The 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98 arrived as a full-size postwar American car, with the long, substantial presence buyers expected from an upper-series Oldsmobile of the era. For many collectors, its appeal is tied to that immediate postwar transition, where prewar proportions and trim themes still shaped the driving experience and visual character. Tire fitment stays straightforward, with a 700-15 bias-ply tire on a 15-inch rim. Within that size, the choices range from blackwall to wide whitewall designs, along with different tire series from Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA. The key is matching the tire to the car’s intended look, wheel setup, and road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98
The 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98 uses one primary tire size: 700-15. That is a bias-ply fitment for a 15-inch rim, and it remains consistent for the covered 8 Cyl. configuration. With size selection kept simple, the real decision becomes choosing the right period-style tire within that size, including sidewall appearance, tire series, and the type of use the car will see.
A 700-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size in which the 700 designates an approximate 7.00-inch nominal section width and the 15 designates the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98, this keeps the car in its original-style bias-ply construction rather than shifting to a modern radial format. Available choices include Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA, with blackwall and wide whitewall presentations as well as series such as Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, and several utility-oriented STA designs. That makes 700-15 the size to evaluate when balancing appearance, intended driving use, and wheel compatibility.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98. The covered sub-model uses the same primary tire size, so the main task is choosing the right version of that size for the car’s appearance goals and intended use.
1
1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98 8 Cyl.
The 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98 8 Cyl. uses the same 700-15 bias-ply fitment as the model core. That keeps tire selection focused on choosing between blackwall or wide whitewall styling, along with deciding whether a passenger-car-oriented series or a more utility-focused design suits the car’s use.
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 Oldsmobile Custom 98 Tires for Sale
Available 700-15 choices span Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA, with blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. The product range also includes several tire series, from restoration-oriented classic bias-ply options to more utility-focused military and transport designs.
Common questions for the 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98 usually center on the 700-15 tire size, 15-inch rim fitment, bias-ply construction, sidewall style choices, and what to inspect before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98?
The 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98 uses a 700-15 tire size. This is a vintage numeric bias-ply fitment, and it is the primary size associated with the model covered here, including the 8 Cyl. sub-model.
That means the first step is not sorting through multiple primary sizes, but choosing the right 700-15 tire within the available styles and series. It is still smart to confirm that the car retains the proper 15-inch wheels and that no previous owner changed the wheel or suspension setup before selecting a tire.
What size rim does a 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98 use?
The 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98 uses a 15-inch rim with its 700-15 tire size. Several applicable 700-15 products are built around a 15-inch rim diameter, and many of the passenger-oriented options pair that size with a 5.00 to 5.50 inch rim width range.
Rim diameter is the first wheel detail to confirm, but width matters too when comparing tire choices. Older cars are sometimes fitted with replacement wheels over the years, so checking the actual wheel on the car helps avoid choosing a tire that matches the size code but not the wheel’s dimensions.
Does the 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98 8 Cyl. uses the same 700-15 bias-ply tire size as the model core. There is no alternate primary size shown for that covered sub-model.
That simplifies fitment because the question becomes which 700-15 tire best matches the car’s goals rather than which size belongs on it. Owners can focus on sidewall style, tire series, and wheel compatibility, while also checking that the car has not been modified in ways that change clearance or wheel-width requirements.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-15 tire for a 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98?
Start with the correct 700-15 size and bias-ply construction, then compare how each available tire fits the car’s purpose. Some options are aimed at traditional passenger-car appearance, while others are more utility-oriented designs with military or transport character.
Sidewall style is a major part of the decision, especially if the car is being restored for a more formal postwar presentation. It also helps to compare rim-width compatibility where stated, along with load figures and overall tire character, so the selection matches both the wheel setup and the way the Oldsmobile will be driven.
What sidewall styles are available for 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98 tires?
The 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98 has 700-15 tire options in both blackwall and wide whitewall form. That gives owners a choice between a plainer, more understated sidewall and a more formal vintage presentation that suits many large American postwar cars.
The sidewall choice changes the look of the car more than almost any other visible tire detail. A wide whitewall can support a restoration-oriented appearance, while blackwall options may better suit a simpler visual style or utility use, so the right pick depends on how the car is being finished and presented.
What brands offer tires for the 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98?
Tires for the 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98 are available in 700-15 from Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA. Those choices span classic passenger-car bias-ply lines as well as more utility-focused series in the same size.
Brand alone should not be the only decision point. It helps to compare the specific tire series, sidewall treatment, and wheel-width compatibility so the selected tire matches the appearance and use of the car. A wide whitewall Firestone or BFGoodrich creates a different impression than an STA transport or military-style design.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98?
A period-style 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98 typically starts with the correct 700-15 bias-ply size and then narrows the choice by sidewall treatment and tire series. Passenger-car-oriented bias-ply options are the most natural place to begin if the goal is a traditional postwar appearance.
Wide whitewall tires often complement the formal look associated with large American cars of this period, while blackwall options create a simpler presentation. When exact originality matters, it is worth checking marque references or historical vehicle documentation before settling on a particular brand or sidewall treatment.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98?
On a restored 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98, bias-ply construction helps preserve the traditional tire shape and overall visual character associated with the car’s era. Since 700-15 is the primary fitment here, staying with a bias-ply tire keeps the appearance aligned with that vintage layout.
Construction choice affects more than driving feel; it changes how the car sits visually and how the sidewall reads next to the body and wheel opening. For a restoration-oriented result, it makes sense to treat size, sidewall styling, and construction as a package instead of choosing each element separately.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98?
Yes. A 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98 may still use the correct 700-15 size on paper, but wheel replacements, suspension changes, brake upgrades, or body alterations can change the space available for the tire. Even small changes can affect how a vintage-size tire sits on the car.
Checking the actual wheel diameter and width is a good starting point, followed by steering and fender clearance at full travel. Cars from this era often pass through several owners, so it is wise to inspect the current setup carefully instead of assuming the tire and wheel configuration remains as originally intended.
What should I inspect before driving a 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and overall wheel condition, then confirm the tires are properly mounted and inflated for service. It also helps to check for adequate clearance around fenders, suspension parts, and steering components once the car is back on the ground.
A collector car that has been parked for long periods deserves a broader inspection as well. Brake condition, wheel bearings, suspension wear, and alignment can all influence how the new tires behave, so a careful pre-drive review helps the Oldsmobile return to the road with fewer surprises.
How should 700-15 tires on a collector 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98 be maintained?
Maintain 700-15 tires on a collector 1947 Oldsmobile Custom 98 with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and periodic review for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, or slow air loss. Low-use vintage cars often age tires by time and storage conditions rather than by accumulated mileage.
Keeping the car in a cool, dry space away from prolonged sunlight and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. It is also smart to inspect the tires before any longer outing, since a collector car may sit for extended periods and can develop condition issues that are easy to miss in casual use.
