1946 Pontiac Tire Fitment Guide

1946 Pontiac vehicles use two different tire sizes depending on model. The 1946 Pontiac Streamliner uses 6.50-15 bias-ply tires, while the 1946 Pontiac Torpedo uses 600-16 bias-ply tires. Those sizes do not share the same rim diameter, since one mounts on a 15-inch wheel and the other on a 16-inch wheel. For the 600-16 Torpedo fitment, available products list a rim width range of 4.00 to 4.50 inches.

Model identification matters before anything else on 1946 Pontiac fitment, because a year-and-make search alone can point you to two completely different tire paths. If you own a Torpedo, 600-16 is the starting point and the wheel should be checked against the listed rim-width range. If you own a Streamliner, 6.50-15 is the relevant size family. When a car has been modified over the years, verify the actual wheel diameter on the car before choosing a tire.

On a 1946 Pontiac, 6.50-15 is a traditional numeric bias-ply size. The 6.50 refers to the nominal section width in inches, and the 15 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. On this year and make, that size belongs to the Streamliner. Numeric bias-ply sizing is typical of the era and reads differently from later alphanumeric or modern metric radial sizes.

That sizing format helps you confirm whether your car is following an original-style tire specification rather than a later conversion. For a 1946 Pontiac Streamliner, the key practical point is not just the width number but the 15-inch wheel requirement that goes with it. If your car has replacement wheels from another period or model, check the wheel itself before assuming the tire currently fitted is correct for the car.

No, 1946 Pontiac models do not all use the same tire size. The Streamliner uses 6.50-15, while the Torpedo uses 600-16, and both are bias-ply sizes. That means the difference is more than a sidewall styling choice or brand preference. The two models also step onto different rim diameters, which makes them separate fitments rather than interchangeable versions of one size.

For a buyer, that means the first question is always which 1946 Pontiac model you own, not which whitewall width or brand you prefer. Once the model is confirmed, the tire search becomes much more straightforward because you can stay within the proper size family. This is especially important on postwar cars that may have swapped wheels, mixed spare tires, or older restorations that no longer reflect the car's intended setup.

For 1946 Pontiac Torpedo fitments in 600-16, available sidewall styles include blackwall and wide whitewall. BFGoodrich and Firestone offerings include wide whitewall versions, while Coker Classic and Avon are available as blackwalls in the listed products. All of those 600-16 choices are bias-ply tires, so the visual decision is mainly about sidewall appearance rather than a switch in construction type.

That choice matters because sidewall styling strongly affects the finished look of a postwar Pontiac. Wide whitewalls are often the natural fit for a fully restored 1946 car with period presentation, while blackwalls can suit a more understated restoration or a driver-focused vintage look. The best approach is to match the tire's appearance to the specific character of your car, then confirm the rest of the wheel-and-tire package is consistent across all four corners.

The 600-16 fitment used on the 1946 Pontiac Torpedo is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone. Those choices cover both blackwall and wide whitewall styles, while staying within the bias-ply construction that suits the period. BFGoodrich and Firestone are names closely associated with American vintage tire history, while Avon brings a different historic brand identity to the same general size category.

Brand choice on a 1946 Pontiac usually comes down to the look you want and the product details attached to a particular tire, not just the name on the sidewall. Some owners prioritize a classic domestic appearance, while others are drawn to a specialty vintage brand offering in the same size. Once the model and size are settled, compare sidewall style, listed load information, and wheel compatibility details rather than assuming every tire in the size will present exactly the same way.

For 1946 Pontiac Torpedo applications in 600-16, the BFGoodrich and Firestone offerings shown here are both bias-ply tires with wide whitewall styling. Each lists a maximum load capacity of 1400 pounds at 32 psi and the same recommended rim width range of 4.00 to 4.50 inches. The visible distinction in the listed specifications is the whitewall width, with BFGoodrich at 3.50 inches and Firestone at 3.25 inches, and the Firestone tire also carries a slightly higher listed weight.

