1940 Lincoln Tire Fitment Guide

1940 Lincoln vehicles use two different tire sizes, separated by model. The Lincoln V12 uses 750-17 bias-ply tires on 17-inch rims, while the Lincoln Zephyr uses 700-16 bias-ply tires on 16-inch rims. Rim width guidance appears on some available products: 750-17 products include examples for 4-inch rims and 5.50- to 6.00-inch rims, while 700-16 products include examples for 4.50- to 5.50-inch rims.

That split means the first fitment question is always which 1940 Lincoln model you own. A V12 owner should stay within the 750-17 range, and a Zephyr owner should stay within the 700-16 range. Once the model is confirmed, the next decision is sidewall appearance and brand preference rather than choosing between multiple constructions.

On a 1940 Lincoln, 750-17 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 7.50 figure is the nominal section width in inches, written in the older numeric style, and the 17 is the wheel diameter in inches. For 1940 Lincoln applications, that size belongs to the Lincoln V12 and mounts on 17-inch wheels.

That older numeric format is typical of prewar American fitments and differs from later alphanumeric or metric sizing. If you are restoring a V12, the size code is a quick way to confirm you are in the correct family before comparing blackwall, double-whitewall, or wide whitewall options. It should not be cross-applied to the Zephyr, which uses a different wheel diameter.

On a 1940 Lincoln, 700-16 is also a numeric bias-ply size. The 7.00 figure represents the nominal section width in inches, and the 16 indicates the wheel diameter in inches. Within the 1940 Lincoln lineup, this size is used on the Zephyr and not on the V12.

That makes the size code especially useful when sorting through a car that may have mixed parts or replacement wheels from decades of prior service. A Zephyr owner should match the 700-16 size to the car’s 16-inch wheel requirement, then choose among the available brands and sidewall treatments. A V12 owner needs the separate 750-17 fitment instead.

No, 1940 Lincoln models do not all use the same tire size. The Lincoln V12 uses 750-17 bias-ply tires, while the Lincoln Zephyr uses 700-16 bias-ply tires. The difference is more than a simple section-width change because the two sizes also mount on different wheel diameters.

That is why identifying the model is essential before choosing a tire. Buyers sometimes focus on the year and make first, but with 1940 Lincoln, the model determines the basic fitment path. Once the model is settled, you can compare brands, sidewall styles, and period appearance within the correct size rather than sorting through the full year-make range.

1940 Lincoln tires are available in several sidewall styles, depending on size. The 750-17 V12 fitment is offered in blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall versions, while the 700-16 Zephyr fitment is offered in blackwall and wide whitewall versions. Those visual differences can change the car’s overall character even when the underlying size remains correct.

For a prewar luxury car like a 1940 Lincoln, whitewall treatment often plays a major role in how formal or understated the finished car appears. Owners pursuing strict period presentation usually choose a sidewall style that matches the market look and restoration theme of the specific car, while drivers seeking a more restrained appearance often prefer blackwalls. Marque references and period photos are helpful when deciding how bold the sidewall should be.

Several brands cover 1940 Lincoln fitments. The 750-17 size used on the Lincoln V12 is available from Firestone and BFGoodrich, while the 700-16 size used on the Lincoln Zephyr is available from Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. All of the listed fitments are bias-ply tires, which matches the prewar character of the cars.

Brand choice lets you fine-tune the look and feature set once the correct model-specific size is established. Some buyers start with appearance, such as blackwall versus whitewall, while others narrow by legacy brand preference or by the load and rim-width details published on a specific product. The important part is to choose the correct 1940 Lincoln size first and treat brand selection as the next layer of the decision.

For a 1940 Lincoln V12, both Firestone and BFGoodrich offer 750-17 bias-ply tires, but the details vary by product. Firestone options include blackwall and double-whitewall versions, with examples rated at 1870 pounds at 40 psi on 4-inch rims. BFGoodrich options include blackwall and wide whitewall versions, with one listed at 1646 pounds at 36 psi and a 5.50- to 6.00-inch rim-width range.

That means the choice is not only about brand name but also about sidewall appearance and wheel compatibility. A V12 owner should compare the specific rim-width guidance on the tire being considered and decide whether the car’s visual goal calls for blackwall, double-whitewall, or wide whitewall styling. Keeping those factors aligned avoids choosing a tire that looks right but does not suit the wheel already on the car.

Rim-width guidance for 1940 Lincoln tires varies by size and by product. In 750-17 for the Lincoln V12, available products include examples intended for 4-inch rims and others listed for 5.50- to 6.00-inch rims. In 700-16 for the Lincoln Zephyr, available products include examples listed for 4.50- to 5.50-inch rims.

That spread is a good reminder to verify the actual wheel before selecting a specific tire, even after the size itself is confirmed. Two tires with the same nominal size can carry different rim-width guidance depending on brand and series. Checking the wheel and matching it to the product’s stated range is the cleanest way to avoid fitment surprises on a 1940 Lincoln.

The available 1940 Lincoln fitments are bias-ply tires, but the tube status is not marked the same way across every listed product. Some product names and size markings do not explicitly identify tube-type or tubeless use, so tube requirements can vary by product and by the wheel being used. On a prewar car like a 1940 Lincoln, original-style wheels often lead owners toward tube-type setups.

The practical step is to inspect the wheel itself and then confirm the sidewall marking on the exact tire you plan to use. If the wheel condition, rim design, or product marking points toward tube use, include the tube and flap decision as part of the setup rather than as an afterthought. That is especially important on collector cars that may still use older wheel designs.

