1962 Daimler 3.8 Litre Tires

The 1962 Daimler 3.8 Litre uses two primary tire sizes: 650-16 and 670-16. Both are numeric bias-ply sizes built for 16-inch rims, and the covered Base model is associated with both sizes rather than one exclusive fitment.

That means the right choice starts with the car's actual wheel and tire setup, not just the model name. Checking the size already on the car, verifying the wheel diameter, and confirming the wheel width will help narrow the selection before comparing blackwall or whitewall styling and the available brands within each size.

The 1962 Daimler 3.8 Litre uses a 16-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes, 650-16 and 670-16. Even though the tire sizes differ slightly in section width, they share the same basic wheel diameter requirement.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it still helps to verify wheel width before choosing a tire. Many 650-16 products are intended for rims in the 4.50- to 5.00-inch range, with some variation, and that makes the actual wheel on the car worth checking before finalizing a tire choice.

On a 1962 Daimler 3.8 Litre, 650-16 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 650 refers to an approximate 6.50-inch nominal section width, and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches.

This older sizing format differs from modern metric tire markings, so understanding the code helps when comparing products. Once 650-16 is confirmed as the size on the car, the next decision is usually whether you want a traditional blackwall look or a wide whitewall presentation, along with a brand and tire series that suit the car's intended use.

Start by confirming that 650-16 is the size that belongs on the car's current wheels, since the 1962 Daimler 3.8 Litre is also associated with 670-16. Once size is confirmed, compare construction, rim-width compatibility, sidewall style, brand, tire series, and any load figures that apply to the specific product.

A 650-16 buyer has a wide range of choices, from blackwall tires to wide whitewalls, and from traditional passenger-car lines to more specialized series. That makes it easier to match the tire to the car's appearance and use, but it also makes wheel-width confirmation especially important before narrowing down the final option.

Sidewall choices for the 1962 Daimler 3.8 Litre include blackwall and wide whitewall styles. The broadest variety appears in 650-16, where both traditional blackwall tires and several wide whitewall versions are available across multiple brands and tire series.

That sidewall decision changes the car's visual character more than the size code alone. Blackwalls tend to give a restrained, formal appearance, while wide whitewalls create a more pronounced period look, so the best choice depends on whether the car is being kept understated or presented with a stronger restoration-oriented style.

Tires for the 1962 Daimler 3.8 Litre are available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Lester, Goodyear, STA, Tornel, and Avon. Brand availability depends on the size, with 650-16 offering the widest spread of choices and 670-16 limited to a smaller group.

Brand alone should not be the only filter. It helps to compare which brands offer the sidewall look you want, which tire series best suit the car's presentation, and whether the product's rim-width and load specifications line up with the actual wheel and intended use of the Daimler.

A period-style starting point for a 1962 Daimler 3.8 Litre is one of its correct primary bias-ply sizes, either 650-16 or 670-16, matched to the car's actual wheel setup. Within that framework, blackwall and wide whitewall offerings in 650-16 create very different visual results while staying within an appropriate vintage tire format.

Choosing between those looks depends on how the car is being presented rather than on one universal answer. For a restoration where exact historical detail matters, the best next step is to compare the car against marque-specific references, period photos, or club guidance before settling on a brand, series, or whitewall treatment.

Tire construction plays a major visual role on a restored 1962 Daimler 3.8 Litre because both primary sizes for this car are bias-ply. Bias-ply tires carry the sizing convention and overall presentation expected on many early-1960s luxury cars, especially when paired with an appropriate blackwall or wide whitewall sidewall style.

Appearance is only part of the decision, but it is an important one on a formal British sedan of this era. Even among bias-ply choices, details such as tread style, sidewall treatment, and brand presentation can shift the car from restrained and formal to more overtly show-oriented, so the tire should match the restoration goal.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1962 Daimler 3.8 Litre even when the tire size appears correct on paper. Changes to wheel width, wheel offset, suspension height, steering components, or body clearance can all alter how a 650-16 or 670-16 tire sits and moves within the car.

That matters most on collector cars that may have changed hands several times or received wheel swaps long ago. A quick inspection of the actual wheels, existing tire clearance at full steering lock, and the condition of suspension and steering parts can prevent surprises when replacing old tires with new ones.

Before driving a 1962 Daimler 3.8 Litre on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, verify that the tire size matches the wheel diameter, and confirm that the tires are properly seated and inflated. It also helps to check for steering or suspension wear that could affect how the car tracks on fresh bias-ply tires.

A collector car that has spent long periods parked deserves extra attention before road use. Looking for rubbing points, rechecking pressure after initial use, and confirming that there are no signs of air loss, cuts, bulges, or unusual movement at low speed can make the first miles much more predictable.

Collector-car tires in 650-16 or 670-16 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. On a 1962 Daimler 3.8 Litre, that means watching for cracking, tread damage, bulges, flat spotting from long storage, and any signs that the car has been sitting on underinflated tires.

These cars are often driven less than modern daily vehicles, so time and storage conditions matter as much as mileage. Keeping the Daimler away from prolonged sunlight, excess moisture, and ozone sources, while moving or inspecting it periodically, helps preserve tire condition and supports safer, more confident road use.