1937 Buick Tire Fitment Guide

1937 Buick vehicles use four different tire sizes, and each one is tied to a specific series. The 40 Series uses 650-16, the 60 Series uses 700-15, the 80 Series uses 700-16, and the 90 Series uses 750-16. Rim diameters are not uniform across the lineup, because the 60 Series uses a 15-inch rim while the other three series use 16-inch rims. Published rim-width ranges appear on many products: 650-16 commonly fits 4.50- to 5.00-inch rims, 700-15 fits 5.00- to 5.50-inch rims, 700-16 fits 4.50- to 5.50-inch rims, and 750-16 fits 5.00- to 6.00-inch rims.

That means a 1937 Buick owner should identify the series first, then confirm the wheel diameter already on the car before narrowing down sidewall style or brand. Even within the same year and make, moving from a 40 Series to a 90 Series is not just a cosmetic change in tire size. The proper size affects stance, wheel compatibility, and restoration accuracy, so it is worth checking the wheel and any surviving factory literature or marque references before making a final selection.

On a 1937 Buick, 650-16 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 6.50 portion refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches, and the 16 indicates the rim diameter in inches. On this Buick application, 650-16 is the size used on the 40 Series. Available versions include blackwall and wide whitewall tires, and listed examples show fitment on 16-inch rims with common rim-width ranges of 4.50 to 5.00 inches.

A modern buyer should read 650-16 as both a size and a construction-era signal. It is the kind of prewar American sizing convention associated with bias-ply tires, so the goal is usually to maintain the correct look and proportions rather than translate it into a later metric size. If your 1937 Buick is a 40 Series, 650-16 is the proper starting point, and the remaining choice is typically sidewall appearance and brand character rather than changing to a different fitment.

No, 1937 Buick models do not all use the same tire size. Buick assigned a distinct size to each series: 650-16 for the 40 Series, 700-15 for the 60 Series, 700-16 for the 80 Series, and 750-16 for the 90 Series. All four are bias-ply fitments, but they differ in section width and, in one case, rim diameter. That variation reflects Buick's wide spread from junior to senior cars in the 1937 lineup.

For buyers, the practical takeaway is simple: year and make are not enough on a 1937 Buick. A 60 Series owner needs to be especially careful because that car uses a 15-inch rim, while the 40, 80, and 90 Series use 16-inch rims in different widths. If the series identification on the car is unclear, confirm the model designation and wheel diameter before settling on a tire, because the sizes are not interchangeable as a general rule across the full Buick range.

1937 Buick tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles across the listed sizes. The 650-16, 700-15, 700-16, and 750-16 offerings all include blackwall choices, and each size also has wide whitewall options from one or more brands. That gives owners flexibility whether they are restoring a more restrained driver or a more formal prewar presentation. On a Buick of this era, wide whitewalls are closely associated with an upscale late-1930s appearance, especially on the larger senior cars.

The right sidewall style depends on how you want the car to read visually and how original your restoration needs to be. A blackwall can suit a plainer, businesslike look, while a wide whitewall usually gives the car the richer period presence many collectors expect from prewar Buicks. If the car is being prepared for judged showing, it is smart to compare the sidewall style against factory photos, period advertising, or Buick club guidance for your specific series and body style.

Several brands cover 1937 Buick fitments, depending on size. The 650-16 size is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Garfield. The 700-15 size is available from Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA. The 700-16 size includes Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone, while the 750-16 size includes Firestone, Lester, and BFGoodrich. All listed examples for these Buick sizes are bias-ply constructions.

That brand spread lets owners prioritize visual style and period character without moving away from the original construction type used in the era. Some brands lean more toward classic passenger-car presentation, while others include more utilitarian-looking offerings within the same nominal size. Once you know your Buick series and exact size, compare the available brands by sidewall style, listed load figures where provided, and the visual character that best matches the way your prewar Buick is being restored or driven.

In 750-16 for a 1937 Buick, both Firestone and BFGoodrich offer bias-ply options, but the published specifications are not identical. Firestone appears in blackwall and wide whitewall versions, with listed load figures of 1660 pounds at 40 psi and weights around 29 to 31 pounds. BFGoodrich appears as a 4.125-inch whitewall with a listed load figure of 1850 pounds at 48 psi and a weight of about 30 pounds. Both mount on 16-inch rims, with listed rim-width ranges of 5.00 to 6.00 inches where shown.

