1937 Terraplane Tire Fitment Guide

1937 Terraplane vehicles use two different tire sizes depending on model. The Deluxe Custom uses 600-16 tires on 16-inch rims, while the Special Equipment uses 700-15 tires on 15-inch rims. For currently available products, 600-16 tires fit rim widths from 4.00 to 4.50 inches, and 700-15 tires fit rim widths from 5.00 to 5.50 inches where that specification is supplied.

That means year and make alone are not enough to choose tires for a 1937 Terraplane. You need to confirm the model first, then verify that the wheels on the car still match the intended diameter and width range. Many prewar cars have seen wheel swaps over the years, so checking the actual wheel before choosing a tire is time well spent.

On a 1937 Terraplane, 600-16 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 600 portion is the nominal section-width code used in period sizing, and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. In current offerings for this application, the size appears in classic bias-ply construction with blackwall and wide whitewall versions depending on the product line.

That size belongs to the 1937 Terraplane Deluxe Custom, so it is not interchangeable with the Special Equipment model's 15-inch fitment. Numeric sizing can look unfamiliar to buyers accustomed to modern metric tires, but for prewar American cars it is the correct language of the era and a useful guide when sorting restoration-appropriate tires from later replacement formats.

On a 1937 Terraplane, 700-15 is also a numeric bias-ply size. The 700 code refers to the tire's nominal section width in period sizing practice, and the 15 indicates a 15-inch rim diameter. Available products in this size include classic bias-ply blackwall and wide whitewall tires, along with an STA Traxion blackwall option with a more utility-oriented character.

This size applies to the 1937 Terraplane Special Equipment rather than the Deluxe Custom. The most important takeaway is that the final number is the wheel diameter, so 700-15 and 600-16 are not alternate versions of the same fitment. A buyer comparing them should think first about the model and wheel on the car, then about the preferred sidewall appearance.

No. 1937 Terraplane models are split between two distinct tire sizes. The Deluxe Custom uses 600-16, while the Special Equipment uses 700-15. Both are bias-ply sizes, but they mount on different wheel diameters and serve different model applications within the same year.

That model split matters because sidewall style and brand preference come after fitment, not before it. If a 1937 Terraplane has changed hands several times or has undergone restoration work, confirm the model designation and inspect the wheel diameter on the car. Once that is settled, you can narrow the choice by appearance, brand heritage, and the type of use the car will see.

1937 Terraplane tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles across the two correct sizes. In 600-16, blackwall and wide whitewall options are both present. In 700-15, blackwall and wide whitewall versions are also available, with the STA Traxion appearing as a blackwall option.

For a prewar American car like 1937 Terraplane, sidewall style has a strong effect on the finished look of the vehicle. A buyer pursuing factory-style presentation will usually weigh period appearance as heavily as size, while a more understated or utility-minded restoration may lean toward blackwalls. Choose the sidewall look that matches the era, the body style, and the way the car is being presented.

1937 Terraplane tires are offered by several established vintage-tire brands. In 600-16, available brands include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Avon. In 700-15, available brands include Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA. All of the listed fitments for these Terraplane applications are bias-ply constructions.

Brand choice on a prewar car often comes down to the look you want as much as the name on the sidewall. Some buyers prefer a classic American brand identity for show presentation, while others focus on a particular tread or sidewall treatment. Once the correct size is confirmed, comparing the available brands within that size is the best way to refine the final choice.

Current 600-16 tires for 1937 Terraplane applications are matched to 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim widths where that specification is given. Current 700-15 tires are matched to 5.00 to 5.50 inch rim widths where listed. Those ranges are tied to the individual sizes, so they should not be treated as interchangeable across the Deluxe Custom and Special Equipment models.

Rim width matters because it affects how the tire sits on the wheel and how faithfully the finished tire profile matches the intended prewar look. Before choosing a product, measure the actual wheel or confirm its specifications during restoration. A 16-inch rim and a 15-inch rim may both appear broadly period-correct at a glance, but the wrong width can still create fitment and appearance issues.

The available 1937 Terraplane products shown for 600-16 and 700-15 are bias-ply tires, but the tube marking is not consistently presented across the product set. On a prewar application like 1937 Terraplane, many owners and restorers still evaluate tube use closely because original wheel design, rim condition, and the exact tire selected all play a role in the final setup.

The practical step is to inspect the wheel type and verify the specific tire's sidewall marking before mounting. Original or older-style wheels may call for a different approach than later replacement wheels, even when the tire size is correct. If the car is being restored to period standards, tube choice should be considered as part of the full wheel-and-valve-stem package rather than as an afterthought.

A stored 1937 Terraplane should be kept away from direct sunlight, damp concrete, and electric motors or other ozone-producing equipment that can accelerate sidewall aging. Clean, dry storage and proper inflation help prewar bias-ply tires hold their shape better during long periods of inactivity. Because both correct 1937 Terraplane sizes are bias-ply, they can develop temporary flat-spotting more readily than modern radials when left stationary.

Moving the car periodically or supporting it appropriately during long-term storage can reduce stress on the casing. It also helps to keep the tires covered and to avoid letting one part of the tread carry the full vehicle weight for months at a time. When the car comes back into use, give the tires time to round out and inspect them before a full drive.

