The 1940 Chrysler Royal 25 came from a moment when Chrysler balanced streamlined prewar styling with practical full-size family transportation. It was built for everyday road use in an era when tire construction, ride quality, and visual presence all shaped how a car felt on the road. For this exact model, the primary fitment is a 6.25-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, which keeps the car in its proper prewar sizing tradition. The key decision is usually whether to stay with a traditional bias-ply presentation and which period-style tread and sidewall treatment best suits the car. That matters for restoration character, wheel compatibility, and the way the Royal 25 presents in motion and at rest.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1940 Chrysler Royal 25
The 1940 Chrysler Royal 25 uses one primary tire size: 6.25-16. That is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and it remains consistent for the covered Royal 25 6 Cyl. configuration. Since the size itself is straightforward, the real choice comes down to selecting the right tire within that fitment and keeping the wheel setup true to the car before installation.
The 6.25-16 size is a numeric bias-ply designation in which 6.25 refers to the nominal section width in inches and 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1940 Chrysler Royal 25, that format matches the prewar tire sizing system the car was built around and preserves the traditional tall-sidewall look associated with the period. Bias-ply construction is part of the driving and visual character many restoration-minded owners want to maintain. Choosing this size keeps the search focused on proper 16-inch fitment and on a tire that suits the car's era, stance, and intended road use.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1940 Chrysler Royal 25 sub-models. The key check is simply confirming that the car falls within the Royal 25 6 Cyl. configuration and still uses the proper 16-inch wheel setup before selecting a tire.
1
1940 Chrysler Royal 25 6 Cyl.
The 1940 Chrysler Royal 25 6 Cyl. uses the same 6.25-16 bias-ply fitment associated with this model line. That keeps tire selection centered on maintaining the correct prewar size, confirming the wheel diameter, and choosing a period-style bias-ply tire that suits the car's restoration and driving goals.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
These FAQs focus on 1940 Chrysler Royal 25 tire size, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply construction, restoration-minded selection, and the checks worth making before putting a low-use prewar Chrysler back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1940 Chrysler Royal 25?
The 1940 Chrysler Royal 25 uses a 6.25-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment, and the size is associated with a 16-inch wheel, which places it squarely in the prewar sizing conventions used on Chrysler passenger cars of that era.
That means the first priority is not comparing several primary sizes, but confirming that the car still has its correct 16-inch wheels and has not been altered over the years. Once that is settled, the decision moves to choosing a 6.25-16 tire that matches the car's intended appearance, restoration direction, and road use.
What size rim does a 1940 Chrysler Royal 25 use?
The 1940 Chrysler Royal 25 uses a 16-inch rim with its 6.25-16 tire fitment. In this size designation, the final number identifies wheel diameter, so the tire is built for a 16-inch wheel rather than a different prewar passenger-car rim size.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed on the car itself before any purchase, especially on vehicles that may have changed hands several times or received replacement wheels decades ago. A tire with the correct vintage size still depends on the proper wheel dimensions and usable wheel condition before it can be considered for safe road service.
Does the 1940 Chrysler Royal 25 6 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1940 Chrysler Royal 25 6 Cyl. configuration uses the same 6.25-16 bias-ply tire size. There is no separate primary tire size within this covered sub-model, so fitment remains straightforward once the vehicle identification and wheel diameter are confirmed.
That consistency simplifies the search, but it does not remove the need to inspect the actual wheel and tire setup on the car. Older restorations, long-term storage, or later modifications can change what is currently mounted, so checking the wheel size and overall condition is still an important step before replacing tires.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 6.25-16 tire for a 1940 Chrysler Royal 25?
Start with the correct size and construction. A 6.25-16 bias-ply tire matches the primary fitment for the 1940 Chrysler Royal 25 and preserves the prewar sizing convention, sidewall profile, and overall visual character expected on a car from this period.
