1949 Buick 50 Super Tires

The 1949 Buick 50 Super uses a 760-15 tire size. That is a vintage numeric bias-ply size mounted on a 15-inch rim, and it is the primary fitment for the covered model and listed 8-cylinder sub-model.

For most owners, the question is less about choosing between multiple primary sizes and more about selecting the right version of 760-15. Whitewall style, tire series, and construction choice all matter, especially if the car has been restored, fitted with different wheels, or is being considered for a radial-equivalent conversion.

The primary tire fitment for the 1949 Buick 50 Super uses a 15-inch rim. That rim diameter is tied directly to the 760-15 tire size, so any replacement tire in the original fitment category needs to match that 15-inch wheel diameter.

Rim diameter should be confirmed on the actual car before ordering tires, especially if the Buick has been modified over the years. Wheel width also matters when comparing products or radial equivalents, because a tire can share the same 15-inch diameter yet still require a different wheel-width range for proper fitment.

A 760-15 size is a vintage numeric bias-ply designation. The 760 represents a nominal section width of about 7.60 inches, and the 15 refers to the rim diameter in inches, placing it squarely in the traditional postwar American tire-sizing system.

That matters because 760-15 does not read like a modern metric radial size, even though radial equivalents do exist. Understanding the original designation helps when comparing appearance, sidewall style, and wheel compatibility, and it reduces the chance of treating a modern equivalent as though it were automatically the same in every fitment detail.

For the 1949 Buick 50 Super, 760-15 is the primary bias-ply tire size. The available products in this primary fitment are bias-ply tires, which makes 760-15 the traditional construction choice for owners who want to stay with the car’s original-era tire format.

That does not prevent a radial-equivalent conversion, but it does mean the original sizing language belongs to a bias-ply application. Buyers comparing alternatives should keep the 15-inch rim requirement in mind and verify wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance instead of assuming every radial carrying a related size will behave exactly like the bias-ply fitment.

Radial equivalents for 760-15 include 215R15, P225/75R15, P235/70R15, and 760R15. Those represent an 80-series metric radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, a 70-series P-metric radial, and a bias-look radial equivalent that keeps a more traditional visual presentation.

Each of those sizes should be treated as an alternative rather than an automatic interchange. The associated rim-width range is 6-8 inches, so the wheel setup on the Buick should be checked carefully, along with tire-to-fender and steering clearance, before changing from the original 760-15 bias-ply format.

Start by confirming that the Buick still has the correct 15-inch wheels and that the wheel width suits the radial-equivalent size being considered. For 760-15 equivalents, the associated rim-width range is 6-8 inches, and overall tire dimensions and load suitability should also be reviewed before a change.

A conversion also deserves a close look at clearance around the fenders, suspension, and steering components, especially on an older restoration or a car that may no longer be on its original wheel setup. The decision should match how the Buick will be driven, how original the appearance needs to remain, and how much change is acceptable.

Begin with the original 760-15 size, the correct 15-inch rim diameter, and whether the goal is to keep the Buick in a traditional bias-ply configuration or explore a radial-equivalent option. Within the bias-ply category, the main differences come from brand, tire series, sidewall style, and certain rim-width or load specifications.

A restoration-oriented car may call for a whitewall presentation that suits the period look, while a driver may place more weight on construction choice and wheel compatibility. It also helps to compare the actual wheel setup on the car, since decades of service can bring wheel changes that affect what tire works best.

The 760-15 choices for a 1949 Buick 50 Super include both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That gives owners room to choose a more restrained look or a fuller whitewall presentation, depending on the appearance they want for a postwar Buick.

Sidewall style has a strong effect on the car’s overall visual character, especially on a large 1949 body with substantial fender and wheel opening presence. Because sidewall appearance is a styling decision rather than a fitment change, it is best chosen after confirming the correct size and construction for the car’s wheels and intended use.

Available 760-15 tires for the 1949 Buick 50 Super come from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, and Goodyear. Those options appear across several vintage-style series, all within the bias-ply primary fitment used by this Buick.

Brand choice is only one part of the decision. It still makes sense to compare whitewall treatment, tire series, stated rim-width compatibility where shown, and load details where available, so the final selection matches both the car’s appearance goals and the practical realities of its wheel and driving setup.

A period-style starting point for a 1949 Buick 50 Super is the original 760-15 bias-ply size on a 15-inch rim. Staying with the primary bias-ply construction preserves the traditional sizing format and keeps the tire presentation aligned with what buyers expect to see on a late-1940s Buick.

From there, the real choice becomes whitewall width, brand, and tire series rather than a different primary size. Owners pursuing exact restoration accuracy should compare those appearance details with Buick-specific historical references or marque-club guidance, since a tire can look convincingly period-style without necessarily matching every original delivery detail.

Construction changes the look as well as the driving character. A 760-15 bias-ply tire keeps the Buick in its original-era sizing language and tends to support the traditional visual impression restorers often want, especially when paired with a whitewall style that suits the car.

A radial equivalent can change the presentation even when it remains close in overall intent, which is why bias-look radial options often attract owners who want a more vintage appearance. The best choice depends on how closely the restoration aims to mirror period style versus how much modernization is acceptable for road use.

Yes. A 1949 Buick 50 Super may have had wheel, suspension, or ride-height changes over the years, and those alterations can affect whether the original 760-15 bias-ply size or a radial equivalent works the same way on the car today.

Aftermarket wheels can change width and offset, while suspension work can alter clearance during turning or compression. Any owner looking beyond the stock-style setup should measure the existing wheels, confirm the 15-inch diameter, and check available space around the fenders and steering components before settling on a tire choice.

Before road use, inspect wheel condition, valve stems, lug hardware, and the general state of the suspension and steering so the new tires are not being asked to compensate for unrelated problems. Tire pressure should also be set correctly, and each tire should be checked for proper seating and visible clearance.

A collector Buick deserves a slow, careful first drive after tire installation. Pay attention to tracking, steering feel, rubbing, and any sign of air loss, then recheck pressures once the car has been driven. That extra step is especially worthwhile on older vehicles that may have sat for long periods or changed hands several times.

Collector-car tires still need regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and periodic attention even when the Buick is not driven often. A 760-15 tire should be monitored for tread wear, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and slow air loss, since age and storage conditions can affect tires long before mileage does.

Storage matters almost as much as road use on a lightly driven 1949 Buick 50 Super. Keeping the car away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the rubber, and moving the car occasionally can reduce long-term flat spotting from sitting in one position for extended periods.