buyer may prefer a specialized tread style for a different look or use. Load capacity figures, tire weight, and series differences can also matter. The best approach is to confirm the wheel dimensions first, then choose the product that matches the vehicle's presentation and planned road use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl. tires?
The 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl. has 600-16 tire options in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. Those choices give the car noticeably different visual character even though the size and basic bias-ply construction remain the same.
Sidewall style can strongly affect how a pre-war car sits visually, especially under large fenders and tall body lines. A blackwall tends to look more restrained, while whitewall and double-whitewall versions create a more formal period-style presentation. Appearance matters, but the tire still needs to match the wheel's diameter and suitable width range before any style decision is finalized.
What brands offer tires for the 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl.?
The 600-16 size for a 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl. is available from several brands, including BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. Those offerings span multiple vintage-style bias-ply series and sidewall treatments.
Brand choice is only one part of the decision. It helps to compare the individual tire series, tread character, sidewall style, and wheel-width compatibility within the same 600-16 size. Some options present as traditional passenger-car tires, while others lean toward military or truck-style patterns, so the best match depends on the car's appearance and how it will be used.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl.?
A period-style 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl. starts with the correct 600-16 bias-ply size on a 16-inch rim. From there, the most restoration-oriented choices are usually traditional passenger-car styles rather than more specialized military or truck-pattern tires, unless the car's presentation specifically calls for that look.
Whitewall width and sidewall treatment can change the car's appearance dramatically, so choose the visual style that matches the way the vehicle is being restored. Exact originality can vary by how the car was delivered and later equipped, so buyers pursuing highly accurate restoration details should verify historical references for the specific vehicle before settling on a final sidewall treatment.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl.?
On a restored 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl., bias-ply construction is part of the vehicle's traditional visual character. The profile, tread presentation, and overall stance of a 600-16 bias-ply tire complement the proportions expected on a late pre-war car more naturally than a modern-looking substitute would.
Construction choice also affects how the car is perceived at a glance. Even within bias-ply tires, blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall versions can push the look in different directions, from restrained to highly formal. A thoughtful restoration usually treats tire selection as both a fitment decision and a styling decision, not merely a replacement purchase.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl.?
Yes. Even though the primary size is 600-16, fitment can change if a 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl. has aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, different offset, suspension changes, or body modifications. Any of those changes can affect clearance and how the tire sits on the car.
A collector car often passes through many owners, so it is smart to inspect what is actually on the vehicle before replacing tires. Check wheel diameter, wheel width, fender clearance, and steering clearance at full turn. That is especially important when choosing among 600-16 products with different intended uses or when the car's chassis height no longer matches a stock-style setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl. on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, and the general condition of the suspension and steering so the new 600-16 tires are being mounted onto a sound foundation. The tires themselves should also be checked for proper inflation, visible damage, and secure seating on the rim.
A pre-war collector car deserves a careful walk-around before its first drive. Look for rubbing at the fenders, uneven stance, loose wheel hardware, and any sign that the tire does not match the wheel properly. After a short initial drive, recheck pressure and inspect for scuffing or unusual wear so small fitment issues are caught early.
How should 600-16 tires on a collector 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl. be maintained?
Collector-car tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related condition even when mileage is low. On a 1937 Lafayette 6 Cyl., 600-16 bias-ply tires should be watched for cracking, flat spotting from storage, sidewall damage, tread wear, and gradual air loss.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as road use on an older vehicle. Keeping the car away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. It also helps to move the vehicle periodically and inspect the wheels and tires before each outing, especially after long storage or seasonal inactivity.
