The 1939 Chrysler Imperial stood at the upper end of Chrysler’s prewar lineup, with the long, formal proportions and road presence expected of a luxury American car from the late 1930s. Buyers restoring or maintaining one today usually care as much about stance and appearance as basic drivability. Tire fitment centers on two 16-inch bias-ply sizes, 700-16 and 750-16, depending on the exact Imperial sub-model. Within those sizes, the choices include traditional blackwall and wide whitewall presentations, along with several classic tire series and heavier-duty patterns in the same sizing family. The key is matching the right size to the right sub-model, then choosing the tire style that suits restoration goals and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1939 Chrysler Imperial
The 1939 Chrysler Imperial uses two primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model rather than a wheel-diameter change. Both sizes are bias-ply fitments for 16-inch rims, so the first step is confirming whether the car is an Imperial 8 Cyl. or an Imperial Custom 8 Cyl. After that, the real decision shifts to period-style appearance, tire series, and the type of road use the car will see.
A 700-16 size uses the older numeric bias-ply system, where 7.00 refers to a nominal section width of about seven inches and 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. This is a traditional bias-ply fitment for the 1939 Chrysler Imperial on a 16-inch rim and suits prewar tire presentation. In this size, options include blackwall and wide whitewall styles from brands such as Lester, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Avon, Tornel, and STA across several classic and utility-oriented series. It is the size to evaluate when the car uses the Imperial 8 Cyl. fitment and originality of look matters as much as basic compatibility.
A 750-16 tire follows the same vintage numeric bias-ply format, with 7.50 indicating a wider nominal section than 700-16 and 16 indicating the rim diameter. For the 1939 Chrysler Imperial, this remains a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch wheel, but it belongs to a different sub-model application than 700-16. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall versions from Firestone, Lester, BFGoodrich, and STA, with both passenger-style classic series and heavier-duty truck-oriented tread offerings. This size deserves careful sub-model confirmation before selection, especially on restored cars where stance and wheel match are important.
Sub-model identification matters on the 1939 Chrysler Imperial because tire size changes between the two covered versions. Both use 16-inch bias-ply construction, but choosing between 700-16 and 750-16 starts with confirming whether the car is the Imperial 8 Cyl. or the Imperial Custom 8 Cyl.
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1939 Chrysler Imperial 8 Cyl.
The 1939 Chrysler Imperial 8 Cyl. uses the 700-16 bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim. Tire selection then becomes a matter of choosing the right period-style look, such as blackwall or wide whitewall, along with a tire series that matches how the car is restored and driven.
The 1939 Chrysler Imperial Custom 8 Cyl. uses the larger 750-16 bias-ply size on a 16-inch rim. That makes wheel and sub-model confirmation especially important before purchase, followed by choosing between traditional passenger-car styling and the broader range of blackwall or wide whitewall offerings in this size.
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 Chrysler Imperial Tires for Sale
Available 1939 Chrysler Imperial tire choices span 700-16 and 750-16 bias-ply fitments from Firestone, BFGoodrich, Lester, Avon, Tornel, and STA. Buyers can compare blackwall and wide whitewall styles, classic passenger series, and several heavier-duty military or truck-oriented patterns within the correct size.
These 1939 Chrysler Imperial tire FAQs focus on the two correct bias-ply sizes, sub-model fitment differences, 16-inch rim use, appearance choices, and the practical checks that matter before putting a restored prewar Chrysler back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1939 Chrysler Imperial?
The 1939 Chrysler Imperial uses either 700-16 or 750-16, both in bias-ply construction. The Imperial 8 Cyl. uses 700-16, while the Imperial Custom 8 Cyl. uses 750-16, so there is not one universal size for every 1939 Imperial.
That means the first step is confirming the exact sub-model before choosing a tire. Since both sizes mount on 16-inch rims, the difference is not wheel diameter but the tire size assigned to the specific Imperial version, along with the appearance and product style you want for restoration or road use.
What size rim does a 1939 Chrysler Imperial use?
The covered 1939 Chrysler Imperial tire sizes use a 16-inch rim diameter. Both 700-16 and 750-16 are 16-inch fitments, even though the two Imperial sub-models do not share the same tire size.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a prewar car like this. It still helps to confirm the actual wheel on the vehicle, especially if the car has been restored, stored for years, or changed at some point, because the correct tire also needs to match the proper size range for that specific sub-model.
Why does the 1939 Chrysler Imperial have more than one tire size?
The 1939 Chrysler Imperial has more than one tire size because fitment changes by sub-model. The Imperial 8 Cyl. uses 700-16, while the Imperial Custom 8 Cyl. uses 750-16, with both staying in traditional bias-ply construction on 16-inch rims.
