The 1947 Dodge Custom 6 came at a pivotal moment, when American automakers were bringing prewar design themes back into civilian life after World War II. For many owners today, that makes tire choice part of a broader preservation decision: keeping the car’s upright stance, traditional road manners, and authentic visual character in balance. This Dodge uses a 600-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, so the focus is not sorting through multiple factory sizes but choosing the right version of that fitment. Available options include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles across several vintage tire series. The right selection depends on how the car is being restored, displayed, and driven.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1947 Dodge Custom 6
The 1947 Dodge Custom 6 uses one primary tire size: 600-16. That is a bias-ply fitment for a 16-inch rim, and it remains consistent for the covered Custom 6 Base configuration. The main decision is choosing the right version of that size for the car’s intended appearance and use, whether that means a plain blackwall, a restoration-oriented whitewall, or a more specialized tread style.
A 600-16 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size in which the 600 designates a nominal section width of about 6.00 inches and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1947 Dodge Custom 6, this size preserves the original-style bias-ply construction and the traditional look associated with late 1940s passenger cars. Available choices span brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Avon, Excelsior, Lester, and others, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall presentations. That makes this size less about basic fitment and more about matching the tire’s appearance and tread style to the car’s restoration goals and road use.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1947 Dodge Custom 6 sub-models. The Custom 6 Base uses the same primary tire size, so the important choice is not between different fitments but between available tire styles, brands, and visual treatments within that size.
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1947 Dodge Custom 6 Base
The 1947 Dodge Custom 6 Base uses the same 600-16 bias-ply tire fitment as the overall model line. That keeps size selection simple and shifts the decision toward period-style details such as blackwall versus whitewall appearance, along with confirming that the wheel setup still matches the original 16-inch format.
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 Dodge Custom 6 Tires for Sale
Available 600-16 choices cover a wide spread of vintage bias-ply options from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Avon, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and others. The product grid is most useful for comparing sidewall style, tire series, tread character, and rim-width compatibility within the same 16-inch fitment.
These 1947 Dodge Custom 6 tire FAQs focus on the 600-16 fitment, 16-inch wheel compatibility, bias-ply tire selection, period-style sidewall choices, and the checks worth making before putting a collector Dodge back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1947 Dodge Custom 6?
The 1947 Dodge Custom 6 uses a 600-16 tire size. This is a vintage numeric bias-ply fitment, and it is the primary size associated with the model rather than one of several different passenger-car sizes.
That simplicity makes the next step more important: choosing the right version of the 600-16 for the car’s intended look and use. A blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall can change the car’s appearance significantly, so it is worth confirming the existing wheel setup and making sure the tire style matches the restoration direction before installation.
What size rim does a 1947 Dodge Custom 6 use?
The 1947 Dodge Custom 6 uses a 16-inch rim with its 600-16 tire size. Product fitments in this size commonly reference rim widths around 4.00 to 4.50 inches, with some specialty applications extending a bit wider depending on the tire.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed on the car before ordering, especially if the vehicle has been apart for restoration or has changed hands over the years. A correct 16-inch diameter is only part of the equation, since wheel width and overall wheel condition also affect how a vintage bias-ply tire seats and performs.
Does the 1947 Dodge Custom 6 Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1947 Dodge Custom 6 Base uses the same 600-16 bias-ply tire size as the core model fitment. There is no separate passenger-car tire size difference here that changes the basic selection process.
That means the buying decision centers on tire style rather than sub-model variation. Once the 16-inch wheel setup is confirmed, the owner can compare blackwall and whitewall presentations, traditional passenger-car tread patterns, and more specialized options without having to sort through multiple primary sizes first.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-16 tire for a 1947 Dodge Custom 6?
Start with the confirmed 600-16 size and 16-inch wheel diameter, then narrow the choice by the car’s purpose. A restoration-oriented sedan may call for a traditional passenger-car bias-ply with a whitewall, while a more utilitarian presentation may lean toward a blackwall or a different tread style.
