1949 Plymouth Suburban Tires

The 1949 Plymouth Suburban uses two primary tire sizes: 640-15 and 670-15. Both are bias-ply sizes for 15-inch rims, and the covered Base sub-model can use either one, so this is not a case where one size belongs to one trim and the other belongs to another.

The practical next step is to confirm which size is already on the car and whether the wheels match that setup. Since both sizes are valid for this model, the decision usually comes down to preserving the existing fitment, choosing the sidewall style you want, and checking wheel width and clearance before changing sizes or constructions.

The 1949 Plymouth Suburban uses a 15-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes, 640-15 and 670-15. That shared rim diameter makes wheel confirmation simpler than on vehicles that used more than one wheel diameter in the same model year.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, though. Before selecting a tire, it is still important to verify the actual wheel width on the car, especially if the wagon has been changed over the years. That check becomes even more important if you are considering a radial equivalent instead of staying with a traditional bias-ply tire.

Both 640-15 and 670-15 are vintage numeric bias-ply sizes. In this format, the first number represents the tire's nominal section width in inches with the decimal omitted, so 640 means about 6.40 inches and 670 means about 6.70 inches, while 15 refers to the rim diameter.

For a 1949 Plymouth Suburban, those size codes help you identify whether the car is set up with the narrower or wider of the two primary bias-ply fitments. Once that is confirmed, you can compare available blackwall and whitewall choices, or review radial equivalents carefully if the goal is a different road-use setup.

On the 1949 Plymouth Suburban, both 640-15 and 670-15 are primary bias-ply tire sizes. They are the original style of sizing and construction used for this vehicle's fitment pattern, even though modern radial alternatives exist in equivalent sizing formats.

That distinction matters because a bias-ply tire and a radial do not present the same way on the car and may not react the same way on the road. Owners who want a restoration-oriented look often stay with bias-ply construction, while owners considering radials should confirm wheel compatibility, overall dimensions, and clearance before making the change.

For 640-15, radial equivalents include 175R15, P175/75R15, and P185/70R15. For 670-15, radial equivalents include 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15, with 670R15 serving as the bias-look radial option among that group.

These alternatives give the 1949 Plymouth Suburban owner several radial sizing paths, from Euro-metric 80-series styles to P-metric options with lower profiles. The equivalent size still needs to be checked against the wheel on the car, the available rim-width range, and the wagon's steering and body clearance before treating any one option as suitable.

Start by confirming the Suburban's current tire size, wheel diameter, and wheel width, then compare those measurements to the radial equivalent you are considering. For this wagon, 640-15 and 670-15 each lead to different radial options, and the recommended rim-width ranges attached to those equivalents are worth checking closely.

A conversion also deserves a careful look at fender and steering clearance, suspension condition, and the car's actual ride height. Many collector vehicles have had wheel, brake, or suspension changes over time, and those changes can affect radial fitment. Matching the new tire to the vehicle's intended use matters just as much as matching the size code.

Begin with the correct primary size already used on the car, because the 1949 Plymouth Suburban can wear either 640-15 or 670-15. From there, the main considerations are whether you want to keep a bias-ply construction, which sidewall presentation suits the wagon, and whether the available tire fits the wheel width you have.

A restoration-oriented car may lean toward a traditional blackwall or whitewall bias-ply choice, while a more road-focused driver may compare radial equivalents separately. Brand and tire series also matter because the available products differ in appearance, rim-width recommendations, and in some cases load figures, so it helps to compare the tire to the car's actual setup rather than size alone.

Tires for the 1949 Plymouth Suburban are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. Those choices appear across both 640-15 and 670-15, although the wider 670-15 size offers a broader range of whitewall variations and more overall product variety.

Sidewall style changes the car's visual character more than many owners expect, especially on a postwar wagon with visible wheel openings and trim. A blackwall gives a more restrained look, while narrow and wide whitewalls move the presentation in a more formal or period-style direction. The right choice depends on how the car is restored and how closely you want the tire appearance to match the rest of the build.

The 1949 Plymouth Suburban has tire options from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Avon, Excelsior, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, Goodyear, and STA. Brand availability depends on whether the car is using 640-15 or 670-15, with the larger 670-15 size showing the widest assortment.

Choosing among brands is less about finding a universally better name and more about matching the tire to the car's intended look and setup. Some brands appear in multiple whitewall widths, some are offered as blackwalls, and some belong to distinct period-style series. Comparing construction, sidewall treatment, and wheel compatibility usually tells you more than the brand name by itself.

A period-style 1949 Plymouth Suburban usually starts with one of its primary bias-ply sizes, either 640-15 or 670-15, depending on the setup already on the car. Staying with bias-ply construction preserves the traditional proportions and presentation more closely than shifting immediately to a modern radial format.

After confirming the size, the appearance decision usually comes down to blackwall versus whitewall treatment and, in some cases, which tire series best suits the wagon's restoration direction. Owners pursuing strict originality should compare their choice against marque references, build-era photos, or other vehicle-specific historical sources rather than assuming any one modern offering is exact.

On a restored 1949 Plymouth Suburban, tire construction influences both visual stance and overall character. A bias-ply tire keeps the car in its original sizing language and traditional profile family, while a radial equivalent introduces a more modern construction even when it stays close in intended dimensions.

That difference matters on a collector wagon where wheel opening fill, sidewall shape, and whitewall presentation are part of the finished look. Owners who want a more authentic postwar appearance often remain with bias-ply tires, while those considering radials should balance the visual change against road-use goals and verify the wheel and body setup before committing.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1949 Plymouth Suburban even when the tire size itself is correct. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, lowered stance, brake conversions, or body repairs can all change how a 640-15, 670-15, or radial equivalent sits in the car.

That is why the wheel-and-tire setup on the actual vehicle matters more than assuming every surviving wagon remains stock. A modified Suburban should be checked for steering clearance, fender clearance, and wheel dimensions before a new tire is selected. This is especially important when moving from a bias-ply size to a radial equivalent with different fitment characteristics.

Before driving a 1949 Plymouth Suburban on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and sound condition, confirm proper mounting, and make sure the tires have adequate clearance at the fenders and through full steering travel. It also helps to check that valve stems, balance, and inflation are all addressed before road use.

A collector-era wagon deserves a broader once-over as well. Brakes, suspension bushings, steering components, and wheel bearings all affect how the vehicle feels once fresh tires are installed. A short local drive followed by a recheck for rubbing, air loss, or unusual wear is a smart way to confirm the 1949 Plymouth Suburban is ready for regular use.

Collector-car tires on a 1949 Plymouth Suburban should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Whether the car is using 640-15 or 670-15, look for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, or signs of air loss, especially if the wagon spends long periods parked between drives.

Low annual mileage does not prevent aging, so condition matters just as much as tread depth on an older-use vehicle. Keeping the Suburban clean, stored away from prolonged sunlight and ozone sources, and moved periodically can help preserve the tires. A pre-drive inspection is especially worthwhile before longer trips or after extended seasonal storage.