1940 Ford Tire Fitment Guide

1940 Ford vehicles use three tire sizes: 550-16, 600-16, and 650-16. The 60 Series uses 550-16, the 85 Deluxe and 85 Standard use 600-16, and Mercury uses 600-16 or 650-16 depending on the application. All three sizes mount on 16-inch wheels, but the tire width and the compatible rim-width range change by size. Published rim-width ranges include 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 on products where that detail appears.

The practical takeaway is that year and make alone are not enough for a 1940 Ford. You need to identify whether you have a 60 Series, an 85 Standard, an 85 Deluxe, or a Mercury before narrowing down the right tire. Once the model is confirmed, you can compare blackwall versus wide whitewall styling and choose among the available bias-ply brands in the correct size.

A 550-16 tire on a 1940 Ford uses an older numeric bias-ply size format. The first number, 550, indicates the tire’s nominal section width in a period-style convention, and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1940 Ford, that size belongs to the 60 Series and is offered in bias-ply construction only. Available versions include both blackwall and wide whitewall styles.

Modern buyers sometimes read a size like 550-16 as if it worked like a contemporary metric tire code, but it does not. It is an era-correct format tied to older bias-ply sizing practice, so the right comparison is to other vintage numeric sizes rather than modern P-metric dimensions. If you are working on a 60 Series, staying with 550-16 keeps you in the correct fitment family for that model.

No, 1940 Ford models do not all use the same tire size. The 60 Series uses 550-16, the 85 Standard and 85 Deluxe use 600-16, and Mercury overlaps with 600-16 while also using the larger 650-16. Even though all of these are 16-inch bias-ply sizes, the difference in section width and rim-width suitability means they are not interchangeable choices across the whole 1940 Ford lineup.

That matters because many buyers know the year and make first, especially with Ford’s closely related prewar bodies, but the model determines the tire starting point. Mercury in particular needs a closer look because it appears in two sizes. If the car has been modified over the years, compare the current wheel and tire setup against the actual model before choosing a replacement.

1940 Ford tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles, depending on size and brand. The 550-16 size includes blackwall and wide whitewall options, 600-16 includes blackwall and wide whitewall options, and 650-16 also includes both blackwall and wide whitewall choices. That gives buyers a useful spread across the Ford and Mercury range without changing away from the correct bias-ply construction family.

Sidewall style is often the visual decision that changes the car’s character most. A blackwall usually suits a more understated or utility-minded presentation, while a wide whitewall better matches the dressier prewar look many restorers want on Deluxe and Mercury applications. If authenticity matters for a judged car, match the sidewall style to the vehicle’s trim level, market presentation, and the standards of the club or event that will judge it.

Several brands offer tires for 1940 Ford vehicles across the three sizes used that year. The 550-16 fitment is available from Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. The 600-16 size is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone, while the 650-16 size adds Garfield alongside BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Firestone. All of the listed fitments are bias-ply offerings in period-appropriate vintage sizes.

Brand choice usually comes down to the look you want, the sidewall treatment offered in the size you need, and the specific product details such as published load figures or rim-width guidance. It is worth narrowing the search by model first, then comparing brands within the correct size rather than assuming every brand offers the same styling across the full 1940 Ford range.

In 600-16 for a 1940 Ford, BFGoodrich and Firestone are both offered as bias-ply wide whitewall tires with a 16-inch rim diameter, and both carry a published maximum load of 1,400 pounds at 32 psi. The listed rim-width range for each is 4.00 to 4.50 inches. The BFGoodrich version is shown at 21 pounds, while the Firestone version is listed at 24 pounds, so there is a small difference in product weight even within the same vintage size.

That comparison is useful when you already know you need 600-16 and want to stay within a traditional wide whitewall presentation. Since the basic fitment and load rating align closely, the choice often comes down to brand preference, tread and sidewall appearance, and the details of the specific restoration. It is also wise to compare the exact whitewall width and overall visual effect against the character of your 85 Standard, 85 Deluxe, or Mercury.

