1935 Chrysler Tire Fitment Guide

1935 Chrysler vehicles use five sizes across two model lines: 6.26-16 and 650-16 for the Chrysler AS, plus 700-16, 750-16, and 750-17 for the Chrysler Airflow. The AS stays within 16-inch rim sizes, while the Airflow appears in both 16-inch and 17-inch applications. Published rim-width guidance appears on several available products, including 4.50- to 5.00-inch fitments for 650-16, 4.50- to 5.50-inch fitments for 700-16, 5.00- to 6.00-inch fitments for 750-16, and both 4-inch and 5.50- to 6.00-inch fitments within 750-17 offerings.

The key point is that 1935 Chrysler fitment is model-specific, not one-size-fits-all across the make. If you own an AS, your search stays in the smaller 16-inch numeric sizes. If you own an Airflow, verify whether your car carries a 16-inch or 17-inch wheel before going further, then match the tire size already fitted or confirm against factory literature, surviving originals, or a marque specialist.

On a 1935 Chrysler, 650-16 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 6.50 portion is the nominal section width expressed in the older numeric system, and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. That format belongs to the bias-ply era, so it does not read like later metric radial sizes and it does not include the kind of aspect-ratio shorthand modern drivers are used to seeing.

For a Chrysler AS owner, that means the important checks are the actual wheel diameter, the tire size already on the car, and the wheel width range accepted by the specific product you are considering. Once the size is confirmed, you can decide between available blackwall and wide whitewall versions depending on whether the car is being restored to a more formal period look or kept visually understated.

No, 1935 Chrysler models do not all use the same tire size. The Chrysler AS uses 6.26-16 and 650-16, while the Chrysler Airflow uses 700-16, 750-16, and 750-17. That means size selection depends on the model first, and for the Airflow it also depends on whether the car is fitted with a 16-inch or 17-inch wheel.

This matters because two cars from the same year and make can require very different tires even though they are both prewar Chryslers. If the car has been in long-term ownership or has had wheel changes over the years, inspect the wheel diameter and compare the current sidewall marking before choosing a replacement. That extra step helps avoid ordering a correct-looking tire in the wrong diameter.

1935 Chrysler tire options include blackwall, wide whitewall, and in 750-17, a double-whitewall style as well. The 650-16 size for the Chrysler AS is offered in both blackwall and wide whitewall, while Airflow sizes also include blackwall and wide whitewall choices, with 750-17 adding the more decorative double-whitewall option. All of these listed choices remain bias-ply constructions suited to the car’s prewar character.

Sidewall style changes the visual presentation more than the underlying fitment. Blackwalls generally suit a more understated or utilitarian appearance, while wide whitewalls align with the dressier look many owners want on premium 1930s American cars. For show-focused work, it is smart to compare your chosen sidewall style with period photos, marque-club guidance, and the way your particular Chrysler body style would have been presented when new.

Brands available for 1935 Chrysler applications include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Lester, and Avon, depending on the size. The 650-16 AS size includes BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Garfield. Airflow sizes add Lester and Avon in 700-16, Firestone and BFGoodrich in 750-17, and Firestone, Lester, and BFGoodrich in 750-16.

Brand choice on a prewar Chrysler often comes down to the exact size you need first, then the sidewall appearance you want, then any product-specific details such as published load figures or wheel-width range. Some owners prioritize a familiar historic American brand name for visual authenticity, while others simply want the right size and tread character for a sound touring or local-show car. Starting with the model and size keeps that brand decision much easier.

In 750-17 for a 1935 Chrysler, Firestone and BFGoodrich offerings differ in sidewall presentation, published load figures, weight, and wheel-width guidance. Firestone appears in both blackwall and double-whitewall Balloon styles, with a listed 1870-pound capacity at 40 psi on the examples shown and fitment on a 4-inch rim. BFGoodrich appears in blackwall and wide whitewall versions, with one listed whitewall carrying 1646 pounds at 36 psi and published fitment on 5.50- to 6.00-inch rims.

That means the decision is not just about brand name. On an Airflow running 17-inch wheels, you should compare the actual wheel width on the car with the range listed for the tire you are considering, then choose the sidewall style that suits your restoration goals. Two tires can share the same nominal size while still differing in how they want to be mounted and how they visually complement the car.

