The 1946 Bentley Mark arrived as Britain’s postwar luxury motoring world was taking shape again, blending traditional coachbuilt character with the more modern engineering direction Bentley and Rolls-Royce pursued in the Mark VI era. For owners today, tire choice is part of that balance between authenticity and drivability. This Bentley uses either a 650-16 bias-ply tire or a 185R16 radial, both on 16-inch rims. That opens a meaningful choice between period-style bias-ply looks, wide whitewall or blackwall presentation, and more modern radial road manners from brands such as Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein. The right decision depends on the car’s current wheel setup, restoration goals, and intended use on the road.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1946 Bentley Mark
The 1946 Bentley Mark uses two primary tire sizes, and the choice is tied mainly to construction rather than rim diameter, since both fit a 16-inch wheel. One is a traditional 650-16 bias-ply size and the other is a 185R16 radial, so the first step is confirming whether the car is staying with a period-style setup or has been configured for radial use.
185R16 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 185 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, R identifies radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches. On a 1946 Bentley Mark, this size suits owners who want a more modern radial format while remaining on a 16-inch wheel. Available choices include blackwall radials from Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein across series such as Michelin X Radial, Turbosteel CR6D, and Sprint Classic. It is a useful size to evaluate when road use and radial construction matter, but wheel width and overall vehicle setup should still be checked before selection.
650-16 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 650 represents an approximate 6.50-inch nominal section width and 16 identifies the wheel diameter. For the 1946 Bentley Mark, it delivers the traditional bias-ply construction and visual character many restoration-minded owners expect on a postwar luxury car. This size offers the broadest variety, including blackwall and wide whitewall options from brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Lester, Garfield, and Excelsior, along with several classic bias-ply series. It deserves close attention when preserving period appearance is as important as basic fitment.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered Bentley Mark VI uses the same two 16-inch tire-size paths: a 650-16 bias-ply or a 185R16 radial. Checking the exact sub-model still matters so the tire choice matches the car’s current restoration direction and wheel setup.
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1946 Bentley Mark VI
The 1946 Bentley Mark VI can be fitted with either the traditional 650-16 bias-ply size or the 185R16 radial, both on 16-inch rims. That gives the owner a clear choice between a more period-style presentation and a radial approach, with wheel width and clearance worth confirming before changing construction.
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 1946 Bentley Mark Tires for Sale
Available 1946 Bentley Mark tire choices split clearly between 185R16 blackwall radials from Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein, and a much wider 650-16 bias-ply assortment with blackwall and wide whitewall options across several classic series. Rim-width specifications also vary, so wheel compatibility is worth comparing in the product grid.
For a 1946 Bentley Mark, the key questions usually center on 650-16 versus 185R16 fitment, 16-inch wheel compatibility, bias-ply versus radial construction, sidewall appearance, and what to inspect before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1946 Bentley Mark?
The 1946 Bentley Mark uses two primary tire sizes: 650-16 in bias-ply construction and 185R16 in radial construction. Both sizes are associated with the Bentley Mark VI and both use a 16-inch rim, so the fitment question is less about diameter and more about which construction and tire style suit the car.
That distinction matters because a 650-16 bias-ply preserves a more traditional visual character, while 185R16 moves into a radial format. Before choosing, confirm the wheel width on the car now, look at the current tire construction, and check whether the Bentley has been restored or driven in a way that favors one setup over the other.
What size rim does a 1946 Bentley Mark use?
The 1946 Bentley Mark uses a 16-inch rim with both of its applicable tire sizes. The 650-16 bias-ply and the 185R16 radial share that same rim diameter, which helps narrow the decision to tire construction, width range, and the car’s present wheel configuration rather than wheel diameter alone.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a collector car like this Bentley. Wheel width should also be checked, especially if the car has replacement wheels or has been converted from bias-ply to radial tires at some point, because radial and bias-ply products in the same diameter can have different approved rim-width ranges.
Does the 1946 Bentley Mark VI use the same tire size?
The covered 1946 Bentley Mark VI uses the same two fitment paths as the 1946 Bentley Mark core fitment: 650-16 in bias-ply form and 185R16 in radial form. Both are 16-inch tire sizes, so the Mark VI does not introduce a separate wheel diameter or a unique tire size in this application.
