Chevrolet entered 1949 with one of the most important redesigns of the postwar era, moving into a cleaner, more modern body style that set the tone for its early postwar passenger cars. For many collectors, 1949 Chevrolet represents the bridge between true prewar engineering habits and the sleeker look that defined the 1950s. Across the 1949 Chevrolet range covered here, one model uses one tire size, so the main decision is less about comparing multiple fitments and more about choosing the right bias-ply style for the car’s intended character. Before selecting a tire, confirm that you have a 1949 Chevrolet 6 Cyl. on 15-inch wheels and decide which sidewall look best suits your restoration.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 1949 Chevrolet
There is one tire size available for 1949 Chevrolet vehicles covered here, and it is shared by the full model range listed for this year and make. The real choice is not between different fitments, but between blackwall and wide whitewall bias-ply tires on the correct 15-inch rim. Understanding that distinction before choosing a product saves time and helps match the tire to the car’s style and intended use.
Year(s): 1949|Fit(s): 6 Cyl.|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 15 in
670-15 is a numeric bias-ply size, with the first number indicating nominal section width in the older inch-based system and the 15 indicating a 15-inch wheel diameter. This size is available from Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire, with both Blackwall and Wide Whitewall sidewall styles offered; all listed versions are bias-ply, and load figures shown include 1450 pounds at 32 psi and 1550 pounds at 32 psi depending on the product. Buyers focused on an authentic late-1940s driving feel and period-correct appearance will usually start here, since it is the year-correct construction and the only listed size for the 1949 Chevrolet 6 Cyl. Choose among the available sidewall looks and confirm the wheel falls within the product’s approved rim-width range before making a final selection.
One 1949 Chevrolet model core is covered here. All listed fitment for this year and make uses the same tire size, so the decision is not about sorting through multiple model-specific sizes but about choosing the right visual style and restoration approach within that fitment. Select the model below for model-specific fitment history and products.
1949 Chevrolet 6 Cyl.
The 1949 Chevrolet 6 Cyl. represents Chevrolet’s all-new postwar passenger-car direction, combining familiar six-cylinder simplicity with a much more modern body than the make’s immediate prewar designs. It uses tires that mount on 15-inch wheels, which is consistent with Chevrolet’s mainstream passenger-car setup for the period and gives restorers a straightforward path when choosing between blackwall and wide whitewall bias-ply styles.
Twenty-seven products are available across one tire size for 1949 Chevrolet vehicles. In 670-15, Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire offer bias-ply fitments with Blackwall and Wide Whitewall sidewall styles.
These answers focus on the single-size fitment used by 1949 Chevrolet, the meaning of the 670-15 sizing code, available sidewall styles, setup details such as rim width and tubes, and the care collector cars need between drives.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 1949 Chevrolet vehicles?
1949 Chevrolet vehicles covered here use one tire size: 670-15. That size applies to the listed 1949 Chevrolet 6 Cyl. model and mounts on a 15-inch rim. Available products show approved rim-width ranges of 4.50 to 5.00 inches on some versions and 5.00 to 6.00 inches on others, so the exact wheel width matters when narrowing down a specific tire within the same nominal size.
That makes 1949 Chevrolet simpler than many later year-and-make combinations because you are not sorting through multiple diameters or front-to-rear combinations. The practical job is to verify the wheel diameter and actual wheel width on the car, then decide whether a blackwall or wide whitewall bias-ply tire better fits your restoration goals and how you want the car to present.
What does 670-15 mean on a 1949 Chevrolet tire?
670-15 is an older numeric bias-ply tire size. The 670 refers to the nominal section width in the traditional inch-based sizing system used before modern metric designations became standard, and the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1949 Chevrolet, that means the tire is built for a 15-inch wheel and uses bias-ply construction, which is consistent with the era.
Modern buyers often expect a metric size with an aspect ratio and a radial letter, but a late-1940s Chevrolet sits in an earlier sizing convention. If your goal is visual and driving authenticity, understanding that 670-15 is a period numeric bias-ply size helps you avoid comparing it to later radial sizing systems as if they were direct apples-to-apples replacements.
Do all 1949 Chevrolet models use the same tire size?
The 1949 Chevrolet model covered here uses the same single tire size throughout this fitment set: 670-15. There is no alternate size listed within this year-and-make grouping, and all available tire choices remain within that one numeric bias-ply fitment on a 15-inch rim.
That means identifying the year and model gets you most of the way there, but you still need to sort out which version of the same size best suits the car. The real differences are sidewall appearance, brand preference, and wheel-width compatibility within the approved range for the specific tire you choose, rather than different nominal tire sizes across models.
Buying the Right Tire
What sidewall styles are available for 1949 Chevrolet tires?
