1942 Lincoln Tire Fitment Guide

All 1942 Lincoln vehicles in this range use one tire size: 700-15. That same size applies to the 1942 Lincoln Continental, 1942 Lincoln Custom, and 1942 Lincoln Zephyr, and the listed products for that size mount on a 15-inch rim. Passenger-car examples in 700-15 are shown for 5.00- to 5.50-inch rim widths, which gives a useful baseline when checking original wheels.

Because the size is shared across all three models, most buyers do not need to sort through different fitment sizes by model. The more important next step is confirming that your car still wears the correct 15-inch wheels and deciding whether your restoration calls for a blackwall, a wide whitewall, or a more utility-oriented tread pattern within the same 700-15 size.

On a 1942 Lincoln, 700-15 is a traditional numeric bias-ply size. The 700 refers to the tire's nominal section width in the older inch-based sizing system, written without a decimal, and the 15 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. In modern terms, it is an era-correct prewar passenger-car format rather than a later metric or alphanumeric radial size.

That matters because a 700-15 tire should be judged by period sizing conventions, not by modern passenger-tire numbers alone. When you compare products for a 1942 Lincoln, focus on whether the tire is built as a bias ply, whether the sidewall style suits your restoration, and whether the rim width range matches the wheel actually on the car.

Yes. The 1942 Lincoln Continental, 1942 Lincoln Custom, and 1942 Lincoln Zephyr all use 700-15 tires. The listed 700-15 products are built for 15-inch rims, so there is no year-and-make-level split here between one model and another in the way some later model ranges separate by trim, wheel package, or body style.

That shared sizing simplifies the search, but it does not make every product the same. A Continental restored for show may call for a different visual presentation than a Zephyr driven regularly to events, even though both use 700-15. Once you know the size is right, match the tire's construction style and sidewall appearance to the way you plan to use the car.

1942 Lincoln tires in 700-15 are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Firestone and BFGoodrich offerings include wide whitewall versions, while blackwall options are also available in the same size. That gives owners of the Continental, Custom, and Zephyr more than one way to finish the car visually while staying within the correct prewar numeric bias-ply format.

On a 1942 Lincoln, sidewall style is often as important as the size itself because it shapes the car's overall stance and authenticity. Wide whitewalls are often chosen for a more formal, upscale prewar presentation, while blackwalls create a more restrained look. The right choice usually depends on your restoration target, period photos of your car, and the appearance standard you want to preserve.

Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA all offer 700-15 tires for 1942 Lincoln vehicles. Firestone and BFGoodrich appear in passenger-car bias-ply styles with blackwall and wide whitewall options, while STA is represented in a Traxion bias-ply product with a more utility-oriented character. All of them fit within the same traditional 700-15 sizing used across the Continental, Custom, and Zephyr.

Brand choice on a 1942 Lincoln usually comes down to the look you want and the personality of the product line rather than a change in basic size. Buyers restoring a formal prewar luxury car often compare whitewall availability first, while those after a plainer appearance may start with blackwall options. It also helps to compare rated load figures and approved rim-width range before narrowing the final choice.

For a 1942 Lincoln in 700-15, both Firestone and BFGoodrich offer bias-ply passenger-car tires with the same listed maximum load rating of 1700 pounds at 32 psi and the same 15-inch rim diameter with a 5.00- to 5.50-inch rim-width range. Both are also available in wide whitewall form. The listed weights differ slightly, with the Firestone wide whitewall at 29 pounds and the BFGoodrich wide whitewall at 28 pounds.

In practical terms, that means the choice between those two brands is more about brand preference and presentation than a dramatic fitment difference on a 1942 Lincoln. Since the core sizing and wheel fit range align closely, many owners compare whitewall appearance, series preference, and how each tire complements the character of their Continental, Custom, or Zephyr.

The listed passenger-car 700-15 tires for 1942 Lincoln vehicles are built for 15-inch rims with an approved rim-width range of 5.00 to 5.50 inches. That applies to the Firestone and BFGoodrich passenger-car bias-ply versions shown in this size. The key measurement is the wheel's actual bead-seat width, not the outside lip-to-lip dimension many owners first measure.

Before choosing a tire for a 1942 Lincoln, measure the wheel or verify it against a known original specification if the car has changed hands or been restored before. A correct 15-inch diameter alone is not the full picture. Confirming width first helps avoid pairing a proper-looking 700-15 tire with a wheel that is no longer within the intended passenger-car fit range.

The available 700-15 listings for 1942 Lincoln do not use tube-type or tubeless markings in the size callout, so tube requirements should be confirmed against the specific tire's sidewall marking and the wheel construction on the car. On collector vehicles of this era, tube use is often tied as much to the original wheel design and condition as it is to the tire itself.

A 1942 Lincoln owner should inspect the wheels closely before finalizing the setup, especially if the rims have been restored, repaired, or replaced over the years. If the wheel design or condition points toward tube use, make sure the valve-stem style and internal wheel surface are appropriate. That extra check matters more on a prewar luxury car than assuming every 700-15 tire will be set up the same way.

A 1942 Lincoln should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Bias-ply tires also tend to flat-spot more readily during long periods of inactivity than later radial designs, especially on a heavy prewar luxury car that sits for weeks or months at a time.

