1936 Studebaker Tire Fitment Guide

1936 Studebaker vehicles use two tire sizes. The Commander and Dictator use 600-16, while the President uses 650-16. Both sizes are bias-ply tires and both mount on 16-inch rims. For 600-16, listed rim-width ranges run from 4.00 to 4.50 inches, while 650-16 products list 4.50 to 5.00 inches on products where rim-width guidance is shown.

That means year and make alone are not enough to choose a tire for a 1936 Studebaker. You need to identify the model first, then confirm that your actual wheel width aligns with the intended size. Once size is settled, the next choice is usually visual, such as blackwall versus wide whitewall, rather than switching between fundamentally different constructions.

On a 1936 Studebaker, 600-16 is a numeric bias-ply size. The “600” refers to the tire’s nominal section width in the older numeric sizing system, and the “16” is the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a modern metric size, and it does not read like later radial sizes with an aspect ratio and construction letter built into the code.

For a 1936 Studebaker Commander or Dictator, that older numeric code is part of what keeps the car visually and mechanically in character with its era. If your car calls for 600-16, focus on approved 16-inch applications and then compare details such as sidewall style, listed load capacity, and wheel-width compatibility before making your final choice.

No, 1936 Studebaker models do not all share one tire size. The Commander and Dictator use 600-16, while the President uses 650-16. All three models stay within bias-ply construction and 16-inch wheel diameter, but the President’s larger size reflects its place at the top of the lineup.

That difference matters because a 600-16 and a 650-16 are not interchangeable just because they fit the same wheel diameter. A buyer comparing the full 1936 Studebaker range should treat model identification as the first step, then confirm wheel width and preferred sidewall appearance. That keeps the tire choice aligned with both fitment and the car’s original visual stance.

1936 Studebaker tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. The 600-16 size for Commander and Dictator includes blackwall and wide whitewall choices, and the 650-16 size for President does as well. That gives owners room to match a more restrained factory-style look or a more formal presentation often associated with upper-trim 1930s American cars.

Sidewall style can change the personality of a 1936 Studebaker even when the size stays correct. Blackwalls usually suit a simpler, more utilitarian appearance, while wide whitewalls create a dressier period look that many restorers prefer for show presentation. If authenticity matters for a specific body style or event, compare your tire choice against period photos and club guidance for your exact model.

Several brands offer tires for 1936 Studebaker 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 options stay within bias-ply construction, which suits the era of the car.

Brand choice on a 1936 Studebaker often comes down to the look you want and the product details available in your required size. Some brands emphasize traditional whitewall presentation, while others offer understated blackwall choices that better suit a driver or a plainer restoration. Once you know your model’s size, compare brand offerings within that size instead of cross-shopping across both sizes.

For the 1936 Studebaker, BFGoodrich and Firestone both offer bias-ply tires in the relevant numeric sizes, but the presentation and some listed dimensions differ by product. In 600-16, BFGoodrich is offered with a 3.50-inch whitewall and Firestone with a 3.25-inch whitewall, and both list 1400@32 psi with a 4.00 to 4.50-inch rim-width range. In 650-16, BFGoodrich appears as a 3.75-inch whitewall while Firestone is offered as a blackwall, and both list 1580@32 psi with a 4.50 to 5.00-inch rim-width range.

That means the biggest difference for many 1936 Studebaker owners is visual character rather than a radical change in fitment. A slightly wider whitewall can shift the car toward a dressier look, while a blackwall keeps the presentation more restrained. When two products share the same basic size and load rating, sidewall treatment and the exact wheel-width compatibility are usually the most useful comparison points.

Rim-width guidance for 1936 Studebaker tires depends on the size. In 600-16, listed products show a rim-width range of 4.00 to 4.50 inches. In 650-16, listed products show a rim-width range of 4.50 to 5.00 inches. Both sizes use 16-inch wheel diameter, but they are meant for different wheel-width ranges.

That is why wheel diameter alone is not enough when setting up a 1936 Studebaker. A Commander or Dictator owner should confirm that the car’s wheels fall within the narrower 600-16 range, while a President owner should make sure the wheel supports 650-16 correctly. Checking the wheel before tire selection helps avoid mismatched proportions and preserves the tire’s intended profile.

Original 1936 Studebaker wheels can often be used with either of the year’s tire sizes only in the sense that both 600-16 and 650-16 are built for 16-inch rims. That does not mean the same wheel width is automatically correct for both sizes. The 600-16 products list 4.00 to 4.50-inch rim widths, while 650-16 products list 4.50 to 5.00-inch rim widths where that guidance is provided.

For practical purposes, a Commander or Dictator owner should not assume a President tire belongs on the same wheel setup just because the diameter matches. Measure the wheel and match it to the intended tire size for your model. That protects fitment, preserves the car’s proper stance, and avoids forcing a tire onto a wheel outside its approved width range.

A 1936 Studebaker should be stored in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone sources that accelerate sidewall aging. Keep the tires clean, maintain proper inflation, and move the car periodically if it stays parked for long stretches. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to temporary flat-spotting when they sit in one position for extended periods.

