The 1940 Graham Special 60 came at the end of Graham’s independent-car era, when streamlined styling and value-minded engineering were competing for attention in a crowded prewar market. For collectors today, that gives this car a distinct restoration personality: uncommon, visually memorable, and best served by parts that suit its period character. Tire fitment centers on a 600-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, which keeps the selection focused on proper sizing and traditional construction. Within that size, there is still meaningful choice in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles across several vintage tire series. The real decision is how closely the tire’s look and intended use should match the car’s restoration goals and road plans.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1940 Graham Special 60
The 1940 Graham Special 60 uses one primary tire size: 600-16 in bias-ply construction on a 16-inch rim. That same fitment carries across the covered sub-model, so the main choice is not between multiple sizes, but between sidewall appearance, tire series, and whether the tire is meant for passenger-car presentation or a more specialized use within the same size.
A 600-16 size is a vintage numeric bias-ply designation in which the 600 represents an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width and the 16 identifies a 16-inch wheel diameter. On a 1940 Graham Special 60, this is the traditional fitment format and keeps the car in a period-appropriate bias-ply construction. Available choices in this size include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles from brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Coker Classic, Goodyear, Avon, Lester, Excelsior, Ford Script, STA, and Camac. Choosing within 600-16 usually comes down to restoration appearance, rim compatibility, and whether the car is being set up for passenger-car presentation or a more specialized tread style.
Sub-model fitment for the 1940 Graham Special 60 is straightforward. The covered sub-model uses the same 600-16 bias-ply tire, so checking the sub-model mainly helps confirm that the car still has the expected 16-inch wheel setup before comparing tire styles.
1
1940 Graham Special 60 Base
The 1940 Graham Special 60 Base uses the same 600-16 bias-ply fitment as the model core. That keeps tire selection focused on the look and purpose of the tire, such as blackwall versus whitewall styling and the specific vintage tire series that best suits the car’s restoration direction.
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 1940 Graham Special 60 Tires for Sale
Available 600-16 choices span BFGoodrich, Firestone, Coker Classic, Goodyear, Avon, Lester, Excelsior, Ford Script, STA, and Camac, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles across several vintage bias-ply series. Rim-width specifications also vary slightly, so comparing wheel compatibility is worthwhile before narrowing the field.
These FAQs focus on 1940 Graham Special 60 tire size, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply selection, sidewall appearance, restoration priorities, and the wheel, suspension, and condition checks worth making before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1940 Graham Special 60?
The 1940 Graham Special 60 uses a 600-16 tire size in bias-ply construction. That is the primary fitment for the model core and it remains the key size to match when replacing tires on a stock-style wheel setup.
The important follow-up is confirming that the car still has 16-inch wheels and that the wheel width suits the tire being considered. Once the size is confirmed, the decision usually shifts to appearance and intended use, such as blackwall versus whitewall styling or choosing among the available vintage bias-ply series in the same 600-16 size.
What size rim does a 1940 Graham Special 60 use?
The 1940 Graham Special 60 uses a 16-inch rim with its 600-16 tire fitment. The tire size itself reflects that wheel diameter, making 16 inches the critical wheel measurement to verify before selecting a replacement tire.
Wheel width matters too, especially because available 600-16 tires do not all share the exact same rim-width specification. Measuring the actual wheel on the car is worthwhile if the Graham has been apart for restoration or fitted with different wheels at some point, since correct diameter alone does not answer every fitment question.
Does the 1940 Graham Special 60 Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1940 Graham Special 60 Base uses the same 600-16 bias-ply tire size as the model core. That makes sub-model selection simpler than on vehicles where trim or body style changes the tire fitment.
Even with shared fitment, it is still smart to inspect the actual wheel and tire setup on the car before purchasing replacements. A collector car may have had wheel changes over the years, and that can affect rim width, clearance, and the way a particular 600-16 tire presents once mounted.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-16 tire for a 1940 Graham Special 60?
