1937 Chrysler Tire Fitment Guide

1937 Chrysler vehicles use four tire sizes across the model range: 750-16, 650-16, 6.25-16, and 600-16. The Airflow uses 750-16, the Imperial uses 650-16 and 750-16, and the Royal uses 6.25-16, 600-16, and 650-16. Every listed fitment mounts on a 16-inch rim, but the tire widths differ by application. Where rim width figures are available, 750-16 products call for 5.00 to 6.00-inch rims, 650-16 products call for 4.50 to 5.00-inch rims, and 600-16 products call for 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims.

That means year and make alone are not enough for a final choice on a 1937 Chrysler. The first practical check is the model, and the second is the size already fitted to the car or specified for its wheels. Since all of these are prewar-style bias-ply fitments on 16-inch wheels, the difference is not about switching between old and new construction styles here; it is about choosing the correct section width and maintaining the right look and stance for the specific Chrysler model.

On a 1937 Chrysler, 750-16 is a traditional numeric bias-ply tire size. The 7.50 figure refers to the nominal section width in inches, and the 16 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a metric size and it does not use the later alphanumeric or radial format that became common decades afterward. Within the 1937 Chrysler range, 750-16 appears on the Airflow and on Imperial applications.

That larger numeric size is part of how prewar tire fitment was identified, so the code itself tells you more about the tire’s width class and wheel diameter than a modern load-index-heavy sidewall would. For a buyer, the key takeaway is that 750-16 should be matched to the Chrysler models and wheel widths intended for it, not treated as interchangeable with the narrower 650-16, 6.25-16, or 600-16 sizes simply because all of them fit 16-inch rims.

No, 1937 Chrysler models do not all use the same tire size. The Airflow is listed with 750-16, the Imperial appears with both 650-16 and 750-16, and the Royal is shown with 6.25-16, 600-16, and 650-16. Chrysler kept all of these applications on 16-inch wheels, but the actual tire width and fitment family changed across the model range. That is typical of a prewar make offering cars at different price and size points.

From a buyer’s standpoint, that means the model name matters before sidewall style or brand enters the picture. An Airflow owner can narrow the search quickly, while a Royal or Imperial owner should check the current wheel and existing tire marking before selecting a replacement. If the car is a restoration project, it is also smart to confirm whether the present wheels are original to the model, since wheel swaps over the years can blur the correct size path.

1937 Chrysler tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles across the listed sizes that have current product offerings. The 750-16 size includes blackwall and wide whitewall choices, 650-16 includes both as well, and 600-16 also appears in both sidewall treatments. On a prewar Chrysler, wide whitewalls are often the visual choice restorers look for when recreating an upscale late-1930s appearance, while blackwalls fit a more restrained presentation.

The practical decision comes down to the character you want the car to project and the standard you are restoring toward. A formal Imperial or a well-trimmed Airflow often benefits visually from a whitewall treatment, while some owners prefer blackwalls for a simpler period look or a less dressy touring presentation. If the car is being judged, confirm the expected sidewall style with a Chrysler club or event rulebook, because show standards can be more specific than general period taste.

Several brands cover 1937 Chrysler sizes. In 750-16, the available brands include Firestone, Lester, and BFGoodrich. In 650-16, the selection includes BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Garfield. In 600-16, the available brands include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone, giving Royal owners the broadest visible product spread among the listed sizes.

Brand choice on a 1937 Chrysler often comes down to the sidewall appearance you want, the exact size your model uses, and whether a given product line matches the visual tone of your restoration. Some owners prioritize period-recognizable American branding on domestic prewar cars, while others focus more on tread style or the availability of a particular whitewall treatment. Once the correct size is established, comparing brands within that size is the right way to narrow the field.

For a 1937 Chrysler in 750-16, Firestone and BFGoodrich both offer bias-ply options, but their listed specifications are not identical. Firestone's blackwall and whitewall versions are shown with a 1660-pound maximum load at 40 psi, a 16-inch rim diameter, and a recommended rim width range of 5.00 to 6.00 inches, with weights around 29 to 31 pounds. The BFGoodrich 4.125-inch whitewall is also for a 16-inch rim and the same 5.00 to 6.00-inch rim width range, but it is listed at 1850 pounds maximum load at 48 psi and weighs about 30 pounds.

