The 1938 Cadillac 60 Series arrived in the late prewar luxury era, when Cadillac styling, presence, and smooth touring character mattered as much as outright specification. For many owners today, the appeal lies in preserving that substantial roadgoing feel while choosing tires that suit the car’s visual character and intended use. The 1938 Cadillac 60 Series uses a 700-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, keeping the selection centered on traditional construction rather than a modern radial conversion. Within that size, there is still meaningful choice in brand, tire series, and sidewall treatment, especially between blackwall and wide whitewall styles. That makes wheel confirmation, appearance goals, and road-use expectations the key decisions before mounting a new set.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1938 Cadillac 60 Series
The 1938 Cadillac 60 Series uses one primary tire size: 700-16 in bias-ply construction on a 16-inch rim. The covered sub-model uses that same fitment, so the main decision is not between multiple primary sizes, but between period-style appearance choices, brand and series differences, and whether the tire suits a restoration-oriented presentation or more general road use.
A 700-16 size is a vintage numeric bias-ply designation in which the 700 refers to an approximate 7.00-inch section-width class and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1938 Cadillac 60 Series, that keeps the tire selection aligned with traditional bias-ply construction and the look expected on a substantial prewar American car. Available choices in this size include Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA, with both blackwall and wide whitewall styles across several classic and military-type series. The right choice depends on whether the priority is restoration-minded appearance, general touring presentation, or a more utility-oriented tread style.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1938 Cadillac 60 Series covered here. The Special V8 uses the same primary tire size, so confirming the sub-model mainly helps keep the selection focused on the correct period-style construction and appearance options.
1
1938 Cadillac 60 Series Special V8
The 1938 Cadillac 60 Series Special V8 uses the same 700-16 bias-ply fitment as the model line covered on this page. That keeps tire selection centered on brand, sidewall presentation, and intended use rather than sorting through multiple primary sizes or rim diameters.
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 1938 Cadillac 60 Series Tires for Sale
Available 700-16 choices span Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA, with blackwall and wide whitewall styles across classic bias-ply and military-type series. Rim-width guidance and load specifications also vary by product, giving restoration-minded and utility-focused owners different points of comparison.
Owners of a 1938 Cadillac 60 Series usually need clear answers on 700-16 fitment, 16-inch rim compatibility, sidewall appearance choices, and what to inspect before putting a prewar Cadillac back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1938 Cadillac 60 Series?
The 1938 Cadillac 60 Series uses a 700-16 tire in bias-ply construction. That is the primary fitment for this vehicle, and the covered Special V8 sub-model uses the same size, keeping the fitment picture straightforward for most owners.
The main step is confirming that the car still has the correct 16-inch wheels and has not been changed to a different wheel setup over the years. Once that is settled, the choice shifts to sidewall style, brand, tire series, and whether the tire’s overall presentation suits a restoration-minded car or a more general road-use application.
What size rim does a 1938 Cadillac 60 Series use?
The 1938 Cadillac 60 Series uses a 16-inch rim with its 700-16 tire size. Several available 700-16 products also show rim-width guidance in the 4.50- to 5.50-inch range, which is useful when evaluating wheels that may have been replaced or altered.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before ordering, because a tire marked for a 16-inch wheel cannot be mounted to a different diameter rim. Checking wheel width is also worthwhile on an older collector car, especially if the wheels are not original to the car or if the vehicle has seen restoration work over the years.
Does the 1938 Cadillac 60 Series Special V8 use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1938 Cadillac 60 Series Special V8 uses the same 700-16 bias-ply tire size as the core fitment covered here. That means the sub-model does not introduce a separate primary size or a different rim diameter for tire selection.
Even with shared size, owners should still confirm the actual wheel setup on the individual car before mounting new tires. Prewar vehicles sometimes pick up replacement wheels, mixed tire styles, or long-ago service substitutions, so verifying the wheel diameter and general clearance helps keep the installation aligned with the intended fitment.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-16 tire for a 1938 Cadillac 60 Series?
