1938 Lafayette Tire Fitment Guide

1938 Lafayette vehicles use one tire size: 600-16. That size applies to the 1938 Lafayette 3810, and the available tires mount on 16-inch rims. Listed fitments in this size include rim width ranges of 4.00 to 4.50 inches on several products, which is the practical wheel range to confirm before choosing a tire.

That simplicity is helpful because it removes the usual year-and-model confusion found on many collector cars. If your Lafayette still wears its proper 16-inch wheels, the decision shifts to brand, sidewall style, and restoration intent rather than choosing between multiple fitment sizes. Checking the wheel before ordering is still worthwhile, especially on cars that may have been altered over the decades.

A 600-16 tire for a 1938 Lafayette is a traditional numeric bias-ply size. The “600” refers to the nominal section width class used in period sizing, and the “16” refers to the wheel diameter in inches. Unlike modern metric radial sizing, it does not spell out an aspect ratio in the code, and the construction is bias-ply rather than radial.

That matters because a modern buyer may expect the code to read like a contemporary passenger tire size, but pre-war fitments follow an older convention. When shopping for a 1938 Lafayette, focus first on matching the 600-16 size and 16-inch rim diameter, then choose the brand and sidewall look that best matches either a factory-style restoration or a preserved driver.

Yes. The 1938 Lafayette model range covered here uses the same 600-16 tire size across the board, and that size is fitted to the 3810. There is no split in the fitment by model within this year and make, so the basic tire size question is unusually straightforward.

That means a 1938 Lafayette owner usually does not need to sort through multiple diameters or model-specific sizes before narrowing choices. The more meaningful differences are visual and purpose-driven: blackwall versus wide whitewall, and whether you want a brand presentation that leans toward preservation, touring, or judged restoration appearance.

1938 Lafayette tires in 600-16 are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Blackwall choices appear in offerings such as Coker Classic and Avon, while wide whitewall versions are available from BFGoodrich and Firestone in this size. All of them remain within the same basic bias-ply fitment category for the car.

Sidewall style changes the car's visual character more than its fitment. A blackwall usually suits a restrained, utilitarian pre-war look, while a wide whitewall gives the car a more formal and show-oriented presentation that many collectors associate with upscale late-1930s American styling. The right answer depends on how your 1938 Lafayette is being restored and how authentic you want the finished profile to appear.

Four brands are represented for 1938 Lafayette fitment in 600-16: BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone. Each is offered in bias-ply construction, and the available sidewall treatments include blackwall and wide whitewall depending on the product. That gives Lafayette owners several credible ways to stay within the proper size without moving into a different fitment category.

Brand choice often comes down to the look you want and the specific product's details rather than a change in basic fitment. Some owners prefer the styling association of a classic American name on a pre-war domestic car, while others simply want the sidewall presentation and load rating that best fits their intended use. Keeping the decision inside the correct 600-16 size preserves the car's overall stance.

For the 1938 Lafayette, both the BFGoodrich and Firestone 600-16 offerings are bias-ply tires with wide whitewall styling, a 16-inch rim diameter, and a listed load capacity of 1400 pounds at 32 psi. Their stated rim width range is also the same at 4.00 to 4.50 inches. The published difference here is mainly presentation within the brand family and a small weight difference between the products.

That makes the choice less about changing the car's fitment and more about selecting the look and brand identity that best suits your restoration. If your goal is a period-correct whitewall appearance on a 1938 Lafayette, either keeps you in the right size and construction category. At that point, many owners decide by sidewall branding preference and how they want the finished car to read visually.

Several 600-16 tire options for the 1938 Lafayette specify a rim width range of 4.00 to 4.50 inches on a 16-inch rim. That is the clearest wheel-fitment window attached to the available products in this size. Staying within that range helps preserve the intended tire profile and how the bias-ply casing sits on the wheel.

Wheel width matters because an overly narrow or overly wide rim can alter the tread shape, sidewall posture, and overall look of the car. On a pre-war application like the 1938 Lafayette, that can affect both appearance and road behavior. Measuring the actual wheel before selecting a tire is a smart step, especially if the car has been apart for restoration or may have replacement wheels from an earlier rebuild.

The available 1938 Lafayette products shown in 600-16 do not carry TT or TL markers in the size descriptions, so the practical decision should be made by the tire's specific construction details and the wheel you plan to use. Because this is a late-1930s bias-ply application on 16-inch wheels, tube fitment is something to verify carefully before finalizing the setup.

Inner-tube decisions on pre-war cars are tied to more than tire size alone. Wheel design, rim condition, and the exact tire specification all matter, especially on original-style wheels that were built long before modern tubeless standards. Confirm the wheel's condition and the tire's sidewall markings before assembly so the finished setup matches both the car's age and the intended use.

Yes, the available tire options for 1938 Lafayette all stay within the same 600-16 size and 16-inch rim diameter, so they are aimed at the same original wheel diameter. Several of the listed products also share a 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim width range, which is the key dimensional point to confirm on the wheel itself.

That does not mean every old wheel should be reused without inspection. Original wheels on a 1938 Lafayette should be checked for trueness, bead-seat condition, corrosion, and any prior repairs before mounting fresh tires. If the wheels are sound and remain within the proper dimensions, staying with the original diameter preserves the car's intended stance and period character.

A 1938 Lafayette should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age sidewalls. Because bias-ply tires are more prone to flat-spotting during long static periods than modern radials, occasional vehicle movement or the use of stands can help reduce casing set while the car is parked.

