1940 Oldsmobile Tire Fitment Guide

1940 Oldsmobile vehicles use three different tire sizes depending on series. The 60 Series uses 600-16, the 70 Series uses 650-16, and the 90 Series uses 700-15. The first two sizes mount on 16-inch rims, while the 90 Series size mounts on a 15-inch rim. Rim width ranges shown in available products are 4.00 to 4.50 inches for 600-16, 4.50 to 5.00 inches for 650-16, and 5.00 to 5.50 inches for 700-15.

That means year and make alone are not enough to select a tire for a 1940 Oldsmobile. You need to identify the car as a 60, 70, or 90 Series first, then confirm the actual wheel diameter on the vehicle before choosing a tire. On a restored car, that usually aligns with the original series fitment, but on long-owned collector cars it is still smart to verify the wheel before ordering.

On a 1940 Oldsmobile, 600-16 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 600 indicates the tire's nominal section width in period sizing terms, and the 16 indicates that it fits a 16-inch wheel. For 1940 Oldsmobile applications, that size belongs to the 60 Series and is offered in bias-ply construction with blackwall and wide whitewall choices.

Numeric sizing like this is typical of prewar American cars, so the code reads differently from modern metric sizes. The practical takeaway is that 600-16 is not a generic 1940 Oldsmobile fitment for every model; it is the 60 Series size. If your car is a 70 or 90 Series, matching only the year and make would point you in the wrong direction even though the size looks close at a glance.

No, 1940 Oldsmobile models do not all use the same tire size. The 60 Series uses 600-16, the 70 Series uses 650-16, and the 90 Series uses 700-15. That also means the make does not share one common wheel diameter across the range, because the senior 90 Series uses a 15-inch rim while the other two series use 16-inch rims.

This matters because sidewall style and brand are secondary choices until the model is identified correctly. A buyer comparing sizes across the lineup should treat the 60 and 70 Series as separate fits despite both being 16-inch applications, and the 90 Series should be handled separately again because it moves to a 15-inch wheel. Verifying the series designation and wheel before ordering prevents a common prewar fitment mistake.

1940 Oldsmobile tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles across the listed sizes. The 600-16 size for the 60 Series includes blackwall and wide whitewall choices, the 650-16 for the 70 Series does as well, and the 700-15 for the 90 Series is also offered in both styles. That gives owners flexibility depending on whether the goal is a more understated service look or a fuller prewar presentation.

For many 1940 American restorations, wide whitewalls are the visual style most buyers associate with a fully dressed period look, especially on higher-line cars. Blackwalls can still be appropriate for a simpler appearance or for owners who prefer a less formal presentation. If show authenticity matters, match the sidewall style to the way your specific car would have been equipped and judged, rather than assuming every 1940 Oldsmobile should wear the same whitewall treatment.

Several brands offer tires for 1940 Oldsmobile vehicles, but the brand mix changes by size. In 600-16, options include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Avon. In 650-16, the listed brands are BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Garfield. In 700-15, the available brands are Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA.

Brand choice on a prewar Oldsmobile usually comes down to the series-specific size you need and the sidewall appearance you want. Some sizes have broader brand coverage than others, especially the two 16-inch applications. Once the correct size is established, compare the available brands within that size for sidewall style, published load information, and any other product-specific details that matter to the way you use the car.

For the 1940 Oldsmobile 90 Series in 700-15, both Firestone and BFGoodrich offer bias-ply tires with wide whitewall versions, and Firestone also offers a blackwall option. The listed load figure on the compared Firestone and BFGoodrich 700-15 offerings is the same at 1700 pounds at 32 psi. Weights differ slightly among the products, with the Firestone wide whitewall listed at 29 pounds, the Firestone blackwall at 26 pounds, and the BFGoodrich wide whitewall at 28 pounds.

