1937 Ford Tire Fitment Guide

1937 Ford vehicles use two tire sizes, and they are tied to different model series. The 1937 Ford 74 Series uses 550-16, while the 1937 Ford 78 Series uses 600-16. Both sizes fit 16-inch rims, but they are not interchangeable by application simply because the rim diameter matches. The 550-16 products shown here fit rim widths from 3.25 to 4.00 inches where listed, while 600-16 products shown here fit rim widths from 4.00 to 4.50 inches where listed.

That means the first thing to verify on a 1937 Ford is the model series, followed by the actual wheel width on the car. A 74 Series owner should begin with 550-16 options, and a 78 Series owner should begin with 600-16 options. If your Ford has had wheels changed at some point in its life, confirm the wheel dimensions before choosing a tire rather than assuming every 16-inch wheel used by Ford in 1937 is the same.

On a 1937 Ford, 550-16 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 5.50 figure is the nominal section-width class used in period sizing, and the 16 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a modern metric size, and it does not describe a radial tire. For 1937 Ford applications, 550-16 belongs to the 74 Series rather than the full Ford lineup.

That older sizing format matters because it points you toward the correct style of reproduction tire for a prewar American car. If you are matching the look and road manners expected of a 1937 Ford 74 Series, numeric bias-ply sizing is the right family to search within. It also helps explain why a modern metric replacement is not a direct apples-to-apples substitute when appearance, proportions, and era-correct construction all matter.

No. 1937 Ford models in this lineup do not all use the same tire size. The 74 Series uses 550-16, and the 78 Series uses 600-16. Both are bias-ply tires for 16-inch rims, but the applications are split by model series rather than shared across the entire make. That distinction is important because Ford offered different levels within the lineup, and the tire sizing reflects that separation.

A buyer who only knows the car is a 1937 Ford still needs to identify whether it is a 74 Series or 78 Series before settling on a size. Body style alone may not answer the question if the car has been modified, rebodied, or restored with mixed parts over the years. Checking the model identification and verifying the wheel width will usually prevent the most common ordering mistake on this year and make.

1937 Ford tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles across the sizes shown here. In 550-16 for the 74 Series, blackwall and wide whitewall options are both offered. In 600-16 for the 78 Series, the same two sidewall directions are also available. That gives owners room to match a more understated original look or a more formal prewar presentation, depending on how the car is being restored.

For a 1937 Ford judged on historical appearance, sidewall style can affect the overall correctness of the finished car just as much as the tire size itself. Blackwalls usually suit a simpler, more utilitarian presentation, while wide whitewalls tend to complement an upscale or more visually dressed restoration. Before deciding, it is worth checking period photos, factory literature, or marque-specific guidance for the exact body style and market presentation you want to recreate.

Several brands offer tires for 1937 Ford applications. The 550-16 size is available from Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. The 600-16 size is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone. All of the products listed for these two sizes are bias-ply tires, but the brands differ in sidewall presentation and, in some cases, other specification details such as published load information.

That brand mix gives a 1937 Ford owner more than one path to the right look. Some shoppers focus first on tread and sidewall styling to suit a factory-style restoration, while others compare the range of published fitment and load information within the correct size. Once you have confirmed the model and size, narrowing the field by brand is usually the next most useful step for matching the finished appearance of the car.

For 1937 Ford 78 Series applications in 600-16, both BFGoodrich and Firestone offer bias-ply wide whitewall tires on 16-inch rims with a listed rim-width range of 4.00 to 4.50 inches. Each is rated at 1400 pounds at 32 psi in the specifications shown here. One notable difference is weight: the BFGoodrich example is listed at 21 pounds, while the comparable Firestone example is listed at 24 pounds. The whitewall styling dimensions also differ, with BFGoodrich at 3.50 inches and Firestone at 3.25 inches.

For a 1937 Ford owner, that means the decision may come down to appearance as much as brand preference. A slightly wider whitewall can shift the visual balance of a prewar Ford, especially on a restoration built around a certain period look. Since the load rating and approved rim-width range are the same in the examples shown, comparing sidewall presentation and the overall character you want from the finished car is often the more useful tie-breaker.

