1936 Hudson Tire Fitment Guide

1936 Hudson vehicles use two different tire sizes, depending on the series. The 61, 62 and 63 Series use 600-16, while the 64, 65, 66 and 67 Series use 6.25-16. Both sizes are bias-ply and both mount on 16-inch wheels. For 600-16, available products list a rim-width range of 4.00 to 4.50 inches.

That means the first fitment step on a 1936 Hudson is identifying the exact series, not simply the year and make. Once the series is confirmed, you can narrow your choice by sidewall style and brand rather than guessing between sizes. If your car has replacement wheels or a long restoration history, it is wise to verify the actual wheel before final selection.

On a 1936 Hudson, 600-16 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 600 portion refers to the nominal section width, traditionally read as 6.00 inches, and the 16 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. It is the size used on the 1936 Hudson 61, 62 and 63 Series rather than the larger 64 through 67 Series cars.

Modern buyers often mistake older numeric sizes for direct modern metric equivalents, but they are best understood in their original prewar bias-ply context. If you own one of the smaller-series 1936 Hudson models, 600-16 keeps you in the correct size family and lets you compare blackwall and whitewall choices without crossing into the larger-series fitment.

No, 1936 Hudson models do not all use the same tire size. The 61, 62 and 63 Series use 600-16, while the 64, 65, 66 and 67 Series use 6.25-16. Both are 16-inch bias-ply fitments, but the size itself changes with the model group.

That split is important because many prewar cars have passed through multiple owners, restorations, and wheel changes over the decades. If the series identification plate, body style, or title history leaves any doubt, confirm the car's exact series before choosing a tire. Once that is settled, the selection process becomes much simpler and more accurate.

1936 Hudson tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles within the 600-16 fitment. BFGoodrich and Firestone offer wide whitewall versions in that size, while Coker Classic and Avon appear in blackwall form. On a prewar American car like a 1936 Hudson, either style can be appropriate depending on the car's presentation, trim level, and restoration goal.

Whitewalls usually create a more formal, upscale period appearance, while blackwalls deliver a plainer, more understated look often preferred on less dressed restorations or touring cars. The key is to make the sidewall choice match the visual character you want for the car rather than treating sidewall style as purely decorative afterthought.

Four brands appear in the currently available 1936 Hudson fitment range for 600-16: BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Avon. All of those offerings are bias-ply products, which is appropriate for the period of the car. Brand availability is tied to the individual size, so the exact set of choices depends on whether your Hudson uses 600-16 or 6.25-16.

For a buyer, that means brand selection comes after fitment confirmation. Once the series and size are settled, compare the available brands by sidewall appearance, overall look, and any published service details such as load or speed markings. On a prewar Hudson, visual character and era-correct construction usually matter as much as the brand name itself.

Within the 1936 Hudson 600-16 size, BFGoodrich and Firestone are offered as wide whitewall bias-ply tires, while Coker Classic and Avon are offered as blackwalls. BFGoodrich and Firestone list 1400 pounds at 32 psi and fit 4.00- to 4.50-inch rims, while Coker Classic carries the same 1400 pounds at 32 psi and the same rim-width range in blackwall form. Avon appears as a 600H16 93H blackwall with a listed maximum load of 1,433 pounds and an H speed rating.

That gives 1936 Hudson owners two main comparison points: appearance and service markings. If the goal is a broad prewar whitewall presentation, BFGoodrich and Firestone lead that conversation, while blackwall restorations can compare Coker Classic against Avon. The Avon tire also carries a specific speed-rated sidewall marking, so reading the exact tire description matters when you want a particular specification.

For 1936 Hudson vehicles using 600-16 tires, the listed rim-width range is 4.00 to 4.50 inches on a 16-inch rim. That gives a clear setup window for the smaller 61, 62 and 63 Series fitment. The larger 6.25-16 Hudson fitment also uses a 16-inch wheel, so wheel diameter remains consistent across the model groups.

Rim width matters because an old car may no longer be wearing its original wheels, even when the diameter appears correct. Before mounting new tires, inspect the wheel itself and confirm that the width and condition are appropriate for the tire you plan to run. That extra check is especially worthwhile on a car that has been off the road for years.

1936 Hudson tires in both listed sizes mount on 16-inch wheels, so the year's two fitments share wheel diameter. That means the basic wheel-diameter family remains the same whether the car is a 61, 62 and 63 Series model or a 64, 65, 66 and 67 Series model. Diameter compatibility, however, is only one part of the picture.

A buyer should still confirm that the wheel on the car matches the correct series and suits the intended tire width. Decades of repair work, wheel swaps, and incomplete restorations can blur what is original. If your Hudson still wears old factory-style wheels, inspect them carefully for width, condition, and true fitment before assuming any 16-inch Hudson tire belongs on them.

A 1936 Hudson should be stored in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Keep the tires clean, maintain proper inflation, and move the car periodically so the same section of each bias-ply tire is not carrying the vehicle's weight month after month.

