The 1946 Cadillac 60 Series arrived at a pivotal moment, representing Cadillac’s return to full civilian production just after World War II and carrying the formal presence buyers expected from a top-tier American luxury car. Its long, substantial body and smooth postwar character depend heavily on proper tire stance and sidewall presentation. This model uses a 700-15 bias-ply tire on a 15-inch rim, so the main decision is less about size and more about choosing the right style within that fitment. Wide whitewall, blackwall, and heavier-duty series all exist in this size, making it important to match the tire to the car’s restoration direction and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1946 Cadillac 60 Series
The 1946 Cadillac 60 Series uses one primary tire size: 700-15. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 15-inch rim, and the covered 60 Series Special V8 configuration uses that same size as well. The real choice is selecting the right version of 700-15 for the car’s appearance and use, whether that means a traditional blackwall, a wide whitewall presentation, or a more utility-focused tire series.
A 700-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size in which the 700 designates a nominal section width of about 7.00 inches and the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1946 Cadillac 60 Series, that means a traditional postwar bias-ply construction suited to the car’s original-era tire profile and visual character. Available choices in this size include Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA offerings, with blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments as well as classic, military, and transport-oriented tire series. Choosing among them comes down to whether the priority is restoration-minded appearance, standard road use, or a more heavy-duty presentation.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1946 Cadillac 60 Series lineup. The named sub-model uses the same primary tire size, so the focus stays on selecting the right 700-15 bias-ply tire style and series rather than sorting through multiple fitment sizes.
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1946 Cadillac 60 Series Special V8
The 1946 Cadillac 60 Series Special V8 uses the same 700-15 bias-ply tire fitment as the broader model listing. That keeps tire selection centered on appearance and use, such as choosing between a traditional wide whitewall look, a plain blackwall, or a more utility-oriented series in the same size.
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 Cadillac 60 Series Tires for Sale
Available 700-15 choices span Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA, with differences in tire series, blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, and more standard passenger-car or utility-focused bias-ply construction. That makes the product grid most useful for comparing presentation, rim-width compatibility, and intended use within the same core size.
These 1946 Cadillac 60 Series tire FAQs focus on the 700-15 fitment, 15-inch rim compatibility, bias-ply construction, sidewall and brand choices, restoration-minded appearance, and the inspection steps that matter before putting a postwar Cadillac back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1946 Cadillac 60 Series?
The 1946 Cadillac 60 Series uses a 700-15 tire size. That is a numeric bias-ply fitment on a 15-inch rim, and the covered 60 Series Special V8 uses the same size as well.
Knowing the size is only the first step, because 700-15 is offered in more than one style and series. A restoration-minded owner may focus on a wide whitewall look, while another car may be better served by a blackwall or a more utility-oriented version in the same size. Wheel width, overall vehicle setup, and intended driving use should still be checked before final selection.
What size rim does a 1946 Cadillac 60 Series use?
The primary tire fitment for the 1946 Cadillac 60 Series uses a 15-inch rim diameter. The 700-15 tire size is built around that 15-inch wheel, so confirming wheel diameter is essential before choosing a tire.
Diameter alone is not the whole story on an older Cadillac. Many 700-15 products are intended for a 5.00- to 5.50-inch rim width, so the actual wheel should be measured and compared before mounting. That matters even more if the car has replacement wheels, service-era substitutions, or modifications made over the decades.
Does the 1946 Cadillac 60 Series Special V8 use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1946 Cadillac 60 Series Special V8 uses the same 700-15 bias-ply tire size as the main 1946 Cadillac 60 Series fitment covered here.
That consistency simplifies the size question, but it does not eliminate the need to choose the right type of 700-15. A wide whitewall gives the car a more formal restoration-oriented appearance, while blackwall and heavier-duty series create a different look and use profile. Verifying the actual wheel and how the car will be driven remains worthwhile before settling on a specific tire.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-15 tire for a 1946 Cadillac 60 Series?
Start with the correct size and construction: 700-15 in bias-ply form on a 15-inch rim. After that, the important differences are sidewall style, tire series, rim-width compatibility, load specification where stated, and whether the tire is intended more for passenger-car presentation or a heavier-duty application.
