1936 Ford Tire Fitment Guide

1936 Ford vehicles in the 67 Series and 68 Series use one tire size here: 600-16. Both model lines share that same size, and the available products mount on 16-inch rims. Where rim width is specified, 600-16 tires are paired with rims in the 4.00- to 4.50-inch range.

That shared fitment makes year-and-make identification easier than on many later vehicles, because you are not sorting between multiple diameters or front-to-rear combinations. The important next step is confirming that your wheels are true 16-inch Ford-compatible rims in the proper width range and then deciding whether you want a blackwall or wide whitewall presentation for the finished car.

A 600-16 tire on a 1936 Ford uses the older numeric sizing system common in the prewar era. The 600 refers to the nominal section width class, while the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. In the products offered for 1936 Ford applications, this size is built as a bias-ply tire rather than a modern metric radial.

That matters because a numeric bias-ply size describes an era-correct tire family, not a modern tread-width-and-aspect-ratio format like you would see on a newer car. If your goal is an authentic 1936 Ford stance and sidewall profile, 600-16 keeps you in the traditional size language that Ford owners, restorers, and judges would expect for a car of this period.

The 1936 Ford models covered here do use the same tire size. Both the 67 Series and the 68 Series are matched to 600-16 tires, so there is no split between one series using a different wheel diameter or a different base fitment. The common rim diameter across these products is 16 inches.

That shared size does not mean every owner will want the same finished tire. A restored sedan, coupe, or touring body may call for a different visual treatment depending on how original or how personalized the car is, so the main comparison becomes sidewall style and brand character rather than whether one Ford model line needs a completely different size.

1936 Ford tires in 600-16 are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Blackwall choices include examples from Coker Classic and Avon, while wide whitewall options include BFGoodrich and Firestone offerings. All of those choices stay within the same basic 600-16 prewar fitment size.

The right sidewall style depends on how you want the finished car to present. Blackwalls usually suit a more restrained factory look or a driver-focused build, while wide whitewalls create a stronger period custom or upscale restoration appearance. For a judged car, match the visual style to the era and the particular presentation standard you are building toward.

1936 Ford vehicles in 600-16 are supported by BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone. Those brands cover both blackwall and wide whitewall offerings within the same basic bias-ply fitment, giving owners a useful range of visual and brand preferences without changing size.

Brand choice on a prewar Ford often comes down to the look you want to see on the car and how closely you want the tire's presentation to reflect an American period aesthetic. Once you narrow the brand list, compare sidewall style, published load information, and wheel-width compatibility so the tire suits both your restoration goals and the wheel you actually plan to run.

The BFGoodrich and Firestone 600-16 tires offered for 1936 Ford both use bias-ply construction, both fit 16-inch rims, both carry wide whitewall styling, and both list a 1400-pound maximum load at 32 psi. Their listed rim-width range is the same at 4.00 to 4.50 inches. The published product weight differs, with the BFGoodrich at 21 pounds and the Firestone at 24 pounds.

Because their core fitment numbers are so similar, many owners will make this choice on brand preference and the exact whitewall look they want on the car. If you are comparing the two for a particular wheel, restoration style, or handling expectation, keep the focus on the tire's stated dimensions, wheel-width compatibility, and appearance rather than assuming one is automatically the right answer for every 1936 Ford.

For 1936 Ford 600-16 tires, the stated rim-width range is 4.00 to 4.50 inches on the products where wheel-width guidance is given. Those same products mount on 16-inch rims, which aligns with the shared fitment used by the 67 Series and 68 Series. Staying within that wheel-width window helps preserve the tire's intended shape and load-carrying behavior.

A prewar Ford may have original wheels, later replacement wheels, or restored rims that should still be measured before tire selection. If your wheel falls outside the listed range, the safer move is to confirm the actual rim width first rather than assuming any 16-inch wheel is automatically suitable. That one check prevents many appearance and fitment problems later.

Inner-tube status is not presented uniformly across every 600-16 option offered for 1936 Ford, so tube use should be confirmed against the specific tire you choose and the wheel you plan to run. With a prewar application like 1936 Ford and original-style wheels, tube use is often part of the conversation even when two tires share the same nominal size.

The practical approach is to decide on the exact product first and then verify whether that tire is intended to run with a tube on your wheel type. Wheel condition also matters on an older car. A restored original rim, a drop-center replacement, and a traditional wire-type setup can each lead to a different recommendation, so tie the tube decision to the actual wheel in hand.

The 1936 Ford applications covered here use one tire size, 600-16, so there is no alternate year-make size to compare against within this page. The available products share a 16-inch rim diameter, and several list a compatible rim-width range of 4.00 to 4.50 inches. Original wheels can often be retained when they still match those basic dimensions and remain structurally sound.

Before fitting any new tire, inspect the wheel carefully for rust pitting, bead-seat damage, distortion, and prior repairs that may affect sealing or safe mounting. Original 1936 Ford wheels are part of the car's authenticity, but age alone makes close inspection worthwhile. If there is any doubt, have the rims evaluated during the restoration or service process before mounting fresh tires.

A 1936 Ford should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Bias-ply tires also appreciate stable inflation and periodic movement, because long static storage can encourage flat-spotting more readily than many modern radial designs.