Bias-ply tires tend to flat-spot more readily during long static storage than a modern radial, so collector-car storage habits matter. If the Hudson will sit for an extended season, some owners use tire cradles or appropriately placed stands as part of a broader preservation routine. The goal is not only protecting tread and sidewalls, but also preserving the ride quality you expect when the car returns to the road.

Tires on a 1936 Hudson are usually judged by age and condition more than by mileage, because collector vehicles often accumulate very few annual miles. A sensible practice is to begin evaluating them closely once they are about five to seven years old and to treat roughly ten years as a point for serious replacement consideration, regardless of remaining tread depth. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age.

That approach is especially important on a prewar car that may spend much of its life parked indoors and only come out for events or fair-weather drives. Rubber can harden, crack, or lose resilience long before the tread looks worn. Age, storage history, and visible condition together give a much better picture than mileage alone.

Tires on a 1936 Hudson should be inspected before every drive, and again more carefully before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, irregular wear, punctures, bulges, and signs that the tire is not holding pressure consistently. On an older collector car, the valve stem deserves attention as well, since age-related deterioration there can mimic a tire problem.

A pre-drive inspection only takes a few minutes and often catches small issues before they become roadside problems. For a longer trip, include the spare in that inspection instead of focusing only on the four mounted tires. On a car of this age, tire readiness is part of a broader mechanical habit, not a once-a-season task.

The 1936 Hudson 61, 62 and 63 Series use 600-16 tires, and the period-correct construction for a car of this era is bias-ply. That aligns with the way American passenger cars were equipped in the mid-1930s, well before radial tires became a mainstream production standard. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and delivery history, so the size and construction are usually the first points to get right.

For restoration work, that means a 600-16 bias-ply tire is the proper starting point, followed by a sidewall style that suits the exact car's appearance. If the goal is strict authenticity for show judging, Hudson marque specialists and period literature can help confirm how a specific body style or regional-market car would have been presented when new.

Correct tire fitment matters on a shown 1936 Hudson because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, and sidewall appearance immediately. A car from this era is expected to wear a period-appropriate bias-ply tire in the proper size for its series, and a mismatched sidewall treatment can stand out just as quickly as an incorrect wheel finish.

For a local tour car, small deviations may be of little concern, but concours or marque-level judging is often stricter. If your Hudson is being prepared for that level of review, treat the tire choice as part of the car's visual and historical presentation, not just a maintenance item. Event-specific rules are best confirmed through Hudson clubs and judging guidelines.

On a 1936 Hudson restoration, the main difference between whitewall and blackwall tires is visual character rather than size or era. In 600-16, both blackwall and wide whitewall bias-ply options are available, giving owners a choice between a more formal prewar look and a plainer presentation. Either can suit the period, depending on the car's trim, body style, and restoration intent.

That makes the decision less about mechanical fitment and more about historical appearance. A richly trimmed sedan or coupe often looks natural on a wide whitewall, while a simpler blackwall can feel more restrained and purposeful. If your 1936 Hudson is being restored to a specific factory or club standard, compare the tire look against period photos and marque references before making the final call.

1936 Hudson tires can be appropriate for highway driving when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and used within their individual service ratings. One 600-16 option carries an H speed rating, which corresponds to 130 mph, while the other listed 600-16 tires rely on their stated load and inflation information rather than a visible speed-letter marking in the size description. In real use, a 1936 Hudson's brakes, steering, suspension, and overall mechanical condition are usually more limiting than the tire's top-end rating.

The practical point is to think in terms of the whole car, not just the tire. A freshly inspected bias-ply tire on a well-sorted Hudson is one thing; an aged tire on a car with uncertain wheel or suspension condition is another. Highway use should begin with a realistic assessment of the vehicle's age, setup, and intended cruising pace.

For 1936 Hudson 600-16 tires, several listed products show a maximum load of 1400 pounds at 32 psi, while another 600-16 offering lists 1,433 pounds. Those figures describe the tire's rated service information, not a universal inflation setting for every Hudson in every use case. The correct operating pressure for the car should be checked against period Hudson guidance and then considered alongside the reproduction tire maker's specifications.

That distinction matters because overinflating to a sidewall maximum can change ride quality and contact patch, while underinflation can create heat and poor handling. On a collector Hudson, the best practice is to start with the vehicle's recommended pressure range if available, then confirm that it aligns sensibly with the tire's own rating and the way the car is driven.

Before a longer drive in a 1936 Hudson, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and stable inflation, and do not forget the spare. Check the valve stems, wheel condition, and overall age of the tires in addition to tread appearance. A prewar car also deserves a broader once-over that includes brakes, steering, cooling, and basic fuel-system readiness.

That routine is especially important because many older cars spend long periods parked between outings. A tire that looked acceptable last season may have aged noticeably over the winter, and a spare that has not been examined in years can leave you stranded just as quickly as a failed road tire. A careful inspection makes touring in a 1936 Hudson far more predictable and enjoyable.