The 1939 Nash Ambassador came from an era when Nash built substantial American cars with an emphasis on comfort, presence, and smooth road manners. Prewar Ambassadors appeal to owners who value authentic proportions and the distinctive look of late-1930s touring sedans and coupes. Tire fitment for the 1939 Nash Ambassador stays firmly in the bias-ply world, but the exact size depends on whether the car is the 6-cylinder or 8-cylinder version. That makes the real choice less about modernizing and more about selecting the right period-style size, sidewall treatment, and tire series for the car you have. A careful fitment check helps balance restoration appearance, wheel compatibility, and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1939 Nash Ambassador
The 1939 Nash Ambassador uses two primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the specific sub-model. Both sizes are bias-ply fitments for 16-inch rims, so the first step is confirming whether the car is a 6-cylinder or 8-cylinder Ambassador. Once that is established, the decision shifts to choosing the right period-style tire within that size and matching the appearance and service type to the way the car is being restored or driven.
In a numeric bias-ply size like 6.25-16, the 6.25 refers to the nominal section width in inches and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter. This is a traditional bias-ply fitment that suits the prewar driving character and visual stance expected on a 1939 Nash Ambassador. The format matters because it reflects the period sizing system rather than later alphanumeric or metric radial conventions. For an owner sorting out fitment, 6.25-16 is the size to verify first on the 6-cylinder car before comparing appearance details and wheel compatibility.
A size marked 700-16 is a numeric bias-ply tire, with 7.00 indicating nominal section width and 16 indicating the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1939 Nash Ambassador, this size is tied to the 8-cylinder version and opens up the broader range of available product choices. That includes blackwall and wide whitewall presentations from brands such as Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA across classic bias-ply, military, and truck-style series. It is the size to evaluate when the goal is matching the heavier visual presence of the larger Ambassador configuration.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1939 Nash Ambassador because the 6-cylinder and 8-cylinder cars do not share the same primary tire size. Both use 16-inch bias-ply tires, but identifying the exact sub-model comes before comparing sidewall style, tire series, or restoration presentation.
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1939 Nash Ambassador 6 Cyl.
The 1939 Nash Ambassador 6 Cyl. uses the narrower of the two primary bias-ply fitments offered across this model line. That makes size confirmation especially important before choosing a period-style tire, since moving straight to product comparison without verifying the sub-model can put the car on the wrong section width.
The 1939 Nash Ambassador 8 Cyl. uses 700-16 bias-ply tires on a 16-inch rim. This version also brings the clearest range of product choices, including blackwall and wide whitewall options, so the next step is deciding whether the car is being set up for restoration appearance, general touring, or a more utility-oriented presentation.
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 Nash Ambassador 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. Rim-width specifications also vary by product, so the comparison goes beyond appearance alone.
Owners of a 1939 Nash Ambassador usually need to sort out the correct size by sub-model first, then compare bias-ply options by sidewall style, tire series, wheel fitment, and restoration goals. The questions below focus on those decisions and on practical road-use checks for a prewar car.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1939 Nash Ambassador?
A 1939 Nash Ambassador uses either 6.25-16 or 700-16 tires, and both are bias-ply sizes for 16-inch rims. The 6-cylinder Ambassador uses 6.25-16, while the 8-cylinder Ambassador uses 700-16, so the correct fitment depends on the specific sub-model rather than the model name alone.
That difference matters because these two sizes are not just alternate shopping choices for the same car. Before selecting a tire, confirm whether the car is a 6-cylinder or 8-cylinder Ambassador, then verify the actual wheel setup on the vehicle in case wheels were changed during restoration or past service.
What size rim does a 1939 Nash Ambassador use?
The 1939 Nash Ambassador uses a 16-inch rim with either of its primary tire sizes. Both 6.25-16 and 700-16 are built around that 16-inch wheel diameter, so the diameter itself stays consistent even though the two sub-models use different section widths.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a prewar car. It still helps to check the actual wheel width and overall wheel condition before mounting new tires, especially if the Ambassador has replacement wheels, old damaged rims, or a long history of sitting unused.
Do all 1939 Nash Ambassador sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1939 Nash Ambassador 6 Cyl. uses 6.25-16, while the 1939 Nash Ambassador 8 Cyl. uses 700-16. Both are bias-ply tires on 16-inch rims, but the sizes are tied to the specific sub-model and should not be treated as a one-size-fits-all fitment.
