1936 Pontiac Tire Fitment Guide

1936 Pontiac vehicles use two different tire sizes, depending on model. The 1936 Pontiac 6 Cyl. uses 600-16, while the 1936 Pontiac 8 Cyl. uses 650-16. Both are bias-ply sizes and both mount on 16-inch rims. For 600-16, listed rim-width recommendations run from 4.00 to 4.50 inches on several products. For 650-16, listed rim-width recommendations run from 4.50 to 5.00 inches on several products.

That means year and make alone are not enough to choose tires for a 1936 Pontiac. You need to identify whether the car is a six-cylinder or an eight-cylinder model, then confirm the wheel width against the tire you are considering. Because both sizes share a 16-inch rim diameter, owners sometimes assume they interchange freely, but the section width and recommended rim-width range are different enough that the actual wheel should be checked before ordering.

On a 1936 Pontiac, 600-16 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The "600" indicates the nominal section width in the older numeric sizing system, and the "16" identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is the size used on 1936 Pontiac 6 Cyl. models, and available products in this size include both blackwall and wide whitewall bias-ply tires.

Modern buyers sometimes expect a size code to spell out every dimension, but prewar numeric sizes are more compact than modern metric sizing. The important takeaway is that 600-16 is the correct family of tire for the six-cylinder Pontiac, not the eight-cylinder car. Once that is established, the remaining decision usually comes down to brand, sidewall appearance, and making sure the tire's recommended wheel width matches the rim already on the car.

On a 1936 Pontiac, 650-16 is also a numeric bias-ply size. The "650" indicates a nominally wider tire than 600-16 in the traditional numeric system, and the "16" again refers to a 16-inch wheel diameter. This is the size used on 1936 Pontiac 8 Cyl. models, with blackwall and wide whitewall bias-ply offerings available from several brands.

For an owner or restorer, the practical point is that 650-16 is model-specific rather than a general 1936 Pontiac size. A wider tire usually pairs with a wider recommended rim range as well, which is reflected in the 4.50- to 5.00-inch wheel-width listings seen on several 650-16 products. If your car is an eight-cylinder Pontiac, staying with the correct 650-16 size preserves the proportions and fitment expected for that model.

1936 Pontiac tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. In 600-16, blackwall options appear alongside wide whitewall choices from brands such as BFGoodrich and Firestone, while 650-16 also includes both blackwall and wide whitewall versions from brands including BFGoodrich, Firestone, Coker Classic, and Garfield. That gives owners flexibility without changing the basic size or construction required by the car.

Sidewall style matters because it changes the look of a prewar Pontiac far more than many modern buyers expect. A blackwall usually gives a more restrained, workmanlike presentation, while a wide whitewall delivers the fuller period dress-up look many restorers want on an upscale 1930s American car. The right choice often depends on the car's trim level, restoration theme, and whether you are aiming for a formal show appearance or a simpler road-use presentation.

Several brands make tires for 1936 Pontiac vehicles. In 600-16, available brands include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Avon. In 650-16, available brands include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Garfield. All of the listed offerings for these two Pontiac sizes are bias-ply, which keeps the overall character aligned with prewar American fitment.

Brand choice on a 1936 Pontiac is usually less about changing the underlying fitment and more about choosing the visual style and product family that fits your restoration goals. Some owners prioritize a traditional American brand appearance, while others may be drawn to a specialty product such as the Avon offering in 600-16. Once your model and size are confirmed, comparing sidewall styling and any listed load or speed details will usually narrow the field more effectively than brand name alone.

For the 1936 Pontiac, BFGoodrich and Firestone both offer period-style bias-ply tires in the correct year-make sizes, but they differ in available sidewall presentations and some listed specifications. In 600-16, BFGoodrich is offered as a 3.50-inch wide whitewall while Firestone appears as a 3.25-inch wide whitewall, and both list 1400 pounds at 32 psi on those products. In 650-16, BFGoodrich offers a 3.75-inch wide whitewall and Firestone offers a blackwall, with several products in that size listing 1580 pounds at 32 psi.