That makes the choice primarily a visual one for many 1946 Pontiac owners, especially if they are trying to match a particular restoration look. A wider whitewall can subtly change the car's stance and period presentation even when the size and basic load rating remain the same. If originality is your priority, compare the sidewall appearance against period photos or marque-club guidance. If visual preference is the priority, choose the whitewall treatment that best suits the finished car.

For 1946 Pontiac Torpedo fitments in 600-16, the listed tire options call for a rim width range of 4.00 to 4.50 inches. That range is shared by the BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Firestone 600-16 products shown here. The 600-16 fitment also mounts on a 16-inch wheel, so both wheel diameter and rim width need to be in the correct range for proper setup.

Rim width matters because an otherwise correct tire size can still behave poorly or sit incorrectly on the wrong wheel. If your 1946 Pontiac has been restored long ago, inherited mixed parts, or had wheels swapped between models, measure the wheel before choosing the tire. The safest path is to confirm the actual wheel dimensions on the car and then match them to the intended model-specific tire size rather than assuming any postwar Pontiac wheel is interchangeable.

The listed 1946 Pontiac products shown here are bias-ply tires, but they do not carry a uniform tube-type or tubeless marking across the available entries. On a vintage application like 1946 Pontiac, inner-tube use should be confirmed against the specific tire's sidewall marking and the wheel's construction rather than assumed from size alone. That is especially important because older wheels and reproduction tires are not always paired the same way from one product to another.

The practical takeaway is to decide tube use only after confirming the exact tire and the exact wheel you plan to run. Original-style multi-piece or tube-era wheels often call for a different setup than later replacement rims, even if the nominal tire size is correct. When mounting a 1946 Pontiac tire, inspect the wheel condition, valve-hole configuration, and sealing surface carefully, and keep the tube decision tied to the actual product and wheel combination.

A stored 1946 Pontiac should be kept in a cool, dry, dark environment away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Because 1946 Pontiac fitments are bias-ply tires, they are more prone to temporary flat-spotting during long static periods than a modern radial would be. Clean concrete is preferable to damp earth, and tire pressures should be checked before and during storage.

Many collector owners either move the car periodically or place it on stands for extended storage so the tires are not carrying full vehicle weight for months at a time. If you leave the car on its tires, roll it occasionally to shift the contact patch and reduce flat-spot memory. A simple storage routine does more for long-term tire condition than very low annual mileage, especially on a postwar car that may sit for long stretches between drives.

Tires on a 1946 Pontiac should be evaluated by age as much as by tread depth, because collector cars often accumulate very few miles. A good rule is to inspect them carefully once they reach the five- to seven-year range and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement point even if the tread still looks serviceable. The date code on the tire helps establish age, and appearance alone is not a complete guide.

That approach is especially important for a 1946 Pontiac because long periods of storage can hide internal aging behind seemingly decent cosmetics. A car that only goes to local shows can still be riding on tires that have hardened, cracked, or weakened with time. If the age is unclear, build replacement planning around the known date code and the way the car is actually used rather than waiting for tread wear to force the decision.

Tires on a 1946 Pontiac should be inspected before every drive, and they deserve an especially careful check before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and pressure loss, and make sure the spare is in usable condition as well. On a vintage bias-ply setup, the inspection should also include valve stems and overall wheel condition because age-related issues often show up there first.

A quick walk-around catches many problems before they become roadside events. On a collector car, tire issues are often linked to inactivity, age, or storage conditions rather than hard use, so even a low-mileage 1946 Pontiac needs routine attention. If the car has been sitting for weeks or months, let the tires return to shape, confirm pressures cold, and look for any signs that a previously minor crack or leak has become something more serious.

A 1946 Pontiac Streamliner would have been fitted in the bias-ply era, and the relevant size for the Streamliner is 6.50-15. That means the original-style tire concept for this model is a bias-ply construction on a 15-inch wheel rather than a later radial format. Postwar American cars of this period were built around bias-ply tire behavior, appearance, and proportions, even though specific trim, body style, or market details can influence how an individual restoration is judged.

