1939 Plymouth Tire Fitment Guide

1939 Plymouth vehicles use three different tire sizes: 600-16 and 650-16 for the 1939 Plymouth Deluxe, and 550-16 for the 1939 Plymouth Economy. All three are bias-ply fitments and all three mount on 16-inch rims. Rim width ranges are available for 550-16 at 3.25 to 4.00 inches, for 600-16 at 4.00 to 4.50 inches, and for 650-16 at 4.50 to 5.00 inches on products where that specification is listed.

The practical takeaway is that a 1939 Plymouth owner should identify the model first, then confirm the wheel width before settling on a tire. Deluxe owners may need to distinguish between two different sizes that share the same rim diameter, while Economy owners follow a separate, narrower fitment. That extra step matters on a pre-war car because the size affects both appearance and how correctly the tire sits on the wheel.

On a 1939 Plymouth, 600-16 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 600 portion refers to the nominal section width in the traditional bias-ply sizing system, and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. For 1939 Plymouth applications, 600-16 is used on Deluxe models and appears in both blackwall and wide whitewall versions from several brands.

That code matters because it is an older sizing system, not a modern metric one, so it should be matched by application rather than guessed at from appearance alone. A buyer comparing 600-16 with 650-16 on a 1939 Plymouth Deluxe is looking at two different traditional sizes on the same rim diameter, not two cosmetic variations of the same tire. Checking the wheel width and the car's current setup will help narrow the choice.

No. The 1939 Plymouth Deluxe uses 600-16 or 650-16, while the 1939 Plymouth Economy uses 550-16. Even though every one of those sizes fits a 16-inch rim, they are not interchangeable simply because the wheel diameter matches. The widths and intended applications differ by model.

That means a 1939 Plymouth owner cannot stop at year and make when researching tires. If the car is a Deluxe, there are two model-specific size paths to verify; if it is an Economy, the narrower 550-16 fitment is the one to investigate. On pre-war Plymouths, model identification is often the fastest way to avoid ordering a tire that looks close but is not the correct fitment direction for the car.

1939 Plymouth tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles across the listed sizes. The 600-16 and 650-16 Deluxe sizes include blackwall and wide whitewall choices, and the 550-16 Economy size does as well. That gives owners a period-appropriate visual range rather than forcing every car into one appearance.

Blackwalls usually suit a more understated, utilitarian look, while wide whitewalls create a more formal pre-war presentation that many restorers prefer on Deluxe-era cars. The right choice often depends on how the car is being finished rather than on fitment alone. If originality matters for a judged restoration, compare the sidewall style to period photos, factory literature, and marque-club guidance for the exact body style and market.

1939 Plymouth tires are offered by several brands, depending on size. The 600-16 Deluxe fitment includes BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone. The 650-16 Deluxe fitment includes BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Garfield. The 550-16 Economy fitment includes Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone.

That spread gives a 1939 Plymouth owner room to choose among different period-style presentations within the same basic fitment. Some brands emphasize classic American whitewall styling, while others also offer more restrained blackwall options that can suit a simpler restoration. Once the correct size is confirmed, the next useful comparison is sidewall appearance, listed load information, and whether a particular product includes extra markings such as a speed rating.

Both 600-16 and 650-16 are bias-ply 16-inch fitments used on the 1939 Plymouth Deluxe, but they are not the same size. The 650-16 is the wider of the two traditional numeric sizes. Products in 600-16 commonly list a 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim width range and load figures around 1400 pounds at 32 psi on some listings, while 650-16 products commonly list a 4.50 to 5.00 inch rim width range and load figures around 1580 pounds at 32 psi on some listings.

A Deluxe owner should treat those as two distinct fitment paths tied to the wheel and the car's established setup, not as a simple upsize or style choice. Because both fit 16-inch rims, it is easy to assume they are freely interchangeable, but the wheel width and the stance of the car still need to be respected. Checking the existing wheel and consulting Plymouth-specific restoration references is the safest way to sort out which one belongs on a particular Deluxe.

1939 Plymouth rim width requirements vary by tire size. For 550-16, listed products show a 3.25 to 4.00 inch rim width range. For 600-16, listed products show a 4.00 to 4.50 inch range. For 650-16, listed products show a 4.50 to 5.00 inch range. All three sizes use 16-inch rim diameter, but the recommended wheel width changes with the tire.

That matters because a tire can match the wheel diameter and still be poorly matched to the wheel width. Before final selection, measure the actual wheel or verify it through a trusted restoration reference for the specific 1939 Plymouth model. On an older car that may have seen wheel changes over the years, confirming width is one of the most important setup checks you can make.

Every listed 1939 Plymouth tire size uses a 16-inch rim diameter, so there is diameter compatibility across the range. That said, the original wheels should only be paired with the tire size that matches the correct width range for the model and wheel. The 550-16, 600-16, and 650-16 sizes call for different wheel-width ranges where those specifications are given.

A 1939 Plymouth owner should think of shared rim diameter as only the first checkpoint. Economy and Deluxe models follow different size paths, and the two Deluxe sizes also differ from one another in width requirements. If the car still wears its original wheels, inspect them carefully for width, condition, and past repairs before mounting new bias-ply tires, especially if the car has been off the road for a long time.

A 1939 Plymouth should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment. Bias-ply tires can develop flat-spotting more readily when a collector car sits for long periods, and sidewalls age faster when they are exposed to heat and ozone. Clean floors, stable temperature, and proper inflation help reduce avoidable stress on the tires.

