The 1948 Pontiac 26 arrived in the first full postwar years, when American cars were returning to civilian roads with broad fenders, substantial bodies, and a strong emphasis on comfort and presence. For many collectors, that makes tire choice part of the car’s visual character as much as its road manners. This Pontiac 26 uses a 650-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, keeping the fitment rooted in the period. Within that size, there is meaningful variety in blackwall and wide whitewall styles, along with several classic American tire brands and series. The key is choosing a tire that suits the car’s restoration direction, wheel setup, and intended driving use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1948 Pontiac 26
The 1948 Pontiac 26 uses one primary tire size: 650-16. It is a bias-ply fitment for a 16-inch rim, and the covered Streamliner 8 Cyl. configuration follows that same size. With the fitment settled, the real choice becomes how traditional you want the car to look and which brand, tread style, sidewall treatment, and rim-width compatibility best match your wheels and driving plans.
A 650-16 size uses the vintage numeric bias-ply system, where 6.50 represents the tire’s nominal section width in inches and 16 identifies the wheel diameter. On a 1948 Pontiac 26, this keeps the tire selection in the traditional bias-ply construction that suits the car’s postwar character and period-style stance. Available choices include BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Excelsior, Garfield, Lester, STA, and Tornel, with blackwall and wide whitewall presentations across several classic tire series. That makes 650-16 the right starting point whether the goal is a restoration-oriented look, a cleaner blackwall presentation, or a more utility-focused tread style.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here, with the covered Pontiac 26 configuration using the same primary tire size and construction. Checking the exact sub-model still matters because it confirms that your car follows the standard 650-16 bias-ply setup before comparing sidewall and series choices.
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1948 Pontiac 26 Streamliner 8 Cyl.
The 1948 Pontiac 26 Streamliner 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire as the main model fitment. That keeps selection focused on period-style appearance, brand preference, and wheel compatibility 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 Pontiac 26 Tires for Sale
Available 650-16 choices span BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Goodyear, Excelsior, Garfield, Lester, STA, and Tornel. Buyers can compare blackwall and wide whitewall styles, several classic tire series, and rim-width specifications that vary slightly across passenger and utility-oriented offerings.
Common questions for the 1948 Pontiac 26 usually center on the 650-16 fitment, 16-inch rim compatibility, bias-ply construction, sidewall appearance, and how to choose among passenger-style and more utility-oriented tires.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1948 Pontiac 26?
The 1948 Pontiac 26 uses a 650-16 tire size. This is a vintage numeric bias-ply size mounted on a 16-inch rim, and the covered 1948 Pontiac 26 Streamliner 8 Cyl. uses that same primary fitment.
That means the main decision is not choosing between multiple vehicle sizes, but selecting the right 650-16 tire within the available product range. Before ordering, confirm that the car still has the correct 16-inch wheels and that wheel width matches the tire you are considering, especially if the car has had wheel changes over the years.
What size rim does a 1948 Pontiac 26 use?
The 1948 Pontiac 26 uses a 16-inch rim with its 650-16 tire size. Product offerings in this size show rim-width compatibility that commonly falls in the 4.50 to 5.00 inch range, with some versions suited to slightly narrower widths.
Rim diameter needs to be confirmed first, since a 16-inch tire cannot be mounted on a different wheel diameter. Wheel width matters too, because some 650-16 tires are intended for narrower rims than others, so matching the tire’s specifications to the actual wheel helps avoid an appearance or fitment mismatch.
Does the 1948 Pontiac 26 Streamliner 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1948 Pontiac 26 Streamliner 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire size as the main 1948 Pontiac 26 fitment. That keeps the sizing question simple across the covered configuration.
With the size remaining consistent, attention shifts to the kind of tire you want in that size. A wide whitewall changes the car’s visual presence considerably compared with a blackwall, and different tire series can also influence whether the finished car feels more restoration-oriented, understated, or more utility-focused.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-16 tire for a 1948 Pontiac 26?
