The 1939 Studebaker Commander came from a period when American cars balanced streamlined styling with practical road manners, and tire choice still played a visible role in the car’s stance and presentation. For owners of this prewar Studebaker, the fitment question is refreshingly straightforward: the Commander uses a 600-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim. From there, the real choice shifts to how the car will be driven and how it should look, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall options appearing across several vintage tire series. That makes the page less about chasing sizes and more about matching period-style appearance, wheel compatibility, and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1939 Studebaker Commander
The 1939 Studebaker Commander uses one primary tire size: 600-16. That is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and it remains consistent for the covered 6 Cyl. sub-model, so the main decision is not which size fits but which version of that size best suits the car’s appearance, tire series preference, and intended use.
The 600-16 size is a vintage numeric bias-ply designation in which 600 represents an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width and 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1939 Studebaker Commander, this is the core prewar-style fitment and keeps the car in the bias-ply construction family associated with the period. Available choices in this size include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall versions, along with series from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Avon, Excelsior, Lester, and others. Choosing within 600-16 comes down to the look you want, the wheel width you are working with, and whether the car will be used for restoration display, local driving, or more specialized service.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1939 Studebaker Commander sub-models. The listed Commander 6 Cyl. uses the same primary size, so the focus stays on selecting the right tire style and series rather than sorting through multiple fitment paths.
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1939 Studebaker Commander 6 Cyl.
The 1939 Studebaker Commander 6 Cyl. uses the 600-16 bias-ply tire size on a 16-inch rim. That keeps selection centered on period-style presentation, sidewall treatment, and matching the tire to the car’s actual wheels and intended road use.
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 Studebaker Commander Tires for Sale
Available 600-16 choices span BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Avon, Excelsior, Lester, STA, Camac, and Ford Script, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles represented across several vintage bias-ply series. Rim-width specifications also vary, so it helps to compare wheel compatibility alongside appearance.
Owners researching 1939 Studebaker Commander tires usually need clear answers on the 600-16 size, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply construction, sidewall choices, restoration-friendly appearance, and the wheel and condition checks that matter before the car returns to the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1939 Studebaker Commander?
The 1939 Studebaker Commander uses a 600-16 tire size. This is a bias-ply fitment, and it is the primary size associated with the covered Commander application, including the 6 Cyl. sub-model.
That makes size selection simpler than on vehicles with multiple fitments, but the job is not finished once the size is known. It still helps to confirm that the car retains 16-inch wheels in the proper width range, especially if it has been restored, modified, or fitted with replacement wheels at some point in its life.
What size rim does a 1939 Studebaker Commander use?
The 1939 Studebaker Commander uses a 16-inch rim with its 600-16 tire fitment. Product specifications in this size commonly reference wheel widths around 4.00 to 4.50 inches, with some applications extending to a 5.0-inch rim.
Wheel diameter should always match the tire’s rim diameter, so a 16-inch tire belongs on a 16-inch wheel only. Rim width also matters because vintage bias-ply tires are designed around relatively narrow wheels, and checking the actual wheel before purchase helps avoid appearance issues, mounting problems, or clearance surprises.
Does the 1939 Studebaker Commander 6 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1939 Studebaker Commander 6 Cyl. uses the same 600-16 bias-ply tire size as the model core. That keeps fitment consistent and makes the buying decision more about tire style and construction details than about changing sizes.
Even with shared fitment, it is worth checking the actual wheels on the car before choosing a tire. A Commander that has seen decades of service or restoration work may no longer wear its original wheel setup, and that can affect rim-width compatibility, sidewall appearance, and the overall look the owner wants to achieve.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-16 tire for a 1939 Studebaker Commander?
Start with the confirmed 600-16 size and the car’s 16-inch wheel, then compare the tire’s construction, rim-width specification, sidewall style, and intended character. In this size, choices range from traditional blackwalls to wide whitewalls and double-whitewalls across several vintage bias-ply series.
A restoration-oriented Commander may call for a sidewall treatment that suits the car’s era and presentation, while a driver may place more emphasis on wheel compatibility and service type. Load capacity and product type also matter, since some 600-16 offerings are passenger-style tires and others lean toward military or truck-style tread patterns.
What sidewall styles are available for 1939 Studebaker Commander tires?
The 1939 Studebaker Commander’s 600-16 tire size is available in several sidewall styles, including blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. Those choices can change the car’s visual character significantly even when the size and basic bias-ply construction stay the same.
A blackwall gives the Commander a restrained, utilitarian look, while whitewall treatments create a more dressed-up prewar presentation. Since sidewall style does not change the underlying need for correct wheel diameter and width, appearance should be balanced with practical fitment and with the overall restoration direction of the car.
What brands offer tires for the 1939 Studebaker Commander?
The 600-16 size for the 1939 Studebaker Commander is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. These brands appear across several bias-ply series and sidewall treatments rather than as one uniform type of tire.
Brand choice should be considered alongside the actual tire series, sidewall presentation, rim-width specification, and intended use. Some offerings are clearly passenger-oriented in appearance, while others carry military or truck-style tread themes, so selecting by name alone is less useful than comparing the full character of each 600-16 option.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1939 Studebaker Commander?
A period-style 1939 Studebaker Commander starts with the correct 600-16 bias-ply size on a 16-inch wheel. From there, the most important visual choice is usually the sidewall treatment, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall options all available in this fitment.
The right choice depends on how the car is being presented rather than on a single universal answer. Owners pursuing strict historical accuracy should compare the car against marque references, period photos, or restoration records, while those aiming for a broadly authentic prewar look can use the 600-16 size as the proper foundation.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1939 Studebaker Commander restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because tire size and construction have a strong effect on a prewar car’s stance, sidewall profile, and overall visual balance. On a 1939 Studebaker Commander, staying with the 600-16 bias-ply format keeps the restoration anchored to the proper vintage sizing language.
Appearance is only part of the equation. Using the correct size also helps the tire sit properly on the intended wheel and preserves the relationship between the tire, fender opening, and ride height that owners expect from a traditionally restored Commander.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1939 Studebaker Commander?
Yes. A 1939 Studebaker Commander may use the original 600-16 tire size, but wheel changes, suspension alterations, brake conversions, or body work can all affect whether a tire still suits the car as it sits today. Even small changes can alter clearance or wheel compatibility.
A careful check should include wheel diameter, wheel width, and visible clearance at the fenders and steering components. Cars that have been lowered, fitted with replacement wheels, or rebuilt over many decades deserve a closer look before mounting new tires, even when the intended size remains 600-16.
What should I inspect before driving a 1939 Studebaker Commander on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage or excessive rust, confirm that the tires are mounted on the correct 16-inch rims, and make sure inflation is appropriate for the selected tire. It is also wise to check for rubbing at full steering lock and for any signs of suspension or steering looseness.
A prewar collector car should also be evaluated as a whole system rather than by tire condition alone. Brake function, wheel fastener security, alignment condition, and even how long the car has been sitting can influence how safely and smoothly the Commander returns to regular road use.
How should 600-16 tires on a collector 1939 Studebaker Commander be maintained?
Collector-car 600-16 tires should be checked regularly for pressure loss, sidewall cracking, tread wear, cuts, bulges, and any signs of age-related deterioration. Because many older cars are driven infrequently, condition matters just as much as mileage on a 1939 Studebaker Commander.
Storage habits also affect tire life. Keeping the Commander away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the rubber, and moving or driving the car periodically can help avoid flat spotting from long static storage on one section of the tire.
