1940 Oldsmobile 90 Series Tires

The 1940 Oldsmobile 90 Series uses a 700-15 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment used on a 15-inch rim, and it is the primary size for the covered vehicle configuration.

That makes the next decision less about finding the size and more about choosing the right version of that size. A buyer should still confirm the actual wheel diameter on the car, especially if the vehicle has been modified over the years, then compare sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width suitability before selecting a 700-15 replacement.

The 1940 Oldsmobile 90 Series uses a 15-inch rim with its 700-15 tire size. That rim diameter is part of the tire designation itself, with the final number in 700-15 identifying the wheel diameter the tire is built for.

Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, so it helps to check wheel width as well before choosing among available tires. Many 700-15 options are built around a 5.00 to 5.50 inch rim width, and cars that have replacement wheels or later service parts should have those wheels measured instead of assuming they remain original.

Yes. The covered 1940 Oldsmobile 90 Series 8 Cyl. uses the same 700-15 bias-ply tire size as the core fitment for this model. That keeps tire selection simple at the size level because there is not a second primary size to sort through for this sub-model.

Since the size stays the same, the real comparison is among the available 700-15 tire styles and series. A restoration-minded owner may focus on blackwall versus wide whitewall presentation, while a driver putting the car into regular road use may also want to check wheel width, tire condition, and whether the current wheel setup still matches the original 15-inch format.

Start with the correct 700-15 size and the proper 15-inch wheel, then look at the kind of tire that suits the car’s intended use. The available choices include traditional bias-ply passenger-car styles along with more utility-oriented designs in the same size.

Appearance is usually the next major factor, especially when deciding between blackwall and wide whitewall versions on a prewar Oldsmobile. It also helps to compare rim-width suitability, load figures where stated, and tread character so the tire complements the car’s stance, restoration direction, and the way it will actually be driven.

The available 700-15 tires for a 1940 Oldsmobile 90 Series include blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Those two looks create very different visual results even when the tire size and bias-ply construction remain the same.

A wide whitewall usually delivers the more formal prewar presentation many restoration-oriented owners want, while a blackwall gives the car a plainer and more understated appearance. The right choice depends on how the Oldsmobile is being finished and shown, and it is worth confirming that the selected sidewall style is paired with the tread and tire series that suit the car’s road use.

700-15 tires for the 1940 Oldsmobile 90 Series are available from Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA. Those offerings include traditional passenger-car bias-ply lines as well as several more utility-oriented series in the same size.

Brand alone should not be the only filter, because the differences that matter most may be sidewall style, tread type, tire series, and wheel-width suitability. Looking at the full combination of size, appearance, and construction details will usually be more useful than choosing by brand name first, especially on a prewar collector car with a specific restoration goal.

A period-style 1940 Oldsmobile 90 Series starts with the correct 700-15 bias-ply size on a 15-inch rim. Within that size, traditional passenger-car bias-ply options are the closest visual starting point for preserving the tall sidewall and prewar stance associated with the car.

The final choice usually comes down to the look you want the car to project, especially blackwall versus wide whitewall. For owners chasing exact historical authenticity, the safest approach is to pair the correct size and construction with vehicle-specific historical references, period photos, or marque-club guidance before deciding on the final sidewall treatment.

Tire construction has a major effect on how a restored 1940 Oldsmobile 90 Series sits and reads visually. The car’s primary fitment is a 700-15 bias-ply, and that construction supports the traditional sidewall shape and period-style profile expected on a prewar full-size car.

Even within bias-ply construction, sidewall treatment changes the character of the car from understated to formal. A wide whitewall tends to emphasize prewar elegance, while a blackwall keeps the presentation more restrained, so the best choice depends on the restoration’s finish level, trim treatment, and whether the goal is historical flavor or a simpler road-going appearance.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1940 Oldsmobile 90 Series even when the intended tire size remains 700-15. Replacement wheels, altered wheel widths, brake conversions, suspension changes, or body work can all change the space available for a traditional bias-ply tire.

A car that has been lowered, fitted with different wheels, or rebuilt with non-original parts should have its actual wheel diameter and width checked before tire selection. Steering clearance, fender clearance, and overall stance are worth confirming as well, because an old chassis can vary from car to car after decades of repairs and modifications.

Before driving a 1940 Oldsmobile 90 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, and the general condition of the suspension and steering components. A proper installation matters, but so does the condition of the surrounding chassis on a prewar collector car.

Once the tires are mounted, check inflation, verify there is no rubbing at full steering travel, and make sure the car tracks normally at low speed before heading farther out. It also helps to inspect for fluid leaks, weak shocks, loose wheel bearings, and brake issues, since fresh tires can highlight problems that were less obvious on older worn rubber.

700-15 tires on a collector 1940 Oldsmobile 90 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Collector cars often accumulate limited mileage, so age, storage conditions, and long stationary periods can matter as much as tread wear.

Watching for sidewall cracking, flat spotting, cuts, bulges, and slow air loss is especially important on a car that spends much of its time parked. Keeping the Oldsmobile away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources will help preserve the tires, and periodic inspections before each driving season make road use much more predictable.