1946 Plymouth Tire Fitment Guide

1946 Plymouth vehicles in this year-make range use one tire size: 600-16. The listed model is the 1946 Plymouth Deluxe, and that size mounts on a 16-inch rim. Available products for 600-16 include fitments for 4.00- to 4.50-inch rim widths where that specification is stated, which gives buyers a practical wheel-width target when checking original or restored wheels.

That single-size layout simplifies shopping because you do not have to sort through multiple factory diameters or model-specific fitments. The more important next step is verifying your actual wheel condition and deciding whether you want a blackwall or wide whitewall presentation, since both are available in 600-16 and can noticeably change the finished look of a 1946 Plymouth Deluxe.

On a 1946 Plymouth tire, 600-16 is a traditional numeric bias-ply size. The 6.00 portion refers to the nominal section width in inches, and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a modern metric size, and it does not use the later alphanumeric or P-metric conventions seen on newer vehicles.

That matters because a 600-16 tire should be judged within period bias-ply sizing logic rather than by modern radial measurements alone. If you are comparing reproduction tires, focus on the wheel diameter, the correct numeric size, and the intended visual treatment of the sidewall. Those factors have a bigger effect on an authentic 1946 Plymouth presentation than trying to cross-shop it like a later passenger-car metric fitment.

Within the 1946 Plymouth coverage here, the listed model uses the same 600-16 tire size throughout. The Deluxe does not split into multiple tire sizes on this year-make page, so there is no need to choose among different diameters or widths just to identify the correct basic fitment. The shared wheel diameter is 16 inches.

That gives buyers a more straightforward starting point than many later model years, where trim level or body style can affect tire selection. On a 1946 Plymouth, your main choices happen after fitment is settled: brand, sidewall style, and the exact bias-ply product you want to run. Those decisions shape the car’s appearance and road feel more than size changes do in this case.

1946 Plymouth 600-16 tires are available in blackwall and wide whitewall configurations. Blackwall options appear under brands such as Coker Classic and Avon, while wide whitewall versions are offered by BFGoodrich and Firestone in the listed products. For a mid-1940s American car, both can suit the era, but the whitewall treatment creates a more dressed-up postwar appearance.

Choosing between them depends on the character you want the car to project. A blackwall tends to look more restrained and utilitarian, while a wide whitewall leans into the formal showroom style many collectors associate with postwar American sedans. If the car is being restored to a specific market presentation or judged standard, compare your choice against period photos, club guidance, and the trim level you are trying to replicate.

Several brands offer 600-16 tires for 1946 Plymouth vehicles, including BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Avon. All of the listed products are bias-ply constructions, but they differ in sidewall presentation and, in some cases, service markings such as speed rating. That gives Plymouth owners a useful spread of choices without changing the core size required by the car.

Brand selection usually comes down to the visual style you want and how closely you want the tire to reflect a traditional American postwar look. BFGoodrich and Firestone wide whitewalls emphasize classic U.S. presentation, while blackwall options from Coker Classic and Avon suit a more restrained appearance. Once the size is confirmed, comparing those brand personalities is often the most meaningful buying step for a 1946 Plymouth.

BFGoodrich and Firestone both offer 600-16 bias-ply tires for the 1946 Plymouth in wide whitewall form, and both carry a listed load capacity of 1400 pounds at 32 psi. Their stated rim width range is the same at 4.00 to 4.50 inches, and both fit a 16-inch wheel. One visible difference is the whitewall width, with the BFGoodrich version listed at 3.50 inches and the Firestone version at 3.25 inches.

That difference affects appearance more than basic fitment. A slightly wider whitewall can make the car look a bit more upscale and visually fuller around the wheel opening, while a narrower whitewall can read as a little more restrained. If your goal is matching a particular restoration style, period photo, or show standard, the sidewall width is the detail worth comparing first between these two 1946 Plymouth choices.

For 1946 Plymouth 600-16 tires, the listed rim width range is 4.00 to 4.50 inches on the products where rim-width guidance is provided. Those tires are built for a 16-inch wheel diameter, so both wheel diameter and wheel width should be checked before mounting. Staying within the stated width range helps preserve the intended section shape and sidewall behavior of a bias-ply tire.

That is especially important on older cars, where wheels may have been swapped over the decades or refinished without full measurements being retained. Before choosing a tire, confirm the wheel’s actual width at the bead seat rather than estimating from outside-to-outside dimension. If your 1946 Plymouth still wears original-style wheels, a quick measurement now can prevent mounting issues and keep the finished stance looking right.

A 1946 Plymouth in this year-make range uses one tire size, 600-16, so there is no need to evaluate compatibility across multiple factory diameters. The listed tires all mount on 16-inch wheels, and several products specify a 4.00- to 4.50-inch rim width range. That means the original-style wheel can often be retained when it remains true, structurally sound, and within the appropriate width range.

Original wheels on postwar cars deserve careful inspection before reuse because age, corrosion, and prior repairs can affect how well a new tire seats and runs. Check for bent flanges, pitting around the bead area, elongated lug holes, and any signs of cracking. If your wheel passes inspection and its measurements line up with the tire’s listed requirements, keeping the original 1946 Plymouth wheel is usually the most natural path.

A 1946 Plymouth should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone-producing sources that accelerate rubber aging. Bias-ply tires also tend to flat-spot more noticeably during long static storage than many later radial designs. Keeping the car clean and the tires properly inflated helps reduce stress on the casing while it sits.