That makes sub-model identification relatively simple, but the practical choice still depends on how the specific car is set up today. A restoration focused on traditional appearance may lean toward 650-16, while a car already running radial-compatible wheels may be better evaluated around 185R16 and its approved wheel-width requirements.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1946 Bentley Mark?
Start with the two correct size paths for the 1946 Bentley Mark: 650-16 bias-ply and 185R16 radial. From there, the real decision is whether the car should keep a traditional period-style presentation or use a radial configuration, then narrow the choice by wheel width, sidewall style, brand, and tire series.
A Bentley that is shown, restored, or driven occasionally may call for different priorities than one used more regularly on the road. It also helps to compare product details such as blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, approved rim-width range, and any stated load figure, especially if the car no longer has its original wheel setup.
What sidewall styles are available for 1946 Bentley Mark tires?
Sidewall choice depends on the size and construction you select. The 185R16 radial options are blackwall tires, while 650-16 bias-ply choices include both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. That gives a 1946 Bentley Mark owner a clear appearance choice without moving away from the vehicle’s supported tire sizes.
The sidewall treatment has a strong effect on how a postwar Bentley presents visually, especially on a restoration-oriented car. Blackwalls tend to keep a more restrained look, while wide whitewalls add a more formal period-style presence, so it is worth matching the tire’s appearance to the trim, finish, and overall direction of the car.
What brands offer tires for the 1946 Bentley Mark?
The 1946 Bentley Mark has brand variety across both of its primary sizes. In 185R16 radial form, choices include Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein. In 650-16 bias-ply form, available brands include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel.
That range gives owners room to compare traditional bias-ply presentation against more modern radial options without changing the basic 16-inch wheel diameter. Brand choice should follow the tire size and construction that fit the car’s goals first, then narrower details such as sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility within that correct fitment path.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1946 Bentley Mark?
For a period-style 1946 Bentley Mark, the 650-16 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it keeps the vintage numeric sizing format and the traditional bias-ply construction associated with the car’s era. Within that size, the available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall versions across several classic bias-ply series.
The final appearance depends on how formal or understated the car is meant to look once finished. If exact originality matters, compare the tire choice against marque literature, surviving period photographs, or Bentley club guidance, since the right restoration-oriented look is not always the same as simply picking the correct nominal tire size.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1946 Bentley Mark?
Tire construction changes more than driving feel on a restored 1946 Bentley Mark; it also changes the visual impression of the car. A 650-16 bias-ply tire delivers a more traditional profile and presentation, while a 185R16 radial introduces a later-style sizing format and a more modern-looking tire choice, even though both remain on 16-inch rims.
That visual difference becomes especially noticeable on a postwar luxury car with upright proportions and prominent fender lines. Owners restoring for events, historical presentation, or a distinctly period-style stance usually want to think about construction early, because the tire can influence how authentic the completed car feels from a few steps away.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1946 Bentley Mark?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1946 Bentley Mark even when the nominal tire size is correct. Wheel replacements, changes in wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, and body or brake alterations can all influence how a 650-16 bias-ply or 185R16 radial sits within the wheel opening and steering range.
That is especially important on older cars that may have seen decades of repairs or upgrades. A Bentley with non-original wheels should have the rim diameter and width confirmed before tire selection, and any car with altered stance or suspension should be checked for fender, steering, and chassis clearance through the full range of motion.
What should I inspect before driving a 1946 Bentley Mark on new tires?
Before driving a 1946 Bentley Mark on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, make sure the tires are seated properly, and confirm there is no interference at the fenders or steering stops. It is also wise to check valve stems, inflation pressure, and the general condition of suspension and steering components.
A fresh set of tires can reveal issues that older tires were masking, especially on a low-use collector vehicle. After the first short drive, recheck pressure, look for any sign of rubbing, and pay attention to pull, vibration, or uneven stance, since those clues often point to wheel, alignment, or suspension concerns rather than the tire alone.
How should tires on a collector 1946 Bentley Mark be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1946 Bentley Mark should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, bulges, cuts, or slow air loss, and do not assume low annual mileage means the tires are road-ready simply because the tread still looks deep.
Collector cars benefit from being stored away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources, all of which can age rubber prematurely. It also helps to move the car occasionally or manage long stationary periods carefully, since flat spotting and unnoticed pressure loss can become part of the ownership picture on infrequently driven vehicles.
