The 1940 Pontiac 28 comes from a moment when American cars were becoming more streamlined and comfortable while still relying on traditional chassis and tire technology. For owners restoring or maintaining one today, tire choice affects not just road manners, but also the car’s visual stance and period character. This Pontiac 28 uses a 650-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, keeping the fitment firmly in prewar territory. Within that size, choices include blackwall and wide whitewall designs across several classic bias-ply series. The real decision is whether the car is being kept closer to a restoration-oriented presentation or prepared for regular road use with careful attention to wheel and tire compatibility.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1940 Pontiac 28
The 1940 Pontiac 28 uses one primary tire size: 650-16. It is a bias-ply fitment for a 16-inch rim, and the covered Deluxe 8 Cyl. sub-model uses that same size. Because the size itself is straightforward, the main choice becomes selecting the right bias-ply tire style for the car’s appearance, intended driving use, and actual wheel width.
A 650-16 size is a vintage numeric bias-ply designation, where 6.50 refers to the nominal section width in inches and 16 refers to the rim diameter. On a 1940 Pontiac 28, this keeps the tire in the traditional bias-ply construction that suits the car’s prewar fitment character. Available choices in this size include blackwall and wide whitewall styles from brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Lester, Excelsior, STA, and Tornel across several tire series. It is the right starting point for an owner who wants to preserve the correct visual proportions while confirming wheel width and intended use before choosing a specific tire.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1940 Pontiac 28 sub-model. The tire size remains consistent, so the key step is confirming the car’s exact wheel setup and then choosing the bias-ply tire style that best matches its appearance and planned road use.
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1940 Pontiac 28 Deluxe 8 Cyl.
The 1940 Pontiac 28 Deluxe 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply fitment as the model core. That keeps tire selection focused on blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, brand and series preference, and checking the wheel width before settling on a specific tire.
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 Pontiac 28 Tires for Sale
Available 650-16 choices cover a broad range of prewar-style bias-ply options from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Lester, Excelsior, STA, and Tornel. Buyers can compare blackwall and wide whitewall presentations, along with passenger-car and more utility-oriented tread series.
Owners of a 1940 Pontiac 28 usually need answers on 650-16 sizing, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply selection, sidewall appearance, and the checks worth making before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1940 Pontiac 28?
The 1940 Pontiac 28 uses a 650-16 tire size. That is a numeric bias-ply size mounted on a 16-inch rim, and the covered Deluxe 8 Cyl. sub-model uses the same fitment.
Once the size is confirmed, the next step is choosing the type of 650-16 tire that suits the car. For this Pontiac, the practical choice is usually between blackwall and wide whitewall styling, along with checking the wheel width on the car now in case the wheels were changed during an earlier restoration or repair.
What size rim does a 1940 Pontiac 28 use?
A 1940 Pontiac 28 uses a 16-inch rim with its 650-16 tire fitment. That rim diameter is central to the tire choice, because vintage tire sizing depends on matching the tire to the correct wheel diameter first.
Rim diameter should be confirmed at the wheel itself before ordering tires, especially on an older collector car that may have seen wheel swaps over the years. Wheel width matters too, since some 650-16 products are intended for narrower rims while others are built around a 4.50- to 5.00-inch range.
Does the 1940 Pontiac 28 Deluxe 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1940 Pontiac 28 Deluxe 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire size as the model core. That makes sub-model identification less of a fitment issue than it is on vehicles that used multiple original sizes.
Even with shared sizing, the tire decision is not completely automatic. It still helps to confirm the actual wheels on the car and decide whether the goal is a more traditional blackwall appearance, a wide whitewall look, or a more utility-oriented tread pattern for a vehicle that sees light road use or display duty.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-16 tire for a 1940 Pontiac 28?
Start with the correct 650-16 size and 16-inch rim, then focus on the type of tire that matches how the Pontiac is used. In this size, choices include traditional passenger-car bias-ply tires as well as some more utility-oriented patterns, so appearance and intended driving role matter.
A restoration-oriented car may call for a classic blackwall or wide whitewall presentation, while a vehicle used differently may lead you toward another tread style within the same size. It also helps to compare wheel-width compatibility, load figures where stated, and the overall look each tire gives the car before making a final selection.
What sidewall styles are available for 1940 Pontiac 28 tires?
The 1940 Pontiac 28’s 650-16 tire choices include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That gives owners room to choose between a more understated prewar look and a brighter restoration-oriented presentation.
Sidewall style changes the visual character of the car more than many buyers expect, especially on a vehicle with large visible sidewalls. The best approach is to match the sidewall treatment to the car’s trim, finish level, and restoration goal, while still making sure the tire’s construction and rim-width requirements suit the wheels being used.
What brands offer tires for the 1940 Pontiac 28?
Brands available in 650-16 for the 1940 Pontiac 28 include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. Those choices span several bias-ply series and both passenger-style and more utility-oriented offerings.
Brand choice should be considered alongside tire series, sidewall style, and how the Pontiac will be used rather than treated as the only decision. Two tires may share the same size but differ in appearance, tread character, stated load figure, or wheel-width suitability, so it is worth comparing the full product details before choosing.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1940 Pontiac 28?
A period-style 1940 Pontiac 28 starts with the correct 650-16 bias-ply size. From there, the most appropriate choice depends on whether the car is being presented with a simpler blackwall look or a more formal wide whitewall appearance.
Bias-ply construction helps preserve the traditional proportions and visual character expected on a prewar Pontiac. When exact originality matters, it is wise to compare the car against marque references, historic photos, or restoration documentation, since a tire can look authentically vintage without being proven as the exact original brand or sidewall treatment.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1940 Pontiac 28 restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1940 Pontiac 28 restoration. The 650-16 size influences the car’s stance, wheel opening fill, and overall prewar presentation, so using the proper size is one of the most visible parts of getting the car’s look right.
Appearance is only part of the equation. Correct fitment also helps keep the tire matched to the wheel diameter and appropriate wheel width, which affects how the car sits and how the tire behaves on the road. Even on a mostly show-oriented car, those details are worth confirming before the tires go into service.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1940 Pontiac 28?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1940 Pontiac 28 even when the intended tire size remains 650-16. Wheel changes, altered wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body repairs around the fenders can all change how much room the tire has.
A collector car should be measured as it sits today rather than assumed to match original specifications exactly. Checking the wheel diameter, actual wheel width, steering clearance, and fender clearance before mounting tires helps prevent surprises, especially if the Pontiac has been restored in stages or has worn non-original wheels at some point.
What should I inspect before driving a 1940 Pontiac 28 on new tires?
Before driving a 1940 Pontiac 28 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm the rim diameter and width, and make sure the tires are properly seated and inflated. It is also wise to check brake condition, steering play, and basic suspension health on a car of this age.
The first miles should be treated as a shakedown rather than a long trip. Watching for rubbing, pull, vibration, or uneven clearance during slow-speed driving can reveal setup issues early, and a quick recheck of tire pressure and wheel hardware afterward helps confirm that the car is ready for more confident road use.
How should 650-16 tires on a collector 1940 Pontiac 28 be maintained?
Collector-car 650-16 tires should be inspected regularly for pressure loss, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and uneven tread wear. A 1940 Pontiac 28 may spend long periods parked, so tire condition can change with age and storage even when mileage stays low.
Good maintenance also means keeping the car stored away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors or welders. Moving the car occasionally, maintaining proper inflation, and checking the tires before each outing helps protect both the tire itself and the roadworthiness of the Pontiac.