If the car will be parked for an extended period, move it periodically so the same section of tire is not carrying the load month after month. Some owners also use stands or cradles to reduce sustained weight on the tires during longer off-season storage. Whichever method you use, avoid damp floors and repeated temperature swings, since both can shorten the useful life of tires on a collector-grade 1946 Plymouth.

Tires on a 1946 Plymouth should be judged by age and condition more than mileage, because collector cars often accumulate limited road use. A good rule is to begin evaluating them closely once they reach about five to seven years of service and to treat the ten-year mark as a serious replacement consideration, even if tread depth still looks acceptable. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age on modern reproduction products that carry one.

That approach matters because old rubber can harden, crack, or lose structural resilience long before it wears out cosmetically. A Plymouth that only comes out for local drives and shows can still be riding on aged tires that no longer behave as intended. Checking age as part of routine upkeep is one of the simplest ways to keep a 1946 Plymouth reliable for occasional use.

Tires on a 1946 Plymouth should be inspected before every drive, especially if the car is used infrequently. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, embedded debris, and any sign that the tire is losing pressure. Valve stems also deserve attention on an older collector car, since they age along with the tire and can become a hidden source of slow leaks.

A more deliberate inspection is wise before tours, club events, or any longer drive where roadside support may be inconvenient. Check pressures cold, verify that the spare is usable, and confirm that the tread and casing still look sound after the car has been sitting. On a 1946 Plymouth, those simple checks can catch age-related problems early, well before they become a road-going issue.

The 1946 Plymouth Deluxe used a 600-16 tire size, and for the period that means bias-ply construction is the historically appropriate type. Radials had not yet become the standard replacement pattern for American family cars in this era, so a traditional bias-ply tire matches the way a postwar Plymouth would have been equipped in normal service. The exact original brand could vary by market and production circumstances.

For most restorations, getting the size, construction type, and sidewall style right matters more than chasing a single brand name. If you are preparing a highly judged car, compare your tire choice with period literature, factory photos, and Plymouth marque-club guidance for your body style and market. That extra step helps keep a 1946 Plymouth Deluxe faithful to the way buyers would have seen it in the immediate postwar years.

Correct tire fitment can matter quite a bit when showing a 1946 Plymouth, especially in restoration-oriented classes. Judges and experienced enthusiasts often notice whether the tire size, construction type, and sidewall style suit the era of the car. A modern-looking sidewall treatment or an obviously later construction style can stand out even if the tire physically fits the wheel.

On a postwar Plymouth, the tires contribute heavily to stance and visual authenticity because the wheel openings, body proportions, and trim all work together with the sidewall. If the car is being judged, make your tire choice with the event’s standards in mind rather than on appearance alone. Marque clubs and event rulebooks are the best places to confirm what will be considered correct for a 1946 Plymouth.

BFGoodrich and Firestone both offer 600-16 bias-ply wide whitewall tires suited to a 1946 Plymouth, and their listed fitment basics are very similar. Each fits a 16-inch wheel, each shows a 4.00- to 4.50-inch rim width range, and each carries a listed load figure of 1400 pounds at 32 psi. The visual distinction is the whitewall width, with BFGoodrich at 3.50 inches and Firestone at 3.25 inches.

For authenticity-focused buyers, that difference can be enough to sway the decision. Whitewall width changes the way the car reads from a distance and can help align the tire with a specific showroom look, regional taste, or restoration target. If your 1946 Plymouth is headed for judging or a historically faithful presentation, compare the whitewall width against period references before settling on one of these otherwise similar options.

1946 Plymouth tires can be suitable for highway use when they are in sound condition, properly inflated, and matched to a well-maintained car. The listed 600-16 offerings are bias-ply tires, and one product in that size carries an H speed rating, which corresponds to 130 mph. In real-world use, the mechanical limitations of a 1946 Plymouth’s brakes, suspension, steering feel, and overall vintage design are usually far more relevant than the tire’s top speed marking.

Highway safety depends less on chasing speed capability and more on respecting the behavior of a mid-1940s car. Bias-ply tires track and respond differently than modern radials, so a freshly restored Plymouth should be driven within the comfort zone of the whole vehicle, not just the tire label. Before regular road use, make sure the front end, braking system, wheel bearings, and alignment are all in equally good order.

For 1946 Plymouth 600-16 tires, some listed products carry a maximum load figure of 1400 pounds at 32 psi, and one Avon product is listed at 1,433 pounds. That number is the tire’s rated load-and-pressure reference, not automatically the factory running pressure for every car. The right operating pressure should be checked against the original Plymouth owner guidance and the tire manufacturer’s recommendations for the exact tire you choose.

Pressure should never be transferred casually from one tire type or one vehicle to another, even when the nominal size is the same. A collector car’s ride quality, steering feel, and tread wear can all change noticeably with a few pounds of pressure difference. Start with the vehicle recommendation and confirm it makes sense for the specific 600-16 tire mounted on your 1946 Plymouth.

Before a longer drive in a 1946 Plymouth, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, tread separation, and uneven wear, then verify cold inflation pressure and make sure the spare is usable. Check the valve stems, confirm the wheels are free of visible damage, and look for any signs of rubbing or clearance problems after mounting. Older cars can sit for long periods, so a tire that looked fine months ago may deserve a fresh inspection now.

That tire check should be part of a broader pre-drive routine on a postwar car. Brakes, wheel bearings, cooling system, charging system, and steering components all deserve the same attention before an extended outing. A 1946 Plymouth is happiest when the entire car is prepared as a system, and starting with a careful tire inspection helps establish that baseline before the miles begin.