That means the decision between BFGoodrich and Firestone may be driven as much by appearance as by fitment. A whitewall-width difference can noticeably change the visual balance of a 1930s Pontiac, especially on a show-oriented car. If you are comparing products within the correct size for your model, look closely at sidewall style first, then confirm wheel-width compatibility and any listed load details so the tire suits both the car's stance and its intended use.

1936 Pontiac tires use 16-inch rims, but the recommended rim width depends on the size. For 600-16 tires used on 1936 Pontiac 6 Cyl. models, listed wheel-width recommendations run from 4.00 to 4.50 inches on several products. For 650-16 tires used on 1936 Pontiac 8 Cyl. models, listed recommendations run from 4.50 to 5.00 inches on several products.

That difference is one reason the six-cylinder and eight-cylinder sizes should not be treated as casual substitutes. The wheel may share the same diameter, but width still matters to how the tire seats and presents on the car. Before choosing a tire, measure the wheel or verify it against a trusted restoration reference so the tire's recommended range matches the rim already fitted to your 1936 Pontiac.

Original 1936 Pontiac wheels use the same 16-inch rim diameter across both listed tire sizes, so diameter compatibility is shared. The 600-16 size used on the 6 Cyl. models and the 650-16 size used on the 8 Cyl. models are both built for 16-inch wheels. Where they differ is in width: several 600-16 products call for 4.00- to 4.50-inch rims, while several 650-16 products call for 4.50- to 5.00-inch rims.

That makes wheel width the deciding factor rather than wheel diameter. If your car still has its original wheels and is configured as the factory intended for its model group, the correct size will usually align naturally. If the car has had wheels swapped over the years, confirm the actual rim width before assuming either size is suitable. That check is especially worthwhile on a nearly 90-year-old car that may have seen multiple owners and partial restorations.

A 1936 Pontiac should be stored in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, furnaces, welders, or other ozone-producing equipment that can accelerate sidewall cracking. Because 1936 Pontiac tires are bias-ply, they are more prone to temporary flat-spotting during long static periods than a modern radial would be. Keeping the tires properly inflated and moving the car periodically helps reduce stress on one contact patch.

Owners who store a 1936 Pontiac for months at a time often benefit from rolling the car slightly every few weeks or using stands in a way that does not create suspension issues. Clean, dry floors are preferable to damp ground, and tire covers can help block light exposure if the car sits near windows. Proper storage preserves both the tire's structure and the appearance that matters so much on a prewar restoration.

On a 1936 Pontiac, tire life is usually judged more by age and condition than by mileage. Collector cars often accumulate very few miles, so tread depth alone is not a reliable guide. A practical rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they are around five to seven years old and to consider replacement as they approach ten years, depending on storage, use, and condition. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age.

That age-based approach matters on a 1936 Pontiac because many cars spend long periods parked and may look fine at a glance while the rubber is quietly aging. Sidewall cracking, hardening, vibration, or a loss of air retention can all signal that the tire has reached the end of its useful life even if the tread still appears presentable. For a low-use collector car, age and storage history usually tell the story better than miles driven.

Tires on a 1936 Pontiac should be inspected before every drive and especially before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, embedded objects, irregular wear, cuts, bulges, and signs that the tire has lost pressure since the last use. Prewar cars reward careful habits, and tire inspection is one of the simplest ways to catch a problem before it strands the car or damages a wheel.

A deeper inspection a few times each season is also wise, particularly if the car sees infrequent use. Check the spare as well as the four road tires, and inspect valve stems closely because age affects rubber components throughout the system. If your 1936 Pontiac has been sitting, give the tires a slow visual walk-around before moving the car; long storage can reveal flat spotting, weathering, or bead-area issues that are easy to miss when you are eager to drive.

A 1936 Pontiac 6 Cyl. would have originally been fitted with bias-ply tires, since that was the standard construction for American passenger cars of the period. The listed fitment size for the six-cylinder model group is 600-16, which aligns with the era's numeric bias-ply sizing practice. Original-equipment branding could vary by market, supplier, and production circumstances, so the important authenticity points are the correct size, construction type, and sidewall presentation.