1949 Chevrolet tires in 670-15 are available in both Blackwall and Wide Whitewall styles. Firestone and Universal Vintage Tire offer blackwall versions, while US Royal and Coker Classic offer wide whitewall versions in this size. All of them stay within the same bias-ply construction family, so the visual difference is the main styling change rather than a shift to a different tire type.
For a driver or a more restrained restoration, blackwalls often suit the simpler, everyday Chevrolet look. Wide whitewalls bring a brighter late-1940s showroom flavor and are often favored when appearance matters most at cruise-ins or judged events. If you are trying to match a specific trim level, dealership-delivery look, or regional style, compare period photos and club guidance before settling on sidewall width.
What brands make tires for 1949 Chevrolet vehicles?
Four brands appear in 670-15 fitment for 1949 Chevrolet: Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire. Each is offered in bias-ply construction, with blackwall and wide whitewall options spread across the brand lineup rather than concentrated in a single style. That gives Chevrolet owners several ways to stay within the correct era of tire construction while choosing the look they want.
Brand choice on a collector car usually comes down to presentation, heritage preference, and the exact combination of sidewall styling and wheel-width compatibility you need. A buyer comparing these options should look beyond the name alone and pay attention to whether the tire is blackwall or wide whitewall, along with its approved rim-width range and posted load figure for the intended use of the car.
What is the difference between Firestone, US Royal, and Coker Classic 670-15 tires for a 1949 Chevrolet?
The main differences among listed 670-15 choices for 1949 Chevrolet are sidewall style, approved rim-width range, weight, and posted load figure. Firestone appears as a blackwall rated at 1450 pounds at 32 psi on 4.50- to 5.00-inch rims, US Royal appears as a 2 11/16-inch wide whitewall with the same 1450 pounds at 32 psi and 4.50- to 5.00-inch rim range, and Coker Classic appears as a 2.75-inch wide whitewall rated at 1550 pounds at 32 psi on 5.00- to 6.00-inch rims.
That makes the choice fairly practical. If your Chevrolet wears a narrower stock-style wheel and you want either a blackwall or a moderate wide whitewall look, Firestone or US Royal may line up more naturally. If the car uses a slightly wider wheel and you want a broader whitewall presentation, the Coker Classic version deserves a closer look before you make the final call.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 1949 Chevrolet tires require?
1949 Chevrolet tires in 670-15 are offered across more than one approved rim-width range depending on the exact product. Some 670-15 options are approved for 4.50- to 5.00-inch rims, while others are approved for 5.00- to 6.00-inch rims. All listed versions fit a 15-inch wheel diameter, but they are not all intended for the same wheel width.
That matters because a tire can share the same nominal size and still be better suited to one wheel than another. Before choosing a specific 670-15 tire for a 1949 Chevrolet, measure the wheel or verify its width through a trusted wheel reference. Picking a tire within the approved wheel-width range helps preserve proper tread shape, steering feel, and the intended sidewall profile.
Do 1949 Chevrolet tires require inner tubes?
The listed 670-15 products for 1949 Chevrolet do not carry TT or TL markings in the size field, so tube use should be confirmed against the specific tire and wheel combination rather than assumed from the size alone. Because these are bias-ply tires for a late-1940s application, tube use often depends as much on the wheel design and condition as on the tire itself.
Many original steel wheels from this era were used in ways that make tube fitment part of a correct setup, especially if the wheel was not designed around later tubeless standards. Check the wheel carefully for corrosion, pitting, and bead-seat condition, and match the valve stem and tube type to the wheel and tire you plan to run before putting the car into regular service.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 1949 Chevrolet when the tires are fitted?
A 1949 Chevrolet should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone sources that can accelerate sidewall aging. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to developing temporary flat-spotting when they sit in one position for long periods, so steady storage conditions matter as much as mileage on a collector car.
If the car will sit for an extended season, keep the tires properly inflated and move the car periodically so the load is not concentrated on one contact patch for months at a time. Some owners also use stands to reduce weight on the tires during longer storage, but if you do, support the vehicle safely and avoid leaving the suspension hanging in a way that creates separate problems.
How long do tires on a 1949 Chevrolet typically last?
Tire life on a 1949 Chevrolet is usually judged more by age, storage history, and condition than by miles driven. A sensible collector-car rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they are around five to seven years old and to treat about ten years from the date code as a serious replacement consideration, even if tread depth still looks usable.
That guideline matters because many restored Chevrolets see only occasional use, and low mileage can disguise the effects of aging rubber. Check the DOT date code where applicable, inspect the sidewalls and tread regularly, and do not let an attractive appearance alone convince you a tire is still ready for road use after many years of service or storage.
