The 1946 Dodge Custom 6 arrived as American automakers shifted from wartime production back to civilian cars, giving buyers a full-size Dodge with prewar styling and dependable postwar transportation character. Today, that makes the car especially appealing to restorers who want an authentic late-1940s look and road feel. The 1946 Dodge Custom 6 uses a 600-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, so the main decision is not the size itself but the type of bias-ply tire that best suits the car. Blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall options all shape the finished presentation, whether the goal is preservation, touring, or a more formal restoration look.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1946 Dodge Custom 6
The 1946 Dodge Custom 6 uses one primary tire size: 600-16. That is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and the same size carries across the covered Custom 6 configuration here. With the size established, the real choice becomes selecting the right bias-ply tire style, sidewall treatment, and tire series for the way the car will be presented and driven.
A 600-16 tire uses the vintage numeric bias-ply sizing system, where the 600 indicates an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width and the 16 identifies the rim diameter in inches. On a 1946 Dodge Custom 6, this size preserves the traditional bias-ply construction associated with postwar American passenger cars. Within 600-16, there is meaningful variety in brands, tread series, and sidewall appearance, including blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall choices. That makes this size less about finding what fits the car and more about matching the tire’s look and character to a preservation-minded driver or a restoration-focused build.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1946 Dodge Custom 6 covered here. The Base configuration uses the same 600-16 bias-ply tire, so the key decision stays focused on tire style, brand, and restoration appearance rather than a change in size.
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1946 Dodge Custom 6 Base
The 1946 Dodge Custom 6 Base uses the same 600-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim. That keeps tire selection centered on period-style presentation, whether the car looks best with a blackwall, a wide whitewall, or another traditional sidewall treatment.
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 Dodge Custom 6 Tires for Sale
Available 600-16 tires span BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Goodyear, Avon, Lester, Excelsior, STA, Camac, and Ford Script lines, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. The product grid also includes passenger-car, military NDT, and truck-style bias-ply series, so intended use and appearance both matter.
Common questions for the 1946 Dodge Custom 6 usually center on the 600-16 tire size, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply selection, sidewall appearance, and what to inspect before putting a postwar collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1946 Dodge Custom 6?
The 1946 Dodge Custom 6 uses a 600-16 tire size. This is a vintage numeric bias-ply size used on a 16-inch wheel, and it is the primary fitment for the covered Custom 6 application, including the Base sub-model.
Once the size is confirmed, the next step is choosing the type of 600-16 tire that suits the car’s purpose. A blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall version can change the car’s appearance quite a bit, so it helps to verify the wheel condition, intended use, and overall restoration direction before making a final selection.
What size rim does a 1946 Dodge Custom 6 use?
The 1946 Dodge Custom 6 uses a 16-inch rim with its 600-16 tire fitment. Product offerings in this size commonly pair with rim widths around the original narrow wheel range, including examples built for 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims.
Rim diameter is the first measurement to confirm at the wheel itself, especially on an older car that may have seen wheel changes over the years. Checking wheel width is also worthwhile before choosing among available 600-16 tires, since some options are built around slightly different approved rim-width ranges.
Does the 1946 Dodge Custom 6 Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1946 Dodge Custom 6 Base uses the same 600-16 bias-ply tire size as the covered Custom 6 fitment. There is no separate primary size change shown for that sub-model in this application.
That consistency makes the buying decision simpler, because the focus shifts from size matching to tire style and intended use. It still makes sense to inspect the actual wheels on the car, since older restorations and long-term ownership can bring wheel substitutions that affect which 600-16 tire is the most appropriate choice.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-16 tire for a 1946 Dodge Custom 6?
Start with the confirmed 600-16 size and the 16-inch wheel, then compare the tire’s intended character. Some 600-16 options are traditional passenger-car bias-ply tires, while others lean toward military NDT or truck-style tread patterns that create a very different look and road impression.
