The 1941 Pontiac 24 comes from the last full model year before wartime production reshaped the American auto industry, and that gives it a distinctly prewar character that shows up in everything from its proportions to its tire stance. For owners keeping one on the road or bringing one back to life, tire choice plays a major role in preserving that look. This Pontiac 24 uses a 650-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim. Within that size, there is meaningful variety in blackwall and wide whitewall styles, along with several traditional bias-ply series. The real decision is matching the tire's appearance and intended use to the car's restoration direction and actual wheel setup.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1941 Pontiac 24
The 1941 Pontiac 24 uses one primary tire size: 650-16. That size is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and the covered Custom 6 Cyl. sub-model uses the same sizing. Once size is confirmed, the main choice becomes selecting the right bias-ply tire style for the car's appearance, intended road use, and wheel width.
A 650-16 numeric bias-ply size uses the leading number as an approximate nominal section width, with 6.50 inches expressed without a decimal, while the final number indicates a 16-inch rim. On the 1941 Pontiac 24, this is the primary prewar-style fitment and keeps the traditional bias-ply construction that suits the car's period stance and presentation. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall options from brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Lester, Excelsior, STA, and Tornel across several tire series. Choosing within 650-16 usually comes down to appearance, rim-width compatibility, and whether the car is being restored for traditional road use or a more specialized application.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1941 Pontiac 24 sub-model. The available sub-model uses the same primary tire size, so the main task is confirming wheel condition and selecting the right bias-ply style for the car's intended look and use.
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1941 Pontiac 24 Custom 6 Cyl.
The 1941 Pontiac 24 Custom 6 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply fitment as the model core. That keeps the size decision simple, allowing the focus to shift toward blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, tire series, and confirming that the existing 16-inch wheels suit the tire being considered.
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 1941 Pontiac 24 Tires for Sale
Available 650-16 tires span BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Lester, Excelsior, STA, and Tornel, with both blackwall and wide whitewall presentations. The product range also includes passenger-style classic bias-ply lines and more specialized transport, military, and truck-oriented series.
Owners of a 1941 Pontiac 24 usually need clear answers on 650-16 sizing, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply tire selection, restoration appearance, and the checks that matter before putting a prewar Pontiac back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1941 Pontiac 24?
The 1941 Pontiac 24 uses a 650-16 tire size. That is a numeric bias-ply size, and it is the primary fitment associated with this vehicle. The covered 1941 Pontiac 24 Custom 6 Cyl. sub-model uses that same 650-16 size as well.
Seeing 650-16 on the car does not end the decision, because tires in that size vary by sidewall style, tire series, and rim-width specification. It is smart to confirm that the car still has the correct 16-inch wheels and that previous owners have not changed the wheel setup before selecting between blackwall, wide whitewall, or more specialized tread styles.
What size rim does a 1941 Pontiac 24 use?
The 1941 Pontiac 24 uses a 16-inch rim with its 650-16 tire size. Tire choice within that size can still vary by recommended wheel width, with many passenger-style options centered around 4.50- to 5.00-inch rim widths and some alternatives calling for narrower fitments.
Rim diameter is the first confirmation point, but rim width matters too, especially on an older vehicle that may have had wheel changes over the years. Measuring the actual wheel before buying helps narrow the correct tire options and avoids choosing a 650-16 tire whose wheel-width range does not match the wheels currently on the Pontiac.
Does the 1941 Pontiac 24 Custom 6 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1941 Pontiac 24 Custom 6 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire size as the model core. That makes fitment more straightforward than on vehicles where trim level or body configuration changes the tire sizing from one version to another.
Even with shared sizing, there is still room for different buying priorities. A restoration-minded owner may focus on a traditional blackwall or wide whitewall presentation, while another owner may be comparing tread style, series, and wheel-width compatibility. Confirming the actual 16-inch wheels on the car remains worthwhile before making the final tire choice.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-16 tire for a 1941 Pontiac 24?
