1950 Dodge D 33 Tires

The primary tire size for the 1950 Dodge D 33 is 670-15. That is a vintage numeric bias-ply size used on a 15-inch rim, and the covered 6 Cyl. sub-model uses the same fitment. For most owners, the main size question is straightforward because there is one primary fitment rather than several different original-type sizes.

Once the size is confirmed, the real choice becomes how the tire should look and behave on the car. A buyer can compare blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options within 670-15, or look at radial-equivalent alternatives separately. It is still smart to confirm the actual wheel diameter and width on the car, especially if the Dodge has been altered over the years.

The 1950 Dodge D 33 uses a 15-inch rim with its primary 670-15 tire size. That rim diameter is central to the fitment, because the final number in 670-15 refers to the wheel diameter the tire is built to mount on. Keeping that dimension correct is the first step in choosing any replacement tire for the car.

Rim diameter should not be confused with rim width, which can vary by tire product. Some 670-15 bias-ply choices are intended for narrower wheels, while others allow a somewhat wider rim range. Before selecting a tire, measure the wheel that is actually on the car and make sure its width suits the tire being considered, especially if the wheels are not original.

The 670-15 code is a vintage numeric bias-ply size. In plain terms, 670 refers to a nominal section width of about 6.70 inches, while 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is an older sizing format commonly seen on postwar cars, and it reads differently from modern metric radial sizes such as 195R15 or P205/75R15.

Understanding that format helps when comparing original-style tires with modern radial equivalents. A 670-15 is not just a width and rim number in the modern sense; it represents a period bias-ply sizing system. That is why a buyer should compare any alternative by wheel size, intended rim width, and overall fitment on the car instead of assuming a modern-looking size is automatically interchangeable.

For the 1950 Dodge D 33, 670-15 is the primary bias-ply tire size. That construction matches the traditional sizing and presentation associated with the car’s original era, and the available products in this fitment are bias-ply offerings. It is the baseline choice for owners who want to stay with the vintage tire type tied to this Dodge’s original fitment pattern.

Keeping a bias-ply tire often makes sense when the goal is a period-style appearance and traditional feel. A different decision begins when a buyer wants a modern radial alternative, because that moves into equivalent-size territory rather than primary fitment. Wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance should all be reviewed before changing construction, even when the rim diameter remains 15 inches.

Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15. The 195R15 is a Euro-metric 80-series style radial, P205/75R15 is a P-metric 75-series radial, P215/70R15 is a lower-profile P-metric 70-series radial, and 670R15 is a bias-look radial equivalent intended to retain a more traditional visual character.

Those options give the 1950 Dodge D 33 owner several ways to compare modern radial sizing without abandoning the 15-inch wheel diameter. The recommended rim-width range attached to these equivalents is 5 to 7 inches. Even so, the choice should be checked against the actual wheel on the car, along with body, steering, and suspension clearance before making the switch.

A bias-look radial equivalent is available for the 1950 Dodge D 33 in size 670R15. That option is separate from the primary 670-15 bias-ply fitment and is intended for owners who want a radial construction while keeping a more traditional tire presentation than a modern metric sidewall usually provides.

A bias-look radial can be a useful middle ground when appearance matters but radial construction is under consideration. It still needs the same careful checks as any other equivalent-size change, including wheel width, wheel diameter, and clearance around fenders and steering components. The fact that it visually resembles an older tire does not make it an automatic substitute for every car.

Start with the confirmed primary size, 670-15, then decide what matters most for the car’s use and appearance. On a 1950 Dodge D 33, the biggest differences within this size are bias-ply series, sidewall style, and the wheel-width specifications tied to individual tires. Some choices lean toward a plain blackwall look, while others emphasize narrow or wide whitewall styling.

The best comparison is not just brand name alone. Check whether the tire suits the wheel width on the car, whether the sidewall treatment matches the look you want, and whether product specifications such as load capacity and weight matter for your driving plans. A lightly used show car and a road-driven collector Dodge may lead to different priorities within the same size.