Rim-width guidance for 1937 Ford tires varies by size. In 550-16, products shown here list a rim-width range of 3.25 to 4.00 inches where that specification appears. In 600-16, products shown here list a rim-width range of 4.00 to 4.50 inches. Both sizes mount on 16-inch rims, but they are intended for different wheel-width windows, which is one reason the two model series should not be treated as a single fitment group.

Before choosing a tire for a 1937 Ford, measure the wheel you actually have on the car rather than assuming it is still original. Prewar cars are often restored with swapped wheels, and an incorrect rim width can affect section shape, bead seating, and the finished stance. Once the wheel width is confirmed, selecting within the proper range is much more straightforward and helps preserve the intended proportions of the tire.

The products listed for these 1937 Ford sizes do not carry TT or TL markers in the size descriptions shown here, so the tire itself should not be selected on a tube-marking assumption alone. Because both 550-16 and 600-16 are period-style bias-ply fitments for prewar 16-inch wheels, tube use is commonly determined by the wheel design, valve-hole condition, and the specific tire's sidewall instructions rather than by size alone.

A 1937 Ford owner should inspect the wheel carefully before final assembly and confirm the intended setup for the exact tire being used. Original riveted or non-safety-style wheels often lead restorers toward tube use, while restored wheel surfaces and valve hardware also need to be considered. Treat the wheel and tire as a matched system and verify the sidewall marking on the exact product before mounting rather than relying on habit or hearsay.

Original-style 1937 Ford wheels can often be used with both tire sizes in terms of rim diameter, because both 550-16 and 600-16 are 16-inch tires. Rim diameter alone does not settle the question, however, because the published rim-width ranges differ between the two sizes. The 550-16 examples fit narrower wheels than the 600-16 examples, so wheel width has to be checked before changing from one application to the other.

That matters most on cars assembled from mixed parts or restored with wheels sourced from another Ford or from a different body style. If your goal is to keep original wheels on a 1937 Ford, verify both the model series and the wheel width before committing to a tire size. Matching the tire to the proper wheel preserves the proportions and helps the car sit and steer more like a correctly assembled prewar Ford should.

A 1937 Ford should be stored in a cool, dry, dark environment with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, furnaces, and other ozone-producing sources. Bias-ply tires tend to flat-spot more readily during long static periods, so maintaining proper inflation and moving the car periodically is helpful. Clean floors, stable temperatures, and protection from standing moisture all help preserve sidewalls and carcass condition on collector tires.

If the car will sit for an extended season, many owners either reposition it occasionally or support the chassis so the tires are not carrying the same load point for months at a time. That is especially worthwhile on a prewar car with narrow bias-ply tires. Keeping the car covered, the tires inflated, and the storage area free of ozone sources will do more for long-term tire life than simply leaving the car untouched in a garage.

Tire life on a 1937 Ford is usually judged more by age and condition than by mileage, because many collector cars are driven infrequently. A practical rule is to inspect tires closely once they reach the five- to seven-year range and to give serious replacement consideration as they approach ten years from the DOT date code, even if tread remains. Sidewall cracking, hardening, irregular wear, and persistent air loss matter more than odometer reading on a low-use prewar car.

That age-based approach fits the way most 1937 Ford vehicles are actually used today. A car that only sees local cruises and shows can still age out its tires long before it wears them out. If you are evaluating an older restoration, check the date codes and overall condition first, because a tire that still looks acceptable at a glance may already be past the point where long-distance driving or sustained road use is wise.

Tires on a 1937 Ford should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for visible sidewall cracks, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, uneven tread wear, and any sign that the tire is losing pressure between drives. On a prewar car, it is also smart to examine valve stems carefully and to pay attention to any wheel or bead-area corrosion that may affect sealing or tube service.

Frequent inspection matters because many collector cars spend more time parked than driven, and age-related issues can appear without much warning once the car is put back into regular use. A quick walkaround before each drive catches problems early and helps you spot changes in stance or inflation. Before tours or club events, include the spare in the inspection as well, since an old spare on a 1937 Ford may be the least-used but most age-sensitive tire on the car.

