The 1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series came from a period when Hudson was known for building substantial American cars with a strong road presence and an emphasis on smooth, confident touring. For owners restoring or maintaining one today, tire choice plays a major role in preserving that prewar character. This Hudson uses a 650-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, keeping the fitment firmly in traditional prewar sizing. Within that size, there is meaningful choice in blackwall and wide whitewall styles, along with several period-style bias-ply series. The real decision is matching the tire's appearance and intended use to the car's wheels, stance, and restoration goals.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series
The 1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series uses one primary tire size: 650-16. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and the covered 8-cylinder sub-model shares that same basic size. That means the main decision is not which primary size fits, but which 650-16 tire best suits the car's appearance, wheel setup, and intended road use.
A 650-16 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size in which the 6.50 designation refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches and the 16 identifies the rim diameter. On a 1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series, this keeps the car in its traditional prewar tire format and preserves the look and construction style associated with the period. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall treatments from brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Garfield, Goodyear, Lester, Excelsior, Coker Classic, STA, and Tornel across several bias-ply series. Selecting among them comes down to restoration appearance, wheel-width compatibility, and whether the car is being kept in passenger-car form or evaluated for a more specialty tread style.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered sub-model, with the same primary tire size carried across the 8-cylinder version. Checking the exact sub-model still matters because it confirms that the car remains on the expected 16-inch wheel and traditional bias-ply setup.
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1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series 8 Cyl.
The 1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series 8 Cyl. uses the 650-16 bias-ply tire size. That keeps tire selection centered on period-style presentation, sidewall preference, and wheel-width compatibility rather than sorting through multiple primary fitment sizes.
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 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series Tires for Sale
Available 650-16 choices span BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Garfield, Lester, Excelsior, Coker Classic, STA, and Tornel. The product grid shows useful variation in sidewall style, tire series, bias-ply construction details, and rim-width specifications, including both passenger-car and more specialty truck-style tread options.
These FAQs focus on 1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series tire size, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply selection, period-style appearance, and the wheel, suspension, and condition checks that matter before putting a prewar Hudson back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series?
The 1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series uses a 650-16 tire size. This is a traditional numeric bias-ply size used on a 16-inch rim, and it is the primary fitment for the covered 8-cylinder sub-model as well.
That makes the buyer's job more about choosing the right version of 650-16 than sorting through multiple factory-style sizes. The next checks are wheel diameter, wheel width, and whether the car still has its original-style wheel setup, since older vehicles are sometimes changed over to different rims during restoration or long-term use.
What size rim does a 1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series use?
The primary tire fitment for the 1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series is built around a 16-inch rim. That rim diameter matches the 650-16 tire size, where the final number in the size code identifies the wheel diameter.
Rim diameter is the first thing to confirm before selecting a tire, especially on a prewar car that may have seen wheel changes over the years. Wheel width matters too, because some 650-16 products are intended for slightly different rim-width ranges, so the actual wheel on the car should be measured rather than assumed.
Does the 1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire size. That keeps fitment simple within the covered sub-model and maintains the same 16-inch wheel relationship.
Even with shared fitment, it still helps to verify what is physically on the car before replacing tires. An older Hudson may have had wheels swapped during restoration, and that can affect tire choice more than the model name alone, especially when comparing blackwall, wide whitewall, or specialty tread options in the same size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-16 tire for a 1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series?
Start with the correct 650-16 size and confirm that the wheel is still a 16-inch rim with the proper width for the tire being considered. Since this Hudson uses a bias-ply fitment, the main selection factors become tire series, sidewall style, load specification, and the overall look you want on the car.
A restoration-oriented Hudson may call for a wide whitewall presentation, while a more understated driver may suit a blackwall. It also helps to separate passenger-car style tires from truck or military-style offerings in the same size, because tread character and intended use can change the finished look of the vehicle quite a bit.
What sidewall styles are available for 1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series tires?
The 650-16 tire size for the 1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series is available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. That gives owners a meaningful appearance choice while staying within the correct primary size and traditional bias-ply construction.
Wide whitewalls usually create a stronger prewar presentation, while blackwalls keep the look simpler and more restrained. The right choice depends on how the car is restored, the trim level of the build, and whether the goal is a more formal touring appearance or a straightforward road-use setup with a period-style tire shape.
What brands offer tires for the 1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series?
Available 650-16 tires for the 1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series come from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. All of the applicable options in this fitment are bias-ply tires, though they differ in series, sidewall styling, and intended presentation.
Brand choice is best treated as part of the overall tire selection rather than the only factor. Looking at sidewall treatment, rim-width compatibility, and whether the tire is a passenger-car style or a more truck-oriented pattern will usually tell an owner more about how the tire will suit the Hudson than the brand name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series?
A period-style 1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series starts with the correct 650-16 bias-ply size. From there, the choice usually comes down to whether the car looks best with a blackwall or wide whitewall and which bias-ply series gives the tread character and visual presence that fits the restoration.
For many prewar American cars, sidewall treatment has a major effect on the finished look, often as much as the wheel itself. Exact originality can vary by how a particular Hudson was delivered, so owners pursuing a highly exact restoration should compare the tire choice against marque references, photos, and other vehicle-specific historical material.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series?
On a restored 1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series, bias-ply construction is a major part of the visual character because it preserves the traditional size format and period-style stance associated with prewar cars. In this case, the primary fitment remains entirely within the 650-16 bias-ply category.
Construction also influences the details a buyer notices at a glance, including the tire's overall presentation on the rim and how naturally it matches the car's era. Once the correct construction is in place, sidewall style becomes the next big appearance decision, especially when choosing between a formal wide whitewall look and a simpler blackwall treatment.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series?
Yes. A 1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series may no longer have its original-style wheel setup, and changes to wheel diameter, wheel width, suspension height, or brake components can all affect which 650-16 tire is practical to use. Even within the correct size, the actual wheel and vehicle setup still matter.
Cars from this era are often restored over decades, and not every change is obvious at first glance. Measuring the wheel, checking fender and steering clearance, and looking for signs of rubbing or altered suspension geometry can prevent ordering a tire that matches the nominal size but does not suit the car's current configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage or heavy corrosion, confirm proper mounting, and make sure the tires are inflated appropriately for their use. It also helps to check steering components, brakes, wheel bearings, and suspension condition so the new tires are working with a sound chassis rather than masking other issues.
A prewar Hudson should also be checked for clearance at full steering lock and through normal suspension travel. After the first short drive, recheck inflation, look for any uneven contact or rubbing, and inspect the sidewalls and beads so any fitment issue is caught early rather than after a longer outing.
How should 650-16 tires on a collector 1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series be maintained?
Collector-car tires in 650-16 should be inspected regularly for cracking, flat spotting, cuts, bulges, and air loss, especially if the 1938 Hudson 84, 85 & 87 Series spends long periods parked. Maintaining correct inflation and moving the car periodically can help reduce stress that builds up during storage.
Storage conditions matter as much as mileage on an older vehicle. Keeping the Hudson away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tire casing, while periodic checks of tread wear and valve condition make it easier to catch age-related problems before a tour, local event, or longer road drive.
