1938 Hudson Tire Fitment Guide

1938 Hudson vehicles use three tire sizes: 550-16 for the 112 Series, 600-16 for the Hudson 83 Series and Terraplane 81 & 82, and 650-16 for the Hudson 84, 85, and 87 Series. All three are bias-ply sizes and all mount on 16-inch rims. Rim width ranges shown in available products run from 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 1938 Hudson. You need the exact series first, because the lineup steps up in size as the cars get larger. Once the series is confirmed, the next decision is usually sidewall style and brand preference, not whether to jump between sizes. Matching the proper size to the correct series helps preserve the car's stance, steering feel, and overall prewar appearance.

On a 1938 Hudson, 550-16 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The first number, 5.50, is the nominal section width in inches, written without the decimal, and the second number, 16, is the wheel diameter in inches. That size belongs to the 1938 Hudson 112 Series, and available products in that size fit rim widths from 3.25 to 4.00 inches where that specification is listed.

Modern buyers sometimes expect a full metric-style code, but prewar American tires were commonly labeled in this shorter numeric format. Reading it correctly helps you avoid mistaking 550-16 for a universal Hudson size when it is actually specific to the smallest series in the 1938 range. If your car is a 112, staying with 550-16 keeps the tire proportion aligned with the way that model was originally set up.

No, 1938 Hudson models do not all use the same tire size. The 112 Series uses 550-16, the 83 Series and Terraplane 81 & 82 use 600-16, and the 84, 85, and 87 Series use 650-16. Every size in the lineup mounts on a 16-inch rim, but the section width changes by model group.

That distinction matters because a collector may know the car is a 1938 Hudson but still be working across very different series within the same year. The right approach is to identify the exact model designation on the car, then select the tire size associated with that series. Once size is settled, you can compare brands and sidewall styles with much more confidence and avoid building a car that looks visually under- or over-tired.

1938 Hudson tire choices include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles across all three sizes. In 550-16, blackwall and wide whitewall are both available; the same is true in 600-16 and 650-16. That gives owners of every model group a choice between a more restrained service-car look and a more formal prewar presentation.

Whitewalls are often favored on restored late-1930s American cars because they reinforce the period appearance many owners want at shows and cruise-ins. Blackwalls can be just as appropriate depending on the car's trim level, market presentation, and the look you are trying to recreate. If authenticity matters for judging, confirm the expected sidewall treatment with Hudson and Terraplane club resources or period sales literature for your exact series.

Several brands offer tires for 1938 Hudson vehicles. In 550-16, the available brands are Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. In 600-16, the brands are BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone. In 650-16, the available brands are BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Garfield.

That brand spread gives Hudson owners room to choose by visual style, series preference, and fitment details within the correct size. Some buyers focus on a traditional American brand look, while others may prefer a particular tread or sidewall treatment tied to a specific product line. The key is to compare within your exact size first, since the Hudson lineup does not use one common tire across every series.

For a 1938 Hudson in 600-16, both BFGoodrich and Firestone offer bias-ply wide whitewall tires with the same listed maximum load of 1400 pounds at 32 psi and the same listed rim width range of 4.00 to 4.50 inches. The BFGoodrich version carries a 3.50-inch whitewall, while the Firestone version carries a 3.25-inch whitewall. The listed weights also differ, with BFGoodrich at 21 pounds and Firestone at 24 pounds.

That makes the choice less about basic fitment and more about appearance and product character. A slightly wider whitewall changes the visual balance of a prewar Hudson, especially on a full restoration where trim and stance are part of the overall effect. If your goal is to match a particular period look, compare the whitewall width first, then confirm that the wheel falls within the stated rim width range for the tire you prefer.

Available 1938 Hudson tire products show different rim width ranges by size. The 550-16 size is listed for 3.25 to 4.00-inch rims, 600-16 is listed for 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims, and 650-16 is listed for 4.50 to 5.00-inch rims where the specification appears. All of the listed sizes mount on 16-inch rims, but the wheel width window increases as the tire size steps up.

That is why matching the tire to the correct series is only part of the job. Before choosing a specific product, verify the actual wheel width on the car, especially if the car has replacement wheels or a long restoration history. A 16-inch diameter match alone is not enough if the wheel width falls outside the tire's intended range, and that check is especially important on prewar cars that may have changed hands many times.

The available 1938 Hudson products shown in 550-16, 600-16, and 650-16 are bias-ply tires, but the tire labels here do not consistently identify tube-type or tubeless markings across the range. On a 1938 Hudson, that usually means the wheel itself and the exact tire's sidewall marking should guide the final setup rather than assuming one answer applies to every product in every size.

Prewar wheels are commonly tube-oriented, so this is a detail worth confirming before the tires are mounted. Check the specific tire's sidewall marking and inspect the condition and design of the wheel at the same time. If the car is wearing original-style steel wheels, tube service is often part of a correct restoration workflow, but the safest approach is to verify product marking and wheel condition together before installation.

Original 1938 Hudson wheels can only be used with all three listed tire sizes if the wheel is both 16 inches in diameter and within the proper width range for the specific tire size. The shared factor across 550-16, 600-16, and 650-16 is rim diameter, but the listed wheel width ranges differ from one size to the next. A wheel that suits 550-16 is not automatically appropriate for 650-16 simply because both are 16-inch tires.

That matters most when a car has had wheels swapped over the years or when parts from different Hudson series have been mixed during restoration. If you are staying with the factory-correct series and wheel set, the original combination is usually the right starting point. If you are sorting out a project car, measure the wheel and confirm the series before choosing a tire rather than treating all 1938 Hudson 16-inch wheels as interchangeable.