Keep the tires properly inflated, move the car periodically, and avoid letting one contact patch carry the same load for an entire storage season. If the car will be parked for an extended stretch, many collectors use stands or reposition the car occasionally to reduce flat spotting. Clean, dry sidewalls and stable storage conditions do more for long-term tire life than occasional cosmetic dressing.

Tires on a 1942 Lincoln usually age out before they wear out, especially on collector cars that see limited seasonal mileage. A sensible rule is to evaluate them carefully once they reach the five- to seven-year range and to treat roughly ten years as a serious replacement point regardless of tread depth. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the reference for actual age.

That timeline matters because a low-mileage prewar car can still be riding on tires that look presentable but have hardened internally or begun developing sidewall age cracks. A 1942 Lincoln used only for club drives or show events should still have its tire age tracked like any regularly driven car. Rubber condition, not odometer miles, is the better guide for replacement timing.

Tires on a 1942 Lincoln should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing or event. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, uneven tread wear, and any sign that the tire has been run underinflated. On an older collector car, it is also wise to inspect valve stems and the spare tire at the same time.

Routine checks are especially important because a 1942 Lincoln may spend much of its life parked, then be asked to cover a substantial distance in one day. A quick inspection catches age-related issues before they become roadside problems. If your setup uses tubes, include inflation retention and valve-stem condition in that routine so the whole wheel-and-tire assembly is ready for use.

A 1942 Lincoln Continental would have been fitted in the bias-ply era, and 700-15 is the correct size family used across the 1942 Lincoln Continental, Custom, and Zephyr. That aligns with normal prewar American luxury-car practice, where inch-based numeric bias-ply sizing was standard. The key authenticity markers for most restorations are the correct 700-15 size, bias-ply construction, and an era-appropriate sidewall treatment.

Owners pursuing exact factory-correct presentation should also compare surviving period photos, factory literature, and Lincoln marque resources, since sidewall appearance could vary by market presentation or restoration target. A specific original-equipment brand should not be assumed unless your car's history supports it. For most 1942 Lincoln restorations, getting the size, construction, and visual profile right is the first and most important step.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1942 Lincoln because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size format, construction type, and sidewall appearance immediately. A 700-15 bias-ply tire matches the period and the scale of the Continental, Custom, and Zephyr in a way a visibly modern alternative would not. Sidewall treatment can also influence how authentic the car appears in profile.

For show use, the safest path is to match the car's restoration goal rather than treating any 15-inch tire as acceptable. A tire with the wrong construction look or an inappropriate sidewall style can stand out even if the basic diameter is close. Event-specific expectations vary, so serious exhibitors should still compare against the standards used by the hosting club or judging body.

For a 1942 Lincoln in 700-15, Firestone Classic Bias Ply is offered in both blackwall and wide whitewall passenger-car versions with a listed 1700-pound load rating at 32 psi, 15-inch rim diameter, and 5.00- to 5.50-inch rim-width range. STA Traxion is also a bias-ply 700-15, but it appears as a military-and-truck-oriented Traxion series blackwall product and is listed at 30 pounds. The two products share size and construction family, but they present very differently.

That difference matters most to restorers because a formal prewar Lincoln typically calls for a tire that looks at home on a luxury passenger car, especially if the car is being shown. The STA Traxion may appeal to buyers after a plainer or more utility-minded appearance, while Firestone Classic Bias Ply aligns more naturally with a stock passenger-car presentation. Choosing between them depends on your visual target as much as on fit.

A properly sized, properly maintained 700-15 tire for a 1942 Lincoln can be suitable for normal road use when it is in sound condition and matched to the car correctly. The currently listed products for this size do not show speed-rating letters in the size marking, so highway use should be approached with the expectations appropriate to a prewar bias-ply collector car rather than modern high-speed touring standards.

On a 1942 Lincoln, overall road safety depends on more than tire size alone. Brakes, steering, suspension condition, wheel integrity, and alignment all shape how confidently the car can be driven at sustained speed. Owners planning regular secondary-road or highway use should evaluate the entire chassis and keep speeds consistent with the car's age, setup, and handling behavior.

Several 700-15 passenger-car products for 1942 Lincoln show a maximum load capacity of 1700 pounds at 32 psi. That figure is the tire's rated load-and-pressure reference, not automatically the factory operating pressure for every Continental, Custom, or Zephyr. Inflation should be checked against the vehicle's original recommendations and then considered alongside the reproduction tire maker's specifications for the exact tire you choose.

The practical approach is to begin with the correct specification for your car rather than copying a pressure from another size or another era. Overinflation can affect ride and contact patch, while underinflation can build heat and distort wear. Once your 1942 Lincoln is fitted, check cold pressure regularly and keep all five tires, including the spare if carried, maintained to the proper standard.

Before a longer drive in a 1942 Lincoln, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and signs of age hardening, then confirm cold inflation pressure and make sure the spare is usable. Check valve stems carefully and, if your wheel-and-tire setup uses tubes, be sure the assembly is holding air consistently. The wheel itself should also be free of visible damage, looseness, or corrosion at the bead area.

A longer outing in a prewar Lincoln calls for a broader once-over as well, since tire readiness is only part of the equation. Steering play, brake feel, fluid levels, and wheel-bearing condition all matter on a heavy luxury car of this era. A few extra minutes in the garage greatly reduce the chance that a tire or chassis issue will interrupt an otherwise enjoyable drive.