Published wheel-width guidance varies by size and sometimes by product within the same size. For 650-16, listed fitments include 4.50- to 5.00-inch rims. For 700-16, listed fitments include 4.50- to 5.50-inch rims. For 750-16, listed fitments include 5.00- to 6.00-inch rims. In 750-17, some products are listed for a 4-inch rim while others are listed for 5.50- to 6.00-inch rims.

That spread is why measuring the actual wheel matters on a 1935 Chrysler before settling on a tire. Older cars may have had wheels swapped during restoration or over decades of service, and the nominal tire size alone does not tell the whole setup story. Match the tire’s published wheel-width range to the wheel on your car instead of assuming every tire in the same size wants the same rim.

The listed 1935 Chrysler tire products are all bias-ply offerings, but the size markings shown do not carry tube-type or tubeless markers in a way that creates a size-wide rule across these applications. On a prewar Chrysler, tube use is often tied to the wheel design and the specific tire construction rather than the size code alone. Because these are 1930s fitments, many owners and restorers treat tube compatibility as part of the overall wheel-and-tire setup check.

The practical move is to confirm the wheel type on your car and then verify the sidewall marking and fitment instructions for the exact tire you choose. If your wheels are original-style prewar drop-center or artillery-type applications, tube fitment can be part of the correct installation plan. Checking that before mounting avoids having to revisit the setup after the tires arrive or after the car is already back on the road.

Original 1935 Chrysler wheels cannot be treated as interchangeable across all listed tire sizes, because the year uses both 16-inch and 17-inch fitments. The Chrysler AS stays with 16-inch sizes, while the Airflow appears with both 16-inch and 17-inch applications. Even among same-diameter tires, published wheel-width guidance changes from one size and product to another.

That means an original wheel can often continue to be used only when its diameter and width match the tire you are considering. A 16-inch AS wheel is not a substitute for a 17-inch Airflow application, and a narrow 17-inch wheel may not suit every 750-17 product in the same way. Before mounting, verify both wheel diameter and wheel width against the specific tire rather than assuming any original Chrysler wheel will do.

A stored 1935 Chrysler should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, or other ozone-producing equipment that can age sidewalls prematurely. Clean, stable floors are better than damp ground, and tire pressures should be maintained during storage rather than ignored. Because all listed 1935 Chrysler fitments are bias-ply, they are more prone to developing temporary flat spotting during long static periods than a modern radial would be.

For a collector car that sits, it helps to roll the car periodically or support it in a way that reduces constant load on one contact patch for months at a time. Long-term storage is also a good time to inspect the spare, since prewar touring often depends on having a usable backup. Good storage habits preserve ride quality, appearance, and casing health even when annual mileage is very low.

Tire life on a 1935 Chrysler is usually judged more by age than by miles, because collector cars often see limited use. A sensible rule is to inspect tires closely once they reach the five- to seven-year range and to treat around ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age, and visual condition still matters alongside that code.

Prewar bias-ply tires can look acceptable long after age has begun affecting the rubber, so do not rely on tread depth alone. Cracking, hardening, persistent flat-spotting, and changes in how the car tracks or rides can all signal that the tire has aged out of trustworthy service. If your Chrysler sees only occasional drives, age-based replacement planning is much more useful than waiting for the tread to wear down.

Tires on a 1935 Chrysler should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing or tour. Check for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, loose or aging valve hardware, and any change in pressure retention. Because many prewar cars spend long stretches parked, a tire that looked fine at the last event may have aged noticeably by the next one.

A quick pre-drive walkaround is often enough to catch the problems that matter most on a collector Chrysler. If the car uses tubes as part of its wheel-and-tire setup, pay close attention to valve-stem condition and any sign of slow leakage after storage. Frequent inspection is especially important on a heavier 1930s car, where a compromised tire can affect steering feel, braking confidence, and ride stability very quickly.

A 1935 Chrysler AS would have been fitted in the bias-ply era, and the listed AS sizes are 6.26-16 and 650-16. That aligns with what buyers expect from a mid-1930s American passenger car: numeric bias-ply sizing on 16-inch wheels rather than later radial or metric systems. Original-equipment branding could vary by market, dealer, or replacement history, so the most reliable originality markers are the correct size, the bias-ply construction, and an era-appropriate sidewall treatment.