Those differences do not automatically make one the universal answer for every 1937 Chrysler using 750-16. A restorer may focus on sidewall appearance first, especially when matching the look of a luxury prewar car, while another owner may pay closer attention to the published load-and-pressure figure. Because the wheel-width recommendation is shared, the choice is more about brand character and the exact published spec than about basic 16-inch compatibility.

Published rim width ranges for 1937 Chrysler tires vary by size. The 750-16 products list a 5.00 to 6.00-inch rim width range, the 650-16 products list a 4.50 to 5.00-inch range, and the 600-16 products list a 4.00 to 4.50-inch range. All of those tires mount on 16-inch rims, but the wheel width should match the specific tire size rather than just the rim diameter. That is especially important on prewar cars, where a wheel can be the right diameter but still be outside the intended width for a given tire.

For setup, the cleanest approach is to verify both the tire size and the wheel width already on the car before choosing a replacement. That helps prevent a mismatch where a tire physically mounts but does not sit correctly on the rim. If your 1937 Chrysler has been restored long ago or assembled from mixed parts, measuring the wheel is worthwhile, particularly on Imperial and Royal models that appear with more than one listed tire size.

Original 1937 Chrysler wheels can only be shared across tire sizes to the extent that the wheel diameter matches, and here all listed applications use 16-inch rims. That means 750-16, 650-16, 6.25-16, and 600-16 all belong to the same wheel-diameter family. Even so, the listed rim width ranges differ by size, with 750-16 calling for wider rims than 650-16 or 600-16. Wheel diameter compatibility alone is not enough to treat every size as interchangeable on the same wheel.

For a restorer or driver, the practical answer is to confirm the actual wheel width before assuming one original Chrysler wheel will suit every 16-inch tire option. That matters most on cars that may have had wheel changes over the decades or on Royal and Imperial models where more than one tire size appears in the fitment range. Once wheel diameter and width are both confirmed, you can judge which listed size belongs on that specific setup.

A 1937 Chrysler should be stored away from direct sunlight, standing moisture, and ozone-producing equipment such as electric motors, battery chargers, and compressors. Bias-ply tires benefit from clean, dry storage and from keeping the car on a smooth surface with proper inflation maintained. If the car will sit for a long period, rolling it occasionally or relieving some load with stands can help reduce long static stress on the tire casing and tread shape.

Prewar Chrysler cars are often driven seasonally, so storage habits matter as much as mileage. Covering the tires from light, keeping the garage temperate, and avoiding long-term underinflation all help preserve appearance and service life. Before the car returns to the road after storage, inspect the sidewalls and tread closely and bring pressures back to the intended operating level before driving.

On a 1937 Chrysler, tire life should be judged more by age and condition than by miles traveled. Collector-car tires often age out before the tread is worn down, especially on a vehicle that is used for occasional fair-weather driving. A sensible 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, even if they still look serviceable. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age.

That timeline matters because a low-mileage prewar Chrysler can still carry tires that are old enough to deserve replacement. Sidewall cracking, hardening rubber, irregular wear, or a tire that no longer holds pressure steadily all move replacement higher on the priority list. If the car has sat for extended periods between drives, age-related degradation can be more important than tread depth alone when deciding whether the tires are still fit for continued road use.

Tires on a 1937 Chrysler should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, uneven wear, and any sign that the tire has lost pressure since the last time the car was used. On a low-use collector car, these checks are especially important because problems can develop slowly while the car is parked rather than while it is accumulating miles.

A more thorough inspection at the start of each driving season is also wise. Check the spare, inspect the valve stems, and verify that all four tires are wearing evenly across the tread. If the car pulls, wanders, or begins to ride differently, do not assume that is just old-car behavior; it can be an early sign that a tire, wheel, or inflation issue needs attention before the next trip.

A 1937 Chrysler Airflow would have originally used bias-ply tires, since radial passenger-car fitments were not the standard American practice in that era. Within the listed 1937 Chrysler range, the Airflow is associated with the 750-16 size, which matches the larger prewar numeric bias-ply format used on the car. That gives restorers a clear starting point in both construction type and size family, even before selecting a brand or sidewall style.

