1942 Pontiac Tire Fitment Guide

1942 Pontiac vehicles use two tire sizes: 600-16 and 650-16. Pontiac 25 and Pontiac 27 use 600-16, while Pontiac 26 and Pontiac 28 use 650-16. Both sizes mount on 16-inch wheels, but they do not share the same recommended rim-width range where published. The 600-16 products shown with rim-width guidance fit 4.00- to 4.50-inch rims, while 650-16 products shown with rim-width guidance fit 4.50- to 5.00-inch rims.

That means the first fitment step for any 1942 Pontiac is identifying the model, not just the year and make. Once the model is confirmed, check the actual wheel before choosing among blackwall or wide whitewall versions. Staying with the size assigned to your model preserves the intended proportions and keeps you within the rim-width range associated with that tire size.

On a 1942 Pontiac, 600-16 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 6.00 portion refers to the nominal section width, and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a radial code and it does not include a modern aspect-ratio expression. Within the 1942 Pontiac range, this size belongs to Pontiac 25 and Pontiac 27 models.

Buyers usually encounter 600-16 in period-style blackwall and wide whitewall options, which makes it a familiar fitment for prewar American restoration work. If your car is a Pontiac 25 or 27, this is the size family to focus on before comparing brand, tread style, or sidewall appearance. The next check is whether your wheel falls within the rim-width range commonly used with this size.

On a 1942 Pontiac, 650-16 is also a numeric bias-ply size. The 6.50 portion denotes the nominal section width, while 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. Like 600-16, it is an era-correct bias-ply code rather than a modern metric or radial designation. Within the 1942 Pontiac lineup, this size is used on Pontiac 26 and Pontiac 28 models.

The practical takeaway is that 650-16 is the larger of the two 1942 Pontiac fitments, and it should not be treated as interchangeable with 600-16 simply because both mount on 16-inch wheels. If your car is a Pontiac 26 or 28, use this size group as your starting point, then compare sidewall style, brand, and wheel-width compatibility before final selection.

1942 Pontiac tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles, although the mix depends on size and product line. In 600-16, blackwall and wide whitewall options are both represented. In 650-16, blackwall and wide whitewall options are also available. That gives owners of every 1942 Pontiac model a choice between a more understated sidewall look and a more visually prominent whitewall presentation.

For a 1942 Pontiac restoration, sidewall style is often as important visually as the tire size itself. Blackwalls usually suit more restrained presentations, while wide whitewalls create a more formal prewar appearance that many owners prefer on restored Pontiacs. If authenticity is part of your goal, compare your car to period photos, surviving unrestored examples, and event-specific judging guidance before settling on the final sidewall treatment.

Several brands cover 1942 Pontiac fitments. In 600-16, available brands include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone. In 650-16, available brands include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Garfield. All listed products for these year-and-make sizes are bias-ply tires, so the brand choice is mainly about series, sidewall appearance, and the details attached to a given product rather than a shift from bias-ply to radial construction.

That variety lets a 1942 Pontiac owner narrow the search in a practical way. Start with the correct size for your model, then compare which brands offer the sidewall style you want and whether the tire carries published rim-width or load information that matches your application. Brand heritage can matter to some restorers, but the right size and correct wheel compatibility matter more than the logo on the sidewall.

For a 1942 Pontiac, both Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Firestone Classic Bias Ply appear in the correct period-style sizes, but they differ in available sidewall presentations and some published specifications. In 600-16, BFGoodrich Silvertown is shown as a 3.50-inch wide whitewall with a 1400-pound load rating at 32 psi and a 4.00- to 4.50-inch rim-width range, while Firestone appears as a 3.25-inch wide whitewall with the same 1400-pound load rating at 32 psi and the same published rim-width range. In 650-16, BFGoodrich is shown as a 3.75-inch wide whitewall, while Firestone appears as a blackwall option; both carry a 1580-pound load rating at 32 psi where listed.

That means the distinction for many 1942 Pontiac owners comes down to sidewall appearance first, then the finer details of the series. If you are aiming for a specific whitewall width, those differences matter visually even when the size and basic load figures align. Compare the exact sidewall treatment, listed rim-width range, and any published weight or load details for the specific tire rather than assuming one series mirrors another across both sizes.

Published rim-width ranges for 1942 Pontiac tires depend on the size. For 600-16, the listed range is 4.00 to 4.50 inches on the products that include rim-width guidance. For 650-16, the listed range is 4.50 to 5.00 inches on the products that include that information. Both sizes use 16-inch wheel diameter, but width compatibility changes between the two fitments.

That is why a shared 16-inch wheel diameter does not make the two sizes interchangeable. A Pontiac 25 or 27 should stay within the 600-16 wheel-width window, while a Pontiac 26 or 28 should follow the 650-16 range. Before mounting a new set, measure the actual wheel or confirm it through a trusted marque specialist so the tire matches both the model and the rim width.

Original 1942 Pontiac wheels can only be shared across all 1942 Pontiac tire sizes at the diameter level, because both 600-16 and 650-16 mount on 16-inch rims. That does not automatically mean the same wheel width is suitable for both sizes. The published rim-width ranges differ, with 600-16 aligning to 4.00 to 4.50 inches and 650-16 aligning to 4.50 to 5.00 inches where those ranges are stated.

For an owner working with original wheels, that means the wheel should be checked as an actual component rather than assumed correct because it came from another 1942 Pontiac. A wheel from one model group may share the right diameter but still place the tire outside its preferred width range. Keeping the correct size with the correct model family is the simplest way to avoid that mismatch.

