1936 Buick Tire Fitment Guide

1936 Buick vehicles use four different tire sizes across four series: 650-16 for the 40 Series, 700-15 for the 60 Series, 700-16 for the 80 Series, and 750-16 for the 90 Series. All four are bias-ply sizes, but they are not interchangeable across the full 1936 Buick line because the model range includes both 15-inch and 16-inch rim diameters. Where rim-width guidance appears, 650-16 fits 4.50- to 5.00-inch rims, 700-15 fits 5.00- to 5.50-inch rims, 700-16 fits 4.50- to 5.50-inch rims, and 750-16 fits 5.00- to 6.00-inch rims.

That means the first fitment question on a 1936 Buick is always the series number, not simply the year and make. Once you know whether you have a 40, 60, 80, or 90 Series, the correct tire family becomes much clearer, and you can then compare blackwall versus wide whitewall and brand character within that size rather than sorting through the entire Buick lineup.

On a 1936 Buick tire, 650-16 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 6.50 figure is the nominal section width in inches, and the 16 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1936 Buick lineup, that size belongs to the 40 Series and mounts on 16-inch rims, with product fitments shown for 4.50- to 5.00-inch rim widths where specified.

Numeric sizing is typical for prewar American cars, so it reads differently from modern radial markings. If your 1936 Buick carries a 650-16 size, you should focus on reproductions built around that original-style format and then decide whether a blackwall or wide whitewall better matches the look and restoration goal of your particular 40 Series.

No, 1936 Buick models do not use the same tire size. The 40 Series uses 650-16, the 60 Series uses 700-15, the 80 Series uses 700-16, and the 90 Series uses 750-16. That spread reflects the fact that Buick's 1936 range covered several series levels, from lighter cars to much larger senior models, each needing its own fitment.

That difference matters because selecting by year and make alone can put you in the wrong wheel diameter or the wrong overall tire family. Before you compare brands or sidewall styling, confirm the series designation on the car itself and check the wheel diameter already fitted, especially if the car has been restored or modified at some point in its life.

1936 Buick tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles, though the exact mix depends on the size. The 650-16, 700-15, 700-16, and 750-16 groups all include wide whitewall choices alongside blackwall options. That gives owners of every 1936 Buick series a period-looking sidewall option, whether they want a more understated appearance or a fuller prewar luxury presentation.

For many restorations, sidewall style affects the finished character almost as much as the wheel itself. Senior and dressier prewar cars often look especially at home on wide whitewalls, while blackwalls can suit more restrained restorations, regional variations, or a less formal presentation. If show authenticity matters, compare your chosen sidewall style to factory photos, marque references, and the way your specific body style was typically equipped.

Several brands offer tires for 1936 Buick vehicles, depending on size. The 650-16 size is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Garfield; 700-15 from Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA; 700-16 from Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone; and 750-16 from Firestone, Lester, and BFGoodrich. All of these offerings fall within the bias-ply fitment pattern used across the 1936 Buick line.

Brand choice on a prewar Buick usually comes down to the look you want and the exact tire family available in your series-specific size. Some owners prioritize a well-known American heritage name for visual consistency with a period restoration, while others focus on a particular tread or sidewall presentation within the correct size. Once the series and size are confirmed, comparing brands becomes much more straightforward.

For 1936 Buick 700-15 fitment, both Firestone and BFGoodrich offer classic bias-ply tires with wide whitewall versions rated at 1700 pounds at 32 psi. Firestone also appears in blackwall form in that size, while BFGoodrich is represented here by a 4.125-inch whitewall version. Where weights are shown, the Firestone wide whitewall is 29 pounds, the Firestone blackwall is 26 pounds, and the BFGoodrich whitewall is 28 pounds.

That means the choice is less about basic fitment and more about appearance within the same 60 Series size family. If you want a blackwall look, Firestone provides that path in 700-15, while both Firestone and BFGoodrich serve buyers after a broad whitewall presentation. Matching the sidewall treatment to the character of your car will usually shape the decision more than the small weight difference.

Rim-width guidance for 1936 Buick tires varies by size. The 650-16 size is paired with 4.50- to 5.00-inch rims, 700-15 with 5.00- to 5.50-inch rims, 700-16 with 4.50- to 5.50-inch rims, and 750-16 with 5.00- to 6.00-inch rims where those ranges are specified. Rim diameter also changes by series, with the 60 Series using 15-inch wheels and the other listed Buick series using 16-inch wheels.

That range is important because prewar wheels are often original, restored, or swapped over many decades. Before mounting a new set, measure the actual wheel and compare it to the tire's approved rim-width range rather than assuming that any tire with the right nominal size will sit correctly. This is especially worthwhile on cars that may have had replacement wheels installed during earlier restorations.

The 1936 Buick products shown in these sizes are bias-ply fitments, but tube-type marking is not consistently called out across the full range. Prewar Buick applications like these are commonly associated with tube use, especially on original-style wheels, yet the exact tube requirement should be confirmed against the wheel design and the sidewall marking of the specific tire being fitted. That is particularly important on cars still running original artillery or steel wheels.

Inner-tube decisions are really a wheel-and-tire pairing question, not just a size question. If your 1936 Buick keeps its original wheel construction, confirm whether the wheel was intended for tube service and make sure the valve hardware, flap requirements, and stem opening all match the intended setup. Treat tube selection as part of the mounting plan, not an afterthought once the tires arrive.

A 1936 Buick should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber prematurely. Bias-ply tires also benefit from keeping the car on a clean surface and moving it periodically so the carcass does not sit in one position for long stretches. If the car will be parked for a very long period, some owners use stands to reduce static loading.

