1935 La Salle Tire Fitment Guide

1935 La Salle vehicles covered here use one tire size: 700-16. That size applies to the 1935 La Salle 8 Cyl. and mounts on a 16-inch rim. Where rim-width guidance is stated on available products, 700-16 appears with a 4.50- to 5.50-inch rim width range, which is the key wheel dimension to compare against an existing rim before final selection.

Because there is only one fitment size in the range, most buyers are really choosing the look and presentation of the tire rather than sorting through multiple dimensional options. A blackwall keeps the appearance more restrained, while a wide whitewall delivers a more formal prewar luxury-car look. Matching the actual wheel to the tire’s stated rim requirements is still an important step, especially on a restored car with replacement or refinished wheels.

On a 1935 La Salle, 700-16 is a traditional numeric bias-ply tire size. The 700 identifies the tire’s nominal section-width class in period sizing practice, and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. Unlike modern metric sizing, it does not spell out an aspect ratio in the code, and the bias-ply construction is part of the size family and product type rather than shown by a separate radial letter.

That matters because a 700-16 tire should be read as a period-correct fitment code, not translated directly into a modern metric size by the numbers alone. If your goal is to preserve original stance and visual character, staying within the 700-16 size family is usually the cleanest path. From there, compare sidewall treatment, brand, and any listed load or speed markings to narrow the right tire for your La Salle.

Yes. The 1935 La Salle model covered here uses the same 700-16 tire size across the range, so there is no split fitment to sort out between different La Salle body styles at the year-make level. The shared wheel diameter is 16 inches, which keeps fitment simpler than many later multi-model lineups with several competing sizes.

That consistency means your next decision is usually about restoration character rather than dimensional compatibility. Owners building a formal prewar presentation often focus heavily on sidewall style, while drivers who want a more understated look may lean toward blackwalls. Even with one shared size, it is wise to inspect the wheel itself and confirm that nothing has been changed during the car’s lifetime.

1935 La Salle tires in 700-16 are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Blackwall choices appear from Avon and BFGoodrich, while wide whitewall options appear from Lester and Firestone. All of these offerings stay within the same period-correct bias-ply format, so the visual effect changes more than the basic fitment does.

For a prewar American luxury marque such as La Salle, wide whitewalls are often the look buyers associate most strongly with a fully dressed restoration. Blackwalls can still be appropriate depending on the car’s presentation, driving role, or personal taste, especially if you want a more restrained appearance. If show authenticity matters, compare your intended event standard with the sidewall style before making the final choice.

Four brands offer 700-16 tires for 1935 La Salle vehicles: Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. The range includes both blackwall and wide whitewall bias-ply products, giving La Salle owners a mix of appearance-focused and traditionally styled options within the same size. Some products also list load-and-pressure figures, which can help when comparing tires intended for a substantial prewar automobile.

Brand choice on a 1935 La Salle usually comes down to the combination of visual style, period impression, and the specific markings or dimensions shown on the tire you are considering. A buyer pursuing a recognizable American classic-tire presentation may naturally compare BFGoodrich and Firestone, while others may prefer Lester or Avon depending on sidewall treatment and intended use. Since the size itself stays constant, brand comparison is where the shopping process becomes more meaningful.

For 1935 La Salle in 700-16, the BFGoodrich offering is a blackwall Silvertown Classic Bias Ply with a listed max load of 1900 pounds at 36 psi, a 4.50- to 5.50-inch rim width range, and a 26-pound tire weight. The Firestone option is a 4.00-inch wide whitewall Classic Bias Ply with a listed max load of 1800 pounds at 36 psi, the same 4.50- to 5.50-inch rim width range, and a 29-pound tire weight.

Those differences make the comparison less about fitment and more about presentation and specification detail. BFGoodrich gives you a blackwall look with a slightly lighter listed tire and a slightly higher stated load figure, while Firestone delivers the more decorative wide-whitewall appearance many owners want on a prewar luxury car. Since both share the same size and rim-width range, the final choice often comes down to visual correctness for your build.

Where rim-width guidance is stated for 1935 La Salle tires, 700-16 products are listed for 4.50- to 5.50-inch rims. That range appears on BFGoodrich and Firestone 700-16 offerings and provides a useful benchmark when checking an original or replacement 16-inch wheel. Staying within the published range helps preserve the intended tire profile and keeps the sidewall from being pinched too narrow or spread too wide.

On a prewar car, wheel history matters because many cars have had wheels swapped, repaired, or refinished over the decades. Measuring the actual wheel before mounting new tires is the safest approach, especially if you do not know whether the car still carries its original rims. If one tire product lists a rim-width range and another does not, use the specific tire’s published fitment guidance rather than assuming every 700-16 is identical in setup.

Tube requirements for 1935 La Salle tires can vary by product, and the size markings here do not show a universal tube-type or tubeless designation across the full 700-16 range. On a prewar application such as La Salle, many owners and restorers still evaluate tube use together with wheel design, rim condition, and the specific tire manufacturer’s recommendations. That is especially important on original-style wheels that may differ from later tubeless-compatible designs.

The practical step is to confirm tube guidance on the exact 700-16 tire you choose and then inspect the wheel itself before mounting. A clean, true wheel with the proper valve setup matters just as much as the tire choice. If your La Salle is used for touring rather than occasional display, it also makes sense to check the spare, valve stems, and any tube-related service items at the same time.

A 1935 La Salle should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber prematurely. Bias-ply tires also dislike sitting in one position for long stretches, because flat-spotting can develop more readily during static storage. Clean floors, stable temperatures, and correct inflation all help reduce stress on the tire carcass while the car is parked.