If a 1936 Studebaker will be parked for a season, many owners reduce stress on the tires by rolling the car occasionally or supporting it in a way that follows safe storage practice for the suspension and chassis. The goal is to protect both the casing and the appearance. Good storage habits matter just as much for a low-mile collector car as they do for one that is driven regularly.

Tires on a 1936 Studebaker should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. Collector cars often accumulate miles slowly, so a tire can look usable while still aging internally. A good rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they reach the five- to seven-year range and to treat around ten years as a point where replacement deserves serious consideration, regardless of remaining tread.

The practical way to manage tire age on a 1936 Studebaker is to check the date code when possible and keep service records with the car. Cracking, hardening, vibration, and recurring air loss all deserve attention even on a lightly used car. Old-looking tires on an otherwise fresh restoration can quickly become the weakest link once the car returns to regular road use.

Tires on a 1936 Studebaker should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, embedded debris, and pressure loss. A collector car that spends time parked can develop age-related issues even when the tread still looks full, so visual condition matters as much as tread depth.

A quick pre-drive routine helps catch problems before they turn into a roadside issue. On a 1936 Studebaker, that means checking all four road tires and the spare, then paying attention to how the car feels once underway. If the car has been parked for a long period, give the tires extra scrutiny before trusting them on a sustained drive at road speed.

The 1936 Studebaker Commander uses 600-16 tires, and bias-ply construction is the appropriate period construction for a mid-1930s American car of this type. That places the Commander squarely within the era before radial tires became standard in American passenger-car use. A blackwall or whitewall presentation may both be seen in period-style restorations, depending on how the car is being finished and the character the owner wants to preserve.

If you are restoring a 1936 Studebaker Commander for authenticity, keep the focus on the correct size first and the correct bias-ply construction second. Sidewall style should then be matched to the trim level, body style, and judging standard you are building toward. For market-specific or club-specific originality questions, a Studebaker marque specialist can help refine the final choice.

Correct tire fitment matters on a shown 1936 Studebaker because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction type, and sidewall appearance. A Commander or Dictator wearing 650-16 instead of 600-16, or a President wearing the smaller size, would be an obvious mismatch. On a car judged for authenticity, the use of a period-correct bias-ply construction is also part of presenting the car in keeping with its era.

Even when a tire physically mounts, visual accuracy still counts on a 1936 Studebaker. Whitewall width, blackwall versus whitewall presentation, and overall proportion all influence whether the car looks right for the period. If the car will be judged, compare your tire choice to period imagery and event rules so the final setup supports the restoration rather than distracting from it.

For the 1936 Studebaker President in 650-16, BFGoodrich and Garfield both appear as bias-ply choices with wide whitewall styling and both list 1580@32 psi. Each is built for a 16-inch rim and shows a 4.50 to 5.00-inch rim-width range. Their listed weights differ slightly, with the BFGoodrich shown at 24 pounds and the Garfield at 23 pounds.

That makes the comparison between these two 1936 Studebaker President options more about brand presentation and subtle product details than about a major difference in intended fitment. When two whitewall tires share the same basic size, load figure, and wheel-width guidance, restorers often decide by tread character, sidewall appearance, and how the finished tire complements the style of the car.

1936 Studebaker tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are in the correct size, in good condition, and used within their construction and rating limits. The available sizes for these cars are bias-ply, and one 600-16 offering carries an H speed rating, which corresponds to a 130 mph ceiling. Other products list load capacity but do not all show a speed symbol in the same way, so the specific tire’s sidewall marking should guide the final decision.

In real-world use, a 1936 Studebaker’s braking, suspension, steering, and overall age usually matter more than extreme tire speed capability. A properly maintained car on fresh, correctly sized tires can be enjoyable on modern roads, but sustained speed should always respect the limits of the entire vehicle. Good condition, correct inflation, and sensible driving are the foundation of road safety here.

Inflation pressure on a 1936 Studebaker should follow the vehicle’s original guidance first and the tire maker’s rating information second. In 600-16, several products list a maximum load of 1400 at 32 psi. In 650-16, several products list 1580 at 32 psi. Those figures describe the tire’s rated load relationship and should not automatically be treated as the universal day-to-day operating pressure for every car and every use case.

The right approach is to start with the factory recommendation for your exact 1936 Studebaker model, then make sure the tire you choose is being used within its published limits. Do not borrow a pressure figure from the President’s 650-16 size for a Commander or Dictator on 600-16. Keeping pressure matched to the correct size and vehicle helps ride quality, wear, and handling stay in balance.

Before a longer drive in a 1936 Studebaker, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, tread separation, uneven wear, and proper inflation. Check the spare as well, since a long-stored collector spare is often older than the road tires. Because these cars use bias-ply sizes, pay attention to how the tires feel after the car has been parked, and make sure the valve stems and wheel condition are part of the inspection routine.

Tires are only one part of preparing a 1936 Studebaker for distance, but they are one of the easiest places to catch trouble early. A thorough pre-drive check should also include brakes, steering, cooling, and basic fluid condition. When the tires are fresh, correctly sized, and carefully inspected, you start the trip with far more confidence in how the car will behave on the road.