Start with the basics: the tire should be a 650-16 bias-ply on a 16-inch wheel, since that is the primary fitment for the 1941 Pontiac 24. After that, compare sidewall style, intended use, and the wheel-width range attached to the specific tire you are considering.
The available 650-16 choices cover traditional passenger-car styling as well as more specialized transport, military, and truck-oriented designs. A prewar Pontiac being restored for a classic street presentation usually calls for a different visual approach than a vehicle using more utilitarian tread patterns, so matching the tire's character to the car matters as much as matching the size.
What sidewall styles are available for 1941 Pontiac 24 tires?
The 1941 Pontiac 24 has 650-16 tire options in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Those two sidewall treatments create a very different visual impression on a prewar Pontiac, even when the underlying tire size and bias-ply construction remain the same.
Blackwalls tend to suit a more restrained or utilitarian presentation, while wide whitewalls bring a more formal restoration-oriented look. Sidewall style should be chosen alongside the tire series and brand rather than in isolation, because the wheel-width specification and the overall tread character can still differ from one 650-16 option to another.
What brands offer tires for the 1941 Pontiac 24?
650-16 tires for the 1941 Pontiac 24 are available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. Those brands cover a mix of classic passenger-style bias-ply tires plus more specialized transport, military, and truck-oriented designs in the same size.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It helps to compare the tire series, sidewall style, rim-width specification, and whether the tread style suits the way the Pontiac is being restored or driven. Two tires may share the same 650-16 size but present the car very differently once mounted.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1941 Pontiac 24?
A period-style 1941 Pontiac 24 starts with the correct 650-16 bias-ply size on a 16-inch rim. From there, the best choice depends on the visual direction of the car, since the available options include traditional blackwalls and wide whitewalls across several classic bias-ply series.
For many prewar restorations, the tire's profile and sidewall treatment shape the car's stance almost as much as the wheel itself. When exact originality matters, it is wise to compare the tire you are considering with marque-club guidance, period photography, or other vehicle-specific historical references rather than assuming every 650-16 option presents the car the same way.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1941 Pontiac 24 restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1941 Pontiac 24 restoration because the 650-16 size and bias-ply construction contribute to the car's prewar proportions and overall presentation. A tire that departs from the intended size or style can change the visual balance of the vehicle even before the car moves.
Appearance is only part of the issue. Proper sizing also affects wheel compatibility and the relationship between the tire and the fender opening, steering system, and suspension travel. Keeping the restoration centered on the proper 650-16 format helps maintain a more authentic look while reducing fitment surprises during final assembly and road preparation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1941 Pontiac 24?
Yes. A 1941 Pontiac 24 may use the original 650-16 size, but aftermarket wheels, altered wheel widths, suspension changes, brake conversions, or body modifications can all affect how that tire fits on the car. Even a correct-size tire should be matched to the wheel and overall vehicle setup.
Clearance checks are especially important on older cars that have changed hands several times. A practical inspection includes wheel diameter, wheel width, steering travel, fender clearance, and the space around suspension components. Those checks become even more important when choosing among 650-16 tires with different recommended rim-width ranges or more specialized tread designs.
What should I inspect before driving a 1941 Pontiac 24 on new tires?
Before driving a 1941 Pontiac 24 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, verify that the 16-inch rims and their widths suit the chosen 650-16 tire, and check that the tires are seated properly. It also helps to confirm lug hardware condition and look over the steering and suspension for obvious wear.
A pre-road check should also include inflation pressure, valve condition, and a careful look for clearance through full steering movement. On a collector car, the rest of the chassis matters as much as the tires, so old shocks, worn bushings, or loose front-end parts should be addressed before expecting the new bias-ply tires to perform as intended.
How should 650-16 tires on a collector 1941 Pontiac 24 be maintained?
650-16 tires on a collector 1941 Pontiac 24 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Because collector cars are often driven less, tread wear alone is not a complete guide to condition; age-related issues deserve equal attention.
Sidewall cracking, flat spotting from long storage, cuts, bulges, and slow air loss should all be watched closely. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. A brief inspection before each outing is a good habit on a prewar vehicle, even when the tires still look cosmetically sound.
