1948 Lincoln Tire Fitment Guide

1948 Lincoln vehicles in this range use a single tire size: 700-15. That size applies to the 1948 Lincoln V12, and the products offered in that size mount on 15-inch rims. Where rim width guidance is listed, 700-15 bias-ply products are intended for 5.00- to 5.50-inch-wide rims.

That makes 1948 Lincoln simpler than many year-make combinations, because you do not have to sort between multiple diameters or model-specific sizes first. The practical job is to verify that your wheels are true 15-inch Lincoln fitment wheels and then choose the bias-ply product and sidewall style that best match your restoration goals and how the car will be presented.

On a 1948 Lincoln, 700-15 is a classic numeric bias-ply tire size. The "700" portion refers to the nominal section-width class used in period sizing, and the "15" identifies the wheel diameter in inches. Because it is a numeric size without an "R," it represents a bias-ply construction rather than a radial format.

That matters because a 700-15 tire carries the visual proportions and road character expected on a late-1940s luxury car. If your goal is an era-appropriate appearance, this size and construction are the starting point. Once the size is confirmed, the next decision usually comes down to sidewall treatment, especially whether your Lincoln looks right with blackwalls or wide whitewalls.

Yes. The 1948 Lincoln range covered here uses 700-15 across the Lincoln V12 model line, so there is no split between one model using a different diameter or a second size family. The fitment foundation stays consistent at a 15-inch wheel diameter with bias-ply construction in the available products.

That consistency simplifies the search for many owners, especially if the car is already known to be a 1948 Lincoln V12. What changes from one car to another is usually not the size itself, but the presentation standard: a formal show-oriented restoration may call for a different sidewall look than a driver kept in a more restrained, factory-style blackwall appearance.

1948 Lincoln tires in 700-15 are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Firestone and BFGoodrich wide whitewall options are offered alongside blackwall choices, and STA also appears in blackwall form in this size. All of these choices stay within the correct bias-ply size family for the year.

Sidewall style changes the car’s visual personality more than the fitment itself. A wide whitewall generally suits the upscale, late-1940s luxury look many Lincoln restorers want, while a blackwall can look more restrained and utilitarian. If your car is being prepared for judged presentation, it is smart to compare your chosen sidewall style with period photos, marque references, and the way your specific Lincoln is being restored.

Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA all offer 700-15 tires for 1948 Lincoln applications. Firestone appears in both blackwall and wide whitewall versions, BFGoodrich is represented in wide whitewall form, and STA is offered in a blackwall bias-ply design. Each remains within the same 15-inch numeric bias-ply fitment family used by the Lincoln V12.

Brand choice on a collector Lincoln often comes down to visual preference, restoration theme, and the kind of tread and sidewall character you want the car to show. Many owners begin by deciding whether the car should present as a formal luxury car with a whitewall or with a simpler blackwall look, then narrow the field by brand and series once that appearance decision is settled.

For 1948 Lincoln in 700-15, both Firestone Classic Bias Ply and BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply are offered in wide whitewall form with the same listed 1700-pound maximum load at 32 psi and the same 15-inch rim diameter on 5.00- to 5.50-inch rim widths. The listed product weights differ slightly, with Firestone at 29 pounds and BFGoodrich at 28 pounds.

That means the choice between them is less about basic fitment and more about brand identity, visual detailing, and which product line best suits the character you want for the car. On a 1948 Lincoln, small appearance cues matter, so many owners compare sidewall presentation and brand preference first, then confirm wheel width and the overall condition of the original rims before making a final selection.

For the listed 700-15 bias-ply products used on 1948 Lincoln, the stated rim width range is 5.00 to 5.50 inches. The rim diameter is 15 inches, which matches the tire size designation. That combination is the key wheel specification shown for the Firestone and BFGoodrich offerings in this fitment.

Before choosing a tire, verify the actual wheel on the car rather than assuming every old 15-inch wheel is the same. Restored cars sometimes carry replacement wheels from another application, and width matters even when diameter is correct. Measuring the wheel and checking for damage, prior repairs, or bead-seat corrosion is a worthwhile step on any 1948 Lincoln before mounting fresh tires.

The 700-15 products shown for 1948 Lincoln do not carry tube-type or tubeless markers in the size designation, so tube requirements should be confirmed against the specific product and the wheel being used. On many late-1940s applications with original-style wheels and bias-ply tires, owners often evaluate tube use together with wheel condition, valve-stem style, and restoration practice rather than by size code alone.

That makes the wheel itself part of the decision. If your Lincoln still wears original rims, inspect them carefully and confirm the intended setup before installation. A clean, properly prepared wheel and the correct valve and tube arrangement, where required, can matter just as much as the tire size when you are trying to preserve reliability in a collector car that may sit for long periods between drives.

A 1948 Lincoln 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. Keep the tires properly inflated, park on a clean surface, and move the car periodically if possible. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to developing temporary flat spotting when they sit in one position for long periods.

Long-term storage habits have a visible effect on a full-size postwar car because of its weight and the way collector vehicles are often used only occasionally. If the car will be down for an extended season, some owners use tire cradles or place the vehicle on stands as part of a broader storage plan. The goal is to reduce stress on the casings while preserving sidewall appearance and ride quality.

