The 1947 Pontiac Streamliner came to market in the first full model year after World War II, when American buyers were returning to roomy, smooth-riding family cars with strong visual presence. That puts tire choice in a very specific context: this Pontiac uses a 650-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, a size that suits the car’s period driving character and stance. Within that fitment, there is still meaningful choice in brand, tread style, tire series, and sidewall presentation, including blackwall and wide whitewall options. For a restoration-minded owner, the real question is how closely the tire’s appearance and construction should match the car’s intended use and presentation.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1947 Pontiac Streamliner
The 1947 Pontiac Streamliner uses one primary tire size: 650-16. It is a bias-ply fitment built for a 16-inch rim, and that same size is shared across the covered Streamliner sub-models. Since the size itself is straightforward, the real decision becomes choosing the right bias-ply tire style for the car’s intended look, wheel setup, and road use.
A 650-16 size uses the older numeric bias-ply system, where the 6.50 designation refers to nominal section width in inches and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter. On the 1947 Pontiac Streamliner, this is a traditional bias-ply fitment that preserves the period-style profile and overall visual character expected on a late-1940s full-size car. Available choices include brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Coker Classic, Excelsior, Garfield, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel, with blackwall and wide whitewall treatments across several classic tire series. Choosing within 650-16 comes down to appearance goals, rim-width compatibility, and whether the car is being restored, shown, or driven regularly.
Tire fitment for the 1947 Pontiac Streamliner is refreshingly consistent across the covered sub-models. Both the six-cylinder and eight-cylinder versions use the same 650-16 bias-ply size, so the main decision is selecting the right tire style rather than sorting through multiple primary fitments.
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1947 Pontiac Streamliner Series 26 6 Cyl.
The 1947 Pontiac Streamliner Series 26 6 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire as the other covered Streamliner configuration. That keeps tire selection focused on brand, sidewall style, and restoration-oriented appearance rather than on choosing between different primary sizes.
The 1947 Pontiac Streamliner Series 28 8 Cyl. also uses the 650-16 bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim. For this sub-model, the practical choice is whether the car calls for a simple blackwall presentation, a wide whitewall look, or a more specialized tread style.
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 Pontiac Streamliner Tires for Sale
Available 650-16 options span BFGoodrich, Firestone, Coker Classic, Excelsior, Garfield, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. The product range includes blackwall and wide whitewall bias-ply tires across several classic series, along with some highway, truck, and military-style tread choices in the same size.
Common questions for the 1947 Pontiac Streamliner usually center on the 650-16 fitment, 16-inch rim compatibility, bias-ply construction, sidewall appearance, and how to choose a tire that suits restoration goals and real road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1947 Pontiac Streamliner?
The 1947 Pontiac Streamliner uses a 650-16 tire size. That is the primary fitment for both covered Streamliner sub-models, and it is a bias-ply application built around a 16-inch wheel.
Because there is only one primary size, most buyers are not deciding between multiple fitments. The important next step is confirming that the car still has the correct 16-inch wheels and appropriate wheel width, especially if the car has been modified over the years or is wearing replacement wheels from another application.
What size rim does a 1947 Pontiac Streamliner use?
The 1947 Pontiac Streamliner uses a 16-inch rim with its 650-16 tire size. Product offerings in this size commonly reference rim widths in the 4.00 to 5.00 inch range, depending on the specific tire.
Rim diameter needs to match the tire exactly, so a 650-16 belongs on a 16-inch wheel, not a 15-inch wheel that appears visually similar. It is also smart to verify actual wheel width before choosing among available tires, since classic bias-ply options in the same size can carry different rim-width specifications.
Do all 1947 Pontiac Streamliner sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. Both the 1947 Pontiac Streamliner Series 26 6 Cyl. and Series 28 8 Cyl. use the same 650-16 bias-ply tire size. There is no sub-model split here that sends one version to a different primary size.
That consistency makes selection easier, but it does not remove the need to inspect the actual car. A Streamliner that has been fitted with different wheels, altered suspension, or tires from a later replacement cycle should still be checked carefully before choosing a new set in the original-size format.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-16 tire for a 1947 Pontiac Streamliner?
