1938 Buick Tire Fitment Guide

1938 Buick vehicles use four different tire sizes depending on the series. The 40 Series uses 650-16, the 60 Series uses 700-15, the 80 Series uses 700-16, and the 90 Series uses 750-16. Rim diameters are not universal across the lineup: the 60 Series uses a 15-inch rim, while the others use 16-inch rims. Where rim-width guidance is available, 650-16 fits 4.50- to 5.00-inch rims, 700-15 fits 5.00- to 5.50-inch rims, 700-16 fits 4.50- to 5.50-inch rims, and 750-16 fits 5.00- to 6.00-inch rims.

That means a 1938 Buick owner should start with the model series, not just the year and make. Even among the 16-inch applications, the correct size changes from junior to senior cars, so a visually similar wheel does not make the tire interchangeable. If your car has been restored, modified, or fitted with replacement wheels over the years, compare the actual wheel and the tire already on the car before moving ahead.

650-16 is a numeric bias-ply tire size used on the 1938 Buick 40 Series. In this older sizing system, the first number is the nominal section-width code and the second number is the wheel diameter in inches, so the tire mounts on a 16-inch rim. It is not a modern metric radial size, and it does not follow the later alphanumeric or P-metric format most drivers know today.

That older numbering matters because a 650-16 should be matched to the correct prewar-style wheel and the proper rim-width range for the product you choose. It also helps set expectations about appearance and road feel: a numeric bias-ply tire gives a much more period-correct look than a modern radial substitute would. If your 1938 Buick is a 40 Series, this size is the right family to research first.

No. 1938 Buick models do not share one tire size across the range. The 40 Series uses 650-16, the 60 Series uses 700-15, the 80 Series uses 700-16, and the 90 Series uses 750-16. That separation reflects Buick's broad spread from lighter junior cars to larger senior models in the same model year.

The practical takeaway is simple: identifying the series is essential before choosing a tire. A buyer who knows only that the car is a 1938 Buick still has several possible fitments to sort through, including both 15-inch and 16-inch wheel applications. If the series badge, title, or body tag is unclear, the tire and wheel already on the car can offer a helpful starting clue, but the actual model should be confirmed.

1938 Buick tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles across the sizes offered for this year. The 650-16, 700-15, 700-16, and 750-16 ranges all include blackwall choices, and each also has wide whitewall options. That gives owners room to match either a more restrained factory-style appearance or a fuller period luxury presentation, depending on how the car is being restored and displayed.

For many prewar Buicks, sidewall choice changes the visual character of the car almost as much as wheel trim does. A blackwall usually reads more understated and practical, while a wide whitewall often better suits an upscale restoration, especially on senior cars. If authenticity matters for judging, confirm the sidewall style against photos, factory literature, and the standards used by Buick marque clubs or the event where the car will be shown.

Several brands cover 1938 Buick fitments, depending on size. In 650-16, choices include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Garfield. In 700-15, choices include Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA. In 700-16, choices include Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. In 750-16, choices include Firestone, Lester, and BFGoodrich.

Brand selection often comes down to the exact combination of sidewall appearance, load information, and the visual style you want on the car. Some owners focus on matching a familiar American prewar look with Firestone or BFGoodrich, while others may prefer a specific tread or sidewall treatment offered by Lester, Garfield, STA, or Avon in the size they need. Once the correct size is established, comparing those brand-level details becomes much easier.

Both Firestone and BFGoodrich offer 700-15 bias-ply tires for the 1938 Buick 60 Series, and both wide whitewall versions carry a listed maximum load of 1700 pounds at 32 psi. Firestone appears in both blackwall and 4.125-inch whitewall form, while BFGoodrich appears in a 4.125-inch whitewall version. Listed rim-width guidance for those examples is 5.00 to 5.50 inches, with weights in the upper-20-pound range.

That means the main comparison between these two 700-15 offerings is less about fitment and more about sidewall presentation, brand preference, and the exact visual tone you want on a 60 Series Buick. If you are aiming for a cleaner, more utilitarian appearance, a blackwall option may appeal more. If you want the brighter period luxury look many collectors associate with the late 1930s, the whitewall versions deserve closer attention.

Rim-width guidance varies by size on 1938 Buick applications. The 650-16 products with published specifications fit 4.50- to 5.00-inch rims. The 700-15 products with published specifications fit 5.00- to 5.50-inch rims. The 700-16 products with published specifications fit 4.50- to 5.50-inch rims, and the 750-16 products with published specifications fit 5.00- to 6.00-inch rims.

Those ranges are useful because they show that wheel diameter alone is not enough to confirm compatibility. A 16-inch wheel on one Buick series may still differ in width from another series, especially as the cars move up Buick's lineup. Before choosing a tire, compare your actual wheel against the rim-width range for the exact product you are considering, particularly if the car has replacement wheels or a long restoration history.

The available 1938 Buick products are bias-ply tires in prewar numeric sizes, and no tubeless markings appear in the listed size descriptions for these fitments. That points buyers toward traditional tube-type thinking rather than assuming modern tubeless practice. Because tube details can depend on the wheel design and the exact product selected, the safest approach is to confirm the tire's sidewall marking and the wheel's construction before finalizing your setup.

That check matters most on unrestored original wheels, lock-ring style service parts, or wheels with age, corrosion, or riveted construction that may not suit tubeless use even if a modern owner assumes otherwise. Matching the tube, flap if needed, valve stem, and wheel condition to the tire is part of setting up a prewar Buick properly. It is also a good time to inspect the spare, since it often gets overlooked for years.