Storage habits matter more on collector cars than mileage does, because many prewar Buicks spend long periods off the road. Good storage helps preserve sidewalls, keeps the tire shape more stable, and reduces the chance that a freshly detailed car is let down by flat-spotting or cosmetic cracking when it finally comes out for touring season or a show weekend.

Tires on a 1936 Buick are usually judged more by age and condition than by miles traveled. A sensible practice is to begin close evaluation once tires reach the five- to seven-year range and to give serious replacement consideration as they approach around ten years, even if tread depth still looks serviceable. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the starting point for that timeline, along with regular checks for cracking, hardening, or distortion.

Collector cars often fool owners because the tread can still appear fresh after limited use. On a prewar Buick, age-related rubber change is often the more meaningful issue, especially if the car is driven only to shows, club events, or occasional tours. A tire that looks attractive on the lawn at a concours may still be too old for confident road use on a longer outing.

Tires on a 1936 Buick should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer road outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, weathering around the bead, uneven wear, and signs that the tire is losing pressure between drives. If your wheel-and-tire setup uses tubes, inspect valve stems and stem grommets as carefully as the tread and sidewall themselves.

Regular inspection is especially valuable on a car that may sit for weeks or months between uses. Bias-ply tires can reveal age or storage issues quickly once they are back under load, so a slow walk-around and pressure check before departure is time well spent. That habit also gives you a chance to inspect the spare, which is often forgotten until the day it is actually needed.

A 1936 Buick 40 Series would have originally been associated with bias-ply tires in the 650-16 size, because bias-ply construction was standard American passenger-car practice in that era. The broader 1936 Buick family followed the same construction pattern, but each series used its own size, with the 40 Series carrying the smallest listed fitment. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and supply, so the most reliable starting point is the correct size and period-correct construction rather than assuming one universal brand.

For an authenticity-minded restoration, begin with the proper series-specific size and then refine the look through sidewall treatment and brand style. Factory photos, Buick club judging guides, period dealer literature, and marque specialists can help you sort out whether your specific body style and presentation are best served by a blackwall or a wide whitewall approach within the correct 650-16 fitment.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1936 Buick because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, and sidewall presentation immediately. On a prewar Buick, the expected baseline is the correct numeric bias-ply size for the series, paired with a sidewall style that suits the period and the way that particular car would have appeared when new. A wrong wheel diameter or a tire size borrowed from another Buick series can stand out quickly.

Concours expectations are rarely just about whether the tire physically fits the wheel. They also concern whether the tire looks proportionally right under the fenders and whether the sidewall treatment matches the era and market presentation of the car. If you are building toward judged events, compare your planned tire choice against event rules and Buick marque resources before committing to the final setup.

For the 1936 Buick 750-16 fitment, Firestone and BFGoodrich both offer classic bias-ply options, but the listed details are not identical. Firestone appears in blackwall and 4.50-inch whitewall form with a listed maximum load of 1660 pounds at 40 psi, while BFGoodrich appears as a 4.125-inch whitewall with a listed maximum load of 1850 pounds at 48 psi. Both fit the same 750-16 size family, and both show 5.00- to 6.00-inch rim-width compatibility where specified.

For a restoration, that means the choice may hinge on sidewall appearance as much as on the rating printed on the tire. The Firestone offering gives a blackwall path and a slightly broader whitewall presentation, while the BFGoodrich option provides another traditional whitewall look within the same senior-Buick size. Compare the visual effect against period Buick photography and the standards of the events where the car will be shown.

1936 Buick tires can be used for highway driving when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and operated within the limits shown on the tire itself. The listed 700-16 Avon product carries an L speed rating, which corresponds to 75 mph, while the other tires shown here do not consistently display speed-letter markings in the available details. With a prewar Buick, the condition of the brakes, steering, suspension, wheel bearings, and the age of the tire itself often matters as much as any nominal speed capability.

Highway use in a 1936 Buick should be approached as a whole-vehicle question rather than a tire question alone. A well-sorted car on fresh, correctly fitted bias-ply tires can handle touring duty, but long-distance comfort and stability will still reflect 1930s design. Keep speeds reasonable, allow extra stopping distance, and treat modern interstate traffic as a different environment from the roads the car was built to travel.

Inflation pressure on 1936 Buick tires should follow the factory vehicle recommendation first, then be checked against the limits shown for the specific tire. The listed load-and-pressure pairings vary by size and product: 650-16 appears at 1580 pounds at 32 psi, 700-15 at 1700 pounds at 32 psi, 700-16 at either 1800 pounds at 36 psi, 1900 pounds at 36 psi, or 1,874 pounds on the Avon listing, and 750-16 at either 1660 pounds at 40 psi or 1850 pounds at 48 psi.

Those figures are not universal pressure recommendations to copy blindly from one tire to another. They are rating references that show why the exact size and product matter on a prewar Buick. Start with the original Buick guidance for your series, then make sure your chosen reproduction tire's sidewall and manufacturer information support that setup rather than assuming the highest pressure shown is automatically the correct operating pressure.

Before a longer drive in a 1936 Buick, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, uneven wear, and signs of slow leakage, and confirm that all tires are inflated evenly. Check valve stems carefully, and if your wheel-and-tire setup uses tubes, make sure the stems sit straight and show no tearing or chafing. The spare deserves the same attention, since a decades-old spare can be useless even when it still looks presentable.

Tires are only one part of pre-drive preparation on a prewar car, but they are the part touching the road the entire time. A longer outing is also the right moment to look over wheel fasteners, steering response, brake feel, and how the car tracks under load before you get far from home. Catching a tire issue in the garage is far better than discovering it after heat and speed have made the problem worse.