After confirming size, focus on how the car will be used and presented. A restoration-minded owner may prioritize a traditional appearance, while a driver may place more emphasis on road readiness and wheel condition. It also helps to inspect the existing wheels for damage, prior repairs, and proper dimensions before mounting new tires.
How do I choose between the available 6.25-16 tires for a 1940 Chrysler Royal 25?
The main comparison points are construction style, tread presentation, sidewall appearance, and how closely the tire suits the car's intended role. On a 1940 Chrysler Royal 25, the size itself remains constant, so the real difference is usually how traditional or restoration-oriented you want the finished look to be.
A car built for show display may call for a different visual emphasis than one that sees regular local driving. Matching the tire's character to the car's finish level, wheel condition, and use pattern usually leads to a better decision than choosing only by size, since several tires in the same fitment can create different impressions.
What rim-fitment details matter when choosing tires for a 1940 Chrysler Royal 25?
The most important rim-fitment detail is confirming the 16-inch wheel diameter required by the 6.25-16 tire size. On an older Chrysler, it is also wise to verify that the wheels are structurally sound, properly seated, and appropriate for the tire being considered.
A tire in the correct nominal size can still be the wrong choice if the wheel has been replaced, widened, damaged, or repaired improperly over the years. Checking wheel condition, bead-seat integrity, and general compatibility before mounting helps avoid problems that are easy to miss on collector cars that see limited annual mileage.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1940 Chrysler Royal 25?
A 6.25-16 bias-ply tire is the period-style starting point for a 1940 Chrysler Royal 25 because it matches the car's original-era sizing format and preserves the tall, narrow visual proportion associated with prewar American passenger cars. That keeps the presentation aligned with the Royal's design era.
Appearance details should then be weighed against the goals of the car. A preservation driver, local show car, and more exacting restoration may each call for a different visual approach. When historical originality matters at a very high level, marque references and vehicle-specific restoration documentation are worth checking before final selection.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1940 Chrysler Royal 25 restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment has a major effect on the appearance and stance of a 1940 Chrysler Royal 25. The proper 6.25-16 bias-ply size influences sidewall height, wheel-to-tire proportion, and the overall period presentation in a way that modern-looking substitutes often do not match.
Restoration value is not only about how the car looks parked; it also includes whether the tire choice supports the car's character on the road. Even when the vehicle is not being judged, staying with the proper size format helps the Chrysler retain the visual balance expected of a prewar full-size sedan.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1940 Chrysler Royal 25?
Yes. Even though the primary size is 6.25-16, modifications can change what works on a 1940 Chrysler Royal 25. Replacement wheels, altered suspension height, brake conversions, and body or fender repairs can all influence clearance and the suitability of a traditional bias-ply fitment.
That is why the actual car should be checked before mounting new tires, especially if its history is uncertain. Wheel diameter, wheel condition, steering clearance, and suspension travel all matter on a prewar vehicle, and small changes made years ago can affect fitment more than the original size designation suggests.
What should I inspect before driving a 1940 Chrysler Royal 25 on new tires?
Start with the basics: wheel condition, lug hardware, inflation, and visible clearance at the fenders and steering components. On a collector-era Chrysler, it also makes sense to inspect the suspension, steering linkage, and brakes so the new tires are not being asked to compensate for unrelated mechanical issues.
Road readiness depends on more than fresh rubber. A careful inspection should also look for rubbing, uneven ride height, loose wheel bearings, and anything that could affect how the car tracks once it is back in motion. A short, cautious test drive is a sensible final check after installation.
How should 6.25-16 tires on a collector 1940 Chrysler Royal 25 be maintained?
Collector-car tires benefit from regular inspection even when the car is driven only occasionally. A 6.25-16 bias-ply tire on a 1940 Chrysler Royal 25 should be checked for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and pressure loss, since long storage can age a tire differently than steady road use.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage. Keeping the Chrysler away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment helps protect the tires between drives. It is also smart to inspect them before every outing, because an older car can sit for weeks or months and still need to be road-ready at a moment's notice.
