The 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series came from a period when American cars balanced streamlined styling with everyday road manners, and tire choice was still a visible part of a car’s character. For owners restoring or maintaining one today, the tire decision is less about modern upsizing and more about staying true to the car’s original-era stance and wheel fitment. The 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series uses a 600-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim. Within that size, there is still room to choose among blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall presentations across several classic tire series. The right selection depends on how the car is being finished, driven, and maintained.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series
The 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series uses one primary tire size: 600-16. That is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and it remains consistent for the covered 6 Cyl. sub-model, so the real choice is not between multiple factory-type sizes but between sidewall appearance, tire series, and the kind of period-style use the car will see.
A 600-16 tire is a vintage numeric bias-ply size in which the 600 indicates an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width and the 16 identifies a 16-inch wheel. On a 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series, this keeps the car in its proper prewar tire format rather than shifting to a later metric or alphanumeric convention. Available choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall versions from brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Lester, Excelsior, Avon, Ford Script, STA, and Camac. This size makes sense when the goal is to preserve the car’s original-era look and match the wheel setup already on the vehicle.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series sub-model. The 6 Cyl. version uses the same primary tire size, so the key is confirming wheel condition and choosing the right sidewall and tire series for the car’s intended appearance and use.
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1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series 6 Cyl.
The 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series 6 Cyl. uses the same 600-16 bias-ply fitment as the model core. That keeps tire selection focused on period-style presentation, including blackwall or whitewall choices, while still making it important to confirm the actual 16-inch wheel setup on the car before replacement.
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 Oldsmobile 60 Series Tires for Sale
Available 600-16 choices cover a wide range of classic brands including BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Avon, Lester, Excelsior, Ford Script, STA, and Camac. Buyers can compare blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles across several bias-ply series, with some differences in rim-width recommendations and load specifications.
These FAQs for the 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series focus on 600-16 fitment, 16-inch wheels, bias-ply tire selection, restoration-oriented appearance choices, and the inspections worth making before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series?
The 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series uses a 600-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply size and it is the primary fitment for the covered vehicle, including the 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series 6 Cyl. sub-model.
That means the starting point is simple: look for a 600-16 tire built for a 16-inch wheel, then decide which sidewall style and tire series match the car’s appearance and intended driving. It is still worth checking the actual wheels on the car, especially if it has been stored for years or changed hands, because collector cars are sometimes fitted with non-original wheels or mixed tire sets.
What size rim does a 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series use?
The 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series uses a 16-inch rim with its 600-16 tire size. That rim diameter is the key wheel dimension tied directly to this fitment and should be confirmed before choosing replacement tires.
Rim diameter is only part of the picture on an older car. Some 600-16 products also call for specific rim-width ranges, so the wheel should be measured and inspected rather than assumed to be correct simply because it is 16 inches. Original steel wheels, replacement wheels, and long-stored rims can vary in condition, and that can affect how confidently a period-style bias-ply tire can be mounted and used.
Does the 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series 6 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series 6 Cyl. uses the same 600-16 bias-ply tire size as the model core. There is no separate primary tire size shown for that covered sub-model.
Since the fitment stays consistent, the decision shifts from finding the correct size to choosing the tire style that suits the car. A blackwall gives a more restrained look, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall options create a more formal prewar presentation. Even with shared sizing, wheel condition, rim width, and overall vehicle setup should still be checked before mounting new tires on a restored or survivor car.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-16 tire for a 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series?
Start with the correct 600-16 size and bias-ply construction, since that is the primary fitment for the 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series. From there, compare sidewall style, brand, tire series, rim-width specification, and any load figures that are relevant to how the car will be used.
A touring-oriented restoration may call for a traditional blackwall, while a more formal presentation may favor a wide whitewall or double-whitewall. Some 600-16 products also differ in rim-width guidance and weight, so the actual wheel and the way the car will be driven matter. Matching the tire to the car’s finish level and mechanical condition usually produces a better result than choosing only by appearance.
What sidewall styles are available for 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series tires?
The 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series has 600-16 tire options in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. Those choices all stay within the same vintage bias-ply size, but they change the car’s visual character quite a bit.
A blackwall keeps the look understated and practical, while a wide whitewall gives the car a more dressed, prewar luxury-oriented appearance. Double-whitewall versions add another distinct period-style presentation. Since sidewall style affects appearance more than fitment, the better question is how the Oldsmobile is being finished: as a driver, a restoration-focused car, or a vehicle meant to capture a specific early-1940s visual impression.
What brands offer tires for the 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series?
Tires in 600-16 for the 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series are available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. All of the applicable choices remain within a bias-ply, 16-inch format for this fitment.
Brand choice is only one part of the decision on a prewar Oldsmobile. The same size can appear in different tire series and sidewall treatments, and some options lean more toward passenger-car styling while others have a more utility or military-style tread presentation. It helps to compare the complete tire description rather than selecting by brand name alone, especially when the car’s intended look is as important as the size itself.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series?
A period-style 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series should begin with the proper 600-16 bias-ply size. That keeps the car in the correct visual and dimensional family for a prewar American sedan, coupe, or touring car presentation without moving into a later tire format.
After size and construction are settled, the appearance decision usually comes down to blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall styling. The right answer depends on how the car is being restored and the look being pursued, not on a single universal rule. When exact originality matters, it is wise to compare the car’s trim level and historical references before settling on a specific sidewall treatment.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series?
Tire construction has a noticeable effect on how a restored 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series sits and reads visually. A 600-16 bias-ply tire preserves the shape and presentation associated with the car’s era, which is why construction matters as much as the printed size on a restoration-minded vehicle.
On a prewar car, the tire is part of the overall stance, not just a mechanical replacement item. The sidewall contour, tread style, and available whitewall treatments all influence whether the Oldsmobile looks restrained, formal, or more utility-oriented. Even when the size remains correct, changing to a visibly different construction style can shift the car away from an authentic-looking period presentation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series?
Yes. Even though the primary fitment is a 600-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, modifications can change how confidently that size works on a 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series. Wheel substitutions, altered rim width, suspension work, or body changes can all influence usable tire fitment.
A collector car that has been updated over the years may not still have its original wheel setup. Measuring wheel diameter and width, then checking steering travel and fender clearance, is a smart step before mounting new tires. That is especially important when the car has replacement steel wheels, later service parts, or suspension changes that may not be obvious from a quick visual inspection.
What should I inspect before driving a 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall condition of the tire installation, then confirm that the new 600-16 tires are seated properly and inflated appropriately for the product being used. On an older car, the wheel itself deserves as much attention as the tire.
It also helps to look over steering and suspension components, because worn tie-rod ends, bushings, shocks, or wheel bearings can make a freshly mounted set of tires feel wrong. A short, careful test drive should include listening for rubs, checking for pull or vibration, and rechecking air pressure afterward. Collector vehicles often reveal setup issues only after they are driven again.
How should 600-16 tires on a collector 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series be maintained?
600-16 tires on a collector 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related condition. Bias-ply tires on low-mileage collector cars can look acceptable at a glance while still developing cracking, flat spotting, or air-loss issues over time.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a prewar car. Keeping the Oldsmobile away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tire casing and sidewalls. The tires should also be inspected before longer drives for cuts, bulges, tread separation signs, and uneven wear, especially if the car spends much of its life parked between occasional outings.
