1947 Cadillac Tire Fitment Guide

1947 Cadillac vehicles use two tire sizes. The 60 Series, 61 Series, and 62 Series use 700-15, while the 75 Series uses 750-16. The 700-15 products mount on 15-inch rims with listed rim-width ranges of 5.00 to 5.50 inches, and the 750-16 products mount on 16-inch rims with listed rim-width ranges of 5.00 to 6.00 inches.

That means year and make alone are not enough when selecting tires for a 1947 Cadillac. Buyers with a 60, 61, or 62 Series should stay within the 700-15 family, while 75 Series owners need to begin with 750-16 because the wheel diameter itself is different. Once the correct size is confirmed, the next choice is usually sidewall appearance and brand rather than changing construction type, since both sizes here are bias-ply.

On a 1947 Cadillac, 700-15 is a numeric bias-ply size. The '700' is the traditional nominal section-width code and the '15' is the wheel diameter in inches. This is the size used on the 60 Series, 61 Series, and 62 Series, and the available products are all bias-ply constructions in period-style blackwall and wide whitewall forms.

Modern buyers sometimes expect a metric width and aspect ratio, but vintage numeric sizes do not read that way. If your Cadillac is one of the mainstream passenger-car series, 700-15 is the size family you should research further, then compare whitewall width, brand heritage, and wheel compatibility. It also helps to verify the size against the wheel and any surviving service information on the actual car before making a final selection.

No. The 1947 Cadillac lineup is split between two fitments. The 60 Series, 61 Series, and 62 Series share 700-15, while the 75 Series uses 750-16. Both are bias-ply sizes, but they do not interchange because the wheel diameters differ.

This distinction matters most when a car has changed hands several times or when body style is more familiar than series designation. A buyer looking at a sedan or club coupe may be in the 700-15 group, while the formal long-wheelbase 75 Series belongs in the 750-16 group. Checking the model identification first prevents choosing a tire that looks correct for the year but mounts to the wrong wheel diameter.

1947 Cadillac tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. In 700-15, Firestone and BFGoodrich offer wide whitewall options alongside blackwall choices, and STA adds a blackwall option. In 750-16, Firestone offers blackwall and wide whitewall choices, BFGoodrich offers wide whitewall, and Lester offers wide whitewall as well.

Sidewall style has a major effect on the final look of a postwar Cadillac. Buyers pursuing formal luxury presentation often lean toward wide whitewalls because they match the visual language many collectors associate with late-1940s Cadillacs, while blackwalls can suit a more understated appearance or a utility-minded restoration. Once the correct size is established, sidewall style is often the most visible decision you will make.

Three brands appear across the 1947 Cadillac fitments. The 700-15 size is available from Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA, while the 750-16 size is available from Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Lester. All of the listed options are bias-ply tires, with brand selection varying slightly depending on which Cadillac series you are fitting.

Brand choice on a collector Cadillac usually comes down to the size you need, the sidewall style you want, and how closely you want the finished car to reflect a traditional American luxury-tire appearance. Firestone and BFGoodrich cover both fitments, which simplifies comparison across the model range, while STA and Lester serve more specific parts of the lineup. Comparing within the correct size first will keep the search focused and relevant.

Firestone and BFGoodrich both offer 700-15 bias-ply tires for 1947 Cadillac passenger-car models, and both list a maximum load capacity of 1700 pounds at 32 psi with a 15-inch rim diameter and a 5.00 to 5.50 inch rim-width range. Firestone is available in blackwall and wide whitewall versions, while the BFGoodrich listing in this size is a wide whitewall. The listed weights differ slightly, with Firestone at 26 to 29 pounds depending on version and BFGoodrich at 28 pounds.

That makes the choice less about fitment and more about appearance and brand preference within the same vintage format. A buyer who wants a blackwall in 700-15 can look to Firestone, while someone focused on a whitewall presentation can compare Firestone and BFGoodrich more directly. Because the load and rim-width figures overlap so closely, confirming the desired sidewall treatment may be the fastest way to narrow the field.

The listed rim-width range for 1947 Cadillac 700-15 tires is 5.00 to 5.50 inches. For 750-16 tires, the listed rim-width range is 5.00 to 6.00 inches. Those ranges align with the two separate Cadillac fitment groups for the year: the 60, 61, and 62 Series on 15-inch wheels and the 75 Series on 16-inch wheels.

Rim width matters because an otherwise correct tire size can still behave poorly if mounted on a wheel outside the intended range. Before final selection, measure the actual wheel or confirm it through marque-specific references, especially on cars that may have had wheel changes during restoration. That extra step is particularly worthwhile on luxury cars that prioritize ride quality and clean sidewall presentation.

The available 1947 Cadillac products are vintage-style bias-ply tires, and no tubeless marking appears in the listed sizes. That places these fitments in the traditional collector-tire category where buyers should verify tube requirements against the exact wheel and the specific tire being considered. This matters for both 700-15 and 750-16 because wheel condition and wheel design are part of the final tube decision.

A restored original wheel may call for a different setup than a later replacement wheel, even when the tire size itself is correct. Tube selection should be treated as part of the complete assembly rather than an afterthought, and the valve stem, flap requirements where applicable, and wheel surface condition deserve the same attention. Sorting that out before mounting helps avoid preventable air-loss and service issues.

A 1947 Cadillac should be stored in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age sidewalls prematurely. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to flat-spotting during long stationary periods, so keeping the car clean, properly inflated, and moved periodically is helpful. Some collectors also use stands for extended seasonal storage to reduce continuous load on the tire carcass.

