The 1937 Lincoln V12 comes from an era when Lincoln combined formal luxury with the smooth, effortless character expected of a twelve-cylinder American car. Its long, elegant proportions and prewar presence make tire choice part of the vehicle’s overall presentation, not just a maintenance item. This model uses a 750-17 bias-ply tire on a 17-inch rim, which keeps the fitment in step with the period construction these cars were built around. Within that size, there are meaningful differences in blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide-whitewall offerings, along with passenger-car and heavier truck-style interpretations. The right choice depends on whether the goal is touring use, restoration-minded appearance, or confirming the wheel setup already on the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1937 Lincoln V12
The 1937 Lincoln V12 uses one primary tire size: 750-17. It is a bias-ply fitment mounted on a 17-inch rim, and the covered Base sub-model uses that same size as well. Because the size itself is straightforward, the main decision shifts to the type of 750-17 tire that suits the car best, including sidewall appearance, tire series, and whether the wheel dimensions on the vehicle still match a traditional prewar setup.
A 750-17 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size, with the 7.50 indicating a nominal section width of about 7.5 inches and the 17 identifying the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1937 Lincoln V12, that sizing keeps the car in its proper prewar tire format and construction style. Available choices include Firestone, BFGoodrich, Tornel, and STA products, with blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide-whitewall presentations depending on the series. That makes this size less about finding what fits and more about matching the tire’s appearance and intended use to the way the car is driven and displayed.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1937 Lincoln V12 sub-models. The Base model uses the same primary size, so selection comes down to choosing the right 750-17 tire style and confirming that the car still carries the expected 17-inch wheel setup.
1
1937 Lincoln V12 Base
The 1937 Lincoln V12 Base uses the 750-17 bias-ply tire, keeping fitment simple within this model range. That allows the focus to stay on sidewall appearance, passenger-car versus truck-style tire character, and verifying wheel width before settling on a specific 750-17 option.
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 Lincoln V12 Tires for Sale
Available 750-17 tires for the 1937 Lincoln V12 span Firestone, BFGoodrich, Tornel, and STA, with choices that range from traditional blackwalls to double-whitewall and wide-whitewall styles. The product mix also includes both passenger-car series and heavier truck-style bias-ply designs, so wheel width and intended use matter.
Showing 6 of 10
Bias Ply
Firestone Balloon 4.75 Inch Double Whitewall | 750-17
Owners of a 1937 Lincoln V12 usually want clarity on the 750-17 fitment first, then on rim compatibility, sidewall style, restoration-oriented choices, and the checks worth making before putting a prewar car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1937 Lincoln V12?
The 1937 Lincoln V12 uses a 750-17 tire size. That is a vintage numeric bias-ply size mounted on a 17-inch rim, and it is the primary fitment for this model.
Because there is one main size to work from, the next step is not choosing between multiple diameters but selecting the right type of 750-17 tire for the car. Sidewall style, wheel width, and whether the vehicle is still on a stock-type wheel setup all matter before choosing between blackwall, whitewall, or heavier-duty interpretations of the same size.
What size rim does a 1937 Lincoln V12 use?
The 1937 Lincoln V12 uses a 17-inch rim with its 750-17 tire size. That rim diameter is part of the tire size itself and is consistent with the vehicle’s primary fitment.
Rim diameter is only one part of the check on a prewar car. Before mounting a new set, it is worth confirming the actual wheel width on the car as well, especially if the wheels may have been changed years ago. That helps narrow the correct 750-17 tire type and avoids choosing a version intended for a different wheel-width range or heavier service.
Does the 1937 Lincoln V12 Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1937 Lincoln V12 Base uses the same 750-17 bias-ply tire size as the core model fitment. That keeps size selection straightforward across the covered configuration.
Even with shared sizing, there is still room for meaningful choice within 750-17. Some tires emphasize a traditional passenger-car look with blackwall or whitewall styling, while others are built in truck-oriented series. Matching the tire to the wheel width, the car’s presentation, and the way it will be driven is more important here than sorting between multiple factory size options.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 750-17 tire for a 1937 Lincoln V12?
Start with the correct 750-17 size and 17-inch rim diameter, then look at the tire’s intended character. For a 1937 Lincoln V12, available choices include traditional passenger-car bias-ply tires and heavier truck-style bias-ply options in the same nominal size.