A 1938 Hudson should be stored in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age sidewalls prematurely. Because these are bias-ply tires, they are more prone to temporary flat-spotting during long periods of static storage than a modern radial would be. Keeping the car clean, dry, and properly inflated during storage helps the tires hold their shape.

If the car will sit for months, roll it periodically or place it on stands in a way that relieves long-term stress on the tires and suspension. Many collector owners also place a moisture barrier under the tires if the floor is bare concrete. Good storage habits preserve ride quality and appearance, and they matter just as much on a carefully restored Hudson as the tire brand or sidewall style you choose.

Tires on a 1938 Hudson should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. On collector vehicles, a careful inspection is wise once tires reach the five- to seven-year range, and many owners begin serious replacement consideration at around ten years regardless of remaining tread depth. The DOT date code, overall sidewall condition, and any signs of cracking, hardening, or casing distortion are more meaningful than odometer miles on a low-use prewar car.

That approach fits how most Hudsons are actually used today: occasional drives, events, and storage periods rather than daily service. A tire can look acceptable at first glance yet still be aging out structurally. If the car has been parked for long stretches or has an unknown tire age, treating the age code and condition check as part of recommissioning is a smart step before any regular road use.

Tires on a 1938 Hudson should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer trip. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, uneven wear, bulges, embedded debris, and pressure loss. On a prewar car, it is also wise to pay close attention to valve stems and the general condition of the spare, since a long-stored spare may be the same age as the road tires.

Frequent inspection is especially important because collector cars often spend more time parked than driven, and age-related problems can appear before tread wear becomes obvious. A quick walk-around before local use and a more thorough pressure-and-condition check before touring can prevent a small issue from becoming a roadside problem. It also helps you catch alignment or brake-drag issues early if one tire begins wearing differently from the others.

A 1938 Hudson 112 Series would have been fitted with bias-ply tires, which was the standard construction for American passenger cars of the period. Within the fitments covered here, the 112 Series uses 550-16. That makes 550-16 bias-ply the correct starting point for an owner trying to preserve the original tire type and overall proportion of the car.

Original-equipment branding could vary by market, dealer, or replacement history, so most restorers focus first on getting the right size, construction, and sidewall appearance. If you are preparing a car for serious judging, compare your tire choice against period brochures, factory photos, and Hudson club guidance for your exact body style and market. That extra step helps separate a generally correct restoration from one that is truly era-faithful.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1938 Hudson, especially at events that emphasize authenticity. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the size matches the correct series, whether the construction is period-appropriate, and whether the sidewall style looks right for the car's era and presentation. A 112 Series on 650-16s or a senior Hudson on an obviously undersized tire can change the entire visual balance of the car.

Even when an event is less formal, the right tire contributes heavily to stance, wheel opening fill, and period character. Whitewall width and blackwall-versus-whitewall choice can also influence how authentic the finished car appears. If you plan to show the car, confirm the exact model-series fitment first and then compare sidewall style against period reference material or marque-club judging guidance rather than relying on appearance alone.

For the 1938 Hudson 112 Series in 550-16, both BFGoodrich and Firestone offer bias-ply wide whitewall tires. The Firestone listing includes a 2.50-inch whitewall, a listed maximum load of 840 pounds at 32 psi, a 3.25 to 4.00-inch rim width range, and a listed weight of 19 pounds. The BFGoodrich version is also a wide whitewall bias-ply tire, with a listed weight of 16 pounds.

That means the practical distinction starts with appearance and then moves into the product details each brand publishes. A slightly different tire weight or a specifically stated whitewall width may matter to a restorer trying to match a certain look or compare product character. If your 112 Series is being judged, inspect the sidewall presentation closely and confirm the wheel matches the applicable width range before settling on one product over the other.

1938 Hudson tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and used within the limits of the specific tire. The standout speed-rated example here is the Avon 600H16 93H in the 600-16 group, which carries an H rating up to 130 mph. The other listed Hudson fitments are bias-ply tires without a speed letter shown here, so they should be treated with the conservative expectations appropriate to vintage bias-ply construction and a prewar automobile.

In real use, the mechanical condition of a 1938 Hudson often matters at least as much as the tire itself. Steering, brakes, wheel bearings, alignment, and suspension condition all shape how comfortably a prewar car handles sustained road speeds. For normal touring, a properly matched, correctly inflated tire in good condition is the starting point, but the whole car needs to be ready for highway work before longer drives.

Inflation pressure on a 1938 Hudson should follow the original vehicle recommendation first, then be checked against the tire's own load-and-pressure information where it is listed. In the available products here, 550-16 Firestone is rated at 840 pounds at 32 psi, 600-16 BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Firestone are rated at 1400 pounds at 32 psi, and 650-16 BFGoodrich, Firestone, and Garfield are rated at 1580 pounds at 32 psi. Those figures are tire ratings, not a universal instruction to run every Hudson at the same pressure.

That distinction is important because tire load capacity and vehicle ride tuning are not the same thing. The car's original specifications account for weight distribution, handling, and ride quality, while the tire's marking describes the casing's rated capability. Use the factory guidance as your baseline, then make sure the tire's own rating supports the way the car is being used, especially if it carries passengers, luggage, or sees longer road trips.

Before taking a 1938 Hudson on a longer drive, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and correct cold inflation pressure, and do not forget the spare. Look closely at valve stems, bead seating, and any signs that a long-stored tire has developed casing issues. On a prewar car, a tire check should happen alongside a broader inspection of brakes, steering play, wheel bearings, cooling system, and fuel system health.

That pre-drive routine is less about formality and more about avoiding problems that tend to appear when an older car goes from short local use to sustained distance. A Hudson that feels fine around town may reveal heat, pressure, or vibration issues after miles of continuous running. Giving the tires and wheels a careful review before departure helps you catch age-related problems early and makes the rest of the mechanical inspection more meaningful.