1935 Lafayette Tire Fitment Guide

1935 Lafayette vehicles covered here use one tire size: 600-16. That size applies to the 1935 Lafayette 6 Cyl. and mounts on a 16-inch rim. Available products in this size show a rim width range of 4.00 to 4.50 inches where that specification is listed, which is the useful wheel-width reference when evaluating original or restored wheels.

Because there is only one listed fitment, most buyers do not need to compare alternate sizes for a 1935 Lafayette. The more meaningful choice is between blackwall and whitewall styling and among the different bias-ply product lines offered in 600-16. If your car has been modified over the years, measure the actual wheel before ordering so the tire size and rim width stay in step.

On a 1935 Lafayette, 600-16 is a traditional numeric bias-ply tire size. The 6.00 portion refers to the nominal section width, and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is an older sizing convention commonly used on American cars of the period, and it does not read like a modern metric radial size with millimeters, aspect ratios, or an R designation.

That older code matters because a 600-16 should be matched with products built around the same vintage fitment logic rather than translated loosely into a modern size by appearance alone. Buyers restoring a pre-war car usually want the proper tall profile and narrow tread look that the numeric bias-ply designation implies. Keeping the original-style size also helps preserve the visual proportions Lafayette owners expect.

Yes. The 1935 Lafayette model covered here, the 6 Cyl., uses the same 600-16 tire size throughout this year-make grouping. There is no alternate listed size within the Lafayette lineup shown here, so the fitment side of the decision is simpler than on many later makes that split sizes across body styles or trim levels.

That does not mean every tire choice will look the same once installed. A blackwall gives a more restrained appearance, while a wide whitewall changes the character of the car visually even though the underlying size remains 600-16. Buyers who already know their 1935 Lafayette is on original-style 16-inch wheels can move directly to choosing the sidewall presentation that best suits the car.

1935 Lafayette tires in 600-16 are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. The products represented here include blackwall choices from Coker Classic and Avon, plus wide whitewall versions from BFGoodrich and Firestone. All are bias-ply tires in the same basic size, so the visual difference comes from sidewall treatment rather than a change in overall fitment category.

For a pre-war Lafayette, sidewall choice often shapes the car’s personality as much as the paint or trim. Blackwalls typically suit a more restrained, workmanlike presentation, while wide whitewalls lean into a more formal restored look that many owners associate with 1930s American cars. If authenticity matters for a specific body style or show setting, compare your choice against period photos or guidance from a marque club.

Four brands appear in 1935 Lafayette fitment: BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone, all in the 600-16 size. The selection spans blackwall and wide whitewall offerings, but the construction remains bias-ply throughout. That keeps the overall driving character era-appropriate while still giving buyers a few different presentation and brand-preference options within the same size.

Brand choice on a 1935 Lafayette usually comes down to restoration goals, visual style, and how closely you want the finished car to resemble a period showroom or road-car look. Firestone and BFGoodrich are familiar names in American collector circles, while Coker Classic offers a straightforward blackwall option and Avon adds another blackwall alternative. Comparing sidewall style first usually makes the brand decision easier.

For a 1935 Lafayette, the BFGoodrich and Firestone 600-16 offerings shown here are both bias-ply tires with wide whitewall sidewalls, 16-inch rim diameter, a listed rim width range of 4.00 to 4.50 inches, and a maximum load figure of 1400 pounds at 32 psi. The visible spec difference is the whitewall width: BFGoodrich is 3.50 inches, while Firestone is 3.25 inches. The listed weight also differs, with BFGoodrich at 21 pounds and Firestone at 24 pounds.

For most Lafayette owners, that means the practical choice is largely visual rather than fitment-related. A slightly wider whitewall will change the car’s appearance from the side even when the tire size is identical. If you are matching a specific restoration style, compare the whitewall width against the look you want before deciding between the two.

Where rim-width guidance is listed for 1935 Lafayette tires, the 600-16 size is matched to a 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim. That range appears on the BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Firestone versions of the size and gives a solid reference point when you are inspecting original wheels or evaluating restored replacements for a pre-war car.

Rim width matters because even a correct-size 600-16 can behave differently if it is mounted on a wheel outside its intended range. Before mounting new tires, confirm the actual wheel width rather than relying on age or appearance alone, especially if the car has changed hands or undergone restoration work over the decades. Proper wheel matching helps preserve the tire’s shape and the car’s intended stance.

The 1935 Lafayette products shown here do not carry TT or TL markings in the size descriptions, so buyers should verify the specific tire’s sidewall marking and match it to the wheel being used. That is especially important on a pre-war car, where original wheels and restoration-era wheel work can affect whether a tube-type setup is appropriate.

Rather than assuming every 600-16 tire for a 1935 Lafayette is handled the same way, confirm the construction details of the exact product and inspect the wheel condition at the same time. Old riveted wheels, pitted bead seats, or uncertain restoration history are good reasons to pause and review the setup carefully. A tire installer familiar with collector cars can help confirm the correct approach.

A 1935 Lafayette should be stored away from direct sunlight, damp floors, and ozone-producing equipment such as electric motors, welders, or battery chargers. Clean, dry conditions are kinder to any collector tire, and bias-ply construction especially benefits from avoiding long static periods on one contact patch. Proper inflation during storage also helps the tire keep its intended shape.

