1948 Buick 40 Special Tires

The 1948 Buick 40 Special uses a 650-16 tire size. This is a vintage numeric bias-ply fitment, and it is the primary size associated with the covered vehicle and its 8-cylinder sub-model.

Choosing the correct size is only the first step with a postwar Buick. After confirming 650-16, the next checks are wheel diameter, wheel width, and the type of tire you want the car to wear visually, such as blackwall or wide whitewall. That approach helps keep the tire choice consistent with both the Buick’s chassis and the look you want from the finished car.

The 1948 Buick 40 Special uses a 16-inch rim with its 650-16 tire size. Product fitments in this size commonly center around rim widths in the 4.50 to 5.00 inch range, with some 650-16 options also appearing for narrower widths.

Wheel diameter should always be confirmed on the actual car before ordering tires, especially if the Buick has been apart for restoration or changed over the years. A 16-inch tire must match a 16-inch wheel, and the wheel width matters as well because different 650-16 products can carry different rim-width expectations within the same basic size.

Yes. The covered 1948 Buick 40 Special 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire size as the main vehicle fitment. That makes the sub-model fitment straightforward rather than split across multiple sizes.

Even with a shared size, it still helps to inspect the actual wheels on the car before making a final selection. Collector vehicles sometimes pick up replacement rims, truck-style tires, or other period-looking substitutions over time. Once the wheel setup is confirmed, the decision becomes much simpler and centers on sidewall style, brand, and the kind of road use the Buick is expected to see.

Start with the correct 650-16 size and the Buick’s 16-inch wheel, then compare the kind of bias-ply tire that suits the car. In this size, choices range from traditional passenger-car lines to more utility-oriented designs, so the intended appearance and use of the car matter.

A restoration-focused Buick may call for a classic sidewall treatment and series that fits the car’s late-1940s presentation, while a more functional driver may lead you toward a simpler blackwall design. Rim-width compatibility is also worth checking product by product, since not every 650-16 option is aimed at the same wheel widths or the same type of service.

The main sidewall styles available in 650-16 for the 1948 Buick 40 Special are blackwall and wide whitewall. That gives owners a clear appearance choice while staying within the correct vintage tire size.

Blackwall tires suit a simpler, more understated presentation, while wide whitewalls create the dressier look many postwar American cars are known for today. The right style depends on how the Buick is being finished and shown, not just on fitment. Once the sidewall style is settled, the next comparison points are brand, tire series, and the wheel-width compatibility of the specific tire under consideration.

The 1948 Buick 40 Special’s 650-16 size is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. Those brands span classic passenger-car styling as well as more utility-focused 650-16 offerings.

Brand choice should be viewed as one part of a broader selection process rather than the only decision. It helps to compare each tire’s series, sidewall treatment, and intended character within the same size. Some 650-16 options are clearly aimed at restoration appearance, while others carry truck or military-style attributes that may change how the Buick looks and how appropriate the tire feels for the car.

A period-style 1948 Buick 40 Special starts with the correct 650-16 bias-ply size on a 16-inch wheel. From there, the most relevant choices are classic passenger-car tire series and the sidewall presentation, especially whether the car looks right to you with blackwalls or wide whitewalls.

For many postwar Buicks, the tire contributes heavily to the stance and personality of the finished car. A wide whitewall can create a more formal late-1940s presentation, while a blackwall keeps things plainer and more restrained. When exact originality matters, compare your choice against marque references, surviving examples, or restoration documentation before settling on one sidewall treatment or brand.

Yes, correct tire fitment matters because the 650-16 size affects both the Buick’s visual proportion and the way the car sits on its wheels. Using the proper bias-ply size keeps the restoration anchored to the tire format the car was built around.

Fitment also matters mechanically, since the tire still has to suit the wheel diameter and width actually on the car. A Buick that has been stored, repainted, or reassembled over many years may no longer wear the same wheels it had decades ago. Confirming the wheel setup before choosing a tire helps avoid appearance mismatches and keeps the restoration process from being sidetracked by preventable fitment issues.

Yes. Even though the 1948 Buick 40 Special uses a 650-16 tire size, modifications can change whether a particular tire choice is still appropriate. Replacement wheels, altered ride height, brake conversions, or other suspension changes can all affect the fitment picture.

A collector Buick may look stock while wearing wheels that differ from the original size or width, so the actual hardware on the car should be verified before finalizing tires. Clearance at the fenders and steering components is worth checking as well. That is especially important when the car has changed hands several times or has gone through a long restoration with mixed parts.

Before road use, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, make sure the tires are seated properly, and confirm inflation is appropriate for the tire being used. It is also smart to look over valve stems, wheel hardware, and general tire condition before the first drive.

A postwar Buick that has spent long periods parked deserves a broader mechanical check at the same time. Look at steering play, suspension wear, brake function, and any signs of rubbing once the car is on the ground. A short, careful test drive followed by another visual inspection can reveal clearance issues or settling that was not obvious while the car was stationary.

Collector-car tires in 650-16 should be inspected regularly for air loss, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and tread wear, even if the Buick is driven only occasionally. Bias-ply tires on low-use cars can age out or deteriorate from storage conditions long before the tread appears worn.

Storage habits matter almost as much as mileage on a collector Buick. Keep the car away from prolonged sunlight, excessive heat, moisture, and ozone sources, and check pressure before each outing rather than assuming it has held since the last drive. Regular visual inspections help catch problems early and reduce the chances of discovering a tire issue only after the car is already out on the road.