The 1948 Lincoln V12 belongs to the last chapter of Lincoln’s prewar-style luxury tradition, carrying the long, formal presence and smooth big-car character that make these postwar cars especially appealing to restoration-minded owners. Tire choice on a car like this is closely tied to appearance as much as fitment, because the stance and sidewall presentation do so much for the car’s visual balance. The 1948 Lincoln V12 uses a 700-15 bias-ply tire on a 15-inch rim. Within that size, choices include blackwall and wide whitewall options, along with classic Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA series. The key is matching the tire to the car’s intended look, wheel setup, and road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1948 Lincoln V12
The 1948 Lincoln V12 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 Base sub-model. Since the size itself is straightforward, the real decision becomes which 700-15 tire best suits the car’s appearance and intended use, whether that means a restoration-oriented wide whitewall or a more utility-focused blackwall bias-ply option.
A 700-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size in which the leading number refers to nominal section width, roughly 7.00 inches, and the final number identifies a 15-inch rim. On the 1948 Lincoln V12, this size preserves the period bias-ply construction that suits the car’s original-era character and ride presentation. Available choices include Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA products, with both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewalls as well as classic bias-ply, military-style, and transport-oriented series. Choosing among them comes down to whether the priority is restoration appearance, traditional road use, or a more utility-oriented tire style within the correct 700-15 fitment.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1948 Lincoln V12 sub-models because the same primary tire size is used throughout. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm that the vehicle remains on the expected wheel and tire setup before selecting a replacement.
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1948 Lincoln V12 Base
The 1948 Lincoln V12 Base uses the same 700-15 bias-ply tire size found on the core fitment for this model. That keeps tire selection focused on sidewall style, brand, and tire series rather than sorting through multiple primary sizes.
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 1948 Lincoln V12 Tires for Sale
Available 700-15 choices span Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA, with classic bias-ply lines, military-style and transport-oriented series, plus blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments. That gives the 1948 Lincoln V12 owner room to compare appearance, intended use, and rim-width compatibility within the same primary size.
Owners researching 1948 Lincoln V12 tires usually want to confirm the 700-15 fitment, understand what that vintage size means, and sort through bias-ply product choices, sidewall appearance, restoration priorities, and basic road-use checks.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1948 Lincoln V12?
The 1948 Lincoln V12 uses a 700-15 tire size. This is a vintage numeric bias-ply fitment, and it is the primary size used on the covered vehicle configuration.
That means the first step is not sorting through multiple sizes, but confirming that the car still has the expected 15-inch wheel setup. On an older luxury car, wheel changes made decades ago are not unusual, so checking actual rim diameter and overall clearance before choosing among available 700-15 tires is still worthwhile.
What size rim does a 1948 Lincoln V12 use?
The 1948 Lincoln V12 uses a 15-inch rim with its 700-15 tire size. Product options in this fitment commonly pair that size with a 5.00 to 5.50 inch rim width range where that specification is stated.
Rim diameter needs to match exactly, while rim width should also be checked before settling on a specific tire. If the car has replacement wheels, measure the wheel rather than relying on assumption, because a correct-looking vintage tire still needs the proper wheel dimensions to maintain fitment, clearance, and safe bead seating.
What does 700-15 mean on a 1948 Lincoln V12?
A 700-15 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 700 refers to a nominal section width of about 7.00 inches, and the 15 refers to the wheel diameter in inches.
This older sizing format does not read like a modern metric radial, so it helps to interpret it in period terms rather than by current passenger-car sizing conventions. For a 1948 Lincoln V12, understanding the size code mainly helps you stay within the proper vintage fitment while choosing between wide whitewall and blackwall presentations or among different bias-ply series.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-15 tire for a 1948 Lincoln V12?
Start with the correct 700-15 size and a bias-ply construction that matches the primary fitment for the 1948 Lincoln V12. Then compare sidewall style, brand, tire series, rim-width specifications where stated, and whether the tire is aimed at classic passenger-car presentation or more utility-oriented service.