If the La Salle will sit for an extended period, roll it periodically or use stands in a way that suits your storage plan and suspension condition. Owners who prefer to keep the car resting on its tires should check pressure regularly and avoid leaving heavy loads in the vehicle. A simple cover over the tires and a little movement now and then go a long way toward keeping a collector car ready for the next outing.

Tires on a 1935 La Salle should be judged more by age, storage history, and condition than by mileage alone. A collector tire often deserves close evaluation once it reaches the five- to seven-year range, and many owners begin serious replacement consideration as it approaches ten years, even if the tread still looks usable. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the starting point for understanding age.

That timeline matters because low-use prewar cars can accumulate very few miles while their tires continue to harden, crack, or lose resilience. A La Salle that only attends shows may still need replacement sooner than the odometer suggests. Regular inspection by someone familiar with collector tires is wise, especially if the car will be driven at sustained road speeds or used on longer tours rather than short local trips.

Tires on a 1935 La Salle should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, irregular wear, and pressure loss, because problems on an older collector tire can develop even when the car is used only occasionally. Valve stems and the condition of the spare deserve the same attention as the four road tires.

Frequent inspection is especially important on a prewar car because the tire is only one part of an older driving system that may include long storage intervals and infrequent road use. A quick visual check in the garage is good, but putting a gauge on the tires and watching for slow leakage is even better. If your La Salle uses tubes, include tube-related air retention and valve hardware in that routine.

A 1935 La Salle 8 Cyl. would have been fitted in the bias-ply era, and the correct year-make fitment covered here is 700-16. That means the original-type construction was bias-ply rather than radial, with sidewall styling varying by market presentation and owner preference rather than by a modern performance-oriented tire category. No single original-equipment brand should be assumed without factory literature or marque-specific confirmation.

For most restorers, the important thing is to start with the right size and period construction, then decide whether the car’s intended presentation calls for blackwall or wide whitewall. If the La Salle is being judged or restored to a particular delivery style, club references, factory photos, and period sales material can help settle the sidewall question. That extra step is worthwhile because prewar tire appearance has a strong effect on the finished look.

Correct tire fitment matters quite a bit when showing a 1935 La Salle, especially in events that emphasize authenticity. Judges and knowledgeable marque enthusiasts typically notice tire size, construction type, and sidewall appearance because those details strongly affect period stance and visual balance. On a prewar luxury car, an obviously modern construction or an out-of-era sidewall presentation can distract from an otherwise careful restoration.

Using the proper 700-16 size is the first step, but sidewall style often becomes the finer point that separates a broadly correct car from a truly convincing one. Some events are more flexible than others, particularly for touring-oriented classes, so it pays to review the standards for the specific meet you plan to attend. Marque clubs and long-time La Salle restorers are often the best tie-breakers when opinions differ.

For 1935 La Salle in 700-16, Lester offers a wide whitewall tire in its Classic Bias Ply line with a listed weight of 28 pounds. Firestone also offers a wide whitewall 700-16 in its Classic Bias Ply line, but it is specified as a 4.00-inch whitewall and carries a listed max load of 1800 pounds at 36 psi, a 4.50- to 5.50-inch rim width range, and a 29-pound tire weight. Both stay within the same period-correct bias-ply size family.

That makes this comparison useful for restorers who already know they want a whitewall and are now choosing between two period-style presentations. Firestone’s listing provides more setup detail, including rim-width and load information, while Lester keeps the focus on the classic wide-whitewall appearance. If your priority is event presentation, compare the exact whitewall look you want on the car; if setup detail is equally important, review the tire’s published mounting guidance before deciding.

1935 La Salle tires can be suitable for highway use when they are in good condition, correctly inflated, and used within the limits of their construction and stated ratings. The 700-16 range here is bias-ply, and one Avon 700-16C product carries an L speed rating, which corresponds to a 75 mph ceiling. On a prewar automobile, the broader mechanical condition of the car often matters just as much as the tire when planning sustained-speed driving.

A well-sorted La Salle with fresh, properly matched tires is a very different proposition from one that has aged rubber and unknown wheel condition. Before any highway run, think beyond the size itself and evaluate steering, brakes, suspension, wheel true, and tire age together. Highway capability is a system question on a 1935 car, and the tire should be chosen and maintained as one part of that larger picture.

Inflation pressure on 1935 La Salle tires should follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended operating guidance and the tire maker’s rated limits for the specific product. Within the 700-16 offerings here, BFGoodrich lists 1900 pounds at 36 psi and Firestone lists 1800 pounds at 36 psi. Those figures are tire ratings, not a blanket instruction to run every 700-16 tire on every La Salle at the same pressure under all conditions.

The best approach is to start with the period vehicle recommendation if you have it, then confirm that your chosen reproduction tire’s stated limits and load capacity align with how the car is used. Pressure also affects ride, handling feel, and tread behavior on a bias-ply tire, so small changes matter. Keep all four tires and the spare checked with an accurate gauge, especially if the La Salle sits for long periods between drives.

Before taking a 1935 La Salle on a longer drive, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and proper inflation, and make sure the spare is ready for service as well. Pay close attention to valve stems and overall air retention, because an older collector car can reveal slow-loss issues only after sitting or after warming up on the road. A quick look at wheel condition and lug security belongs on the same checklist.

That tire inspection should sit alongside a broader pre-drive review of the car’s age-sensitive systems, including brakes, steering, cooling, and fuel delivery. A La Salle that is fine for a neighborhood outing may need more preparation for sustained road miles. Giving the tires a careful check before departure helps you catch the sort of preventable issue that can otherwise interrupt a tour or put stress on an already vintage chassis.