1951 Ford Custom Tires

The 1951 Ford Custom uses a 670-15 tire size. That is the primary fitment for both the covered 6-cylinder and 8-cylinder Custom sub-models, and it is a bias-ply size intended for a 15-inch rim.

Since the size is the same across the covered sub-models, the main task is not sorting between multiple primary sizes but choosing the right tire within 670-15. Owners usually compare blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall styling, along with the option of staying with the original-style bias-ply construction or considering a radial equivalent after checking wheel width and clearance.

The 1951 Ford Custom’s primary tire fitment uses a 15-inch rim diameter. The 670-15 size is built around that 15-inch wheel, so confirming the car still has the proper rim diameter is the first fitment check before selecting a replacement tire.

Rim diameter is only part of the picture on an older car. It also helps to verify actual wheel width, especially if the car has been changed from its original setup or if a radial equivalent is under consideration. A mismatched wheel can affect tire profile, clearance, and overall presentation even when the diameter itself is correct.

Yes. The covered 1951 Ford Custom 6 Cyl. and 1951 Ford Custom 8 Cyl. sub-models both use the same 670-15 bias-ply tire size. That makes fitment more straightforward than on vehicles where different trims or wheel packages use different sizes.

Even with shared sizing, it is still worth confirming the wheels actually on the car today. Many collector cars have seen wheel swaps, suspension work, or cosmetic changes over the years. Once the 15-inch wheel setup is confirmed, the real choice becomes sidewall style, tire series, and whether a traditional bias-ply look or a radial alternative better suits the car’s purpose.

For the 1951 Ford Custom, 670-15 is the primary bias-ply tire size. It is the traditional fitment used on a 15-inch rim and is the size most closely tied to the car’s period-style appearance and original-era tire construction.

That matters because bias-ply and radial tires can change both the look and the driving character of a vintage Ford. A bias-ply keeps the traditional presentation, while a radial alternative should be evaluated more carefully for wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance. Owners aiming for a restoration-oriented appearance usually start with the 670-15 bias-ply size before weighing any change in construction.

Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15. In that group, 195R15 is an 80-series metric radial, P205/75R15 is a 75-series P-metric radial, P215/70R15 is a 70-series P-metric radial, and 670R15 is a bias-look radial.

Those options give a buyer several ways to approach a radial conversion, from more conventional metric sizing to a radial that keeps a more vintage visual character. The recommended rim-width range for these equivalents is 5 to 7 inches, but that does not remove the need to confirm wheel compatibility, tire dimensions, and available clearance on the individual car.

Start by confirming the car’s actual wheel diameter and wheel width, then compare the radial equivalent you are considering for the original 670-15 fitment. For this Ford Custom, the available radial-equivalent sizes are 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15, with a recommended rim-width range of 5 to 7 inches.

The next checks are practical ones: steering clearance, fender clearance, suspension condition, and whether the car still sits on stock-style wheels and ride height. A collector car that has been lowered, fitted with aftermarket wheels, or driven with worn steering parts may respond differently to a construction change. Tire choice should support the vehicle’s actual setup, not just the size marked on paper.

Begin with the correct 670-15 size and confirm the car is still using a 15-inch wheel suited to that fitment. From there, the most important choices are construction, sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility, especially if comparing several bias-ply options or looking at a radial-equivalent alternative.

A 1951 Ford Custom can wear the same size very differently depending on whether the goal is a plain blackwall look, a subtle narrow whitewall, or a more prominent wide whitewall. It also helps to compare load ratings where stated, along with the rim-width guidance attached to specific products. The right tire is the one that matches both the car’s wheel setup and the owner’s intended appearance.

The 1951 Ford Custom’s 670-15 tire size is available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. That gives owners a broad range of visual options, from a restrained utilitarian presentation to the fuller whitewall look often associated with early 1950s American cars.

Sidewall style can dramatically change the personality of the car even when the size stays exactly the same. A blackwall often suits a simpler or more workmanlike look, while narrow and wide whitewalls move the car toward a more dressy restoration-oriented appearance. Choosing between them is mainly about period-style presentation, since the fitment decision itself remains centered on the same 670-15 size.

Tires for the 1951 Ford Custom’s 670-15 size are available from Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, BFGoodrich, Excelsior, Avon, Goodyear, and STA. These brands appear across several classic tire series and sidewall treatments within the same primary size.

That variety is useful because it lets owners compare appearance and specifications without moving away from the correct fitment. Some products emphasize traditional blackwall or whitewall styling, while others differ in series name, published load capacity, or recommended rim width. The best way to narrow the field is to decide whether the car is being restored, regularly driven, or styled for a specific early-1950s look.

A period-style 1951 Ford Custom should start with the original-type 670-15 bias-ply size on a 15-inch rim. From there, the appearance choice usually comes down to blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall versions, depending on how understated or dressy the finished car is meant to look.

Because several brands and tire series are available in this size, the most historically sensitive approach is to match the tire’s visual character to the way the car is being restored rather than assuming any one option is automatically exact. When exact originality matters, marque references and period photos can help narrow the most appropriate whitewall treatment or overall presentation.

Tire construction changes more than ride feel on a restored 1951 Ford Custom; it also influences the car’s visual stance and period character. The primary 670-15 fitment is bias-ply, which gives the car the traditional look most closely associated with its early-1950s tire presentation.

A radial equivalent can be a useful alternative, but it may not present exactly the same way visually as a bias-ply tire. That is why some owners consider a 670R15 bias-look radial when they want radial construction without moving too far from a vintage appearance. Construction choice should support the restoration goal as much as the intended road use.

Yes. Even though the 1951 Ford Custom’s primary tire size is 670-15 on a 15-inch rim, changes to wheel width, wheel offset, ride height, steering components, or body clearance can affect how that tire or any radial equivalent works on the car.

That is especially important on collector vehicles that may have been updated over the years. A Custom with aftermarket wheels or suspension changes can require more careful checking than a stock-style car. Before mounting new tires, confirm the actual wheel dimensions and inspect clearance at full steering lock and normal suspension travel so the chosen setup suits the car as it sits today.

Before regular road use, inspect wheel condition, lug hardware, valve stems, inflation pressure, and the overall condition of the suspension and steering system. On a 1951 Ford Custom, it also helps to confirm that the car’s wheels match the 670-15 fitment and that the tires have proper clearance around the fenders and suspension.

A new set of tires cannot compensate for worn tie-rod ends, weak shocks, loose wheel bearings, or misaligned front-end parts. Collector cars that sit for long periods deserve an extra look for air loss, rubbing marks, and uneven wear after the first few drives. A brief recheck after installation can catch clearance or pressure issues before they become larger problems.

670-15 tires on a collector 1951 Ford Custom should be kept at appropriate inflation, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and irregular wear, and checked for air loss if the car is not driven often. Older vehicles that spend long periods parked need more routine visual inspection than daily drivers.

Storage conditions matter too. Tires last better when the car is kept away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors or generators. It also helps to move the car occasionally so the same section of tread is not carrying the load for months at a time. Any sign of structural damage deserves prompt professional evaluation.