A 1938 Buick should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Keep the tires clean, maintain normal inflation, and move the car periodically so the same section of the tread is not loaded in one place for months at a time. Bias-ply tires are more prone to temporary flat-spotting during long static storage than later radial designs.

If the car will sit for an extended season, many collectors either roll it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces prolonged weight on one contact patch. Good storage habits help preserve both appearance and drivability, especially on wide whitewalls that can discolor or crack if neglected. A fitted tire cover or enclosed garage bay also helps shield the sidewalls from light and airborne contaminants.

Tires on a 1938 Buick should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage, because collector cars often see limited use. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating them carefully around five to seven years of age and to treat about ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration, even if tread remains. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age on later-manufactured reproduction tires.

That timeline is especially important on a prewar car because long idle periods can hide internal aging that is not obvious from tread depth alone. A tire that still looks attractive at a show may be less trustworthy on a long drive if the rubber has hardened or the casing has aged. Regular age-based review is often more important than counting miles on a car that spends most of its life indoors.

Tires on a 1938 Buick should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, and signs that the tire is losing pressure. On a prewar fitment, it is also wise to inspect the valve stems and any tube-related hardware during routine service, since air retention problems do not always show up as visible tread issues.

Frequent inspection is cheap insurance on a collector Buick that may sit between drives and then head straight onto secondary roads or longer event routes. A quick walkaround can catch a deteriorating sidewall or a low spare before it becomes a roadside problem. If the steering suddenly feels heavier, wanders more than usual, or the car develops a new vibration, stop and inspect the tires before continuing.

The 1938 Buick 40 Series uses a 650-16 bias-ply tire, which is consistent with the original construction style expected on a late-1930s American car. Buick buyers in this era would have encountered numeric bias-ply sizing rather than modern radial or metric formats. Sidewall appearance could vary by market presentation and owner preference, but the important authenticity point is staying with the correct size family and period construction.

For a restoration, that makes 650-16 bias-ply the right place to begin rather than trying to modernize the size code itself. The final choice between blackwall and wide whitewall depends on how the car is being finished and how strictly you are following period photos or event standards. If your goal is exact market or trim accuracy, compare against Buick literature and consult marque specialists before settling on the sidewall style.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1938 Buick, especially in judged classes that emphasize factory appearance. Size, construction type, and sidewall style all influence whether the car looks convincingly period-correct. A wrong rim diameter, an incorrect size for the series, or a sidewall treatment that does not suit the restoration theme can stand out quickly on a prewar Buick because the tires are such a visible part of the car's stance.

That does not mean every event judges tires the same way, but it does mean they should be chosen with the presentation goal in mind. A touring-oriented car may accept some compromises more easily than a concours restoration. If points matter, verify the expectations of the specific club or event rather than assuming all late-1930s Buick judging standards are identical.

Firestone and BFGoodrich both offer 750-16 bias-ply tires for the 1938 Buick 90 Series, but they differ in sidewall presentation and published load-and-pressure figures. Firestone appears in blackwall form and in a 4.50-inch whitewall version, with listed examples showing 1660 pounds at 40 psi. BFGoodrich appears in a 4.125-inch whitewall version with a listed maximum load of 1850 pounds at 48 psi. Published rim-width guidance for these examples is 5.00 to 6.00 inches.

For a restoration-minded owner, that comparison helps in two ways. First, it separates visual style, since the whitewall width itself affects how formal the big Buick looks. Second, it shows that even within the same nominal size, published operating figures can differ between brands and versions. The right choice depends on the exact appearance you want and how closely you are matching the character of a top-line prewar Buick.

1938 Buick tires can be suitable for normal road use when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and operated within the limits of their construction and ratings. All of the listed fitments are bias-ply, and one 700-16 offering carries an L speed rating, which corresponds to a 75 mph ceiling. On a prewar Buick, the practical limit on modern highways is often shaped as much by the car's brakes, steering, suspension, and overall age as by the tire alone.

That means highway use should be approached with the whole car in mind, not just the sidewall. A well-sorted Buick driven at sensible speeds is a different proposition from a recently awakened car pushed into fast traffic after long storage. If you plan to tour, inspect the tires carefully, verify pressures cold, and make sure the rest of the chassis is equally ready for sustained road use.

Inflation pressure on 1938 Buick tires should follow the vehicle's factory guidance for the series and the tire manufacturer's published limits for the exact tire you choose. Several examples carry published maximum load-and-pressure figures: 650-16 appears at 1580 pounds at 32 psi, 700-15 at 1700 pounds at 32 psi, 700-16 at 1800 pounds at 36 psi or 1900 pounds at 36 psi depending on product, and 750-16 at 1660 pounds at 40 psi or 1850 pounds at 48 psi depending on product.

Those numbers are not a universal setting to use blindly; they are reference limits tied to specific tires. The correct running pressure for your Buick may be lower than a tire's maximum and should match the car's weight distribution, ride expectations, and intended use. Start with the owner's manual or period service information for the vehicle, then confirm that the chosen tire's pressure range is being respected.

Before taking a 1938 Buick on a longer drive, inspect each tire for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, uneven wear, and proper cold inflation. Check the spare as well, since it may be older than the road tires or forgotten entirely. On a prewar setup, pay extra attention to valve stems, any tube-related leakage concerns, and whether the tire beads and wheel surfaces appear clean and stable.

A longer outing is also the time to look beyond the tires and treat them as part of a full readiness check. Wheel fasteners, brakes, steering free play, fluid levels, lights, and cooling condition all matter on a 1938 car. Good tires help only when the rest of the Buick is equally prepared, so a thorough pre-drive walkaround and short local test run are worth the effort.