Rim-width guidance for 1940 Ford tires varies by size. The 550-16 size is listed on products 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 published. All three sizes use 16-inch wheel diameters, but the usable rim width increases as the tire size steps up through the Ford and Mercury range.

That is why wheel diameter alone is not enough when replacing vintage tires. A 16-inch wheel can still be too narrow or too wide for the size you are considering, especially if the car has changed hands or has had wheel swaps over the decades. Measure the actual wheel and match it to the size-specific rim-width guidance before finalizing a tire choice.

The available 1940 Ford tire listings are all bias-ply vintage sizes, but the tire markings shown here do not consistently identify tube-type or tubeless status. That means the correct tube decision should be made by checking the exact sidewall marking on the product you choose and by considering the design and condition of the wheel itself. On prewar Ford-family wheels, inner tubes are often part of the overall setup.

The practical step is to treat tube choice as part of the wheel-and-tire package rather than as an afterthought. Original-style rims, restored wheels, and reproduction vintage tires can have different requirements from one product to another. Confirm the product marking and inspect the wheel’s bead area, valve-stem opening, and overall condition before deciding whether the setup should run with a tube.

Original 1940 Ford wheels can share the same 16-inch diameter across the size range, but that does not mean every original wheel is suitable for every 1940 Ford tire size. The listed rim-width range changes from 3.25 to 4.00 inches for 550-16, to 4.00 to 4.50 inches for 600-16, and to 4.50 to 5.00 inches for 650-16 where that specification is published. Diameter compatibility is only one part of the fitment picture.

That matters most with Mercury, where both 600-16 and 650-16 appear in the year’s fitment range. A wheel that accepts one 16-inch tire size may not be the best match for the wider one unless the rim width supports it. If the car has original wheels, verify their width before changing sizes, and if the car has replacement wheels, measure them rather than assuming they follow factory dimensions.

A stored 1940 Ford should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment that can accelerate sidewall aging. Bias-ply tires also tend to develop temporary flat-spotting more readily during long static storage than later radials do. Clean concrete is better than dirt or damp flooring, and the car should either be moved periodically or supported in a way that reduces long-term stress on the tires.

Good storage habits protect both appearance and service life on a collector car that may spend more time parked than driven. Keep inflation checked even during off-season storage, and avoid leaving one section of the tread loaded in the same spot for months at a time. If the car will sit for an extended period, a quick inspection before the next drive helps catch pressure loss, cracking, or distortion early.

Tires on a 1940 Ford should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. On collector vehicles, a close evaluation begins around the five- to seven-year mark, and many owners treat around ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration even if the tread still looks usable. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age, while sidewall cracking, hardening, and repeated loss of pressure are signs that matter more than low annual miles.

That approach is especially important on a prewar car that may see infrequent use, fair-weather driving, and long periods in storage. A tire can look presentable but still be past its best service life because of age. If you recently acquired a 1940 Ford and do not know when the tires were installed, checking the date code is one of the smartest first steps before any meaningful road use.

Tires on a 1940 Ford should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, tread separation, and slow air loss, and check that the inflation pressure remains stable. On a vintage setup, it is also wise to inspect valve stems carefully and pay close attention to the spare, since an old spare is often forgotten until it is needed.

Frequent inspection matters because collector cars often alternate between inactivity and longer pleasure drives, which can expose age-related issues quickly. A five-minute walkaround before leaving can prevent the disappointment of discovering a problem on the shoulder. If the car pulls, wanders, or develops a new vibration, stop and reinspect the tires and wheels instead of assuming it is only part of the car’s old-car character.

A 1940 Ford 60 Series belongs to the prewar American era when bias-ply construction was standard, and its fitment here is 550-16. That places the car in the smaller of the three 1940 Ford tire sizes, distinct from the 600-16 used on the 85 Standard and 85 Deluxe and from the larger Mercury fitments. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and delivery history, so the most reliable authenticity reference is the correct size, bias-ply construction, and appropriate sidewall style for the car’s presentation.

