1937 Cadillac Tire Fitment Guide

1937 Cadillac vehicles use two tire sizes: 700-16 and 750-16. The 700-16 size fits the 1937 Cadillac 60 Series, while 750-16 fits the 1937 Cadillac 65 Series, 70 Series, 75 Series, 85 Series, and 90 Series. Both sizes mount on 16-inch wheels. Available rim-width guidance appears on some products, with 700-16 examples listed for 4.50- to 5.50-inch rims and 750-16 examples listed for 5.00- to 6.00-inch rims.

That means year and make alone are not enough for 1937 Cadillac fitment. A buyer should first confirm the series, then compare the actual wheel against the approved width range for the specific tire being considered. That step matters on prewar cars, especially when wheels may have been swapped during earlier restorations or long ownership histories.

On a 1937 Cadillac tire, 700-16 is a numeric bias-ply size. The "700" is the nominal section-width designation used in period sizing, and the "16" is the wheel diameter in inches. On 1937 Cadillac applications, that size belongs to the 60 Series. Products in this size are offered in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles, all in bias-ply construction.

A modern buyer should read 700-16 as a prewar tire code rather than as a direct metric equivalent. It is best used as the original-style size reference for a 60 Series Cadillac, with the final choice shaped by how original you want the car to look and whether your wheel falls within the tire maker's approved rim-width range.

No, not all 1937 Cadillac models use the same tire size. The 1937 Cadillac 60 Series uses 700-16, while the 65 Series, 70 Series, 75 Series, 85 Series, and 90 Series use 750-16. Both are bias-ply sizes for 16-inch wheels, but they are not interchangeable as a year-wide one-size-fits-all fitment.

That distinction is especially important because Cadillac's 1937 range covered both a more accessible junior model and much larger senior cars. If you are shopping from a body tag, title, or family description alone, confirm the actual series before choosing tires. It will narrow the correct size immediately and help avoid mixing the smaller 60 Series tire with the larger senior-model fitment.

1937 Cadillac tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles across the two sizes used that year. The 700-16 fitment for the 60 Series appears in blackwall and wide whitewall offerings, and the 750-16 fitment for the senior series does as well. That gives restorers room to match the tire's visual treatment to the car's presentation rather than changing size or construction.

For a prewar Cadillac, sidewall appearance can strongly affect how formal or understated the car looks. Wide whitewalls are often favored on high-style restorations and show cars from the late 1930s, while blackwalls can suit a more restrained presentation or certain service-oriented looks. Event-specific authenticity standards can vary, so serious judging cars should be checked against Cadillac club and concours guidance.

1937 Cadillac vehicles have available tires from Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone, depending on size. The 700-16 size for the 60 Series is offered by all four of those brands, while the 750-16 senior-series size is offered by Firestone, Lester, and BFGoodrich. All listed choices are bias-ply tires, which aligns with the construction expected on a 1937 luxury car.

Brand choice on a prewar Cadillac usually comes down to visual preference, sidewall treatment, and how closely you want the tire to support the car's restoration character. Some buyers prefer a traditional American-brand presentation for a Cadillac restoration, while others focus first on the sidewall style and dimensions that best match the car's stance. Staying within the correct size for your series matters more than chasing a brand name alone.

For the 1937 Cadillac 750-16 fitment, Firestone and BFGoodrich both offer bias-ply choices, but the listed specs are not identical. Firestone appears in blackwall and wide whitewall versions with a listed maximum load of 1,660 pounds at 40 psi and a 5.00- to 6.00-inch rim-width range. BFGoodrich appears as a wide whitewall with a listed maximum load of 1,850 pounds at 48 psi and the same 5.00- to 6.00-inch rim-width range.

That means the main comparison is not basic fitment, since both are made for the same 16-inch senior-series Cadillac wheel range. Instead, the choice comes down to sidewall appearance and the specific tire specification you prefer within that size. If your goal is a very particular whitewall look or a match to the rest of the restoration, compare the exact sidewall treatment and published rating on the individual tire before deciding.

1937 Cadillac tires use 16-inch rims, but the approved rim width depends on the size. For 700-16, listed examples show a rim-width range of 4.50 to 5.50 inches. For 750-16, listed examples show a rim-width range of 5.00 to 6.00 inches. Those ranges line up with the distinction between the smaller 60 Series fitment and the wider senior-series fitment.

The practical takeaway is that a 16-inch wheel is only part of the fitment question. Before mounting tires on a 1937 Cadillac, measure or confirm the wheel width and compare it with the specific tire's approved range. That is especially worthwhile on cars with replacement wheels, mixed spare assemblies, or restoration histories that may not be fully original.

Both tire sizes used on 1937 Cadillac models mount on 16-inch wheels, so they share the same rim diameter. That said, the sizes are tied to different series, and the rim-width ranges are not the same: 700-16 examples are listed for 4.50 to 5.50 inches, while 750-16 examples are listed for 5.00 to 6.00 inches. Rim diameter compatibility does not automatically make the two sizes interchangeable.

On an original Cadillac restoration, that means you should keep the correct size with the correct series rather than assuming any 16-inch wheel can take either tire. If you are sorting a car with loose parts or mixed wheels, compare the actual wheel width and application before mounting. It is the simplest way to avoid a mismatch that changes the car's stance and intended fitment.

A 1937 Cadillac should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age sidewalls. Keep the tires properly inflated, roll the car occasionally if possible, and avoid letting it sit for long periods on one contact patch. Bias-ply tires also tend to develop temporary flat-spotting more readily during long static storage.

