1935 Cadillac Tire Fitment Guide

1935 Cadillac vehicles use three sizes, and each one follows the model series. The 60 Series uses 700-16, the 70 Series, 75 Series, 80 Series, and 85 Series use 750-16, and the V16 uses 750-17. The first two sizes mount on 16-inch rims, while the V16's 750-17 mounts on a 17-inch rim. Rim width guidance appears within the available products: 700-16 is listed on 4.50- to 5.50-inch rims, 750-16 on 5.00- to 6.00-inch rims, and 750-17 appears on both 4-inch and 5.50- to 6.00-inch rims depending on the tire.

That spread means the most important step is identifying the Cadillac series before choosing a tire. A 60 Series owner should not assume the same fitment used on a 75 or 85 Series, and a V16 owner needs to confirm the 17-inch wheel rather than the 16-inch fitments used elsewhere in the lineup. Once the correct series is pinned down, the next decisions are sidewall appearance and the exact product's rim-width compatibility.

On a 1935 Cadillac, 700-16 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 7.00 figure is the nominal section width in inches, and the 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a modern metric radial code, and it does not describe a low-profile construction. Within the 1935 Cadillac range, 700-16 is the size used by the 60 Series.

That matters because a modern buyer can easily mistake the code for a simple diameter reference when it is really an older sizing system tied to prewar bias-ply construction. If you have a 60 Series, 700-16 is the place to start, then narrow the choice by sidewall style and the individual tire's recommended rim width. If your Cadillac is one of the larger senior series, move up to 750-16 instead of assuming all 16-inch Cadillacs used the same tire.

No, 1935 Cadillac models do not all use the same tire size. The 60 Series uses 700-16, the 70, 75, 80, and 85 Series share 750-16, and the V16 uses 750-17. All three are bias-ply sizes, but the wheel diameter changes between the senior 16-inch cars and the V16's 17-inch setup. That split makes Cadillac's 1935 lineup more model-specific than a one-size-fits-all fitment chart might suggest.

For a buyer, that means year and make are only the starting point. If the series badge, body tag, or chassis identification is unclear, it is worth confirming the exact model before selecting tires, especially on restored or long-owned cars where wheels may have been swapped at some point. Getting the series right first prevents confusion between the smaller 16-inch fitment, the larger 16-inch fitment, and the V16-only 17-inch size.

1935 Cadillac tires are available in several period-appropriate sidewall treatments, but the options change by size. The 700-16 and 750-16 sizes are offered in blackwall and wide whitewall versions, while 750-17 for the V16 adds a double-whitewall option alongside blackwall and wide whitewall choices. All of these are bias-ply tires, so the visual decision is mainly about sidewall presentation rather than construction type.

A blackwall usually suits a more restrained or commercial-looking restoration approach, while a wide whitewall is often the look most enthusiasts associate with an American luxury car of the mid-1930s. The double-whitewall option on 750-17 can be especially appealing on a V16 where presentation matters as much as fitment. If authenticity is the priority, match the sidewall style to the car's intended restoration theme and the standards of the show or marque circle you care about.

Several well-known vintage tire brands cover 1935 Cadillac fitments. The 700-16 size is available from Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. The 750-16 size is offered by Firestone, Lester, and BFGoodrich, while 750-17 is available from Firestone and BFGoodrich. Every listed option for the year is a bias-ply construction suited to prewar Cadillac fitment.

Brand choice often comes down to the look you want and the exact size needed for your series. A 60 Series owner has the broadest brand spread, while the V16 owner is choosing within a narrower 17-inch group. Once the model and size are confirmed, compare sidewall style, load-and-pressure markings where available, and the recommended rim-width range on the individual tire instead of assuming every brand in the same size is identical.

For the 1935 Cadillac V16 in 750-17, Firestone Balloon and BFGoodrich choices differ in sidewall offerings, weight, and rim-width guidance. Firestone Balloon appears in blackwall and 4.75-inch double-whitewall versions, carries a listed maximum load of 1,870 pounds at 40 psi, and is shown on a 4-inch rim. BFGoodrich appears in blackwall and 4.50-inch wide whitewall versions, with one listed maximum load figure of 1,646 pounds at 36 psi on the whitewall and a 5.50- to 6.00-inch rim range for that product.