Appearance matters just as much as specification on a car like this. A blackwall gives the Dodge a plainer utility-minded presentation, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall choices create a more formal late-1940s style. Rim-width compatibility, load capacity, and how the car will actually be driven should guide the final decision.
What sidewall styles are available for 1946 Dodge Custom 6 tires?
The 1946 Dodge Custom 6 has 600-16 tire options in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. Those choices all stay within the same primary size, but they change the car’s visual character significantly, from simple and understated to more upscale and restoration-oriented.
Sidewall choice is often one of the most visible decisions on a postwar sedan. Buyers aiming for a restrained driver may prefer blackwalls, while a wide whitewall or double-whitewall can better suit a car with full trim and a more formal presentation. Tire selection should still begin with proper wheel fit and vehicle use, not appearance alone.
What brands offer tires for the 1946 Dodge Custom 6?
Brands available in 600-16 for the 1946 Dodge Custom 6 include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Goodyear, Avon, Lester, Excelsior, STA, Camac, and Ford Script. The brand spread covers several tire series, from classic passenger-car bias-ply designs to military NDT and truck-oriented styles.
Brand choice should be used to narrow the type of tire you want rather than to assume one tire suits every car the same way. Comparing sidewall style, tread character, approved rim-width range, and load figures where shown will tell you more about whether a specific 600-16 tire matches the Dodge and its intended use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1946 Dodge Custom 6?
A period-style approach usually starts with the correct 600-16 bias-ply size, since that maintains the proper vintage sizing format and overall presentation for a 1946 Dodge Custom 6. From there, the choice becomes whether the car looks most appropriate with a blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall treatment.
The right answer depends on the car’s restoration goal and how exact the appearance needs to be. A driving restoration may prioritize a clean traditional look, while a more detail-focused project may call for a sidewall treatment that better matches the era and trim level. Marque references and period photos are useful when authenticity matters closely.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1946 Dodge Custom 6 restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment has a major effect on the finished look of a 1946 Dodge Custom 6 restoration. Using the proper 600-16 size helps preserve the car’s visual proportions, wheel-to-tire relationship, and the upright postwar stance expected from a full-size Dodge of this period.
Fitment also influences how natural the restoration feels when the car is viewed from the side and front. Even within the correct size, tread style and sidewall treatment can shift the character from formal passenger-car presentation to a more utilitarian appearance, so selecting the tire should be part of the restoration plan rather than an afterthought.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1946 Dodge Custom 6?
Yes. A 1946 Dodge Custom 6 may still call for a 600-16 tire, but wheel changes, suspension work, brake conversions, or altered ride height can affect how that size actually sits on the car. Even a correct nominal size should be checked against the current wheel and body setup.
Collector cars often pass through decades of repairs and modifications, so it is worth checking wheel diameter, wheel width, and visible clearance before mounting new tires. Steering travel and fender space matter as well, especially if the car no longer carries its original-style wheels or has had suspension components replaced or altered.
What should I inspect before driving a 1946 Dodge Custom 6 on new tires?
Inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall mounting condition before road use, then confirm inflation, tread condition, and sidewall condition after installation. On an older Dodge, it is also smart to look over the brake system, steering components, and suspension for looseness or wear that can affect how new tires behave.
A short local test drive is a good way to catch rubbing, pulling, vibration, or air-loss issues before putting the car into regular service. Older collector cars often sit for long periods, so checking for cracks, flat spotting, or other age-related issues should become part of a routine inspection schedule rather than a one-time step.
How should 600-16 tires on a collector 1946 Dodge Custom 6 be maintained?
Maintain 600-16 tires on a collector 1946 Dodge Custom 6 with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspections, and attention to storage conditions. Tires on low-mileage vintage cars can age out before they wear out, so sidewall cracking, weather checking, irregular wear, and slow air loss all deserve close attention.
Storage has a real effect on long-term tire condition. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires between drives, and moving the car occasionally can reduce flat-spotting concerns. Any sign of bulges, cuts, or persistent pressure loss should be addressed before road use.