For a 1937 Buick 90 Series owner, the choice comes down to visual preference and how closely the tire's published specifications align with the car's intended use. A Firestone blackwall gives a more understated appearance, while the whitewall offerings from both brands move the look toward full prewar luxury. The listed load and pressure figures also deserve attention on a large senior Buick, especially if the car is used with passengers or luggage on longer tours rather than only for short local drives.

Rim-width guidance for 1937 Buick tires varies by size. The 650-16 size commonly fits 4.50- to 5.00-inch rims, 700-15 fits 5.00- to 5.50-inch rims, 700-16 fits 4.50- to 5.50-inch rims, and 750-16 fits 5.00- to 6.00-inch rims where published. Those ranges are tied to the tire size itself, not to the Buick name alone, so they should be matched to the correct series before installation. Each size also has its own rim diameter requirement, with 700-15 on 15-inch rims and the others on 16-inch rims.

That matters because a tire can have the right overall size code yet still be a poor match for the wheel if the rim width falls outside the intended range. Prewar wheels can also have been changed during a car's lifetime, so it is worth measuring the actual wheel and checking its diameter before mounting a new set. On a 1937 Buick, correct rim width helps preserve proper casing shape, steering feel, and the visual profile the car was designed to carry.

The listed 1937 Buick products are all traditional bias-ply sizes, but the tire descriptions shown here do not consistently mark them as tube-type or tubeless. For a prewar 1937 Buick with original-style wheels, inner tubes are commonly part of the correct setup because many period wheels and tire constructions were designed around tube use. That is especially relevant on older riveted or drop-center wheels where airtight sealing was not the original design priority.

Before final assembly, check the exact sidewall marking on the tire you choose and inspect the wheel itself rather than assuming every product in a numeric bias-ply size is configured the same way. Tube fitment also means the condition of the rim band, valve stem, and wheel interior matters just as much as the outer tire. If your Buick has replacement wheels or later modifications, confirm the intended tube setup directly against the actual wheel and tire combination you plan to run.

A 1937 Buick should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, furnaces, and other ozone sources that can age rubber. Bias-ply tires also tend to develop flat-spotting more readily during long static storage than later radial designs. Keeping the car on a clean surface, maintaining inflation, and moving it periodically helps reduce casing stress and sidewall fatigue.

If the Buick will sit for months at a time, many collectors either roll the car slightly every few weeks or support it in a way that reduces prolonged load on one contact patch. That approach is especially useful on heavier senior Buicks like the 80 and 90 Series. Storage is not just about preserving tread; it is about protecting the tire's shape, sidewalls, and overall integrity so the car drives more smoothly and predictably when it returns to the road.

Tires on a 1937 Buick should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage alone, because collector cars often accumulate very few miles while their tires continue to age. A sensible practice is to evaluate them closely once they are about five to seven years old and to consider replacement at around ten years, even if the tread still looks strong. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the practical reference point for age.

That age-based approach matters on prewar cars because a lightly driven Buick can appear roadworthy while the rubber has already hardened or cracked. If the car is used for touring, parade duty, or longer highway runs, err on the conservative side. Age, storage history, and sidewall condition usually matter more than the odometer on a 1937 Buick, particularly when the car spends much of its life parked between events rather than driven every week.

Tires on a 1937 Buick should be inspected before every drive and given a more thorough check before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and slow pressure loss. On a prewar bias-ply tire, even small visual changes can matter because the car's steering, ride, and braking characteristics are already more sensitive to tire condition than many modern drivers expect.

A longer inspection interval between drives is not a good idea on a collector Buick that may sit for weeks at a time. Pressure can drift, valve stems can age, and an old spare can be forgotten until it is needed. If the car runs tubes, include the valve stems and wheel condition in the check as well. A few extra minutes before departure can prevent the kind of roadside problem that turns a pleasant vintage drive into a recovery exercise.

A 1937 Buick 40 Series was originally fitted in the bias-ply era, and its correct size for this year is 650-16. That size matches the period construction Buick buyers would have expected in 1937, well before radial tires became standard in American passenger cars. Blackwall and wide whitewall reproductions both exist today in 650-16, but the most authentic choice for a particular restoration can still vary with body style, market presentation, and the way the car was originally delivered.

