1939 Graham Special Tires

The 1939 Graham Special uses a 600-16 tire size. This is a traditional numeric bias-ply fitment, and it is the primary size used on the covered model and the 6 Cyl. sub-model. The size belongs to a 16-inch wheel and keeps the car in the period-style tire category rather than a modern metric radial format.

That makes the first step fairly simple: confirm that the car still has 16-inch wheels and is being kept in the original-style sizing family. After that, the decision becomes choosing among the available 600-16 tire types, sidewall appearances, and tread series while checking wheel width, overall tire condition, and any changes made to the car over the years.

The 1939 Graham Special uses a 16-inch rim with its 600-16 tire fitment. The tire size itself confirms the wheel diameter, and the available products in this fitment are built around 16-inch applications. That rim diameter is central to the car's correct tire selection because the vehicle does not use multiple primary wheel diameters in this fitment grouping.

Rim diameter is only part of the check on a prewar car, so the wheel should also be inspected for actual width and condition before mounting new tires. Many 600-16 products are intended for narrow vintage rims, and a car that has had wheel substitutions over time deserves a careful measurement before settling on a specific tire.

Yes. The 1939 Graham Special 6 Cyl. uses the same 600-16 bias-ply tire size as the core 1939 Graham Special fitment. That means the sub-model does not introduce a second primary size or a different rim diameter within the covered fitment. For most buyers, the sizing question is settled once the 6 Cyl. identification is confirmed.

With the size unchanged, attention can move to choosing the tire style that best suits the car. A blackwall keeps the presentation restrained, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall options create a more formal prewar appearance. Wheel condition, intended road use, and the car's restoration direction are usually more important here than sub-model-specific size differences.

Start with the correct 600-16 size and a bias-ply construction that matches the vehicle's primary fitment. From there, compare the tire's intended character, whether that is a standard passenger-car presentation, a more formal whitewall look, or a specialized military or truck-style tread. Brand, tire series, sidewall style, and rim-width suitability all help separate one 600-16 option from another.

The best choice depends on how the Graham will be used and how authentic or specialized the finished look needs to be. A touring-oriented restoration may call for a classic passenger tread, while an appearance-focused build might place more weight on the whitewall treatment. It also helps to confirm wheel width and load needs before narrowing the final selection.

The 1939 Graham Special's 600-16 fitment is available in several sidewall styles, including blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. Those choices create very different visual results even when the size and construction remain the same. In a prewar application like this, sidewall treatment has a major effect on whether the car looks understated, formal, or more show-oriented.

Choosing between them should be guided by the car's restoration direction rather than by size alone. A blackwall tends to keep the presentation simple, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall versions bring more period dress to the wheel opening. It is worth checking period photos, marque references, or the car's build history if originality matters closely.

The 600-16 fitment for the 1939 Graham Special is available from several brands, including BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. Those brands appear across a mix of classic passenger, military, and specialty bias-ply series. The broad selection gives owners more freedom to balance appearance, tread style, and other tire characteristics.

Brand alone should not decide the purchase on a collector vehicle like this. It helps to compare the specific tire series, sidewall style, and wheel-width compatibility that each option carries in 600-16. Looking at the car's intended use is equally important, since a formal restoration, occasional touring car, and utility-themed build may not call for the same tire presentation.

A period-style 1939 Graham Special should begin with the proper 600-16 bias-ply size. That keeps the car in the same traditional sizing and construction family associated with late-prewar American fitment. From there, the right choice depends on the look being pursued, with classic passenger-car series offering a more typical road-car presentation than military or truck-oriented tread patterns.

Appearance matters as much as dimensions on a restoration-minded Graham. Blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall versions can all change the personality of the car without changing the basic fitment. Owners chasing a historically precise result should compare the car against period photos, marque-club references, or restoration records before settling on a sidewall style.

On a restored 1939 Graham Special, bias-ply construction plays a visible role in the car's overall stance and presentation. The 600-16 fitment belongs to a traditional prewar tire format, so keeping that construction helps preserve the look most buyers expect on an American car from 1939. The shape and visual proportion of the tire matter almost as much as the sidewall color.

That is why construction should be considered alongside whitewall treatment, tread style, and wheel dimensions rather than as a hidden specification. A restoration focused on period character usually benefits from staying with the original-style bias-ply approach. Even so, the final choice still needs to reflect the actual wheel setup and the way the car will be driven and displayed.

Yes. Even though the primary tire size is 600-16, modifications can change how that fitment works on a 1939 Graham Special. Replacement wheels, altered wheel widths, brake conversions, suspension changes, or body and fender work can all influence clearance and tire choice. A collector car that has changed hands several times may no longer match its original wheel setup exactly.

That is why the car should be checked as it sits today rather than assuming every 600-16 tire will behave the same way on every example. Measuring the wheels, inspecting steering clearance, and looking for signs of rubbing during lock-to-lock movement can prevent expensive surprises. The more heavily modified the car, the more important that inspection becomes.

Before driving a 1939 Graham Special on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, rust, and proper size, then confirm that the tires are seated correctly and inflated appropriately for the application. The suspension, steering components, and brakes also deserve attention on a prewar car, especially if it has been stored for long periods. Tire condition alone does not make the whole vehicle road-ready.

A cautious first drive should include listening for rubbing, vibration, or pull that might suggest alignment, wheel, or clearance issues. It also helps to recheck pressure and lug security after the initial miles. Collector vehicles often reveal age-related issues only once they begin moving again, so a gradual return to road use is wiser than treating new tires as the only needed step.

600-16 tires on a collector 1939 Graham Special should be kept clean, properly inflated, and inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and slow air loss. Because older collector cars are often driven infrequently, tire age and storage conditions matter just as much as tread depth. Long periods of sitting can be hard on both the tire carcass and the wheel.

Storage away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tire over time. It is also smart to check pressures before every outing rather than assuming the tires have held steady since the last drive. Frequent visual inspection around the sidewall and bead area is especially worthwhile on a prewar vehicle that may see limited seasonal use.