1939 Lincoln V12 Tires

The 1939 Lincoln V12 uses a 750-17 tire size. This is a bias-ply fitment built for a 17-inch wheel, and it is the primary tire size associated with this model.

That makes the first step fairly simple: confirm that the car is still on the proper 17-inch wheels and then choose the right 750-17 tire style for the way the car is presented and driven. If the wheels have been changed over the years, verify actual rim width and overall clearance before selecting among the available 750-17 options.

The 1939 Lincoln V12 uses a 17-inch rim with its 750-17 tire size. The wheel diameter matters because a 17-inch tire must be matched to a 17-inch wheel, even when the sidewall appearance or tire series changes.

Wheel width still deserves a close look before choosing a specific tire. Some 750-17 products are built around narrower passenger-style rim widths, while others are intended for wider or heavier-duty applications. Measuring the wheel on the car is especially worthwhile on an older Lincoln that may have seen wheel swaps or long-ago service replacements.

Yes. The 1939 Lincoln V12 Base uses the same 750-17 bias-ply tire size as the core 1939 Lincoln V12 fitment. That keeps sizing straightforward across the covered sub-model.

Even with shared size, the buyer still has meaningful choices within 750-17. Sidewall treatment, tire series, and rim-width suitability can all vary, so it helps to decide whether the goal is a traditional luxury-car appearance, a restoration-oriented whitewall presentation, or a heavier-duty tire for more specialized use.

Start with the basics: the tire should be the correct 750-17 size, bias-ply construction, and a suitable match for the car’s 17-inch wheel. From there, the main considerations are wheel-width compatibility, intended use, sidewall appearance, and whether the tire is a traditional passenger-car design or a heavier-duty truck-oriented version.

A Lincoln V12 restored for formal prewar presentation may call for a whitewall or double-whitewall look, while a more utilitarian setup may point toward blackwall choices. It also helps to compare product specifications such as load capacity at stated pressure, series character, and general tire weight so the final choice suits both the vehicle and how it will actually be driven.

The 1939 Lincoln V12’s 750-17 tire options include blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Those choices can change the car’s appearance dramatically even though the tire size stays the same.

Blackwall tires tend to give the car a more restrained, understated presentation, while whitewall styles add a stronger period-style visual effect that many prewar luxury owners prefer. The right choice depends on the look of the specific car, its trim and paint, and whether the restoration goal leans toward formal elegance or a simpler road-use appearance.

750-17 tires for the 1939 Lincoln V12 are available from Firestone, BFGoodrich, Tornel, and STA. Those brands appear across both classic passenger-oriented offerings and heavier-duty bias-ply options in the same size.

Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It is smarter to compare each tire’s series, sidewall treatment, rim-width suitability, and whether its overall character matches a large prewar Lincoln. A wide whitewall passenger tire and a truck-oriented blackwall may share the same size, yet serve very different visual and practical purposes.

A period-style 1939 Lincoln V12 usually starts with the proper 750-17 bias-ply size and then narrows to the presentation you want. Traditional passenger-car series with blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall styling are generally the most natural starting point for a restoration-oriented prewar luxury car.

The exact visual target matters. Some owners want a formal touring look with strong whitewall presence, while others prefer a quieter blackwall treatment. If exact originality is the goal, compare the tire choice against marque references, period photography, and vehicle-specific restoration guidance rather than assuming any 750-17 sidewall style was universally used.

Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1939 Lincoln V12 because the tire contributes heavily to both stance and character. A proper 750-17 bias-ply tire supports the tall prewar profile that helps the car look visually balanced on its 17-inch wheels.

Fitment also affects how convincing the finished restoration feels in use. The wrong construction, an unsuitable wheel match, or an overly utilitarian tread style can change the car’s presence even before it moves. Matching size, wheel compatibility, and sidewall treatment carefully usually has as much visual impact as many more expensive restoration details.

Yes. Even though the correct tire size is 750-17, modifications can change whether a specific tire is appropriate for the car. Wheel replacements, altered rim widths, suspension changes, brake conversions, or body work can all affect how a 750-17 tire sits and clears.

Older collector cars often carry decades of changes, so it is worth measuring the actual wheel and inspecting the available space at the fender, steering components, and suspension. A Lincoln V12 with non-original wheels may still need the same nominal tire size, but not every 750-17 product will suit the wheel or the car in the same way.

Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and mounting surfaces, then confirm that each tire is properly seated and inflated for its application. On the tires themselves, check for any visible shipping damage, irregular shape, or interference once the car is back on the ground.

A slow, careful clearance check is especially important on a large prewar car. Turn the steering through its range, watch the fender and suspension areas, and look for any rubbing under load. It also helps to make sure the car’s alignment, steering components, and brakes are in sound condition so the new tires are not being asked to compensate for other issues.

Collector-car tires need regular visual checks even when mileage is low. A 750-17 tire on a 1939 Lincoln V12 should be inspected for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, air loss, and any change in how the car sits after storage.

Good storage conditions matter nearly as much as road use. Keep the car away from prolonged sun, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources, and check pressure before driving rather than assuming the tires are still ready after sitting. Occasional movement, clean wheels, and prompt attention to any vibration or pull can help preserve both the tires and the vehicle.