1947 Chrysler Royal & Windsor C38 Tires

The 1947 Chrysler Royal & Windsor C38 uses two primary tire sizes: 6.50-15 and 700-15. Both are vintage numeric bias-ply sizes designed for 15-inch rims, and both apply to the covered 6-cylinder C38 fitment.

The important next step is determining which of those two sizes your car is actually set up to use. A restored car may already have one size installed, and wheel changes over the years can affect what belongs on the vehicle now. Matching the new tire to the existing wheel diameter and present fitment is more useful than assuming every C38 on the road today wears the same setup.

The tire fitments for the 1947 Chrysler Royal & Windsor C38 use a 15-inch rim diameter. That applies to both 6.50-15 and 700-15, so the rim diameter remains consistent even though there are two primary tire sizes.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it is still worth checking the wheel itself before buying tires. Diameter, wheel condition, and the tire size already established on the car should all line up. On a collector Chrysler, that is especially important if the wheels have been replaced, refinished, or swapped during an older restoration.

700-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size. The 700 designation refers to an approximate nominal section width of 7.00 inches, and the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches.

For a 1947 Chrysler Royal & Windsor C38, that size tells you both the tire's general width class and that it belongs on a 15-inch rim. It does not automatically mean every 15-inch wheel or every C38 should use it, so the smartest approach is confirming the car's current wheel and tire setup before choosing among the available blackwall, whitewall, or specialty 700-15 options.

Start with the basics: confirm that 700-15 is the size your 1947 Chrysler Royal & Windsor C38 is actually using, then compare the available bias-ply products by sidewall style, tire series, and intended character. In this size, choices include traditional passenger-car styles as well as heavier-duty transport and military-pattern tires.

That means the right tire depends on how the car is being presented and driven. A wide whitewall gives a more formal postwar look, while a blackwall creates a plainer, service-style appearance. It also helps to compare rim-width specifications, load figures where shown, and whether the tread style matches the way the car will be used rather than selecting only by sidewall appearance.

For the 1947 Chrysler Royal & Windsor C38, the available 700-15 products include blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Those two looks can change the car's visual character quite a bit even when the tire size and basic bias-ply construction stay the same.

Choosing between them comes down to the kind of presentation you want from the car. A wide whitewall often suits a more formal restoration-oriented appearance, while a blackwall can look more restrained or utilitarian. Sidewall style should still be chosen after size and wheel fitment are confirmed, since appearance matters most once the correct tire size has already been established.

The available 700-15 tires for the 1947 Chrysler Royal & Windsor C38 come from Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA. Those products include several bias-ply series, so brand choice is tied closely to tread style, sidewall treatment, and the general type of tire being considered.

Rather than treating brand alone as the deciding factor, compare what each product is trying to do. Some options are classic passenger-car tires, while others lean toward military or transport use. Looking at the tire series, sidewall style, rim-width specification, and load information where shown will usually tell you more than the brand name by itself.

A period-style 1947 Chrysler Royal & Windsor C38 should stay with one of its primary bias-ply sizes, either 6.50-15 or 700-15, depending on the setup the car uses. Within 700-15, the choice can then shift toward classic bias-ply series and sidewall treatments that suit a late-1940s Chrysler presentation.

The most convincing result usually comes from matching the tire not just to the year, but to the car's actual stance and restoration intent. Wide whitewalls create a more formal postwar look, while blackwalls give a plainer appearance. If exact originality matters, period photos, marque references, and restoration records are the best way to verify details beyond size and construction.

Tire construction matters visually because the 1947 Chrysler Royal & Windsor C38 uses bias-ply fitments, and that construction helps create the tall, traditional profile most enthusiasts associate with a postwar Chrysler sedan. The shape and stance of a bias-ply tire contribute as much to the look as the tread and sidewall treatment do.

That is why the construction choice should support the restoration goal rather than compete with it. A blackwall or wide whitewall can change the character further, but the underlying bias-ply form is what keeps the presentation rooted in the period. On a car restored for shows, tours, or historical accuracy, tire construction is part of the visual story, not just a mechanical detail.

Yes. Even though the 1947 Chrysler Royal & Windsor C38 uses 15-inch bias-ply tire sizes, modifications can still affect what works on the car. Changes to wheels, suspension height, brake components, or body clearances can alter how a 6.50-15 or 700-15 tire sits and moves through its steering range.

A Chrysler that has been lowered, re-wheeled, or rebuilt with non-stock components should be checked carefully before replacement tires are chosen. Wheel width, backspacing, steering clearance, and fender space all matter once a car departs from its original-type setup. Verifying the actual configuration on the vehicle helps prevent choosing a size simply because it appears in the standard fitment range.

Before driving a 1947 Chrysler Royal & Windsor C38 on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition and correct diameter, confirm the tires are seated properly, and check air pressure carefully. It is also wise to look over the steering and suspension so the car is not relying on fresh tires to mask worn mechanical parts.

A short test drive should include attention to clearance during turns, straight-line stability, and any sign of rubbing or unusual vibration. Collector cars that sit for long periods can develop issues beyond the tires themselves, including aged valve stems, stiff suspension bushings, or brake drag. Catching those items early helps the new tires work as intended and protects the car on its first miles back out.

Collector-car tires on a 1947 Chrysler Royal & Windsor C38 should be inspected regularly for pressure loss, sidewall cracking, tread wear, cuts, and flat spotting from long storage. Whether the car wears 6.50-15 or 700-15 bias-ply tires, condition matters just as much as tread depth because low-use vintage cars can age out tires before they wear them out.

Storage habits make a real difference. Keeping the Chrysler away from prolonged sunlight, ozone sources, and damp conditions helps preserve the rubber, and moving the car periodically can reduce flat spotting. Routine pressure checks and visual inspections before each drive are especially important on a postwar vehicle, since a tire that looks acceptable at a glance may still be unsuitable for regular road use.