The 1937 Nash Ambassador came from an era when Nash built substantial, comfort-minded American cars with a strong emphasis on refinement and road manners. For owners restoring or maintaining one today, tire choice shapes not only the car’s stance and appearance, but also how authentically it presents on the road. This model uses 16-inch bias-ply fitments in 6.25-16, 650-16, or 700-16 depending on the engine configuration. Within those sizes, there are meaningful choices in blackwall and wide whitewall styles, along with several traditional bias-ply series. The important first step is matching the correct size to the exact Ambassador sub-model before comparing appearance and road-use priorities.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1937 Nash Ambassador
The 1937 Nash Ambassador uses three primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model rather than a universal fitment across the entire model line. All three are bias-ply sizes for 16-inch rims, so the first job is confirming whether the car is a 6-cylinder or 8-cylinder Ambassador before choosing between period-style tread, sidewall treatment, and brand options.
In a numeric bias-ply size like 6.25-16, the first number refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches and the second number identifies the 16-inch rim diameter. This is a traditional bias-ply fitment suited to the prewar character of the 1937 Nash Ambassador and keeps the vehicle in the construction style associated with its era. Buyers looking at this size should focus on matching the correct sub-model fitment first, then confirming wheel condition and overall vehicle setup. That matters more than treating another Ambassador size as automatically interchangeable simply because it shares the same rim diameter.
A 650-16 numeric bias-ply tire uses the older inch-based sizing system, with 6.50 indicating nominal section width and 16 indicating rim diameter. On the 1937 Nash Ambassador, this is one of the primary bias-ply fitments and it carries the broadest range of available choices. That includes brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Excelsior, Garfield, Lester, STA, and Tornel, with both blackwall and wide whitewall styles across several classic bias-ply series. It is the size to examine closely if your goal is balancing correct sub-model fitment with appearance, tread style, and intended road use.
The size code 700-16 follows the same vintage numeric bias-ply format, with a nominal 7.00-inch section width and a 16-inch rim diameter. For the 1937 Nash Ambassador, this size is tied to a specific engine configuration and remains a bias-ply choice rather than a modern radial fitment. Available products include blackwall and wide whitewall options from brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Lester, Avon, Tornel, and STA, along with both passenger-style and military or truck-oriented series. That makes it important to separate restoration appearance goals from utility-style tread preferences before settling on a tire.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1937 Nash Ambassador because tire size changes with engine configuration. The 6-cylinder cars use smaller primary sizes than the 8-cylinder version, so identifying the exact sub-model is the first step before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or tread character.
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1937 Nash Ambassador 6 Cyl.
The 1937 Nash Ambassador 6 Cyl. uses two primary bias-ply size options, 6.25-16 and 650-16, both on 16-inch rims. That makes this sub-model less about wheel diameter and more about confirming which of those two period-style fitments matches the car before choosing among blackwall or wide whitewall offerings.
The 1937 Nash Ambassador 8 Cyl. uses the larger 700-16 bias-ply size on a 16-inch rim. Tire selection here centers on staying with the proper size for the sub-model and then deciding between a more formal wide whitewall presentation or a simpler blackwall look.
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 Nash Ambassador Tires for Sale
Available 1937 Nash Ambassador tire choices center on traditional bias-ply construction, with strong variety in 650-16 and 700-16. Buyers can compare brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Lester, STA, and Tornel, along with blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments across several classic series.
These 1937 Nash Ambassador tire FAQs focus on the questions that matter most once the exact car is identified: correct size by sub-model, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply selection, appearance choices, and the inspections worth making before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1937 Nash Ambassador?
The 1937 Nash Ambassador uses 6.25-16, 650-16, or 700-16 tires, all in bias-ply construction on 16-inch rims. The 6-cylinder Ambassador uses 6.25-16 or 650-16, while the 8-cylinder Ambassador uses 700-16.
That means the correct tire size is tied to the exact sub-model, not just the year and model name alone. Before choosing a tire, confirm whether the car is a 6-cylinder or 8-cylinder Ambassador and verify the wheels currently on the car, especially if it has been restored, modified, or fitted with replacement wheels at some point.
What size rim does a 1937 Nash Ambassador use?
The 1937 Nash Ambassador uses a 16-inch rim across its primary tire fitments. That rim diameter is shared by 6.25-16, 650-16, and 700-16, even though the tire widths differ by sub-model and application.
Matching rim diameter is only the first step, because wheel width still matters when comparing actual tires. Some 650-16 and 700-16 products also carry specific rim-width recommendations, so it is smart to inspect the wheels already on the car and make sure the chosen tire matches both the wheel dimensions and the intended appearance.
