The 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series came from a period when American cars balanced streamlined styling with everyday road manners, and tire choice remains a visible part of that character today. On this model, the core fitment centers on a 650-16 bias-ply tire mounted on a 16-inch rim, which keeps the car in the sizing language of its era. That still leaves meaningful choice in brand, tread style, and sidewall presentation, including blackwall and wide whitewall options across several vintage tire series. For a restoration-minded owner, the important decision is matching the tire’s look and intended use to the car’s actual wheels and road plans.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series
The 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series uses one primary tire size: 650-16. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and the covered 6 Cyl. sub-model uses that same sizing, so the main decision is not which primary size fits but which version of 650-16 best suits the car’s appearance, wheel setup, and intended use.
A 650-16 tire uses vintage numeric bias-ply sizing, where the 650 indicates an approximate 6.50-inch nominal section width and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. For the 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series, this is a traditional bias-ply fitment that preserves the period-style construction associated with cars of this era. Within that size, choices include blackwall and wide whitewall versions from brands such as BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Lester, and Goodyear, along with several distinct tire series. The right 650-16 depends on whether the priority is restoration appearance, general collector driving, or a more utility-oriented tread style.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series sub-models. The main reason to verify the sub-model is simply to confirm that the car remains on the expected 650-16 bias-ply setup and has not been changed to a different wheel arrangement over time.
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1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series 6 Cyl.
The 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series 6 Cyl. uses the 650-16 bias-ply tire size. That makes tire selection more about choosing the right sidewall style, brand, and vintage tire series than sorting through multiple primary fitment sizes.
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 70 Series Tires for Sale
Available 650-16 tires span several classic brands, including BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. The main comparison points are blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, traditional passenger-car series versus more utility-oriented tread styles, and rim-width compatibility within the 16-inch format.
These 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series tire FAQs focus on 650-16 fitment, 16-inch rim compatibility, bias-ply construction, sidewall and brand choices, restoration appearance, and the checks worth making before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series?
The 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series uses a 650-16 tire size. That is a vintage numeric bias-ply size, and it is the primary fitment for the covered model and its 6 Cyl. sub-model on a 16-inch wheel.
Since there is one main size to work from, the next step is choosing the version of 650-16 that matches the car’s goals. Owners typically compare sidewall treatment, tire series, and rim-width compatibility, while also confirming that the wheels on the car are still the correct diameter and have not been replaced with a different setup over the years.
What size rim does a 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series use?
The 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series uses a 16-inch rim with its 650-16 tire fitment. That rim diameter is the key wheel dimension tied to the primary tire size for this vehicle.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it helps to confirm wheel width as well before choosing among available 650-16 tires. Many of the passenger-car options in this size are intended for rims around 4.50 to 5.00 inches wide, while some products differ, which matters when an older car has had wheel changes during its lifetime.
Does the 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series 6 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series 6 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire size as the main vehicle fitment. That keeps sizing decisions simple because there is no separate primary tire size to sort out for that sub-model.
Even with shared sizing, it still makes sense to inspect the actual wheel and tire setup on the car before replacing anything. Collector cars are often changed over time, so confirming the existing 16-inch wheels, checking width, and looking for clearance issues or non-stock suspension changes will help keep the next set of tires aligned with the car’s present configuration.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-16 tire for a 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series?
Start with the core fitment: 650-16 bias-ply on a 16-inch wheel. From there, the real choices are sidewall appearance, tire series, brand, and whether the tire is aimed at traditional passenger-car presentation or a more utility-focused tread style.
A wide whitewall can change the car’s visual character dramatically compared with a blackwall, so appearance matters as much as size on a prewar Oldsmobile. It also helps to compare rim-width requirements and, where shown, load figures such as 1580 at 32 psi or 1610 at 45 psi, especially if the car’s wheels or intended use differ from a typical restoration setup.
What sidewall styles are available for 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series tires?
The available 650-16 choices for a 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That gives owners a clear appearance decision even while staying within the same primary tire size and bias-ply construction.
Blackwalls usually create a more understated, functional look, while wide whitewalls shift the car toward a stronger restoration-oriented presentation. Since both styles appear in multiple brands and series, it is worth comparing the full tire specification and the look of the car as a whole rather than choosing only by sidewall color or stripe width.
What brands offer tires for the 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series?
The 650-16 size for the 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. Those brands cover both traditional passenger-car bias-ply designs and more specialized utility-style offerings in the same size.
Brand alone should not be the only filter, because the available tires also vary by series, sidewall style, rim-width specification, and intended character. A Firestone or BFGoodrich wide whitewall creates a different result than an STA transport-style tire, even though both share the same 650-16 sizing, so the better comparison is how each tire suits the car’s appearance and use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series?
A period-style starting point for a 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series is the original-size 650-16 bias-ply format. Staying with that sizing and construction keeps the car in the visual proportions and tire character expected of a prewar American sedan.
The finer decision comes down to presentation. A blackwall gives a simpler, more restrained look, while a wide whitewall leans into a more formal restoration-oriented appearance. When exact historical authenticity matters, it is smart to compare the car against marque references, period photography, or other model-specific documentation before settling on a particular brand or whitewall treatment.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because the tire is one of the most visible parts of the car’s stance and character. On a 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series, using the proper 650-16 bias-ply format helps preserve the proportions that belong to the vehicle’s era.
Restoration fitment is not only about appearance. The wheel diameter, wheel width, and the chosen tire’s construction all influence how convincingly the car presents and how comfortably the tire matches the wheel. Even a nicely restored car can look slightly off if the sidewall treatment or tread style does not suit the body, trim, and overall restoration theme.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series?
Yes. A 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series may have had wheel, suspension, or brake changes over the decades, and those changes can affect how a 650-16 tire sits on the car. Even when the nominal size remains the same, altered wheel width or offset can change clearance.
A careful check should include wheel diameter, actual rim width, steering clearance, and space around the fenders and suspension. Cars that sit lower than stock or use aftermarket wheels deserve extra attention, because a tire that matches the original size format may still need review against the vehicle’s present mechanical and body setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series on new tires?
Before driving, inspect the wheels for condition and correct diameter, make sure the tires are seated properly, and verify inflation for the specific tire being used. It is also wise to look over the valve stems, check for any unusual sidewall distortion, and confirm that the tires clear the body and suspension through steering movement.
A collector car should also get a broader road-readiness check before regular use. Brake condition, steering play, worn suspension parts, and alignment issues can all affect how the car feels on fresh bias-ply tires. A short, low-speed test drive followed by another inspection can reveal rubbing, pressure loss, or other setup issues before a longer outing.
How should 650-16 tires on a collector 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series be maintained?
650-16 tires on a collector 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series should be kept at the proper inflation for the specific tire, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and kept clean and dry during storage. Low annual mileage does not eliminate aging, so condition matters as much as tread depth.
Storage habits make a real difference on an older vehicle. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber, and moving the car periodically can reduce long-term flat spotting. It also helps to check pressure before each drive rather than assuming a collector car’s tires have held air since the last outing.
