1939 Buick 60 Century Tires

The 1939 Buick 60 Century uses a 700-15 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment and it rides on a 15-inch rim, which keeps the tire selection aligned with the traditional prewar sizing style used on the car.

That makes the next step less about choosing between sizes and more about selecting the right 700-15 tire for the Buick's purpose and appearance. Check that the car still has the expected 15-inch wheels, especially if it has been restored long ago or modified at some point, then compare sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility.

The 1939 Buick 60 Century uses a 15-inch rim with its 700-15 tire size. Product offerings in this fitment commonly call for a 5.00 to 5.50 inch rim width, which is an important measurement when comparing tire options.

Rim diameter is the first thing to verify before purchasing tires, since a 15-inch tire cannot be mounted on a different wheel diameter. Rim width matters too, particularly on an older car that may have had wheels changed during restoration, so it is worth measuring the wheels on the car rather than assuming they are still original-type.

Yes. The covered 1939 Buick 60 Century 8 Cyl. uses the same 700-15 bias-ply tire size as the model core. That keeps fitment straightforward and avoids the need to sort through multiple primary sizes for this particular sub-model.

Even with shared size fitment, tire selection still depends on how the car is being finished and driven. A wide whitewall can support a more formal restoration-style presentation, while blackwall choices can suit a different visual direction, so the sub-model check mainly helps confirm size before narrowing the style and series that match the car.

Start with the correct size and construction: the 1939 Buick 60 Century uses a 700-15 bias-ply tire on a 15-inch wheel. From there, the main differences are sidewall appearance, tire series, rim-width suitability, and whether the tire is aimed at classic passenger-car presentation or a more utility-oriented application.

A restoration-focused Buick often points buyers toward traditional bias-ply lines with blackwall or wide whitewall styling, while transport or traction-style tires create a different look and use case. Measuring the wheel width on the car and thinking through how the Buick will actually be driven usually narrows the choice better than focusing on brand name alone.

The 700-15 fitment for a 1939 Buick 60 Century is available in both blackwall and wide whitewall form. Those two sidewall treatments create very different visual results, even though they share the same basic size and vintage bias-ply construction.

A wide whitewall generally supports a more formal prewar appearance, while blackwall tends to produce a plainer, more understated presentation. Since sidewall style changes the look of the car immediately, many owners make that choice first and then compare the available tire series that match the Buick's intended restoration direction and road use.

Tires in the 1939 Buick 60 Century's 700-15 size are available from Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA. Those offerings cover classic passenger-style bias-ply designs as well as transport and traction-oriented series in the same overall fitment.

Brand is only one part of the decision, because the product lineup also varies by sidewall style, tire series, load figures where stated, and intended visual character. Once the correct 700-15 size is confirmed, it helps to compare each option by how it matches the Buick's appearance goals and wheel setup rather than assuming all tires in the size serve the same purpose.

For a period-style 1939 Buick 60 Century, the right starting point is the correct 700-15 bias-ply size on a 15-inch rim. Within that fitment, classic passenger-style bias-ply choices from Firestone and BFGoodrich are especially relevant for owners who want the Buick to retain a traditional prewar look.

The final choice depends on how closely the car is being restored and what visual impression matters most. Wide whitewall and blackwall versions create different period-style presentations, so buyers pursuing strict originality should also compare their tire choice against marque references, period photography, or restoration documentation for the specific car.

Tire construction plays a major role in the look of a restored 1939 Buick 60 Century because the car's primary fitment is a bias-ply 700-15. That construction supports the taller, more traditional visual character many owners expect on a prewar Buick, especially when paired with the right sidewall treatment.

Appearance is influenced not just by size, but also by whether the tire is a classic passenger-car bias-ply or a more utility-oriented transport or traction design. Even within the same 700-15 size, tread style and sidewall presentation can shift the Buick's stance noticeably, so it helps to choose a tire that matches the restoration's intended era and personality.

Yes. Even though the 1939 Buick 60 Century's primary tire size is 700-15, fitment can change if the car has aftermarket wheels, altered suspension height, brake conversions, or bodywork that affects clearance. Older collector cars sometimes carry changes made decades ago, so visual similarity alone is not enough.

A careful check of wheel diameter, wheel width, and available clearance around fenders and steering components helps prevent surprises. That matters even more on a prewar car, where replacement parts and wheel swaps may not always follow original dimensions closely, so measuring the car as it sits is smarter than assuming every 700-15 setup is identical.

Before driving a 1939 Buick 60 Century on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and overall wheel condition, then make sure the tires are inflated properly and seated correctly. It also helps to confirm that steering movement is clear and that the tires do not contact fenders, suspension parts, or brake components.

A prewar Buick that has spent long periods parked deserves a broader walk-around as well. Check for worn suspension parts, loose steering components, and any signs that the car tracks unevenly, because new tires perform best when the rest of the chassis is ready for the road and not masking an old mechanical problem.

700-15 tires on a collector 1939 Buick 60 Century should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and periodic cleaning so sidewalls and tread can be examined clearly. Look for cracking, bulges, cuts, irregular wear, and slow air loss, especially on a car that is driven only seasonally.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a collector Buick. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the tires between drives, and moving the car occasionally can reduce long-term flat spotting that is common with vintage bias-ply construction.