For authenticity work, the remaining decisions usually center on blackwall versus whitewall presentation and the exact visual style that suits the car’s build period and trim level. Original-equipment brand attribution should be confirmed through factory literature, marque historians, or Chrysler club resources if that level of correctness matters to your project. Most restorers begin with the correct bias-ply size and sidewall appearance, then refine details from there.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1937 Chrysler. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts will notice whether the car carries the right numeric prewar size, the proper bias-ply construction for the period, and a sidewall style that fits the class and restoration standard. A tire that is obviously too wide, too narrow, or built in a later-style construction can change the car’s stance and visual authenticity in a way that stands out quickly on a prewar Chrysler.

That does not mean every event applies the same standard. Some local shows reward overall presentation, while national marque or concours events may be more exacting about construction type and sidewall details. If your 1937 Chrysler is being prepared for judged competition, confirm expectations with the hosting organization or a Chrysler marque specialist before making a final tire choice, especially if the car falls into a strict originality class.

For the 1937 Chrysler Royal in 600-16, Firestone and Coker Classic share several basic specifications but differ in presentation details. Both are bias-ply 16-inch tires and both are listed with a 1400-pound maximum load at 32 psi. The Coker Classic 600-16 appears as a blackwall at about 20 pounds, while the Firestone version is shown as a 3.25-inch whitewall at about 24 pounds. The Royal owner is therefore choosing between two period-correct constructions with a different visual finish and a modest weight difference.

That comparison is most useful when the car’s appearance goal is already clear. A blackwall Coker Classic suits a cleaner, more understated prewar look, while the Firestone whitewall gives the Royal a dressier presentation associated with upscale late-1930s styling. Since the load and pressure figures align, the decision here leans more toward visual authenticity and brand preference than toward a major difference in basic fitment specification.

1937 Chrysler tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and used within the published limits of the specific product. Most listed 1937 Chrysler options are traditional bias-ply tires without a visible modern speed symbol in the size marking, while one 600-16 offering appears as 600H16 93H, which corresponds to an H speed rating with a 130 mph ceiling. In normal collector-car use, the condition of the tire and the age and setup of the vehicle itself are at least as important as the published speed symbol.

A prewar Chrysler is not driven like a modern sedan, so safe highway use starts with realistic speeds, correct inflation, and a thorough inspection before departure. Steering feel, braking distance, suspension wear, and wheel condition all influence confidence at road speed on a 1937 car. If your Chrysler will be used for sustained touring, make sure all four tires match in size and general condition, and build your cruising pace around the car’s overall mechanical character, not just the tire sidewall.

Inflation pressure on 1937 Chrysler tires should follow the size and product you are actually using rather than a one-number rule across the whole make. Among the listed products, 750-16 examples show maximum load figures of 1660 pounds at 40 psi and 1850 pounds at 48 psi, 650-16 examples show 1580 pounds at 32 psi, and several 600-16 examples show 1400 pounds at 32 psi, with one 600H16 product listed at 1,433 pounds. Those are product-rated figures, not blanket operating recommendations for every Chrysler application.

The best practice is to use the original owner's manual or period factory literature for the vehicle’s intended inflation target, then confirm that the tire you select is appropriate within its own published load-and-pressure range. Do not move a pressure figure from 750-16 to 650-16 or from one product family to another just because the rim diameter is the same. Matching pressure to the exact tire and the actual vehicle setup is the safer approach.

Before taking a 1937 Chrysler on a longer drive, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, exposed cord, irregular wear, and proper inflation. Check that the spare is usable and that the valve stems are sound. Because these are prewar bias-ply fitments, it is also worth paying attention to whether the car has sat long enough to develop temporary flat spotting or noticeable changes in ride feel during the first miles. Tire condition is one part of a broader mechanical check on a car of this age.

A sensible touring checklist also includes wheel security, brake operation, steering response, and basic fluid and cooling-system readiness. On the tire side, verify that all four tires are the correct size for the model and that none are aged to the point where appearance and performance no longer inspire confidence. If the car feels different than usual once underway, stop and inspect rather than assuming the behavior is normal old-car character.