1939 Lafayette 6 Cyl. Tires

The 1939 Lafayette 6 Cyl. uses a 600-16 tire size. This is a bias-ply fitment and it is the primary size associated with the vehicle, including the Base sub-model covered here.

That makes the first step fairly simple: confirm that the car is still on 16-inch wheels and has not been changed to a different wheel setup over the years. Once wheel size is confirmed, the real choice becomes selecting the right 600-16 tire style and series for the car’s appearance, restoration direction, and planned road use.

The 1939 Lafayette 6 Cyl. uses a 16-inch rim with its 600-16 tire fitment. Product options in this size commonly reference rim widths around 4.00 to 4.50 inches, with some variation depending on the specific tire.

Rim diameter needs to match exactly, and rim width should also be checked before choosing among available 600-16 tires. On an older collector car, it is wise to verify the actual wheels on the vehicle rather than assuming they are original, especially if the car has had replacement wheels or long-term restoration work.

A 600-16 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 600 refers to an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width, while the 16 indicates the wheel diameter in inches.

For a 1939 Lafayette 6 Cyl., that older sizing format matters because it reflects prewar tire construction and proportions rather than modern metric radial sizing. Understanding the code helps you compare tires that share the correct size while still differing in sidewall treatment, tread character, rim-width guidance, and overall presentation on the car.

Start with the correct primary size, which is 600-16, and confirm that the tire matches the car’s 16-inch wheel setup. Since this is a bias-ply application, the main differences between choices come from sidewall style, tire series, brand, and intended visual character.

A blackwall usually gives a more understated look, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall options create a stronger prewar presentation. It also helps to compare rim-width guidance, maximum load figures where stated, and whether the tread pattern looks appropriate for a passenger-car restoration versus a more specialized military or truck-style application.

The 1939 Lafayette 6 Cyl. has 600-16 tire options in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. Those choices appear across several bias-ply series, giving the car very different visual personalities even when the tire size stays the same.

Sidewall style is one of the biggest appearance decisions on a prewar car because it changes how formal, understated, or dressy the vehicle looks at a glance. The best choice depends on how the car is being presented, whether the goal is a restrained driver-quality look or a more restoration-oriented whitewall treatment.

Available 600-16 tires for the 1939 Lafayette 6 Cyl. come from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. All of the applicable offerings here are bias-ply, but they vary noticeably in sidewall style and tire series.

Brand choice should be considered alongside the tire’s visual presentation and intended use rather than as a ranking exercise. Some options lean toward traditional passenger-car styling, while others carry military or truck-oriented tread themes, so it helps to decide whether the car is being finished for period-style appearance, casual driving, or a more specialized look.

A period-style starting point for a 1939 Lafayette 6 Cyl. is a 600-16 bias-ply tire, since that preserves the prewar sizing format and traditional construction associated with the car. Within that size, the visual direction can shift from blackwall to wide whitewall or double-whitewall depending on how formal or dressy the finished car should appear.

For many restorations, the question is less about size and more about presentation. If exact historical originality matters, compare the chosen sidewall style and brand treatment against marque-club guidance, photographs, or period documentation, since a correct size alone does not automatically establish the exact appearance a specific car would have worn when new.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1939 Lafayette 6 Cyl. because the tire contributes to stance, wheel fill, and the overall prewar character of the car. Using the proper 600-16 bias-ply size keeps the restoration grounded in the proportions expected for this type of late-1930s automobile.

Appearance is only part of the picture. Proper fitment also affects how the tire sits on the wheel, how the car clears its fenders and steering components, and whether the finished vehicle looks coherent from every angle. On a restoration, even small visual mismatches in size or sidewall treatment can stand out more than many owners expect.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1939 Lafayette 6 Cyl. even when the intended tire size remains 600-16. Wheel changes, altered rim widths, suspension work, brake conversions, or body and fender repairs can all influence how much space the tire has once mounted.

That is why it helps to inspect the car as it exists today rather than assuming every component remains stock. A buyer should confirm wheel diameter, wheel width, and visible clearance at the front and rear, especially if the car has been restored in stages or has any non-original hardware from earlier repair work.

Before driving a 1939 Lafayette 6 Cyl. on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition, confirm proper mounting on the 16-inch rims, and check that the tires have adequate clearance through steering and suspension travel. It is also smart to look over the valve stems, wheel hardware, and general chassis condition.

A prewar car that has spent long periods parked deserves extra attention before regular road use. Tire pressure should be set appropriately for the tires in use, and the vehicle should be checked for pulling, vibration, rubbing, or uneven stance during the first short drive so any fitment or mechanical issue can be corrected early.

600-16 tires on a collector 1939 Lafayette 6 Cyl. should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and air loss, and protected from long exposure to heat, sunlight, and ozone sources. On a low-use collector car, condition matters just as much as tread depth.

Regular visual checks are especially important because older vehicles may sit for long stretches between drives. Moving the car periodically, storing it on a clean dry surface, and checking the tires before each outing helps reduce surprises. Any sign of age-related deterioration or unusual wear should be addressed before the car returns to regular road use.