If your goal is authenticity, start by matching the Streamliner to its 6.50-15 size family and bias-ply construction, then refine the sidewall presentation to suit your restoration approach. Event standards can vary, so a serious concours owner should still compare against period photos, factory literature, and Pontiac marque-club guidance. That extra step is worthwhile because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, and visual profile before they notice finer details.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1946 Pontiac because tires influence stance, sidewall profile, and overall period appearance. On a car from 1946, judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts commonly pay attention to whether the size, construction type, and sidewall style suit the era and the specific model. A Streamliner wearing the wrong rim-diameter tire, or a Torpedo wearing a visibly different sidewall treatment than expected for the presentation, can distract from an otherwise strong restoration.

The practical lesson is to treat the tires as part of the restoration, not as a generic replacement item added at the end. A carefully chosen bias-ply size with the right look often complements the car's body lines and wheel openings in a way a mismatched substitute does not. If you are building toward judged events, compare your planned tire choice with period imagery and seek Pontiac club guidance so the finished car aligns with the standards that matter in your venue.

For 1946 Pontiac Torpedo fitments in 600-16, the Avon and Coker Classic options differ in a few meaningful ways. The Avon offering is a blackwall bias-ply tire marked 600H16 93H, which includes an H speed rating rated to 130 mph, and it carries a listed maximum load of 1,433 pounds. The Coker Classic is also a blackwall bias-ply 600-16, with a listed maximum load of 1400 pounds at 32 psi and a stated rim width range of 4.00 to 4.50 inches.

That means the two tires may appeal to different kinds of vintage owners even though they share the same basic fitment family and visual blackwall presentation. One offers a more explicitly rated specialty specification, while the other presents a traditional classic-size format with clear wheel-width guidance. For a restoration-minded 1946 Pontiac owner, the better choice depends on whether you are prioritizing a particular sidewall identity, a period-style presentation, or the specific technical details attached to the tire.

1946 Pontiac tires can be suitable for highway driving when the tire itself is in good condition, correctly mounted, and used within its rating and intended construction. The listed 600-16 bias-ply options include one Avon product with an H speed rating, which is rated to 130 mph, while the other shown 600-16 products do not display a speed letter in the same way. On a 1946 Pontiac, normal real-world highway use is usually influenced as much by the car's brakes, steering, suspension, and overall mechanical condition as by the tire's upper speed capability.

The right mindset is to treat the tire as one part of the system rather than the sole safety factor. Bias-ply tires also have a different on-road feel than modern radials, so steering response and tracking will reflect the period design of the car. Before regular highway use, make sure the tire size matches the model, the pressures are correct, the wheels are sound, and the rest of the chassis is ready for the speeds you plan to drive.

Inflation pressure on a 1946 Pontiac should follow the factory vehicle guidance first, then be checked against the specific tire's own rated pressure information. Among the listed 600-16 options for 1946 Pontiac Torpedo, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Firestone each show a maximum load of 1400 pounds at 32 psi. That figure is a tire rating reference, not an automatic across-the-board running pressure for every 1946 Pontiac situation.

The safest approach is to use the owner's manual or period service information to determine the car's intended operating pressure, then confirm you are still within the tire manufacturer's limits for the exact product you chose. Do not transfer a pressure figure from the Torpedo's 600-16 fitment to the Streamliner's 6.50-15 size just because both are bias-ply. When in doubt, keep the pressure decision tied to the exact model, exact size, and exact tire being used.

Before a longer drive in a 1946 Pontiac, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper cold inflation pressure, and make sure the spare is roadworthy too. Confirm that the tires match the model-specific fitment, since a Streamliner and Torpedo do not use the same size. If your setup uses tubes, inspect valve stems and look for any signs of leakage or stem deterioration as part of the pre-drive routine.

That tire inspection should happen alongside a broader postwar-car check that includes brakes, steering, wheel bearings, cooling system condition, and fluid levels. A longer trip places more heat and sustained load into the tire than a short local outing, so small issues become more important. Give yourself time to recheck pressures after the car has been sitting, and do not overlook the age of the tires just because the tread still looks deep.