The 1938 De Soto 6 S-5 comes from an era when De Soto offered stylish, well-appointed cars aimed at buyers who wanted Chrysler engineering in a distinct package. For collectors today, that makes tire choice part appearance decision and part road-use decision, especially on a prewar sedan where stance and sidewall character matter. This De Soto uses a 600-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, keeping the fitment squarely in period format. Available choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall presentations across several classic bias-ply series. The key is matching the tire to the car's restoration direction, wheel setup, and intended driving use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1938 De Soto 6 S-5
The 1938 De Soto 6 S-5 uses one primary tire size: 600-16 in bias-ply construction on a 16-inch rim. That same size carries across the covered sub-model here, so the main decision is not which primary size fits, but which version of 600-16 best suits the car's appearance, tire series preference, and intended road use.
A 600-16 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size in which the leading number represents a nominal section width of about 6.00 inches and the final number identifies a 16-inch rim. On a 1938 De Soto 6 S-5, that keeps the tire format consistent with the car's original era and preserves the tall, traditional visual profile expected on a prewar passenger car. This size is available in several classic series from brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Lester, Avon, and others, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall choices. The right selection depends on whether the goal is a restrained touring look, a brighter restoration-style presentation, or a more specialized tread style.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1938 De Soto 6 S-5 covered here. The available sub-model uses the same 600-16 bias-ply size, so the important next step is choosing the right sidewall style and tire series for the car's presentation and use.
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1938 De Soto 6 S-5 Base
The 1938 De Soto 6 S-5 Base uses the same 600-16 bias-ply fitment as the overall model line covered here. That keeps size selection simple and shifts the decision toward blackwall versus whitewall appearance, tire-series preference, and confirming the wheel condition before 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 S-5 Tires for Sale
Available 600-16 choices span BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Avon, Lester, Excelsior, STA, Camac, and Ford Script, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. The product grid also shows differences in tire series, rim-width specifications, weight, and load capacity.
Owners of a 1938 De Soto 6 S-5 usually want clarity on 600-16 sizing, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply construction, sidewall appearance, and what to inspect before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1938 De Soto 6 S-5?
The 1938 De Soto 6 S-5 uses a 600-16 tire in bias-ply construction. That is the primary fitment for the vehicle covered here, and it uses a 16-inch rim. The size follows the vintage numeric bias-ply system rather than a modern metric format, which is why it looks different from later radial sizing.
That means the main task is choosing the right version of 600-16 rather than sorting through multiple primary sizes. Sidewall style, tire series, rim-width compatibility, and intended use all matter, especially on a prewar car where the tire's shape and visual presentation have a big effect on overall stance.
What size rim does a 1938 De Soto 6 S-5 use?
The 1938 De Soto 6 S-5 uses a 16-inch rim with its 600-16 tire size. Product offerings in this fitment commonly pair the tire with rim-width recommendations around the traditional narrow wheel sizes used by vehicles of this era, with several 600-16 options calling for rims in the 4.00 to 4.50 inch range.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed before replacing tires, especially if the car has had wheels changed at some point in its life. On an older restoration, it is also wise to inspect wheel condition, check actual wheel width, and make sure the bead seat and rim profile remain suitable for the tire being considered.
Does the 1938 De Soto 6 S-5 Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1938 De Soto 6 S-5 Base uses the same 600-16 bias-ply tire size as the model fitment covered here. That keeps sub-model selection simple, because there is no separate primary tire size to sort through for the Base designation on this page.
With size consistency across the covered fitment, the decision shifts to tire character rather than tire size. A De Soto owner can focus on appearance details such as blackwall or whitewall styling, compare tire series, and verify that the car still retains the expected 16-inch wheels before mounting new tires.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-16 tire for a 1938 De Soto 6 S-5?
Start with the correct 600-16 size and bias-ply construction, then compare the tire's visual style and intended character. For this De Soto, available choices include traditional blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall presentations, along with several classic bias-ply series that give the car either a more understated or more restoration-oriented look.
