The 1940 La Salle 50 came at the end of La Salle production, giving this Cadillac companion model a distinctive place in prewar American motoring. Owners today often balance elegant restoration goals with the practical needs of occasional road use, parade duty, and touring on a collector vehicle that still depends heavily on correct stance and period-looking proportions. The 1940 La Salle 50 uses a 700-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim. Within that size, choices include blackwall and wide whitewall styles across several classic bias-ply series, along with some military and truck-oriented variations. The key is selecting the 700-16 tire that best matches the car’s appearance, wheel setup, and intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1940 La Salle 50
The 1940 La Salle 50 uses one primary tire size: 700-16. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and the same size applies to the covered V8 sub-model, so the decision is less about choosing between sizes and more about selecting the right sidewall style, tire series, and intended-use character within that correct fitment.
A 700-16 size uses the vintage numeric bias-ply system, where the 700 denotes an approximate 7.00-inch nominal section width and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1940 La Salle 50, this is a traditional bias-ply fitment that suits the car’s prewar proportions and period-style tire profile. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall versions from brands such as Lester, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Avon, Tornel, and STA across several classic series. This size is the starting point whether the goal is a restoration-oriented appearance or a more utility-focused blackwall setup.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1940 La Salle 50 sub-models. The shared 700-16 size means the main decision is choosing the right bias-ply tire style and series rather than sorting through multiple fitments.
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1940 La Salle 50 V8
The 1940 La Salle 50 V8 uses the same 700-16 bias-ply tire as the core model fitment. That keeps selection centered on appearance and use, such as choosing between blackwall and wide whitewall styles and comparing classic passenger-car versus more utility-oriented designs.
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 La Salle 50 Tires for Sale
Available 700-16 choices span Lester, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Avon, Tornel, and STA, with blackwall and wide whitewall presentations across classic bias-ply passenger, military, and truck-oriented series. Rim-width compatibility is also worth comparing where it is stated.
Owners researching 1940 La Salle 50 tires usually want to confirm the 700-16 fitment, understand what that vintage size means, and sort through bias-ply, sidewall, restoration, and road-use considerations before putting the car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1940 La Salle 50?
The 1940 La Salle 50 uses a 700-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and it is the primary size associated with the model covered here.
That means the first step is not comparing multiple sizes, but confirming that the car still has the correct 16-inch wheels and a stock-style setup. After that, the real choice becomes selecting the right 700-16 tire style, such as blackwall or wide whitewall, and deciding whether a classic passenger-car design or a more utility-oriented version better suits the vehicle’s appearance and use.
What size rim does a 1940 La Salle 50 use?
The 1940 La Salle 50 uses a 16-inch rim with its 700-16 tire fitment. Several 700-16 products also state rim-width compatibility in the 4.50- to 5.50-inch range, which is useful when comparing wheels and tire options.
Rim diameter is the first thing to verify before ordering tires, especially on an older collector car that may have changed wheels at some point in its life. Measuring wheel width is also worthwhile, since matching the tire to the wheel helps preserve proper profile, clearance, and appearance on a prewar car that depends heavily on correct proportions.
Does the 1940 La Salle 50 V8 use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1940 La Salle 50 V8 uses the same 700-16 bias-ply tire size as the core 1940 La Salle 50 fitment. There is no separate primary tire size to sort out within the covered sub-model range here.
That makes tire selection more straightforward, because the focus shifts from sub-model fitment differences to choosing the right version of 700-16 for the car. Owners can compare sidewall appearance, tire series, and intended-use character while still checking that the wheels, suspension, and body clearances remain consistent with the original-style setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-16 tire for a 1940 La Salle 50?
Start with the correct 700-16 size and confirm the car still uses 16-inch wheels. From there, compare construction type, sidewall appearance, intended use, and any stated rim-width or load details that help distinguish one bias-ply option from another.
A wide whitewall usually suits a more formal restoration-oriented presentation, while a blackwall can fit a plainer or more utilitarian look. Some 700-16 choices are classic passenger-car designs, while others are military or truck-oriented patterns, so the best match depends on whether the La Salle is being finished for authentic-looking display, casual road use, or a more specialized visual style.