Collectors who store a 1937 Cadillac for a season often use tire cradles or take some weight off the tires with stands placed correctly under the chassis, depending on the car and storage plan. The goal is to reduce stress on the casing without creating other problems. A little storage preparation helps preserve both ride quality and the crisp appearance expected on a prewar Cadillac.

Tires on a 1937 Cadillac usually age out before they wear out, because collector cars often see limited annual mileage. A sensible rule is to evaluate them closely once they reach about five to seven years of service and to treat around ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration regardless of tread depth. The DOT date code on the tire is the starting point for age tracking.

That matters on a prewar Cadillac because a handsome tread surface can hide an aging carcass. If the car is driven only to shows or occasional tours, age, storage history, sidewall condition, and pressure retention matter more than raw mileage. A tire that still looks fresh from ten feet away may still be ready for retirement once its service age gets too high.

Tires on a 1937 Cadillac should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, and signs that the tire is losing pressure between uses. On a collector car that may sit for weeks at a time, a quick visual check is not enough by itself; pressure checks should be part of the routine.

Regular inspection is one of the easiest ways to prevent a roadside problem in a large prewar Cadillac. Pay extra attention after winter storage, before tours, and when bringing the car out after long inactivity. Checking the spare at the same time is smart, since a spare that matches the car but has aged badly may not be much help when you need it most.

The 1937 Cadillac 60 Series uses 700-16, and for a car of this era the original construction type would have been bias-ply rather than radial. That aligns with the available replacement format for this application today. Sidewall treatment could vary by presentation and market expectations, so the key authenticity points are the correct 700-16 size and period-appropriate bias-ply construction.

For a high-level restoration, it is wise to confirm any body-style or delivery-specific details with Cadillac marque clubs, factory literature, or surviving original cars. The main thing to avoid is treating the 60 Series as if it used the larger senior-car size. Getting the size, construction, and sidewall look right has a visible effect on stance and historical accuracy.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1937 Cadillac because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the size, construction type, and sidewall style match the period and the model's place in the lineup. A 60 Series wearing the senior-car 750-16 size, or a senior car wearing the smaller 700-16, can change the visual proportions immediately. On prewar luxury cars, whitewall treatment can also affect how authentic the presentation feels.

For local casual events, owners may have more flexibility, but serious concours judging tends to reward closer adherence to original-type fitment. That does not always mean every event uses the same standard, so the best approach is to check the rules for your club or judging body ahead of time. Tire details are a small area that can have an outsized effect on the final impression.

For the 1937 Cadillac 700-16 fitment, Firestone and BFGoodrich both offer bias-ply choices sized for 16-inch wheels, but the listed specifications differ. BFGoodrich shows a blackwall tire with a listed maximum load of 1,900 pounds at 36 psi and a 4.50- to 5.50-inch rim-width range. Firestone appears as a wide whitewall with a listed maximum load of 1,800 pounds at 36 psi and the same 4.50- to 5.50-inch rim-width range.

From a restoration standpoint, that makes the comparison as much about appearance as about published specification. If you are matching the look of a formal prewar Cadillac with visible whitewall presence, the sidewall treatment may drive the decision. If you are building a more restrained blackwall presentation, the BFGoodrich option fits that visual direction while staying in the correct size for the 60 Series.

1937 Cadillac tires in the sizes listed here are bias-ply products, and one 700-16 commercial-style listing carries an L speed symbol, which corresponds to 75 mph. Other products in these sizes do not show a speed symbol in the available markings. For a prewar Cadillac, tire capability is only one part of the picture, because braking, steering, suspension, and overall vehicle condition often set the practical limit before highway speed ratings become the deciding factor.

A well-sorted 1937 Cadillac can certainly be driven on modern roads, but it should be operated with the manners appropriate to a large prewar car on bias-ply tires. Keep speeds reasonable, allow extra stopping distance, and make sure the entire chassis is ready for the trip rather than focusing on the tires alone. Highway use is far more comfortable when the car's mechanical condition matches the tire condition.

Inflation pressure on 1937 Cadillac tires should start with the factory recommendation for the specific series and body style, then be checked against the tire maker's published limit for the exact tire. Available tire markings show examples such as 700-16 at 1,800 pounds at 36 psi and 1,900 pounds at 36 psi, plus 750-16 examples at 1,660 pounds at 40 psi and 1,850 pounds at 48 psi. Those figures are product ratings, not universal inflation instructions for every 1937 Cadillac.

The safest approach is to avoid transferring one product's pressure figure to another size or brand. Use the owner's manual or factory literature to establish the car's intended pressure range, then confirm that your chosen tire supports that use within its own limits. On a collector Cadillac, a small pressure error can affect ride quality, steering feel, and tread wear more than many owners expect.

Before taking a 1937 Cadillac on a longer drive, inspect all five tires for cracking, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, uneven wear, and proper inflation. Confirm that the spare is serviceable, not just present, and check the valve stems as part of the same inspection. Because these are bias-ply fitments on a prewar car, any age-related sidewall weakness deserves attention before the trip rather than after a problem starts on the road.

A longer outing in a 1937 Cadillac also calls for a broader mechanical review, including brakes, cooling system, steering, wheel bearings, and lighting. Tires are only one piece of roadworthiness, but they are the piece in constant contact with the road and easiest to inspect in advance. A careful pre-drive walkaround is one of the most valuable habits an antique-car owner can build.