That means the first step is identifying the car correctly before comparing brands or sidewall styles. Once the sub-model is confirmed, the tire decision becomes much easier because you can focus on the right period-style presentation, wheel compatibility, and the way the car is intended to be driven.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-16 tire for a 1939 Nash Ambassador?
Start with the car itself and make sure it is the 1939 Nash Ambassador 8 Cyl., since 700-16 is the larger of the two primary sizes used on this model line. From there, compare the tire's construction, sidewall style, rim-width specification where stated, load figures where stated, and whether the tire is aimed at passenger-car presentation or a military or truck-style look.
Appearance is often the biggest deciding factor on a prewar Nash. A wide whitewall creates a very different visual result than a blackwall, while a military NDT or NDCC pattern changes the character of the car entirely, so choose the tire that suits both the wheel and the kind of restoration or road use planned.
What sidewall styles are available for 1939 Nash Ambassador tires?
Among the available 700-16 products, the visible sidewall choices include blackwall and wide whitewall. Those two treatments give the 1939 Nash Ambassador very different visual personalities, even when the tire size remains the same and the construction stays bias-ply.
A blackwall usually gives a plainer and more utility-oriented presentation, while a wide whitewall leans more toward a dressier prewar look. The right choice depends on how the car is being finished and whether the goal is understated touring appearance or a more formal restoration-oriented stance.
What brands offer tires for the 1939 Nash Ambassador?
For the 700-16 fitment used on the 1939 Nash Ambassador 8 Cyl., available brands include Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA. Those choices cover several classic bias-ply, military, and truck-oriented series, giving the buyer more than one path depending on the intended look and service style.
Brand alone should not decide the purchase on a prewar car. It makes more sense to compare the exact tire series, sidewall treatment, and wheel-width suitability along with the car's restoration direction, since a formal passenger-car presentation calls for a different tire character than a utility-style setup.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1939 Nash Ambassador?
A period-style 1939 Nash Ambassador starts with the correct primary size for the sub-model: 6.25-16 for the 6-cylinder car and 700-16 for the 8-cylinder car. Because both are bias-ply fitments, staying within that construction keeps the car closer to the look and stance most owners expect from a prewar Nash.
After size is settled, the visual choice usually comes down to sidewall treatment and tire character. A wide whitewall can suit a more formal restoration-oriented presentation, while a blackwall or utility-style tread changes the tone of the car, so exact originality should be checked against marque references if that level of detail matters.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1939 Nash Ambassador?
On a restored 1939 Nash Ambassador, tire construction affects both shape and presentation. Bias-ply tires preserve the vintage sizing convention and the traditional look associated with prewar fitment, which is why they remain central to the car's visual identity even before sidewall style is considered.
Construction also influences how the car sits visually within the fender opening and how closely the finished wheel-and-tire package reflects late-1930s expectations. Owners pursuing a restoration-oriented result usually begin with the correct bias-ply size, then refine the appearance through blackwall or wide whitewall choices rather than changing the basic construction.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1939 Nash Ambassador?
Yes. Even though the 1939 Nash Ambassador uses straightforward 16-inch bias-ply fitments, modifications can still affect whether the intended size works properly on the car. Replacement wheels, altered wheel width, brake changes, suspension work, or body and fender repairs can all change the real-world space around the tire.
That is why an older car should be checked as it sits today rather than assumed to match stock dimensions. A careful look at wheel width, steering clearance, fender clearance, and overall stance helps avoid choosing a tire solely by model year when the car may no longer retain its original setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1939 Nash Ambassador on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheel condition, valve stems, lug hardware, and the overall seating of the new tires on the rims. It also makes sense to confirm proper inflation, check that the tires clear the fenders and steering components, and look over the suspension and steering parts for looseness that could affect how the car tracks.
A prewar Nash often spends long periods parked, so the rest of the chassis matters as much as the tires themselves. Fresh tires cannot compensate for worn kingpins, weak shocks, damaged wheels, or uneven brake function, and a short local test drive is a smart first check before longer touring use.
How should 1939 Nash Ambassador tires be maintained?
Tires on a 1939 Nash Ambassador should be inspected regularly for air loss, cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven tread wear, especially if the car is driven only occasionally. Bias-ply tires on collector vehicles also benefit from proper inflation checks and periodic movement so the car does not sit in one position for extended periods.
Storage conditions make a real difference on an older vehicle. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and routine inspection is important even when tread looks good because age and long idle periods can matter as much as mileage.