That means the real distinction is not a dramatic change in fitment but the presentation and product character within the same correct size. If you want a blackwall in 700-15, Firestone is represented directly in that style here; if you want a wide whitewall, both Firestone and BFGoodrich are available. On a senior prewar Oldsmobile, visual preference and brand heritage often guide the final choice once the correct size has already been settled.

Available rim width guidance for 1940 Oldsmobile tires varies by size. The 600-16 tires used on the 60 Series are listed for 4.00 to 4.50 inch rims. The 650-16 tires used on the 70 Series are listed for 4.50 to 5.00 inch rims. The 700-15 tires used on the 90 Series are listed for 5.00 to 5.50 inch rims.

Those ranges are useful because they show why the three 1940 Oldsmobile sizes are not casual substitutes for one another. Even when two models share a 16-inch wheel diameter, their recommended rim widths are not the same. Before fitting tires to restored or refinished wheels, confirm both the wheel diameter and the actual wheel width so the tire is mounted within the range intended for that specific size.

The listed 1940 Oldsmobile products do not carry TT or TL markers in the size descriptions, so the tube question should be handled by the construction and wheel type being used. All of the fitments here are bias-ply tires for prewar applications, and many 1940 Oldsmobile restorations still use original-style wheels that are commonly paired with tubes. The tire itself is only part of that decision; the wheel design matters just as much.

The practical step is to inspect the wheel you plan to use and then match the setup to the specific tire's sidewall markings and mounting requirements. If the car still has original or original-style prewar wheels, tube use is often part of the normal restoration approach. When the wheel history is unclear, have the wheel and tire combination reviewed before mounting so you do not assume tubeless compatibility where a tube-based setup is the safer match.

A 1940 Oldsmobile should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, furnaces, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment. Keep the tires clean and properly inflated, and avoid leaving the car parked for very long periods on damp concrete or in a position where one side carries more weight. Bias-ply tires can develop temporary flat spotting more readily than many later radial designs when left static for extended periods.

If the car sits for months at a time, moving it periodically or using stands to reduce sustained load can help preserve tire shape. Collectors who prefer not to place the car on stands should at least roll it occasionally so the same section of tread is not constantly under load. Storage habits matter on prewar cars because low annual mileage often means tires age out long before they wear out.

Tires on a 1940 Oldsmobile should be evaluated by age as much as by visible wear. A collector car may accumulate very little mileage, yet the rubber can still harden, crack, or lose resilience over time. A sensible rule is to begin close age-based evaluation around five to seven years and to treat roughly ten years as a point where replacement deserves serious consideration, regardless of tread depth.

The best way to track age is by checking the tire's date coding and keeping a simple service record for the car. That matters especially on prewar vehicles because they are often driven seasonally and may appear fine in the garage while quietly aging out. If the Oldsmobile is used for tours or longer road trips, age should carry at least as much weight in the decision as outward appearance.

Tires on a 1940 Oldsmobile should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, embedded objects, irregular tread wear, and signs that the tire has been run underinflated. On older wheel and tire combinations, pay close attention to air retention, valve stem condition, and any evidence of movement at the bead or tube-related leakage if the car is using a tube setup.

That quick inspection matters more on a low-use collector car than on a modern daily driver because long idle periods can hide age-related deterioration. A pre-drive check only takes a minute, but it can catch a problem before it becomes a roadside issue. Before tours or event travel, inspect the spare as well, since the car's backup tire may be older than the ones on the ground.

A 1940 Oldsmobile 60 Series would have been fitted in the bias-ply era, and the correct size for that model is 600-16. That aligns with the broader prewar American practice, when bias-ply construction was standard equipment rather than a specialty restoration choice. The 70 Series and 90 Series used different sizes, so the original fitment question depends on identifying the exact series before anything else.

For restoration work, that means the first step is matching the tire to the right model family, then choosing the sidewall look that suits the car's intended presentation. If your Oldsmobile has unusual history, export-market details, or surviving paperwork, a marque club or factory literature can help narrow down sidewall style and presentation. The important baseline is that a 1940 60 Series belongs on a 600-16 bias-ply tire, not one of the larger series sizes.