Do all 1937 Nash Ambassador sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the 1937 Nash Ambassador does not use one tire size across all sub-models. The 6-cylinder cars use 6.25-16 or 650-16, while the 8-cylinder cars use 700-16, so size selection changes with the engine-specific version of the car.
That difference matters because even though all three sizes fit 16-inch rims, they are not the same overall fitment decision. A buyer should identify the exact sub-model first, then compare the wheel setup, sidewall preference, and whether the goal is a more formal restoration-oriented look or a simpler blackwall presentation.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-16 tire for a 1937 Nash Ambassador?
A 650-16 tire for a 1937 Nash Ambassador should first be chosen by confirming that this size is correct for the specific 6-cylinder sub-model. After that, the main differences come down to brand, sidewall style, tire series, and whether the tire is aimed at traditional passenger-car presentation or a more utility-focused truck-style tread.
Appearance plays a big role on a prewar car, so blackwall and wide whitewall choices can change the character of the car substantially. It also helps to compare rim-width specifications, weight, and any load figures shown for the tire, especially if the Ambassador sees regular road use instead of display-only use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1937 Nash Ambassador tires?
The available sidewall styles for 1937 Nash Ambassador tires are blackwall and wide whitewall. Both styles appear in the applicable 650-16 and 700-16 offerings, giving owners a choice between a more understated look and a more formal period-style presentation.
Sidewall style does not change the need to stay with the correct tire size for the sub-model, but it strongly affects the finished look of the car. Buyers restoring for visual authenticity often compare whitewall width and tread style carefully, while owners focused on a simpler road-use setup may prefer a blackwall tire in the proper bias-ply construction.
What brands offer tires for the 1937 Nash Ambassador?
Brands available in the applicable 1937 Nash Ambassador sizes include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, Tornel, and Avon. Brand availability varies by size, with the widest assortment appearing in 650-16 and a smaller but still varied group in 700-16.
Choosing among them is less about finding a universally better brand and more about matching the tire to the car’s size, sidewall preference, and intended use. Some options lean toward classic passenger-car appearance, while others carry military or truck-oriented attributes that suit a very different visual and usage direction.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1937 Nash Ambassador?
A period-style 1937 Nash Ambassador tire starts with using the correct bias-ply size for the exact sub-model: 6.25-16 or 650-16 for the 6-cylinder car, and 700-16 for the 8-cylinder. From there, the choice usually comes down to classic blackwall versus wide whitewall presentation and the tread style that best suits the restoration.
That approach keeps the car visually consistent with the era without assuming that one specific brand or whitewall width is automatically exact for every Ambassador. When exact originality matters, compare the tire choice against marque literature, restoration photos, or other vehicle-specific historical references before settling on the final appearance.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1937 Nash Ambassador?
Tire construction has a strong visual effect on a restored 1937 Nash Ambassador because its primary fitments are all bias-ply. Bias-ply tires give the car the traditional prewar look associated with its original-era sizing and help preserve the proportions expected from a late-1930s full-size American car.
Appearance is also influenced by sidewall treatment, since a wide whitewall creates a much more formal presentation than a blackwall. Even within bias-ply construction, tread pattern and series can shift the character of the car, so it is worth thinking about whether the goal is a conservative driver, a formal restoration look, or a more utilitarian presentation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1937 Nash Ambassador?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1937 Nash Ambassador even when the nominal tire size seems correct. Replacement wheels, altered wheel width, brake changes, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body repairs can all influence how a 6.25-16, 650-16, or 700-16 tire actually sits and clears.
A modified car should be checked at the wheel rather than judged only by the catalog size. It is smart to confirm rim diameter, actual wheel width, steering clearance, and fender space before mounting new tires, especially on a prewar vehicle that may have seen decades of maintenance, restoration, or adaptation.
What should I inspect before driving a 1937 Nash Ambassador on new tires?
Before driving a 1937 Nash Ambassador on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and overall wheel condition in addition to the tires themselves. The new tires should be the correct size for the sub-model, properly seated on the 16-inch rims, and free from clearance issues at the fenders and steering components.
A short, careful road test is a sensible next step after installation. During that first drive, pay attention to air retention, steering feel, vibration, and any signs of rubbing, then recheck tire pressure and wheel fasteners once the car has been driven and cooled back down.
How should 1937 Nash Ambassador tires be maintained?
1937 Nash Ambassador tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and close attention to age-related condition even if the car is driven only occasionally. Collector cars often accumulate fewer miles than modern vehicles, so sidewall cracking, flat spotting, air loss, and general aging can matter more than tread wear alone.
Storage conditions also make a difference on a prewar car. Keeping the Ambassador away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and periodic inspections before each driving season are worthwhile to catch cuts, bulges, or other condition issues before the car goes back on the road.
