1939 Buick 80 Series Tires

The 1939 Buick 80 Series uses a 700-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment and the covered Roadmaster 8 Cyl. application uses that same primary size, so the basic fitment question is more straightforward than on vehicles with multiple wheel and tire combinations.

Once the size is confirmed, the next step is choosing the version of 700-16 that matches the car’s goals. A restoration-oriented Buick may call for a traditional wide whitewall look, while a more utilitarian presentation may lean toward blackwall. It is also worth confirming that the wheels on the car are still 16-inch originals or another compatible setup before mounting new tires.

The primary tire fitment for the 1939 Buick 80 Series is built around a 16-inch rim. That rim diameter matches the 700-16 size code, and several applicable 700-16 products are built for rim widths in the 4.50- to 5.50-inch range.

Rim diameter should be verified directly on the wheel before tire selection, especially on a collector car that may have had wheel changes over the decades. Width matters too, because a tire designed around a certain rim range should be mounted on a wheel that supports its profile correctly. Clean bead seats and sound wheel condition are just as important on an older Buick as the size itself.

Yes. The covered 1939 Buick 80 Series Roadmaster 8 Cyl. uses the same 700-16 bias-ply tire size as the core 1939 Buick 80 Series fitment. There is no second primary size to sort through within this covered application.

That consistency means the decision is less about identifying a different fitment and more about choosing the right style of tire within 700-16. Buyers can focus on whether the car calls for blackwall or wide whitewall presentation and whether a passenger-car bias-ply or a more truck- or military-style tread better suits the vehicle’s appearance and intended use.

Start with the correct primary size, which is 700-16, then narrow the choice by construction style, appearance, and intended use. For this Buick, the available options are bias-ply tires, with differences in sidewall treatment, tire series, rim-width guidance, weight, and in some cases load specifications tied to inflation pressure.

A large prewar Buick often looks very different depending on whether it wears blackwalls or wide whitewalls, so appearance matters as much as basic fitment. It also helps to confirm how the car will be used. A lightly driven restoration may prioritize period-style presentation, while a car used more regularly may need extra attention paid to wheel condition, tire load suitability, and the character of the tread design.

The 1939 Buick 80 Series has 700-16 tire options in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Those two sidewall presentations create very different visual results, even when the tire size and basic bias-ply construction remain the same.

Wide whitewalls usually give a 1939 Buick a more formal, restoration-oriented look that suits the car’s prewar luxury character. Blackwalls present a more understated appearance and also appear on military or truck-influenced 700-16 options. Sidewall style should be chosen with the car’s finish, trim level, and intended presentation in mind rather than treating one style as automatically correct for every restored example.

Available 700-16 tires for the 1939 Buick 80 Series come from Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA. Those brands appear across several classic bias-ply, military, and truck-style series, giving the buyer more than one path within the same basic fitment.

Brand choice should be considered alongside the tire’s sidewall style, series character, and intended use rather than treated as a stand-alone decision. Some 700-16 options lean toward traditional passenger-car presentation, while others have a more utilitarian military or truck appearance. Comparing rim-width guidance, load figures where shown, and overall look usually leads to a better match for the Buick than picking by brand name alone.

A period-style starting point for the 1939 Buick 80 Series is a 700-16 bias-ply tire, since that is the primary fitment for the car. Within that size, traditional passenger-car bias-ply lines and wide whitewall versions usually align more naturally with the visual character many owners want from a prewar Buick restoration.

The right choice depends on how closely the car is being restored and how it will be presented. A formal show-oriented look may point toward a wide whitewall, while a more restrained touring presentation may favor blackwall. When exact originality matters, compare the tire’s sidewall style and brand presentation against marque references, period photos, and other Buick-specific historical sources.

On a restored 1939 Buick 80 Series, bias-ply construction plays a major role in preserving the traditional prewar tire profile and overall visual stance. Since 700-16 is a bias-ply fitment here, the construction itself contributes to the period-style presentation in a way modern-looking alternatives often do not.

Appearance is shaped by more than the tread alone. Sidewall treatment, wheel width, and how the tire sits on the rim all influence whether the Buick looks authentically prewar or visually out of step with the body and trim. Even when the tire size is correct, a mismatched sidewall style or utilitarian tread pattern can change the finished impression of the restoration.

Yes. Even though the primary size is 700-16, modifications can change whether a given tire remains suitable for the car. Wheel swaps, altered wheel widths, suspension changes, brake conversions, or body and fender work can all influence clearance and how the tire sits on the vehicle.

A Buick that still carries its original-style wheel setup is a different fitment situation than one that has been updated over the years. Before mounting new tires, check actual wheel diameter and width, then look at steering clearance, suspension travel, and fender space at full lock and over compression. Those inspections matter more than assuming every 700-16 tire will behave the same on every car.

Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall mounting condition, then confirm tire pressure and look over the car’s suspension and steering for obvious wear. On a large prewar Buick, it also makes sense to check for even seating at the bead and make sure there is no interference at the fenders or steering components.

The first miles on fresh tires are a good time to pay attention to vibration, pulling, or any sign of rubbing. Collector vehicles often sit for long periods, so the tires are only one part of the readiness check. Wheel bearings, brake function, and the condition of suspension bushings and steering joints all affect how confidently the Buick will track once it returns to regular road use.

A collector Buick on 700-16 tires benefits from regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and careful storage. Watch for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss, especially if the car spends long stretches parked between events or seasonal drives.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on an older collector vehicle. Keeping the Buick away from prolonged sunlight, high heat, standing moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires’ condition over time. Moving the car periodically, maintaining clean wheels, and checking the tires before each outing are sensible habits for a prewar car that is driven less often than a modern daily vehicle.