The 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl. comes from the final years when many American cars still relied on tall, narrow 16-inch bias-ply tires to deliver the right stance and road presence. For owners focused on preservation, touring, or getting a long-stored car back into dependable running condition, tire choice plays a major role in both appearance and drivability. This Lafayette uses 6.25-16 and 600-16 bias-ply sizes, so the first step is confirming which of those two period-style fitments is on the car now. From there, the decision usually centers on brand, tread character, and sidewall style, especially blackwall versus whitewall presentation for restoration-oriented use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl.
The 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl. uses two primary tire sizes, 6.25-16 and 600-16, and both are bias-ply fitments built for 16-inch rims. Because the Base sub-model is associated with both sizes, the key step is confirming which size is actually on the car today by checking the existing tires and wheel setup before choosing among sidewall, tread, and brand options.
In a numeric bias-ply size such as 6.25-16, the first number refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches, while the final number identifies the 16-inch rim diameter. For the 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl., this is a traditional bias-ply fitment that suits the tall, narrow tire profile common to the period. Buyers considering this size should think in terms of preserving vintage construction and overall presentation rather than converting to a modern metric format. It is a useful size to verify carefully on the car when originality, wheel width, and visual proportion all matter.
A 600-16 tire is also a numeric bias-ply size, with 6.00 indicating nominal section width and 16 indicating the rim diameter in inches. On the 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl., this size opens up the broadest visible range of period-style choices, including blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall tires from brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, and others. Several tire series are represented as well, from classic passenger-car patterns to military and truck-style tread designs. That makes 600-16 especially important to evaluate by intended appearance, tire type, and wheel compatibility.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl. Base is associated with the same two bias-ply tire sizes used across this page. Even so, checking the exact tire already mounted on the car still matters, since selection depends on choosing between the two period-style size options.
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1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl. Base
The 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl. Base uses period-style bias-ply fitments on 16-inch rims, with both 6.25-16 and 600-16 associated with the model. That means tire selection starts with confirming the car's current size, then choosing the sidewall treatment, tread character, and brand that best suit restoration goals or regular road use.
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 Lafayette 6 Cyl. Tires for Sale
Available 600-16 tires give the 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl. a wide range of buyer choices, including BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Avon, Lester, Excelsior, STA, and Camac. The product grid includes blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles across several classic bias-ply and specialty tread series.
Owners of a 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl. usually need clarity on the two primary tire sizes, 16-inch rim fitment, period-style bias-ply choices, sidewall appearance, and the checks worth making before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl.?
The 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl. uses two primary tire sizes: 6.25-16 and 600-16. Both are bias-ply sizes intended for 16-inch rims, and the Base sub-model is associated with both of them rather than one exclusive fitment.
That makes the practical next step simple but important: check the size already mounted on the car and confirm the wheel setup before ordering replacements. A long-owned or restored Lafayette may already be set up around one of those sizes, so matching the existing size often helps preserve appearance, clearance, and overall proportion.
What size rim does a 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl. use?
The primary tire sizes for the 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl. are built for 16-inch rims. Both 6.25-16 and 600-16 share that same 16-inch rim diameter, so the wheel diameter does not change between the two listed sizes.
Even with the same rim diameter, tire choice is not just a matter of reading the wheel size. It is worth confirming the actual wheel width on the car, especially if the Lafayette has been restored, stored for years, or fitted with replacement wheels at some point in its life.
What does 600-16 mean on a 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl.?
A 600-16 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 600 refers to a nominal 6.00-inch section width, and the 16 refers to the rim diameter in inches, so it is a tall, narrow vintage-format tire for a 16-inch wheel.
For a 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl., that size points you toward period-style bias-ply replacement rather than a modern metric fitment. Once the size is confirmed, the real choice becomes the tire's visual treatment and intended use, such as blackwall, wide whitewall, or a more specialized tread design.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-16 tire for a 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl.?
Start with the correct size, construction, and wheel compatibility. A 600-16 for a 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl. is a bias-ply tire for a 16-inch rim, and available choices differ by brand, sidewall style, tire series, rim-width specification, weight, and in some cases load capacity.
Appearance and intended use usually narrow the choice quickly. A blackwall gives a more understated look, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall options change the car's visual character noticeably. Tread design matters too, since some 600-16 choices are traditional passenger-car patterns and others lean toward military or truck-style presentation.
What sidewall styles are available for 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl. tires?
For the 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl., 600-16 product choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall sidewall styles. Those options create very different visual results even when the tire size and basic bias-ply construction remain the same.
The right choice depends on how the car is being finished and used. A restoration-oriented owner may want the sidewall style to support a more formal prewar appearance, while a driver focused on simpler maintenance or a plainer look may prefer blackwalls. Sidewall style should be chosen after the correct tire size is confirmed.
What brands offer tires for the 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl.?
Available 600-16 tires for the 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl. include options from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. Those brands appear across several bias-ply passenger, military, and specialty tread patterns.
Brand choice should be considered alongside the tire's series, sidewall treatment, and overall character rather than as a stand-alone decision. Two tires may share the same 600-16 size but present the car very differently, so comparing the tire style against the Lafayette's restoration direction is usually more useful than focusing on the name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl.?
A period-style 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl. starts with one of its proper bias-ply sizes, either 6.25-16 or 600-16, depending on the wheel and tire setup already on the car. That keeps the tall, narrow profile and vintage construction that suit a prewar American sedan.
Once the size is confirmed, the appearance decision usually comes down to sidewall treatment and tread character. Blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall choices can all shift the car's look noticeably. When exact originality matters, marque references and restoration documentation are the best way to narrow the final appearance choice.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl.?
Tire construction has a strong effect on how a restored 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl. looks. Its primary fitments are bias-ply sizes, and that construction supports the taller, narrower visual profile typically associated with prewar cars on 16-inch wheels.
Even before sidewall style is considered, construction influences the car's stance and period character. A restoration-focused owner will usually want the tire's shape and presentation to look appropriate under the fenders, not just match the wheel diameter. That is why confirming size, construction, and overall visual balance matters before making a final selection.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl.?
Yes. A 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl. may have the correct original-style tire size on paper, but aftermarket wheels, changed wheel widths, brake work, suspension repairs, or ride-height changes can all affect how a tire actually sits and clears the car.
That is especially important when choosing between 6.25-16 and 600-16, since both are proper vintage-format sizes but still need to suit the actual wheel and body setup in service. Clearance at the fenders and steering components should be checked carefully if the car has been altered from its earlier configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl. on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall mounting condition, then confirm the tires are the same size intended for the car's current setup. It also makes sense to look over the steering, suspension, and brake components on a vehicle of this age before putting miles on fresh tires.
Collector cars often spend long periods parked, so the rest of the chassis deserves as much attention as the rubber itself. Check for rubbing, uneven stance, loose hardware, and signs that the previous tires were wearing irregularly. A short, cautious test drive is a smart way to confirm the Lafayette feels settled before longer trips.
How should 600-16 tires on a collector 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl. be maintained?
Maintain 600-16 tires on a collector 1940 Lafayette 6 Cyl. by keeping them properly inflated, inspecting them regularly for cuts, bulges, cracking, and air loss, and watching tread wear for signs of alignment or suspension problems. Clean, dry storage conditions also help preserve a low-use vintage tire.
Cars that sit for long periods can age tires without adding many miles, so condition matters as much as tread depth. It is wise to look at the full sidewall and shoulder area before each driving season, and again before any longer trip, since a prewar car often spends more time stored than driven.