What sidewall styles are available for 1940 La Salle 50 tires?
The available 700-16 tires for a 1940 La Salle 50 include blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Those two presentations create a noticeable difference in how the car sits visually, especially on a full-bodied prewar design where the tire sidewall remains a major styling element.
Choosing between them depends on the look being pursued rather than a universal right answer. A wide whitewall generally emphasizes the elegant touring character many owners want from a La Salle, while a blackwall can create a more restrained or service-oriented appearance. Matching the sidewall treatment across all four tires and the spare also helps keep the finished car visually consistent.
What brands offer tires for the 1940 La Salle 50?
The 700-16 tire size for the 1940 La Salle 50 is available from Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA. Those brands appear across several classic bias-ply, military, and truck-oriented series within the same basic fitment.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It is more useful to compare each tire’s sidewall style, tread character, stated rim-width compatibility, and overall presentation on the car. For a La Salle that is being restored or shown, appearance may lead the choice, while a more road-driven car may call for a simpler blackwall passenger pattern in the same 700-16 size.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1940 La Salle 50?
A period-style 1940 La Salle 50 should start with the correct 700-16 bias-ply size and a tire profile that preserves the car’s prewar stance. From there, the most important visual choice is usually between a wide whitewall and a blackwall within the available classic bias-ply offerings.
Owners aiming for a restoration-oriented finish should compare the tire’s overall presentation with the car’s trim level, paint, wheel covers, and intended historical look. Exact originality can vary by how a car was equipped when new, so marque-specific references, original sales literature, or trusted restoration guidance are worth checking before settling on a particular sidewall treatment.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1940 La Salle 50 restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1940 La Salle 50 restoration because the tire has a strong effect on stance, wheelwell fill, and the overall prewar character of the car. Staying with the proper 700-16 bias-ply format helps preserve that visual relationship.
Fitment also affects more than appearance. Wheel diameter, rim width, and the tire’s profile influence how naturally the car sits and how balanced it looks from front to rear. Even on a car that is driven only occasionally, choosing a size or style that falls outside the intended proportions can make an otherwise careful restoration look slightly off.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1940 La Salle 50?
Yes. A 1940 La Salle 50 may still be associated with the 700-16 size, but aftermarket wheels, changed rim widths, suspension alterations, brake conversions, or body repairs can all affect how that tire actually sits on the car. Older collector cars often deserve a close inspection before new tires are chosen.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed first, followed by wheel width and the amount of clearance at the fenders, steering components, and suspension. Even when the correct vintage size is being used, a non-stock setup can change the available room. Checking the actual car before mounting tires helps avoid surprises in turning clearance, stance, and overall presentation.
What should I inspect before driving a 1940 La Salle 50 on new tires?
Before driving a 1940 La Salle 50 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm the wheel size, and make sure the tires are mounted and inflated properly for the chosen application. It is also smart to look over the steering, suspension, and brakes on a car of this age.
A short collector-car test drive should include listening for rubbing, feeling for pull or vibration, and rechecking pressure after the first miles. Tire condition alone does not determine road readiness on a prewar vehicle. A La Salle that has spent long periods stored may also need attention to wheel bearings, alignment, and other chassis components before regular use.
How should 700-16 tires on a collector 1940 La Salle 50 be maintained?
700-16 tires on a collector 1940 La Salle 50 should be kept clean, properly inflated, and inspected regularly for sidewall cracking, tread damage, bulges, and signs of air loss. Because collector cars are often driven infrequently, age and storage conditions can matter as much as mileage.
Parking the car away from prolonged sunlight, ozone sources, moisture, and extreme heat helps preserve the tires over time. It also helps to move the vehicle occasionally, maintain consistent pressure, and inspect the spare along with the road tires. On a low-use La Salle, routine visual checks before each drive are more valuable than waiting for wear alone to reveal a problem.