If the 1939 Plymouth will sit for weeks or months, move it periodically so the same patch of tread does not carry the vehicle's weight continuously. Many owners also use stands or cradles during longer storage intervals, while keeping the suspension supported appropriately for the car. A tire cover or indoor car cover can also help limit light exposure, which is especially worthwhile on pre-war whitewall tires that are being preserved for appearance as much as use.

Tires on a 1939 Plymouth should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. Collector vehicles often accumulate very few miles, so tread depth can look healthy long after the rubber has begun to harden or crack. A good rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they are around five to seven years old and to give serious replacement consideration as they approach ten years, using the date code and visible condition as guides.

That approach matters on a lightly driven pre-war Plymouth because old-looking-new tires can still be well past their safest service life. Sidewall cracking, recurring air loss, vibration that does not balance out, or a general loss of suppleness are all signs that age is taking over. Even a show car benefits from periodic age review, especially if it is driven occasionally on modern roads rather than trailered only.

Tires on a 1939 Plymouth should be inspected before every drive, with a more thorough check before tours, club events, or any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation signs, uneven wear, cuts, embedded debris, and pressure loss. Valve stems also deserve attention, since on an older collector car they often age at the same pace as the tires and can become a hidden weak point.

Frequent inspection is especially important on pre-war bias-ply tires because many 1939 Plymouths spend long periods parked between drives. A quick walkaround can catch a problem before it turns into a roadside issue or damages a restored wheel. If the spare is still expected to serve in an emergency, inspect that one as well, since it often receives the least attention despite being the oldest tire on the car.

A 1939 Plymouth Deluxe would have originally been fitted with bias-ply tires, because that was the standard construction for American passenger cars of the period. Within the 1939 Plymouth range, Deluxe models are associated with 600-16 and 650-16 fitments. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and production context, so the most reliable period-correct starting points are the size, the bias-ply construction, and the sidewall style appropriate to the car's presentation.

For a restoration, the safest path is to match the exact size and visual treatment that belongs on your specific Deluxe rather than choosing by general era alone. Factory literature, surviving photos, and Plymouth marque specialists can help separate what is correct for a businesslike blackwall car from what is appropriate for a more dressed-up whitewall presentation. That extra research pays off because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts tend to notice tire details quickly.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when a 1939 Plymouth is judged for authenticity. Size, construction type, and sidewall style all contribute to whether the car looks and reads as properly restored for its year. On a pre-war Plymouth, an incorrect width, a mismatched sidewall treatment, or a tire that alters the car's visual proportions can stand out just as much as an obvious trim mistake.

That does not mean every show applies the same standards, but it does mean tires should be treated as part of the restoration, not an afterthought. A local driver's class may be flexible, while a stricter concours environment may scrutinize blackwall-versus-whitewall choice and model-appropriate sizing more closely. Event rules and marque-club guidance are the best way to confirm how far originality needs to go for your particular showing goals.

A 1939 Plymouth Economy would also have originally used bias-ply tires, and within the 1939 Plymouth lineup its associated fitment is 550-16. That narrower numeric size fits the Economy's separate place in the model range and reflects the practical, entry-level character Plymouth offered in its lower-priced cars before the war. As with other cars of the period, the key authenticity markers are size, bias-ply construction, and suitable sidewall presentation.

Economy restorations often look most convincing when the tires match the car's simpler character rather than borrowing a more upscale visual treatment from a different model. Blackwalls can make strong historical sense on a plainly finished car, while a whitewall may suit some restoration themes depending on trim and presentation. For the most exact answer, compare your car with period advertising, surviving examples, and advice from Plymouth-focused clubs.

1939 Plymouth tires can be suitable for highway use when they are in good condition, correctly mounted, properly inflated, and chosen within their intended construction and rating limits. The sizes used here are all bias-ply. One 600-16 Avon product carries an H speed rating, which corresponds to 130 mph, and one 550-16 Avon product carries an L rating, which corresponds to 75 mph; many of the other listed bias-ply products do not display a speed letter in the size marking shown here.

In practice, a sound 1939 Plymouth's mechanical condition usually matters more than extreme tire speed capability at ordinary road speeds. Brakes, steering, suspension, wheel condition, and alignment should all be part of the conversation before sustained highway driving in a pre-war car. The right question is not whether the tire alone can go fast, but whether the whole car is prepared for the pace and distance you intend to drive.

Inflation pressure on 1939 Plymouth tires should follow the size-specific tire and vehicle guidance rather than a one-pressure-fits-all approach. Some 600-16 products list 1400 pounds at 32 psi, some 650-16 products list 1580 pounds at 32 psi, and one 550-16 product lists 840 pounds at 32 psi. Those figures are product ratings, not universal instructions for every tire in the size, and they should not be transferred from one size to another.

A careful owner should start with the vehicle's original pressure guidance and then compare it with the reproduction tire's own rating information and manufacturer recommendations. That matters because two tires that look similar may not carry identical construction details or published load figures. Pressure should always be checked cold, and any old gauge of uncertain accuracy is worth replacing before using it on a collector car.

Before taking a 1939 Plymouth on a longer drive, inspect each tire for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and any sign of age-related separation. Confirm cold inflation pressure, look closely at valve stems, and make sure the spare is aired and serviceable. Because these are pre-war bias-ply applications, it is also wise to look over the wheels themselves for rust, damage, or old repairs before setting off.

Tires are only one part of the pre-drive check on a car from 1939, but they are one of the easiest places to catch trouble early. A longer outing also deserves a quick review of wheel fasteners, steering feel, brake operation, and how the car has been behaving on recent shorter drives. If anything about the tire wear pattern or ride quality seems newly unusual, solve that first instead of hoping the trip will reveal nothing worse.