For seasonal or long-term storage, keep the tires clean, maintain inflation, and move the car occasionally so the same contact patch is not bearing the load month after month. Some owners also use tire cradles or lift the vehicle appropriately during extended storage. Those steps help protect both the tire shape and the finished look of a carefully restored prewar Ford.

Tire life on a 1936 Ford is usually judged more by age, storage conditions, and inspection results than by mileage alone, since many collector cars see limited use. A sensible rule is to evaluate tires closely once they are in the five- to seven-year range and to treat roughly ten years as a serious replacement point regardless of remaining tread depth. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age.

That timeline matters because an older prewar car may look lightly used even when the rubber has aged past its ideal service life. Sidewall cracking, hardening, repeated pressure loss, and visible flat-spotting all deserve attention sooner rather than later. If your 1936 Ford is driven infrequently, age-based maintenance discipline becomes even more important than miles traveled.

Tires on a 1936 Ford should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Check for sidewall cracking, cuts, tread separation signs, uneven wear, punctures, and pressure loss. On an older collector car, the valve stems and the condition of the spare deserve the same attention as the four tires on the ground.

That habit is especially valuable on a prewar Ford because the car's steering feel, braking distance, and ride quality all depend heavily on tire condition. A brief walk-around before each trip can catch age-related issues before they become roadside problems. If the car has been sitting for weeks or months, include a careful look for flat spots and weathering before heading out.

A 1936 Ford 67 Series would have been equipped in the bias-ply era, and the 600-16 size offered here matches that period-correct construction family and wheel diameter. That makes bias-ply 600-16 tires the appropriate starting point for an owner pursuing an authentic restoration look. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and supply, so the key historical point is the size and construction type.

If you are restoring a 1936 Ford 67 Series for formal judging, confirm any body-style or market-specific expectations with Ford marque specialists and the standards used by your event. Judges typically care about whether the tire's size, construction, and sidewall presentation fit the era. Getting those three elements right usually matters more than chasing assumptions about one universal original brand.

Correct tire fitment matters on a shown 1936 Ford because size, construction, and sidewall style all affect how authentically the car presents. A 600-16 bias-ply tire aligns with the period, while a visibly modern format or an out-of-character sidewall treatment can stand out quickly on a prewar Ford. Tire profile and stance are part of the visual language judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice.

That does not mean every event applies the same standard. A preservation class, a local cruise-in, and a national concours may view details differently, so match the tire to the level of authenticity you are pursuing. If your 1936 Ford is built as a traditional custom rather than a stock restoration, a different sidewall style may be appropriate even though the base size remains the same.

The Coker Classic and Avon offerings for 1936 Ford both cover the 600-16 fitment in blackwall form, but they are presented differently. The Coker Classic is listed as 600-16 with a 1400-pound maximum load at 32 psi and a 4.00- to 4.50-inch rim-width range, while the Avon is marked 600H16 93H and lists a 1,433-pound maximum load. Their listed weights also differ, with the Coker at 20 pounds and the Avon at 24 pounds.

For a restoration-minded owner, that means the choice is not just brand preference but also how closely you want the tire's markings and character to align with your intended presentation. One may better suit a traditional American factory-style look, while the other may appeal to an owner who wants a different branded bias-ply option in the same basic size. Compare the exact sidewall styling and published specs before deciding.

1936 Ford tires can be appropriate for highway use when they are in good condition, correctly inflated, and matched to the way the car is actually driven. The 600-16 offerings here are bias-ply tires, and one listed version carries an H speed rating, which corresponds to a 130 mph ceiling. In real-world use, a 1936 Ford's brakes, suspension design, steering feel, and overall mechanical condition usually matter more than chasing the tire's theoretical top-speed figure.

Safe highway driving in a prewar Ford is really about operating within the car's own comfort zone and keeping the entire chassis in proper condition. Fresh, properly fitted tires are only one part of that picture. Before regular road use, make sure the alignment, steering components, wheel bearings, and brakes are sorted so the tire is working with a sound vehicle rather than compensating for worn hardware.

Several 600-16 tires offered for 1936 Ford list a maximum load of 1400 pounds at 32 psi, while another listed 600H16 product shows a 1,433-pound maximum load. Those figures are tire ratings, not a blanket instruction to run every 1936 Ford tire at the same pressure in every condition. Inflation should follow the vehicle's factory guidance when available and remain within the tire maker's published limits for the exact product selected.

The useful takeaway is to treat pressure as product-specific and vehicle-specific, not as something that can be copied casually from one tire to another. A restored sedan driven lightly, a coupe built for longer tours, and a car carrying different loads may not feel best at the same setting. Start with the correct references, then fine-tune carefully while keeping pressures consistent side to side.

Before a longer drive in a 1936 Ford, inspect all four tires and the spare for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation. Make sure the valve stems are sound, the wheel hardware is secure, and the tire sidewalls show no signs of age-related distress. On a car of this age, tire condition should be checked alongside brakes, cooling system, steering, and fuel-system readiness.

That broader approach matters because a successful road trip in a prewar Ford depends on the whole vehicle, not just the tread. A tire that looks acceptable in the garage can still reveal problems once heat and speed build over a longer run. Giving the spare and jack the same attention as the road tires is worthwhile too, since older cars often rely on equipment that has sat untouched for years.