The 1947 Buick 40 Special arrived just as American car buyers were returning to full-scale postwar motoring, and Buick’s Special line balanced traditional prewar proportions with the smoother, more substantial look that defined the late 1940s. Tire choice on this car is refreshingly straightforward, because the 1947 Buick 40 Special uses a 650-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim. Within that size, the real differences come from period-style presentation, including blackwall and wide whitewall options, along with several classic tire series and brand choices. For a restoration-minded owner, the key is matching the tire’s look, construction, and wheel compatibility to the way the car will actually be driven.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1947 Buick 40 Special
The 1947 Buick 40 Special uses one primary tire size: 650-16. That means the fitment question is less about choosing between sizes and more about selecting the right bias-ply tire for your 16-inch wheels, your preferred sidewall appearance, and the kind of driving or restoration presentation you want from the car.
A 650-16 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size in which the 6.50 designation refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches and the 16 indicates a 16-inch rim. On the 1947 Buick 40 Special, this is the traditional bias-ply fitment, making it the right starting point for owners who want the driving character and appearance associated with the period. In this size, choices include blackwall and wide whitewall styles from brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Garfield, Lester, Coker Classic, Excelsior, STA, and Tornel across several tire series. The important step is matching the tire to the car’s actual wheel setup and intended use rather than treating every 650-16 the same.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1947 Buick 40 Special sub-models because the same primary tire size is used throughout. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm that the car remains on the expected wheel and tire setup before selecting sidewall style or tire series.
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1947 Buick 40 Special 8 Cyl.
The 1947 Buick 40 Special 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire fitment as the model line overall. That keeps size selection simple and shifts the decision toward blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, brand preference, and confirmation that the car still wears the correct 16-inch wheels.
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 1947 Buick 40 Special Tires for Sale
Available 650-16 tires for the 1947 Buick 40 Special cover a broad range of bias-ply choices from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Lester, Excelsior, STA, and Tornel. Buyers can compare blackwall and wide whitewall styles, traditional passenger-car series, and more utility-oriented tread patterns within the same size.
Owners of a 1947 Buick 40 Special usually want clear answers on 650-16 fitment, 16-inch rim use, sidewall appearance, restoration-minded tire selection, and the wheel and tire checks worth making before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1947 Buick 40 Special?
The 1947 Buick 40 Special uses a 650-16 tire. That is a numeric bias-ply size mounted on a 16-inch rim, and it is the main fitment to use when selecting replacement tires for this vehicle.
Because there is one primary size, the next decision is not which size fits, but which version of 650-16 best suits the car. Owners typically compare blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, brand and tire series, and whether the car still has its expected wheel dimensions before making a final selection.
What size rim does a 1947 Buick 40 Special use?
The 1947 Buick 40 Special uses a 16-inch rim with its 650-16 tire fitment. Product offerings in this size commonly pair with wheel widths around the traditional range used by vintage 16-inch applications, depending on the specific tire.
Rim diameter should always be confirmed on the car before ordering tires, especially if the Buick has been modified over the years. A 16-inch tire cannot be mounted on a different wheel diameter, and wheel width also matters when comparing passenger-style, whitewall, or more utility-oriented 650-16 tire options.
Does the 1947 Buick 40 Special 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1947 Buick 40 Special 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire size as the overall 1947 Buick 40 Special fitment covered here. That keeps replacement sizing simple and avoids the need to sort through multiple primary size options.
Even with shared size fitment, tire choice can still vary by appearance and intended use. A restoration-minded owner may want a traditional blackwall or wide whitewall presentation, while another buyer may focus on tread style, load specification, or wheel-width compatibility before settling on a particular 650-16 product.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-16 tire for a 1947 Buick 40 Special?
Start with the correct 650-16 size and bias-ply construction, then compare the tire’s character within that format. For the 1947 Buick 40 Special, the meaningful differences are usually sidewall style, tire series, brand, and whether the tire is aimed at a traditional passenger-car presentation or a more utility-oriented use.
