1946 Ford Tire Fitment Guide

1946 Ford vehicles shown here use one tire size: 600-16. That size applies to the 1946 Ford Typen and mounts on a 16-inch rim. Product fitments in this size are built as bias-ply tires, and the listed rim width range for several 600-16 options is 4.00 to 4.50 inches.

That simplicity makes year-and-make shopping easier, but it does not remove the need to verify the actual wheel on the car before ordering. A 1946 Ford that still carries its original-style wheels will often be a straightforward match, while a car that has been modified over the years deserves a quick wheel check so the tire size, rim diameter, and rim width all align correctly.

On a 1946 Ford tire, 600-16 is a traditional numeric bias-ply size. The 600 portion refers to the tire's nominal section width in period sizing language, and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On this application, it is a bias-ply fitment rather than a modern metric radial size.

That matters because older numeric sizing is tied to the way vintage American cars were originally equipped and judged in restoration settings. If you are replacing tires on a largely original 1946 Ford, staying with the correct numeric size keeps the overall look and wheel compatibility in the right lane, while the remaining choice becomes brand, sidewall appearance, and the exact product specifications within that size.

The 1946 Ford model covered here uses the same tire size throughout: 600-16. There is no alternate size family shown for this year and make in this model group, so the basic fitment path is consistent across the vehicles listed on the page.

That gives buyers confidence that they are comparing variations within one size rather than trying to sort through multiple diameters or mixed constructions. The practical next step is to identify the sidewall style that suits your car's presentation, whether that means a blackwall for a plainer period look or a whitewall treatment that better matches the way many restored postwar Fords are finished.

1946 Ford tires in 600-16 are available in blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Blackwall options appear from Coker Classic and Avon in the products shown here, while wide whitewall choices are offered by BFGoodrich and Firestone. All of them stay within the same basic 600-16 bias-ply fitment family.

The right choice usually comes down to how you want the car to present. A blackwall often suits a more restrained, workmanlike postwar look, while a wide whitewall creates a more dressed-up period appearance that many restorers prefer on passenger cars of the late 1940s. Event standards can vary, so owners building for show use should compare the sidewall style on the car against period photos and marque guidance.

Four brands are represented for 1946 Ford in 600-16: BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Avon. The BFGoodrich and Firestone offerings shown are wide whitewall bias-ply tires, while Coker Classic and Avon provide blackwall bias-ply alternatives. All are aimed at vintage-size applications rather than modern passenger-car sizing.

Brand choice is often about the balance between historical appearance and the exact product details that matter to you, such as sidewall styling or the way a given tire is marked. Because the fitment itself stays the same, comparing brands within 600-16 is the most sensible approach for a 1946 Ford owner who already knows the car is staying on its original-size 16-inch wheels.

The main differences among available 600-16 tires for a 1946 Ford are sidewall styling, brand, listed weight, and certain service details. The BFGoodrich wide whitewall is listed at 21 pounds with a 1400-pound load rating at 32 psi, the Coker Classic blackwall at 20 pounds with the same 1400-pound rating at 32 psi, and the Firestone wide whitewall at 24 pounds with the same 1400-pound rating at 32 psi. The Avon Turbospeed blackwall is listed as 600H16 93H, weighs 24 pounds, and carries a 1,433-pound maximum load figure.

Those distinctions matter most when you are refining the car's look and deciding how closely to focus on a particular product personality within the same vintage size. A restorer may gravitate toward one whitewall treatment, while another owner may prefer a blackwall presentation or pay closer attention to the marked load and speed information on the sidewall before making a final choice.

For 1946 Ford tires in size 600-16, several listed products specify a rim width range of 4.00 to 4.50 inches on a 16-inch wheel. That range appears on the BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Firestone 600-16 offerings shown here, which gives a solid reference point for original-style wheel fitment on this application.

Wheel width should still be confirmed on the actual car, especially if the Ford has been through decades of repairs, wheel swaps, or hot-rodding. Vintage cars are often assumed to be original when they are not, and measuring the wheel before mounting tires is a simple way to avoid bead-seat issues, sidewall distortion, or an otherwise correct 600-16 tire being matched to the wrong rim.

Inner tube status is not uniform across all 1946 Ford tire listings, so it should be treated as a product-by-product check rather than a blanket rule. The 600-16 options shown here do not all carry the same style of sidewall marking in their size descriptions, which means the safest approach is to match the tube decision to the exact tire and wheel combination being used.

That is especially important on original or older-style wheels, where the wheel design itself can affect whether tube-type service is appropriate. Before mounting a new set on a 1946 Ford, confirm the sidewall marking on the specific tire you choose and inspect the wheels for condition, sealing surfaces, and valve-stem compatibility so the full setup is correct from the start.

A 1946 Ford 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 prematurely. Because bias-ply tires can develop flat-spotting more readily during long static periods, proper inflation and occasional vehicle movement are especially helpful on a postwar collector car.