For a restoration, that means starting with 550-16 rather than trying to generalize from other 1940 Ford models. Then decide whether the car should wear a blackwall or a whitewall based on how the vehicle is being restored and what period image you want it to project. Marque clubs, factory literature, and period photography are the best ways to confirm market-specific details before finalizing a show-focused setup.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1940 Ford because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction type, and sidewall style very quickly. A 60 Series on 600-16s, or a Mercury wearing a size that does not suit its application, changes the visual stance and can undermine an otherwise careful restoration. The same is true of sidewall presentation, since blackwall and wide whitewall choices create a very different period impression on a prewar Ford-family car.

Show standards vary, but the safest path is to match the car’s actual model first, then choose the sidewall treatment that best reflects the trim level and restoration goal. A national-point concours car may be judged more strictly than a local cruise-night restoration, yet both benefit from tires that look right for the era. If awards matter, check the standards of the specific club or event rather than relying on general vintage practice alone.

In 650-16 for the 1940 Ford Mercury, BFGoodrich is offered as a wide whitewall bias-ply tire and Firestone is offered as a blackwall bias-ply tire. Both list a 16-inch rim diameter, a 4.50 to 5.00-inch rim-width range, and a published maximum load of 1,580 pounds at 32 psi. The BFGoodrich version is listed at 24 pounds, while the Firestone version is listed at 23 pounds, so the biggest difference here is visual style rather than core fitment.

That makes the choice especially relevant for restorers trying to set the tone of a Mercury build. A wide whitewall leans into the upscale, formal prewar look many Mercury owners want, while a blackwall delivers a plainer, more restrained appearance. Since both share the same basic size and published load figure, the deciding factor is usually how closely the tire’s appearance matches the intended finish of the car.

1940 Ford tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, properly fitted, in sound condition, and used within the capabilities of the specific product. The available sizes here are all bias-ply, and one 600-16 Avon offering carries an H speed rating, which corresponds to a 130 mph ceiling. Other listed products do not show a speed rating in the size marking provided, so the exact capability depends on the individual tire chosen as well as its condition and inflation.

In real-world use, the limits of a 1940 Ford’s brakes, steering, suspension, and overall prewar chassis behavior are usually more relevant than the tire’s top-speed ceiling at normal American road speeds. Bias-ply tires also have a different feel from later radials, especially in tracking and response. If the car is freshly restored or newly purchased, begin with conservative speeds and short drives until the full vehicle setup proves itself.

Inflation pressure on a 1940 Ford should follow the vehicle’s factory guidance first and the individual tire’s published rated pressure second. Several of the listed tires show maximum load ratings at 32 psi, including 550-16, 600-16, and 650-16 examples, but that does not automatically make 32 psi the correct running pressure for every 1940 Ford application. The published load figure belongs to that specific tire and size, not to every tire in the year’s lineup.

The key is to avoid transferring one pressure figure across different models or sizes just because they share a 16-inch wheel diameter. A 60 Series on 550-16s, an 85 Deluxe on 600-16s, and a Mercury on 650-16s can have different needs. Use the owner’s manual or period service information for the vehicle target, then confirm that the chosen reproduction tire is being operated within the manufacturer’s stated limits.

Before a longer drive in a 1940 Ford, inspect every tire for visible cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and anything that suggests separation or impact damage. Check inflation pressure cold, examine the valve stems, and make sure the spare is aired up and serviceable. Since 1940 Ford fitments vary by model, it is also worth confirming that all four road tires match in size and construction so the car is not running a mixed setup unintentionally.

A longer outing is also the right time to think beyond the tires, because a prewar Ford depends on the whole vehicle being healthy. Wheel fasteners, brakes, steering play, shocks, and cooling all deserve attention before distance driving. Tire condition is only one part of the readiness check, but it is the part that meets the road, so it should be handled first and carefully.