The 1939 Dodge D 11 comes from a period when Chrysler-built cars balanced practical family transportation with streamlined late-1930s styling and a distinctly prewar road feel. For many owners today, the appeal is as much about preserving that character as keeping the car ready for local tours and careful road use. Tire fitment on the 1939 Dodge D 11 centers on two 16-inch bias-ply sizes, 600-16 and 650-16, with the correct choice tied to the exact sub-model. Within those sizes, there is meaningful variety in blackwall, wide whitewall, and even double-whitewall presentations across several vintage tire series. The right selection depends on matching the car's configuration, wheel setup, and restoration goals.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1939 Dodge D 11
The 1939 Dodge D 11 uses two primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model rather than a change in basic construction or wheel diameter. Both sizes are bias-ply tires for 16-inch rims, so the first step is confirming whether the car is the 6 Cyl. model or the 6 Cyl. (7 Passenger), then choosing the sidewall style and tire series that best suit its intended appearance and use.
In a numeric bias-ply size like 600-16, the 600 indicates an approximate 6.00-inch section width and the 16 identifies the rim diameter in inches. This is a traditional bias-ply fitment that suits the prewar driving character and visual stance expected on the 1939 Dodge D 11 6 Cyl. model. Available choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles from brands such as BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Goodyear, Lester, Excelsior, and others across several vintage-style series. It is the right size to evaluate when the car uses the standard 6 Cyl. configuration and retains the proper 16-inch wheel setup.
The size code 650-16 follows the same numeric bias-ply pattern, with 650 representing an approximate 6.50-inch section width and 16 denoting a 16-inch rim. On the 1939 Dodge D 11, this size belongs to the 6 Cyl. (7 Passenger), making it a configuration-specific fitment rather than a general substitute for every D 11. Buyers will find a broad mix of blackwall and wide whitewall options from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Goodyear, Garfield, Lester, STA, Tornel, and Excelsior in both passenger-car and more utility-oriented series. This size is the one to compare when a seven-passenger car needs the proper width, stance, and load-focused vintage presentation.
Sub-model identification matters on the 1939 Dodge D 11 because tire size changes with the body configuration, even though both fitments remain bias-ply on 16-inch rims. Checking the exact sub-model first keeps the search focused on the correct width, appearance options, and wheel compatibility.
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1939 Dodge D 11 6 Cyl.
The 1939 Dodge D 11 6 Cyl. uses the narrower of the two primary sizes, making it the standard fitment path for this configuration. That keeps tire selection centered on choosing the right bias-ply series and sidewall presentation while confirming that the car still has the proper 16-inch wheels.
The 1939 Dodge D 11 6 Cyl. (7 Passenger) moves to the wider 650-16 bias-ply size, so it should not be treated the same as the standard six-cylinder model. That means the buyer should match the seven-passenger configuration first, then compare blackwall versus whitewall styling and the available tire series within that 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 Dodge D 11 Tires for Sale
Available 1939 Dodge D 11 tires stay firmly in the vintage bias-ply world, with 600-16 and 650-16 options from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Goodyear, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and others. The main comparison points are blackwall versus whitewall styling, passenger-car versus military or truck-inspired tread series, and rim-width compatibility within each size.
Owners of a 1939 Dodge D 11 usually need to confirm the correct sub-model first, then sort through size, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply construction, sidewall appearance, and pre-road-use inspection. These questions focus on the decisions that matter most for a prewar Dodge.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1939 Dodge D 11?
A 1939 Dodge D 11 uses either 600-16 or 650-16, and both are bias-ply sizes for 16-inch rims. The standard 1939 Dodge D 11 6 Cyl. uses 600-16, while the 1939 Dodge D 11 6 Cyl. (7 Passenger) uses 650-16.
That makes sub-model identification the first step before comparing brands or sidewall styles. A seven-passenger car should not be treated as though it shares the same tire width as the standard six-cylinder model, and any car with replacement wheels should have its actual rim diameter and width checked before a tire is chosen.
What size rim does a 1939 Dodge D 11 use?
The 1939 Dodge D 11 uses a 16-inch rim with either of its primary tire sizes. Both 600-16 and 650-16 are built around that same rim diameter, so the difference between the two fitments is tire width rather than wheel diameter.
Rim diameter is only part of the picture on a prewar car. Wheel width still matters, especially because many 600-16 passenger options call for roughly 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims, while many 650-16 options are centered around 4.50 to 5.00-inch rims, so the actual wheel should be measured if there is any doubt.
Do all 1939 Dodge D 11 sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1939 Dodge D 11 does not use one tire size across all covered sub-models. The 6 Cyl. model uses 600-16, while the 6 Cyl. (7 Passenger) uses 650-16, and both remain bias-ply fitments on 16-inch rims.
