The 1938 Ford 85 Series sits in an important late-1930s Ford era, when streamlined styling and V8 power helped shape the look and feel of prewar American motoring. Owners restoring or maintaining one today usually want a tire that suits both the car’s stance and its intended use. The 1938 Ford 85 Series uses a 600-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, keeping the selection rooted in traditional construction. Within that size, there is meaningful variety in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall treatments, along with several period-style tire series. The real choice is how closely the tire should match a restoration theme versus regular road presentation and service needs.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1938 Ford 85 Series
The 1938 Ford 85 Series uses one primary tire size: 600-16. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and the same size carries across the covered V8 sub-model. That means the main decision is not choosing among multiple fitment sizes, but selecting the right version of 600-16 for the car’s appearance, intended use, and wheel compatibility.
The 600-16 size is a vintage numeric bias-ply format in which the 600 refers to an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. For a 1938 Ford 85 Series, this keeps the tire choice in the traditional bias-ply construction associated with prewar fitment and appearance. Within 600-16, options include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles from brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Ford Script, Coker Classic, Avon, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and Camac across several tire series. Choosing among them comes down to restoration presentation, road use, and confirming that the wheel width suits the specific tire selected.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the covered 1938 Ford 85 Series range. The listed V8 configuration stays with the same 600-16 bias-ply size, so the main task is choosing the tire style and series that best match the car rather than sorting through different fitment sizes.
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1938 Ford 85 Series V8
The 1938 Ford 85 Series V8 uses the same 600-16 bias-ply fitment as the model core, keeping the tire decision simple at the size level. Selection then shifts to appearance and application, such as blackwall versus whitewall styling, restoration-oriented presentation, and verifying the wheel setup before settling on a particular 600-16 product.
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 Ford 85 Series Tires for Sale
Available 600-16 tires for the 1938 Ford 85 Series span a wide range of period-style choices, including BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Ford Script, Coker Classic, Avon, and others. Buyers can compare blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall treatments along with passenger-car and military/truck-style bias-ply series.
Owners of a 1938 Ford 85 Series usually want clear answers on 600-16 fitment, 16-inch rim use, sidewall choices, restoration-minded selection, and the checks worth making before putting a prewar Ford back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1938 Ford 85 Series?
The 1938 Ford 85 Series uses a 600-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply size mounted on a 16-inch rim, and it is the primary fitment for the covered model and sub-model on this page.
That makes the size decision fairly straightforward, but the product decision still matters. A 600-16 tire can appear in several series and sidewall treatments, so the next step is confirming the wheel diameter and then choosing the version that best fits the car’s look, restoration direction, and intended road use.
What size rim does a 1938 Ford 85 Series use?
The 1938 Ford 85 Series uses a 16-inch rim with its 600-16 tire fitment. Product options in this size commonly reference rim widths around 4.00 to 4.50 inches, with some 600-16 variants extending to a slightly broader usable range.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed before choosing a tire, especially on an older vehicle that may have changed wheels over the years. Once the 16-inch diameter is confirmed, compare the actual wheel width against the individual tire’s rim-width specification instead of assuming every 600-16 option suits every wheel.
Does the 1938 Ford 85 Series V8 use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1938 Ford 85 Series V8 uses the same 600-16 bias-ply tire size as the model core. There is no alternate primary tire size shown here for that sub-model.
That consistency helps narrow the decision quickly, since the focus moves away from finding the correct size and toward picking the right tire style. Owners can concentrate on blackwall versus whitewall appearance, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility while still checking that the car has not been modified from its expected wheel setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-16 tire for a 1938 Ford 85 Series?
Start with the basics: the tire should be a 600-16 bias-ply for a 16-inch wheel. After that, compare the tire series, sidewall style, rim-width specification, and any load information that matters for how the car will be used.
A prewar Ford can call for a different presentation depending on whether the goal is restrained blackwall styling, a bright whitewall look, or a utility-oriented tread style. Wheel condition, wheel width, and the car’s intended driving use should shape the final choice just as much as appearance.
What sidewall styles are available for 1938 Ford 85 Series tires?
The 1938 Ford 85 Series has 600-16 tire options in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. Those sidewall choices appear across several bias-ply product lines, giving the car a noticeably different visual character without changing the primary tire size.
Blackwall tires suit a simpler, more understated presentation, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall versions create a more formal prewar look. Since sidewall treatment changes the car’s appearance more than many buyers expect, it helps to decide early whether the priority is restoration style, touring presentation, or a more utilitarian finish.
What brands offer tires for the 1938 Ford 85 Series?
Available 600-16 tires for the 1938 Ford 85 Series include options from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. All of the applicable products here stay within bias-ply construction, but they differ in series, sidewall style, and intended character.
Brand choice should be considered alongside the rest of the package rather than by name alone. Compare the specific tire series, blackwall or whitewall treatment, wheel-width suitability, and whether the tire is aimed at passenger-car styling or a more military or truck-style presentation.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1938 Ford 85 Series?
A period-style 1938 Ford 85 Series starts with the correct 600-16 bias-ply size. From there, the best match depends on the look being pursued, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall options all available in traditional-style bias-ply series.
Many restorations are shaped as much by sidewall presentation as by the size itself. Buyers aiming for a highly specific historical appearance should compare the tire against photos, build literature, and marque-club guidance for the exact vehicle, since the right period-style choice is not always the same as a universal originality claim.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1938 Ford 85 Series restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because the 600-16 size influences both the visual stance and the mechanical relationship between the tire and the car’s 16-inch wheels. On a prewar Ford, a tire that is merely close in size can change the overall impression more than many owners expect.
Restoration-minded buyers should think beyond tread alone and consider construction, sidewall style, and wheel compatibility together. Even when the car is mostly used for shows or occasional drives, proper fitment helps preserve the intended look while reducing the chance of mismatched wheel sizing or clearance surprises.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1938 Ford 85 Series?
Yes. A 1938 Ford 85 Series may have had wheel, suspension, or brake changes over the years, and those modifications can affect how a 600-16 tire fits in practice. The original size remains the starting point, but the actual car must match the expected wheel and clearance setup.
Changes such as different wheel widths, altered ride height, or non-original offsets can influence steering clearance and fender space. Before mounting new tires, verify the wheel diameter, measure the wheel width, and check the car at full steering lock so the selected 600-16 tire suits the current configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1938 Ford 85 Series on new tires?
Before road use, inspect wheel condition, valve stems, lug hardware, and overall tire inflation. A prewar car also deserves a careful look at steering and suspension condition so the new 600-16 tires are not being asked to compensate for worn mechanical parts.
Collector vehicles often sit for long periods, so it is smart to recheck tire pressure, look for uneven clearance, and confirm there is no rubbing during turning or suspension movement. A short local drive followed by another inspection can reveal issues early, before committing the car to regular use or a longer trip.
How should 600-16 tires on a collector 1938 Ford 85 Series be maintained?
600-16 tires on a collector 1938 Ford 85 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related condition. Sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, irregular wear, and slow air loss matter even when the tread still looks usable.
Storage conditions also play a major role on a low-use prewar car. Keeping the Ford away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, while periodic movement and routine inspections reduce the chance that an older-looking tire problem is missed until the car is back on the road.