Start with the correct 600-16 size and bias-ply construction, then compare the details that change how the tire suits the car. On a 1940 Graham Special 60, those details include sidewall style, tire series, brand, rim-width compatibility, and whether the tread and presentation fit a passenger-car restoration or a more specialized use.
A blackwall can give the car a restrained look, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall options create a stronger prewar visual statement. It also helps to compare the wheel dimensions on the car against the tire’s stated rim-width range so the finished fit, stance, and driving setup stay in line with the Graham’s intended appearance and use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1940 Graham Special 60 tires?
The 600-16 size for a 1940 Graham Special 60 is available in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. Those choices create very different visual results even though the basic tire size remains the same.
Sidewall treatment is often one of the most noticeable decisions on a prewar car, so it is worth matching the tire’s appearance to the character of the restoration rather than choosing on size alone. Buyers who want a quieter, more understated look may lean toward blackwall, while whitewall and double-whitewall options emphasize a more formal period-style presentation.
What brands offer tires for the 1940 Graham Special 60?
Tires in the 1940 Graham Special 60’s 600-16 size are available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. All of the applicable choices are bias-ply, but they differ in series, sidewall treatment, and intended character.
That variety gives buyers room to focus on the kind of tire the car needs rather than chasing a single name. One Graham owner may want a traditional blackwall passenger-car tire, while another may prioritize a wide whitewall look or a more specialized tread pattern, so brand matters most when considered alongside size, rim compatibility, and visual goals.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1940 Graham Special 60?
A period-style 1940 Graham Special 60 should begin with the correct 600-16 bias-ply size, since that keeps the tire’s format and construction aligned with the car’s prewar character. From there, the most important choice is the tire’s visual presentation, including whether the car looks right with blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall styling.
The best match depends on the specific restoration direction rather than a universal rule. Owners aiming for a historically faithful result should compare the tire’s sidewall look with period photos, marque references, and restoration documentation for their particular car, then confirm that the chosen tire also suits the wheel dimensions and intended road use.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1940 Graham Special 60?
Tire construction has a strong visual effect on a restored 1940 Graham Special 60 because a bias-ply tire supports the overall period presentation of a prewar car. In this case, the available fitment stays within bias-ply construction, so the appearance decision comes more from sidewall style and tire series than from switching between construction types.
Even within the same 600-16 size, a blackwall reads differently from a wide whitewall or double-whitewall once the car is on the ground. Owners who are refining a restoration should think about how the tires interact with wheel finish, ride height, and the car’s overall stance, since tires can either reinforce or distract from the intended look.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1940 Graham Special 60?
Yes. Even though the 1940 Graham Special 60’s primary fitment is 600-16 on a 16-inch rim, wheel or suspension changes can alter whether a particular tire setup is still appropriate. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension work, or body modifications can all affect clearance and overall compatibility.
That is why the actual car should be checked before replacing tires, especially on a long-restored or newly acquired vehicle. Measuring wheel diameter and width, then inspecting steering travel and fender clearance, helps confirm that the intended 600-16 tire choice still suits the car’s present configuration rather than only its original specification.
What should I inspect before driving a 1940 Graham Special 60 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and the mounted tires for proper seating, inflation, and any obvious interference. It is also wise to check that the 16-inch wheels are in sound condition and that the tires have adequate clearance at the fenders, suspension, and steering components.
A collector car benefits from a broader pre-drive inspection as well. Brake condition, alignment, wheel fastener security, and suspension wear can all influence how new tires behave once the car is moving, so the first miles should be treated as a settling-in period while watching for rubbing, pull, vibration, or unusual air loss.
How should 600-16 tires on a collector 1940 Graham Special 60 be maintained?
Collector-car tires in 600-16 size should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and storage habits that limit heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone exposure. On a 1940 Graham Special 60, maintenance matters because low annual mileage can hide age-related issues even when tread wear appears minimal.
Routine inspection should include cracking, cuts, bulges, flat spotting, and any sign of persistent air loss. The car should also be looked over after longer storage periods, since a vintage vehicle that sits for extended stretches can develop tire and wheel issues that are not obvious until it is prepared for road use again.
