The 1939 Buick 40 Special came to market at a moment when Buick balanced streamlined pre-war styling with the smooth, substantial road manners buyers expected from an upper-middle American car. That makes tire choice more than a simple replacement exercise, because the stance and character of the car depend heavily on keeping the right vintage fitment. This Buick uses a 650-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim. Within that size, there is still room to choose among blackwall and wide whitewall presentations, along with several well-known period-style tire series. The key is matching the tire to the car’s wheels, intended driving use, and restoration goals.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1939 Buick 40 Special
The 1939 Buick 40 Special uses one primary tire size: 650-16. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and the covered 8-cylinder sub-model uses the same size. That means the main decision is not which primary size fits, but which 650-16 tire best suits the car’s appearance, wheel specifications, and intended road use.
In the 650-16 size, the first number refers to a nominal section width of about 6.50 inches, while the final number identifies a 16-inch wheel. This is a traditional bias-ply fitment, which is important for a pre-war Buick because the construction helps preserve the period look and driving character many owners want to maintain. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall versions from brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Coker Classic, Garfield, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel across several tire series. Choosing among them comes down to presentation, wheel-width compatibility, and whether the car is being restored for show, touring, or more utility-focused use.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1939 Buick 40 Special covered here. The available 8-cylinder configuration uses the same primary tire size, so the focus shifts from size differences to selecting the right 650-16 tire style and specification for the car.
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1939 Buick 40 Special 8 Cyl.
The 1939 Buick 40 Special 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire size on a 16-inch rim. That keeps size selection simple and puts the emphasis on choosing the right sidewall treatment, tire series, and wheel-width-compatible option for restoration use or regular collector driving.
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 1939 Buick 40 Special Tires for Sale
Available 650-16 choices cover a wide range of period-style needs, including BFGoodrich, Firestone, Coker Classic, Garfield, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel offerings. Buyers can compare blackwall and wide whitewall styles, along with classic passenger, truck, and military-style bias-ply series.
These 1939 Buick 40 Special tire FAQs focus on the 650-16 fitment, 16-inch rim compatibility, bias-ply selection, sidewall appearance choices, and the wheel, suspension, and condition checks that matter before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1939 Buick 40 Special?
The 1939 Buick 40 Special uses a 650-16 tire size. This is a vintage numeric bias-ply size mounted on a 16-inch rim, and it is the primary fitment for the covered 8-cylinder configuration.
That keeps the fitment question fairly simple, but the right choice still depends on confirming the wheels currently on the car. A Buick that has been modified over the years may have different wheels than expected, so it helps to verify rim diameter and wheel width before selecting among blackwall, wide whitewall, passenger-style, or more utility-oriented 650-16 tires.
What size rim does a 1939 Buick 40 Special use?
The 1939 Buick 40 Special uses a 16-inch rim with its 650-16 tire fitment. Product offerings in this size commonly pair with wheel widths in the 4.50 to 5.00 inch range, with some 650-16 options also suited to slightly narrower applications.
Rim diameter is the first thing to confirm, because a 16-inch tire cannot be mounted safely on a different wheel diameter. Wheel width matters too, especially when comparing different 650-16 products, so it is worth measuring the actual rim and checking that the tire’s intended width range matches the wheel on the car.
Does the 1939 Buick 40 Special 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1939 Buick 40 Special 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire size as the core fitment for this vehicle page. There is no alternate primary size within the covered sub-model information here.
That consistency means tire selection is mainly about choosing the right version of 650-16 rather than sorting through multiple sizes. Owners can focus on wheel-width compatibility, sidewall style, and whether the car is being presented with a formal pre-war whitewall look or a more restrained blackwall appearance for regular collector driving.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-16 tire for a 1939 Buick 40 Special?
Start with the correct 650-16 size and confirm that the tire matches the car’s 16-inch wheels. From there, compare bias-ply construction details, wheel-width compatibility, sidewall presentation, and whether the tire is intended as a passenger-car style or a more utility-oriented pattern.
A restoration-minded Buick often calls for a traditional look, while a car driven more frequently may place more emphasis on practical fit within the existing wheel setup. Looking at maximum load figures where they are stated, along with tread style and tire series character, helps narrow the field without drifting away from the proper vintage size.
What sidewall styles are available for 1939 Buick 40 Special tires?
The 1939 Buick 40 Special’s 650-16 tire choices include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That gives owners two distinctly different visual directions while staying within the proper vintage numeric bias-ply size.
A wide whitewall creates a more formal pre-war presentation and can strongly influence the car’s stance and overall character. Blackwall options keep the look more restrained and are often preferred for a simpler driver-oriented appearance, so the right choice depends on how the Buick is being restored, displayed, and used on the road.
What brands offer tires for the 1939 Buick 40 Special?
650-16 tires for the 1939 Buick 40 Special are available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. These choices cover several classic bias-ply series, along with some truck and military-style patterns in the same size.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It helps to compare the specific tire series, sidewall treatment, rim-width suitability, and intended use of each option, since a formal wide whitewall passenger tire serves a very different purpose than a utility tread built around truck-style or military-style presentation.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1939 Buick 40 Special?
A period-style 1939 Buick 40 Special starts with the proper 650-16 bias-ply size on a 16-inch wheel. From there, the strongest visual decisions are usually sidewall treatment and tire series character, especially when comparing blackwall and wide whitewall versions.
For many pre-war Buicks, the tire’s visual presence matters almost as much as the bodywork because whitewall width and tread style can noticeably change the car’s stance. When exact originality matters, it is wise to compare the car against authoritative Buick reference material or marque-club guidance before settling on a specific appearance.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1939 Buick 40 Special?
Bias-ply construction plays a major role in the appearance of a restored 1939 Buick 40 Special because it preserves the sizing format and overall visual character associated with the car’s era. In 650-16, that means maintaining a traditional pre-war tire presentation rather than introducing a more modern-looking format.
Construction also influences how the tire fills the wheel opening and complements the Buick’s body lines and trim. Even within bias-ply choices, sidewall style and tread pattern change the visual result, so a restoration-focused owner should weigh appearance carefully rather than choosing solely by brand name or by the first available 650-16 option.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1939 Buick 40 Special?
Yes. A 1939 Buick 40 Special may begin with a 650-16 tire on a 16-inch rim, but aftermarket wheels, suspension work, brake conversions, or body changes can alter what actually fits the car today. Even when the tire size stays the same, wheel width and clearance can change.
A modified Buick should be checked at the wheel rather than assumed to be stock. Measuring rim diameter and width, then looking at steering clearance, fender space, and suspension travel, helps prevent buying a tire that matches the original size code but does not suit the current wheel and chassis setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1939 Buick 40 Special on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage or excessive rust, confirm proper mounting on the 16-inch rims, and check inflation, valve stems, and overall tire condition. It also helps to look over the suspension and steering components, since worn front-end parts can affect how a pre-war Buick tracks on fresh bias-ply tires.
A short initial drive should include listening for rubbing and feeling for vibration or pull, followed by another visual inspection. Collector cars that have spent long periods parked deserve extra attention, because flat-spotted old tires, weak brakes, or dry steering components can complicate the first miles even after new tires are installed.
How should 650-16 tires on a collector 1939 Buick 40 Special be maintained?
650-16 tires on a collector 1939 Buick 40 Special should be inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and gradual air loss. Tire pressure matters even on a lightly used car, and long periods of storage make routine condition checks especially important for vintage bias-ply tires.
Storage habits have a big effect on service life, so the Buick should be kept away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources when possible. Moving the car occasionally, keeping the wheels clean, and checking condition before each outing helps catch aging issues early instead of discovering them once the car is back on the road.
