1938 Buick 90 Series Tires

The 1938 Buick 90 Series uses a 750-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment, and it is the primary size used for the covered 8 Cyl. configuration on a 16-inch rim.

That makes the first step fairly simple: stay with 750-16 before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or tire series. If the car has replacement wheels, confirm the wheel diameter and width before choosing a tire, since an older luxury car may have seen wheel changes over the years.

The 1938 Buick 90 Series uses a 16-inch rim with its 750-16 tire fitment. Many of the available 750-16 tires in this application are built for a 5.00 to 6.00 inch rim-width range.

Rim diameter is the non-negotiable part of the fitment, so the wheel should be confirmed as 16 inch before any tire purchase. Width matters too, especially on a collector car that may have had wheel substitutions, because tire shape and clearance can change when the wheel is outside the intended width range.

Yes. The covered 1938 Buick 90 Series 8 Cyl. configuration uses the same 750-16 bias-ply tire size. There is no alternate primary size shown for that sub-model within this application.

That consistency simplifies the fitment side of the decision and shifts attention to the style of tire you want on the car. A restoration-minded owner may focus on blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, while another owner may compare the available 750-16 bias-ply series for intended road use.

Start with the correct size and construction: 750-16 bias-ply on a 16-inch rim. From there, compare the tire’s intended role, since this size is offered in traditional passenger-car bias-ply lines as well as heavier-duty military and transport-style bias-ply options.

Appearance matters on a prewar Buick, so sidewall style is part of the decision too. A wide whitewall creates a more formal restoration-oriented presentation, while a blackwall gives a plainer look, and wheel width should still be checked so the tire matches the car’s actual wheel setup.

The available 750-16 tires for a 1938 Buick 90 Series include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That gives owners a choice between a more understated tire presentation and a more formal vintage look.

Sidewall style does not change the need to stay with the correct 750-16 fitment, but it can change the character of the car dramatically. A wide whitewall often suits a restoration-focused sedan, while blackwall options may appeal to owners prioritizing a simpler appearance or specialized utility-style tire series.

Brands available in 750-16 for the 1938 Buick 90 Series include Firestone, Lester, BFGoodrich, and STA. Those options cover classic bias-ply passenger-car tires as well as more specialized military and transport-style bias-ply designs.

Brand is only one part of the choice, so it helps to compare each tire’s series, sidewall style, and intended use rather than choosing by name alone. On a car like this Buick, a restoration-oriented wide whitewall and a heavier-duty blackwall 750-16 can serve very different goals even though the size is the same.

A period-style starting point for a 1938 Buick 90 Series is the correct 750-16 bias-ply size on the proper 16-inch rim. Within that size, classic passenger-car bias-ply lines are the most natural place to look when the goal is to preserve the visual character of a large prewar Buick.

The final choice usually comes down to sidewall appearance and how faithfully the car is being restored. If exact originality matters, compare the tire’s look against period photos, marque-club guidance, and restoration documentation so the whitewall or blackwall presentation matches the Buick’s intended finish.

Both blackwall and wide whitewall 750-16 tires are available for the 1938 Buick 90 Series, and each creates a different visual impression. A wide whitewall generally gives a more formal, upscale prewar appearance, while blackwall presents the car in a more restrained way.

The best match depends on how the Buick is being restored and displayed rather than on fitment alone, since both styles are offered in the correct size. Looking at original-era photos of similar 1938 Buick 90 Series cars can help settle the appearance question before choosing among the available bias-ply options.

Yes. Even though the primary fitment is 750-16, a 1938 Buick 90 Series can be affected by replacement wheels, brake conversions, suspension work, or body and fender changes made over time. Any of those changes can alter how a tire sits on the car.

A modified vehicle should have its actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and tire clearance checked before a new set is chosen. On an older full-size Buick, it also makes sense to inspect steering travel and front fender clearance carefully, especially if the car has been lowered or fitted with non-original wheels.

Before road use, inspect wheel condition, lug hardware, valve stems, tire pressure, and visible clearance around the fenders and suspension. On the tires themselves, check for proper seating, any signs of air loss, and confirm that all four match the intended 750-16 fitment and construction.

A large prewar car also deserves a quick look at steering and brake condition before the first meaningful drive. Tires cannot compensate for worn kingpins, weak brakes, or loose front-end parts, so a sound chassis is just as important as correct tire size when putting the Buick back into service.

Collector-car 750-16 tires should be kept at appropriate operating pressure for the chosen tire, inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, and uneven wear, and checked for air loss even when the Buick is driven only occasionally. Long periods of sitting can be hard on older-style tires.

Storage conditions matter too. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber, and moving the vehicle occasionally can help avoid long-term flat spotting. Regular inspection is especially important on a prewar Buick that may spend more time parked than driven.