The 1946 Buick 40 Special arrived as American automakers returned to civilian production, carrying the handsome prewar Buick look into the first full postwar buying wave. For many collectors, it represents the beginning of postwar motoring without losing the upright proportions and road manners of the earlier era. Tire selection centers on one primary fitment, a 650-16 bias-ply on a 16-inch rim, which keeps the car in its proper visual and mechanical character. Within that size, choices range from blackwall to wide whitewall and span several traditional tire series. The real decision is how closely the tire should match a restoration goal versus the intended road use of the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1946 Buick 40 Special
The 1946 Buick 40 Special uses one primary tire size: 650-16. It is a bias-ply fitment for a 16-inch rim, and the covered 8-cylinder sub-model uses that same size as well. That means the key decision is not choosing between multiple primary sizes, but selecting the right 650-16 tire style, series, and appearance for the way the car is being restored or driven.
A 650-16 size is a vintage numeric bias-ply designation in which the 6.50 refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter. On a 1946 Buick 40 Special, this is a traditional bias-ply fitment that suits the car's postwar character and period-style stance. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall versions from brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and Tornel across several classic tire series. Choosing within 650-16 comes down to appearance, intended road use, and confirming the wheel matches the tire's rim requirements.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1946 Buick 40 Special sub-models. The main point is simply confirming the car matches the covered configuration, since tire size remains consistent across the listed application and selection then shifts to sidewall style, tire series, and intended use.
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1946 Buick 40 Special 8 Cyl.
The 1946 Buick 40 Special 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply fitment found on this application. That keeps sizing simple, so the focus moves to whether the car calls for a blackwall or wide whitewall presentation and which tire series best suits a restoration-oriented or regular road-use plan.
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 Buick 40 Special Tires for Sale
Available 650-16 choices cover a broad range of traditional bias-ply options, including blackwall and wide whitewall styles from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and Tornel. The product grid is most useful for comparing tire series, appearance, and rim-width specifications within the same vintage size.
Owners of a 1946 Buick 40 Special usually want clear answers on 650-16 fitment, 16-inch wheel compatibility, bias-ply tire selection, sidewall appearance, and the checks worth making before road use on a collector car.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1946 Buick 40 Special?
The 1946 Buick 40 Special uses a 650-16 tire size. That is a vintage numeric bias-ply size mounted on a 16-inch rim, and it is the primary fitment for the covered application, including the listed 8-cylinder sub-model.
Since there is one main size rather than several competing fitments, the next step is choosing the right version of 650-16 for the car's purpose. Owners usually compare blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, tire series, and wheel compatibility before making a final selection.
What size rim does a 1946 Buick 40 Special use?
The 1946 Buick 40 Special uses a 16-inch rim with its 650-16 tire fitment. Product offerings in this size commonly pair with rim widths around 4.00 to 5.00 inches, depending on the specific tire series and construction details.
Wheel diameter is the first thing to confirm, but width matters too, especially on a restored car that may have had wheels changed over the years. Checking the actual wheel on the car helps narrow the correct 650-16 options and avoids choosing a tire outside the wheel's intended range.
Does the 1946 Buick 40 Special 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1946 Buick 40 Special 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire size as this application. That keeps fitment simple because there is no alternate primary size within the listed sub-model coverage.
With size consistency across the covered sub-model, selection usually comes down to style and use rather than basic fitment. Owners can focus on whether a blackwall or wide whitewall better suits the car, then compare tire series and wheel-width requirements before installation.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-16 tire for a 1946 Buick 40 Special?
Start with the correct 650-16 size and a tire built for the car's 16-inch wheel. From there, the decision becomes more specific: whether the Buick is being kept in a traditional bias-ply presentation, whether a blackwall or wide whitewall suits the build, and which tire series best matches the car's intended use.
Wheel width is worth checking before narrowing the field, because some 650-16 products are aimed at slightly different rim-width ranges. It also helps to think about how the Buick will be used, since a show-oriented restoration and a frequently driven collector car may call for different priorities.
What sidewall styles are available for 1946 Buick 40 Special tires?
The available 650-16 tires for a 1946 Buick 40 Special include both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. That gives owners a clear appearance choice within the correct vintage size, rather than forcing a change in fitment just to achieve a different look.
Blackwall tires usually create a more restrained presentation, while wide whitewalls push the car toward a stronger postwar luxury look. The better choice depends on the restoration direction, trim level presentation, and whether the car is being judged for authenticity or simply built with a period-style appearance in mind.
What brands offer tires for the 1946 Buick 40 Special?
Brands available in 650-16 for the 1946 Buick 40 Special include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. Those brands appear across several bias-ply series, with both passenger-style and more utility-oriented tread choices in the same size.
Brand is only one part of the decision. It helps to compare the specific tire series, sidewall treatment, and wheel-width compatibility within each option, because two tires sharing the same 650-16 size can still serve different restoration goals or driving expectations.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1946 Buick 40 Special?
A period-style 1946 Buick 40 Special starts with the correct 650-16 bias-ply size on a 16-inch rim. Staying with a traditional bias-ply construction preserves the visual character most owners expect on a car from the immediate postwar era, especially when paired with an appropriate sidewall treatment.
The finer decision is usually blackwall versus wide whitewall and which classic tire series best matches the car's presentation. When exact originality matters, it is wise to compare the chosen tire's look against marque references, period photos, or restoration documentation for the specific Buick.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1946 Buick 40 Special restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1946 Buick 40 Special because tire size and construction strongly influence the car's stance, wheel opening fill, and overall period impression. Using the proper 650-16 bias-ply format keeps the restoration anchored to the dimensions and visual language expected of the era.
Appearance is only part of the story. Correct fitment also helps the owner avoid unnecessary wheel and clearance issues, especially on a car that may have changed hands or been modified long ago. Verifying the actual wheel diameter and width is a smart restoration step before mounting new tires.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1946 Buick 40 Special?
Yes. A 1946 Buick 40 Special may still call for a 650-16 tire, but aftermarket wheels, brake changes, altered ride height, or body repairs can change what works comfortably on the car. Even when the size stays the same, wheel width and clearance can shift the best tire choice.
It helps to inspect the car as it sits rather than assuming it still matches an untouched factory setup. Checking actual wheel dimensions, steering clearance, and fender room before mounting new tires is especially important on long-restored cars and vehicles that have seen decades of owner changes.
What should I inspect before driving a 1946 Buick 40 Special on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and overall tire seating, then confirm pressure matches the tire's needs. It is also smart to look over suspension and steering components, since new tires can reveal looseness or alignment issues that older, hardened tires may have masked.
A short, careful test drive is the best next step after installation. Pay attention to pull, vibration, rubbing, and how the car tracks through turns, then recheck pressure after the first miles. On a collector Buick, catching a small issue early is far easier than diagnosing it after a longer trip.
How should 650-16 tires on a collector 1946 Buick 40 Special be maintained?
Collector-car tires in 650-16 should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and protected from long exposure to sunlight, heat, and ozone sources. Even a lightly driven 1946 Buick 40 Special can age its tires out before it wears them out.
Regular visual checks matter because storage conditions and low annual mileage can hide deterioration. Rolling the car periodically, keeping the tires clean, and watching for slow air loss all help preserve the set. Before any longer drive, a close inspection is worthwhile even when tread still looks good.