Collector-car storage is really about limiting environmental stress and long uninterrupted weight loading. Keeping the tires clean, properly inflated, and off damp concrete helps preserve both rubber condition and appearance. If the car sits for months at a time, rolling it periodically changes the contact patch and reduces the chance that your 1938 Lafayette will feel thumpy or uneven on the next drive.

Tires on a 1938 Lafayette are usually judged more by age than by mileage, because many collector cars cover limited annual distances. A good rule is to begin careful evaluation around five to seven years and to treat roughly ten years as a serious replacement point regardless of tread depth. The tire's date code and the way it has been stored matter as much as how often the car has been driven.

That age-based approach is especially important on vintage bias-ply tires, which may look presentable long after the rubber has hardened. A 1938 Lafayette used mainly for shows, parades, or occasional tours can still out-age its tires well before wearing them out. If the car's service history is uncertain, age is often the most useful guide for deciding whether replacement deserves priority.

Tires on a 1938 Lafayette should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look closely for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and signs that the tire is losing pressure between uses. On a vintage application, valve stems and the condition of any tube-related components also deserve regular attention during routine checks.

Short local drives can hide developing problems that become more serious once heat and speed build over distance. A careful visual inspection takes only a few minutes, but it can prevent damage to scarce bodywork and hard-to-replace trim if a failure occurs. Regular checks are part of responsible old-car ownership and should become standard practice with any 1938 Lafayette that still sees road use.

A 1938 Lafayette 3810 belongs to an era when bias-ply construction was the normal original fitment, and the correct year-and-model size used here is 600-16. That places the car firmly in the pre-war numeric-size, 16-inch wheel category rather than in later radial or metric sizing conventions. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and delivery history, so the key authenticity points are size, construction, and sidewall style.

For a faithful restoration, matching the 600-16 size and a period-appropriate bias-ply appearance usually matters more than chasing a name molded into the sidewall. Buyers aiming for marque-level accuracy should compare their car to period photos, surviving unrestored examples, and club guidance. That extra step is worthwhile because pre-war judging often rewards details that look subtle until the car is viewed next to a correctly restored peer.

Yes, correct tire fitment matters when showing a 1938 Lafayette because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the car carries the proper size, era-appropriate construction, and suitable sidewall style. A 600-16 bias-ply tire aligns with the car's period, while an obviously modern construction or an out-of-era visual treatment can stand out quickly on a pre-war American car.

Show standards vary by event, so the level of scrutiny can range from broad period correctness to very detailed authenticity review. If your Lafayette is being prepared for judged competition, choose the tire that best matches the car's intended presentation and verify the expected sidewall look with club resources. That effort helps avoid a situation where a beautifully restored car is let down by a visibly incorrect tire profile.

For the 1938 Lafayette, both Coker Classic and Avon offer a 600-16 bias-ply fitment, but they present the tire differently. The Coker Classic version listed here is a blackwall 600-16 with a 1400-pound load capacity at 32 psi and a stated 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim width range, while the Avon Turbospeed appears as 600H16 93H, also in blackwall, with an H speed rating and a listed maximum load of 1,433 pounds.

That means a buyer is not choosing between different basic fitments so much as between two expressions of the same size. One presents as a classic numeric-style reproduction with clearly stated vintage wheel range information, while the other adds a modern-style speed-rating designation in the same nominal size. Either can suit a 1938 Lafayette, but their markings and published specs will appeal to different restoration priorities.

1938 Lafayette tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, properly mounted, in sound condition, and driven within their construction and rating limits. The available 600-16 choices are bias-ply, and one listed Avon version carries an H speed rating, which corresponds to a 130 mph ceiling. In real use, a pre-war car's brakes, steering, suspension, and overall mechanical condition usually matter more than extreme speed capability.

Highway safety in a 1938 Lafayette is really about a balanced, realistic setup rather than chasing modern-car expectations. A fresh, correctly fitted bias-ply tire can be entirely appropriate for touring, but the car should still be driven with vintage chassis behavior in mind. Leave generous following distance, keep speeds sensible, and make sure the rest of the car is as ready for the trip as the tires are.

Several 1938 Lafayette 600-16 products list a maximum load capacity of 1400 pounds at 32 psi, while the Avon 600H16 carries a listed maximum load of 1,433 pounds. Those figures identify the tire's rated load-and-pressure relationship, not automatically the exact day-to-day pressure your Lafayette should run. Factory operating pressure should still be checked against the owner's manual or trusted marque literature for the car itself.

That distinction matters because a tire's maximum rated pressure and a vehicle's recommended service pressure are not always the same thing. Running every 600-16 tire at the same inflation point without regard to vehicle guidance can affect ride, wear, and road feel on a lightweight pre-war chassis. Match the pressure plan to the specific tire and the car's original recommendations rather than treating all products as interchangeable.

Before a longer drive in a 1938 Lafayette, inspect each tire for cracks, weathering, cuts, embedded debris, bulges, and uneven wear, then confirm that all four tires and the spare are holding pressure. Pay attention to valve stems and any tube-related service points if your wheel-and-tire combination uses them. A bias-ply tire that looks fine at rest can still reveal a problem once heat and sustained speed build on the road.

Tires are only one part of the pre-trip check, but they are among the easiest areas to inspect thoroughly before departure. On a car of this age, it also makes sense to review wheel fasteners, steering feel, brake response, and the condition of the jack and spare equipment. A few minutes in the garage can make a 1938 Lafayette far more enjoyable and much less stressful on a longer run.