The 1946 Plymouth Deluxe arrived as American automakers resumed civilian production after World War II, and it carries the upright proportions and practical character that define immediate postwar transportation. For many owners today, that means preserving a distinctly 1940s driving feel and visual stance rather than forcing a modern look onto the car. The 1946 Plymouth Deluxe uses a 600-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim. Within that size, there is still meaningful choice in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles across several vintage tire series. The right selection depends on how closely the car is being restored, how it will be driven, and whether the wheel setup remains true to stock dimensions.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1946 Plymouth Deluxe
The 1946 Plymouth Deluxe uses one primary tire size: 600-16. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and that same size is shared by the covered Deluxe 6 Cyl. and Deluxe Special 6 Cyl. versions. The main decision is not which size fits, but which 600-16 tire best matches the car's intended appearance, tread style, and road use while remaining compatible with the wheel.
A 600-16 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size in which the 600 indicates an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1946 Plymouth Deluxe, this size preserves the traditional bias-ply construction and the tall, narrow look associated with postwar American passenger cars. Available choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles from brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Lester, Excelsior, Avon, Ford Script, STA, and Camac across several tire series. This size is the starting point whether the goal is a restrained driver, a more formal whitewall presentation, or a restoration-oriented period look.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the 1946 Plymouth Deluxe because the covered sub-models share the same primary size and construction. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm that the car remains on the expected 16-inch wheel setup before comparing tire style and tread choices.
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1946 Plymouth Deluxe 6 Cyl.
The 1946 Plymouth Deluxe 6 Cyl. uses the same 600-16 bias-ply fitment as the rest of the covered Deluxe range. That keeps tire selection focused on appearance and intended use, such as choosing between blackwall and whitewall presentations or evaluating a more specialized tread style for a particular build.
The 1946 Plymouth Deluxe Special 6 Cyl. also uses the 600-16 bias-ply size on a 16-inch rim. With fitment staying consistent, the choice comes down to how the tire should look on the car and whether a standard passenger-tire presentation or a more specialized vintage tread pattern better suits the vehicle.
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 Plymouth Deluxe Tires for Sale
Available 600-16 choices span BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Lester, Excelsior, Avon, Ford Script, STA, and Camac, with differences in tire series, tread character, and sidewall style. Buyers can compare blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall options within the same vintage bias-ply fitment.
These FAQs focus on the 1946 Plymouth Deluxe tire questions that matter most: 600-16 fitment, 16-inch rim compatibility, bias-ply construction, sidewall and series choices, restoration appearance, and the inspections worth making before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1946 Plymouth Deluxe?
The 1946 Plymouth Deluxe uses a 600-16 tire size. That is a numeric bias-ply size mounted on a 16-inch rim, and it applies across the covered Deluxe 6 Cyl. and Deluxe Special 6 Cyl. versions.
The important next step is confirming that the car still has the expected wheel diameter and an appropriate wheel width for the tire being considered. Many collector cars have seen wheel changes over the years, so the safest approach is to verify the actual rim on the car before choosing among blackwall, whitewall, or specialty tread options in 600-16.
What size rim does a 1946 Plymouth Deluxe use?
The primary tire fitment for a 1946 Plymouth Deluxe uses a 16-inch rim. The common 600-16 passenger-car products in this fitment are associated with 16-inch wheels, with several options intended for roughly 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim widths.
Rim diameter is the first thing to confirm, but wheel width matters too when comparing individual tires. A car that still wears its original-style wheels is usually simpler to match, while aftermarket or later replacement wheels can change how a 600-16 sits and clears the body, steering, and suspension.
Do all 1946 Plymouth Deluxe sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1946 Plymouth Deluxe sub-models use the same 600-16 bias-ply tire size. That includes the Deluxe 6 Cyl. and the Deluxe Special 6 Cyl., so there is no sub-model split in primary tire size here.
That consistency makes the buying process easier because the decision centers on tire style rather than alternate sizes. It is still wise to inspect the actual car before ordering, especially if it has been modified, fitted with different wheels, or stored for a long time and now needs a fresh set matched to its current setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-16 tire for a 1946 Plymouth Deluxe?
