1937 Plymouth Tire Fitment Guide

1937 Plymouth vehicles use three tire sizes: 550-16 for the Plymouth P3, and 600-16 or 650-16 for the Plymouth P4. All three are bias-ply sizes and all three mount on 16-inch rims. Rim width ranges shown in available products are 3.25 to 4.00 inches for 550-16, 4.00 to 4.50 inches for 600-16, and 4.50 to 5.00 inches for 650-16.

That means year and make alone are not enough to choose a tire for a 1937 Plymouth. Start by confirming whether the car is a P3 or P4, then compare the wheel you actually have against the size’s rim-width range. A P3 owner can focus quickly on 550-16, while a P4 owner needs to determine whether the car’s wheel and restoration goal point toward 600-16 or the wider 650-16.

On a 1937 Plymouth, 550-16 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size. The 5.50 portion refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches, and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a modern metric code, and it does not describe the tire in the same way a later radial size would.

That matters because 550-16 is the size associated with the 1937 Plymouth P3, and it works within a narrower rim-width range than the larger P4 sizes. If you are comparing old sidewall markings to new reproduction tires, focus on matching the numeric size and the wheel diameter first. That keeps the fitment in the same prewar bias-ply family rather than mixing it up with later sizing systems.

No. The 1937 Plymouth P3 uses 550-16, while the 1937 Plymouth P4 uses either 600-16 or 650-16. Every one of those sizes fits a 16-inch rim, but they are not interchangeable just because the rim diameter matches. The section width and the wheel-width range change as the size increases.

That model split is one of the first things to verify before choosing tires for a 1937 Plymouth. If the car is a P3, the search is straightforward. If the car is a P4, the choice depends on which wheel width is on the car and whether you are matching an established restoration or sorting out a car that may have had wheels changed over the years.

1937 Plymouth tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall form, depending on size and brand. The 550-16 offerings include blackwall and wide whitewall choices, the 600-16 group includes both as well, and the 650-16 products also span blackwall and wide whitewall styles. That gives owners room to match the car’s character, from a plainer utility look to a more formal prewar presentation.

For a 1937 Plymouth, sidewall style changes appearance more than fitment. Blackwalls generally suit a simpler, more understated restoration theme, while wide whitewalls deliver the fuller luxury-era visual effect many prewar owners want. If the goal is authenticity for a specific body style, trim level, or judging standard, compare your choice against period photos and Plymouth club references before settling on the final look.

1937 Plymouth tires are offered by several brands across the three sizes. In 550-16, the available names are Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. In 600-16, the listed brands are BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone. In 650-16, the available brands are BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Garfield.

That variety gives a 1937 Plymouth owner more than one path to a proper-looking prewar tire. Some brands emphasize traditional blackwall presentation, while others also offer wide whitewall versions that better suit a dressier build. Once the correct size is established, compare the available brands within that size for sidewall appearance, published load figures, and the rim-width range that best matches the wheels on your Plymouth.

Within the sizes where both appear, Firestone and BFGoodrich options for a 1937 Plymouth are closely aligned in period style but differ in details such as whitewall width, weight, and listed fitment range. In 600-16, BFGoodrich is shown with a 3.50-inch whitewall, 1400 lbs at 32 psi, and a 4.00 to 4.50-inch rim-width range, while Firestone is shown with a 3.25-inch whitewall, the same 1400 lbs at 32 psi, and the same rim-width range. In 650-16, BFGoodrich appears with a 3.75-inch whitewall and Firestone with a blackwall option, both reaching 1580 lbs at 32 psi on listed products.

The practical difference is usually visual first, then detail-level fitment and weight. A 1937 Plymouth owner deciding between them should compare sidewall appearance and make sure the tire aligns with the wheel width already on the car. If the car is being restored to a particular period look, the whitewall width can influence the final stance almost as much as the tire size itself.

Available 1937 Plymouth tire products show distinct rim-width ranges by size. The 550-16 tires are listed for 3.25 to 4.00-inch rims, 600-16 tires are listed for 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims, and 650-16 tires are listed for 4.50 to 5.00-inch rims. All of them share a 16-inch rim diameter, but the wheel width needed for proper support changes with each size.

That is why a 16-inch wheel alone does not settle the fitment question on a 1937 Plymouth. Before choosing a tire, measure the wheel or confirm its width from a known source, especially on a car that may have had wheels swapped long ago. Matching the tire to the correct wheel width helps preserve the intended profile, steering feel, and sidewall shape of a prewar bias-ply setup.

Original-style 1937 Plymouth wheels can only be shared across all three listed sizes if the wheel has the correct 16-inch diameter and also falls within the width range required for the tire being considered. The listed width ranges step upward from 3.25 to 4.00 inches for 550-16, to 4.00 to 4.50 inches for 600-16, and to 4.50 to 5.00 inches for 650-16. Rim diameter compatibility alone is only part of the picture.

That means a P4 owner should not assume that any 16-inch wheel will comfortably take either larger size without checking width first. A 1937 Plymouth that has been restored, modified, or assembled from multiple donor cars may no longer have the wheels it left the factory with. Confirming wheel width before choosing between 600-16 and 650-16 is the cleanest way to avoid an expensive mismatch.

A 1937 Plymouth should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, furnaces, and other ozone-producing sources that accelerate rubber aging. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to temporary flat-spotting after long periods of sitting, and prewar sidewalls can show cosmetic aging sooner if they are left under constant load on a rough or damp floor.