Practical details matter too. Compare rim-width recommendations where stated, look at load figures such as 1400@32 psi when relevant, and think about how the car will be used. A lightly driven show car, a weekend tourer, and a period-styled restoration may all lead to different choices within the same 600-16 size.
What sidewall styles are available for 1938 De Soto 6 S-5 tires?
The 1938 De Soto 6 S-5 has 600-16 tire options in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. Those visual treatments create very different presentations on a prewar De Soto, from a restrained driver look to a brighter restoration-style appearance that puts more emphasis on the wheel opening and overall stance.
Choosing among them depends on how the car is being finished and used. A blackwall can suit a simpler touring presentation, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall options can create a stronger period-style look. The important point is to keep the correct 600-16 size first, then select the sidewall treatment that matches the car's direction.
What brands offer tires for the 1938 De Soto 6 S-5?
The 600-16 fitment for the 1938 De Soto 6 S-5 is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. Those brands appear across several bias-ply series, including touring-style, classic passenger, and more specialized tread offerings within the same vintage size.
Brand choice should be weighed alongside sidewall style, tire series, and wheel compatibility rather than treated as the only decision. Two tires may share the same 600-16 size yet differ in appearance, rim-width specification, tread character, or stated load figure, so comparing the full specification is more useful than choosing by brand name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1938 De Soto 6 S-5?
A period-style 1938 De Soto 6 S-5 starts with the correct 600-16 bias-ply format. From there, the decision usually comes down to the visual tone of the restoration, whether that means a simple blackwall presentation or a more formal whitewall look using one of the available classic bias-ply series.
Because appearance preferences varied widely in the prewar era, exact originality should be checked against marque references, period photos, or vehicle-specific documentation if that level of detail matters. For many owners, keeping the correct size, construction type, and an era-appropriate sidewall treatment is the most important restoration step.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1938 De Soto 6 S-5?
On a restored 1938 De Soto 6 S-5, bias-ply construction plays a major role in preserving the car's traditional prewar tire profile. The 600-16 size already reflects that earlier sizing system, and a bias-ply tire supports the tall, upright visual character that suits the De Soto's body lines and wheel openings.
Appearance is not only about sidewall color. Construction influences how the tire sits on the wheel and how authentic the overall presentation feels next to the car's design. That is why many restoration-minded owners begin with the correct bias-ply format first, then refine the final look through blackwall or whitewall selection.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1938 De Soto 6 S-5?
Yes. Even when the correct size is 600-16, later wheel changes, altered rim widths, brake conversions, suspension work, or body modifications can affect how a tire fits on a 1938 De Soto 6 S-5. A car that has been updated over the years may no longer match the wheel setup expected by a traditional prewar fitment.
That is why the wheel should be measured rather than assumed, especially on an older collector car with an unknown service history. Check wheel diameter, actual width, and available clearance at the fender, steering, and suspension before mounting tires, and inspect for any rubbing points if the car does not sit at stock height.
What should I inspect before driving a 1938 De Soto 6 S-5 on new tires?
Before driving a 1938 De Soto 6 S-5 on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, and the general condition of the suspension and steering components. Tire pressure should be set appropriately for the tire being used, and the car should be checked for any signs of clearance problems at full steering lock and through suspension movement.
A short, careful test drive is the right next step once everything is mounted. Watch for vibration, pull, unusual noise, or contact with fenders and chassis parts. On a collector car that has spent long periods parked, it also makes sense to confirm brakes, wheel bearings, and alignment before normal road use resumes.
How should 600-16 tires on a collector 1938 De Soto 6 S-5 be maintained?
Collector-car 600-16 tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and clean, dry storage conditions. On a 1938 De Soto 6 S-5 that is driven infrequently, sidewall cracking, flat spotting, cuts, bulges, and slow air loss deserve close attention because age and inactivity can be as important as mileage.
Storage habits make a real difference on prewar tires. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excessive heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber, and moving the vehicle periodically can reduce stress from sitting in one position. Any tire that shows damage or age-related deterioration should be evaluated before road use.
