The 1946 Cadillac 61 Series arrived as American production resumed after World War II, carrying the formal proportions and smooth presence that defined Cadillac’s immediate postwar luxury cars. For many owners today, the appeal is not just the sheet metal but the way the car moves and presents itself on the road. This model uses a 700-15 bias-ply tire on a 15-inch rim, keeping tire selection rooted in traditional fitment. Within that size, choices include blackwall and wide whitewall presentations along with several bias-ply series. The real decision is how closely the tire should match your restoration goals, driving plans, and wheel setup.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1946 Cadillac 61 Series
The 1946 Cadillac 61 Series uses one primary tire size: 700-15. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 15-inch rim, and the covered V8 sub-model shares that same basic size. That means the key choice is less about finding multiple primary sizes and more about selecting the right period-style tire within 700-15, including sidewall appearance, tire series, and how closely the tire suits restoration use or regular road driving.
A 700-15 tire uses the older numeric bias-ply sizing system, where the 700 indicates an approximate 7.00-inch section width class and the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. For the 1946 Cadillac 61 Series, that means a traditional bias-ply construction that suits the car’s postwar character and period-style stance. Available choices in this size include Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA options, with blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments across several tire series. Choosing among them comes down to intended appearance, wheel compatibility, and whether the car is being restored, displayed, or driven regularly.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1946 Cadillac 61 Series sub-model. The available sub-model uses the same primary tire size, so the main task is confirming the car still has the proper 15-inch wheel setup and then choosing the tire style that best matches its use and appearance.
1
1946 Cadillac 61 Series V8
The 1946 Cadillac 61 Series V8 uses the same 700-15 bias-ply fitment as the model line overall. That keeps selection centered on traditional 15-inch bias-ply choices, including whether a blackwall or wide whitewall presentation better suits the car’s restoration direction and road 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 1946 Cadillac 61 Series Tires for Sale
Available 700-15 choices span Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA, with traditional bias-ply construction offered in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. The product range also includes several tire series, so buyers can compare appearance, load-related specifications, and rim-width compatibility within the same primary size.
Owners of a 1946 Cadillac 61 Series usually want clear answers on 700-15 fitment, 15-inch wheel compatibility, bias-ply tire selection, period-style sidewall choices, and the checks worth making before putting a restored Cadillac back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1946 Cadillac 61 Series?
The 1946 Cadillac 61 Series uses a 700-15 tire size. That is a vintage numeric bias-ply size fitted on a 15-inch wheel, and the covered 61 Series V8 sub-model uses the same primary fitment.
For most owners, the question is not which of several primary sizes belongs on the car, but which 700-15 tire best suits the vehicle’s appearance and use. Before choosing, confirm that the Cadillac still has the correct 15-inch wheels and that no later wheel, brake, or suspension changes have altered the space available around the tire.
What size rim does a 1946 Cadillac 61 Series use?
The 1946 Cadillac 61 Series uses a 15-inch rim with its 700-15 tire fitment. Several available 700-15 products are built for a 5.00- to 5.50-inch rim width range, which is useful when checking wheel compatibility during tire selection.
Rim diameter is the first detail to verify on a collector car that may have changed hands many times. A 15-inch tire must go on a 15-inch wheel, and actual wheel width should also be checked before ordering, especially if the car has replacement wheels, modified suspension, or a restoration history that is not fully known.
What does 700-15 mean on a 1946 Cadillac 61 Series?
The 700-15 marking is an older numeric bias-ply size. In plain terms, the 700 refers to an approximate 7.00-inch section width class, while the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches.
That older sizing system matters because it points you toward vintage-style tire construction and appearance, not a modern metric radial format. When replacing the tires on a 1946 Cadillac 61 Series, staying focused on the 700-15 designation helps narrow the choice to the proper style of tire, then lets you compare sidewall treatment, brand, and rim-width suitability.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-15 tire for a 1946 Cadillac 61 Series?
Start with the correct size, which is 700-15, and make sure the tire is appropriate for a 15-inch wheel. From there, selection comes down to the style of bias-ply tire you want, the intended look of the car, and whether the wheel width matches the tire’s requirements.
