The 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl. came from a period when Pontiac balanced streamlined late-Depression styling with practical, road-ready engineering for everyday American driving. For owners restoring one today, tire choice has a major effect on both appearance and how authentically the car presents. This Pontiac uses a 600-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, which keeps the fitment firmly in prewar sizing territory. Available choices include traditional blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles across several period-style bias-ply series. The real decision is usually not size, but selecting the right look and tread character while confirming wheel dimensions and overall vehicle setup.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl.
The 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl. uses one primary tire size: 600-16. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and the covered Base sub-model uses that same size as well. That means the main decision is choosing the right period-style tire within 600-16, including sidewall appearance, tread character, and how closely the tire matches the car's restoration or road-use goals.
A 600-16 size uses the vintage numeric bias-ply system, where the 600 indicates an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl., that keeps the fitment aligned with prewar bias-ply construction and the visual proportions collectors expect from the era. Within this size, choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles from brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Avon, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and Camac across several tire series. Selecting among them comes down to the car's intended look, wheel compatibility, and whether the Pontiac is being restored for display, touring, or occasional road use.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl. because the covered sub-model uses the same primary tire size. Checking the exact sub-model still matters, but the tire decision here is mainly about selecting the right 600-16 bias-ply style rather than sorting through multiple fitments.
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1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl. Base
The 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl. Base uses the same 600-16 bias-ply fitment as the overall model range covered here. That makes tire selection more about appearance and intended use, such as choosing between blackwall and whitewall presentations while confirming the car still carries the correct 16-inch wheel setup.
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 Pontiac 6 Cyl. Tires for Sale
Available 600-16 choices span BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Avon, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and Camac, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. The product grid also includes several distinct series and tread types, so buyers can compare restoration-oriented passenger tires alongside more specialized military and truck-style bias-ply options.
Owners of a 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl. usually want clarity on the 600-16 fitment, 16-inch rim compatibility, sidewall choices, restoration-oriented bias-ply options, and the checks worth making before putting a prewar Pontiac back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl.?
The 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl. uses a 600-16 tire size. That is a vintage numeric bias-ply size matched to a 16-inch rim, and it is the primary fitment for the model covered here.
For most owners, the fitment question is less about choosing between sizes and more about choosing the right 600-16 tire style. It is still worth confirming that the car retains the correct 16-inch wheels and has not been changed to a different wheel setup over the years, especially on long-stored or partially restored cars.
What size rim does a 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl. use?
The 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl. uses a 16-inch rim with its 600-16 tire size. Product options in this size commonly suit rim widths in the 4.00 to 4.50 inch range, with some variation depending on the specific tire.
Wheel diameter should always be confirmed before ordering tires, since an older car may no longer have its original wheel set. Measuring the actual rim and checking width matters as much as checking the tire size itself, because a correct-diameter tire still needs to match the wheel properly for safe mounting and proper appearance.
Does the 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl. Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl. Base uses the same 600-16 bias-ply tire size as the overall fitment covered for this vehicle. There is no separate primary size for the Base sub-model here.
That keeps sub-model selection simple, but it does not eliminate the need to check the car itself. A Base model that has seen wheel swaps, suspension work, or decades of mixed replacement parts should still be inspected closely so the chosen 600-16 tire matches the actual wheel diameter, width, and clearance available on the vehicle.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-16 tire for a 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl.?
Start with the correct 600-16 size and the correct 16-inch wheel. After that, the decision usually centers on the kind of bias-ply tire that suits the car best, including sidewall style, tire series, rim-width compatibility, and whether the Pontiac is being restored for show presentation, occasional touring, or general collector use.
A blackwall gives a simpler, more understated look, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall styles create a stronger prewar visual statement. It also helps to compare load figures and tread character where they are available, especially if the car will see regular road miles rather than display-only use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl. tires?
The 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl. has 600-16 tire options in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. Those sidewall treatments appear across several bias-ply series, giving owners a broad appearance range while staying within the correct primary size.
Sidewall choice can change the entire character of the car, especially on a prewar Pontiac where the tire is a visible styling element. A buyer focused on a cleaner driving presentation may lean toward blackwall, while a restoration-oriented owner may prefer a whitewall treatment that better suits the car's trim, stance, and overall visual goal.
What brands offer tires for the 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl.?
600-16 tires for the 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl. are available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. Those brands cover a mix of traditional passenger-car styles as well as more specialized military or truck-pattern bias-ply options in the same size family.
Brand selection should be weighed alongside sidewall appearance, tire series, and the way the car will actually be used. Some owners want a restoration-oriented passenger tire with a traditional whitewall, while others may be sorting through blackwall tread options for a more utilitarian presentation or a particular project theme.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl.?
A period-style starting point for a 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl. is a 600-16 bias-ply tire, since that preserves the correct size format and prewar construction character. Within that size, the choice usually comes down to a traditional blackwall or a more decorative whitewall treatment, depending on the look the restoration is aiming to achieve.
The right visual choice depends on how the car is being presented rather than on size alone. Owners pursuing high-detail historical accuracy should compare tire appearance against period photos, marque-club guidance, and restoration references, since a tire can be appropriate in size and era without necessarily matching a specific original-delivery presentation.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl.?
Tire construction matters visually on a restored 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl. because bias-ply tires carry the profile and overall character most buyers associate with a prewar American car. In this fitment, the primary size is 600-16 bias-ply, so the restoration-oriented appearance begins with keeping that construction and size relationship intact.
Appearance is influenced not just by the casing type but also by the sidewall treatment and tread style. A blackwall can make the car look more restrained, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall choices create a stronger period-style statement that can change the way the entire car reads from the curb.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl.?
Yes. Even though the primary size for a 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl. is 600-16, modifications can change whether a specific tire choice works as expected. Wheel swaps, altered rim widths, brake conversions, suspension changes, or body and fender work can all affect mounting and clearance.
An older Pontiac may also have accumulated mixed parts over many decades, so checking the actual wheel and chassis setup matters before choosing among available 600-16 tires. Looking at steering clearance, fender clearance, and the vehicle's stance helps avoid selecting a tire that is correct in size but mismatched to the car's current configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl. on new tires?
Inspect the wheels, lug hardware, valve stems or tubes as applicable, and the general condition of the suspension and steering before putting a 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl. on the road with new tires. Tire pressure should also be set correctly, and the car should be checked for any signs of rubbing or uneven stance once the tires are mounted.
A short, careful test drive is a smart next step on any prewar car, especially one that has been sitting. Listen for unusual noises, watch how the car tracks, and recheck pressure after initial use. Collector vehicles often reveal wheel, brake, or alignment issues only after fresh tires are installed and driven.
How should 600-16 tires on a collector 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl. be maintained?
Collector-car 600-16 tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and clean storage conditions. A 1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl. that sees limited use still needs its tires checked for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and slow air loss, because age and storage can affect condition even when tread looks serviceable.
Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. It also pays to inspect the wheels and alignment periodically, since a vintage bias-ply setup can show wear from steering or suspension issues that may not be obvious until the tire is examined closely.