Tire life on a 1937 Terraplane is usually judged more by age than by miles traveled. Collector cars often see light seasonal use, so a tire can look healthy in tread depth while still aging out in the casing and sidewall. A sensible rule is to evaluate vintage-car tires closely once they are in the five-to-seven-year range and to treat around ten years as a point for serious replacement consideration regardless of mileage.

Checking the tire's date code and monitoring for cracking, stiffness, or persistent air loss will tell you more than odometer readings alone. A prewar car may spend much of its life parked, which can be harder on the tire than regular moderate use. Age-related replacement is especially important when the car is being prepared for touring rather than short local drives.

Tires on a 1937 Terraplane should be inspected before every drive, and again before any longer outing or event. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, embedded debris, and any sign that the tire is losing pressure. On a prewar car, it also makes sense to pay close attention to valve stems, spare-tire condition, and overall wheel condition while the car is at rest.

That routine matters because low-use collector vehicles can develop problems while sitting, not just while driving. A tire that looked acceptable at the last outing may have aged noticeably by the next season. Frequent visual checks are one of the simplest ways to protect both the car and the investment in correct period-style tires.

A 1937 Terraplane Deluxe Custom is aligned with 600-16 bias-ply fitment, which is consistent with prewar American practice when bias-ply construction was standard. The correct modern replacement path for that model stays within the same size family and period-style construction. Original-equipment brand choice can vary by market, dealer, or production circumstance, so size and construction are the first authenticity checkpoints.

For a restoration aiming at factory character, matching the correct 16-inch fitment matters more than simply finding a tire that looks old-fashioned. Sidewall treatment also changes the impression of the finished car, especially on a prewar design with visible tire presence. If the vehicle is being judged, confirm event-specific expectations through Hudson-Terraplane marque specialists or club resources before finalizing the tire choice.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1937 Terraplane because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction, and sidewall style quickly. A Deluxe Custom wearing 700-15 tires or a Special Equipment car wearing 600-16 tires would stand out as incorrect because the wheel diameter relationship is wrong. On a prewar car, even the visual proportions of the tire are part of the vehicle's authenticity.

Construction type also matters in a judged setting, and for 1937 Terraplane the era-correct choice remains bias-ply. Sidewall appearance should match the restoration's intended presentation, whether that is a more formal whitewall look or a simpler blackwall treatment. Marque clubs and event rule books are the best places to confirm how strict a particular judging standard will be.

In 700-15 for the 1937 Terraplane Special Equipment, Firestone and BFGoodrich both appear in classic bias-ply form and both offer wide whitewall versions with a 1700-pound load rating at 32 psi. The listed Firestone blackwall version weighs 26 pounds, the Firestone wide whitewall 29 pounds, and the BFGoodrich wide whitewall 28 pounds. All mount on 15-inch rims with a 5.00 to 5.50 inch width range where that specification is shown.

That makes the decision less about basic fitment and more about brand presentation, sidewall look, and the exact visual character you want on the car. A buyer comparing them for restoration should study the sidewall and tread appearance as closely as the published figures. On a prewar Terraplane, subtle styling differences can influence the final look almost as much as the bodywork itself.

1937 Terraplane tires in the listed fitments are period-style bias-ply tires, and at least one 600-16 offering carries an H speed rating, which corresponds to a 130 mph ceiling for that specific tire. Other listed products in 600-16 and 700-15 do not consistently show speed symbols in the available specifications. In practical use, a prewar Terraplane's brakes, steering, suspension, and overall mechanical condition are usually more relevant to real-world highway confidence than the theoretical top speed of the tire alone.

Safe road use depends on matching the correct size to the correct model, maintaining proper pressure, and driving within the limits of both the tire and the vehicle. A well-sorted collector car can be enjoyable on modern roads, but it should still be driven with respect for prewar handling and braking characteristics. Check the exact product's sidewall marking if speed rating is an important part of your decision.

Several listed 1937 Terraplane tires include rated load-and-pressure figures. In 600-16, examples are rated at 1400 pounds at 32 psi. In 700-15, examples are rated at 1700 pounds at 32 psi. Those figures are tire ratings, not a blanket instruction to inflate every 1937 Terraplane tire to the same pressure in service.

Use the vehicle's original owner guidance or marque-standard recommendations as your starting point for running pressure, then confirm that choice against the tire manufacturer's specifications for the exact product. A rated maximum or rated carrying pressure should not be transferred casually from one size to another. Prewar cars can be sensitive to pressure changes in both ride quality and steering feel, so measured adjustment matters.

Before a longer drive in a 1937 Terraplane, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, and do the same for the spare. Pay attention to valve stems and wheel condition, especially on an older restoration or a car that has spent much of its life parked. The correct size for the model should already be confirmed before the trip: 600-16 for Deluxe Custom or 700-15 for Special Equipment.

Tires are only one part of the pre-trip check on a car of this age. Wheel fasteners, brakes, steering play, suspension condition, and basic fluid checks deserve the same attention before asking a prewar car to cover distance. A careful inspection routine preserves both safety and enjoyment, particularly when the car is running on authentic period-style bias-ply tires.