A stored 1942 Pontiac should be kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber faster. Clean, dry floors and stable temperatures help preserve the tire casing and sidewall finish. Because 1942 Pontiac fitments are bias-ply, they are more prone to developing temporary flat-spotting during long stationary periods than a modern radial tire would be.

If the car will sit for an extended season, keep the tires properly inflated, move the car occasionally, or support it in a way that reduces constant load on one contact patch. Owners who value whitewall appearance should also keep the sidewalls clean and protected from petroleum-based dressings. A little storage discipline goes a long way on collector Pontiacs that spend more time parked than driven.

Tires on a 1942 Pontiac usually age out before they wear out, because collector cars often see limited annual mileage. A sound rule is to begin evaluating them closely at about five to seven years of age and to treat roughly ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code on the tire is the easiest way to establish its age.

That age-based approach matters more than mileage on a prewar-era Pontiac that may only be driven to shows, local events, or occasional weekend outings. Rubber hardens, sidewalls can crack, and internal materials can degrade even when the tread still looks presentable. If you have recently acquired the car and the tire age is unclear, checking the date code should be part of the first inspection.

Tires on a 1942 Pontiac should be inspected before every drive, with a more thorough check before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread wear, cuts, bulges, and any sign that the tire is losing pressure between uses. Prewar-style bias-ply tires reward frequent visual inspection because collector cars are often driven less often, making slow changes easier to miss.

A longer trip deserves an extra walk-around that includes the spare, valve stems, and wheel condition. Check pressures when the tires are cold, and pay attention to any new vibration or pull once the car is moving. On a vintage Pontiac, tire condition is only one part of the readiness picture, but it is one of the easiest checks to perform consistently and one of the most important to get right.

A 1942 Pontiac 25 was originally in the bias-ply era, and the correct size for that model is 600-16. That aligns with the construction and sizing conventions American passenger cars commonly used in the early 1940s. No original-equipment brand should be assumed without market-specific factory literature, but the size and bias-ply construction are the key starting points for an authentic presentation.

For restoration work, that means your first goal is matching the correct 600-16 bias-ply fitment, then choosing the sidewall style that best fits the car's intended presentation. Owners building to strict judging standards should compare against Pontiac literature, period photos, and recognized marque resources, since regional delivery, dealer practice, and event rules can influence what is considered most correct.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1942 Pontiac, especially in preservation, concours, or authenticity-focused classes. Judges and experienced marque enthusiasts often notice whether the size is right for the model, whether the construction matches the period, and whether the sidewall style suits the era. A 600-16 on a car that should use 650-16, or a visibly incorrect sidewall treatment, can change the car's visual stance and authenticity impression immediately.

That does not mean every event uses the same standard, but it does mean tire choice should be part of the restoration plan rather than an afterthought. Owners aiming for judged competition should verify the model-specific size first and then compare sidewall style against period reference material. Marque clubs and event rule books remain the best authority for how strictly a given show evaluates tire details.

For a 1942 Pontiac, Coker Classic and Garfield overlap in the 650-16 size but serve different visual preferences. The Coker Classic example in 650-16 appears as a blackwall bias-ply tire, while the Garfield example in 650-16 appears as a wide whitewall bias-ply tire with a listed 1580-pound load rating at 32 psi and a 4.50- to 5.00-inch rim-width range. Both stay within the correct construction type for the period, but they present the car differently.

That makes the choice less about changing the character of the chassis and more about matching the visual finish of the restoration. A blackwall usually gives a simpler, more restrained look, while a wide whitewall adds more prewar formality and curb appeal. If your 1942 Pontiac 26 or 28 is being restored to a specific photo or show standard, sidewall appearance can be just as important as the brand name.

1942 Pontiac tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, in sound condition, properly mounted, and operated within the limits shown on the specific tire. The listed fitments here are bias-ply tires, and at least one 600-16 product is shown with an H speed rating, which corresponds to 130 mph, while many other tires in these sizes are listed without a speed letter. On a car of this age, the tire is only one part of the highway-use equation.

A 1942 Pontiac's brakes, steering, suspension condition, alignment, and overall mechanical health usually matter more to real-world road confidence than headline speed capability. Bias-ply tires also have a different feel than later radial designs, with more sensitivity to grooves and road crown. The smart approach is to match the tire to the model, keep expectations appropriate to the vehicle, and evaluate the whole car before sustained higher-speed driving.

Inflation pressure for 1942 Pontiac tires should follow the factory recommendation for the car and the limits published for the specific tire size and product. Several 600-16 and 650-16 products carry a listed maximum load at 32 psi, including 1400 pounds at 32 psi for some 600-16 tires and 1580 pounds at 32 psi for some 650-16 tires. Those figures are load-and-pressure ratings, not a blanket instruction to run every tire at 32 psi in service.

The right working pressure depends on the car, the tire size fitted to that model, and how the manufacturer intends that tire to be used. Start with the original owner's manual or period service guidance for the vehicle, then confirm that your chosen tire's published rating supports that use. Do not transfer a pressure assumption from 600-16 to 650-16, or from one product line to another, without checking the actual tire information.

Before a longer drive in a 1942 Pontiac, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, tread separation, bulges, uneven wear, and pressure loss. Confirm that the spare is usable and inflated, and make sure the wheel hardware and valve stems are in good condition. Because these Pontiacs use model-specific tire sizes, it is also worth confirming that the car is actually fitted with the proper 600-16 or 650-16 size before the trip begins.

A prudent pre-drive check on a vintage Pontiac goes beyond tires to include brakes, wheel bearings, cooling system, lights, and fluid levels, but tires deserve special attention because age-related issues can hide in collector use. If the car has been sitting, take a short local drive first and watch for vibration, pulling, or heat buildup. Catching a problem in the garage is far easier than dealing with it miles from home.