1946 Oldsmobile Special 66 Tires

The 1946 Oldsmobile Special 66 uses a 600-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply size used on a 16-inch rim, and the covered 6 Cyl. sub-model uses that same primary fitment.

That makes the first step fairly simple: confirm that the car still has 16-inch wheels and has not been changed to another wheel diameter over time. Once that is settled, the decision moves to choosing among 600-16 tire styles such as blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall, along with the tire series that best matches the car’s appearance and intended driving use.

The primary tire fitment for the 1946 Oldsmobile Special 66 mounts on a 16-inch rim. In the 600-16 size, the final number in the tire code identifies that 16-inch wheel diameter.

Wheel diameter should be confirmed before ordering tires, especially on an older car that may have seen replacement wheels at some point in its life. Rim width matters too, since many 600-16 passenger-car products in this size are built around narrow vintage wheel widths, so measuring the actual wheel helps avoid choosing a tire that does not suit the wheel already on the car.

Yes. The covered 1946 Oldsmobile Special 66 6 Cyl. uses the same 600-16 bias-ply tire size as the core fitment for this model. There is no alternate primary size within the covered sub-model listing.

That consistency keeps the fitment question from becoming a trim-by-trim tire search. The practical choice is instead about selecting the right version of 600-16 for the car, whether that means a simpler blackwall look, a wide whitewall presentation more in keeping with many restoration goals, or another bias-ply series that suits how the Oldsmobile will be displayed and driven.

Start with the basics: the tire should be a 600-16 bias-ply for a 16-inch wheel, and the wheel itself should still be the correct diameter and suitable width for the tire being considered. From there, look at sidewall style, tire series, and load figures where they are stated.

The right choice depends on how the Oldsmobile will be used. A restoration-minded car may lean toward a traditional whitewall presentation, while a driver or more understated build may suit a blackwall. Comparing rim-width guidance, load capacity at the stated pressure, and the overall character of the tire series helps narrow the field without drifting away from the correct period-style size.

The 600-16 tire size for the 1946 Oldsmobile Special 66 is available in several sidewall treatments, including blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. Those choices give the car noticeably different visual character even when the size and basic construction stay the same.

Sidewall style is often the biggest appearance decision on a postwar collector car. A blackwall usually gives a more restrained look, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall options create a more formal, restoration-oriented presentation. The best match depends on the car’s finish, trim level, and the visual era the owner wants to emphasize rather than any assumption that one sidewall style suits every Special 66.

Available 600-16 tires for the 1946 Oldsmobile Special 66 include options from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. Those brands appear across several vintage passenger and military-style bias-ply series.

Brand choice should be treated as part of the overall selection process rather than the whole decision. It helps to compare each brand’s available sidewall style, tire series, rim-width specification where stated, and whether the tire is a passenger-style design or a more specialized military or truck-oriented tread. That approach keeps the focus on a tire that suits the Oldsmobile’s setup and intended presentation.

A period-style starting point for a 1946 Oldsmobile Special 66 is the original-type 600-16 bias-ply size on a 16-inch wheel. Staying with the correct size and construction keeps the visual proportions and sidewall shape in line with what buyers expect from a mid-1940s American passenger car.

From there, appearance choice comes down to details such as blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall, along with the tire series that best fits the car’s restoration direction. When exact originality matters, it is wise to compare the tire choice with period photos, marque references, or restoration documentation tied to the specific car, since not every style sold in the correct size was necessarily delivered on every Special 66.

On a restored 1946 Oldsmobile Special 66, tire construction affects more than driving feel. A bias-ply 600-16 gives the car the traditional stance and sidewall presentation most closely associated with mid-1940s fitment, which is why construction choice is part of the visual restoration decision as much as the mechanical one.

Appearance can change further depending on sidewall treatment, with blackwall and whitewall options creating very different visual impressions. Even within the same size, the look of the tread and the style of the casing can influence how authentic or formal the finished car appears. Matching construction and sidewall style to the intended restoration standard usually matters as much as choosing the correct size itself.

Yes. A 1946 Oldsmobile Special 66 may have had wheel, suspension, brake, or ride-height changes over the decades, and any of those can affect how a 600-16 tire works on the car. Even when the tire size is correct in theory, the actual wheel and body setup still matters.

Checking the installed wheel diameter and width is the first step, followed by a look at steering clearance, fender space, and suspension condition. Cars that have been lowered, fitted with aftermarket wheels, or altered at the front suspension can create clearance issues that would not be present on a stock setup. Confirming the current configuration helps avoid surprises once the tires are mounted.

Before driving a 1946 Oldsmobile Special 66 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or excessive rust, verify the tire is seated correctly, and make sure inflation matches the tire’s intended use. It is also smart to check valve stems, lug hardware, and general wheel condition on a collector car that may have sat for long periods.

A short, careful road test should follow once basic installation checks are complete. Pay attention to clearance while turning, look for any unusual rub marks afterward, and recheck air pressure after the first miles. On an older Oldsmobile, tire installation is also a good moment to inspect steering and suspension components, since worn parts can affect how even a correctly sized new tire behaves.

Collector-car 600-16 tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and storage habits that protect the rubber from age-related deterioration. Tread depth matters, but so do sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, flat-spotting, and signs of slow air loss, especially on a car that is driven only occasionally.

A postwar Oldsmobile benefits from being stored away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors or generators. Rolling the car periodically can help avoid long-term flat spotting during storage, and an inspection before each driving season is worthwhile even if the tires have seen little mileage. Low use does not stop rubber from aging, so condition should always outrank appearance alone.