1940 Pontiac 26 Tires

The 1940 Pontiac 26 uses a 600-16 tire size. That is a numeric bias-ply size mounted on a 16-inch rim, and the covered Deluxe 6 Cyl. sub-model uses the same primary fitment.

That makes the buying decision simpler than it is on vehicles with multiple factory sizes. Instead of sorting between different diameters, the important next step is choosing the right 600-16 tire style for the car’s purpose, then confirming the actual wheel setup on the vehicle if it has been changed over the years.

The primary tire fitment for a 1940 Pontiac 26 is built around a 16-inch rim. The 600-16 tire size itself points to that wheel diameter, and the available tire choices for this fitment are also built for 16-inch wheels.

Wheel diameter is only one part of the fitment picture on a collector car. It is still wise to verify the actual wheel width and make sure the car has not been fitted with aftermarket or later replacement wheels, especially before choosing among passenger-style, whitewall, or utility-oriented 600-16 tire options.

Yes. The covered 1940 Pontiac 26 Deluxe 6 Cyl. uses the same 600-16 bias-ply tire size as the model core. There is no separate primary size here that changes the wheel diameter or moves the car into a different sizing family.

That consistency means the sub-model question is less about fitment differences and more about selecting the right tire presentation. A blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall 600-16 can all change the finished look of the car, so the choice should follow the restoration style and how the Pontiac will actually be used.

Start with the correct 600-16 size and the 16-inch wheel requirement, then narrow the choice by construction style, tread character, and sidewall appearance. For this Pontiac, available options stay in bias-ply form but vary from plain blackwall passenger tires to wide whitewalls, double-whitewalls, and more utility-oriented tread designs.

The best choice depends on what the car is meant to be. A restoration-focused Pontiac may call for a more traditional sidewall treatment, while a driver may place more emphasis on tread style and wheel-width compatibility. It also helps to compare load figures and the rim-width specifications attached to the individual tire being considered.

The 1940 Pontiac 26 has 600-16 tire options in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. Those treatments give the same primary size very different visual personalities, from a restrained service look to a more formal prewar presentation.

Sidewall choice is mostly an appearance decision, but it should still be made within the correct size and wheel setup. A wide whitewall or double-whitewall can better suit a restoration-oriented car, while blackwall often fits a simpler or more utilitarian look. Exact originality questions are best settled with period photos or marque-specific restoration references.

The 600-16 fitment for a 1940 Pontiac 26 is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Goodyear, Avon, Lester, Excelsior, Ford Script, STA, and Camac. Those brands cover several vintage-style series as well as some military and truck-oriented tread offerings in the same size.

Brand alone should not decide the purchase. It makes more sense to compare the exact tire series, sidewall treatment, stated rim-width specification where given, and the role the tire is meant to fill on the car. A passenger-car restoration and a utility-minded build may both use 600-16, but not necessarily the same tread style.

A period-style 1940 Pontiac 26 starts with the correct 600-16 bias-ply size. From there, the most suitable tire depends on the look being pursued, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall choices all available in vintage-style series that keep the car visually in its late-prewar era.

Restoration buyers usually get the best result by matching the tire’s sidewall treatment and tread character to the car’s overall finish rather than choosing by size alone. If exact historical accuracy matters, period photographs, sales literature, and marque-club guidance are useful references before settling on a particular whitewall treatment or brand presentation.

Yes, correct tire fitment has a major effect on the finished look and stance of a 1940 Pontiac 26. Using the proper 600-16 bias-ply size keeps the wheel opening relationship and overall visual character closer to what buyers expect from a late-prewar American Pontiac.

Appearance is only part of the equation. The wheel diameter, wheel width, and actual condition of the rims should still be checked before mounting new tires, especially on a car that may have seen decades of repairs or parts swapping. Good restoration results come from matching the right size to a sound wheel and suspension setup.

Yes. Even though the primary fitment is 600-16 on a 16-inch rim, modifications can change what works on the car in practice. Replacement wheels, altered wheel width, suspension repairs, lowering, brake conversions, or bodywork changes can all affect clearance and how a tire sits in the wheel opening.

A 1940 Pontiac often has a long service history, so it is worth checking the actual wheel diameter and width already on the car before choosing a tire. Steering clearance, fender clearance, and the condition of suspension components should also be reviewed so the selected 600-16 tire matches the vehicle’s present-day setup.

Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm the bead seats are in sound condition, and make sure the tires are mounted in the correct 600-16 size for the car’s 16-inch rims. It is also wise to look over the valve hardware, suspension condition, and overall tire clearance at the front and rear.

A short test drive should be treated as a system check rather than just a tire check. Reconfirm tire pressure, watch for rubbing during turns, and pay attention to vibration or pull that could point to wheel, alignment, or chassis issues. On a collector car, new tires perform best when the rest of the running gear is equally ready.

Collector-car 600-16 tires should be kept at the proper operating pressure for the tire being used, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and checked for slow air loss during storage. A 1940 Pontiac that is driven only occasionally still benefits from routine visual inspection and periodic movement.

Storage conditions matter nearly as much as mileage on an older vehicle. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires over time. It also pays to review the tires before every outing, since age and inactivity can create issues that may not show up on a daily driver.