The 1940 Lincoln Zephyr came from a moment when streamlined American luxury styling was moving away from upright prewar formality and toward a lower, more flowing shape. That design character makes tire choice especially important, because the tire has a major effect on both stance and presentation. The 1940 Lincoln Zephyr uses a 700-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, and that single fitment keeps the size question straightforward. The real choice is among blackwall and wide whitewall bias-ply options, along with several tire series and specialty military-style patterns in the same size. For restoration-minded owners and road-going collectors alike, the goal is matching the tire’s look and intended use to the car’s wheel setup and condition.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1940 Lincoln Zephyr
The 1940 Lincoln Zephyr uses one primary tire size: 700-16, a bias-ply fitment for a 16-inch rim. The 12 Cyl. sub-model uses that same size, so the main decision is not which primary size fits, but which 700-16 tire best suits your Zephyr’s appearance, intended use, and wheel setup.
A 700-16 size is a numeric bias-ply designation in which the leading number refers to a nominal section width of about 7.00 inches, while the final number indicates a 16-inch rim. On a 1940 Lincoln Zephyr, this is the traditional bias-ply fitment and sets the visual tone of the car as much as its road-going character. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall tires from Lester, BFGoodrich, and Firestone, along with specialty military and truck-style series in the same size. That makes 700-16 the place to decide between a more formal restoration-oriented look and a more utility-focused tread style.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1940 Lincoln Zephyr sub-models, with the same primary tire size used here. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm that you are selecting the right construction and the right type of 700-16 tire for the car’s intended presentation.
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1940 Lincoln Zephyr 12 Cyl.
The 1940 Lincoln Zephyr 12 Cyl. uses the same 700-16 bias-ply tire size as the core fitment for this model year. That keeps selection focused on choosing the right blackwall, wide whitewall, or specialty-pattern tire within the correct size rather than sorting through multiple primary fitments.
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 Lincoln Zephyr Tires for Sale
Available 700-16 choices span Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA, with blackwall and wide whitewall options across several bias-ply series. The product grid also includes specialty military and truck-style patterns, so appearance, rim-width compatibility, and intended use are the key comparisons.
These 1940 Lincoln Zephyr tire FAQs focus on the 700-16 fitment, 16-inch rim use, bias-ply construction, sidewall and brand choices, and the wheel, suspension, and condition checks worth making before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1940 Lincoln Zephyr?
The 1940 Lincoln Zephyr uses a 700-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment for a 16-inch rim, and the covered 12 Cyl. sub-model uses that same primary size.
That makes the size question fairly simple, but the tire choice still matters. A 700-16 for this car can vary by sidewall treatment, tire series, and intended use, so it is worth confirming the wheel diameter and wheel width on the car before choosing between blackwall, wide whitewall, or specialty-pattern versions in the same size.
What size rim does a 1940 Lincoln Zephyr use?
The 1940 Lincoln Zephyr uses a 16-inch rim with its 700-16 tire size. Several 700-16 products in this fitment also specify a 4.50- to 5.50-inch rim-width range.
Rim diameter should be confirmed first, especially on a collector car that may have had wheels changed at some point in its life. Once the 16-inch diameter is verified, compare the actual wheel width against the tire you are considering so the Zephyr keeps the proper relationship between the tire, the wheel, and available clearance.
Does the 1940 Lincoln Zephyr 12 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1940 Lincoln Zephyr 12 Cyl. uses the same 700-16 bias-ply tire size as the core fitment for the 1940 Lincoln Zephyr. There is no separate primary tire size here for that sub-model.
That consistency simplifies shopping, since the main decision shifts from size selection to tire character and appearance. A buyer can focus on whether the car needs a traditional blackwall, a formal wide whitewall presentation, or a specialty military-style tread, while still checking that the wheels currently on the car remain 16-inch rims in the right width range.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-16 tire for a 1940 Lincoln Zephyr?
Start with the correct 700-16 size and the fact that the Zephyr uses a bias-ply construction in this fitment. From there, the important choices are sidewall style, tire series, rim-width compatibility, load specification where stated, and whether the tire’s appearance matches the car’s restoration or driving goals.