Storage habits affect how the car feels the next time it goes out on the road. A well-kept postwar Cadillac with properly stored tires is more likely to roll smoothly, hold its shape, and avoid cosmetic sidewall cracking that distracts from an otherwise careful restoration. If the car sits for months at a time, building storage checks into your routine can preserve both appearance and road manners.

Tires on a 1947 Cadillac should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage alone. On collector vehicles, many owners begin evaluating tires closely once they reach the five- to seven-year range and consider replacement as they approach roughly ten years, even if tread still looks usable. The date code and the overall condition of the casing, sidewalls, and tread are more meaningful than miles traveled on a low-use classic.

That guideline is especially important on a car that may only see fair-weather outings, parades, or local club events. A tire can look presentable and still have age-related hardening or cracking that changes how it behaves. Reviewing tire age during annual service gives you time to plan replacements before an event season rather than discovering the need just before a longer drive.

Tires on a 1947 Cadillac should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, and signs that the tire is losing pressure. On vintage-style assemblies, the inspection should also include valve stems and any tube-related service points because air retention problems may show up there first.

Frequent checks are worthwhile because collector cars often sit longer between drives than modern daily drivers. A quick inspection can catch a developing issue before it turns into vibration, poor tracking, or a roadside interruption. On a large and heavy postwar luxury car, preserving even contact and steady inflation also helps the steering feel more composed and keeps the tire's appearance consistent side to side.

A 1947 Cadillac 60 Series belongs to the era when bias-ply construction was standard factory practice, and the fitment used here is 700-15. That places an authentic-style restoration squarely in the vintage numeric bias-ply category rather than a later radial convention. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and delivery context, so the most dependable points to match first are size, construction type, and sidewall appearance.

For a buyer trying to recreate a convincing period look, the key is staying with 700-15 bias-ply and choosing the sidewall style that suits the car's intended presentation. Marque clubs, factory literature, and period photography are useful next steps if you want to narrow down whitewall treatment for a specific body style or restoration goal. That approach keeps the result faithful without overreaching into assumptions about every car built.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1947 Cadillac because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the size, construction, and sidewall style suit the era and the specific series. A 60, 61, or 62 Series shown on 750-16 tires, or a 75 Series shown on 700-15 tires, would stand out as incorrect. The same is true if the overall look of the sidewall clashes with the car's intended period presentation.

Show standards vary by event, but tire choice is part of the car's visual authenticity. Owners aiming for concours-level presentation should verify both series-correct size and the whitewall or blackwall treatment expected for the restoration theme. If the event has strict judging rules, a Cadillac-LaSalle club or marque specialist can help confirm what is accepted before you finalize the tire set.

Firestone and BFGoodrich both offer 750-16 bias-ply tires for the 1947 Cadillac 75 Series, and both are built for 16-inch rims with a listed 5.00 to 6.00 inch rim-width range. Firestone lists blackwall and a 4.50-inch whitewall version with a maximum load capacity of 1660 pounds at 40 psi, while BFGoodrich lists a 4.125-inch whitewall with a maximum load capacity of 1850 pounds at 48 psi. The listed weight is 29 to 31 pounds for Firestone versions and 30 pounds for the BFGoodrich version.

For restoration-minded buyers, that comparison is useful because it separates appearance and rating differences without changing the core size. Whitewall width can alter the visual stance of a formal Cadillac, and the published load and pressure figures should be treated carefully rather than assumed interchangeable with another tire. Reviewing the exact product sidewall style alongside the car's intended presentation is often the deciding factor.

1947 Cadillac tires in these fitments are bias-ply collector tires, and they can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, properly mounted, correctly inflated, and in sound condition. Their road behavior will reflect period construction, which typically means different tracking, turn-in feel, and straight-line response than a modern radial. On a late-1940s Cadillac, the vehicle's own braking, suspension, steering, and overall mechanical state are often just as important to road confidence as the tire itself.

The practical takeaway is to match expectations to the era of the car. A well-sorted postwar Cadillac can travel comfortably at modern secondary-road and reasonable highway speeds, but it should be driven with respect for vintage chassis design and stopping distances. Before longer road use, make sure the entire running gear is in good order so the tires are working within a stable, properly maintained vehicle.

Inflation pressure on a 1947 Cadillac should begin with the factory vehicle recommendation for the specific model and tire size, then be checked against the rating of the tire you choose. Among the listed products, 700-15 examples show a maximum load capacity of 1700 pounds at 32 psi, while 750-16 examples include 1660 pounds at 40 psi and 1850 pounds at 48 psi depending on product. Those figures are tire ratings, not blanket instructions to run every tire at the same pressure.

That distinction matters because overinflation and underinflation both change how a vintage Cadillac rides and steers. Use the original owner's manual or trusted factory literature for the starting pressure appropriate to the car, then confirm that your selected tire's rated limits are being respected. If you are comparing multiple brands within the same size, keep each product's own pressure and load figures with the car's service records.

Before a longer drive in a 1947 Cadillac, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, embedded debris, and stable air pressure. Check the valve stems, and if your wheel-and-tire setup uses tubes, include those service points in your inspection routine as well. The spare should be checked with the same care, since a road trip is the worst time to discover an aged or underinflated backup.

Tires are only one part of the pre-drive checklist on a postwar luxury car, so it also makes sense to review brakes, steering, suspension, wheel bearings, and fluid levels before heading out. A 1947 Cadillac rewards deliberate preparation because its size and age place greater demands on every supporting system. Catching small issues in the garage is far easier than managing them on the shoulder.