The 1938 Studebaker President came from an era when American luxury and engineering confidence were expressed through long hoods, formal styling, and smooth straight-eight power. For owners today, that prewar character makes tire choice part of the car’s overall presentation, not just a maintenance item. The 1938 Studebaker President uses a 650-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, giving it a distinctly period-correct sizing format and stance. Within that size, there is meaningful variety in blackwall and wide whitewall designs, along with several well-known vintage tire series. The right choice depends on whether the goal is restoration-minded appearance, traditional road feel, or simply a careful fitment match for regular touring.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1938 Studebaker President
The 1938 Studebaker President uses one primary tire size: 650-16. It is a bias-ply fitment for a 16-inch rim, and the covered 8 Cyl. sub-model uses that same sizing, so the real decision is not between multiple primary sizes but between tire styles, series, sidewall appearance, and rim-width compatibility within the correct format.
A 650-16 size uses the vintage numeric bias-ply system, where 6.50 refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches and 16 identifies the wheel diameter. On a 1938 Studebaker President, that means a traditional bias-ply construction that suits the car’s prewar proportions and original-style roadgoing character. This size is available in several vintage tire series from brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and Tornel, with both blackwall and wide whitewall choices. Selecting among them comes down to the look you want, the wheel width on the car, and whether the car is being restored, shown, or regularly driven.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1938 Studebaker President sub-models because the same primary tire size is used throughout. Checking the exact sub-model still matters so the tire selection stays aligned with the vehicle configuration and the appearance you want to preserve.
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1938 Studebaker President 8 Cyl.
The 1938 Studebaker President 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply fitment found across this application. That keeps size selection simple, letting the focus shift to period-style presentation, blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, and confirming the wheel setup before choosing among the available tire series.
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 Studebaker President Tires for Sale
Available 650-16 choices span BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and Tornel, with both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. The product grid is where to compare vintage passenger-car series alongside specialty truck-style tread patterns and their rim-width or load-spec differences.
Common 1938 Studebaker President tire questions usually center on the 650-16 fitment, 16-inch wheel compatibility, bias-ply construction, sidewall appearance, and how to choose among restoration-oriented and road-use tire options.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1938 Studebaker President?
The 1938 Studebaker President uses a 650-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply size mounted on a 16-inch rim, and the covered 1938 Studebaker President 8 Cyl. sub-model uses that same primary fitment.
That makes size selection fairly straightforward, but the next step is still important. Confirm that the car is still running the proper 16-inch wheels and a suitable wheel width, then choose among the available blackwall, wide whitewall, and tread-style options based on how the car is being restored, displayed, or driven.
What size rim does a 1938 Studebaker President use?
The 1938 Studebaker President uses a 16-inch rim with its 650-16 tire size. Product offerings in this size commonly pair with rim widths around 4.00 to 5.00 inches, depending on the specific tire series.
Rim diameter needs to be confirmed before ordering because a 16-inch tire will only mount on a 16-inch wheel. Wheel width also matters, especially on an older vehicle that may have had replacements or repairs over the years, so checking the actual wheel on the car helps narrow the right tire choices within the 650-16 range.
Does the 1938 Studebaker President 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1938 Studebaker President 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire size as the main 1938 Studebaker President fitment. There is no separate primary size to sort through for that sub-model.
That consistency means the decision usually shifts from fitment to presentation and intended use. A restoration-minded owner may focus on period-style sidewall treatment, while a touring owner may compare tread pattern, rim-width specifications, and load figures before choosing the tire that best suits the car’s current wheel setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-16 tire for a 1938 Studebaker President?
Start with the correct 650-16 size and confirm that the car still has 16-inch wheels in an appropriate width for the tire you are considering. From there, compare the construction details, sidewall style, tire series, tread character, and any stated load specification that matches how the car will be used.
A prewar Studebaker can call for a different visual approach depending on the goal. Wide whitewalls create a more formal period-style look, while blackwalls feel more understated, and some 650-16 options lean toward passenger-car presentation while others use truck-style tread patterns that should be chosen carefully for the vehicle and use case.
What sidewall styles are available for 1938 Studebaker President tires?
The available 650-16 tires for a 1938 Studebaker President include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That gives owners a meaningful appearance choice while staying within the correct primary size and traditional bias-ply construction.
Sidewall choice changes the car’s overall visual character more than many buyers expect. A wide whitewall usually suits a formal prewar presentation, while a blackwall can look more restrained and utilitarian, so it helps to consider the finish level of the restoration, the trim on the car, and the kind of period look being pursued.
What brands offer tires for the 1938 Studebaker President?
The 650-16 size for a 1938 Studebaker President is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. Those brands appear across several vintage passenger and specialty tread patterns in the correct size.
Brand alone should not make the decision. It makes more sense to compare the actual tire series, sidewall style, rim-width specification, and whether the tire is aimed at traditional passenger-car presentation or a more truck-oriented application, then choose the one that aligns with the car’s wheels, appearance, and planned road use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1938 Studebaker President?
A period-style 1938 Studebaker President should start with the correct 650-16 bias-ply size. From there, the choice usually comes down to sidewall treatment, tread presentation, and tire series, since those details shape how closely the finished car matches the look an owner wants from a prewar luxury automobile.
Wide whitewalls often suit the formal character associated with late-1930s American cars, while blackwalls create a more restrained appearance. When exact originality matters, it is worth checking marque-club references, period photos, or restoration documentation for the specific car, because a correct size alone does not automatically settle every appearance detail.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1938 Studebaker President restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1938 Studebaker President because tire size and construction have a strong effect on stance, wheel opening fill, and the overall period character of the car. Staying with the proper 650-16 bias-ply format preserves the visual proportions expected on a prewar Studebaker.
Appearance is only part of the story. The tire also needs to suit the wheel diameter and width actually on the car, especially if wheels have been changed during an older restoration, so a careful check of the existing setup helps avoid selecting a tire that looks appropriate but does not match the hardware underneath.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1938 Studebaker President?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1938 Studebaker President even when the intended tire size remains 650-16. Replacement wheels, altered wheel widths, brake changes, suspension work, or body repairs around the fenders can all change how much space the tire has once mounted.
That is why the actual car should be checked before choosing among available 650-16 products. Even within the same nominal size, wheel setup and vehicle condition matter, so confirming wheel diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and fender clearance is a smart step on any Studebaker that has been restored, repaired, or modified.
What should I inspect before driving a 1938 Studebaker President on new tires?
Before driving a 1938 Studebaker President on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, wheel hardware, and overall tire seating, then confirm that inflation matches the tire and vehicle setup being used. It also helps to verify that the steering moves freely and the tires clear fenders and suspension parts lock to lock.
A prewar car deserves a full road-readiness check beyond the tires themselves. Look over wheel bearings, brakes, alignment condition, and any signs of rubbing after the first short drive, because a correctly sized tire still depends on a sound chassis and wheel assembly to deliver safe, predictable road behavior.
How should 650-16 tires on a collector 1938 Studebaker President be maintained?
650-16 tires on a collector 1938 Studebaker President should be inspected regularly for air loss, tread wear, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and any change in how the car sits or steers. Collector cars often spend long periods parked, so condition checks matter even when mileage stays low.
Storage habits make a real difference with older vehicles. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and moving the car periodically can help avoid long-term flat spotting, especially with bias-ply construction and a vehicle that is driven only occasionally.
