The 1938 Lincoln V12 sits in the upper tier of prewar American motoring, with the long-wheelbase presence and smooth multi-cylinder character that made Lincoln a serious luxury-car choice of its day. Tire selection for a car like this is tied closely to both stance and authenticity, because the proportions of the tire have a major effect on how the car looks and carries itself. The 1938 Lincoln V12 uses a 750-17 bias-ply tire on a 17-inch rim. Within that size, there are blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall choices across several period-style series. The right decision usually comes down to restoration appearance, wheel compatibility, and how the car will actually be driven.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1938 Lincoln V12
The 1938 Lincoln V12 uses one primary tire size: 750-17. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 17-inch rim, and the covered Base sub-model uses that same size. That means the key decision is usually not whether another primary size applies, but which 750-17 tire best matches the car's wheel setup, appearance goals, and intended road use.
A 750-17 numeric bias-ply size uses a nominal section width of about 7.50 inches, with the final number indicating a 17-inch rim. On a 1938 Lincoln V12, that sizing format preserves the tall, substantial prewar look associated with luxury cars of the era and keeps the vehicle in its original bias-ply construction family. Available choices include Firestone, BFGoodrich, Tornel, and STA offerings, with blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles depending on the tire series. Choosing among them comes down to the kind of presentation you want and confirming that the tire matches the actual wheel width on the car.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1938 Lincoln V12. The covered sub-model uses the same 750-17 bias-ply tire size, so the focus shifts from size identification to selecting the right sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-compatible product.
1
1938 Lincoln V12 Base
The 1938 Lincoln V12 Base uses the same 750-17 bias-ply fitment as the model core. That keeps tire selection centered on period-style appearance, actual wheel width, and whether a blackwall or whitewall presentation better suits the car's restoration direction.
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 Lincoln V12 Tires for Sale
Available 750-17 choices span Firestone, BFGoodrich, Tornel, and STA, with differences in tire series, sidewall style, and intended character. Buyers can compare traditional blackwalls against double-whitewall or wide whitewall options while also checking rim-width specifications across the product range.
Showing 6 of 10
Bias Ply
Firestone Balloon 4.75 Inch Double Whitewall | 750-17
Owners of a 1938 Lincoln V12 usually want clear answers on 750-17 sizing, 17-inch rim fitment, bias-ply construction, sidewall appearance, and what to inspect before putting a prewar luxury car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1938 Lincoln V12?
The 1938 Lincoln V12 uses a 750-17 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment that mounts on a 17-inch rim, and the covered Base sub-model uses that same primary size as well.
That makes the main task less about choosing between multiple factory-style sizes and more about selecting the right version of 750-17 for the car. Check the actual wheel width, confirm the wheels are still 17-inch rims, and decide whether the car calls for a blackwall, double-whitewall, or wide whitewall presentation before narrowing the options.
What size rim does a 1938 Lincoln V12 use?
The primary tire fitment for a 1938 Lincoln V12 is built around a 17-inch rim. The 750-17 size itself confirms that rim diameter, since the final number in this numeric bias-ply format refers to wheel size.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a prewar car. Wheel width should also be checked carefully, because 750-17 products in this size can have different rim-width requirements depending on the tire series. That is especially important if the car has replacement wheels, older restored wheels, or a wheel setup that differs from the original pattern.
Does the 1938 Lincoln V12 Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1938 Lincoln V12 Base uses the same 750-17 bias-ply tire size as the model core, so there is no separate primary fitment to sort through for that covered sub-model.
That consistency simplifies the search, but it does not mean every 750-17 tire is the same in character or wheel compatibility. The buyer still needs to compare sidewall style, tire series, and the wheel dimensions actually on the car. On a restoration-minded Lincoln, those details affect both appearance and the way the finished car presents on the road.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 750-17 tire for a 1938 Lincoln V12?
Start with the correct primary size, which is 750-17, and keep the tire in a bias-ply construction suitable to the car's original-era fitment. From there, compare sidewall style, tire series, rim-width requirements, and whether the tire's overall character suits a luxury-car restoration or a more utility-focused use.