A wide whitewall gives the car a more formal prewar luxury presentation, while a blackwall creates a plainer, more understated look. It also helps to confirm whether the car is being shown, driven regularly, or set up for a more utility-oriented purpose, because the available 700-16 tires include both passenger-car style bias-ply options and military or truck-style patterns.
What sidewall styles are available for 1940 Lincoln Zephyr tires?
The 1940 Lincoln Zephyr’s 700-16 tire options include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Those two appearances can change the character of the car quite a bit even when the underlying size remains the same.
A wide whitewall usually suits buyers who want a more formal restoration-oriented presentation, while blackwall tires create a simpler and more restrained look. Since sidewall style does not change the need for correct wheel fitment, it still makes sense to compare the specific tire series and wheel-width requirements before choosing the version that best matches the Zephyr’s current setup.
What brands offer tires for the 1940 Lincoln Zephyr?
Brands available in 700-16 for the 1940 Lincoln Zephyr include Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA. These options cover traditional bias-ply passenger-car styles as well as military and truck-oriented patterns in the same size.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It is more useful to compare each tire by sidewall style, tire series, stated rim-width range when included, and the kind of appearance or use the tire supports, especially if the Zephyr is being restored, displayed, or driven with a wheel setup that may not be entirely original.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1940 Lincoln Zephyr?
A period-style 1940 Lincoln Zephyr usually starts with the correct 700-16 bias-ply size and a sidewall treatment that suits the car’s presentation. Wide whitewall and blackwall versions are both available, and each creates a different prewar visual effect while keeping the primary fitment intact.
The right choice depends on whether the car is being restored toward a formal luxury look or maintained with a more restrained road-use appearance. When exact originality matters, it is wise to compare the tire’s sidewall style and overall presentation with marque references, period photos, or other vehicle-specific historical material before making the final selection.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1940 Lincoln Zephyr restoration?
Yes. Correct tire fitment matters on a 1940 Lincoln Zephyr because the tire strongly affects the car’s stance, profile, and overall visual balance. Staying with the proper 700-16 bias-ply size preserves the proportions expected of a streamlined prewar luxury car.
Appearance is only one part of the decision. The actual wheel diameter and width on the car should still be confirmed, especially on older restorations or long-owned collector cars, since a mismatched wheel can change how even the correct-looking tire sits and performs. Good restoration results come from balancing proper size, proper construction, and the right sidewall style.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1940 Lincoln Zephyr?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1940 Lincoln Zephyr even when the tire size remains 700-16. Changes to wheel width, wheel offset, suspension height, steering components, or body clearance can all alter how a bias-ply tire sits and moves within the wheel opening.
A Zephyr that has aftermarket wheels or suspension changes should be checked carefully before a new set is chosen. Turning clearance, fender clearance, and the relationship between the tire and the rim become especially important on older cars, where small changes in wheel position can have a visible effect on both drivability and the car’s overall stance.
What should I inspect before driving a 1940 Lincoln Zephyr on new tires?
Before driving a 1940 Lincoln Zephyr on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, then check the tires for proper mounting, inflation, and any visible issues such as sidewall damage or uneven seating. It also helps to look over suspension and steering components on a car of this age.
A short, careful road test is a smart next step after installation. Listen for rubbing, watch for pulling or vibration, and recheck tire pressure once the car has settled into use. On a collector vehicle, new tires often reveal existing wheel, brake, or front-end issues that were less obvious with the older set still installed.
How should 700-16 tires on a collector 1940 Lincoln Zephyr be maintained?
700-16 tires on a collector 1940 Lincoln Zephyr should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related condition, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, flat spotting, and slow air loss all deserve prompt attention on a low-mileage prewar car.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as driving habits. Keeping the Zephyr away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, excessive heat, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires between outings, while periodic movement helps avoid long-term flat spotting. Frequent inspection is especially important when a collector car spends more time parked than on the road.
