The 1940 La Salle 52 comes from the final chapter of La Salle production, when Cadillac’s companion marque still carried the long, streamlined look that defined late prewar American luxury. Buyers restoring or maintaining one of these cars usually want a tire that suits that formal, full-bodied character without losing sight of proper fitment. The primary size for the 1940 La Salle 52 is a 700-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim. Within that size, choices include blackwall and wide whitewall versions across several traditional bias-ply series. The real decision is matching the tire’s appearance and intended road use to the car’s wheels, stance, and restoration goals.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1940 La Salle 52
The 1940 La Salle 52 uses one primary tire size: 700-16 in bias-ply construction on a 16-inch rim. The covered sub-model uses that same fitment, so the main choice is not between multiple sizes, but between sidewall style, tire series, and the kind of period-style presentation you want from the finished car.
A 700-16 is a numeric bias-ply size in which the 700 indicates an approximate 7.00-inch nominal section width and the 16 identifies the rim diameter in inches. That makes it a traditional prewar-style fitment for a large American passenger car such as the 1940 La Salle 52, preserving the construction type associated with the vehicle’s era. Available choices in this size include brands such as Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA, with both blackwall and wide whitewall presentations across classic bias-ply and military-style series. Selecting within 700-16 comes down to the look you want, the wheel setup on the car, and whether the car is being restored for appearance, touring, or general collector use.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1940 La Salle 52 sub-model because the same primary tire size is used throughout. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm that you are choosing the right 16-inch bias-ply fitment before comparing sidewall and series options.
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1940 La Salle 52 V8
The 1940 La Salle 52 V8 uses the same 700-16 bias-ply tire fitment as the model core. That keeps the focus on selecting the right period-style tire presentation, such as blackwall or wide whitewall, and confirming that the wheels on the car still match the original 16-inch fitment.
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 52 Tires for Sale
Available 700-16 choices span Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA, with blackwall and wide whitewall options across classic bias-ply and military-style series. Several products also share a 4.50- to 5.50-inch rim-width range, which gives a useful comparison point when reviewing the product grid.
Owners of a 1940 La Salle 52 usually want clear answers on 700-16 fitment, 16-inch rim compatibility, sidewall appearance, restoration-minded tire selection, and the checks that matter before putting a prewar collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1940 La Salle 52?
The 1940 La Salle 52 uses a 700-16 tire size in bias-ply construction. That is the primary fitment for this model and it places the car on a 16-inch rim, which is consistent with the traditional full-size American passenger-car sizing convention of the period.
That means the key decision is not choosing between several primary sizes, but selecting the right 700-16 tire for the car’s appearance and intended use. Before ordering, confirm that the wheels on the car are still 16-inch rims and have not been changed during an earlier restoration or modification.
What size rim does a 1940 La Salle 52 use?
The 1940 La Salle 52 uses a 16-inch rim with its 700-16 tire fitment. Several available 700-16 products also reference a 4.50- to 5.50-inch rim-width range, which is a useful guide when comparing tires and checking wheel compatibility on an existing car.
Rim diameter is the first thing to verify because a 700-16 tire is built for a 16-inch wheel. Rim width matters too, especially on a collector vehicle that may have had wheels swapped over the years, so measuring the actual wheel before mounting new tires helps avoid fitment and clearance surprises.
What does 700-16 mean on a 1940 La Salle 52?
On a 1940 La Salle 52, 700-16 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 700 portion represents an approximate 7.00-inch nominal section width, while the 16 refers to the wheel diameter in inches, making it a traditional prewar sizing format rather than a modern metric designation.
Understanding that format helps when comparing products because the tire choice stays within one vintage size family even though sidewall style, series, and exact specifications may differ. It also helps separate the actual fitment size from modern sizing habits, so the tire is evaluated in the context of the car’s original-era wheel setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-16 tire for a 1940 La Salle 52?
Start with the confirmed 700-16 size and 16-inch wheel, then choose the tire based on how the car will be presented and driven. For a 1940 La Salle 52, the meaningful differences are bias-ply series, blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, and whether the car needs a passenger-car style tire or a more utility-oriented pattern.
