1939 Lafayette Tire Fitment Guide

1939 Lafayette vehicles use one tire size: 600-16. That size applies to the 1939 Lafayette 6 Cyl., and the available tires mount on 16-inch rims. Where rim width is specified, 600-16 products are intended for 4.00- to 4.50-inch-wide rims, which is an important compatibility point when checking original wheels or older replacements.

That single-size fitment makes the year-and-make decision simpler than on many later cars, because you are not sorting between multiple diameters or modern metric alternatives at this level. The practical next step is to confirm that your wheels match the tire’s intended rim diameter and width range, then choose the sidewall treatment and brand character that best fits your restoration standard and driving expectations.

A 600-16 size is a traditional numeric bias-ply designation. The 600 refers to a nominal section width of roughly 6.00 inches, and the 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1939 Lafayette, that format is exactly what you would expect for a late-1930s American passenger car, where tall, relatively narrow bias-ply tires were standard practice.

Understanding the code helps prevent confusion when comparing older sizes to later alphanumeric or metric systems. It also explains why a 1939 Lafayette tire has a very different look from a modern radial: the profile, sidewall shape, and overall visual stance are part of the period-correct package. If the car is being restored with appearance in mind, keeping the original numeric format usually matters as much as getting the rim diameter right.

Yes. The 1939 Lafayette range covered here consists of the 6 Cyl. model, and it uses 600-16 throughout. There is no year-level split between one Lafayette model taking one size and another taking a different one, so the fitment question begins with confirming the car is a 1939 Lafayette and then moves directly to product selection within that size.

That does not mean every tire choice will look the same once installed. Blackwall and wide whitewall versions create noticeably different visual effects on a prewar body, even when the nominal size stays unchanged. For most owners, the real decision is whether the car should present as a more restrained driver or with the more formal, upscale appearance that whitewalls often bring to late-1930s American cars.

1939 Lafayette tires in 600-16 are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Blackwall choices include Coker Classic and Avon, while wide whitewall choices include BFGoodrich and Firestone. All of them remain within the correct 600-16 bias-ply fitment family, so the change is visual presentation rather than a switch to a different size or construction type.

Sidewall style has a strong influence on how a prewar car reads at a glance. Blackwalls suit an understated, workmanlike appearance, while wide whitewalls often fit a more formal restoration presentation that many owners associate with late-1930s American styling. If authenticity for a particular trim, market, or judging standard matters, it is wise to compare your intended look with period photos and marque-club guidance before making the final selection.

Four brands offer 600-16 tires for 1939 Lafayette vehicles: BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone. The BFGoodrich and Firestone offerings shown here are wide whitewall bias-ply tires, while Coker Classic and Avon appear in blackwall form. All are built around the same period-correct 16-inch bias-ply fitment, but they give owners different visual and brand-preference options within that size.

Brand choice on a car like a 1939 Lafayette often comes down to the look you want and the character of the restoration rather than a need to change sizes. Some owners prefer a traditional American brand presentation, while others focus on a particular sidewall style or product line. Once the correct 600-16 size is established, compare the brand’s sidewall treatment, stated load information, and overall appearance on the car before deciding.

BFGoodrich and Firestone both offer 600-16 bias-ply tires for the 1939 Lafayette in wide whitewall form, and both list a maximum load capacity of 1400 pounds at 32 psi. Each mounts on a 16-inch rim and, where specified, suits a 4.00- to 4.50-inch rim width range. The listed weight differs, with the BFGoodrich tire at 21 pounds and the Firestone at 24 pounds.

Because the fitment, construction type, and whitewall presentation are closely aligned, the choice between them is usually about brand preference and the exact look you want on the car rather than a dramatic change in application. Weight differences may matter to some restorers comparing like-for-like details, but the more visible distinction is often the styling character of the sidewall and tread as it complements the overall Lafayette restoration.

For 1939 Lafayette 600-16 tires, the specified rim width range shown on applicable products is 4.00 to 4.50 inches, with a 16-inch rim diameter. That width range is tied to the 600-16 bias-ply fitment itself, not to a separate alternate size. Keeping the tire on a wheel within that range helps preserve the intended section shape and footprint.

Wheel verification matters on older cars because a Lafayette may have replacement wheels installed sometime in its long life, even when the bolt-on appearance looks original. Before mounting tires, measure the wheel and confirm both diameter and width at the bead seat. If your wheels fall outside the stated range, treat that as a setup question to resolve before committing to a specific tire rather than assuming every 16-inch wheel is automatically suitable.

The available 1939 Lafayette 600-16 products are all bias-ply tires, but tube marking is not consistent across every offering shown here, so tube status varies by product rather than being treated as one blanket answer for the whole size. On a prewar fitment like this, tube use is often part of the wheel-and-tire combination rather than just the tire itself.

The safest approach is to verify the specific tire’s sidewall marking and match that to the wheel type you are actually using. Original-style steel wheels, wheel condition, and how the rim was designed all affect whether tube-type service is appropriate. If the car is being restored carefully, inspect the inside of each wheel and confirm the correct valve stem and tube arrangement before final mounting.

A 1939 Lafayette should be stored in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Bias-ply tires are more prone than radials to taking a temporary flat spot when the car sits for long periods, so periodic movement helps, and very long storage may justify using stands to reduce static load.