If the car sits for extended stretches, roll it periodically or place it on stands in a way that supports the vehicle safely and relieves prolonged load on the tires. Bias-ply tires can develop temporary flat-spotting more readily than modern radials after storage, so a little preventative effort goes a long way. A breathable indoor cover and routine pressure checks make seasonal layups easier on the whole car.

On a 1935 Lafayette, tire age usually matters more than mileage because collector cars are often driven sparingly. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating tires carefully once they are five to seven years old and to consider replacement around the ten-year mark regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code, sidewall condition, and overall storage history tell a more useful story than odometer distance alone.

A pre-war car can look lightly used and still be riding on tires that are well past their ideal service window. If the sidewalls show cracking, the casing has been exposed to poor storage conditions, or the tire’s age is pushing into double digits, replacement deserves serious consideration. Owners who tour their 1935 Lafayette should be especially cautious about running visibly aged tires simply because the tread still looks deep.

Tires on a 1935 Lafayette should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, embedded objects, and any loss of pressure. Because collector vehicles may sit for long intervals, even a short local drive deserves the same walk-around attention you would give a much longer trip.

A pre-drive inspection is quick, but it can catch age-related issues before they become a roadside problem. Check the spare as well, since an old spare is often forgotten until it is needed. If your tire setup uses tubes, include the valve stems and surrounding area in your inspection routine so leaks or deterioration do not go unnoticed.

A 1935 Lafayette 6 Cyl. would have been fitted in the bias-ply era, and the listed replacement size for the model is 600-16. That aligns with the tall, narrow tire proportions expected on a mid-1930s American car. The important original-equipment themes are the correct size, proper 16-inch fitment, and bias-ply construction rather than assuming one universal factory brand across every market or body variation.

If your goal is an authentic restoration, start with a 600-16 bias-ply tire and then refine the choice by sidewall appearance to suit the presentation you want. Period photographs, factory literature, and marque-club guidance are the best next steps if you are trying to match a specific trim level or regional delivery detail. That approach keeps the restoration grounded without overreaching on assumptions.

Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1935 Lafayette in most judged restoration settings. Size, construction type, and sidewall style all influence whether the car looks appropriate for its era, and a pre-war American car generally looks most convincing on a proper numeric bias-ply tire such as 600-16. A modern-looking substitute or an obviously mismatched sidewall treatment can stand out immediately on a car of this vintage.

For show use, tire choice is part of the overall presentation rather than an isolated accessory decision. Even when the size is correct, owners should think about whether blackwall or wide whitewall better suits the way their particular Lafayette is being restored. If you are preparing for marque judging or concours competition, check the event’s standards so the tire finish and construction align with its rules.

On a 1935 Lafayette, blackwall and whitewall 600-16 tires share the same fundamental size and bias-ply construction, but they create noticeably different period impressions. The blackwall options represented here come from Coker Classic and Avon, while the whitewall choices come from BFGoodrich and Firestone. Whitewall width can also vary, so even two whitewall tires in the same 600-16 size may not present the exact same look.

That distinction matters most for authenticity and presentation. A blackwall often suits a simpler or more utilitarian visual theme, while a wide whitewall can give the car a more formal, upscale 1930s presence. Owners trying to replicate a specific historical look should compare sidewall treatment to surviving photos or guidance from knowledgeable Lafayette and Nash-era enthusiasts before making the final choice.

1935 Lafayette tires in the available fitment are bias-ply products, and one listed 600H16 option carries an H speed rating, which corresponds to 130 mph. That rating is a product characteristic, not an invitation to drive a pre-war car at modern performance speeds. In real use, the tire’s condition, age, inflation, storage history, and the vehicle’s own brakes, suspension, and steering are more relevant to highway confidence than the headline speed letter alone.

A well-maintained 1935 Lafayette on fresh, properly fitted tires can be used on normal roads, but the car should always be driven within the limits of its era and condition. Smooth steering response, straight tracking, and stable braking matter more than theoretical top-speed capability in collector use. Before sustained highway travel, make sure the tires are sound and the rest of the chassis is equally well sorted.

For 1935 Lafayette tires in 600-16, several products list a maximum load capacity of 1400 pounds at 32 psi, and the Avon 600H16 product lists a maximum load of 1,433 pounds. Those figures are tire ratings rather than a universal operating pressure for every Lafayette in every condition. Factory vehicle pressure recommendations should come from the original owner’s literature or trusted period service references.

Use the carmaker’s recommended operating pressure as your baseline, then confirm that your chosen reproduction tire is being used within its rated limits. Do not transfer a pressure habit from a modern radial-equipped car or from another vintage size and assume it applies here. A small adjustment in inflation can noticeably affect ride, steering effort, and tread wear on a bias-ply pre-war car.

Before a longer drive in a 1935 Lafayette, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, tread separation, uneven wear, and proper inflation. Check valve stems, verify that the spare is serviceable, and make sure each wheel is clean and secure. On a car of this age, the tire inspection should be part of a broader review that includes brakes, wheel bearings, steering, cooling, and basic fuel-system condition.

Longer outings put sustained heat and load into every part of the car, so small tire issues can become much more serious once the miles add up. Even if the tires look good at a glance, an old spare or a slowly leaking valve can spoil the trip quickly. Taking a few extra minutes before departure is one of the easiest ways to protect both the car and the experience.