The 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6 arrived as American automakers returned to civilian production after World War II, carrying prewar styling into an important transition year for family transportation. Buyers restoring or maintaining one today usually want a tire that looks right on a substantial postwar sedan while still matching the car’s original wheel setup. The 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6 uses a 600-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, and that single primary size keeps fitment straightforward. Within that size, there is still room to choose among blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall presentations, along with touring and military-style tread offerings. The key is matching the tire to the car’s intended appearance, use, and wheel condition.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6
The 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6 uses one primary tire size: 600-16. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and the same size applies to the covered Base sub-model, so the main decision is not which size fits but which version of that size best suits the car’s appearance, use, and restoration direction.
The 600-16 size is a vintage numeric bias-ply designation in which the 600 represents an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6, this is the primary period-style fitment and it preserves the traditional bias-ply construction associated with the car’s era. Available choices in 600-16 include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles across brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Avon, Excelsior, Lester, STA, Camac, and Ford Script. Choosing within this size comes down to matching the tire’s visual character and intended road use to the condition and width of the wheels on the car.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6 sub-model range. The main value in checking the sub-model is confirming that the car still retains its expected wheel and tire setup before choosing among the available 600-16 bias-ply options.
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1946 Dodge Deluxe 6 Base
The 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6 Base uses the same 600-16 bias-ply tire size as the core fitment. That keeps the focus on selecting the right sidewall style, tread character, and restoration-oriented presentation rather than sorting through multiple primary sizes.
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 Deluxe 6 Tires for Sale
Available 600-16 choices span BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Avon, Excelsior, Lester, STA, Camac, and Ford Script, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. The product grid also includes several tire series and military or truck-oriented tread patterns, so appearance and intended use matter as much as size.
Owners of a 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6 usually want clear answers on 600-16 fitment, 16-inch rims, bias-ply construction, sidewall appearance, and what to inspect before putting a restored or lightly driven postwar car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6?
The 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6 uses a 600-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment for a 16-inch rim, and it is the primary size associated with the model.
That makes size selection fairly simple, but the car should still be checked for changes made over the years. A wheel swap, different rim width, or other modifications can affect what works safely and what looks appropriate, so it is worth confirming the wheel setup before choosing among the available 600-16 tire styles.
What size rim does a 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6 use?
The 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6 uses a 16-inch rim with its 600-16 tire size. Product options in this size commonly reference rim widths around 4.00 to 4.50 inches, with some variation depending on the tire series.
Wheel diameter is the first thing to confirm on a postwar car that may have changed hands many times. Measuring the actual wheel and checking its width helps narrow the correct tire choices, especially when comparing touring-style tires with military or truck-oriented 600-16 options.
Does the 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6 Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6 Base uses the same 600-16 bias-ply tire size as the main model fitment, so there is no separate primary size to sort out for that sub-model.
That consistency means the real choice is within the 600-16 category rather than between different sizes. A Base model owner can focus on blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall appearance, along with tread style and wheel compatibility, instead of trying to resolve a sub-model-specific size difference.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-16 tire for a 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6?
Start with the basics: the correct 600-16 size, bias-ply construction, and a tire that suits the wheel width on the car. From there, compare sidewall treatment, tread style, and whether the car is being restored for period-style appearance or driven more regularly.
This size includes traditional passenger-car choices as well as military and truck-oriented patterns, so the intended use matters. A broad whitewall can change the entire visual character of the Dodge, while a blackwall or utility tread may better suit a more understated or specialized presentation.
What sidewall styles are available for 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6 tires?
The 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6 has 600-16 tire options in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. Those choices appear across several brands and tire series, giving the car a noticeably different look even when the size remains the same.
Sidewall style affects appearance more than fitment, but it can strongly influence the finished impression of a postwar Dodge. Owners aiming for a restoration-oriented presentation often focus on whitewall proportions, while a blackwall can suit a simpler touring look or a more utilitarian setup.
What brands offer tires for the 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6?
600-16 tires for the 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6 are available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. The available tire series include traditional passenger-car bias-ply lines as well as military and truck-oriented patterns.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. Compare the tire’s sidewall style, series character, rim-width suitability, and overall appearance so the choice matches the Dodge’s intended use, whether that means a more formal whitewall presentation or a simpler blackwall touring setup.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6?
A period-style starting point for a 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6 is a 600-16 bias-ply tire, since that preserves the original sizing format and construction style associated with the car. From there, the biggest visual choice is usually blackwall versus one of the available whitewall treatments.
A wide whitewall often suits the formal postwar look of a Dodge sedan, while a blackwall creates a more restrained presentation. When exact historical authenticity matters, compare the tire choice against marque references, period photography, and restoration documentation rather than assuming any one sidewall treatment is universally correct.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6?
On a restored 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6, bias-ply construction plays a major role in the car’s visual presentation because it maintains the vintage tire profile and period-style character expected on a postwar sedan. In this application, the primary fitment is a 600-16 bias-ply.
Appearance is only part of the decision, but it is an important one on a collector car. The tire’s sidewall treatment, tread style, and overall stance can either support a restoration-oriented look or make the car read as more modified, so construction and styling should be chosen together rather than separately.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6?
Yes. Even though the primary size for a 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6 is 600-16, later wheel changes, altered suspension height, brake conversions, or body work can change the space available around the tire and the width of the wheel supporting it.
A car that has been modified should be checked at the wheel, not just by model year. Verifying actual rim diameter, rim width, steering clearance, and fender clearance helps prevent problems when selecting among passenger, military, or truck-style 600-16 tires that may differ in intended application.
What should I inspect before driving a 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6 on new tires?
Before putting a 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6 back on the road, inspect the wheels for damage or excessive rust, confirm the tire size and wheel diameter, and make sure the new tires seat properly and hold pressure. Suspension, steering, and brake condition also deserve attention on a long-stored car.
A new set of tires cannot correct worn mechanical parts or poor wheel condition. It is also wise to check clearance at full steering lock and over suspension movement, then monitor pressure and fastener tightness after the first few drives so the car settles in safely.
How should 600-16 tires on a collector 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6 be maintained?
Collector-car 600-16 tires should be inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and gradual air loss, even if the 1946 Dodge Deluxe 6 is driven only occasionally. Storage matters too, since heat, sunlight, moisture, and long periods of inactivity can shorten tire life.
A postwar car often spends more time parked than driven, so maintenance is as much about preservation as mileage. Keeping the tires properly inflated, moving the car periodically, and checking age-related condition before road use helps protect both the tires and the overall drivability of the Dodge.