Those differences make it worth comparing the exact tire rather than choosing by brand name alone. A V16 owner focused on a particular sidewall look may gravitate to one series, while someone confirming wheel compatibility first should pay close attention to the listed rim-width range tied to the individual product. Because the V16 sits apart from the rest of the 1935 Cadillac lineup on 17-inch wheels, that product-by-product check is especially important.

Rim width depends on the exact 1935 Cadillac tire size and, in some cases, the specific product within that size. The 700-16 tires with published fitment guidance are listed for 4.50- to 5.50-inch rims. The 750-16 tires with published guidance are listed for 5.00- to 6.00-inch rims. The 750-17 V16 tires show more variation, with some products listed for a 4-inch rim and others for a 5.50- to 6.00-inch rim range.

That variation is why rim width should be confirmed against the exact tire you intend to use, not just the nominal size stamped on the sidewall. It is especially important on older luxury cars that may have had wheels changed during restoration or service life. Matching the tire to the actual wheel helps preserve the intended profile, keeps the casing properly supported, and reduces surprises during mounting.

Original 1935 Cadillac wheels cannot be treated as universal across all sizes because the lineup uses both 16-inch and 17-inch rim diameters. The 60 Series uses 700-16 on 16-inch rims, the 70 through 85 Series use 750-16 on 16-inch rims, and the V16 uses 750-17 on 17-inch rims. Diameter alone prevents the V16 size from interchanging with the rest of the lineup's wheels.

Within the 16-inch cars, wheel diameter compatibility is shared, but that does not automatically mean every wheel is ideal for every 16-inch tire. The available rim-width guidance differs between 700-16 and 750-16, so a wheel should still be checked before assuming interchangeability. On a prewar Cadillac, original-looking wheels and correct tire proportions are a big part of the finished appearance, so it pays to verify both diameter and width.

A 1935 Cadillac should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone sources that accelerate sidewall aging. Because every listed 1935 Cadillac fitment is bias-ply, long static storage can encourage flat-spotting more readily than many later radial designs. Clean, dry floors and stable temperatures also help protect the tire casing and the vehicle's wheels.

If the car will sit for extended periods, keep the tires properly inflated, move the car occasionally to change the contact patch, or support the vehicle in a way that reduces sustained load if appropriate for the restoration. A fitted spare deserves the same attention as the four road tires. Good storage habits matter on a heavy prewar luxury car because the tire is supporting substantial weight even when the car is not being driven.

Tires on a 1935 Cadillac should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. Collector cars often accumulate very little tread wear, yet the rubber, casing, and sidewalls still age over time. A useful rule is to begin evaluating vintage-use tires closely once they are around five to seven years old and to treat around ten years as a point where replacement deserves serious consideration, regardless of tread depth.

That approach is especially important for a prewar Cadillac, where occasional use can hide age-related deterioration until a longer drive exposes it. Check the DOT date code if present on the tire, and look beyond appearance alone for hardening, cracking, or persistent pressure loss. A low-mileage collector car can still be riding on tires that are older than their safe service life, even if they look presentable at first glance.

Tires on a 1935 Cadillac should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and signs that the tire is not holding pressure evenly. Because these are bias-ply tires used on a heavy prewar car, even small changes in condition can affect ride quality, straight-line tracking, and confidence behind the wheel.

A seasonal inspection should go deeper, including the spare, wheel condition, and valve stems. If the car has been stored for a while, pay extra attention to flat spots and to any vibration that does not disappear after a few miles. Frequent checks are simple insurance on a vehicle of this age, and they help catch problems before they become part of a roadside repair or a larger restoration issue.

A 1935 Cadillac 60 Series would have been fitted with bias-ply tires, and the applicable size here is 700-16. That matches the construction era of mid-1930s American luxury cars, when bias-ply was standard practice and modern radial sizing was still far in the future. The exact original brand could vary by factory supply, market, and period service replacement, so the safest originality baseline is the correct size, bias-ply construction, and an era-appropriate sidewall style.

