The 1942 Nash Ambassador 80 comes from a brief and distinctive moment in American motoring, when full-size Nash cars balanced comfort, presence, and prewar design character just before wartime production changes reshaped the industry. For many owners today, the car’s appeal is tied as much to its driving feel and stance as its sheet metal. This model uses a 650-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, keeping tire selection centered on authentic-era construction and appearance. Within that size, there are meaningful choices in blackwall and wide whitewall styles, along with several classic tire series. The right selection depends on whether the priority is restoration presentation, regular touring, or preserving a traditional prewar road feel.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1942 Nash Ambassador 80
The 1942 Nash Ambassador 80 uses one primary tire size: 650-16. That size is a bias-ply fitment for a 16-inch rim, and it carries across the covered 8 Cyl. sub-model, so the main decision is not which size fits, but which version of 650-16 best matches the car’s appearance, intended road use, and wheel setup.
A 650-16 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size in which the 6.50 designation refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches, while the 16 identifies the wheel diameter. On the 1942 Nash Ambassador 80, this size preserves the traditional bias-ply construction and visual proportions associated with a prewar American sedan. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall styles from brands such as BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel across several tire series. Choosing within this size usually comes down to period-style appearance, intended use, and confirming that the wheel width suits the specific tire being considered.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1942 Nash Ambassador 80 sub-models. The listed 8 Cyl. configuration uses the same primary tire size, which means selection is focused more on tire style and application than on sorting through multiple fitments.
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1942 Nash Ambassador 80 8 Cyl.
The 1942 Nash Ambassador 80 8 Cyl. uses the 650-16 bias-ply tire size on a 16-inch rim. That keeps the focus on choosing the right blackwall or wide whitewall presentation, along with a tire series that matches the car’s restoration direction and intended driving use.
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 1942 Nash Ambassador 80 Tires for Sale
Available 650-16 tires for the 1942 Nash Ambassador 80 span BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel, with both blackwall and wide whitewall options. The product range also includes several classic passenger-car series along with more utility-oriented military and truck-style bias-ply choices.
Owners of a 1942 Nash Ambassador 80 usually want clear answers on 650-16 fitment, 16-inch rim compatibility, sidewall and brand choices, restoration-minded appearance, and the inspections worth making before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1942 Nash Ambassador 80?
The 1942 Nash Ambassador 80 uses a 650-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment and it is the primary size used on the covered model, including the 8 Cyl. sub-model.
That means the first step is not comparing multiple sizes, but making sure the car still has the correct 16-inch wheels and a wheel width that suits the specific 650-16 tire under consideration. Once the size is confirmed, the real choice becomes blackwall versus wide whitewall, passenger-car versus utility-style tread, and how closely the tire should match the car’s restoration goals.
What size rim does a 1942 Nash Ambassador 80 use?
The 1942 Nash Ambassador 80 uses a 16-inch rim with its 650-16 tire fitment. Product offerings in this size commonly call for wheel widths around 4.00 to 5.00 inches, depending on the tire series.
Rim diameter needs to be confirmed before any purchase, especially on an older vehicle that may have had wheels changed over the years. Wheel width matters too, because some 650-16 tires are matched to slightly narrower rims than others. Checking the actual wheel on the car helps narrow the field and prevents choosing a tire that suits the size code but not the wheel itself.
Does the 1942 Nash Ambassador 80 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1942 Nash Ambassador 80 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire size as the model core. There is no alternate primary size shown for that sub-model.
That makes tire shopping simpler, because the buyer does not need to sort between different sub-model fitments first. It is still worth checking the actual wheel diameter and width on the car, especially if the vehicle has been restored or modified in the past. After that, the main decision becomes choosing the tread style, brand, and sidewall appearance that best matches the car’s look and use.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-16 tire for a 1942 Nash Ambassador 80?
Start with the correct primary size, which is 650-16, and keep in mind that the available choices are all bias-ply tires. From there, compare the tire’s intended character, whether that means a traditional passenger-car presentation, a more formal whitewall look, or a heavier-duty utility or truck-style pattern.
