1951 Willys 473 & 673 Wagon Tires

The 1951 Willys 473 & 673 Wagon uses a 670-15 tire size. That is a numeric bias-ply size mounted on a 15-inch rim, and it is the primary fitment for the covered wagon application, including the Base sub-model.

The key step is confirming that the wagon still has the correct 15-inch wheels and a stock-style setup before choosing among the available 670-15 tires. Once the size is confirmed, the real choice becomes sidewall style, brand, tire series, and whether to remain with traditional bias-ply construction or compare one of the radial-equivalent alternatives.

The primary tire fitment for the 1951 Willys 473 & 673 Wagon is built around a 15-inch rim. That rim diameter matches the 670-15 tire size, where the final number in the size code identifies the wheel diameter in inches.

Rim diameter is only part of the picture on a vintage wagon. Actual wheel width should also be checked before choosing a tire, especially because available 670-15 products do not all share the same rim-width specification. If the wagon has replacement wheels, confirm both diameter and width before selecting a bias-ply tire or evaluating a radial-equivalent option.

Yes. The 1951 Willys 473 & 673 Wagon Base uses the same 670-15 bias-ply tire size as the covered model fitment. That keeps the primary size decision simple and avoids the need to sort through multiple stock tire sizes within this application.

Because the size stays consistent, the next decision is how the wagon will be used and presented. A restoration-oriented owner may focus on traditional bias-ply appearance and whitewall style, while a driver may spend more time comparing series, rim-width requirements, and the possibility of a radial-equivalent size that still respects the original wheel diameter.

For the 1951 Willys 473 & 673 Wagon, 670-15 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the traditional numeric sizing format common to the period, and the primary tire options in this application are bias-ply products on a 15-inch rim.

That matters because a true bias-ply choice preserves the vintage construction style and visual character many Willys owners want. If a different driving setup is being considered, radial-equivalent sizes are available, but they should be evaluated as alternatives rather than assumed replacements, with attention paid to wheel width, tire dimensions, and available clearance.

Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15 as the 80-series metric radial option, P205/75R15 as the 75-series P-metric radial option, P215/70R15 as the 70-series P-metric radial option, and 670R15 as a bias-look radial equivalent. Each keeps the 15-inch rim diameter but uses a different sizing convention or profile style.

Those choices give a 1951 Willys 473 & 673 Wagon owner several ways to compare modern radial sizing against the original bias-ply fitment. A recommended rim-width range of 5 to 7 inches is associated with these equivalents, but wheel width, overall dimensions, and fender and steering clearance still need to be checked before making the change.

Start by confirming the wagon's actual wheel diameter and wheel width, then compare the intended radial-equivalent size against the existing 670-15 setup. For this application, 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15 are the relevant radial-equivalent choices, and the associated rim-width range is 5 to 7 inches.

A 1951 Willys wagon may have had wheels, suspension parts, or ride height changed over the years, so actual fit should be checked on the vehicle rather than assumed from the size code alone. Steering clearance, fender clearance, and the condition of suspension and alignment components are all worth reviewing before moving from a traditional bias-ply setup to a radial alternative.

Start with the correct primary size, 670-15, then choose the tire around the wagon's intended use and presentation. In this fitment, the major selection points are bias-ply construction, sidewall style, brand, tire series, and the rim-width specification attached to the individual product.

A wagon built for restoration display may call for a different look than one used for regular local driving or light utility duty. Blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options all exist in this size, so the best choice usually comes down to matching the wheel, the vehicle's overall style, and the level of originality-inspired appearance the owner wants.

The 670-15 tires available for a 1951 Willys 473 & 673 Wagon include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That range gives the wagon owner a noticeably different visual presentation without changing the primary size or moving away from the traditional bias-ply fitment.

Blackwall options usually suit a more work-ready or understated look, while narrow and wide whitewalls create a more dressed, restoration-oriented appearance. The practical step is to pair the sidewall style with the wagon's trim level, finish, and intended character, then confirm the chosen product's rim-width specification so appearance and wheel compatibility stay aligned.

Available 670-15 tires for the 1951 Willys 473 & 673 Wagon come from Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Excelsior, Avon, and STA. Those brands appear across several classic bias-ply series and sidewall treatments in the wagon's correct primary size.

Brand choice should be used as one part of the decision rather than the entire decision. It is smarter to compare the tire's series, sidewall style, rim-width specification, and intended look on the vehicle, then narrow the field to the brand presentation that best matches the wagon's restoration goals or road-use plans.

A period-style starting point for a 1951 Willys 473 & 673 Wagon is the original-size 670-15 bias-ply tire on a 15-inch rim. Staying with that construction keeps the wagon in the visual language of the early 1950s, and there are multiple brand and sidewall choices within that size.

The final decision usually comes down to how formal or utilitarian the finished wagon should look. A blackwall can support a more work-focused presentation, while narrow or wide whitewalls can shift the appearance toward a more dressed vintage style. If exact originality matters, marque references and vehicle-specific historical documentation are worth consulting before settling on a sidewall treatment.

Tire construction changes more than ride behavior on a restored 1951 Willys 473 & 673 Wagon; it also influences the overall visual impression. A 670-15 bias-ply tire preserves the traditional shape and period-style presentation most closely associated with an early postwar wagon of this type.

A radial-equivalent choice can still be considered, especially when road use is part of the plan, but it should be viewed as a different setup rather than the same thing in a new material. Owners who care strongly about restoration appearance often start with the bias-ply size and then compare sidewall style, wheel width, and stance before choosing any radial alternative.

Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1951 Willys 473 & 673 Wagon even when the vehicle is still using the correct 670-15 size range. Replacement wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension alterations, ride-height changes, or body work can all influence how much clearance is available.

That is especially important on an older wagon that may have seen decades of repairs or upgrades. If the vehicle has aftermarket wheels or altered suspension, check wheel diameter, wheel width, steering travel, and fender clearance before selecting a new tire. Those same checks matter even more when comparing a radial-equivalent size against the original bias-ply fitment.

Before driving a 1951 Willys 473 & 673 Wagon on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct size and condition, confirm the tires are properly mounted and inflated, and make sure there is no interference at full steering lock. Lug hardware, valve stems, and overall wheel integrity also deserve attention on a vintage vehicle.

A short test drive should be preceded by a check of suspension wear, steering play, and brake condition, since tire replacement can reveal issues that were masked by old or deteriorated rubber. It is also wise to recheck air pressure and wheel fasteners after the first miles, particularly on a collector vehicle that has spent long periods off the road.

670-15 tires on a collector 1951 Willys 473 & 673 Wagon should be inspected regularly for air loss, cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and age-related deterioration. Because vintage wagons are often driven less frequently, tire condition can decline from time, storage, and environment even when tread still looks usable.

Proper inflation, clean storage conditions, and periodic movement of the vehicle help support longer tire life. Keep the wagon away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources when possible, and look over the tires before every road outing. Any sign of structural damage or persistent pressure loss is reason to have the tire and wheel checked professionally.