A formal postwar Lincoln can look very different depending on whether it wears a wide whitewall or a plain blackwall. The best choice depends on whether the car is being restored for period-style appearance, driven casually on the road, or set up with a more functional emphasis that makes a transport or military-style tread more appropriate.
What sidewall styles are available for 1948 Lincoln V12 tires?
The 1948 Lincoln V12 has 700-15 tire options in both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Wide whitewall choices appear in classic Firestone and BFGoodrich offerings, while several STA and Firestone utility-oriented options use a blackwall presentation.
That sidewall decision has a major effect on the car’s finished look. A wide whitewall tends to support a more formal restoration-oriented appearance, while blackwall tires can suit a plainer or more utilitarian presentation. The visual choice should still be made within the correct 700-15 fitment and with attention to wheel compatibility.
What brands offer tires for the 1948 Lincoln V12?
700-15 tires for the 1948 Lincoln V12 are available from Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA. Those brands cover several product families, including classic bias-ply passenger-car styles as well as transport and military-style offerings within the same size.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It helps to compare what each tire is trying to deliver visually and functionally, such as a wide whitewall restoration look versus a blackwall utility tread. Matching the tire’s character to the way the Lincoln will be displayed, driven, and maintained is usually more useful than chasing a name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1948 Lincoln V12?
A period-style 1948 Lincoln V12 usually starts with the correct 700-15 bias-ply size. Within that fitment, a classic passenger-car bias-ply with a traditional sidewall treatment often suits the car’s postwar luxury appearance better than a more utility-oriented transport or military-style tire.
The final choice depends on how closely the car is being restored and what visual presentation is desired. When exact originality matters, compare the tire against marque references, historical photos, or restoration documentation for the specific car. That approach helps separate a broadly period-looking tire from one that best supports a more authentic finished appearance.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1948 Lincoln V12?
On a restored 1948 Lincoln V12, bias-ply construction plays a visible role in the car’s overall presentation because the tire profile and sidewall treatment contribute to the proper vintage look. Since the primary fitment here is 700-15 bias-ply, the tire’s proportions and stance stay aligned with the car’s original-era design language.
Appearance is also shaped by sidewall choice, especially when comparing blackwall and wide whitewall versions in the same size. Even with the correct construction, a utility-oriented tread can give the car a very different character than a classic passenger-car tire, so restoration-minded buyers should evaluate the full visual effect rather than the size alone.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1948 Lincoln V12?
Yes. Even though the 1948 Lincoln V12 uses a 700-15 tire as its primary fitment, modifications can change what actually works on the car. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel widths, brake changes, suspension work, or body modifications can all affect clearance and compatibility.
That is especially important on older collector cars that may have passed through several owners over many decades. A careful check of wheel diameter, wheel width, inner and outer clearance, and steering travel helps prevent choosing a tire based only on catalog fitment when the actual car has moved away from its original wheel setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1948 Lincoln V12 on new tires?
Before driving a 1948 Lincoln V12 on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition and correct size, verify proper inflation, and check that the tires seat correctly and clear the body and suspension through full steering movement. It also helps to confirm lug hardware condition and general wheel mounting security.
A collector car should also be checked beyond the tires themselves. Look at steering components, suspension wear, brake function, and any signs of rubbing after the first short drive. Catching a clearance issue or chassis problem early matters on a heavy postwar car, where tire fitment and road behavior depend on the whole setup working together.
How should 700-15 tires on a collector 1948 Lincoln V12 be maintained?
700-15 tires on a collector 1948 Lincoln V12 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Watch for cracking, bulges, cuts, irregular tread wear, or slow air loss, especially if the car is driven infrequently and spends long periods parked indoors.
Collector vehicles often age their tires by time and environment as much as by mileage. Keeping the Lincoln away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition. A quick inspection before every drive and a more thorough review at regular intervals is a sensible habit for any low-use vintage car.
