1938 Studebaker Commander Tires

The 1938 Studebaker Commander uses a 600-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment used on a 16-inch rim, and it is the primary size associated with the covered Commander application.

That makes size selection fairly simple, but the car should still be checked for later wheel changes or non-original wheel diameters before ordering tires. Once 600-16 is confirmed on the car, the next decision is choosing the sidewall treatment and tread style that best match the Commander's appearance and intended use.

The primary tire fitment for the 1938 Studebaker Commander is built around a 16-inch rim. The 600-16 size itself reflects that wheel diameter, and the available products for this fitment are all centered on 16-inch application.

Rim diameter is the first measurement to confirm, especially on an older collector car that may have seen wheel swaps over the years. After verifying the 16-inch diameter, compare actual wheel width against the tire you are considering so the chosen bias-ply tire matches the wheel setup as closely as possible.

Yes. The covered 1938 Studebaker Commander 6 Cyl. configuration uses the same 600-16 bias-ply tire size. That keeps fitment consistent within the listed sub-model rather than splitting the car into multiple primary sizes.

Even with shared size fitment, it still helps to confirm that the car remains on its original wheel diameter and has not been altered for a different tire setup. Once that is settled, the main differences come from sidewall style, tread character, and whether the car is being prepared for show presentation or regular road use.

Start with the correct 600-16 size and bias-ply construction, then narrow the choice by intended use and visual style. For a 1938 Studebaker Commander, the biggest differences within this size are sidewall treatment, tread pattern, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility on the 16-inch rim.

A restoration-minded car may call for a traditional whitewall look, while a more understated driver may suit a blackwall presentation. It also helps to compare rim-width recommendations, load figures where stated, and whether the tire is built as a passenger-style touring tire or a more specialized military or truck-type pattern.

The 1938 Studebaker Commander's 600-16 tire size is available in several sidewall styles, including blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. Those choices make a visible difference on a prewar car, especially because the tire and wheel opening are such a strong part of the car's overall presentation.

Blackwall usually gives the Commander a simpler, more understated look, while wide whitewall or double-whitewall treatments create a more formal restoration-oriented appearance. The best choice depends on how the car is being presented and driven, rather than on fitment alone, since the same primary size can support very different visual results.

The 600-16 size for a 1938 Studebaker Commander is available from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Avon, Excelsior, Lester, Ford Script, STA, and Camac. Those brands appear across several classic bias-ply, touring, military, and truck-style series in the same basic fitment.

Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor, because the more useful comparison points are tread style, sidewall appearance, stated rim-width compatibility, and the kind of driving the Commander will actually see. A show-focused sedan and a regularly driven collector car may both use 600-16, but not necessarily the same presentation.

A period-style 1938 Studebaker Commander should start with the correct 600-16 bias-ply size on a 16-inch rim. From there, the choice usually comes down to whether the car looks best with a blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall treatment and which tread pattern matches the vehicle's intended presentation.

For many prewar cars, sidewall style has as much visual impact as the wheel itself, so the tire should complement the body style and restoration direction. If exact originality matters at a high level, compare the tire choice against marque-club guidance, period photographs, or other vehicle-specific references before settling on one presentation.

Yes, correct tire fitment matters because size, construction, and sidewall style all influence how a 1938 Studebaker Commander sits and reads visually. Using the proper 600-16 bias-ply format helps preserve the car's prewar proportions in a way that an obviously different tire format may not.

Fitment also affects practical details such as wheel compatibility and clearance, which become more noticeable once the car is assembled and on the ground. A carefully restored Commander can lose some of its visual balance if the tire profile or sidewall presentation feels out of step with the rest of the restoration.

Yes. A 1938 Studebaker Commander may have the correct 600-16 tire size on paper, but wheel changes, brake conversions, suspension work, or altered ride height can change what actually works on the car. Even a small deviation in wheel setup can affect how a bias-ply tire sits and clears.

Check actual wheel diameter and width first, then inspect fender, steering, and suspension clearance with the car at normal ride height. That matters especially on older vehicles that may have been modified decades ago, because present-day fitment can differ from the original configuration even when the car still looks stock.

Before driving a 1938 Studebaker Commander on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or excessive rust, confirm proper mounting on the 16-inch rims, and verify that inflation matches the tire's intended use. The tires themselves should be checked for even seating, valve condition, and any immediate sign of air loss.

A short, careful road test is wise after installation so steering feel, brake behavior, and clearance can be observed at low speed first. It also helps to recheck pressure after the first drive and make sure suspension components, alignment, and wheel hardware are in suitable condition for collector-car use.

Collector-car 600-16 tires should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracks, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and protected from long periods of sun, heat, moisture, and ozone exposure. On a 1938 Studebaker Commander that sees limited use, tire condition can matter more than tread depth alone.

Occasional movement helps prevent prolonged flat spotting, and the car should be checked before each outing for pressure loss or visible aging. It is also smart to inspect the wheels and valve hardware at the same time, since long-stored vehicles often develop issues in the supporting components as well as the tires.