1938 Buick 60 Series Tires

The 1938 Buick 60 Series uses a 700-15 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply size used on a 15-inch wheel, and the listed 8-cylinder sub-model uses that same fitment. For most owners, the size question is simple because there is one primary fitment rather than several competing sizes.

Once 700-15 is confirmed, the next step is choosing the type of tire within that size. Some owners prefer a wide whitewall for a more formal prewar look, while others want a blackwall or a more utility-oriented tread. It is still smart to confirm the actual wheel on the car, especially if it has been changed during an older restoration.

The 1938 Buick 60 Series uses a 15-inch rim with its 700-15 tire size. That rim diameter is the key wheel measurement tied directly to the tire size, and it needs to match before any 700-15 tire is considered for service on the car.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a prewar Buick. Wheel condition, bead-seat integrity, and rim width should still be checked before mounting new tires, especially on a car that may have seen decades of storage or previous restoration work. A tire in the correct nominal size still needs a sound, compatible wheel to perform as intended.

Yes. The 1938 Buick 60 Series 8 Cyl. uses the same 700-15 bias-ply tire size as the model line covered here. There is no separate primary tire size for that sub-model, which makes size selection more straightforward than on vehicles with trim or body-style-based fitment changes.

That consistency means the tire decision shifts toward style and service type instead of searching for a different fitment. A wide whitewall can support a more restoration-oriented presentation, while blackwall and truck-style 700-15 options may suit a different look or use pattern. Even so, the wheels on the specific car should be checked before mounting, especially if replacements were fitted years ago.

Start with the correct 700-15 size and the fact that this Buick uses a bias-ply construction. After that, the most important choices are sidewall appearance, intended use, and the type of 700-15 product being considered. Passenger-style whitewall and blackwall tires create a different presentation than heavier-duty utility or military-style designs in the same size.

A restoration-minded Buick often points buyers toward a traditional-looking bias-ply tire, while a car used more casually may call for a simpler blackwall. It also helps to compare wheel compatibility, load figures where stated, and whether the tire is meant more for passenger-car appearance or truck-oriented service. Matching the tire to the car's role usually matters more than brand name alone.

The available 700-15 tires for a 1938 Buick 60 Series include blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That gives owners a meaningful appearance choice even though the vehicle uses one primary tire size. The sidewall treatment changes the car's visual character more dramatically than many buyers expect on a prewar full-size Buick.

A wide whitewall usually supports a more formal, restoration-oriented presentation, while blackwall keeps the look simpler and more understated. Sidewall choice should still be made alongside the tire's overall type, because some 700-15 products are aimed at traditional passenger-car use and others lean more toward truck or utility service. The best match depends on how the Buick will actually be shown and driven.

Tires for the 1938 Buick 60 Series are available in 700-15 from Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA. Those options cover traditional classic bias-ply passenger tires as well as several heavier-duty lines. The presence of multiple brands gives buyers room to compare appearance, series character, and service type without changing the vehicle's basic fitment size.

Brand selection is most useful when paired with the details that affect how the Buick will look and be used. Firestone and BFGoodrich options include traditional styling cues such as wide whitewalls, while STA appears in several blackwall utility-oriented series. Rather than chasing a brand in isolation, compare the complete tire specification and the role the car will serve after installation.

A period-style 1938 Buick 60 Series usually starts with the correct 700-15 bias-ply size. From there, the choice depends on the kind of prewar presentation the car is meant to have. Traditional passenger-car bias-ply tires, especially in a wide whitewall configuration, often align more closely with a restoration-oriented visual approach than utility-focused tread patterns.

Exact originality is a separate question from period-style appearance, so owners pursuing a highly specific restoration should compare the tire choice against marque references, period photography, or other vehicle-specific documentation. For many cars, however, simply staying with the proper 700-15 bias-ply format and selecting an appropriate sidewall style does most of the work in keeping the Buick visually convincing.

Yes, correct tire fitment matters because the tire size, construction, and sidewall style strongly influence how a 1938 Buick 60 Series sits and presents. The proper 700-15 bias-ply format supports the car's prewar proportions in a way that a mismatched size or visibly different construction can change immediately.

Fitment also affects more than appearance. Wheel diameter, wheel condition, and the relationship between tire size and body clearance all deserve attention before the car returns to the road. Even on a driver-quality restoration, staying faithful to the correct size format helps preserve both the Buick's visual balance and the character expected from a late-1930s American car.

Yes. A 1938 Buick 60 Series may use the correct 700-15 tire size on paper, but wheel changes, suspension work, brake conversions, or body alterations can still affect real-world fitment. Tire selection on an older vehicle should always take the actual current setup into account rather than assuming the car still matches its original wheel and chassis configuration.

Aftermarket wheels can change width and offset, and suspension changes can alter clearance at the fender, steering components, or inner wheelhouse. That is why measuring the wheel and checking clearance at full steering lock are worthwhile before mounting fresh tires. On a collector Buick, assumptions based on age alone can easily miss modifications made decades earlier.

Before driving a 1938 Buick 60 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm that the 15-inch rims are suitable for the 700-15 tires, and make sure the tires are mounted and inflated properly. It also helps to check valve stems, wheel fasteners, and general chassis condition before the car returns to regular road use.

A low-use collector car deserves a broader once-over as well. Look for steering play, worn suspension parts, brake issues, and any signs that old alignment or wheel problems could affect the new tires. The first few drives should be short and deliberate so the car's tracking, ride behavior, and clearance can be observed before committing to longer trips.

Collector-car 700-15 tires should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly, and protected from long periods of sun, heat, moisture, and ozone exposure. Even when tread wear is minimal, a 1938 Buick 60 Series that sees infrequent use can place more stress on tires through aging, flat spotting, and long stationary periods than through mileage alone.

Routine checks should include sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss. It also helps to move the car periodically and keep the tires clean so changes in condition are easier to spot early. Before any longer drive, give the tires and wheels another inspection rather than assuming a lightly used collector Buick is automatically road-ready.