Keeping the tires properly inflated, moving the 1937 Plymouth periodically, or using stands correctly under a long-term storage plan can help reduce flat spotting and stress. Clean, dry floors and breathable covers are better than trapping moisture around the tire. If the car sits for extended periods, include the spare in the same storage routine so it is ready when needed.

Tires on a 1937 Plymouth should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage, because collector cars often see limited annual use. A good rule is to begin evaluating the tires carefully once they reach roughly five to seven years of age, and to consider replacement as they approach about ten years old, even if the tread still looks presentable. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age on modern reproduction products.

A lightly driven 1937 Plymouth can lull owners into trusting old rubber simply because it has not worn out in the usual sense. Sidewall cracking, hardening, flat spotting, and age-related internal changes matter more than miles on a prewar car. If the car is new to you, checking the age of all five tires, including the spare, is a smart first step before any serious driving.

Tires on a 1937 Plymouth should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, tread separation, and air loss, all of which can appear on low-mileage collector tires that spend much of their life parked. Because these are bias-ply fitments, attention to how the tire sits after storage is also worthwhile.

A quick walkaround before using a 1937 Plymouth can prevent getting caught out by an age-related problem that was not obvious the last time the car was parked. Pressure checks matter, but so does visual condition. Include the valve stems and the spare in the inspection routine, since an otherwise healthy tire is only as dependable as the rest of the air-holding system attached to it.

A 1937 Plymouth P3 would have been fitted in period with bias-ply tires, which was the standard construction for American passenger cars of the era. The size associated with the P3 here is 550-16, and that places it squarely within the expected prewar numeric sizing system. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and supply arrangement, so the key authenticity markers are the correct size, the proper bias-ply construction, and an era-appropriate sidewall treatment.

For a restoration-minded owner, that means the first target is matching the 550-16 size and traditional bias-ply appearance rather than chasing a brand name without evidence. If the car will be judged, sidewall style can matter as much as construction. Plymouth club members, factory literature, and period photography are the best places to confirm whether your particular car is better suited to blackwall or whitewall presentation.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1937 Plymouth, especially in preservation, concours, and tightly judged restoration classes. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the car carries the proper size family for the model, whether the construction matches the era, and whether the sidewall style looks appropriate for the vehicle’s trim and presentation. A visibly incorrect width, a modern-looking profile, or an out-of-place sidewall treatment can stand out quickly on a prewar car.

A 1937 Plymouth prepared for shows should be approached as a complete visual package, not just a mechanical fitment exercise. The P3 and P4 do not share a single universal tire size, so model identification comes first. After that, choose the sidewall style that matches the way the car would have been presented in its time, and compare your plan against the standards of the specific club or event where the car will appear.

For a 1937 Plymouth, the difference between blackwall and wide whitewall tires is mainly visual authenticity and presentation rather than a wholesale change in fitment. Both styles are available within the Plymouth size range, including 550-16, 600-16, and 650-16 offerings depending on brand. Whitewall width also varies by product, with examples such as 2.25-inch, 2.50-inch, 3.25-inch, 3.50-inch, and 3.75-inch whitewalls appearing in the available range.

That makes sidewall choice one of the strongest styling decisions in a 1937 Plymouth restoration. A blackwall usually reads as more restrained and utilitarian, while a wide whitewall gives the car a more formal, upscale prewar look. If originality is the priority, compare your tire choice to period photos of similarly bodied Plymouths rather than assuming every 1937 car would have worn the same sidewall treatment.

1937 Plymouth tires can be suitable for highway use when they are in good condition, correctly sized, properly inflated, and driven within the limits of both the tire and the car. The available fitments here are all bias-ply, and one 600-16 option carries an H speed rating, which corresponds to a 130 mph ceiling, while many other products in these vintage sizes are not marked with a speed letter. In real use, a prewar Plymouth’s brakes, suspension, steering design, and general age are usually more limiting than the tire’s catalog speed capability.

Safe highway use in a 1937 Plymouth depends more on condition and realism than on chasing maximum speed numbers. Bias-ply tires have a different feel from modern radials, especially in tracking and steering response, so the driver should expect period-correct behavior rather than contemporary freeway manners. A carefully sorted car on fresh, correctly chosen tires can be very enjoyable on the road, but it should still be driven with the respect due any 1930s automobile.

Inflation pressure on 1937 Plymouth tires should be set by the vehicle’s factory guidance and the tire maker’s rated specifications for the exact product you choose. Several available tires include maximum load figures at 32 psi, including 550-16 at 840 lbs at 32 psi, 600-16 at 1400 lbs at 32 psi, and 650-16 at 1580 lbs at 32 psi on listed products. Those figures identify a rated load-and-pressure point, not a universal running pressure for every Plymouth application.

The right approach is to match the pressure to the specific size and product on your 1937 Plymouth, then compare that against the original owner guidance for the car itself. Avoid transferring a pressure figure from 550-16 to 600-16 or from one brand to another just because the rim diameter is the same. Consistent pressure checks matter as much as the final number, especially on a collector car that may sit for long intervals.

Before a longer drive in a 1937 Plymouth, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, irregular wear, and any sign that the casing has aged out of service. Confirm air pressure when the tires are cold, look over the valve stems, and make sure the spare is inflated and usable. On a car of this age, tire condition is only one part of the readiness check, but it is one of the easiest to verify before leaving home.

A longer trip in a 1937 Plymouth also calls for a broader mechanical once-over, including brakes, steering play, wheel bearing condition, and general suspension health, because the tire works as part of a larger vintage system. If the car has been parked for a while, the first few miles should be treated as a shakedown rather than a sprint. That lets you feel for pull, vibration, or settling issues before committing to sustained road speed.