1946 De Soto 6 Deluxe & Custom Tires

The 1946 De Soto 6 Deluxe & Custom uses three primary bias-ply tire sizes: 650-16, 700-15, and 6.50-15. The 7 Passenger model is associated with 650-16 and 700-15, while the Base model uses 6.50-15.

That means the first fitment check is not brand or sidewall style, but the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. A 15-inch and 16-inch setup are both present within this model line, so the safest next step is to confirm what wheels are actually on the car before selecting a period-style replacement tire.

The 1946 De Soto 6 Deluxe & Custom appears with both 15-inch and 16-inch rim diameters. The Base model uses a 15-inch tire size, while the 7 Passenger versions are associated with both 15-inch and 16-inch fitments depending on the tire size used.

Because more than one rim diameter is involved, wheel measurement matters before any tire purchase. A tire marked 650-16 is for a 16-inch wheel, while 700-15 and 6.50-15 are for 15-inch wheels, so checking the actual wheel on the car avoids choosing a correct-looking tire in the wrong diameter.

No, the covered sub-models do not all use the same tire size. The Base model uses 6.50-15, while the 7 Passenger model is associated with 650-16 and 700-15 bias-ply fitments.

That difference matters because the tire decision starts with identifying the sub-model, then verifying wheel diameter. Owners working with older restorations should also keep in mind that wheels may have been changed over the years, so the current wheel setup deserves confirmation even when the car's body style is already known.

Start with the correct size for the exact car: 6.50-15 for the Base model, or 650-16 and 700-15 for the 7 Passenger model depending on wheel diameter. All of the primary fitments are bias-ply, so the next comparison points are rim compatibility, sidewall style, tire series, load figures where stated, and the kind of visual presentation you want.

A restoration-oriented sedan often looks very different on a blackwall than it does on a wide whitewall, even within the same size. It also helps to separate passenger-car bias-ply tires from military or truck-oriented offerings, since tread style and overall character can change the way the car presents and how suitable the tire is for your intended use.

The available sidewall styles for this De Soto fitment include blackwall and wide whitewall, depending on the tire size and series. Those choices appear across several brands, especially in 650-16 and 700-15, where both traditional blackwall and more formal wide whitewall presentations are offered.

Sidewall style is one of the biggest visual decisions on a postwar De Soto because it changes the car's stance and overall period feel without altering the primary tire size. Once the correct diameter and sub-model fitment are confirmed, the sidewall choice becomes a practical way to match the tire to the vehicle's restoration style and intended presentation.

Brands offered across the applicable sizes include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. The exact brand mix varies by size, with the broadest assortment appearing in 650-16 and a more focused group of brands in 700-15.

Brand choice should come after the fitment basics are settled, not before. Once the correct size is confirmed, compare how each brand's available series, sidewall treatment, rim-width specification, and load figures align with the type of De Soto you have and whether the goal is a traditional passenger-car look or a more utility-oriented tread style.

A period-style approach begins with the correct bias-ply size for the exact 1946 De Soto 6 Deluxe & Custom configuration, then narrows to the sidewall and series that suit the car's character. That usually means confirming whether the car is a Base or 7 Passenger model and whether it is on 15-inch or 16-inch wheels before choosing among blackwall or wide whitewall options.

The most authentic-looking result usually comes from treating size, wheel diameter, and sidewall presentation as one decision rather than separate ones. When exact originality matters beyond a general postwar appearance, marque-specific references and restoration records are worth consulting so the tire's visual treatment matches the standard you want for the finished car.

On this De Soto, the primary fitments are bias-ply, and that construction plays a big role in the restored car's visual character. Bias-ply tires typically give a more traditional profile for a 1946 sedan, especially when paired with sidewall treatments such as blackwall or wide whitewall that suit the era.

Appearance is not just about whitewalls versus blackwalls; the tire's overall shape and stance matter too. Keeping the correct bias-ply size helps preserve a period-style look, while moving away from the original fitment approach can change how the car sits and reads visually even when the wheel diameter remains the same.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1946 De Soto 6 Deluxe & Custom. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, different offset, suspension work, lowering, or body repairs can all influence whether a tire in the correct nominal size still has proper clearance.

That is especially important here because both 15-inch and 16-inch fitments exist within the model line. A De Soto that has been updated over the years should be checked for actual wheel diameter and width, then inspected for steering, fender, and suspension clearance so the selected bias-ply tire suits the car as it sits today.

Before road use, inspect wheel condition, lug hardware, valve stems, and overall clearance around the new tires. It also helps to verify inflation, look for any interference at full steering lock, and confirm that suspension and steering components are in sound condition so the tire can do its job properly.

A postwar collector car often spends long periods parked, so the check should extend beyond the tires themselves. Brake function, wheel bearing condition, alignment behavior, and signs of rubbing during slow maneuvering all deserve attention, especially when a car has been recently restored or returned to service after long storage.

Tires on a collector 1946 De Soto 6 Deluxe & Custom should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and periodic review of tread and sidewall condition. Even when mileage is low, age, storage conditions, and long stationary periods can affect a bias-ply tire's condition before tread wear becomes significant.

Good collector-car tire care also means watching for cracking, flat-spotting, bulges, cuts, and persistent air loss. Storage away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tire, and any De Soto that has been parked for an extended period should have its tires and wheel setup inspected carefully before returning to regular road use.