A 1938 Lincoln V12 can look dramatically different depending on whether it wears blackwalls, double-whitewalls, or wide whitewalls. It also helps to confirm that the car still has the expected 17-inch wheels and that their width matches the product being considered. Selection gets easier once appearance, wheel setup, and intended driving use are all aligned.
What sidewall styles are available for 1938 Lincoln V12 tires?
The 750-17 tire size for a 1938 Lincoln V12 is available in several sidewall treatments, including blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall. Those choices give the car a very different visual character even when the tire size itself stays the same.
Blackwalls generally deliver a simpler, more understated presentation, while whitewall styles can add the formal prewar luxury look many restorers want. The right choice depends on how the car is being finished rather than on size alone. If originality matters at a very detailed level, compare the planned tire appearance with period photos or marque-specific restoration references.
What brands offer tires for the 1938 Lincoln V12?
Tires in 750-17 for the 1938 Lincoln V12 are available from Firestone, BFGoodrich, Tornel, and STA. The available product mix includes classic passenger-car style tires as well as some more utility-oriented offerings in the same size.
Brand alone should not be the only filter on a prewar Lincoln. It is more useful to compare the tire series, sidewall treatment, load specification where shown, and the wheel-width range each tire expects. That approach helps separate a restoration-oriented luxury-car choice from a truck-style 750-17 that may suit a very different kind of vehicle application.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1938 Lincoln V12?
A period-style 1938 Lincoln V12 should begin with the correct 750-17 bias-ply size, since the tire's height and profile are part of the car's prewar stance. From there, the most important visual decision is usually the sidewall treatment and the tire series that best match the way the car is being restored.
For many restorations, a whitewall-style tire helps reinforce the formal luxury appearance associated with late-1930s Lincolns, while a blackwall gives a more restrained presentation. Exact historical preference can vary by how the car was delivered and later restored. Buyers pursuing strict authenticity should compare their choice with period photographs, factory literature, or marque-club guidance.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1938 Lincoln V12 restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1938 Lincoln V12 because tire size and construction strongly influence the car's stance, proportions, and prewar character. Using the proper 750-17 bias-ply format helps preserve the visual balance that suits the body and wheel openings.
Appearance is only part of the equation. Wheel diameter and width still need to be confirmed, especially on a car that has been restored more than once or has had parts changed over time. A tire that looks appropriate but does not match the actual wheel setup can create mounting or clearance issues that work against an otherwise careful restoration.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1938 Lincoln V12?
Yes. Even though the 1938 Lincoln V12 uses a 750-17 tire as its primary fitment, later wheel changes, brake work, suspension alterations, or body modifications can change what actually works on the car today. That is especially true on older restorations that may no longer match their original wheel setup.
A careful check should include wheel diameter, wheel width, and visible clearance at the fenders and steering components before mounting new tires. Collector cars sometimes carry replacement wheels that look correct at a glance but differ in important dimensions. Verifying the actual hardware on the car prevents a size-correct tire from becoming a fitment problem.
What should I inspect before driving a 1938 Lincoln V12 on new tires?
Before putting a 1938 Lincoln V12 back on the road, inspect the wheels for damage or distortion, confirm proper tire pressure, and look over the steering, suspension, and brake components. A prewar car should also be checked for secure lug hardware and even tire seating on each wheel.
Road readiness depends on more than fresh rubber. Watch for rubbing at full steering lock, verify that the car tracks cleanly, and recheck pressure after the first few drives. If the Lincoln has been stored for long periods, it is wise to inspect all four tires regularly for cuts, sidewall cracking, bulges, or gradual air loss as well.
How should 750-17 tires on a collector 1938 Lincoln V12 be maintained?
750-17 tires on a collector 1938 Lincoln V12 should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly, and protected from long exposure to sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources during storage. Even a lightly driven car can age its tires over time, so condition matters as much as tread depth.
Routine checks should include sidewall condition, tread wear, valve-stem health, and any sign that the tire is losing air between drives. It also helps to move the car periodically or adjust storage practices so the tires are not left supporting weight in one position for extended periods. Consistent inspection is especially important on infrequently driven prewar vehicles.
