The 1938 Lincoln Zephyr stands at an important moment in prewar American design, blending Lincoln prestige with the streamlined, aerodynamic styling that made the Zephyr one of the era’s most distinctive luxury cars. Its long hood, smooth fenders, and refined proportions call for a tire that looks and fits the part. For this model, the primary fitment is a 700-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim. That keeps the decision focused on choosing the right period-style presentation, including blackwall or wide whitewall options, rather than sorting through multiple factory sizes. For restoration-minded owners, appearance, wheel compatibility, and intended road use all deserve a careful look before replacement.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1938 Lincoln Zephyr
The 1938 Lincoln Zephyr uses one primary tire size: 700-16. That is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and it remains consistent for the covered 12 Cyl. sub-model. Once size is confirmed, the real choice is how you want the car to present and drive, including blackwall versus wide whitewall styling and whether a passenger-car style bias-ply or a more utility-oriented version matches the vehicle’s use.
In a numeric bias-ply size like 700-16, the 700 refers to an approximate 7.00-inch nominal section width and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1938 Lincoln Zephyr, this is the primary prewar-style tire construction and it preserves the traditional look associated with the car’s streamlined body and tall sidewall proportions. Available choices include brands such as Lester, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Avon, Tornel, and STA, with blackwall and wide whitewall styles across several series. The right 700-16 choice depends on whether the priority is restoration appearance, general collector-car road use, or a more specialized military or truck-style tread presentation.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1938 Lincoln Zephyr covered here. The 12 Cyl. version uses the same 700-16 bias-ply size, so the main decision is not size variation but selecting the tire style and product type that best suits the car’s appearance and use.
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1938 Lincoln Zephyr 12 Cyl.
The 1938 Lincoln Zephyr 12 Cyl. uses the 700-16 bias-ply tire size on a 16-inch rim. That keeps tire selection centered on period-style presentation, wheel compatibility, and choosing among blackwall, wide whitewall, or more utility-oriented 700-16 offerings.
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 Zephyr Tires for Sale
Available 700-16 choices span Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA, with blackwall and wide whitewall sidewalls across several bias-ply series. The product grid is most useful for comparing appearance, rim-width specifications where stated, load figures where stated, and whether a tire is passenger-car styled or more truck-oriented.
Owners of a 1938 Lincoln Zephyr usually want clear answers on 700-16 fitment, 16-inch rim compatibility, period-style bias-ply choices, sidewall appearance, and the checks worth making before putting a prewar car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1938 Lincoln Zephyr?
The 1938 Lincoln Zephyr uses a 700-16 tire size. This is a bias-ply fitment and it is the primary size associated with the model covered here, including the 12 Cyl. sub-model.
That means the first step is confirming that the car still has the correct 16-inch wheels and a wheel width appropriate for a 700-16 tire. Many collector cars have been altered over the decades, so checking the actual wheel setup on the car matters just as much as knowing the nominal tire size before selecting a replacement.
What size rim does a 1938 Lincoln Zephyr use?
The 1938 Lincoln Zephyr uses a 16-inch rim with its 700-16 tire fitment. Product specifications in this size commonly show compatibility with 4.50- to 5.50-inch rim widths where that detail is stated.
Rim diameter is the non-negotiable starting point, because a 700-16 tire is built for a 16-inch wheel. It is also worth checking the actual wheel width and condition before mounting new tires, especially on a prewar car that may have seen wheel changes, restoration work, or long periods of storage.
Does the 1938 Lincoln Zephyr 12 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1938 Lincoln Zephyr 12 Cyl. uses the same 700-16 bias-ply tire size as the model covered here. There is no separate primary size change within that covered sub-model.
That simplifies fitment, since the decision is less about finding the right size and more about choosing the right style and tire character within 700-16. A wide whitewall gives a more formal prewar presentation, while a blackwall can suit a more restrained look or a more utilitarian tire selection.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-16 tire for a 1938 Lincoln Zephyr?
