1947 Buick Tire Fitment Guide

1947 Buick vehicles use two different tire sizes depending on the model. The 1947 Buick 40 Special and 1947 Buick 50 Super use 650-16 tires, while the 1947 Buick 70 Roadmaster uses 700-15 tires. The 650-16 products fit 16-inch rims and commonly list a 4.50- to 5.00-inch rim width range, while 700-15 products fit 15-inch rims and commonly list a 5.00- to 5.50-inch rim width range.

That means year and make alone are not enough to choose correctly for a 1947 Buick. You need to identify whether you have a Special, Super, or Roadmaster first, then confirm the actual wheel diameter on the car before selecting a tire. Once the basic fitment is settled, the next choice is usually sidewall appearance, especially blackwall versus wide whitewall for the look you want.

On a 1947 Buick, 650-16 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 6.50 portion is the nominal section-width designation used in period tire sizing, and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. For 1947 Buick applications, that size belongs to the 40 Special and 50 Super and is offered in traditional bias-ply construction.

Numeric bias-ply sizing can look unfamiliar if you are used to modern metric radials, but it is standard for many postwar American restorations. The practical takeaway is simple: if your 1947 Buick is a Special or Super and still uses the proper 16-inch wheels, 650-16 is the size family to research further. After that, compare rim-width suitability and sidewall style to match your restoration goals.

No. The 1947 Buick 40 Special and 1947 Buick 50 Super share 650-16 tires, but the 1947 Buick 70 Roadmaster uses 700-15. Buick’s postwar lineup was not uniform in tire fitment, and the Roadmaster’s size change also means a different rim diameter from the other two models.

That split matters because you cannot treat all 1947 Buick models as one fitment group. A Roadmaster owner should not assume interchange with Special or Super tires simply because the cars are from the same make and year. When a car has changed hands over the decades, it is wise to verify the model designation and physically check the wheel before choosing a reproduction tire.

1947 Buick tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles, though the exact choices depend on size. In 650-16 for the 40 Special and 50 Super, blackwall and wide whitewall options are offered. In 700-15 for the Roadmaster, blackwall and wide whitewall options are also available. That gives each model a choice between a simpler service look and a more formal period-correct presentation.

For many postwar Buicks, wide whitewalls are the visual choice most people associate with a fully dressed restoration, especially on upscale cars like the Super and Roadmaster. Blackwalls can still be correct in some contexts and often suit a more restrained driver-quality restoration. The best approach is to match the sidewall style to the way you want the car to read visually rather than assuming every 1947 Buick should wear the same look.

Several brands cover 1947 Buick fitments. In 650-16, available brands include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Garfield. In 700-15, available brands include Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA. All of the listed 1947 Buick options stay within the bias-ply category, but the sidewall styling and tread character can differ by brand and series.

That brand spread gives owners room to balance restoration style, brand preference, and the type of driving the car will see. A buyer focused on a traditional passenger-car presentation will often compare the blackwall and wide whitewall offerings first, while someone outfitting a more specialized Roadmaster application may also notice the STA Traxion option in 700-15. Choosing among brands is usually easier once the correct size and intended appearance are settled.

For the 1947 Buick 70 Roadmaster, both Firestone and BFGoodrich offer 700-15 bias-ply tires in wide whitewall form, and both list a maximum load capacity of 1700 pounds at 32 psi. Firestone also appears in a blackwall 700-15 version, while BFGoodrich is represented here in a 4.125-inch whitewall presentation. The listed weights differ slightly, with Firestone whitewall at 29 pounds and BFGoodrich whitewall at 28 pounds.

Those similarities mean the choice is less about a major fitment difference and more about visual preference, brand loyalty, and the exact look you want on a Roadmaster restoration. Since the rim diameter and general fitment are the same, compare the sidewall treatment first and then confirm the wheel width falls within the intended range. That approach keeps the decision centered on appearance and proper setup rather than guesswork.

Rim width requirements for 1947 Buick tires depend on the size. The 650-16 tires used on the 1947 Buick 40 Special and 1947 Buick 50 Super commonly list a 4.50- to 5.00-inch rim width range. The 700-15 tires used on the 1947 Buick 70 Roadmaster commonly list a 5.00- to 5.50-inch rim width range. Those ranges should be treated as tire-specific setup guidance, not as a blanket rule for every wheel that might fit the car.

Before mounting a new set, measure or verify the wheel you actually have, especially if the car has been restored or altered over the years. A correct rim diameter alone does not guarantee the wheel width is ideal for every reproduction tire. Matching the tire to the proper width range helps the sidewall and tread sit as intended and supports a more authentic look on a restored Buick.

The available 1947 Buick products are bias-ply tires, but inner-tube status should be confirmed on the specific tire and wheel combination you plan to use. The size markings shown here do not add a universal tube-type or tubeless designation across every 1947 Buick option. On cars of this era, wheel design and restoration condition can matter just as much as the tire itself when deciding whether a tube is appropriate.

The safest approach is to inspect the wheel, confirm how it is intended to be used, and then match that with the tire’s own sidewall marking and manufacturer guidance. If your Buick still runs original-style wheels, many owners also inspect the valve-stem area and wheel well carefully during installation. Settling the tube question before mounting saves time and avoids having to dismount a newly fitted tire.

A stored 1947 Buick should be kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, generators, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can accelerate sidewall aging. Bias-ply tires also tend to develop temporary flat-spotting more readily during long periods of inactivity, so a dry, cool storage environment and occasional vehicle movement are helpful. Clean floors and stable temperatures matter more than cosmetic indoor presentation.