For restoration work, start with the proper 700-16 size and then choose the sidewall presentation that fits the car's intended look. A broad whitewall may suit a fully dressed luxury presentation, while a blackwall can make sense for a more restrained period appearance or later service-replacement character. If you are building toward concours judging, confirm event-specific expectations with Cadillac marque specialists or club resources before finalizing the tire choice.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1935 Cadillac because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction type, and sidewall appearance quickly. On a prewar luxury car, a mismatch in diameter, an incorrect series fitment, or a sidewall treatment that looks out of period can stand out even if the rest of the restoration is strong. Getting the right bias-ply size for the specific series is the foundation.

A 60 Series on 700-16 presents differently from a senior Cadillac on 750-16, and a V16 should retain its 750-17 fitment rather than borrowing from the lower series. Sidewall style also influences authenticity, especially on a car restored to a particular delivery or show theme. If the car is headed for formal judging, use the event's standards and marque-club guidance to decide whether blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall is most appropriate.

For 1935 Cadillac models that use 750-16, Firestone and BFGoodrich differ mainly in sidewall presentation and load-and-pressure markings among the products shown. Firestone appears in blackwall and 4.50-inch whitewall versions with a listed maximum load of 1,660 pounds at 40 psi and a 5.00- to 6.00-inch rim-width range. BFGoodrich appears as a 4.125-inch wide whitewall with a listed maximum load of 1,850 pounds at 48 psi and the same 5.00- to 6.00-inch rim-width range.

That means the practical choice is less about one brand being universally right and more about the look and specification that suit your car and restoration goals. If you want a particular whitewall width, that may decide the issue immediately. If you are comparing published load-and-pressure figures, stay within the exact tire's rating and use the vehicle's factory guidance as the reference point for operating pressure rather than transferring numbers between products.

1935 Cadillac tires can be appropriate for highway driving when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and used within the capability of the specific tire and vehicle. The only explicit speed rating shown here appears on an Avon 700-16C marked L, which corresponds to 75 mph. The other listed 700-16, 750-16, and 750-17 tires are bias-ply products without a visible speed letter in the available markings, so overall road use should be approached with the conservative mindset appropriate to a prewar Cadillac.

In real-world driving, the vehicle's own brakes, suspension design, steering feel, and age are often more limiting than the tire itself at normal touring speeds. A well-sorted 1935 Cadillac can be very enjoyable on secondary roads and moderate highway use, but it should be driven in a way that respects the character of the car and the construction of vintage-style tires. Condition, inflation, balance, and wheel integrity all matter as much as the sidewall code.

Inflation pressure on 1935 Cadillac tires should follow the vehicle's factory guidance first, while staying within the limits of the exact tire being used. The available tires show different published load-and-pressure figures by size and product, including 700-16 examples at 1,800 to 1,900 pounds around 36 psi, 750-16 examples at 1,660 pounds at 40 psi and 1,850 pounds at 48 psi, and 750-17 examples at 1,646 pounds at 36 psi and 1,870 pounds at 40 psi. Those figures are product-specific, not a universal inflation recommendation.

That means a pressure suitable for one 750-16 tire should not automatically be copied to another brand or to a different size. The safest approach is to verify the correct tire size for the series, read the sidewall marking on the actual tire, and compare that with Cadillac's original guidance for the car's intended loading and use. On a collector vehicle, pressure checks should be part of every pre-drive routine because slow loss often appears before visible damage does.

Before a longer drive in a 1935 Cadillac, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, exposed cord, uneven wear, and signs of age hardening. Verify cold inflation pressure, look over the valve stems, and make sure the spare is present and serviceable. Because the lineup uses different sizes by series, confirm that the spare actually matches the wheel and tire size on the car, especially on a V16 with its 17-inch fitment.

Tire checks should be part of a broader pre-drive inspection that includes brakes, steering, wheel bearings, cooling, and fuel system condition. A prewar Cadillac can cover distance well when sorted properly, but long-parked cars often reveal weaknesses only after sustained running. Spending a few extra minutes on the tires before departure is worthwhile because they are the final link between a substantial, heavy luxury car and the road.