Start with the correct 650-16 size and bias-ply construction, then compare the tire’s intended character. In this size, choices range from passenger-style classic tires to more specialized highway, truck, and military-pattern offerings, so the right pick depends on how the Streamliner is being presented and used.
Appearance matters on a late-1940s Pontiac, but wheel compatibility matters just as much. Check the wheel’s actual width, decide whether blackwall or wide whitewall better suits the car, and compare details such as load figures, tread style, and tire series so the finished result matches both the vehicle and its intended road use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1947 Pontiac Streamliner tires?
The 1947 Pontiac Streamliner’s 650-16 tire size is available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. That gives owners a meaningful appearance choice without moving away from the vehicle’s primary size and bias-ply construction.
A blackwall tire tends to create a more restrained, utility-oriented look, while a wide whitewall has a stronger restoration-era visual presence on a car like the Streamliner. Sidewall style does not replace the need to confirm wheel fitment and construction, but it can dramatically change the finished character of the car.
What brands offer tires for the 1947 Pontiac Streamliner?
The 650-16 size for the 1947 Pontiac Streamliner is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. Those brands appear across several bias-ply series with different tread styles and sidewall treatments.
Brand choice should be part of a broader comparison rather than the only decision point. It helps to compare the tire series, sidewall style, rim-width specification, and whether the tire is aimed at passenger-car presentation or a more commercial tread pattern, so the selection stays aligned with the Streamliner’s purpose and appearance.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1947 Pontiac Streamliner?
A period-style 1947 Pontiac Streamliner starts with the correct 650-16 bias-ply size. From there, the most suitable choice depends on whether the car is being finished with a more formal wide whitewall presentation or a plainer blackwall look, both of which are available in this fitment.
For many restorations, the visual effect of the sidewall is just as important as the size itself. If exact originality matters beyond general period style, it is worth checking marque literature, period photos, and vehicle-specific historical references so the selected brand and sidewall treatment support the car’s intended restoration standard.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1947 Pontiac Streamliner?
Tire construction affects more than ride and handling; it also influences the visual stance of a restored 1947 Pontiac Streamliner. In this application, the primary fitment is bias-ply, and that construction supports the traditional profile and presentation most buyers expect on a late-1940s Pontiac.
Since this fitment is centered on bias-ply choices, the main appearance differences come from sidewall style, tread character, and brand presentation rather than from switching constructions. A restoration-focused owner should think about how the tire fills the wheel opening, complements the trim, and matches the car’s overall finish level before making a final decision.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1947 Pontiac Streamliner?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1947 Pontiac Streamliner even when the intended replacement size is still 650-16. Wheel swaps, suspension changes, brake conversions, and body alterations can all change the space available around the tire.
A Streamliner with aftermarket wheels should be checked for actual rim diameter and width before any tire is chosen. Clearance at the fender, steering components, and suspension should also be reviewed, since a classic car may have seen decades of changes that make the original-size tire only part of the fitment decision.
What should I inspect before driving a 1947 Pontiac Streamliner on new tires?
Before driving a 1947 Pontiac Streamliner on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter, sound condition, and proper mounting surfaces. It also makes sense to check the suspension, steering, and alignment basics so the new 650-16 bias-ply tires are not being asked to compensate for worn components.
Once the tires are installed, confirm inflation, look for adequate clearance through steering travel, and recheck for any rubbing after a short drive. Collector cars that have been parked for long periods also deserve a careful look at wheel bearings, brakes, and age-related chassis wear before regular road use resumes.
How should 650-16 tires on a collector 1947 Pontiac Streamliner be maintained?
650-16 tires on a collector 1947 Pontiac Streamliner should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly, and protected from long periods of neglect. Bias-ply tires on low-use cars deserve routine checks for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss, even when tread still looks presentable.
Storage conditions matter on a postwar collector car. Keeping the Streamliner away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition, and moving the car occasionally can reduce flat spotting. A quick inspection before every drive is a smart habit when the car is used infrequently.