Wheel compatibility matters as much as appearance. Some 650-16 products call for slightly different rim-width ranges, and load figures also vary by tire. A Buick that still runs its original-style wheels may suit a broad range of classic passenger options, but any wheel change should be confirmed before final tire selection.
What sidewall styles are available for 1947 Buick 40 Special tires?
The 1947 Buick 40 Special has 650-16 tire options in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. That gives owners a clear visual choice between a plainer, understated sidewall and a brighter period-style look that suits many postwar American restorations.
Sidewall style does not change the basic fitment, but it strongly affects the car’s finished appearance. Wide whitewalls can emphasize the Buick’s late-1940s character, while blackwalls offer a simpler presentation. The right choice depends on how the car is being restored, shown, or driven rather than on size alone.
What brands offer tires for the 1947 Buick 40 Special?
Brands offered in 650-16 for the 1947 Buick 40 Special include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. Those choices span several classic bias-ply series as well as some more truck- or utility-oriented tread patterns in the same size.
Brand selection is best approached as part of the overall tire decision, not as a shortcut. Some products lean toward traditional passenger-car styling, others toward blackwall utility service, and some offer wide whitewall presentation. Comparing rim-width suitability, sidewall treatment, and intended use usually tells you more than the brand name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1947 Buick 40 Special?
A period-style 1947 Buick 40 Special should begin with the correct 650-16 bias-ply size. From there, the decision usually comes down to whether the car looks right to you with a blackwall or a wide whitewall, and which classic tire series best matches the restoration’s overall character.
For many postwar Buicks, tire appearance is a major part of the finished stance and presentation. Exact originality can depend on trim level, delivery date, regional practice, and surviving documentation, so owners pursuing a highly exact restoration should compare their tire choice against marque references and vehicle-specific historical records.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1947 Buick 40 Special?
On a restored 1947 Buick 40 Special, bias-ply construction helps preserve the tire shape and visual character most buyers associate with the era. In this case, the primary fitment is a 650-16 bias-ply, so the construction itself is part of the car’s traditional overall presentation.
Appearance is influenced by more than the tread alone. Sidewall style, section shape, and how the tire fills the wheel opening all contribute to the finished look. Even among bias-ply tires, a blackwall Buick reads differently from one on wide whitewalls, so construction and sidewall treatment should be chosen together.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1947 Buick 40 Special?
Yes. A 1947 Buick 40 Special may have changed wheels, altered suspension height, or other modifications that affect how a 650-16 tire fits in practice. Even when the nominal tire size stays the same, wheel width and the car’s actual clearance can change the result.
Modified collector cars should be checked at the wheel, not just by the vehicle name. Measure the wheel diameter, confirm width, and look at clearance around the fenders, steering components, and suspension travel. Those checks matter even more if the Buick has aftermarket wheels or a stance different from stock height.
What should I inspect before driving a 1947 Buick 40 Special on new tires?
Before putting a 1947 Buick 40 Special back on the road with new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and overall wheel condition. It also makes sense to confirm that the tires are mounted in the correct size and that inflation is set appropriately for the tire and vehicle setup.
A short, careful shakedown drive is a smart next step. Pay attention to steering response, vibration, brake pull, and any sign of rubbing during turns or suspension movement. On an older Buick, suspension wear, alignment issues, or long-stored wheel components can affect how well even a correctly sized new tire behaves.
How should 650-16 tires on a collector 1947 Buick 40 Special be maintained?
Collector-car 650-16 tires should be kept clean, properly inflated, and inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and air loss. A 1947 Buick 40 Special that spends long periods parked still needs routine tire attention, because age and storage conditions can matter as much as mileage.
Storage habits play a real role in tire life. Keeping the Buick away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the sidewalls, and moving the car occasionally can reduce long-term stress on one contact patch. Any questionable condition should be evaluated before regular road use or longer trips.