That distinction matters because the two sizes do not simply represent different styling choices within the same fitment. Before choosing a blackwall, wide whitewall, or a specific vintage tire series, confirm the exact body configuration and make sure the car still carries the wheel setup intended for that sub-model.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-16 or 650-16 tire for a 1939 Dodge D 11?
Start with the correct size for the car's sub-model, since the 1939 Dodge D 11 uses either 600-16 or 650-16 depending on configuration. From there, compare bias-ply tire series, sidewall presentation, rim-width requirements, and whether the tire is aimed at passenger-car use or a more utility-focused military or truck style.
A restoration-oriented car may call for a very different look than a driver meant for casual road miles. Blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall options create noticeably different visual results, and a careful buyer should also review load figures where given and confirm that the wheel dimensions match the tire being considered.
What sidewall styles are available for 1939 Dodge D 11 tires?
1939 Dodge D 11 tires are available in several sidewall styles depending on size and series. Across 600-16 and 650-16, the main choices include blackwall and wide whitewall, and 600-16 also appears in double-whitewall form among some of the available bias-ply options.
Sidewall choice has more to do with appearance than fitment, provided the tire is the correct size for the car. A blackwall gives a restrained, utilitarian look, while whitewall and double-whitewall treatments create a more formal prewar presentation, so the best match depends on how the Dodge is being restored or displayed.
What brands offer tires for the 1939 Dodge D 11?
The 1939 Dodge D 11 has tire options from several brands, including BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Goodyear, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and others, with some size-specific offerings from Avon, Garfield, Tornel, Camac, and Ford Script. Availability varies between 600-16 and 650-16.
Brand alone should not be the only filter on a prewar fitment. It helps to compare the tire series, sidewall style, rim-width specification, and whether the tread style is aimed at passenger-car presentation or a more rugged truck or military look, especially if the Dodge has a particular restoration direction.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1939 Dodge D 11?
A period-style 1939 Dodge D 11 starts with the correct bias-ply size for the exact sub-model: 600-16 for the 6 Cyl. and 650-16 for the 6 Cyl. (7 Passenger). From there, the most appropriate choice usually comes down to sidewall treatment and tread character within the available vintage-style series.
A blackwall creates a simpler, more utilitarian presentation, while wide whitewalls give the car a more formal late-1930s look. When exact originality matters, use the car's own historical documentation or marque-specific references to confirm details such as brand appearance and whitewall style before making the final choice.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1939 Dodge D 11 restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1939 Dodge D 11 because tire width, sidewall shape, and overall visual proportion are part of the car's prewar character. Using the right 600-16 or 650-16 bias-ply size helps preserve the stance and appearance intended for the specific body configuration.
Fitment also affects practical details beyond appearance. A tire that matches the car's proper size range is easier to evaluate against wheel width and body clearance, and it keeps the restoration process focused on a setup that looks appropriate rather than forcing a compromise around the wrong wheel or tire combination.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1939 Dodge D 11?
Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1939 Dodge D 11 even when the car is being fitted with the proper 600-16 or 650-16 size. Aftermarket wheels, wheel-width changes, suspension work, altered ride height, or body repairs can all affect how a bias-ply tire sits and clears.
A prewar Dodge should be checked at the actual car, not only by the nominal size stamped on the sidewall. Measure the wheel diameter and width, look at steering and fender clearance, and make sure the selected tire matches the sub-model before assuming that any modified setup will behave like a stock one.
What should I inspect before driving a 1939 Dodge D 11 on new tires?
Before driving a 1939 Dodge D 11 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or rust issues, confirm the tire size matches the sub-model, and make sure inflation is set appropriately for the chosen tire. It also helps to check valve stems, lug hardware, and whether the wheels are suited to the tire's rim-width needs.
The car itself deserves attention as well. Steering play, suspension wear, brake condition, and alignment can all affect how a fresh set of bias-ply tires feels on the road, so a careful mechanical inspection helps the Dodge track properly and keeps the new tires from masking a separate chassis problem.
How should 600-16 or 650-16 tires on a collector 1939 Dodge D 11 be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1939 Dodge D 11 should be kept clean, properly inflated, and inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear. Because many prewar cars see limited use, age and storage conditions can matter just as much as tread depth on both 600-16 and 650-16 bias-ply tires.
Storage habits make a real difference over time. Keeping the Dodge away from prolonged sun, excess heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment helps protect the sidewalls, and periodic checks for air loss or flat spotting are worthwhile before any longer outing, even if the tires still look acceptable at a glance.
