1937 Auburn Tire Fitment Guide

1937 Auburn vehicles use two model-specific tire sizes: 600-16 for the Auburn 654 Series and 650-16 for the Auburn 810. Both sizes are bias-ply and both mount on 16-inch rims. For 600-16, available rim-width guidance runs from 4.00 to 4.50 inches, while 650-16 products with published fitment guidance call for 4.50 to 5.00 inch rim widths.

The practical takeaway is that a 1937 Auburn owner should identify the model first, then confirm the wheel dimensions already on the car before choosing among brands and sidewall styles. Even though both sizes share the same rim diameter, the width requirements are not identical, so treating 600-16 and 650-16 as interchangeable because both are 16-inch tires can lead to the wrong fitment path.

On a 1937 Auburn tire, 600-16 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 6.00 figure refers to the nominal tire section width in inches, and the 16 indicates the wheel diameter in inches. For 1937 Auburn applications, that size belongs to the 654 Series rather than the 810.

Modern buyers often expect a later alphanumeric or metric code, but a prewar Auburn normally uses this earlier numeric style. When you see 600-16 on a tire or wheel reference for a 1937 Auburn, think of it as the correct narrower 16-inch fitment for the 654 Series, then narrow your choice by sidewall appearance, brand, and the exact wheel width on the car.

No, 1937 Auburn models do not all use the same tire size. The Auburn 654 Series uses 600-16, while the Auburn 810 uses 650-16. Both are bias-ply 16-inch sizes, but they are assigned to different models rather than shared across the entire Auburn line.

That distinction matters because Auburn buyers often know the year and make but may still be sorting out details on a long-restored or newly acquired car. If the model identification is uncertain, confirm it before choosing a tire. Once the model is settled, the size choice becomes straightforward and the remaining decisions are mostly about brand, blackwall versus whitewall appearance, and restoration goals.

1937 Auburn tires are offered in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. In 600-16, blackwall choices include Coker Classic and Avon, while wide whitewall versions include BFGoodrich and Firestone. In 650-16, blackwall examples include Coker Classic and Firestone, and wide whitewall examples include BFGoodrich and Garfield.

Sidewall style changes the visual character of a prewar Auburn almost as much as the wheel itself. Blackwalls suit a more restrained or road-use presentation, while wide whitewalls bring a more formal period look that many collectors associate with upper-end 1930s American cars. If originality standards matter for your specific restoration, compare the sidewall treatment already associated with the car’s history and consult Auburn marque resources for show-level confirmation.

Several brands cover 1937 Auburn fitments. The 600-16 size is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Avon, while the 650-16 size is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Garfield. All of the listed Auburn fitments here are bias-ply offerings rather than radial replacements.

That gives Auburn owners a useful spread of choices without changing away from the proper period construction. Brand selection at this level usually comes down to the sidewall style you want, the visual character of the tread and casing, and any differences in published load or wheel-width guidance for the exact tire you are considering. Staying inside the correct model-specific size matters more than chasing a brand name alone.

For 1937 Auburn fitments, BFGoodrich and Firestone both offer bias-ply tires in period-correct numeric sizes, and both appear in wide whitewall form for 600-16 and in either blackwall or wide whitewall options depending on size. In 600-16, both publish 1400-pound load capacity at 32 psi and the same 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim-width range, while the listed BFGoodrich tire weighs 21 pounds and the Firestone 24 pounds. In 650-16, both publish 1580-pound load capacity at 32 psi and a 4.50 to 5.00 inch rim-width range.

The real distinction for most Auburn owners is less about basic fitment and more about styling preference and the exact product presentation they want on the car. When two tires share the same size and similar load and rim-width guidance, compare the sidewall treatment, the visual look of the casing and tread, and any differences in listed weight or finish that matter to your restoration or driving plan.

1937 Auburn rim-width guidance depends on the tire size. For 600-16, the published range is 4.00 to 4.50 inches. For 650-16, the published range is 4.50 to 5.00 inches. Both sizes fit 16-inch rims, but the larger 650-16 calls for a wider wheel than the 600-16.

That matters when a car has mixed parts, replacement wheels, or a restoration history that is not fully known. Before choosing a tire, measure the actual wheel or confirm its specifications through the car’s records. Matching the tire to the correct wheel width helps preserve the intended profile and reduces the risk of an awkward fit on a wheel that is too narrow or too wide for the size.

Original 1937 Auburn wheels can often remain in service with either Auburn tire size because both 600-16 and 650-16 are built for 16-inch rims. The important distinction is width: 600-16 products are intended for 4.00 to 4.50 inch rims, while 650-16 products with published guidance are intended for 4.50 to 5.00 inch rims.

That means shared rim diameter does not automatically make every original wheel suitable for every Auburn size. If a car has retained its factory-type wheels, you still want to confirm the actual width before mounting tires. That check is especially worthwhile on prewar cars that may have seen wheel swaps, body-off restoration work, or decades of parts interchange between similar-era vehicles.

A stored 1937 Auburn should be kept out of direct sunlight and away from electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone sources that can accelerate sidewall aging. A cool, dry space is better than a damp one, and the car should either be moved periodically or placed so that long-term static loading is reduced. Bias-ply tires, like the 600-16 and 650-16 Auburn sizes, are more prone to temporary flat-spotting during long storage than modern radials.