That difference matters because the car’s wheel width, intended use, and appearance goals should guide the choice. A restoration-minded owner may focus on sidewall presentation and period-style proportions, while a vehicle used for utility or special-duty purposes may call for a different interpretation. Checking wheel width before choosing among the available 750-17 products is an important step.
What sidewall styles are available for 1937 Lincoln V12 tires?
The 1937 Lincoln V12’s 750-17 tire options include blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide-whitewall styles. Those choices can noticeably change the car’s appearance even when the underlying tire size stays the same.
For many prewar luxury cars, sidewall treatment is part of the visual character, so the decision often comes down to how formal or understated the car should look. A blackwall tends to give a more restrained presentation, while double-whitewall or wide-whitewall tires create a stronger period-style statement. It is still important to pair that appearance choice with the correct wheel setup and intended road use.
What brands offer tires for the 1937 Lincoln V12?
Tires for the 1937 Lincoln V12 in 750-17 are available from Firestone, BFGoodrich, Tornel, and STA. Those brands cover a mix of traditional passenger-car bias-ply lines and truck-style bias-ply offerings.
Brand alone is only part of the decision. It helps to compare sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width suitability within the 750-17 size before choosing. On a prewar Lincoln, the right tire often comes down to whether the goal is a formal restoration-oriented look, a simpler blackwall presentation, or a more heavy-duty specification tied to a particular wheel and use case.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1937 Lincoln V12?
A period-style 1937 Lincoln V12 usually starts with the correct 750-17 bias-ply size on a 17-inch rim. From there, the most relevant choice is often between a traditional passenger-car tire and a heavier truck-style version that happens to share the same size designation.
For most restoration-oriented cars, the tire’s visual character matters as much as the size. Whitewall treatment, tread style, and overall presentation can change the way the car reads at a glance. Exact originality can vary by body style, delivery history, and owner preference, so buyers focused on authenticity should compare the tire choice against marque literature or other vehicle-specific historical references.
Which sidewall style suits a period-style 1937 Lincoln V12?
A period-style 1937 Lincoln V12 can be presented with blackwall, double-whitewall, or wide-whitewall 750-17 tires, depending on the look being pursued. Each keeps the correct vintage size while changing the visual emphasis of the car.
Blackwalls give the car a more restrained and utilitarian appearance, while double-whitewall and wide-whitewall tires create a more formal prewar luxury impression. The best choice depends on the car’s finish, trim, and restoration goals rather than a one-size-fits-all rule. Appearance should be balanced with practical details too, including wheel width and whether the car will spend more time on display or on the road.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1937 Lincoln V12?
Yes. A 1937 Lincoln V12 may still use the correct 750-17 size on paper, but wheel changes, brake updates, altered ride height, or body and fender work can affect what actually clears the car. Even small changes in wheel dimensions can matter on an older chassis.
That is why the actual wheel diameter and width on the car should be confirmed before choosing among available 750-17 tires. Clearance at full steering lock, suspension travel, and fender space all deserve a look, especially on a vehicle with unknown restoration history. A tire that is right by size designation still needs to suit the car’s present-day wheel and chassis setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1937 Lincoln V12 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for condition and correct dimensions, make sure the tires are properly mounted, and check inflation carefully. It is also worth looking over steering and suspension components, because a prewar luxury car can be sensitive to looseness that shows up once fresh tires are installed.
A closer walkaround should include sidewall condition, bead seating, valve stems, and clearance around fenders and steering parts. After the first short drive, recheck pressure and look for any sign of rubbing or uneven stance. On a collector car that may have spent long periods parked, the condition of the rest of the chassis deserves as much attention as the tires themselves.
How should 750-17 tires on a collector 1937 Lincoln V12 be maintained?
Collector-car 750-17 tires should be kept at the proper pressure for the tire in use, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and air loss, and protected from long exposure to heat, sunlight, and ozone. A 1937 Lincoln V12 often sees limited miles, so age and storage conditions matter as much as tread wear.
Regular movement helps avoid prolonged flat spotting on bias-ply tires, but the car should still be checked before each outing. Look closely at the sidewalls, confirm pressure cold, and watch for any change in steering feel once underway. Good maintenance on a low-use prewar car is less about mileage intervals and more about consistent inspection before and after road use.