It also helps to compare brand, tire series, sidewall treatment, rim-width specification, and load figures where they are stated. Some 600-16 products are aimed more at classic passenger-car appearance, while others have military or truck-style character, so the right choice depends on how authentic, formal, or functional the finished Dodge is meant to look.
What sidewall styles are available for 1947 Dodge Custom 6 tires?
The 1947 Dodge Custom 6 has 600-16 tire options in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. Those choices all stay within the same basic size, but they can give the car a very different visual tone once mounted on the correct 16-inch wheels.
Blackwalls generally create a simpler, more understated look, while wide whitewalls emphasize the formal late-1940s appearance many restorers want. Double-whitewall versions offer another period-style presentation, but the best visual match depends on the car’s trim, wheel treatment, and how closely the owner wants the finished stance to reflect a traditional postwar Dodge look.
What brands offer tires for the 1947 Dodge Custom 6?
600-16 tires for the 1947 Dodge Custom 6 are available from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Avon, Excelsior, Lester, STA, Camac, and Ford Script. These options span several vintage tire series rather than one single style or brand family.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It is more useful to compare each tire’s sidewall appearance, tread style, construction details, stated rim-width range where given, and overall presentation on the car. That approach helps keep the choice tied to fitment, restoration goals, and intended driving use instead of simple name recognition.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1947 Dodge Custom 6?
A period-style 1947 Dodge Custom 6 starts with the correct 600-16 bias-ply size on a 16-inch rim. From there, a traditional passenger-car bias-ply series with a blackwall or whitewall treatment usually makes the strongest visual match for a postwar Dodge sedan.
The exact appearance choice depends on how the car is being restored and what visual reference the owner is following. When historical accuracy matters at a high level, it is worth comparing the tire’s sidewall style and overall presentation against marque references, original photos, or restoration documentation rather than assuming any one current offering is automatically exact.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1947 Dodge Custom 6?
On a restored 1947 Dodge Custom 6, the 600-16 bias-ply construction contributes to the car’s traditional stance and visual character. Sidewall shape, tread look, and overall presence are all part of why bias-ply tires remain central to many postwar restoration projects.
Appearance is only one part of the decision, but it matters on a car from this era. Choosing among blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall versions can shift the presentation from plain and practical to formal and showroom-inspired, so the construction and sidewall treatment should be considered together rather than as separate styling details.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1947 Dodge Custom 6?
Yes. Even though the 1947 Dodge Custom 6 uses a 600-16 tire, modifications can still change what works properly on the car. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, brake conversions, suspension changes, or body adjustments can all affect clearance and how a vintage bias-ply tire sits.
Any Custom 6 that has been restored or updated should be measured at the wheel before a tire is chosen. Wheel diameter is the starting point, but width, offset, steering clearance, and fender space matter just as much. Those checks are especially important when the car no longer carries its original wheel and suspension setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1947 Dodge Custom 6 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect wheel condition, lug hardware, valve stems, and tire pressure, then look over the suspension and steering for looseness or wear. A newly mounted 600-16 bias-ply tire should also be checked for proper seating on the 16-inch wheel and for adequate clearance at full steering lock.
A collector car that has spent long periods parked deserves extra attention before its first drive. Look for fluid leaks that may reach the tires, confirm there is no rubbing as the suspension settles, and recheck pressure after the first miles. Early road testing should be gradual so any vibration, pull, or clearance issue can be caught quickly.
How should 600-16 tires on a collector 1947 Dodge Custom 6 be maintained?
Collector-car 600-16 tires should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cuts, cracking, bulges, and air loss, and protected from long exposure to sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources. On a low-use 1947 Dodge Custom 6, condition matters as much as tread depth because age-related deterioration can appear before heavy wear does.
Regular visual checks are especially important after storage or before a longer outing. Clean, dry storage conditions help preserve the tire, and occasional movement can reduce prolonged flat spotting on a parked vehicle. It is also smart to inspect the spare and confirm that all four road tires still match in size, construction, and general condition.
