1947 De Soto 6 Deluxe & Custom Tires

The 1947 De Soto 6 Deluxe & Custom uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 650-16 and 700-15. Those sizes are tied to two different wheel diameters, with 650-16 fitting a 16-inch rim and 700-15 fitting a 15-inch rim.

That means the correct choice depends on the wheels actually on the car rather than on appearance alone. A De Soto that has been restored, converted, or fitted with replacement wheels may not still carry its earlier setup, so checking the wheel diameter before ordering tires is the most important first step.

A 1947 De Soto 6 Deluxe & Custom can use either a 16-inch rim with 650-16 tires or a 15-inch rim with 700-15 tires. Both fitments are bias-ply, but they are not the same wheel diameter and should not be treated as interchangeable without verifying the actual wheel on the car.

The practical takeaway is simple: measure or confirm the wheel before selecting tires. Once rim diameter is settled, rim width, overall wheel condition, and clearance at the fenders and steering components should also be reviewed so the chosen bias-ply tire matches the De Soto’s real setup.

This De Soto grouping carries two primary tire sizes because it appears with two different rim diameters: 650-16 on 16-inch wheels and 700-15 on 15-inch wheels. The seven-passenger configuration is associated with both sizes, so the tire decision depends on the wheel configuration rather than a single universal fitment.

That matters because the size difference is not just a matter of preference. A 16-inch wheel requires a different tire than a 15-inch wheel, and a restored or modified car may no longer match its earlier equipment. Confirming the mounted wheel diameter avoids ordering a correct-looking tire in the wrong fitment.

Start with the correct primary size for the wheels on the car: 650-16 for 16-inch rims or 700-15 for 15-inch rims. Both are bias-ply fitments, so the next considerations are whether the car should wear a blackwall or wide whitewall and which tire series best matches the look you want.

Selection also benefits from checking the tire’s intended rim-width range, load specification where listed, and whether the tread style is passenger-car oriented or more utilitarian. A touring-focused De Soto and a restoration displayed at shows may lead to different choices even when the correct size is the same.

Tires for the 1947 De Soto 6 Deluxe & Custom are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. That gives the car a meaningful appearance choice, especially on a late-1940s full-size sedan where whitewalls can strongly influence the visual character of the finished restoration.

A blackwall tire tends to create a more restrained presentation, while a wide whitewall emphasizes period styling. The right decision depends on the look of the car, the trim and wheel treatment, and how strictly the owner wants to follow period-style themes rather than simply choosing the boldest sidewall available.

Available brands across the 650-16 and 700-15 fitments include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. Some brands appear in passenger-car classic lines, while others also offer more transport, military, or truck-style tread patterns in these vintage sizes.

Brand choice should be weighed alongside the actual tire series, sidewall style, rim compatibility, and the way the car will be used. A De Soto restored for period presentation may point toward one type of tire, while a vehicle expected to see more utility-oriented driving may lead the buyer toward another style within the same size.

A period-style 1947 De Soto 6 Deluxe & Custom starts with the correct bias-ply size for the car’s wheels, either 650-16 or 700-15. From there, the most visible restoration decision is usually sidewall treatment, since both blackwall and wide whitewall options are available in the applicable vintage sizes.

For a restrained presentation, blackwall can suit the car well, while wide whitewall gives a stronger late-1940s visual statement. When exact originality matters, the safest approach is to confirm historical details through marque references, build documentation, or restoration records rather than assuming every tire offered in the correct size matches factory delivery.

Tire construction matters because the 1947 De Soto 6 Deluxe & Custom uses bias-ply primary fitments, and that construction contributes to the car’s traditional visual stance. The shape, sidewall presence, and overall presentation of a bias-ply tire are part of what makes a restored postwar sedan look authentically of its period.

Appearance is not the only concern, but it often guides restoration choices. Once the correct wheel diameter is confirmed, choosing between blackwall and wide whitewall within the proper bias-ply size lets the owner tailor the De Soto’s finished look without stepping away from the basic period-style construction the car used.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1947 De Soto 6 Deluxe & Custom. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, brake conversions, or body and fender repairs can change the space available for a vintage tire and may also alter which wheel diameter is currently on the car.

That is especially important here because the De Soto may use either 650-16 or 700-15 depending on the wheel setup. A car that no longer wears its earlier wheels should be measured rather than assumed. Clearance at full steering lock and suspension travel deserves attention before putting the car back into regular use.

Before driving on new tires, inspect the wheel diameter and condition, confirm the tires are mounted in the correct size, and check for proper air retention. It is also wise to look over the steering and suspension components, since worn tie-rod ends, bushings, shocks, or springs can affect how a large postwar car tracks on fresh bias-ply tires.

A careful walkaround should also include lug hardware, valve stems, signs of rubbing, and enough fender and steering clearance. Collector cars that sit for long periods benefit from an especially close inspection because long storage can hide problems such as old wheel damage, uneven wear patterns, or dried components.

Collector-car tires on a 1947 De Soto 6 Deluxe & Custom should be kept properly inflated, visually inspected often, and protected from long periods of heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone exposure. Even when tread looks good, a low-use antique vehicle deserves regular checks for cracking, flat spotting, cuts, bulges, and gradual air loss.

Maintenance also includes watching how the car sits and drives over time. Uneven wear can point to alignment, steering, or suspension issues rather than a problem with the tire itself. Rotating use, moving the car periodically during storage, and rechecking tire condition before longer drives help preserve both safety and ride quality.