For a restoration, 600-16 bias-ply tires are the right starting point for preserving the car's period stance and road feel. The remaining authenticity question is often whether your particular car should wear blackwalls or whitewalls, which can depend on trim, presentation, and how the car was ordered. If you are preparing a high-level judged Pontiac, a marque club or period sales literature can help confirm the most appropriate sidewall treatment for your exact car.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1936 Pontiac because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction, and sidewall style quickly. A six-cylinder car wearing 650-16 tires, or an eight-cylinder car wearing 600-16 tires, would look out of place to anyone familiar with the model range. On a prewar car, visible details such as blackwall versus wide whitewall can also influence how authentic the finished restoration appears.

That does not mean every event uses the same standards, but it does mean tire choice is part of the car's presentation rather than an afterthought. Owners aiming for judged authenticity should match the model-specific size first, then consider whether the selected sidewall style suits the class and the car's overall trim level. Event rules and marque-club guidance are the best places to confirm whether your 1936 Pontiac should lean toward a simpler or more dressed appearance.

A 1936 Pontiac 8 Cyl. would have left the period wearing bias-ply tires rather than radial construction. The listed size for the eight-cylinder model group is 650-16, which is the larger of the two Pontiac sizes used that year and fits the era's traditional numeric sizing system. As with many 1930s American cars, the historically correct foundation is the proper size and bias-ply construction rather than chasing a single assumed brand name.

For restorers, that makes 650-16 bias-ply tires the proper baseline for preserving the eight-cylinder car's original proportions. The choice between blackwall and wide whitewall then shapes how formal or upscale the finished car appears. If your goal is a show-level restoration, use the correct model-specific size first and then verify sidewall treatment against period references or Pontiac enthusiast resources so the car's visual character matches the standards you are aiming to meet.

1936 Pontiac tires can be suitable for highway use when they are in good condition, properly inflated, and used within the capabilities of the specific tire and the car itself. The available Pontiac sizes here are bias-ply, and one 600-size Avon product carries an H speed rating, which corresponds to a 130 mph ceiling. Other listed products do not consistently show a speed rating in the size marking, so safe road use should be approached with the expectations appropriate to a prewar bias-ply collector car.

In real-world use, the mechanical limits of a 1936 Pontiac usually matter at least as much as the tire's theoretical speed capability. Brakes, steering, suspension, alignment, and the condition of nearly century-old wheels all influence how comfortable and stable the car feels at sustained road speeds. Highway driving is less about chasing modern traffic pace and more about using sound tires on a well-sorted car, then driving with the margins that a 1930s automobile deserves.

Inflation pressure for 1936 Pontiac tires should be guided first by the car's factory recommendations and then checked against the specific tire's own rated figures. Several 600-16 products list a maximum load of 1400 pounds at 32 psi, while several 650-16 products list a maximum load of 1580 pounds at 32 psi. Those figures describe a tire's rated load relationship, not a universal instruction to use the same pressure in every situation.

The safest approach is to start with the original owner's manual or a trusted factory reference for the car's intended operating pressure, then make sure the tire chosen is suitable for that use. Avoid transferring a pressure figure from the six-cylinder size to the eight-cylinder size, or from one product family to another, without checking. Pressure has a direct effect on ride, wear, and casing stress, so it should always be set size by size and tire by tire.

Before a longer drive in a 1936 Pontiac, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and proper inflation. Check that the spare is usable, look at the valve stems, and make sure the wheels themselves are clean and free of obvious damage around the bead area. A prewar Pontiac also deserves a broader mechanical once-over that includes brakes, steering, wheel bearings, and suspension condition before any extended trip.

That pre-drive routine helps separate a relaxed tour from an avoidable roadside problem. Bias-ply tires can telegraph issues through vibration, pull, or visible weathering, so any change in behavior should be taken seriously before committing to miles of driving. If the car has been stored for a while, add a short local shakedown run before the main trip; it gives the tires and the rest of the chassis a chance to reveal problems while you are still close to home.