Wheel width is one of the most important details to verify because 650-16 products do not all share the same rim-width specification. Sidewall style also changes the car’s appearance significantly, especially on a prewar Nash. Looking at load figures where they are stated, along with tread style and overall visual effect, helps narrow the right tire for touring, display, or restoration-oriented use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1942 Nash Ambassador 80 tires?
The main sidewall choices in 650-16 for the 1942 Nash Ambassador 80 are blackwall and wide whitewall. Both styles are available across several brands, giving owners room to tailor the car’s appearance without changing its primary size or construction type.
A blackwall usually gives the car a more restrained and utilitarian look, while a wide whitewall creates a more formal period-style presentation that many prewar restorations favor. The choice should match the direction of the car rather than follow a blanket rule. If visual accuracy matters at a high level, compare the tire’s sidewall treatment against period photos, marque references, and the specific restoration goal.
What brands offer tires for the 1942 Nash Ambassador 80?
The 650-16 size for the 1942 Nash Ambassador 80 is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. Those offerings cover several classic bias-ply passenger-car lines as well as some more utility-oriented military and truck-style series.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It helps to compare the tire series, sidewall style, wheel-width requirement, and whether the tire is intended more for passenger-car presentation or heavier-duty service. On a collector Nash, appearance and proper wheel compatibility often matter just as much as the name on the sidewall when narrowing the final choice.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1942 Nash Ambassador 80?
A period-style 1942 Nash Ambassador 80 starts with the correct 650-16 bias-ply size and a tire that preserves the car’s traditional proportions. Passenger-car bias-ply lines in blackwall or wide whitewall form are usually the most natural place to begin for a restoration-oriented presentation.
The final choice depends on how formal or understated the car should look once it is on its wheels. Wide whitewalls can emphasize the prewar luxury-sedan character, while blackwalls create a simpler visual treatment. When exact originality matters, it is wise to compare the selected sidewall style and tread presentation against period photos, marque-club guidance, and any surviving historical documentation for the car.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1942 Nash Ambassador 80 restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters greatly on a 1942 Nash Ambassador 80 restoration because tire size and construction strongly affect stance, wheelwell appearance, and the overall period character of the car. Using the proper 650-16 bias-ply fitment keeps the visual relationship between wheel and body in the right vintage range.
Fitment also matters beyond appearance. A tire that does not suit the wheel can create avoidable mounting and clearance issues, even if the size looks close at a glance. On a restoration, the best result usually comes from treating the tire as a visible design element as well as a mechanical component, then matching sidewall style and tire series to the car’s intended finish level.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1942 Nash Ambassador 80?
Yes. A 1942 Nash Ambassador 80 may have the correct original tire size on paper, but wheel changes, altered wheel width, suspension work, or body modifications can affect how a 650-16 tire actually fits the car. Older restorations sometimes include parts substitutions that are not obvious at first glance.
Checking the actual wheel diameter and width is the best starting point, followed by a look at steering and fender clearance at full travel. Tire choice can also be influenced by whether the car uses passenger-car styling tires or heavier-duty utility patterns. Verifying the car’s present setup prevents buying around assumptions that may no longer match the vehicle as it sits today.
What should I inspect before driving a 1942 Nash Ambassador 80 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and mounting surfaces, then make sure the tires are inflated appropriately for the application. On the car itself, look over steering and suspension components, because worn parts can affect how even a properly sized 650-16 tire behaves on the road.
A short, careful test drive is a smart next step after installation. Watch for rubbing, unusual vibration, wandering, or any sign that the wheel and tire combination needs another look. It also helps to recheck air pressure after the first drive and inspect the sidewalls and tread seating again, especially on a collector vehicle that may have spent long periods off the road.
How should 650-16 tires on a collector 1942 Nash Ambassador 80 be maintained?
Collector-car 650-16 tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related condition as much as tread wear. A 1942 Nash Ambassador 80 may not see frequent mileage, so cracking, flat spotting, and slow air loss can matter more than simple tread depth.
Storage conditions have a big effect on long-term tire life. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the sidewalls, especially on a vehicle that spends more time parked than driven. It is also wise to inspect the tires before each outing rather than assuming they are fine because the car was not used recently.