A formal postwar Cadillac can look very different depending on whether it wears a wide whitewall or a blackwall tire. It also helps to think honestly about how the car is used, since occasional show driving, touring, and utility-minded use may point to different products within the same size. Matching the tire’s character to the car matters as much as matching the number on the sidewall.
What sidewall styles are available for 1946 Cadillac 60 Series tires?
The 700-15 tires available for a 1946 Cadillac 60 Series include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Those two treatments create very different visual impressions even though they share the same core size and bias-ply construction.
Wide whitewalls suit a more formal, restoration-oriented presentation and are often the first place owners start when shaping the car’s overall look. Blackwalls offer a more restrained appearance and are common across standard and utility-focused series in this size. The best choice depends on how closely the tire’s presentation matches the car’s trim, finish, and intended role on the road.
What brands offer tires for the 1946 Cadillac 60 Series?
Available 700-15 tires for the 1946 Cadillac 60 Series come from Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA. Those brands cover several different tire series, including classic passenger-car styles and more utility-oriented bias-ply options.
Brand alone should not be the deciding factor on a car like this. It is more useful to compare the specific tire series, sidewall presentation, rim-width fit, and stated load figures where available. A Firestone or BFGoodrich wide whitewall may suit one Cadillac project, while an STA blackwall or transport-style series may make more sense for another car with a different purpose.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1946 Cadillac 60 Series?
A period-style starting point for a 1946 Cadillac 60 Series is a 700-15 bias-ply tire, since that preserves the original-era sizing format and traditional tire profile. Within that size, the most appearance-sensitive decision is usually the sidewall treatment rather than the size itself.
A wide whitewall often gives this Cadillac the formal, upscale presentation many owners want, while a blackwall creates a more restrained look. Exact originality can vary by vehicle history and restoration goal, so buyers pursuing a highly exact result should compare the tire choice with marque references, period photos, and other vehicle-specific documentation before making the final call.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1946 Cadillac 60 Series?
Tire construction has a visible effect on a restored 1946 Cadillac 60 Series because the car was built around a bias-ply size and silhouette. A 700-15 bias-ply tire gives the car a traditional postwar stance that suits its body lines and overall proportions.
Appearance is influenced by more than size alone. Sidewall style, tread character, and the tire series chosen can shift the car toward a formal luxury presentation or a more utilitarian look. For many restorations, keeping the proper vintage-format size and a fitting sidewall treatment does more to preserve the car’s visual character than chasing a modernized look.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1946 Cadillac 60 Series?
Yes. A 1946 Cadillac 60 Series may have had wheel, suspension, or brake changes over the years, and those can affect how a 700-15 tire fits in actual use. Even when the listed size is correct for the car, the current setup still needs to be verified.
Aftermarket wheels can change rim width or offset, while lowered suspension, worn springs, or body repairs can alter clearance at the fender and steering components. A careful check of wheel diameter, rim width, side-to-side clearance, and suspension condition helps prevent choosing a tire that suits the original fitment but not the car as it sits today.
What should I inspect before driving a 1946 Cadillac 60 Series on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and the general condition of the suspension and steering. Once the new 700-15 tires are mounted, confirm proper inflation, look for any signs of rubbing, and make sure the tires seat correctly on the rims.
A postwar collector car also deserves a broader safety check before longer driving. Watch for sidewall contact at full steering lock, uneven stance from tired springs, brake pull, vibration, or air loss after installation. A short local test drive followed by a second inspection is a sensible way to catch fitment or mechanical issues before putting more miles on the Cadillac.
How should 700-15 tires on a collector 1946 Cadillac 60 Series be maintained?
Collector-car tires benefit from regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and clean storage conditions. On a 1946 Cadillac 60 Series, 700-15 tires should be examined for cracking, bulges, cuts, irregular tread wear, and signs of air loss even if the car is only driven occasionally.
Long periods of storage can be just as hard on tires as road use. Keeping the Cadillac away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the sidewalls, and moving the car occasionally can reduce flat spotting. Any older tire that shows deterioration, vibration, or persistent pressure loss deserves closer evaluation before the car returns to regular road duty.