If the car will sit for an extended period, maintain proper inflation and either move it periodically or consider supporting the vehicle in a way that reduces constant load on one contact patch. Many collectors also place a barrier between the tires and bare concrete. Storage habits do not just preserve tread; they help protect the shape and finish of tires that are often a visible part of a 1947 Buick restoration.

On a 1947 Buick, tire life is usually judged more by age and condition than by miles driven. Collector cars often see limited use, so tread depth can remain acceptable long after the rubber has begun to harden or age. A practical rule is to evaluate tires closely once they are about five to seven years old and to give serious replacement consideration as they approach ten years, using the date code and visible condition together.

That matters because an older Buick may look ready for the road while the tires have aged out quietly in storage. Sidewall cracking, persistent pressure loss, stiffness, and visible weathering are stronger warning signs than mileage on a restoration-grade car. Keeping a record of installation dates and routine inspections is one of the simplest ways to avoid overextending a set of period-style tires.

Tires on a 1947 Buick should be inspected before every drive, with a more deliberate check before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and any sign that the tire is not holding pressure consistently. Because these are collector-car bias-ply applications, it is also smart to look closely at valve stems and the spare before relying on the car for a full day on the road.

A quick pre-drive inspection is especially important on cars that may sit for weeks between runs. Bias-ply tires can reveal age issues gradually, and an older spare may be the most overlooked tire on the car. Building inspection into your routine helps catch problems while they are still small and keeps tire condition from becoming the weak link in an otherwise well-prepared 1947 Buick.

A 1947 Buick 40 Special would have been fitted in the bias-ply era, and the applicable size for the model is 650-16. That aligns with postwar American practice, when bias-ply construction was still the standard fitment type across mainstream passenger cars. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and supply, so the important authenticity anchors are the correct size, the proper 16-inch wheel fitment, and an era-appropriate sidewall treatment.

For restoration work, that means starting with 650-16 bias-ply rather than treating the Special like the larger Roadmaster. The next level of accuracy is choosing a sidewall style that suits the way your particular car was delivered or most often presented. If you are building for strict marque judging, a Buick club or period sales literature can help confirm whether blackwall or whitewall is the better match for your car’s exact presentation.

Correct tire fitment matters on a shown 1947 Buick because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction type, wheel diameter, and sidewall appearance almost immediately. A 40 Special or 50 Super wearing 700-15 tires, or a Roadmaster wearing 650-16 tires, would stand out as an obvious mismatch. On a period Buick, sidewall style can also affect whether the car reads as authentically restored or visually off-theme.

That does not mean every event enforces the same standard, but it does mean tire choice is part of the car’s presentation, not an afterthought. Owners preparing for marque-specific judging should confirm the model-specific size first and then align sidewall appearance with the level of originality expected at their event. Tire details are often the finishing touch that makes a restoration look fully resolved rather than merely complete.

For the 1947 Buick 40 Special and 1947 Buick 50 Super, both Firestone and Garfield offer 650-16 bias-ply tires with the same listed maximum load capacity of 1580 pounds at 32 psi and the same 16-inch rim diameter. Firestone appears here in blackwall form, while Garfield is listed as a Zig Zag Tread wide whitewall. Both commonly fit a 4.50- to 5.00-inch rim width range, so the fitment fundamentals are closely aligned.

The meaningful difference is the restoration look they create on the car. A blackwall Firestone gives a more restrained period appearance, while the Garfield wide whitewall moves the car toward a fuller dress presentation that many collectors prefer on postwar Buicks. When fitment and load rating are effectively in the same range, the decision usually comes down to visual character and how you want the finished Special or Super to present.

1947 Buick tires can be suitable for highway use when they are in good condition, properly mounted, correctly inflated, and matched to the right model and wheel. The available sizes here are traditional bias-ply designs, which deliver the period driving character these cars were built around. Highway safety on a 1947 Buick also depends heavily on the condition of the car itself, including steering, suspension, brakes, and wheel condition, not just the tire alone.

The practical point is to evaluate the whole vehicle as a postwar system rather than assuming modern-driving margins from a restored collector car. A bias-ply Buick can be very enjoyable on secondary roads and normal cruising routes when everything is sorted, but it should be driven with the expectations appropriate to its era. Tire choice is one part of roadworthiness; vehicle condition and driver expectations are the larger picture.

The listed load-and-pressure figures for 1947 Buick tires include 650-16 products rated at 1580 pounds at 32 psi and 700-15 products rated at 1700 pounds at 32 psi on examples where load data is given. Those figures are tire capacity references, not a universal instruction to inflate every 1947 Buick tire to the same running pressure. Factory recommendations for ride and handling should be checked against the owner’s literature for the specific model.

That distinction matters because a reproduction tire’s maximum-rated pressure is not the same thing as the carmaker’s intended operating pressure. Use the correct size first, then compare the tire’s own rated information with the Buick guidance for your model and loading conditions. Avoid borrowing a pressure number from one size to another, since the Special and Super use a different fitment from the Roadmaster.

Before a longer drive in a 1947 Buick, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, and include the spare in that check. Make sure the wheels are sound, the valve stems are in good condition, and the tire size matches the model on the car. A longer trip in a postwar Buick also calls for a broader mechanical inspection, especially of the brake system, steering response, and cooling system.

Tire preparation is most effective when it is part of a full pre-trip routine rather than a stand-alone checklist. A beautifully restored Buick can still be sidelined by an aged spare, a slow leak, or a wheel issue that only appears under sustained driving. Spending a few extra minutes on tires and the rest of the chassis helps turn a longer outing into an enjoyable drive instead of a troubleshooting exercise.