The 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream came from an era when streamlined styling and smooth highway travel were becoming central to American car design. As a late pre-war De Soto, it carries the long-wheelbase presence and formal character that collectors often want to preserve in both stance and appearance. This model uses a 650-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, keeping the tire decision rooted in traditional construction. Within that size, choices include blackwall and wide whitewall styles across several classic tire series and brands. For a restoration-minded owner, the real question is how closely the tire's look, tread style, and rim compatibility match the car's intended presentation and road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream
The 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream uses one primary tire size: 650-16 in bias-ply construction on a 16-inch rim. The covered 7 Passenger sub-model uses the same fitment, so the main decision is not which size fits, but which version of that size best suits the car's appearance, wheel width, and intended use.
A 650-16 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size in which the 6.50 designates the nominal section width in inches and the 16 designates the wheel diameter. On the 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream, this size maintains the traditional bias-ply construction associated with pre-war ride height, profile, and steering feel. Available choices in 650-16 include blackwall and wide whitewall versions from brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Lester, Excelsior, STA, and Tornel across several tire series. Choosing within this size comes down to the presentation you want, the rim width on the car, and whether the vehicle is restored for touring, show display, or utility-style use.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream sub-model. The tire size remains consistent, so checking the sub-model mainly confirms that tire selection can focus on sidewall style, brand, and intended appearance rather than a different primary fitment.
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1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream (7 Passenger)
The 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream (7 Passenger) uses the same 650-16 bias-ply fitment as the model core. That keeps selection centered on whether a blackwall, wide whitewall, or a more utility-oriented tread style best matches the car's restoration direction and road use.
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 De Soto 6 Air Stream Tires for Sale
Available 650-16 options span BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Lester, Excelsior, STA, and Tornel, with both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. The product range also includes several classic passenger-car series alongside more utility-oriented truck and military-style bias-ply designs.
Owners of a 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream usually need clear guidance on 650-16 sizing, 16-inch rim fitment, sidewall and brand choices, restoration-minded appearance, and the basic checks to make before putting a pre-war car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream?
The 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream uses a 650-16 tire size in bias-ply construction. That is the primary fitment for this model, and the covered 7 Passenger version uses the same size, so the fitment question is straightforward at the model level.
Once the size is confirmed, the next step is choosing the right version of 650-16 for the car's purpose. Available options differ by brand, tread style, sidewall treatment, and rim-width compatibility, so a restoration-focused sedan may call for a different presentation than a more utility-oriented vehicle setup.
What size rim does a 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream use?
The 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream uses a 16-inch rim with its 650-16 tire fitment. Product offerings in this size commonly reference rim widths around 4.00 to 5.00 inches, with many passenger-style options centered around 4.50 to 5.00 inches.
Rim diameter is the first thing to confirm on the car, especially if wheels may have been changed over the years. Wheel width also matters because some 650-16 tires are intended for narrower rims than others, so checking the actual wheel before choosing a specific tire avoids unnecessary fitment surprises.
Does the 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream 7 Passenger use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream (7 Passenger) uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire size as the model core. There is no separate primary tire size for that covered sub-model, so selection stays within the same vintage numeric fitment.
That consistency makes the buying decision simpler, but it does not mean every 650-16 is the same in character. Whitewall width, tread design, brand, and rim-width requirements can still influence which tire makes the most sense for a formal passenger car restoration or a more utilitarian presentation.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-16 tire for a 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream?
Start with the correct 650-16 size, bias-ply construction, and 16-inch rim diameter, then narrow the choice by the car's intended use. Some options emphasize a classic passenger-car look with blackwall or wide whitewall styling, while others lean toward truck, military, or utility-style tread patterns.
Wheel width is an important comparison point because 650-16 products are not all built around the same rim-width range. It also helps to compare sidewall style, tire series, and load information where available so the tire's appearance and specification suit the way the De Soto will actually be driven and displayed.
What sidewall styles are available for 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream tires?
The main sidewall styles available in 650-16 for the 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream are blackwall and wide whitewall. That gives owners a choice between a more understated traditional look and a brighter pre-war presentation that visually fills the wheel opening differently.
Sidewall style can change the personality of the car even when the tire size stays the same. A buyer aiming for a period-style restoration often pays close attention to whitewall width and overall visual balance, while a driver-focused or utility-themed car may be better served by a simpler blackwall tire.
What brands offer tires for the 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream?
The 650-16 size for the 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. Those options span several classic bias-ply series, including both passenger-car styles and more utility-oriented designs.
Brand choice matters less as a simple badge decision than as a way to compare tread presentation, sidewall appearance, and rim-width specifications within the same size. Looking across the available series helps narrow the field toward a tire that matches the De Soto's visual character and intended road use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream?
A period-style 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream starts with the correct 650-16 bias-ply size on a 16-inch rim. From there, the choice usually comes down to whether a classic blackwall or a wide whitewall better matches the car's restoration direction, trim presence, and overall visual balance.
Brand and tire series can further shape the car's presentation through tread styling and sidewall treatment, but appearance goals should stay grounded in the actual wheel setup. When exact historical authenticity matters, vehicle-specific reference material and marque-club guidance are worth consulting before settling on a particular look.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment has a major effect on the stance and authenticity of a restored 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream. Using the proper 650-16 bias-ply size helps preserve the pre-war proportions that make the car look settled and appropriate on its wheels.
Appearance is only part of the issue, because the chosen tire also needs to suit the actual rim width and the way the car will be used. A restoration meant for judged display may prioritize a certain sidewall presentation, while a touring car may place more emphasis on practical compatibility within the same size.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream?
Yes. Even though the primary tire size is 650-16, modifications can change how that fitment works on a 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream. Wheel replacements, altered rim width, suspension changes, brake conversions, or body and fender work can all affect clearance and tire positioning.
A car that still carries its original-style wheel setup is easier to match within the normal 650-16 range. Once the wheel or suspension package changes, it becomes important to verify actual rim dimensions, steering clearance, and available space around the tire before choosing a specific product.
What should I inspect before driving a 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream on new tires?
Before driving a 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or distortion and confirm that the 16-inch rims match the chosen 650-16 tire's width requirements. It also helps to check valve stems, mounting hardware, and basic wheel security before the car returns to regular road use.
The rest of the inspection should focus on overall vehicle readiness rather than the tires alone. Steering components, suspension condition, alignment, brake operation, and fender clearance all influence how a pre-war car behaves once fresh tires are installed, particularly if the vehicle has been stored or rarely driven.
How should 650-16 tires on a collector 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream be maintained?
Collector-car 650-16 tires should be kept properly inflated, checked regularly for cuts, cracking, bulges, and uneven wear, and examined for air loss before road use. On a 1938 De Soto 6 Air Stream that spends long periods parked, tire condition can matter as much as tread depth.
Storage habits also affect longevity. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the sidewalls, and moving or repositioning the vehicle occasionally can reduce long-term flat spotting. A careful visual inspection before each outing is a smart routine for any low-use pre-war automobile.
