The 1939 La Salle 50 came at the end of La Salle production, giving this Cadillac companion car a distinctive place in late prewar American motoring. Its long hood, formal proportions, and V8-powered character make tire choice part of the car’s overall presentation, not just a maintenance item. The 1939 La Salle 50 uses a 700-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, keeping the fitment firmly in traditional prewar territory. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall styles across classic bias-ply series, along with some military and truck-oriented variations in the same size. The key is matching the tire to the car’s intended look, wheel setup, and road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1939 La Salle 50
The 1939 La Salle 50 uses one primary tire size: 700-16 in bias-ply construction on a 16-inch rim. That same fitment carries across the covered V8 sub-model, so the real decision is not which size fits, but which style of 700-16 best matches the car’s appearance, use, and restoration direction.
A 700-16 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size in which the 700 designates an approximate 7.00-inch nominal section width and the 16 designates the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1939 La Salle 50, that keeps the car in its proper prewar sizing language and traditional bias-ply construction. Within this size, choices include blackwall and wide whitewall treatments from Lester, BFGoodrich, and Firestone, plus military and truck-style variants from Firestone, Tornel, STA, and Avon. Selecting among them comes down to the type of driving, the look you want, and confirming the wheel is the expected 16-inch setup.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1939 La Salle 50. The covered V8 configuration uses the same 700-16 bias-ply sizing, so the main focus is choosing the right style and series within that size rather than sorting through multiple fitments.
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1939 La Salle 50 V8
The 1939 La Salle 50 V8 uses the same 700-16 bias-ply fitment that defines this model’s tire setup. That makes tire selection more about appearance and intended use, whether the goal is a traditional blackwall look, a wide whitewall presentation, or a more utility-oriented tread style in the same 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 La Salle 50 Tires for Sale
Available 700-16 choices span Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA, with blackwall and wide whitewall styles across classic bias-ply, military, and truck-oriented series. Several options also share a 4.50- to 5.50-inch rim-width specification, which helps narrow comparisons within the product grid.
These FAQs focus on 1939 La Salle 50 tire size, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply selection, sidewall appearance, restoration-minded choices, and the checks worth making before putting a prewar car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1939 La Salle 50?
The 1939 La Salle 50 uses a 700-16 tire in bias-ply construction. That is the primary fitment for this model, and the covered 1939 La Salle 50 V8 uses the same size, so the starting point is straightforward.
Once the size is confirmed, the real choice is which 700-16 best suits the car. Some owners want a traditional blackwall, while others want a wide whitewall for a more formal prewar appearance. It is also worth confirming that the car still has 16-inch wheels and that no later wheel or suspension changes have altered the fitment.
What size rim does a 1939 La Salle 50 use?
The 1939 La Salle 50 uses a 16-inch rim with its 700-16 tire size. That rim diameter is central to the fitment, since the final number in 700-16 refers to the wheel diameter the tire is built to mount on.
Rim diameter should be verified on the actual car before ordering tires, especially on an older vehicle that may have had wheels changed over the years. Rim width matters too when comparing individual products, since several 700-16 options in this size carry a 4.50- to 5.50-inch rim-width specification.
Does the 1939 La Salle 50 V8 use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1939 La Salle 50 V8 uses the same 700-16 bias-ply tire size as the overall 1939 La Salle 50 fitment. That keeps sub-model selection simple because there is no separate primary size to sort out for the V8 configuration.
With size consistency across the covered fitment, tire choice shifts toward style and purpose. A wide whitewall can suit a restoration-oriented presentation, while blackwall and utility-style tread patterns may better match a driver or specialty setup. Wheel condition, rim width, and any previous modifications should still be checked before final selection.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-16 tire for a 1939 La Salle 50?
Start with the correct 700-16 size and a bias-ply construction appropriate to the car’s prewar fitment. From there, compare sidewall style, tire series, rim-width requirements where stated, and whether the tire is intended as a classic passenger-car choice or a more utility-oriented option.
The right pick depends on how the La Salle will be used and presented. A wide whitewall can support a more formal restoration look, while a blackwall keeps the appearance simpler. It also helps to compare load figures and product weight where those details are given, especially if the car will see regular road use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1939 La Salle 50 tires?
The 1939 La Salle 50 has both blackwall and wide whitewall choices in 700-16. That gives owners a meaningful appearance decision without changing the basic size, rim diameter, or traditional bias-ply construction used on the car.
Sidewall style changes the visual character of a prewar car more than many buyers expect. Wide whitewalls tend to emphasize the formal late-1930s presentation, while blackwalls create a plainer, more understated look. If appearance accuracy matters, compare the tire style against period photos, marque references, and the car’s overall restoration theme.
What brands offer tires for the 1939 La Salle 50?
Available 700-16 tires for the 1939 La Salle 50 include choices from Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA. Those products span classic bias-ply passenger-car tires as well as some military and truck-oriented offerings in the same basic size.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. Compare the series, sidewall style, intended use, and any stated rim-width or load information for the tire you are considering. A La Salle restored for period-style presentation may call for a different product character than a car being assembled as a utility-minded road driver.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1939 La Salle 50?
A period-style 1939 La Salle 50 should begin with the correct 700-16 bias-ply format, since that preserves the car’s prewar sizing language and overall stance. From there, the most important choice is usually between a traditional blackwall and a wide whitewall presentation within the proper size.
The best visual match depends on how the car is being restored and documented. Some owners want a formal touring appearance, while others prefer a simpler look that does not emphasize the sidewall. When exact originality matters, compare tire appearance against marque-club guidance, period photos, and vehicle-specific restoration references.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1939 La Salle 50?
On a restored 1939 La Salle 50, bias-ply construction plays a major role in the car’s visual character because the tire shape, profile language, and sidewall presentation are part of the overall prewar look. In this fitment, the primary 700-16 tire remains firmly rooted in that traditional bias-ply style.
Appearance is only part of the decision, but it is a significant one on a La Salle of this era. The tire should look right with the wheel, body proportions, and restoration theme rather than merely sharing the correct nominal size. Sidewall choice also matters, since blackwall and wide whitewall create noticeably different visual results.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1939 La Salle 50?
Yes. Even though the primary fitment is a 700-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, wheel changes, altered ride height, brake conversions, or body and suspension work can affect how that tire fits on the actual car. Older collector vehicles are especially likely to have seen changes over time.
A modified La Salle should have its wheel diameter, wheel width, and tire clearance checked before selection. Steering travel, fender clearance, and suspension condition all matter, even when the nominal tire size is correct. Looking at the car as it sits today is more useful than assuming every surviving example still matches original wheel hardware.
What should I inspect before driving a 1939 La Salle 50 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for condition, verify the tires are properly mounted, and make sure inflation is appropriate for the chosen tire. It is also smart to check valve stems, lug hardware, and overall wheel integrity on a 1939 La Salle 50 before putting miles on fresh tires.
A broader walk-around matters just as much as the tires themselves. Look for rubbing at full steering lock, signs of suspension looseness, and any interference near fenders or brake components. After the first short drive, recheck pressure and look for uneven wear or marks on the sidewall that could point to a clearance issue.
How should 700-16 tires on a collector 1939 La Salle 50 be maintained?
Collector-car tires should be kept clean, properly inflated, and inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, tread wear, and air loss. On a 1939 La Salle 50, maintenance matters even more because the car may spend long periods parked, which can hide tire aging until the next drive.
Storage conditions have a big effect on tire life. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the sidewalls during long layups. It also pays to inspect the tires before every outing, since a low-mile collector car can still have age-related tire issues even when tread looks good.