Tire care during storage is especially important on a prewar car because the vehicle may be driven infrequently yet expected to perform reliably on short notice. Keep the tires properly inflated, avoid parking on damp soil or bare concrete if possible, and inspect sidewalls when bringing the car back into use each season. A well-stored tire usually stays presentable longer and behaves more predictably after layups.

Tires on a 1939 Lafayette should be judged more by age and condition than by tread wear alone, because collector cars often accumulate very low mileage. A sensible rule is to begin careful age-related evaluation around five to seven years and to treat around ten years as a point where replacement deserves serious consideration, even if the tread still looks usable. The DOT date code on the tire is the starting point for that timeline.

Old-looking tires are easy to spot, but aged tires that still appear clean can be misleading on a lightly used car. Sidewall cracking, stiffness, repeated pressure loss, or changes in ride feel all matter more than simple mileage totals on a 1939 Lafayette. If the car’s history is unclear, checking the age code may tell you more about serviceability than any visual impression from the tread face alone.

Tires on a 1939 Lafayette should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and signs that the tire is no longer holding pressure consistently. On older wheel-and-tire combinations, valve stems and any tube-related hardware also deserve regular attention because they can age independently of the tread itself.

Frequent inspection matters because a collector car may sit for weeks and then be asked to run at road speed with little recent use. Problems that develop during storage often show up first as visual sidewall changes or subtle pressure loss. Catching those issues early is simpler and cheaper than dealing with a roadside failure, and it gives you time to correct mounting, inflation, or wheel-condition problems before the next drive.

A 1939 Lafayette 6 Cyl. belongs to an era when bias-ply tires were the standard passenger-car construction, and the correct fitment here is 600-16. That combination of a numeric size and bias-ply build matches what buyers expect on a late-prewar American car. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and delivery history, so the most reliable constants are the size, construction type, and period-correct visual profile.

For restoration work, the important point is to preserve the proper stance and sidewall character first. Once the 600-16 bias-ply format is established, you can refine the choice by selecting blackwall or wide whitewall according to the car’s trim level, period photographs, and the standards of the club or event that matters to you. Marque specialists remain the best source for model-specific factory presentation details.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1939 Lafayette because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice tire size, construction type, and sidewall appearance very quickly on a prewar car. A 600-16 bias-ply tire supports the proper profile and period stance, while a visibly modern substitute can change the car’s look enough to stand out. Sidewall style can also influence whether the car reads as authentically restored for its intended presentation.

Show standards are not identical from one event to another, so the right answer depends on whether your goal is a faithful restoration, a touring driver, or a club-level presentation car. If the Lafayette will be judged seriously, verify the expected sidewall style and any market-specific details with the hosting organization or a marque club. Getting the tire right often does as much for authenticity as many more expensive cosmetic details.

Coker Classic and Avon both offer blackwall 600-16 tires suitable for the 1939 Lafayette, and both stay within the correct bias-ply fitment family. The Coker Classic listing shows a maximum load capacity of 1400 pounds at 32 psi and a 4.00- to 4.50-inch rim width range, while the Avon offering is shown as 600H16 93H with an H speed rating, meaning a 130 mph ceiling, and a listed maximum load of 1,433 pounds.

Those differences make this comparison more about specification style and product character than about changing the fundamental fitment. A restorer focused on a straightforward American blackwall presentation may lean one way, while another owner may prefer the particular published rating format or brand identity of the Avon. Either way, keeping the correct 600-16 bias-ply size is what preserves the proper Lafayette look at the highest level.

1939 Lafayette tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are in good condition, correctly mounted, properly inflated, and used within the ratings of the specific product selected. The available 600-16 fitments are bias-ply tires, and one listed option carries an H speed rating, which corresponds to a 130 mph ceiling. In real-world use, the tire’s rating is usually only one part of the picture on a late-1930s car.

A 1939 Lafayette’s overall highway confidence depends just as much on brakes, steering condition, suspension, wheel integrity, and the behavior typical of a prewar chassis as it does on the tire itself. Bias-ply tires also have a different feel from modern radials, especially in tracking and steering response. Moderate speeds, correct inflation, and a fully sorted chassis matter more than chasing the highest theoretical tire rating.

Inflation pressure on a 1939 Lafayette should be set by the vehicle’s original guidance first and then checked against the specific tire’s stated limits. Several 600-16 options list a maximum load capacity of 1400 pounds at 32 psi, while another 600-16 offering lists a maximum load of 1,433 pounds. Those figures are tire ratings, not a universal instruction to run every 1939 Lafayette tire at the same pressure in every situation.

The practical approach is to use the owner’s manual or marque guidance for the car’s baseline pressure recommendation and make sure it stays within the tire manufacturer’s rated limit for the exact product you chose. Do not transfer a pressure figure casually from one tire line to another simply because the nominal size matches. On an older car, even a few psi can affect steering feel, wear pattern, and ride quality noticeably.

Before a longer drive in a 1939 Lafayette, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, embedded debris, and stable air pressure. Check valve stems carefully, and if your wheel-and-tire setup uses tubes, make sure there are no signs of leakage or mounting issues around the valve area. The spare tire should also be inspected and inflated, because on a collector car it may be just as old as the road tires.

Tires are only one part of a proper pre-trip check on a prewar car, so also give attention to brakes, wheel bearings, steering play, cooling, and basic fluid condition. A 1939 Lafayette can cover distance comfortably when prepared well, but age-related issues usually appear first in small warning signs. Catching them in the garage is far preferable to discovering them after heat, speed, and road load have amplified the problem.