For restoration work, that means the first authenticity question is whether your AS should carry 6.26-16 or 650-16, not which modern reproduction brand name appears on the sidewall. If you are preparing for judged competition, compare your car with period literature and consult Chrysler marque experts for body-style and market-specific preferences. Once the size is settled, blackwall versus whitewall becomes the next visible authenticity choice.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1935 Chrysler, especially on a prewar car where tire size, construction, and sidewall appearance are a visible part of the vehicle’s stance and period character. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice when an AS wears an Airflow size, when a 17-inch application is replaced with a 16-inch tire, or when the sidewall presentation clashes with the era and the car’s level of trim. Bias-ply construction is also part of the originality picture for 1935.

Even at local shows, the right tire can make the whole car look settled and convincing, while the wrong one can disrupt proportions immediately. If you are aiming for judged authenticity, use your exact model as the starting point and then compare whitewall width, blackwall treatment, and overall tire profile against period references. Marque clubs and event rulebooks remain the best authority for show-specific standards.

For a 1935 Chrysler in 650-16, Firestone and BFGoodrich both offer bias-ply fitments with published 1580-pound load capacity at 32 psi on the examples shown and wheel-width guidance of 4.50 to 5.00 inches. The main visible difference is sidewall presentation, since both blackwall and wide whitewall versions appear in this size. Weight also differs slightly among the examples shown, with Firestone listed at 23 pounds and the BFGoodrich whitewall at 24 pounds.

On an AS restoration, that means the choice is less about basic fitment and more about how the finished car should look. A blackwall version keeps the appearance simpler and more restrained, while a wide whitewall leans into the more formal 1930s luxury-car aesthetic. Since the basic size and construction remain the same, compare the visual effect you want and then confirm the wheel on the car falls within the published fitment range.

1935 Chrysler tires can be suitable for highway use when they are in good condition, correctly mounted, properly inflated, and matched to the car’s wheels and intended use. The listed 700-16 Avon option carries an L speed rating, which corresponds to a 75 mph ceiling, while the other listed bias-ply sizes shown here do not present higher speed-letter markings in the same way. On a 1935 Chrysler, the car’s own brakes, steering, suspension, and overall mechanical condition are usually as important to road speed confidence as the tire itself.

Highway safety in a prewar Chrysler is really about driving within the limits of the entire vehicle, not chasing modern-car expectations. A sound AS or Airflow on fresh, correctly chosen bias-ply tires can handle normal road use, but long-distance touring should start with a full chassis and brake inspection rather than a tire-only check. If your route includes sustained higher speeds, choose a tire whose published markings and overall setup align with that use.

Inflation pressure on a 1935 Chrysler should follow the vehicle’s factory guidance first, while also respecting the rating published for the exact tire size and product you are using. Examples in the current range include 650-16 at 1580 pounds and 32 psi, 700-16 at 1800 pounds and 36 psi or 1900 pounds and 36 psi, 750-17 at 1870 pounds and 40 psi or 1646 pounds and 36 psi, and 750-16 at 1660 pounds and 40 psi or 1850 pounds and 48 psi. Those figures are tire ratings, not universal vehicle settings.

Do not transfer a pressure number from one size to another or from one product to another just because the tires look similar. A Chrysler AS on 650-16 should not automatically be run at a pressure associated with a larger Airflow size. The safest approach is to identify the exact tire on the car, check the manufacturer’s published rating for that product, and compare it with the original Chrysler recommendation for the model.

Before a longer drive in a 1935 Chrysler, inspect all five tires for cracking, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, irregular wear, and proper inflation. Check the valve stems, confirm the spare is usable, and make sure the wheels are secure and free of obvious damage or severe corrosion. On a prewar car, it also makes sense to verify that the tire size actually matches the wheel diameter on the car, especially if the vehicle has changed hands or been restored over the years.

That tire inspection should be part of a broader pre-drive routine that also includes brakes, steering play, wheel bearings, and fluid levels. A Chrysler AS or Airflow may cruise happily on the correct bias-ply tires, but tire health is only one part of road readiness on a ninety-year-old automobile. Taking ten extra minutes in the garage is often the difference between an enjoyable tour and a roadside problem.