Start with the correct 700-16 size and the traditional bias-ply construction used on the 1938 Cadillac 60 Series. From there, compare the tire’s intended character, whether that means a classic passenger-car presentation, a wide whitewall restoration look, or a more utility-oriented military or truck-style tread.
Brand, tire series, rim-width guidance, weight, and load figures can all shape the decision once the size is settled. A car built for show presentation may call for a different sidewall treatment than one driven more regularly, and a vehicle with non-stock wheels should have its wheel dimensions checked before narrowing the final choices.
What sidewall styles are available for 1938 Cadillac 60 Series tires?
The 700-16 tire choices for a 1938 Cadillac 60 Series include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That gives owners an important appearance decision within the correct size, especially on a prewar luxury car where the sidewall has a strong visual effect on the finished stance.
A blackwall tire gives a plainer, more understated presentation, while a wide whitewall creates a more formal and restoration-oriented look. Sidewall style should be chosen with the car’s trim, wheel finish, and intended period presentation in mind rather than treated as a simple cosmetic afterthought.
What brands offer tires for the 1938 Cadillac 60 Series?
Available 700-16 tires for the 1938 Cadillac 60 Series come from Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA. Those brands appear across several series, including classic bias-ply passenger tires as well as military and truck-oriented patterns in the same general size.
The useful comparison is not just brand name, but how each tire is presented within the correct fitment. Looking at sidewall style, tire series, rim-width guidance, and load specification helps narrow the options to the type of 700-16 tire that best matches the car’s appearance goals and planned road use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1938 Cadillac 60 Series?
A period-style starting point for a 1938 Cadillac 60 Series is a 700-16 bias-ply tire, since that preserves the original sizing format and traditional construction type used on the car. From there, the most visible decision is usually between blackwall and wide whitewall presentations within that vintage size.
Owners focused on authenticity should compare the tire’s overall visual character with period photos, marque-club guidance, and restoration records for the specific car. A wide whitewall often suits a formal prewar luxury presentation, but exact originality can vary by vehicle history, trim details, and restoration standard.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1938 Cadillac 60 Series restoration?
Yes. Correct tire fitment matters on a 1938 Cadillac 60 Series because tire size, construction, and sidewall style all influence how the car sits, how the wheel openings look, and how convincingly the finished restoration reflects the prewar character of the vehicle.
Using the proper 700-16 format keeps the restoration grounded in the right visual scale, while the sidewall treatment helps define the car’s final presentation. Before making a final selection, it is wise to confirm the actual wheel dimensions on the car so the chosen tire supports both the appearance goal and proper mounting compatibility.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1938 Cadillac 60 Series?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1938 Cadillac 60 Series even when the intended tire size remains 700-16. Wheel changes, altered wheel width, brake updates, suspension work, or body and fender adjustments can all change how comfortably a tire mounts and clears the car.
A prewar Cadillac that still carries its original-style wheel setup is a different case from one that has been updated over the decades. Confirming wheel diameter, wheel width, and available clearance around steering and suspension travel helps prevent surprises, especially when the car’s current configuration may not match its original layout.
What should I inspect before driving a 1938 Cadillac 60 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1938 Cadillac 60 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or excessive corrosion, confirm that the tires are mounted in the correct size, and check inflation pressure carefully. It is also smart to look over the steering and suspension for looseness, since an older chassis can disguise fitment or handling issues.
A short, cautious initial drive is the best way to confirm that the car tracks properly and that nothing rubs under steering input or normal suspension movement. After that first run, recheck pressure and give the tires a quick visual inspection for any signs of air loss, bead seating issues, or unexpected clearance marks.
How should 700-16 tires on a collector 1938 Cadillac 60 Series be maintained?
700-16 tires on a collector 1938 Cadillac 60 Series should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and protected from long periods of heat, direct sunlight, and ozone exposure. Cars that are driven infrequently still need periodic checks because aging can matter as much as mileage.
Storage habits make a real difference on a seldom-used prewar car. Keeping the Cadillac in a clean, dry space and moving it occasionally helps reduce flat spotting and long static loading, while routine visual checks before each outing make it easier to catch condition problems before they become a road-use issue.