For most restorations, the important part is getting the size, construction type, and sidewall character aligned with the car's intended finish level. A touring sedan restored as a formal show car may call for a different visual treatment than a plainly trimmed driver, even when both use the same 650-16 size. If you are chasing factory-level accuracy for a judged event, compare your choice against Buick literature and consult a Buick marque club for series- and body-specific guidance.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1937 Buick, especially because the Buick line used different sizes for different series. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the size, construction type, and sidewall style fit the car's era and market position. A 1937 Buick on the wrong rim diameter, the wrong section width, or an obviously mismatched sidewall treatment can stand out quickly, particularly on senior cars where tire proportion contributes heavily to the car's stance.

For a show-oriented car, accuracy is not only about avoiding a visibly incorrect tire. It is also about preserving the visual relationship between wheel opening, fender line, and overall ride posture that gives a prewar Buick its character. If you are preparing for judging, review the event's standards and compare your tire choice against period photos. Marque clubs remain the best source for the finer points, including whether a given series is more commonly seen with blackwalls or whitewalls.

For the 1937 Buick 60 Series in 700-15, Firestone and BFGoodrich both offer bias-ply tires with wide whitewall versions, and Firestone also appears in blackwall form. Published examples from both brands show load figures of 1700 pounds at 32 psi, with rim-width guidance of 5.00 to 5.50 inches where listed. The main visible difference in the examples shown is sidewall presentation, while the listed weights vary slightly between versions, with Firestone around 26 to 29 pounds and BFGoodrich around 28 pounds.

That makes the decision largely one of presentation and brand preference rather than a major change in basic fitment. On a 1937 Buick 60 Series restored with an upscale late-1930s look, a wide whitewall can transform the car's visual character, while a blackwall gives a simpler appearance. If originality matters, compare your preferred sidewall treatment with period Buick imagery and club guidance rather than assuming every 60 Series left the factory dressed exactly the same way.

1937 Buick tires can be suitable for normal highway driving when they are the correct size, in sound condition, properly inflated, and used within their published limits. The listed Buick fitments are bias-ply tires, and one 700-16 product carries an L speed rating, which corresponds to a 75 mph ceiling. Most prewar Buick driving, however, is shaped at least as much by the car's own age, steering feel, suspension design, and braking capability as by the tire itself.

That means the real safety question is not simply whether the tire can survive highway speed, but whether the entire 1937 Buick is prepared for sustained road use. A freshly inspected bias-ply tire on a well-sorted car can be entirely reasonable for touring, but pace, road surface, and weather should still be approached with period awareness. Smooth steering inputs, conservative speeds, and regular pressure checks matter more on a prewar Buick than they do on a modern commuter car.

Inflation pressure for 1937 Buick tires should be matched to the exact size and tire chosen rather than borrowed from another series. Listed examples include 650-16 at 1580 pounds at 32 psi, 700-15 at 1700 pounds at 32 psi, 700-16 at 1800 pounds at 36 psi or 1900 pounds at 36 psi depending on product, and 750-16 examples at 1660 pounds at 40 psi or 1850 pounds at 48 psi. Those figures are tire ratings, not universal factory inflation settings for every Buick series.

Use the Buick owner's literature for original vehicle pressure guidance, then compare that with the tire manufacturer's published rating for the exact reproduction tire you intend to run. The key is to avoid transferring a pressure figure from one Buick series or one tire size to another, because the cars and tires differ. Pressure affects steering effort, ride quality, tread wear, and casing stress, so it deserves a deliberate setup rather than a one-number-for-all approach.

Before a longer drive in a 1937 Buick, inspect each tire for sidewall cracks, cuts, bulges, embedded objects, and uneven tread wear, then confirm cold inflation pressure. Check the spare as well, because collector-car spares are often forgotten until they are urgently needed. On a prewar Buick, it is also wise to look closely at valve stems, wheel condition, and any signs that the tire has shifted or aged during storage.

That tire inspection should be part of a broader pre-drive routine that includes brakes, steering, fluids, and lighting, since a 1937 Buick asks more of the driver than a modern car. Long drives magnify small issues, especially on older bias-ply tires that may have spent months parked. If the car passes those checks, start the trip conservatively and pay attention to how it tracks and steers in the first few miles before settling into the drive.