Start with the correct size and construction: 650-16 bias-ply on a 16-inch rim. From there, compare sidewall style, tire series, brand, and wheel-width compatibility, since 650-16 options include both passenger-style and more utility-oriented designs.
A wide whitewall can suit a restoration-minded postwar Pontiac, while a blackwall creates a more restrained look. It also helps to compare load figures where they are given, such as 1580@32 psi on several passenger-style options and 1610@45 psi on some utility-oriented versions, so the tire choice matches how the car will actually be used.
What sidewall styles are available for 1948 Pontiac 26 tires?
The 1948 Pontiac 26 has both blackwall and wide whitewall choices in 650-16. That gives the car two distinctly different visual directions while keeping the same vintage size and bias-ply construction.
Sidewall style is one of the biggest appearance decisions on a postwar car like this. A wide whitewall tends to create a more formal, period-style presentation, while a blackwall keeps the look plainer and often more understated. Once the sidewall choice is settled, compare the individual tire series and wheel-width specifications to narrow the field.
What brands offer tires for the 1948 Pontiac 26?
650-16 tires for the 1948 Pontiac 26 are available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. Those choices span classic passenger-style offerings as well as more utility-oriented tread patterns in the same size.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. Compare the tire series, sidewall treatment, rim-width specification, and whether the tire is aimed more at traditional passenger-car appearance or a truck-style application. Keeping the selection aligned with the Pontiac’s intended use will usually lead to a better result than choosing by name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1948 Pontiac 26?
A period-style 1948 Pontiac 26 starts with the correct 650-16 bias-ply size on a 16-inch rim. From there, the choice usually comes down to whether the car should present as a more formal postwar cruiser with a wide whitewall or a more restrained car with a blackwall.
Tire series from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Lester, and others give you several ways to stay within the proper size while shaping the car’s final look. If exact originality matters beyond period style, compare your choice against marque references, surviving photos, and restoration documentation for the specific car.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1948 Pontiac 26?
On a restored 1948 Pontiac 26, the 650-16 bias-ply construction contributes to the tall, traditional presentation associated with late-1940s American cars. Construction matters visually because the tire’s profile and stance are part of how the car sits and reads from the curb.
Appearance is only one part of the decision, but it is a major one on a collector car from this era. Sidewall treatment then adds another layer, with blackwall and wide whitewall options creating very different visual results even when the size stays the same, so construction and styling should be considered together.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1948 Pontiac 26?
Yes. Even though the 1948 Pontiac 26 uses a 650-16 tire on a 16-inch rim, later wheel changes, suspension alterations, brake conversions, or body modifications can change what actually works on the car today.
Collector cars often pass through several owners, so it is worth measuring the current wheel diameter and width before selecting a tire. Steering clearance, fender clearance, and overall wheel condition should also be checked, especially if the Pontiac has been lowered, fitted with non-original wheels, or converted for a different type of use.
What should I inspect before driving a 1948 Pontiac 26 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage or heavy corrosion, confirm the tires are mounted on the correct 16-inch rims, and check that the tires are properly inflated. It is also smart to make sure valve stems, balance, and overall installation quality have been handled correctly.
A short, careful test drive is a good way to catch rubbing, steering interference, vibration, or air loss before putting real miles on the car. Since older Pontiacs are often driven infrequently, it also helps to inspect the rest of the running gear, including brakes, steering components, and suspension condition, before regular use.
How should 650-16 tires on a collector 1948 Pontiac 26 be maintained?
650-16 tires on a collector 1948 Pontiac 26 should be kept at proper pressure, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and irregular wear, and checked for air loss if the car sits for extended periods. Occasional movement helps prevent long stationary periods on one contact patch.
Storage conditions matter on a low-use car. Keeping the Pontiac away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can help protect the tires over time. It also makes sense to inspect them before each drive rather than relying on mileage alone, since collector cars often age their tires long before they wear them out.