A restored Cadillac aimed at a formal postwar presentation may call for a wide whitewall, while a more restrained or utility-minded setup may point toward a blackwall. Brand, tire series, maximum load figures where stated, and rim-width range are all worth comparing, especially if the car will be driven regularly instead of used mainly for shows and occasional local outings.
What sidewall styles are available for 1946 Cadillac 61 Series tires?
The available 700-15 tires for the 1946 Cadillac 61 Series include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That gives owners a clear appearance choice while staying within the correct vintage bias-ply size.
Sidewall style can change the visual character of the car as much as the wheel finish or hubcap detail. A wide whitewall usually gives the Cadillac a more formal postwar luxury presence, while a blackwall creates a plainer, more understated look. The best choice depends on how the car is being restored, the trim and paint combination, and whether visual authenticity or personal preference matters more.
What brands offer tires for the 1946 Cadillac 61 Series?
Tires in 700-15 for the 1946 Cadillac 61 Series are available from Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA. Those brands appear across several bias-ply tire series, including traditional passenger-style offerings as well as more utilitarian military or transport-style designs in the same size.
The useful comparison is not simply brand name but the type of tire each brand offers in 700-15. Some choices emphasize a classic wide whitewall presentation, while others are blackwall designs with a more commercial or truck-oriented character. Looking at sidewall style, tire series, rim-width suitability, and any stated load specification will help narrow the right match for your Cadillac.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1946 Cadillac 61 Series?
A period-style starting point for a 1946 Cadillac 61 Series is the correct 700-15 bias-ply size on a 15-inch wheel. Within that fitment, the most restoration-minded choices are usually the traditional passenger-style bias-ply tires rather than more utility-oriented truck or military-style designs.
The final choice depends on how closely the car is being restored and what visual statement you want it to make. Wide whitewall and blackwall options create very different presentations, even in the same size. If exact historical authenticity is important, compare your tire choice against marque-club references, period photographs, and vehicle-specific restoration documentation before settling on one sidewall treatment.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1946 Cadillac 61 Series?
Tire construction has a major effect on how a restored 1946 Cadillac 61 Series looks, and this car’s primary fitment is bias-ply. A bias-ply tire gives the car a more traditional period-style presentation than a modern radial format would, especially when paired with an appropriate sidewall treatment.
Appearance is only part of the decision, but it is a meaningful one on a formal postwar Cadillac. The tire’s profile, sidewall shape, and whitewall or blackwall treatment all influence the car’s stance. Owners who want the visual language of the era usually begin with the correct bias-ply size, then choose the sidewall style that best fits the restoration’s intended level of authenticity.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1946 Cadillac 61 Series?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1946 Cadillac 61 Series even when the tire size remains 700-15. Changes to wheel width, wheel offset, brakes, suspension height, steering components, or body clearance can all alter how a tire sits and moves within the wheel opening.
A collector car that has been updated over time should always be checked as it exists now, not only as it left the factory. Measure wheel diameter and width, look for rubbing points at full steering lock, and inspect fender and suspension clearance under load. Those checks are especially important if replacement wheels or lowered suspension have changed the original relationship between tire and body.
What should I inspect before driving a 1946 Cadillac 61 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1946 Cadillac 61 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and overall wheel condition, then make sure the tires are properly mounted and inflated for their intended use. It also helps to confirm even seating, basic alignment behavior, and adequate clearance around fenders and suspension parts.
A postwar Cadillac that has spent long periods parked deserves a broader check beyond the tires themselves. Look at brakes, steering play, wheel bearings, and suspension condition, since those systems affect how the new tires perform on the road. After the first few miles, recheck air pressure and look for any signs of rubbing, uneven contact, or fresh marks inside the wheel openings.
How should 700-15 tires on a collector 1946 Cadillac 61 Series be maintained?
700-15 tires on a collector 1946 Cadillac 61 Series should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss, and protected from long periods of heat, direct sunlight, and ozone exposure. Occasional movement also helps prevent flat spotting during storage.
Collector cars often age their tires by time and storage conditions rather than mileage alone. A Cadillac that is driven infrequently should have its tires checked before each outing, especially after seasonal storage. Clean, dry storage and routine pressure checks go a long way, and any tire showing visible deterioration or unexplained air loss deserves closer inspection before road use.
