The 1942 Pontiac 26 came from a brief, transitional moment in American car production, when full-size six-cylinder Pontiacs still emphasized substantial road manners and formal prewar styling. For owners restoring or maintaining one today, tire choice affects not only stance and appearance, but also how authentically the car presents on the road. The 1942 Pontiac 26 uses a 650-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, keeping selection centered on traditional construction rather than modern radial substitution. Within that size, there is meaningful variety in blackwall, wide whitewall, and classic tread patterns from several historic brands. The real decision is choosing the right period-style look and service character for the way the car will be driven and shown.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1942 Pontiac 26
The 1942 Pontiac 26 uses one primary tire size: 650-16. It is a bias-ply fitment for a 16-inch rim, and the covered 6 Cyl. sub-model uses that same size, so the main choice is not between different primary fitments but between blackwall or whitewall presentation, tire series, and the type of period-style service the tire is meant to reflect.
The 650-16 size uses a vintage numeric bias-ply format in which 6.50 refers to nominal section width in inches and 16 refers to the wheel diameter. On a 1942 Pontiac 26, that keeps the tire selection rooted in traditional bias-ply construction and the visual character expected on a prewar full-size American car. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall versions from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Lester, Goodyear, STA, Tornel, and Excelsior across several classic bias-ply and utility-oriented series. Choosing within 650-16 comes down to intended appearance, rim-width compatibility, and whether the car is being restored for touring, display, or a more utilitarian presentation.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1942 Pontiac 26 sub-models. The listed 6 Cyl. configuration uses the same primary tire size, so the key step is confirming wheel condition and choosing the tire style that best suits the car's appearance and intended use.
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1942 Pontiac 26 6 Cyl.
The 1942 Pontiac 26 6 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply fitment as the core model grouping. That keeps tire selection focused on period-style replacement choices such as blackwall versus wide whitewall, along with confirming that the car still carries the correct 16-inch wheel setup.
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 Pontiac 26 Tires for Sale
Available 650-16 choices span BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Lester, Goodyear, STA, Tornel, and Excelsior. Buyers can compare blackwall and wide whitewall styles, several classic bias-ply series, and some more utility-oriented truck and military-style tread patterns within the same 16-inch size.
Owners of a 1942 Pontiac 26 usually want to sort out the correct 650-16 fitment first, then compare sidewall style, period-style appearance, rim compatibility, and the condition checks that matter before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1942 Pontiac 26?
The 1942 Pontiac 26 uses a 650-16 tire. That is a bias-ply size mounted on a 16-inch rim, and the covered 6 Cyl. sub-model uses the same primary fitment, so there is not a separate passenger-car size to sort through within this vehicle grouping.
The practical decision is choosing the right 650-16 tire for the car's purpose rather than choosing between multiple primary sizes. Blackwall and wide whitewall options are both available, along with several tread styles and brands, so it helps to confirm the wheels on the car are still 16-inch originals or a matching replacement before selecting a tire.
What size rim does a 1942 Pontiac 26 use?
The 1942 Pontiac 26 uses a 16-inch rim with its 650-16 tire size. Product offerings in this size commonly pair with rim widths around 4.00 to 5.00 inches, depending on the specific tire series, so wheel width matters as much as wheel diameter when comparing options.
A 16-inch wheel is only part of the fitment picture. Before choosing a tire, it is worth checking the actual wheel on the car for diameter, width, and condition, especially if the Pontiac has been stored for years or fitted with replacement wheels at some point in its life.
Does the 1942 Pontiac 26 6 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1942 Pontiac 26 6 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire size as the main model grouping. That keeps sub-model fitment simple and lets the buyer concentrate on selecting the right tire style and series within one established size.
Even with shared size fitment, the best choice can still vary by how the car is being finished and driven. A restoration-minded owner may want a traditional wide whitewall look, while a more understated driver may prefer a blackwall, so the wheel setup and the car's visual goal should both be confirmed before ordering.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-16 tire for a 1942 Pontiac 26?
Start with the correct primary size, which is 650-16, and make sure the tire remains a bias-ply design suited to a 16-inch wheel. From there, the main differences are sidewall style, tread character, brand, tire series, and rim-width compatibility within the available options.