Owners who store a 1946 Ford for extended stretches often benefit from rolling the car periodically or using stands in a way that does not overload one contact patch for months at a time. Clean tires, stable temperatures, and protection from moisture all help preserve sidewalls and maintain a tire's appearance, which matters just as much on a show-minded car as on one that sees occasional road use.

Tires on a 1946 Ford should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage, because collector cars often accumulate very few miles each season. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating them closely once they reach the five- to seven-year range and to treat around ten years as a strong point for replacement consideration, even if the tread still looks respectable. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age.

That approach fits the way most historic Fords are actually used: short drives, long storage periods, and occasional event trips. Rubber compounds continue to age whether the car is driven or not, so a low-mileage tire can still be a poor candidate for service if the sidewalls are hard, cracked, or weathered. Collector use rewards conservative age-based replacement decisions.

Tires on a 1946 Ford should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and pressure loss, and pay close attention to the sidewalls on a bias-ply tire because visual aging often shows there first. Valve stems and the spare deserve the same level of attention.

That routine is especially worthwhile on a car that may sit for weeks between drives and then be asked to cover a meaningful distance in one day. A brief pre-drive walkaround can catch issues that are easy to miss in storage, including slow leaks or developing sidewall damage, and it keeps tire care tied into the broader mechanical discipline that any 1946 Ford benefits from.

A 1946 Ford Typen would have been fitted in period with bias-ply tires, which was the standard construction for American passenger cars of the era. The fitment shown here is 600-16, and that aligns with the kind of numeric sizing used on postwar Fords before modern metric and radial conventions became common. No original-equipment brand should be assumed unless a surviving car, factory literature, or marque records confirm it.

For most restorations, getting the size, construction, and sidewall presentation right matters more than chasing a specific brand name without proof. Owners seeking factory-authentic detail should compare their car against period brochures, original manuals, and marque-club guidance, especially if the vehicle was sold in a particular market or restored to a judged standard where subtle appearance details can matter.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1946 Ford because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, and sidewall appearance immediately. A proper 600-16 bias-ply tire supports the car's postwar profile and visual stance, while a visibly modern replacement or an era-inappropriate sidewall treatment can stand out even on an otherwise accurate restoration.

Show standards are not identical from one event to another, so the target should match the level of authenticity you are building toward. A local driver-class Ford may allow more flexibility, while concours-style judging often rewards period-correct construction and appearance. If the car is being prepared for serious competition, event rules and marque experts are the best final reference for what will pass scrutiny.

For a 1946 Ford, the BFGoodrich and Firestone 600-16 offerings shown here are both bias-ply wide whitewall tires with a 1400-pound maximum load rating at 32 psi and a 16-inch rim diameter. The BFGoodrich is listed at 21 pounds, while the Firestone is listed at 24 pounds, and both specify a 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim width range.

That means the distinction is less about basic fitment and more about brand preference, tire appearance details, and the exact product personality you want on the car. A restorer comparing them for a 1946 Ford should look closely at whitewall presentation, overall visual character, and how each tire complements the build, rather than expecting a different wheel requirement or a different core size.

1946 Ford tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, properly mounted, correctly inflated, and in sound condition. The 600-16 offerings shown here are bias-ply tires, and one listed version, the Avon 600H16 93H, carries an H speed rating with a 130 mph ceiling. In real-world use, a 1946 Ford's braking, suspension, steering feel, and overall mechanical condition are usually more limiting than the tire's stated speed capability.

Highway safety on a postwar Ford comes from the whole package working together, not from the tire alone. A car that tracks properly, holds pressure, and has fresh suspension and brake components will inspire more confidence than one with neglected mechanicals, even if both wear the same 600-16 size. Smooth driving habits and realistic speeds remain part of the equation with any vintage Ford.

Inflation pressure for 1946 Ford tires should be set with the tire size and the specific tire's service rating in mind. Several 600-16 products shown here list a maximum load of 1400 pounds at 32 psi, while the Avon 600H16 is listed with a maximum load of 1,433 pounds. Those figures describe the tire's rated service point, not necessarily the vehicle manufacturer's recommended running pressure for every situation.

The best practice is to start with the original Ford owner's literature or a reliable period specification for the vehicle, then compare that with the reproduction tire maker's guidance for the exact tire you are using. Pressure should never be copied casually from a different size or different product family, because ride quality, wear pattern, and handling can all change when inflation is mismatched.

Before a longer drive in a 1946 Ford, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, irregular wear, and proper inflation, and make sure the valve stems and spare are ready for service as well. A tire that looks presentable in the garage can still show pressure loss or age-related weakness once the car is prepared for a real trip. Bias-ply tires also reward careful attention to any flat-spotting from storage.

That tire inspection should be one part of a broader pre-drive review that includes brakes, steering, cooling, and basic fluid checks. Long drives expose every weak link in an older car, so the smartest approach is to treat the tires as part of the total roadworthiness picture. A well-prepared 1946 Ford is far more enjoyable and far less likely to turn a pleasure run into roadside troubleshooting.