1949 Buick 40 Special Tires

The 1949 Buick 40 Special uses a 650-16 tire size. This is a vintage numeric bias-ply fitment, and the covered 8 Cyl. sub-model uses that same primary size rather than a separate passenger-car fitment.

That makes the first step fairly simple: confirm that the car still has 16-inch wheels and has not been changed to a different wheel or suspension setup over the years. Once the size is confirmed, the decision usually shifts to sidewall appearance, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility rather than choosing between multiple primary sizes.

The primary 650-16 tire fitment for a 1949 Buick 40 Special is built for a 16-inch rim. Product fitments in this size also show rim-width specifications that commonly fall in the traditional narrow range used with vintage bias-ply tires.

Rim diameter should be verified before any tire is selected, especially on an older collector car that may have had wheel changes at some point in its life. Measuring the wheel and checking the actual width matters just as much as confirming the 16-inch diameter, because bias-ply fitment depends on the wheel matching the tire’s intended range.

Yes. The covered 1949 Buick 40 Special 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire size as the model core. There is no separate primary passenger-car size shown for that sub-model within this fitment grouping.

Even with shared sizing, it still helps to inspect the actual car before ordering tires. Collector vehicles are often fitted with replacement wheels, older mixed tire sets, or suspension changes that can alter what is on the car now, so the smartest approach is to confirm the wheel diameter and width before choosing among the available 650-16 options.

Start with the correct 650-16 size and the fact that this Buick uses a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch wheel. From there, the main variables are sidewall style, brand, tire series, and whether the chosen tire’s rim-width specification suits the wheels currently on the car.

A restoration-focused Buick may call for a wide whitewall presentation, while a more understated driver may look more appropriate on a blackwall. It also helps to compare load figures where they are stated, and to decide whether the car needs a traditional passenger-car tread or a more utility-oriented design that visually changes the character of the vehicle.

The 650-16 size for a 1949 Buick 40 Special is available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. That gives the car two very different visual directions even while staying within the same primary tire size and bias-ply construction.

A blackwall generally creates a simpler, more restrained look, while a wide whitewall gives the Buick a stronger late-1940s and early-1950s presentation. Sidewall style does not change the need to confirm wheel compatibility, but it can dramatically affect the finished appearance of the car, so many buyers choose the sidewall treatment before narrowing down brand and series.

The 650-16 fitment for the 1949 Buick 40 Special is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. Those options cover several classic passenger-car series along with some utility and truck-style tread offerings in the same size.

Brand choice should be considered alongside the tire’s sidewall treatment, intended use, and rim-width specification rather than in isolation. A Buick restored for period-style street presentation may call for a different visual approach than a car using a more workmanlike tread, even though both fall under the same 650-16 sizing umbrella.

A period-style 1949 Buick 40 Special starts with the correct 650-16 bias-ply size on a 16-inch rim. From there, the most relevant choices are classic passenger-car tire series and whether the car should wear a blackwall or wide whitewall presentation.

Wide whitewalls often suit the visual character many owners want from a late-1940s Buick, while blackwalls create a more restrained look. If exact originality matters, the safest path is to compare the car against period photos, build documentation, or marque-specific restoration guidance before settling on a particular brand or whitewall treatment.

Yes. Proper tire fitment matters on a 1949 Buick 40 Special because the tire has a major effect on stance, side profile, and overall visual balance. Staying with the 650-16 bias-ply format keeps the car within the sizing and construction family associated with its era.

Appearance is only part of the equation, though. Correct fitment also means confirming the wheel diameter and width, choosing a tire that suits the intended use of the car, and avoiding a tread or sidewall style that clashes with the restoration goal. A carefully chosen tire helps the Buick look right without overstating originality claims.

Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1949 Buick 40 Special even when the target size remains 650-16. Wheel changes, altered rim width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or brake conversions can all change how a vintage bias-ply tire sits and clears the car.

That is why an older Buick should be checked as it exists today, not simply by model name alone. Verifying wheel diameter, wheel width, front steering clearance, and rear fender room is especially important if the car has been restored, lowered, or updated with aftermarket parts at any point in its life.

Before driving a 1949 Buick 40 Special on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the tires are properly seated and inflated, and look over the steering and suspension for obvious looseness or wear. Collector cars often need attention beyond the tires themselves before they are road-ready.

It also helps to check for rubbing at full steering lock, inspect the brake system, and make sure the car is not sitting on old mixed-size spares or damaged wheels. A fresh set of 650-16 tires performs best when the rest of the chassis is in sound condition and the car tracks straight without vibration or pull.

650-16 tires on a collector 1949 Buick 40 Special should be kept at appropriate pressure, inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and air loss, and protected from long periods of heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. Low annual mileage does not eliminate the need for tire checks.

A bias-ply collector tire also benefits from routine visual inspection before every meaningful drive, especially after seasonal storage. Moving the car occasionally, maintaining alignment and suspension condition, and watching for any change in steering feel can help catch problems early before a longer road outing puts extra stress on an aging vehicle.