1940 Plymouth Road King Tires

The 1940 Plymouth Road King uses a 550-16 tire. This is a numeric bias-ply size used on a 16-inch wheel, and the covered Road King 6 Cyl. sub-model uses that same primary fitment, so the basic size question is straightforward on this vehicle.

The next step is making sure the car still has the wheel setup that matches that original-style fitment. Older cars are sometimes found with replacement wheels or later modifications, so it is worth confirming wheel diameter and width before choosing between blackwall and wide whitewall versions of the same 550-16 size.

The 1940 Plymouth Road King uses a 16-inch rim with its 550-16 tire size. Product fitments in this size also show rim-width compatibility in the traditional narrow range used by vintage passenger cars, including examples intended for 3.25- to 4.00-inch-wide wheels.

Confirming actual wheel width matters before mounting a new tire, especially on a collector car that may have had wheels changed decades ago. A correct rim diameter alone is not the whole story, because width, bead-seat condition, and overall wheel integrity all affect how a bias-ply tire mounts and performs.

Yes. The 1940 Plymouth Road King 6 Cyl. uses the same 550-16 bias-ply tire size as the covered Road King fitment. That keeps replacement planning simple, since there is no alternate primary size to sort through within this sub-model coverage.

Even with a shared size, buyers still have meaningful choices inside the 550-16 category. Blackwall and wide whitewall versions create very different visual results, and tire series can also vary by brand, weight, load specification, and rim-width guidance, so the final selection should match both the car and its intended use.

Start with the correct primary size, which is 550-16, and keep the original-style bias-ply construction in mind. From there, compare sidewall style, brand, tire series, rim-width compatibility, and any stated load figures, since those details shape both the look of the car and the suitability of the tire for its wheel.

A Plymouth kept in restoration-oriented trim may call for a different visual presentation than a driver meant to look understated and utilitarian. It also helps to inspect the actual wheels before ordering, because a sound 16-inch rim with the right width and condition is just as important as choosing the right tire size.

The available 550-16 tires for a 1940 Plymouth Road King include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That gives owners a clear appearance choice within the correct size, while staying with traditional bias-ply construction suited to the car’s era.

Blackwall tires tend to create a more restrained prewar look, while wide whitewalls produce a more formal and restoration-focused presentation. Since sidewall style changes the car’s visual character more than any hidden specification, it makes sense to decide early whether the goal is a simpler road-going look or a more dressed-up period-style appearance.

The 1940 Plymouth Road King has 550-16 tire options from Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. Those choices appear across several bias-ply series, including Excelsior Bias Ply, Tourist Crossply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, and Firestone Classic Bias Ply.

Brand selection on a car like this is usually less about chasing modern-style performance claims and more about matching appearance, construction details, and wheel compatibility to the vehicle. Comparing the series and sidewall treatments often tells the buyer more than the brand name alone, especially when the visual goal is part of the restoration decision.

A period-style 1940 Plymouth Road King should begin with the correct 550-16 bias-ply size. That keeps the tire’s basic proportions and construction aligned with the car’s era, after which the choice narrows to brand, tire series, and whether a blackwall or wide whitewall better suits the intended presentation.

For many restorations, the visual effect of the sidewall matters as much as the size itself. Buyers pursuing exact historical accuracy should compare the car against marque references, photographs, and restoration documentation, while drivers aiming for a faithful period look can often choose the sidewall treatment that best complements the body color and trim.

Bias-ply construction plays an important role in the appearance of a restored 1940 Plymouth Road King because it preserves the traditional tire profile associated with prewar passenger cars. In this fitment, the 550-16 size is offered as a bias-ply tire, which supports a more authentic visual relationship between the wheel, sidewall, and body.

Appearance is shaped further by the sidewall treatment you choose. A blackwall keeps the presentation more subdued, while a wide whitewall adds more visual emphasis and can dramatically change how formal or upscale the car appears, even though both remain within the same primary tire size.

Yes. A 1940 Plymouth Road King may still call for a 550-16 tire, but aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension work, or body modifications can affect whether an original-style tire setup remains appropriate. Even a car that looks stock from the outside may have changed wheel hardware underneath.

Checking the actual wheel diameter and width is the first step, followed by a look at steering clearance, fender clearance, and the condition of suspension and steering parts. On an older car, small changes in stance or wheel specification can matter, so fitment should be confirmed at the car rather than assumed from appearance alone.

Before road use, inspect the wheels for correct diameter, width, and sound bead-seat condition, then confirm that the new 550-16 tires are mounted and inflated properly. It also makes sense to look over valve stems, wheel fasteners, steering components, brakes, and suspension parts on a collector-era car.

A fresh set of tires cannot compensate for worn mechanical parts or damaged wheels. After installation, turn the steering from lock to lock, watch for any clearance issues, and recheck pressure and mounting condition after the first few drives so the Plymouth settles in safely and predictably.

Collector-car tires in 550-16 should be kept clean, properly inflated, and inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss. Because a 1940 Plymouth Road King may spend long periods parked, tire age and storage conditions matter just as much as tread depth.

Storage away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment helps protect the sidewalls and casing. A car that is driven infrequently also benefits from periodic pressure checks and visual inspections before each outing, since age-related deterioration can appear long before the tire looks worn out.