1940 Chrysler Traveler 26 Tires

The 1940 Chrysler Traveler 26 uses a 650-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment, and it is the primary size used on the covered vehicle configuration, including the 1940 Chrysler Traveler 26 8 Cyl.

That makes tire selection more about choosing the right 650-16 tire rather than sorting through multiple primary sizes. It is still smart to confirm that the car retains 16-inch wheels and that the wheel width matches the tire you are considering, especially on an older vehicle that may have seen wheel or suspension changes during restoration.

The 1940 Chrysler Traveler 26 uses a 16-inch rim with its 650-16 tire size. Product fitments in this size commonly reference wheel widths around 4.00 to 5.00 inches, with several passenger-car options centered around 4.50 to 5.00 inches.

Rim diameter is the first thing to verify before choosing a replacement tire, since a 16-inch tire must match a 16-inch wheel. On a prewar car, measuring the actual wheel width is also worthwhile because different 650-16 products can have slightly different rim-width requirements depending on whether the tire is a passenger-car style or a truck-style design.

Yes. The covered 1940 Chrysler Traveler 26 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire size as the core 1940 Chrysler Traveler 26 fitment. That keeps the basic sizing question simple for owners of that specific sub-model.

Even with shared size, the right tire choice can still vary depending on how the car is being restored or driven. A wide whitewall creates a more formal prewar presentation, while a blackwall can suit a more understated look, and checking the actual wheel dimensions helps narrow the best 650-16 option for the car in front of you.

Start with the correct size, which is 650-16, and confirm that the tire matches a 16-inch wheel on the car. From there, compare construction, rim-width compatibility, sidewall style, tread character, and whether the tire is aimed at passenger-car use or a more truck-oriented application.

A restoration-oriented Chrysler often calls for a traditional bias-ply look, but the visual result can change a lot between blackwall and wide whitewall versions. It also helps to compare product details such as load figures where stated, weight, and tire series so the final choice matches the car’s appearance goals and the kind of driving it will actually see.

The 650-16 tires available for a 1940 Chrysler Traveler 26 include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That gives owners a clear visual choice while staying within the correct primary tire size for the car.

Sidewall style has a major effect on the car’s finished look, especially on a prewar Chrysler with prominent fenders and a tall tire profile. A blackwall keeps the presentation simpler and more restrained, while a wide whitewall creates a dressier vintage appearance, so the best choice depends on how authentic or understated the finished car is meant to look.

Available 650-16 tires for the 1940 Chrysler Traveler 26 come from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. Those brands cover a mix of traditional passenger-car styling and more utility-oriented tread options in the same basic size.

Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It is more useful to compare each tire’s sidewall treatment, tire series, intended character, and wheel-width fitment so the choice works with your Chrysler’s restoration direction, wheel setup, and expected use rather than relying on the name molded into the sidewall.

The 1940 Chrysler Traveler 26 has 650-16 tire options across several series, including Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Garfield Classic Bias Ply, Lester Classic Bias Ply, Deluxe All-Weather, Excelsior Bias Ply, Transport, STA Classic Military, Super Traxion, Transport Highway, Tornel Classic Truck, and Firestone Classic Truck.

Those series names matter because they hint at the tire’s intended presentation and use. Some suit a traditional prewar passenger-car look, while others carry a more commercial or truck-style tread character, so owners should compare the series along with sidewall style and wheel-width requirements instead of treating every 650-16 tire as the same kind of replacement.

A period-style 1940 Chrysler Traveler 26 usually starts with the correct 650-16 bias-ply size and a tire whose overall presentation matches a prewar passenger car. Within that size, several passenger-car oriented series are available, along with blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments.

The best choice depends on how the car is being restored and how closely the finished look needs to follow period practice. Owners aiming for exact originality should compare tire appearance with marque references, surviving photos, or restoration documentation, while drivers focused on a broadly authentic look can choose the 650-16 style that best complements the car’s trim and stance.

Tire construction affects both the look and the visual attitude of a restored 1940 Chrysler Traveler 26. The primary fitment is a 650-16 bias-ply, and that construction supports the tall, traditional profile and prewar presentation most owners expect on a Chrysler of this era.

Appearance also changes with sidewall treatment and tread design, not just the construction itself. A wide whitewall can make the car look more formal and upscale, while a blackwall keeps it simpler, so the most convincing restoration result usually comes from choosing a tire that balances correct size, appropriate construction, and the visual tone you want the car to carry.

Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1940 Chrysler Traveler 26 even when the nominal tire size remains 650-16. Wheel swaps, changes in wheel width, altered ride height, brake conversions, or suspension work can all change how much room the tire has at the fender, steering, and chassis.

That is why the actual car should be checked before choosing a replacement tire, especially if its history is unclear. Confirm the wheel diameter first, then inspect wheel width and available clearance through the full steering range so the selected 650-16 works with the car’s present setup rather than only its original specification.

Before driving a 1940 Chrysler Traveler 26 on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall mounting condition, then make sure the tires are inflated appropriately for the application. It is also wise to check steering movement, brake operation, and visible clearance at the fenders and suspension points.

A prewar collector car should also be looked over for age-related issues beyond the tires themselves. Sidewall contact marks, uneven ride height, worn suspension components, and loose wheel hardware can all affect how a fresh set of 650-16 tires behaves, so a careful road-readiness check helps protect both the tires and the car.

650-16 tires on a collector 1940 Chrysler Traveler 26 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even when tread wear is minimal, collector-car tires deserve routine attention for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and gradual air loss.

Storage conditions matter because older cars often sit for long periods between drives. Keeping the Chrysler away from prolonged sunlight, excessive heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and periodic movement of the car can reduce flat spotting, making the next road outing smoother and giving you another chance to catch problems early.