For a buyer, that means the important question is not simply whether the car is a 1939 Imperial, but which Imperial it is. Once that is settled, tire selection becomes much easier, since you can focus on the correct size first and then compare blackwall versus wide whitewall styling and the different classic tire series available.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-16 or 750-16 tire for a 1939 Chrysler Imperial?
Start with the exact size required for the car’s sub-model, since a 1939 Chrysler Imperial may use either 700-16 or 750-16. After size, the main considerations are bias-ply construction, 16-inch wheel compatibility, sidewall appearance, tire series, and whether the car will be shown, toured occasionally, or used in a more utility-minded way.
The available choices range from traditional passenger-style blackwall and wide whitewall tires to heavier-duty military and truck-oriented patterns in the same sizes. Matching the tire to the car’s intended presentation is especially important on a prewar Imperial, because tire profile and sidewall treatment affect the vehicle’s stance almost as much as the wheel itself.
What sidewall styles are available for 1939 Chrysler Imperial tires?
The available sidewall styles for 1939 Chrysler Imperial tires are blackwall and wide whitewall. Both styles appear in the correct bias-ply sizes used by this Chrysler, although the exact sidewall offerings vary by tire size, brand, and series.
That gives owners a meaningful appearance choice without changing the vehicle’s basic fitment format. A blackwall usually creates a more restrained, service-oriented look, while a wide whitewall delivers a more formal prewar presentation, so the right choice depends on how the Imperial is restored and how closely the owner wants the finished car to reflect a traditional era-appropriate look.
What brands offer tires for the 1939 Chrysler Imperial?
Tire options for the 1939 Chrysler Imperial include Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA, depending on whether the car uses 700-16 or 750-16. Those brands cover classic passenger-style bias-ply tires as well as several military or truck-oriented offerings in the same vintage sizes.
Brand alone should not drive the decision on a car like this. It makes more sense to compare the correct size first, then look at sidewall style, tire series, rim-width compatibility where stated, and the character of the tread pattern so the finished choice suits both the Imperial’s appearance and the way the car will actually be used.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1939 Chrysler Imperial?
A period-style 1939 Chrysler Imperial tire choice starts with the correct bias-ply size for the car’s sub-model: 700-16 for the Imperial 8 Cyl. and 750-16 for the Imperial Custom 8 Cyl. From there, traditional passenger-car series and sidewall treatments give the car a look that stays in character with a late-1930s luxury Chrysler.
Wide whitewalls often suit a formal prewar presentation, while blackwalls create a plainer, more understated appearance. If exact originality matters down to brand, stripe width, or presentation details, it is worth checking marque references or restoration documentation for the specific car before settling on a final tire and sidewall combination.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1939 Chrysler Imperial restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1939 Chrysler Imperial because the car’s visual balance depends heavily on the proper bias-ply size and sidewall profile. Using 700-16 versus 750-16 changes more than the number on the sidewall; it affects the overall presentation of the car and whether the tire matches the intended sub-model.
Getting the size right also helps keep the restoration grounded in the car’s actual configuration rather than a generic prewar look. After confirming the sub-model and wheel setup, owners can choose between blackwall and wide whitewall versions to shape the finished appearance without stepping away from the Chrysler’s original-style tire format.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1939 Chrysler Imperial?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1939 Chrysler Imperial even when the car still uses the correct basic size family. Changed wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, brake conversions, or body and fender repairs can all influence how a 700-16 or 750-16 tire sits and clears.
That is especially important on older restorations, where the current setup may not match original specifications exactly. A car with replacement wheels or suspension changes should be checked for actual rim diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and fender clearance before mounting tires, since the right vintage size still needs to suit the way the car is presently configured.
What should I inspect before driving a 1939 Chrysler Imperial on new tires?
Before driving a 1939 Chrysler Imperial on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition, verify the correct 16-inch rim and proper size for the sub-model, and make sure the tires are mounted and inflated appropriately for their application. It also helps to check for rubbing at full steering lock and during suspension movement.
A prewar car deserves a broader road-readiness check as well. Look over wheel fasteners, steering components, brakes, and suspension condition, then monitor tire pressure and any early signs of irregular contact or air loss during the first miles, since collector vehicles often return to service after long storage or incomplete prior maintenance.
How should 700-16 and 750-16 tires on a collector 1939 Chrysler Imperial be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1939 Chrysler Imperial should be kept clean, inflated properly for their service use, and inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, tread wear, and air loss. Because both 700-16 and 750-16 are vintage-style bias-ply fitments, long periods of storage make routine condition checks especially important.
Storage environment matters almost as much as mileage on a low-use prewar Chrysler. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition, and occasional inspections of the wheel, valve area, and sidewalls are worthwhile before any road outing, especially if the Imperial spends most of its life parked indoors.