A 1937 Ford 74 Series would have been fitted in the bias-ply era, and the correct family for that model here is 550-16. That aligns with how American passenger cars of the late 1930s were equipped before radial construction became common in the U.S. market. The important original-style cues are the numeric bias-ply size, the 16-inch fitment, and an era-appropriate sidewall treatment rather than a modern metric replacement.

For a careful restoration, the next step is deciding how factory-authentic you want the appearance to be. Blackwall and wide whitewall versions exist in the correct size, and the right choice can depend on body style, trim level, and the presentation you are trying to recreate. If the car is being judged or restored to a very specific standard, marque clubs, period sales literature, and surviving original-car references are the best way to confirm the exact sidewall style expected.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1937 Ford, especially at events that emphasize authenticity. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the tire has the right size family, the right construction type for the era, and a sidewall style that suits the car's intended presentation. On a prewar Ford, a visibly modern replacement can change the stance and character enough to stand out even to casual observers.

That does not mean every event uses the same standards, but it does mean tire choice is part of the restoration conversation rather than a minor accessory decision. A 74 Series shown on 550-16 and a 78 Series shown on 600-16 will be much closer to expectation than a car fitted with a convenience substitute outside those size families. If the car is headed for judged competition, check event rules and model-specific club guidance before finalizing the tires.

For a 1937 Ford, the difference between blackwall and wide whitewall tires is mainly one of period appearance and presentation rather than basic fitment. Both sidewall styles are available within the correct 550-16 and 600-16 bias-ply size families shown here. Blackwalls give a more restrained, utilitarian look, while wide whitewalls create a more formal and upscale visual effect that many restorers associate with late-1930s styling.

Choosing between them depends on how you want the car to read when finished. A simpler restoration, commercial-style presentation, or owner preference may point toward blackwalls, while a more dressed-up show presentation may lean toward wide whitewalls. Since sidewall style is so visible on a prewar Ford, it is worth comparing period photos and deciding whether you want the tire to fade into the car's design or become part of its overall visual statement.

1937 Ford tires in the sizes listed here are suitable for normal road use when they are in good condition, correctly fitted, and operated within their construction and speed limits. The products shown are bias-ply tires, and one 600-16 offering carries an H speed rating, which corresponds to 130 mph, while other listings do not show a speed letter. In real-world use, a properly maintained prewar Ford will usually be constrained far more by its age, braking, steering, suspension design, and overall mechanical condition than by a collector-tire speed ceiling at ordinary highway speeds.

The practical takeaway is to treat highway driving in a 1937 Ford as a whole-vehicle readiness question rather than a tire-only question. Fresh, correctly sized tires are important, but alignment, wheel condition, brake performance, and steering play matter just as much. If the car will be driven on faster roads, make sure the tires are age-sound, balanced, and inflated appropriately, then match your cruising speed to the capabilities of a late-1930s automobile rather than to modern traffic expectations.

Inflation pressure for 1937 Ford tires should be set with the correct size and the tire maker's published limits in mind, not by transferring one figure across the whole lineup. Among the examples shown here, a 550-16 Firestone is rated at 840 pounds at 32 psi, and several 600-16 tires are rated at about 1400 pounds at 32 psi, with an Avon 600H16 listed at 1,433 pounds. Those are tire ratings, not blanket recommendations for every 1937 Ford application or driving condition.

For day-to-day use, start by identifying the exact tire on the car and then compare the tire maker's rated pressure information with the factory guidance for the vehicle. A 74 Series on 550-16 and a 78 Series on 600-16 should not automatically be treated the same. If the car has been modified, carries unusual weight, or uses reproduction wheels, it is wise to confirm the final pressure setting with the tire manufacturer and your restoration specialist.

Before taking a 1937 Ford on a longer drive, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, and make sure the spare is serviceable as well. On a prewar car, also look closely at valve stems, wheel condition, and any signs that a tire has been rubbing or sitting underinflated. Since these cars often spend time parked, age-related issues can appear even when tread depth still looks acceptable.

Tires are only one part of the checklist, but they are the part touching the road, so they deserve careful attention before a tour or event. After the tire inspection, continue with the broader basics a 1937 Ford needs for reliable travel: brakes, steering play, fluid levels, wheel-bearing condition, and lighting. A car that feels fine around town can reveal weak points on a longer drive, and the tire check is where that preparation should begin.