The 1937 Plymouth P4 came from a period when American cars were expected to balance everyday practicality with increasingly streamlined styling and improved road manners. For many collectors, that makes the P4 as much about authentic stance and visual character as simple drivability. Tire fitment on this model stays firmly in the bias-ply era, with 600-16 and 650-16 sizes used on 16-inch rims depending on sub-model. That opens up meaningful choice in blackwall, wide whitewall, and even double-whitewall presentations across several period-style tire series. The right selection starts with confirming the exact P4 configuration, then matching the tire’s look and load-carrying character to the way the car is restored and driven.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1937 Plymouth P4
The 1937 Plymouth P4 uses two primary tire sizes, and the difference comes down to sub-model rather than a change in construction type. Both sizes are bias-ply tires for 16-inch rims, so the first step is confirming whether the car is the 6 Cyl. model or the 6 Cyl. (7 Passenger) version before comparing sidewall style, tire series, and rim-width compatibility.
In a 600-16 size, the 600 designates a nominal 6.00-inch section width and the 16 identifies the rim diameter in inches. This is a traditional bias-ply size that suits the 1937 Plymouth P4’s pre-war driving character and period-correct tire profile. Available choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles from brands such as BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Ford Script, Goodyear, Excelsior, Lester, Avon, STA, and Camac across several bias-ply and specialty series. It is the size to evaluate for the standard 6 Cyl. configuration, while still confirming wheel width and intended presentation before making a final choice.
In a 650-16 size, the 650 indicates a nominal 6.50-inch section width and the 16 denotes a 16-inch rim. It is also a bias-ply fitment, but it carries a slightly larger numeric width designation and belongs with the 1937 Plymouth P4 6 Cyl. (7 Passenger) application rather than every P4. Product choices span blackwall and wide whitewall treatments from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Goodyear, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and Tornel in both passenger-style and truck-oriented series. This size is the right starting point when the vehicle is the seven-passenger model and the owner wants to preserve the proper visual scale on a 16-inch wheel.
Sub-model identification matters on the 1937 Plymouth P4 because the covered configurations do not share the same tire size. Both use bias-ply construction on 16-inch rims, but the exact tire choice depends on whether the car is the standard 6 Cyl. model or the 7 Passenger version.
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1937 Plymouth P4 6 Cyl.
The 1937 Plymouth P4 6 Cyl. uses the 600-16 bias-ply size on a 16-inch rim. That makes tire selection less about sorting between multiple primary sizes and more about choosing the right blackwall, whitewall, or specialty tread style for the car’s restoration approach and road use.
The 1937 Plymouth P4 6 Cyl. (7 Passenger) uses the 650-16 bias-ply size on a 16-inch rim. For this sub-model, the main consideration is choosing among the available bias-ply series and sidewall treatments while confirming the wheel setup matches the broader size and rim-width needs of a 650-16 tire.
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 Plymouth P4 Tires for Sale
Available 1937 Plymouth P4 tires center on 600-16 and 650-16 bias-ply fitments with broad choice across BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Goodyear, Excelsior, Lester, Avon, STA, and other specialty brands. Buyers can compare blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall presentations along with passenger, military, and truck-style series.
Owners researching 1937 Plymouth P4 tires usually need to sort out the correct size by sub-model, understand the 16-inch bias-ply fitment, and compare sidewall and brand choices. The questions below focus on those details along with restoration appearance, wheel fitment, and basic road-use checks.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1937 Plymouth P4?
A 1937 Plymouth P4 uses either 600-16 or 650-16 tires, and both are bias-ply sizes for 16-inch rims. The standard 1937 Plymouth P4 6 Cyl. uses 600-16, while the 1937 Plymouth P4 6 Cyl. (7 Passenger) uses 650-16.
The important step is identifying the exact sub-model before choosing a tire, because the two sizes are not interchangeable by assumption just because they share the same rim diameter. Once the size is confirmed, the next decision becomes sidewall style, tire series, and whether the wheel width matches the tire’s intended fitment range.
What size rim does a 1937 Plymouth P4 use?
The 1937 Plymouth P4 uses a 16-inch rim with both primary tire sizes. That stays consistent whether the car takes a 600-16 or a 650-16 bias-ply tire, so the size difference is in tire section width rather than wheel diameter.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a pre-war car. A 600-16 commonly appears with narrower rim-width specifications than a 650-16, so the actual wheel should be checked before mounting a replacement, especially if the car has had wheel changes over the years or now wears aftermarket or service-replacement rims.
Why does the 1937 Plymouth P4 have more than one tire size?
The 1937 Plymouth P4 has more than one tire size because fitment varies by sub-model. The 6 Cyl. version uses 600-16, while the 6 Cyl. (7 Passenger) version uses 650-16, even though both remain bias-ply tires on 16-inch wheels.