On a 1948 Lincoln, tire life should be judged more by age, storage conditions, and condition than by mileage alone. Collector cars often cover very few miles, so a tire can look usable while still aging out. A sensible rule is to inspect closely beginning around five to seven years of age and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement threshold depending on condition and manufacturer guidance.

Checking the date code and looking for cracking, hardening, bulges, or irregular wear is more useful than asking how many miles remain. A lightly used Lincoln that spends much of its time parked can still put significant stress on old bias-ply tires. Replacing aged tires before visible failure is one of the most practical ways to protect both the car and the driving experience.

Tires on a 1948 Lincoln deserve a quick inspection before every drive and a more deliberate inspection before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, tread separation, punctures, bulges, and signs that a tire is losing pressure. On a collector car, valve stems and the spare tire should also be checked regularly because they tend to age along with the mounted tires.

Regular inspections matter because these cars are often driven less frequently, which means problems can develop unnoticed between outings. A pre-drive check takes only a few minutes and helps catch age-related issues before they become a roadside problem. On a heavy luxury car like a 1948 Lincoln, preserving even inflation and catching casing damage early also helps maintain the composed ride the car was designed to deliver.

A 1948 Lincoln V12 would have been fitted in bias-ply construction, which remained standard American passenger-car practice in that period. The available fitment here centers on 700-15, matching the late-1940s numeric bias-ply sizing language expected for the car. Original equipment brand can vary by market and production practice, so the safest historical anchor is the correct size family, construction type, and sidewall presentation.

For a restoration-minded owner, that means getting the size and bias-ply construction right first, then refining the look with the appropriate blackwall or wide whitewall treatment. If your Lincoln is being restored to a highly exact standard, it is worth comparing surviving photos, factory literature, and Lincoln marque-club guidance for body style or delivery-specific details that can influence how the finished car should present.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1948 Lincoln, especially in judging that values authenticity. Size, construction type, and sidewall style all contribute to whether the car looks period-right. A modern-looking replacement format or an obviously incorrect sidewall treatment can stand out quickly on a formal late-1940s Lincoln, even when the overall restoration is otherwise strong.

That is why many restorers treat tires as part of the car’s visual finishing rather than a last-minute maintenance item. A 700-15 bias-ply tire keeps the car in the correct era visually, while the choice between blackwall and wide whitewall should align with the way your specific Lincoln is being restored and judged. Event rules and marque-club standards are the best final reference for show-focused decisions.

Within 700-15 for the 1948 Lincoln, Firestone offers both a blackwall and a 4.125-inch wide whitewall version in the same Classic Bias Ply series. Both share the same listed 1700-pound maximum load at 32 psi and the same 15-inch rim diameter with a 5.00- to 5.50-inch rim width range. The listed weight differs slightly, with the blackwall at 26 pounds and the wide whitewall at 29 pounds.

The practical difference is visual character rather than a change in basic fitment. A blackwall gives the Lincoln a more restrained appearance, while the wide whitewall emphasizes the upscale, formal styling that many owners associate with postwar luxury cars. If authenticity is your priority, compare the sidewall look against period imagery and the specific presentation standard you want the finished car to meet.

1948 Lincoln tires in the available 700-15 fitment are bias-ply products, and they can be used for road driving when they are correctly matched to sound wheels, kept in good condition, and maintained at the proper pressure. No speed rating letter is shown in the listed size designations here, so highway use should be approached with the mindset appropriate to a late-1940s luxury car rather than a modern high-speed vehicle.

At normal touring speeds, the broader limitation on a 1948 Lincoln is often the age and design of the car itself, including brakes, suspension, steering, and overall mechanical condition, not just the tire. A careful pre-drive inspection and realistic speed expectations matter far more than treating the car like a modern interstate cruiser. Smooth inputs and well-maintained chassis components are part of safe tire performance on any collector Lincoln.

For the listed 700-15 Firestone and BFGoodrich products used on 1948 Lincoln, the maximum load figure shown is 1700 pounds at 32 psi. That is a product rating point, not automatically the same as the factory running pressure your car should use in service. Inflation on a collector car should balance the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations with the tire maker’s limits for the specific reproduction tire being fitted.

The best approach is to start with the original vehicle guidance for a 1948 Lincoln, then confirm that your chosen tire’s pressure range supports that use. Do not transfer a pressure assumption from another size or another vehicle simply because the wheel diameter matches. Pressure also deserves rechecking after storage, temperature swings, or any period when the car has been sitting for several weeks.

Before a longer drive in a 1948 Lincoln, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, and uneven wear, and confirm that pressures are set correctly when the tires are cold. Check the valve stems, the spare, and the overall condition of the wheels as well. Because the car is a heavy postwar luxury model, tire condition should be viewed as part of a full mechanical readiness check, not as an isolated item.

Longer outings are easier on both car and driver when the basics are handled before departure. Along with the tires, it is wise to review brakes, steering play, suspension condition, wheel bearing health, and fluid levels so the car is not asking an old tire to compensate for another unresolved issue. A well-prepared 1948 Lincoln is far more enjoyable and confidence-inspiring on secondary roads and touring events.