Start with the correct 700-16 size and confirm that the car still uses the proper 16-inch wheels. From there, the key differences are bias-ply series, sidewall style, rim-width compatibility where stated, and whether the tire is aimed at traditional passenger-car presentation or a more truck-oriented application.
A restoration-focused Zephyr often benefits from choosing the tire that best matches the car’s intended visual character, especially when deciding between blackwall and wide whitewall. Owners planning more regular road use should also compare load figures where they are stated and make sure the tire suits the actual wheel setup and driving expectations.
What sidewall styles are available for 1938 Lincoln Zephyr tires?
The 700-16 options available for a 1938 Lincoln Zephyr include blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Those two presentations create very different visual results on a prewar Lincoln, even when the basic tire size remains the same.
Wide whitewalls tend to emphasize the Zephyr’s upscale prewar look and work well for a restoration-oriented appearance. Blackwalls create a plainer, more understated presentation and also appear on some utility-style 700-16 offerings, so it helps to look beyond sidewall color and compare the tire series and intended character of the tire itself.
What brands offer tires for the 1938 Lincoln Zephyr?
Brand choices in 700-16 for the 1938 Lincoln Zephyr include Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA. Those options appear across several bias-ply series and sidewall treatments rather than all representing the same type of tire.
The practical choice comes down to matching brand and series to the car’s purpose. Some 700-16 tires present as traditional passenger-car options with blackwall or wide whitewall styling, while others are more military or truck-oriented in appearance, load specification, or tread style and may suit a different kind of vehicle use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1938 Lincoln Zephyr?
A period-style 1938 Lincoln Zephyr starts with the correct 700-16 bias-ply size. From there, the most appropriate choice depends on how the car is being presented, with traditional passenger-car bias-ply options generally aligning more naturally with the Zephyr’s prewar luxury character than utility-style alternatives.
Wide whitewall and blackwall versions can both work visually, but they create different moods on the finished car. When exact historical authenticity matters, it is worth comparing the tire choice against marque-club guidance, original photography, or restoration records rather than assuming any currently available sidewall treatment is automatically correct.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1938 Lincoln Zephyr?
On a restored 1938 Lincoln Zephyr, tire construction affects both profile and presence. The 700-16 bias-ply format preserves the tall-sidewall, prewar look that visually suits the Zephyr’s streamlined fenders and formal stance.
Construction is not only a driving consideration; it also changes how the car reads at a glance. Choosing a proper bias-ply in the correct size helps maintain a traditional silhouette, while sidewall treatment further shapes the result, especially when deciding between a restrained blackwall appearance and a more formal wide whitewall presentation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1938 Lincoln Zephyr?
Yes. A 1938 Lincoln Zephyr may have had wheel, suspension, brake, or body changes over the years, and any of those can affect how a 700-16 tire fits in practice. The original size remains the reference point, but the actual car still needs to be checked.
Wheel diameter and width should be confirmed first, followed by steering and fender clearance at full lock and full suspension movement. Even on a collector car that appears stock, prior restoration work or aftermarket parts can change available space, so fitment should be verified on the vehicle before relying on size alone.
What should I inspect before driving a 1938 Lincoln Zephyr on new tires?
Before driving a 1938 Lincoln Zephyr on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, make sure the tires are mounted on the correct 16-inch rims, and verify that inflation is appropriate for the tire being used. A quick check of lug security and overall tire seating is also worthwhile.
A prewar car also deserves a broader road-readiness look. Steering components, brakes, suspension bushings, wheel bearings, and alignment condition can all affect how the car behaves on fresh tires. It is smart to recheck pressure and look for any signs of rubbing or uneven wear after the first few drives.
How should 700-16 tires on a collector 1938 Lincoln Zephyr be maintained?
Collector-car 700-16 tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even when tread wear is low, sidewall cracking, flat-spotting, bulges, cuts, and slow air loss deserve attention because many prewar cars spend long periods parked.
Good storage conditions matter almost as much as miles driven. Keeping the Zephyr away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the tires between drives, and moving the car occasionally can reduce standing stress. A quick inspection before each outing is a sensible routine on a low-use collector vehicle.
