1948 Chevrolet Wagon Tires

A 1948 Chevrolet Wagon uses two primary tire sizes: 600-16 and 670-15. Both are bias-ply fitments, but they use different wheel diameters, with 600-16 fitting a 16-inch rim and 670-15 fitting a 15-inch rim.

That means the first job is confirming which wheels are actually on the wagon before selecting tires. Many restored or long-owned collector vehicles may no longer wear their original wheel setup, so checking rim diameter stamped on the wheel or measuring carefully helps prevent ordering the right size for the wrong wheel.

The 1948 Chevrolet Wagon uses either a 16-inch rim with the 600-16 tire size or a 15-inch rim with the 670-15 tire size. The vehicle does not rely on one single wheel diameter across all covered fitments.

Rim diameter matters before anything else because a 15-inch tire and a 16-inch tire are not interchangeable. It is also worth checking wheel width while the tires are off, especially on a car that may have had replacement wheels fitted over the years, since width can influence which tire options make the most practical sense.

On a 1948 Chevrolet Wagon, 670-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size. The 670 indicates a nominal section width of about 6.70 inches, and the 15 indicates that the tire mounts on a 15-inch wheel.

That older sizing system can look unfamiliar to buyers used to modern radial measurements, but it remains the proper way to identify this primary fitment. Once the size is confirmed, the real comparison becomes sidewall style, brand, tire series, and whether a radial-equivalent option is being considered for a wagon driven more regularly.

For the 1948 Chevrolet Wagon, 670-15 is a primary bias-ply tire size. The available tires in that size are presented in vintage bias-ply construction, which keeps the wagon in a traditional fitment category for owners who want a period-style setup.

That does not mean every tire using similar measurements is the same construction, so it is worth reading the tire description carefully when comparing options. Buyers choosing 670-15 often decide between preserving the bias-ply look and feel or investigating one of the available radial-equivalent sizes for a different road-use experience.

Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15. Those cover an 80-series metric radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, a 70-series P-metric radial, and a bias-look radial equivalent in the same general fitment conversation.

Each option uses a different sizing convention, so the choice is not only about radial construction but also about profile and visual character. A recommended rim-width range of 5 to 7 inches is associated with these equivalents, and the final selection should still be checked against wheel width, clearance, and the wagon’s overall setup.

A conversion from bias-ply to radial on a 1948 Chevrolet Wagon starts with verifying the original tire size, the actual rim diameter, and the wheel width in use. For a 670-15 setup, radial-equivalent sizes are available, but they remain alternatives that need to be evaluated against the specific wheel and vehicle configuration.

After confirming the wheel, compare the proposed radial with steering clearance, fender clearance, suspension condition, and the wagon’s intended use. Cars that have been lowered, fitted with different wheels, or stored for long periods deserve extra attention, since even a sensible equivalent should be matched to the real-world condition of the vehicle.

The main decision points are the correct primary size, the wheel diameter on the car, and the kind of appearance and use the wagon is meant for. Both 600-16 and 670-15 are bias-ply fitments, but they support different wheel diameters and bring slightly different product assortments.

After confirming size, compare sidewall treatment, tire series, brand, and wheel-width compatibility where it is stated. A wagon aimed at restoration display may lean toward a traditional whitewall presentation, while a driver-focused vehicle may put more emphasis on the available construction path and whether the 670-15 setup makes a radial equivalent worth exploring.

1948 Chevrolet Wagon tires are available in several sidewall styles, including blackwall, wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, and double-whitewall depending on size and tire series. The broadest variety appears in the 670-15 range, while 600-16 also includes traditional blackwall and whitewall options.

That choice influences the wagon’s overall visual impression more than many owners expect. A blackwall keeps the look simple and utilitarian, while whitewall treatments can push the car toward a more dressy postwar presentation, so the better choice depends on the era-specific appearance the restoration or driver build is trying to capture.

Tires for the 1948 Chevrolet Wagon are available from brands such as Firestone, BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Coker Classic, US Royal, Universal Vintage Tire, Excelsior, Avon, and STA. Brand availability varies somewhat by the primary tire size, with different series and sidewall treatments spread across the two fitments.

Choosing among them is less about chasing a single name and more about matching the tire to the wagon’s size, wheel, and presentation goals. Looking across brand, sidewall style, and tire series together usually gives a clearer answer than comparing brand names alone, especially on a collector vehicle with a specific restoration direction.

A period-style 1948 Chevrolet Wagon starts with one of its two primary bias-ply sizes, 600-16 or 670-15, matched to the wheel diameter actually on the car. From there, the most restoration-oriented choices usually come from the traditional bias-ply offerings in blackwall or whitewall form.

The best-looking result depends on the character of the wagon and the finish of the restoration rather than a one-size-fits-all answer. When exact originality matters, period photos, marque references, and vehicle-specific history are the right way to narrow down sidewall treatment and brand presentation beyond simply choosing the correct size.

Tire construction can change the visual stance of a restored 1948 Chevrolet Wagon even when the overall fitment stays in the same size family. A traditional bias-ply usually preserves the most authentic postwar look, while a radial alternative can shift the presentation depending on its profile and sidewall design.

That visual difference matters most on the 670-15 setup, where both classic bias-ply choices and a bias-look radial path exist. Owners balancing show presentation with road use often compare not only construction, but also how blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall treatments support the wagon’s intended finished appearance.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1948 Chevrolet Wagon. Different wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, lowering, or brake conversions can all change the space available around the tire even when the chosen size matches one of the wagon’s primary fitments.

A modified wagon should be checked at full steering lock and through normal suspension travel before assuming a traditional size or radial equivalent will behave the same as stock. Even subtle changes can influence clearance at the fender, inner wheelhouse, or steering components, so the real vehicle setup matters as much as the catalog size.

Before driving a 1948 Chevrolet Wagon on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the rim diameter, and make sure valve stems, tubes if required, and mounting hardware are in sound condition. Tire pressure should also be set appropriately before the first road use.

It also pays to look over steering, suspension, and wheel bearings on a collector car that may have sat for long periods. Fresh tires cannot compensate for loose front-end parts, poor alignment, or old wheel issues, so a careful inspection helps the wagon track properly and lets the new tires do their job safely.

Collector-car tires in 600-16 or 670-15 should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, and uneven wear, and protected from long periods of sun, moisture, and ozone exposure. Low-mileage use does not stop tires from aging, so condition matters as much as tread depth.

A 1948 Chevrolet Wagon that spends much of its life in storage benefits from periodic pressure checks and occasional movement to avoid long-term flat spotting. It is also wise to recheck tires before every longer outing, since collector vehicles often reveal slow air loss or age-related issues only after sitting.