A restoration-minded car often leads the buyer toward a traditional sidewall treatment, while a more casual driver may focus first on wheel compatibility and general condition of the chassis. It also helps to compare rim-width guidance, load figures where listed, and the actual wheel setup on the car before making a final selection.
What sidewall styles are available for 1940 La Salle 52 tires?
The available 700-16 tires for the 1940 La Salle 52 include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That gives the car owner a clear appearance choice, ranging from a more restrained look to a brighter prewar luxury presentation that suits many restoration-oriented builds.
Sidewall style does not change the need to stay with the correct 700-16 fitment, but it has a major effect on the finished character of the car. Whitewall width and presentation should be chosen with the vehicle’s restoration direction, wheel covers, and trim level in mind rather than treated as a purely cosmetic afterthought.
What brands offer tires for the 1940 La Salle 52?
The 1940 La Salle 52 has 700-16 tire options from Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA. Those choices cover classic passenger-style bias-ply offerings along with some military and truck-oriented patterns that share the same size and rim diameter.
Brand choice should be considered alongside sidewall style, tire series, and how the car will actually be used. A formal prewar sedan restoration may point toward a traditional passenger-car presentation, while a car with a more specialized use or unusual wheel history may require closer attention to the specific product’s rim-width and load details.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1940 La Salle 52?
A period-style 1940 La Salle 52 should begin with the correct 700-16 bias-ply fitment. From there, the choice usually comes down to whether the car’s restoration direction calls for a more formal wide whitewall presentation or a simpler blackwall look within the traditional bias-ply tire families available in this size.
Exact historical originality can vary by how a specific car was delivered and restored, so appearance decisions should be checked against marque references, period photography, or restoration records when that level of accuracy matters. Even on an appearance-focused car, wheel size and actual wheel condition still need to be confirmed before mounting new tires.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1940 La Salle 52 restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1940 La Salle 52 restoration because the tire has a strong effect on stance, side profile, and the overall visual balance of a long prewar body. Staying with the proper 700-16 bias-ply format keeps the tire choice aligned with the car’s era and wheel diameter.
Appearance is only part of the equation, though, because an incorrectly matched wheel or an altered suspension setup can affect how the finished car sits and drives. A careful restoration should treat tire selection as both a visual and mechanical decision, especially before final alignment, trim installation, and road testing.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1940 La Salle 52?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1940 La Salle 52 even when the intended tire size remains 700-16. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, lowering, brake conversions, or body repairs around the fenders can all change the space available for a traditional bias-ply tire.
A car that has been restored over many decades may no longer match its original wheel setup, so the actual rim diameter and width should be verified first. Steering clearance at full lock and fender clearance through suspension movement are both worth checking before the car returns to regular road use.
What should I inspect before driving a 1940 La Salle 52 on new tires?
Before driving a 1940 La Salle 52 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and sound condition, then check valve stems, lug hardware, and overall mounting quality. The car itself should also be reviewed for basic roadworthiness, including suspension condition, steering play, brake function, and any obvious alignment concerns.
Collector cars often spend long periods parked, so the first road outing should include a careful pressure check and a visual look at tread and sidewalls after the initial miles. A short local drive is a smarter first test than a long trip, especially on a prewar car that may reveal other age-related issues once it is back in motion.
How should 700-16 tires on a collector 1940 La Salle 52 be maintained?
700-16 tires on a collector 1940 La Salle 52 should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cuts, cracking, bulges, or uneven wear, and protected from long periods of exposure to heat, sunlight, and ozone sources. That basic routine matters even more on low-mileage collector cars because age can become a bigger concern than tread wear.
Storage habits affect tire life, so the car should be parked on a clean, dry surface and checked periodically for air loss or flat spotting. Regular inspections are especially important before tours or seasonal driving, since a bias-ply collector tire can look acceptable at a glance while the wheel, tube setup, or tire condition needs closer attention.