The 1950 Dodge D 33’s 670-15 tire choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. That variety gives the car very different visual personalities even when the size and bias-ply construction remain the same. A blackwall tends to look more restrained, while narrow and wide whitewalls push the car toward a stronger period-style presentation.

Sidewall style should be chosen as an appearance decision rather than as proof of exact originality unless the car is being matched to specific historical documentation. Whitewall width can noticeably change how the Dodge sits visually, especially on a large postwar body. It helps to compare the tire choice to the car’s trim, wheel covers, and the overall restoration direction before selecting a sidewall treatment.

The 670-15 size for the 1950 Dodge D 33 is available from Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, BFGoodrich, Excelsior, Avon, Goodyear, and STA. Those brands appear across several bias-ply series, with options ranging from blackwall designs to narrow and wide whitewall presentations suitable for different restoration and driving goals.

Brand choice is most useful when it is paired with the specific tire series, sidewall style, and wheel specification that fits your car. Instead of assuming any brand name answers the whole question, compare the look of the sidewall, the stated rim-width compatibility, and any available load information. That approach gives a more meaningful match for the Dodge than choosing by brand alone.

For a period-style 1950 Dodge D 33, the starting point is the primary 670-15 bias-ply size on a 15-inch rim. Staying with that vintage sizing and construction keeps the car closer to the look and stance associated with early-1950s passenger-car fitment. Within that size, blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall choices allow a more restrained or more formal restoration-oriented presentation.

The right visual choice depends on how the car is being finished rather than on one universal answer. A simpler sedan-style presentation may suit a blackwall or narrower whitewall, while a brighter postwar look may point toward a wider whitewall. When exact originality matters, compare the tire choice with marque literature, period photos, or model-specific restoration references before making a final decision.

Tire construction changes more than road feel on a restored 1950 Dodge D 33; it also affects the car’s overall visual character. A 670-15 bias-ply tire preserves the older numeric sizing format and the traditional look most buyers expect on a postwar Dodge. A radial equivalent can still work visually, but it introduces a different construction and, in some cases, a more modern sidewall presentation.

That difference matters most on a restoration where wheel openings, trim, and stance are part of the car’s appeal. A bias-look radial can soften the visual shift, while a modern metric radial may look more contemporary. Owners balancing appearance and road use should decide early whether the project is aiming for a strongly period-style finish or a more road-oriented collector-car setup.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1950 Dodge D 33 even when the intended tire size is still 670-15 or a 15-inch radial equivalent. Changes to wheel width, wheel offset, suspension height, steering components, or body clearance can alter how much room the tire has. That matters on collector cars because many have been updated or repaired over time.

A car with aftermarket wheels or suspension work should be checked as an individual vehicle rather than treated as a stock reference. Measure the actual wheel dimensions, inspect fender and steering clearance at full lock, and make sure the tire choice matches the way the car now sits. Those checks become even more important when moving from the original bias-ply fitment to a radial equivalent.

Before driving a 1950 Dodge D 33 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the tires are mounted and inflated properly, and look over the suspension and steering for obvious wear. It also makes sense to check for rubbing at the fenders and around steering components, especially on a car that may not have been driven much recently.

A collector-era car deserves more than a quick visual check. Examine the valve stems, confirm lug hardware is secure, and make sure the car tracks and brakes normally on an easy test drive before putting real miles on it. Even with brand-new tires, worn bushings, weak shocks, or alignment issues can affect how the Dodge feels and how evenly the tires will wear.

670-15 tires on a collector 1950 Dodge D 33 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and attention to age-related deterioration. Low-use collector cars can develop issues even when tread looks fine, so sidewall cracking, flat spotting, cuts, bulges, and slow air loss deserve close attention. Clean, dry storage also helps preserve the tires between drives.

Maintenance should include checking the tires before and after longer periods of storage rather than only before annual inspections or events. Keep the Dodge away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, and ozone sources when possible, and move the car periodically if it sits for long stretches. Any sign of unusual wear should lead to a closer look at alignment, wheel condition, and suspension health.