Good storage habits help preserve both appearance and ride quality on a collector Auburn that may sit for weeks or months between drives. Keep inflation checked during storage, avoid parking on contaminated concrete or oily surfaces, and inspect the sidewalls before putting the car back into regular use. If the car will sit for a very long period, many owners also protect the tires from light and reduce sustained load on one contact patch.

Tires on a 1937 Auburn are usually judged more by age than by mileage because collector cars often see limited road use. A sensible rule is to evaluate them closely once they are around five to seven years old and to consider replacement at about ten years regardless of remaining tread. The DOT-style date code on the tire is the reference point for tire age, not the year the Auburn itself was built.

That age-based approach is especially important on prewar cars because a tire can look presentable and still be aging internally. Heat cycles, storage conditions, and long periods of inactivity all matter. If a 1937 Auburn has been dormant, treat the tires as a service item to be inspected before regular road use rather than assuming low mileage means they are still ready for dependable driving.

Tires on a 1937 Auburn should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and any sign that the tire is losing pressure. On a collector car that may sit for stretches between use, these quick visual checks are more important than waiting for a mileage interval.

A pre-drive inspection is one of the easiest ways to prevent trouble on a prewar Auburn. Pay attention to how the car feels in the first few miles as any storage flat-spot works out, and include the spare in your inspection routine so it is usable if needed. If valve stems or wheel hardware show age along with the tires, refresh those items as part of the same service cycle.

The 1937 Auburn 654 Series uses a 600-16 tire size, and the correct period construction for a car of this era is bias-ply. That aligns with the way American passenger cars were equipped in the late 1930s, well before radial tires became common in the U.S. collector market. Original-equipment brand details can vary by market and production circumstance, so size and construction are the first authenticity markers to get right.

For restoration purposes, matching the 654 Series to a 600-16 bias-ply tire preserves the proper visual scale and era-correct tire profile. From there, sidewall style becomes the next authenticity decision. Owners aiming at high-level judging should compare the car’s history, factory literature, and Auburn club guidance to decide whether blackwall or wide whitewall presentation best fits the exact car they are restoring.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1937 Auburn because show judging on prewar cars often pays attention to size, construction, and sidewall appearance as part of the overall presentation. A 654 Series shown on 650-16 tires, or an 810 shown on 600-16 tires, would immediately alter the car’s stance and proportions. Using a period-appropriate bias-ply construction is also part of maintaining authenticity for a car from this era.

The closer the event is to concours-style judging, the more important those details become. Even when judges do not score every tire dimension explicitly, experienced Auburn enthusiasts notice when the sidewall profile, whitewall treatment, or overall scale looks off. If your goal is event accuracy rather than casual touring presentation, verify the model-specific size first and then confirm sidewall expectations with Auburn marque experts or the event’s judging standards.

For a 1937 Auburn, blackwall and wide whitewall tires share the same basic fitment when they are ordered in the correct model-specific size, but they create very different visual effects. Both 600-16 and 650-16 are available in blackwall and wide whitewall forms, depending on brand. The choice does not change the fact that these are prewar-style bias-ply tires mounted on 16-inch rims.

Wide whitewalls usually give a 1937 Auburn a more formal, upscale late-1930s appearance, while blackwalls look more restrained and utilitarian. Neither is automatically right for every car, because restoration goals vary from strict show correctness to personal period taste. If the car is being judged, use period photos, factory literature, and club guidance to decide which sidewall treatment best matches the exact Auburn you are presenting.

1937 Auburn tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, in sound condition, properly inflated, and used within the limits of their construction and any stated speed rating. The Auburn sizes listed here are bias-ply, and one 600-16 option carries an H rating, which corresponds to 130 mph, while other Auburn products are not all marked the same way. On a prewar Auburn, the car’s own brakes, suspension, steering feel, and overall mechanical condition are often the bigger practical limit than the tire at ordinary highway speeds.

Safe road use comes down to matching expectations to the car and tire type. A well-sorted Auburn on fresh, correctly fitted bias-ply tires can be driven confidently, but it will not feel like a modern radial-equipped car. Before any sustained highway use, make sure the tires are aged appropriately, balanced if needed, and paired with a chassis that has been inspected with the same care as the rubber.

Published load-and-pressure figures for 1937 Auburn tires include 1400 pounds at 32 psi for several 600-16 products and 1580 pounds at 32 psi for several 650-16 products. Those are tire ratings, not a blanket instruction to run every Auburn tire at the same pressure in service. The car’s original inflation recommendation should come from the factory literature for the exact model, while the tire’s own rated pressure remains the limit for that product.

Use the Auburn owner’s information as the starting point, then compare it with the sidewall or manufacturer guidance for the exact tire you are considering. Do not transfer a pressure figure from 600-16 to 650-16 or vice versa simply because both fit 16-inch rims. Pressure has a direct effect on ride, tread shape, and stability, so it should be set for the specific size and product on the specific car.

Before taking a 1937 Auburn on a longer drive, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, and make sure the spare is roadworthy as well. Confirm that the tires installed match the car’s model-specific size: 600-16 for the 654 Series or 650-16 for the 810. A prewar Auburn also deserves a broader once-over that includes brakes, steering, wheel bearings, and the cooling and fuel systems.

Longer trips put more heat and sustained load into a collector car than a short local drive, so small issues become more important. If the Auburn has been sitting, give the tires a few initial miles to settle and recheck behavior before committing to extended distance. A calm pre-drive inspection routine is usually the difference between an enjoyable vintage tour and a preventable roadside interruption.