A 1940 Lincoln should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Clean floors and stable temperatures help, and the car should either be moved periodically or supported in a way that reduces long static loading on the tires. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to flat-spotting during long periods of inactivity.

That matters because collector cars often spend more time parked than driven, and storage conditions can age tires faster than mileage does. If the car will sit through a season, keep pressures checked, avoid contact with standing moisture, and inspect the sidewalls before the next outing. A little storage discipline goes a long way toward preserving the ride quality and appearance of prewar Lincoln tires.

Tire age is usually more important than mileage on a 1940 Lincoln. A sound collector-car rule is to evaluate tires closely once they are around five to seven years old and to consider replacement as they approach ten years, even if the tread still looks serviceable. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age, and visible cracking, hardening, or deformation can shorten that timeline.

Prewar luxury cars often see light seasonal use, so an old-looking-but-little-driven tire is common. Owners should think in terms of calendar age, storage history, and condition rather than waiting for the tread to wear out. That approach is more realistic for a 1940 Lincoln than using modern daily-driver mileage expectations.

Tires on a 1940 Lincoln should be inspected before every drive and given a more thorough check before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and pressure loss, and make sure the spare is in comparable condition. Because many prewar setups involve tube-type practices, valve stems deserve careful attention as well.

A short visual walk-around catches many problems before they become roadside issues. For longer tours, add a hands-on pressure check and inspect the inner sidewalls where aging sometimes hides. That habit is especially worthwhile on a collector Lincoln that may sit for stretches between drives and then be expected to perform without warning on the next trip.

A 1940 Lincoln V12 would have been fitted in the bias-ply era, and the size used here is 750-17. That aligns with the construction type expected on an American luxury car of 1940, when bias-ply was the standard fitment. Original-equipment brand can vary by market, dealer practice, and surviving historical records, so the most reliable confirmation for a specific car comes from factory literature and marque specialists.

For most restoration work, getting the size, construction, and sidewall presentation right matters more than chasing a brand assumption. A V12 owner choosing a 750-17 bias-ply tire is already following the correct general fitment path for the period. From there, period photos, judging manuals, and Lincoln club knowledge can help narrow the most authentic sidewall treatment for the specific car.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1940 Lincoln because show judging often considers size, construction, and sidewall appearance as part of the car’s overall authenticity. A V12 shown with a Zephyr’s 700-16 size, or a Zephyr shown with the V12’s 750-17 size, would clearly break period-correct fitment. Sidewall style can also affect how faithful the finished car looks to its intended presentation.

For judged events, owners should match the tire not only to the right 1940 Lincoln model but also to the style expectations of the restoration. Blackwall, wide whitewall, and other whitewall treatments each create a different visual statement. Event-specific standards can differ, so Lincoln marque clubs and show rulebooks are the right place to confirm how closely your chosen tire needs to mirror original practice.

For the 1940 Lincoln Zephyr, both Firestone and BFGoodrich offer 700-16 bias-ply fitments, but their listed details are not identical. The BFGoodrich example is a blackwall rated at 1900 pounds at 36 psi with a 4.50- to 5.50-inch rim-width range. The Firestone example is a wide whitewall rated at 1800 pounds at 36 psi and is also listed for 4.50- to 5.50-inch rims.

That makes the comparison useful for restorers balancing wheel compatibility with final appearance. If the Zephyr calls for a cleaner, more understated look, the blackwall BFGoodrich option may align with that goal; if the restoration leans toward a more formal period presentation, the wide whitewall Firestone may better suit the build. The rim-width overlap helps keep the wheel question simple while you decide on style.

1940 Lincoln tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and used within their construction and speed limits. The listed 700-16 Avon fitment carries an L speed rating, which corresponds to a 75 mph ceiling, while other listed products do not always show a speed symbol in the same way. Because these are prewar bias-ply applications, tire condition and proper setup matter as much as the published size itself.

Highway confidence in a 1940 Lincoln also depends heavily on the car’s broader mechanical state. Brake performance, steering condition, suspension wear, wheel integrity, and alignment often affect real-world safety more than the tire’s rated capability at normal cruising speeds. Before sustained road use, make sure the whole vehicle is prepared for the pace you expect to maintain.

Inflation pressure on a 1940 Lincoln should start with the factory recommendation for the specific model and size, then be checked against the rating printed for the exact reproduction tire being used. Among available products, 750-17 examples include ratings of 1870 pounds at 40 psi and 1646 pounds at 36 psi. In 700-16, listed examples include 1900 pounds at 36 psi and 1800 pounds at 36 psi, while another product shows a 1874-pound load figure.

Those numbers are load-and-pressure ratings for individual tires, not a blanket instruction to run every 1940 Lincoln tire at the same pressure. Owners should avoid transferring a figure from one size or series to another. Use the car’s original guidance as the starting point, then confirm that the chosen tire’s published rating and intended service match how the car will be driven.

Before a longer drive in a 1940 Lincoln, inspect all five tires for cracks, cuts, bulges, tread separation, and uneven wear, then confirm cold pressure and make sure the spare is usable. Check valve stems closely, especially if the wheel and tire setup uses tube-type practice. Wheel fasteners, jack equipment, and the general condition of the rims deserve attention as part of the same inspection.

A longer outing is also the right time to think beyond the tires. Prewar cars benefit from a broader once-over that includes brakes, steering, cooling, charging, and fuel delivery, because a tire problem is only one of several age-related issues that can interrupt a trip. Treat the tire inspection as the first step in preparing the whole 1940 Lincoln for dependable road use.