1938 La Salle 50 Tires

The 1938 La Salle 50 uses a 700-16 tire size. This is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and the covered La Salle 50 V8 uses that same primary size as well.

That makes size selection fairly straightforward, but the car still needs the correct wheel diameter and a suitable wheel width for the tire being considered. Once 700-16 is confirmed, the real choice is between sidewall appearance, brand, and tire series, especially if the car is being restored for a more formal period-style presentation.

The 1938 La Salle 50 uses a 16-inch rim with its 700-16 tire fitment. Several 700-16 products in this size also specify a 4.50- to 5.50-inch rim-width range, which is useful when checking wheel compatibility.

A 16-inch diameter alone is not the only thing to verify on an older car. Wheel width, bead condition, and whether the car still has its original-style wheels all matter, particularly on collector vehicles that may have seen decades of repairs, replacements, or storage before returning to road use.

Yes. The covered 1938 La Salle 50 V8 uses the same 700-16 bias-ply tire size as the core 1938 La Salle 50 fitment. That means sub-model identification does not create a different primary size choice here.

Since the fitment stays the same, selection shifts toward the character of the tire itself. A buyer can focus on blackwall versus wide whitewall styling, compare classic passenger-car series, and confirm that the wheel on the car still matches the expected 16-inch vintage setup before making a final choice.

Start with the correct 700-16 size and bias-ply construction, since that is the primary fitment for the 1938 La Salle 50. From there, compare sidewall style, tire series, brand, and whether the tire is aimed at classic passenger-car use or a more utility-oriented military or truck-style presentation.

It also helps to check the wheel itself before choosing. Some 700-16 options call for a 4.50- to 5.50-inch rim width, and older wheels can vary after years of service. A restoration-minded car may call for a wide whitewall look, while a driver or specialty build may point toward a simpler blackwall design.

The available 700-16 tires for a 1938 La Salle 50 come in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. That gives the car two very different visual directions while keeping the same basic vintage size and bias-ply construction.

A wide whitewall usually suits a more formal late-1930s luxury look, while a blackwall leans more restrained or utilitarian. Appearance should be balanced with the car’s intended use and the series being selected, because some 700-16 options are classic passenger-car tires and others carry military or truck-oriented design cues.

The 700-16 size for the 1938 La Salle 50 is available from Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA. Those choices include classic passenger-car bias-ply lines as well as military or truck-style offerings in the same basic vintage size.

Brand choice should be considered alongside the tire series and sidewall treatment rather than by name alone. A BFGoodrich, Firestone, or Lester wide whitewall may suit a restoration-oriented car, while blackwall options from Avon, Tornel, Firestone, or STA can make more sense for utility-style appearance or a specialized vintage build.

A period-style 1938 La Salle 50 should start with the proper 700-16 bias-ply size. Within that fitment, classic passenger-car series such as Firestone Classic Bias Ply, BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, and Lester Classic Bias Ply are the most natural places to focus.

The final look depends heavily on sidewall treatment. Wide whitewalls create a more formal late-1930s presentation, while blackwalls give the car a more restrained appearance. If exact restoration accuracy matters, the smartest next step is to compare surviving photos, marque references, or other period documentation before settling on one sidewall style.

Tire construction matters a great deal on a restored 1938 La Salle 50 because the car’s proper fitment is bias-ply, and that construction helps preserve the visual character associated with prewar American luxury cars. The tire’s profile and sidewall presence are a visible part of the overall presentation.

Appearance is not shaped by construction alone, though. A blackwall 700-16 and a wide whitewall 700-16 can make the same La Salle feel very different, even within the same basic fitment. For a restoration-oriented result, construction, size, and sidewall style should all support the era the car is meant to represent.

Yes. Even though the primary fitment is 700-16 on a 16-inch rim, modifications can change what works on a 1938 La Salle 50. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, brake changes, suspension work, or body alterations can all affect clearance and compatibility.

Older collector cars often pick up changes over decades, so the car should be checked as it sits rather than assumed to be stock. Measuring actual wheel diameter and width, then checking steering and fender clearance, helps prevent problems when choosing among passenger-car, military-style, or truck-style 700-16 tires.

Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and the general condition of the suspension and steering components. New tires perform best when they are mounted on sound 16-inch wheels and paired with a chassis that is not introducing wobble, looseness, or uneven loading.

The tires themselves should also be checked regularly for proper inflation, cuts, bulges, and any signs of air loss after installation. On a prewar collector car, it is also wise to confirm that the spare, jack equipment, and wheel hardware are ready for use before taking the car on a meaningful drive.

Collector-car tires in 700-16 size should be kept properly inflated, inspected often, and protected from long periods of heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone exposure. A La Salle that sees only occasional use still needs routine checks because age and storage conditions can affect the tire as much as mileage does.

Regular visual inspection is especially important on a prewar car. Look for sidewall cracking, flat spotting after storage, tread damage, and any change in how the car tracks or steers on the road. Moving the car periodically and maintaining the wheels in good condition both help preserve tire life and road readiness.