Correct tire fitment does matter when showing a 1940 Oldsmobile, especially on a prewar car where wheel diameter, numeric tire size, construction type, and sidewall appearance all contribute strongly to the car's period look. A 60 Series on 600-16, a 70 Series on 650-16, and a 90 Series on 700-15 reflect the proper series distinctions. Using the wrong size or the wrong sidewall presentation can stand out quickly to knowledgeable judges and enthusiasts.

Show standards vary by venue, but originality-minded judging usually rewards a tire that looks appropriate for the model and the era. A wide whitewall may suit a formal presentation, while a blackwall may fit a plainer visual theme, but either way the size must match the series first. If your goal is event accuracy, verify the judging standards with the hosting organization or an Oldsmobile specialist before finalizing the tire and wheel combination.

For the 1940 Oldsmobile 70 Series in 650-16, Firestone and Garfield are both represented as bias-ply options, but they differ in appearance and some listed specifications. The Firestone example shown is a blackwall at 23 pounds, while the Garfield option is a wide whitewall at the same 23-pound weight. Both list a 1580-pound load rating at 32 psi and both are shown for 4.50 to 5.00 inch rim widths.

That makes the choice less about basic fit and more about restoration style within the same correct size. If your 70 Series build calls for a whitewall presentation, the Garfield option gives that look while keeping the same published load and rim-width guidance as the compared Firestone tire. If the car is being finished in a more restrained manner, the blackwall Firestone keeps the visual treatment simpler without changing the fundamental 650-16 fitment.

1940 Oldsmobile tires can be used on the road when they are the correct size, in sound condition, properly mounted, and operated within their construction and speed limits. The listed fitments are bias-ply tires, and one 600-16 Avon offering carries an H speed rating, which corresponds to 130 mph, while the other sizes shown here do not list speed letters in the same way. On a prewar Oldsmobile, the tire is only one part of the equation because braking, suspension, steering, and overall mechanical condition matter just as much at highway speeds.

For most collector-car driving, the practical concern is not chasing the tire's theoretical top speed but making sure the car is stable, correctly inflated, and mechanically sorted for modern traffic. Bias-ply tires also have a different steering feel and tracking behavior than later radial designs, so owners should drive with that character in mind. A well-prepared car on fresh, correctly matched tires is a very different proposition from an infrequently used car on old rubber.

Published load figures for 1940 Oldsmobile tire offerings include 1400 pounds at 32 psi for several 600-16 products, 1580 pounds at 32 psi for several 650-16 products, and 1700 pounds at 32 psi for several 700-15 products. Those figures describe the tire's rated load at a stated pressure, not necessarily the exact operating pressure your specific Oldsmobile should run on the road. The correct running pressure should be matched to the car, the size, and the manufacturer's guidance for that exact tire.

Use the owner's literature and the tire maker's recommendations together rather than copying a pressure figure from a different size or series. A 90 Series on 700-15 should not automatically inherit the same setting as a 60 Series on 600-16 just because both are 1940 Oldsmobiles. If the car has been restored with non-original wheel equipment or carries touring gear regularly, confirm the final pressure with the tire manufacturer and the car's operating weight in mind.

Before a longer drive in a 1940 Oldsmobile, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, and proper inflation. Check the valve stems, verify that the spare is usable, and make sure the wheel fasteners are secure. Because these are prewar bias-ply fitments, it is also wise to look for any signs of age hardening or long-storage flat spotting before heading out for sustained road use.

Tire condition should be part of a broader touring inspection that includes brakes, steering, cooling, and basic fluid checks. A prewar car can often tolerate low annual mileage while still developing age-related issues that only show up once it is driven continuously. Taking a few extra minutes before departure is especially worthwhile on a 1940 Oldsmobile because the car's road safety depends on the whole mechanical system working together, not the tires alone.