That distinction matters because selecting by year and model alone can lead to the wrong section width for the car. A buyer should confirm the exact body configuration first, then compare the available tires within that size by sidewall treatment, brand, tread character, and wheel-width compatibility instead of assuming every P4 uses the same tire.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-16 or 650-16 tire for a 1937 Plymouth P4?
Start with the exact sub-model, since a 1937 Plymouth P4 may use either 600-16 or 650-16 and both are bias-ply fitments. After size is confirmed, compare the tire’s intended rim-width range, sidewall style, series character, load figure where stated, and whether it is a passenger-style or more utility-oriented design.
Appearance and use both matter on a pre-war Plymouth. A blackwall can give a more understated presentation, while wide whitewalls create a stronger period-style look, and some 600-16 and 650-16 offerings lean toward military or truck tread patterns. Matching the tire to the car’s restoration theme and actual driving habits usually leads to the best decision.
What sidewall styles are available for 1937 Plymouth P4 tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1937 Plymouth P4 include blackwall and wide whitewall in both 600-16 and 650-16 sizes, with double-whitewall also available in 600-16. Those options make it possible to keep the car visually restrained or give it a more formal pre-war presentation.
The sidewall style should be chosen after the tire size and sub-model are confirmed, not before. Owners aiming for a restoration-oriented appearance often use the sidewall treatment to complement wheel covers, trim, and the car’s overall finish, while drivers focused on a simpler look may prefer blackwalls in the same correct size.
What brands offer tires for the 1937 Plymouth P4?
1937 Plymouth P4 tire options include brands such as BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Goodyear, Excelsior, Lester, Avon, Ford Script, Garfield, STA, Camac, and Tornel, depending on whether the car uses 600-16 or 650-16. Those brands appear across several bias-ply, military, and truck-style series.
Brand alone should not drive the decision on a P4. The better comparison is whether a given tire is built in the correct primary size, whether its sidewall treatment suits the car, and whether its series character matches the intended use, from a traditional passenger-car look to a more utility-oriented tread style.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1937 Plymouth P4?
A period-style 1937 Plymouth P4 should begin with the correct primary bias-ply size for the exact sub-model: 600-16 for the 6 Cyl. car or 650-16 for the 6 Cyl. (7 Passenger). From there, the choice usually comes down to blackwall versus whitewall appearance and the visual character of the tire series.
For many restorations, stance and sidewall presentation matter almost as much as the mechanical fit. Buyers pursuing a historically faithful look should compare tread and sidewall styles with period photos, marque-club guidance, or other Plymouth-specific references, since the right size alone does not automatically answer the appearance question.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1937 Plymouth P4?
Tire construction has a major effect on the look of a restored 1937 Plymouth P4 because its primary fitments are bias-ply sizes with the taller, more traditional profile expected on a late-1930s car. That construction supports the period-style stance and sidewall shape most owners associate with a pre-war Plymouth.
Appearance is shaped by more than construction alone, since blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall choices can change the car’s visual impression dramatically. Even within the correct size, a utility-style tread and a formal whitewall tire create very different results, so restoration goals should guide the final selection as much as simple fitment.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1937 Plymouth P4?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1937 Plymouth P4 even when the tire size itself is correct. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, altered suspension height, brake conversions, or body and fender work can all influence how a 600-16 or 650-16 tire sits and clears.
A pre-war car may also have accumulated decades of service changes that are not obvious at first glance. Checking wheel width, steering travel, suspension condition, and fender clearance before mounting new tires helps avoid selecting a tire that matches the model on paper but conflicts with the actual vehicle setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1937 Plymouth P4 on new tires?
Before driving a 1937 Plymouth P4 on new tires, inspect the wheels for proper diameter and condition, make sure the tires are seated correctly, and confirm there is no rubbing at full steering lock or through suspension movement. It is also wise to verify valve stems, inflation pressure, and overall tire balance.
Road readiness on an older Plymouth involves more than the tires alone. Steering components, brakes, wheel bearings, and suspension bushings should be in sound condition so the new bias-ply tires can do their job properly. A short, careful test drive is a smart way to catch clearance issues or vibration before regular use.
How should 600-16 and 650-16 tires on a collector 1937 Plymouth P4 be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1937 Plymouth P4 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections for cracks, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and periodic rotation when appropriate. Because many pre-war cars are driven infrequently, age and storage conditions often matter as much as tread depth.
Storage habits play a big role in preserving bias-ply tires. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment can help protect the sidewalls, and moving the vehicle occasionally helps prevent long-term flat spotting. Any tire that shows persistent air loss or visible damage deserves closer inspection before road use.