A period-style restoration often points toward a wide whitewall, while a more restrained presentation may favor a blackwall. It also helps to compare whether the tire is aimed at classic passenger-car use or a more utility-oriented application, since some 650-16 offerings in this size lean toward truck or military-style service.
What sidewall styles are available for 1942 Pontiac 26 tires?
The 1942 Pontiac 26 has both blackwall and wide whitewall choices in 650-16. That gives owners the ability to tailor the car's visual presentation, from a simpler service look to a brighter prewar appearance that better emphasizes the car's fenders, wheel openings, and chrome trim.
Sidewall style does more than change appearance, because it often narrows the field of brands and tire series available in the size. A buyer comparing options should look at sidewall treatment alongside the tire's intended use, wheel-width specification, and the overall look the Pontiac is meant to carry after restoration or freshening.
What brands offer tires for the 1942 Pontiac 26?
Available 650-16 tires for the 1942 Pontiac 26 include options from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Lester, Goodyear, STA, Tornel, and Excelsior. Those brands cover a mix of traditional passenger-car bias-ply offerings and some more utility-oriented 650-16 tires with truck or military-style attributes.
Brand alone should not decide the purchase. It makes more sense to compare each tire's series, sidewall style, rim-width specification, load figure where stated, and the kind of look or service the car needs, especially when the Pontiac is being restored with a particular era-specific presentation in mind.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1942 Pontiac 26?
A period-style 1942 Pontiac 26 should begin with the proper 650-16 bias-ply size, since that preserves the car's traditional tire profile and prewar presentation. From there, the choice usually centers on blackwall versus wide whitewall and on selecting a tread and brand that match the car's intended character.
A formal restoration often benefits from the fuller visual effect of a wide whitewall, while a blackwall can suit a plainer service look. Owners pursuing exact historical accuracy should also compare their tire choice against marque literature, period photos, and restoration documentation rather than assuming every 650-16 style reflects the same original appearance.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1942 Pontiac 26 restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment has a major effect on a 1942 Pontiac 26 restoration. The right 650-16 bias-ply size helps preserve the car's proportions, wheel opening fill, and overall stance, all of which are especially noticeable on a large prewar sedan with substantial body lines and trim.
Getting the fitment right also keeps the restoration from looking visually off even when the car is otherwise well finished. Tire size, sidewall treatment, and wheel compatibility should be checked together so the Pontiac looks balanced and the tire chosen supports both the appearance goal and the practical use planned for the car.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1942 Pontiac 26?
Yes. A 1942 Pontiac 26 may use the correct 650-16 tire size on paper, but aftermarket wheels, altered wheel widths, brake changes, suspension work, or body modifications can all change how that tire sits and clears once installed. Even collector cars sometimes carry changes made decades ago.
That is why the actual car should be checked before choosing a replacement set. Measure wheel diameter and width, look for steering and fender clearance at full lock, and confirm that nothing in the suspension or wheelhouse has been altered in a way that changes space around the tire.
What should I inspect before driving a 1942 Pontiac 26 on new tires?
Before driving a 1942 Pontiac 26 on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and overall wheel condition, then verify proper mounting and inflation. It is also smart to check brake function, front-end condition, and whether the tires clear the fenders and steering components through their normal range of motion.
A collector car that has sat for long periods deserves extra attention after the tires are installed. Watch for air loss, vibration, pull, rubbing, or signs of uneven contact during the first miles, then recheck pressure and hardware so the car settles into safe road use without avoidable fitment surprises.
How should 650-16 tires on a collector 1942 Pontiac 26 be maintained?
650-16 tires on a collector 1942 Pontiac 26 should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss, and stored away from prolonged heat, sunlight, and ozone sources when the car is not in use. Low annual mileage does not stop a tire from aging.
Routine maintenance matters because collector cars often spend more time parked than driven. Rolling the car occasionally, keeping the suspension in sound condition, and checking the tires before each outing helps protect both appearance and road manners, especially on a prewar vehicle that still relies on traditional bias-ply construction.
