The 1939 Plymouth Economy belongs to the late prewar era, when practical American transportation emphasized durability, modest operating cost, and straightforward mechanical design. Buyers restoring or maintaining one today usually want a tire that looks right on a narrow 16-inch wheel and suits the car’s original driving character. This Plymouth uses a 550-16 bias-ply tire, keeping the fitment conversation focused on one primary size rather than multiple wheel packages. Within that size, there is still meaningful choice in blackwall and wide whitewall styles, along with offerings from Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. The real decision is balancing period-style appearance, brand preference, and careful wheel compatibility before road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1939 Plymouth Economy
The 1939 Plymouth Economy uses one primary tire size: 550-16. It is a bias-ply fitment for a 16-inch rim, and the covered 6 Cyl. sub-model follows that same basic sizing. Since the size itself is straightforward, the real choice is which 550-16 tire best matches the car’s intended appearance, brand preference, and wheel setup.
A 550-16 size is a vintage numeric bias-ply designation in which the 5.50 figure represents the tire’s nominal section width in inches and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter. On a 1939 Plymouth Economy, this keeps the car in its original-style bias-ply sizing language and preserves the narrow prewar look associated with the period. Available 550-16 choices include blackwall and wide whitewall treatments, with tire series from Excelsior, Avon Tourist, BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, and Firestone Classic Bias Ply. Choosing among them comes down to appearance, brand preference, and confirming that the wheel matches the rim-width requirements of the tire being considered.
Sub-model fitment is simple on the 1939 Plymouth Economy. The covered sub-model uses the same primary tire size, so the main task is selecting the right 550-16 tire style and confirming the wheel setup before installation.
1
1939 Plymouth Economy 6 Cyl.
The 1939 Plymouth Economy 6 Cyl. uses the same 550-16 bias-ply fitment as the model core, keeping tire selection focused on one traditional size. That makes the decision less about sizing and more about choosing between blackwall or wide whitewall presentation, brand, and wheel compatibility.
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 Plymouth Economy Tires for Sale
Available 550-16 choices span Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone, with both blackwall and wide whitewall presentations. The product grid is most useful for comparing tire series, bias-ply construction details, and wheel-width compatibility on 16-inch rims.
Owners of a 1939 Plymouth Economy usually want clarity on 550-16 sizing, 16-inch wheel fitment, period-style tire appearance, and what to inspect before putting a prewar car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1939 Plymouth Economy?
The 1939 Plymouth Economy uses a 550-16 tire size. This is a vintage numeric bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and the covered 1939 Plymouth Economy 6 Cyl. sub-model uses that same primary size.
That makes the first step fairly simple: confirm that the car still has the proper 16-inch wheels and then choose the 550-16 tire that matches your goals. Most owners are deciding between blackwall and wide whitewall appearance, brand preference, and whether the wheel width falls within the tire’s intended range.
What size rim does a 1939 Plymouth Economy use?
The primary tire fitment for a 1939 Plymouth Economy is built around a 16-inch rim. The 550-16 size designation itself confirms the 16-inch wheel diameter used with this application.
Rim diameter is only part of the check on a prewar car. Before choosing a tire, confirm the actual wheel diameter on the vehicle and compare wheel width against the tire’s requirements, especially if the car has replacement wheels or a long restoration history with parts changed over time.
Does the 1939 Plymouth Economy 6 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1939 Plymouth Economy 6 Cyl. uses the same 550-16 bias-ply tire size as the model core, so there is no sub-model size split to sort through on this page.
That consistency helps narrow the decision to tire style rather than basic fitment. Once the 550-16 size is confirmed, the buyer can focus on blackwall versus wide whitewall presentation, preferred brand and series, and whether the wheel dimensions still match the intended tire after decades of service or restoration work.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 550-16 tire for a 1939 Plymouth Economy?
Start with the correct 550-16 size and bias-ply construction, since that is the primary fitment for the 1939 Plymouth Economy. Then compare the available tire series, sidewall treatment, brand, and any wheel-width requirements that apply to the specific tire you are considering.
A prewar Plymouth can look very different depending on whether it wears blackwalls or wide whitewalls, even in the same size. Buyers using the car for restoration display may prioritize appearance, while drivers preparing for regular road use should also pay close attention to wheel condition, load capacity where stated, and overall tire condition.
What sidewall styles are available for 1939 Plymouth Economy tires?
The 1939 Plymouth Economy’s 550-16 tire options include both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Those two sidewall treatments create the biggest visual difference among the available tires while staying within the same primary vintage size.
Blackwalls usually give the car a more restrained, utility-minded presentation, while wide whitewalls create a more dressy prewar look. Since sidewall style changes the appearance more than the fitment, choose the look that matches the car’s restoration direction and then verify that the selected tire still suits the wheel dimensions on the vehicle.
What brands offer tires for the 1939 Plymouth Economy?
Available 550-16 tires for the 1939 Plymouth Economy come from Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. The main series represented here include Excelsior Bias Ply, Tourist Crossply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, and Firestone Classic Bias Ply.
Brand choice is only one part of the decision on a collector car like this. It helps to compare sidewall style, series presentation, stated rim-width range where available, and any load specification shown for the tire, then match those details to how the Plymouth will actually be used and displayed.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1939 Plymouth Economy?
A 550-16 bias-ply tire is the right starting point for a period-style 1939 Plymouth Economy because it preserves the original-style sizing format and narrow prewar stance. Within that size, the main visual choice is usually between a blackwall tire and a wide whitewall tire.
The right look depends on how the car is being restored rather than on size alone. Owners aiming for a historically faithful presentation should compare the car against period photography, marque-club guidance, or restoration references, then choose the sidewall style and brand presentation that best supports that research.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1939 Plymouth Economy?
Tire construction has a visible effect on a restored 1939 Plymouth Economy because a bias-ply tire carries the vintage sizing format and traditional profile associated with prewar cars. In this application, the primary fitment remains a 550-16 bias-ply, which supports the car’s era-appropriate visual character.
Appearance is not only about size numbers on the sidewall. The tire’s proportions, sidewall style, and overall presentation all influence how authentic the car looks once it is on its wheels, so restoration-minded buyers usually evaluate construction and sidewall treatment together rather than treating them as separate choices.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1939 Plymouth Economy?
Yes. Even though the 1939 Plymouth Economy’s primary fitment is a straightforward 550-16 on a 16-inch rim, aftermarket wheels, brake changes, altered ride height, or prior restoration work can change what actually clears the car.
A Plymouth that has been in service for decades may no longer match its original wheel setup exactly. Check wheel diameter and width, inspect steering and fender clearance, and make sure the tire sits correctly on the rim before assuming any replacement tire will suit the current configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1939 Plymouth Economy on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall mounting condition, then confirm proper inflation and look for any signs of rubbing once the car is on the ground. It also helps to examine suspension and steering components, especially on a prewar car that may have spent long periods parked.
New tires cannot compensate for weak mechanical condition elsewhere. A careful check of wheel integrity, bearing condition, alignment-related wear patterns, and clearance at full steering lock helps prevent early tire damage and makes the first drive in a restored or revived 1939 Plymouth Economy much more predictable.
How should 550-16 tires on a collector 1939 Plymouth Economy be maintained?
Collector-car tires in 550-16 size should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, or uneven wear, and protected from long exposure to sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources. Low-mileage use does not eliminate the need for routine inspection.
A 1939 Plymouth Economy often spends more time stored than driven, which makes age and storage conditions especially important. Periodic pressure checks, clean storage surfaces, and occasional visual inspections of the sidewalls and tread help catch problems early, particularly before a longer drive after the car has been sitting.