Start with the correct 600-16 size and a true bias-ply construction, since that is the primary fitment for the 1946 Plymouth Deluxe. From there, compare the tire's intended character, including standard passenger-car styling, whitewall treatment, tread design, rim-width specification, and any load figure that is relevant to the exact product.
A restoration-oriented car may call for a traditional wide whitewall look, while a more understated driver may suit a blackwall presentation. Product differences within the same size can also matter if the car uses replacement wheels, so it helps to match the tire not only to the Plymouth's appearance but also to the wheel and driving setup now on the car.
What sidewall styles are available for 1946 Plymouth Deluxe tires?
The 1946 Plymouth Deluxe has 600-16 tire options in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. Those sidewall treatments create very different visual results even when the tire size and basic bias-ply construction stay the same.
Blackwall tires keep the car more restrained and utilitarian, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall options lean into a stronger period presentation. Sidewall choice does not change the need to confirm wheel size and fitment, but it often becomes the biggest visual decision for owners balancing authentic 1940s character with the specific way the car is being restored or driven.
What brands offer tires for the 1946 Plymouth Deluxe?
The 600-16 fitment for a 1946 Plymouth Deluxe is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. Those brands appear across several bias-ply tire series and include both passenger-style and more specialized vintage tread offerings.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It helps to compare the specific tire series, sidewall treatment, stated rim-width compatibility, and overall visual character of each option. On a postwar Plymouth, the tire's appearance often matters just as much as the name on the sidewall because it shapes the car's stance and period presence.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1946 Plymouth Deluxe?
A period-style 1946 Plymouth Deluxe starts with the correct 600-16 bias-ply size and then narrows the choice by visual presentation. Passenger-car blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall options are all available, so the right look depends on whether the car is being finished as a restrained driver or with a more formal postwar appearance.
Restoration goals matter because tire style has a major effect on how a 1940s Plymouth sits and reads from the curb. If exact originality is important, compare the tire choice against marque references, period photos, or other vehicle-specific historical material rather than assuming every whitewall or branded sidewall treatment is appropriate for every Deluxe restoration.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1946 Plymouth Deluxe restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1946 Plymouth Deluxe restoration. The 600-16 size and its bias-ply construction help preserve the narrow profile, sidewall shape, and overall stance that suit a postwar Plymouth far better than an arbitrary modern substitute.
Appearance is only part of the story. Correct fitment also helps keep wheel compatibility, body clearance, and the car's general proportions in line with the way these vehicles were designed to sit. Even on a driver-grade restoration, using the proper size gives a more convincing result than chasing a tire that simply happens to mount on the wheel.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1946 Plymouth Deluxe?
Yes. A 1946 Plymouth Deluxe may have the correct 600-16 tire size on paper, but wheel changes, altered ride height, brake conversions, or body and suspension work can all affect real-world fitment. Even a tire in the proper size can behave differently if the wheel dimensions or vehicle stance have changed.
That is why it helps to inspect the actual setup before choosing among available 600-16 products. A modified Plymouth should have its wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at steering and suspension points checked carefully so the selected bias-ply tire suits the car as it sits today rather than as it left the factory.
What should I inspect before driving a 1946 Plymouth Deluxe on new tires?
Before putting a 1946 Plymouth Deluxe back on the road, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall wheel condition along with the new tires themselves. Tire pressure, bead seating, visible sidewall damage, uneven wheel condition, and any signs of interference at the fenders or steering components all deserve attention.
A short, careful test drive is a smart follow-up after installation. Listen and feel for rubbing, vibration, pulling, or unusual steering response, then recheck pressure and wheel fastener security once the car has covered a few miles. Collector cars that have been parked for long periods benefit from extra caution before regular road use resumes.
How should 600-16 tires on a collector 1946 Plymouth Deluxe be maintained?
Collector-car 600-16 tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and protection from long periods of heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone exposure. A 1946 Plymouth Deluxe that is driven only occasionally can still develop age-related tire issues even when tread wear looks minimal.
Good maintenance means watching for cracking, bulges, cuts, flat spotting, or persistent air loss and addressing any problem before the next drive. It also helps to move the car periodically and keep the tires clean. Low annual mileage can hide deterioration, so condition and age matter just as much as the number of miles on the tread.
