1948 Pontiac 28 Tires

The 1948 Pontiac 28 uses a 650-16 tire. This is a numeric bias-ply size mounted on a 16-inch wheel, and the covered Streamliner 8 Cyl. sub-model uses that same primary size. For most owners, the basic fitment question is straightforward because there is only one primary size associated with this vehicle.

Once the size is confirmed, the next step is choosing the right version of 650-16 for the car's needs. Blackwall, wide whitewall, and more utility-oriented 650-16 options are all available, so it helps to check the actual wheel width and the overall presentation desired before settling on a tire.

The 1948 Pontiac 28 uses a 16-inch rim with its 650-16 tire size. That rim diameter is part of the size itself, with the final number in 650-16 identifying the wheel diameter in inches. Matching the tire to the correct 16-inch wheel is essential before looking at brand or sidewall style.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on a vintage car. Wheel width should also be checked, since available 650-16 tires can have different rim-width recommendations, and a car that has had wheels changed over the years may no longer be using its original setup.

A 650-16 is a vintage numeric bias-ply tire size. The 650 refers to an approximate 6.50-inch nominal section width, while the 16 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. It is an older sizing system, so it reads differently from modern metric radial sizes such as 205/75R15 or 195R15.

For a 1948 Pontiac 28 owner, that means tire shopping starts with a traditional bias-ply size rather than a modern metric format. The practical choice is not decoding multiple factory sizes, but selecting the right 650-16 version for the car's wheel width, intended appearance, and how the car will actually be driven.

Start with the correct size and construction: 650-16 in bias-ply form on a 16-inch rim. From there, compare the tire's intended character, since this size is offered in traditional passenger-car styles as well as more utility-oriented tread patterns. Sidewall treatment, rim-width suitability, load figures, and overall appearance all help narrow the right choice.

A restoration-focused Pontiac may call for a very different 650-16 than a car used for casual road driving or a vehicle with a more functional look. Checking the actual wheel width, the visual style of the car, and whether the tire is meant for passenger presentation or truck-style use helps avoid choosing a tire that looks or feels out of place.

The main sidewall choices for the 1948 Pontiac 28 in 650-16 are blackwall and wide whitewall. Both appear across several bias-ply tire lines, giving owners a traditional dark sidewall option or a brighter postwar presentation that can significantly change the look of the car without changing the primary tire size.

That choice is mostly about appearance, but it still should be made with the whole car in mind. A blackwall often suits a simpler or more utilitarian presentation, while a wide whitewall creates a more formal vintage look, so the car's trim, stance, wheel finish, and restoration goal should guide the decision.

650-16 tires for the 1948 Pontiac 28 are available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. These brands appear across several bias-ply tire series, with differences in sidewall style, tread character, rim-width recommendations, and load specifications depending on the individual tire.

Choosing among them comes down to the type of 650-16 you want rather than simply picking a name. Some options lean toward classic passenger-car styling, while others have more truck or military character, so it helps to compare the tire series, sidewall treatment, and wheel compatibility before making the final call.

A period-style 1948 Pontiac 28 starts with the correct 650-16 bias-ply size on a 16-inch rim. From there, the most appropriate choice usually depends on the visual direction of the car, since this size is available in traditional passenger-car lines with either blackwall or wide whitewall sidewalls.

For a restoration-oriented car, the tire should support the Pontiac's late-1940s stance and overall presentation rather than simply filling the wheel opening. When exact originality matters, it is wise to compare the chosen sidewall style and brand presentation against marque references, period photos, or vehicle-specific restoration documentation.

On a restored 1948 Pontiac 28, the bias-ply construction has a strong visual effect because it preserves the tall-sidewall, vintage profile associated with late-1940s American cars. Since 650-16 is the primary fitment here, the overall look remains rooted in traditional bias-ply proportions rather than a more modern radial appearance.

Construction also influences how the car sits visually within the fender opening and how authentic the finished presentation feels. Even when two tires share the same nominal size, sidewall treatment and tread style can shift the car toward a formal touring look, a simpler blackwall look, or a more utilitarian character.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1948 Pontiac 28 even when the correct original size is 650-16. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, lowering, brake conversions, or body repairs can all influence how a vintage bias-ply tire sits and clears the car.

A Pontiac that no longer has its original wheel and suspension setup should be checked carefully before ordering tires. Wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at the fender, steering components, and suspension are the main concerns, especially since older cars are often restored or modified over many decades.

Before driving a 1948 Pontiac 28 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and sound condition, confirm that the tires are properly mounted and inflated, and check for adequate clearance through the steering range. It is also smart to look over suspension and steering components so the new 650-16 tires are not compromised by worn hardware.

A short test drive should be followed by another quick inspection for rubbing, unusual wear, or air loss. On an older car, issues such as loose wheel bearings, tired shocks, misalignment, or old brake components can show up quickly once fresh tires are installed, so the tire change is a good time for a broader safety check.

650-16 tires on a collector 1948 Pontiac 28 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Bias-ply tires on low-use vintage cars deserve extra attention because age, long stationary periods, and environmental exposure can affect condition even when tread wear remains low.

Periodic inspections should look for cracking, bulges, cuts, irregular wear, and any sign of air loss. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and it is worth checking the wheel and suspension setup occasionally so the Pontiac stays roadworthy between longer driving intervals.