How often should tires on a 1949 Chevrolet be inspected?
Tires on a 1949 Chevrolet should be inspected before every drive and given an extra-close inspection before longer outings. Look for sidewall cracking, irregular wear, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, and any loss of air pressure. On an older car, it is also wise to examine valve stems and to pay close attention to the spare, since it may have aged in place for years without obvious use.
Frequent inspection is especially important on a collector vehicle because it may sit for long periods between drives and then be asked to cover a meaningful distance in one outing. A five-minute pre-drive walkaround can catch a problem before it becomes a roadside issue, and it also helps you notice steering or suspension wear patterns that show up first in the tires.
Restoration & Authenticity
What tires were originally fitted to the 1949 Chevrolet 6 Cyl.?
A 1949 Chevrolet 6 Cyl. would have been fitted in the bias-ply era, and the listed fitment here is 670-15 in bias-ply construction. That aligns with Chevrolet’s late-1940s passenger-car practice, when numeric bias-ply sizing was standard and radial passenger-car replacement fitments had not yet become part of normal U.S. production-car tire selection.
For restoration work, that means the key authenticity markers are the 670-15 size, bias-ply construction, and the correct sidewall presentation for the car’s trim level and the look you are chasing. If you want to confirm the exact appearance for a specific body style, sales literature, factory photos, and Chevrolet marque clubs are the best next step for market- and presentation-level detail.
Does correct tire fitment matter for showing a 1949 Chevrolet?
Correct tire fitment can matter quite a bit when showing a 1949 Chevrolet, especially in classes that reward factory-correct presentation. Judges and experienced enthusiasts often notice whether the tire size matches the era, whether the construction type is appropriate, and whether the sidewall style looks right for the car. A modern-looking substitute can stand out visually even if it physically fits the wheel.
That does not mean every event expects the same level of strictness, but tire details often influence the car’s overall impression. If you are preparing for judged competition, confirm the event’s standards and compare your intended tire against period photos of similarly equipped Chevrolets. A blackwall-versus-wide-whitewall decision can be just as important visually as the size itself on a 1949 car.
What is the difference between wide whitewall and blackwall tires for a 1949 Chevrolet?
On a 1949 Chevrolet, the difference between wide whitewall and blackwall tires is primarily visual, since both styles are offered in the same 670-15 bias-ply fitment. Blackwalls deliver a plainer, more understated appearance, while wide whitewalls create the brighter late-1940s and early-1950s showroom look many enthusiasts associate with a freshly restored Chevrolet sedan or coupe.
Choosing between them depends on the story you want the car to tell. A blackwall can suit a more basic, driver-oriented, or workaday presentation, while a wide whitewall can elevate the trim and period glamour of the car at shows. When originality matters, compare your planned sidewall style with period advertising and model-specific club knowledge rather than picking purely by modern taste.
Safety & Road Use
Are 1949 Chevrolet tires safe for highway driving?
1949 Chevrolet tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, properly mounted, correctly inflated, and in sound condition, but the listed 670-15 products here do not show speed-letter markings in the size field. Because these are bias-ply tires for a late-1940s application, the driving character will reflect the era, with more sensitivity to road crown and a different steering feel than a modern radial-equipped car.
On a 1949 Chevrolet, the tire is only one part of the highway equation. Brakes, steering components, suspension condition, wheel condition, and overall mechanical health matter just as much on a car of this age. Treat the tire choice as part of a full roadworthiness check, and build your cruising speed around the condition and behavior of the entire car rather than tire size alone.
What inflation pressure should I use for 1949 Chevrolet tires?
Listed 670-15 tires for 1949 Chevrolet show load-and-pressure figures that include 1450 pounds at 32 psi and 1550 pounds at 32 psi, depending on the product. Those figures are tire ratings, not a blanket instruction to run every 1949 Chevrolet at the same pressure under all conditions. The car’s original recommended operating pressure should still come from Chevrolet’s factory literature for the specific model and use.
Use the vehicle recommendation as your starting point, then make sure the tire you choose is being used within its own published limits. Do not transfer a pressure assumption from one tire version to another just because both say 670-15. A careful pressure check after mounting is one of the simplest ways to improve ride quality, tread wear, and steering consistency on an older Chevrolet.
What should I check before taking a 1949 Chevrolet on a longer drive?
Before a longer drive in a 1949 Chevrolet, inspect each tire for cracks, bulges, cuts, exposed cord, uneven wear, and proper inflation, and make sure the spare is usable as well. Check the valve stems, verify that the wheels are sound, and look closely at any tire that has spent long periods parked in one position. A bias-ply tire that appears fine in the garage can reveal age or storage issues once it is rolling at road speed.
Tires are only one part of the pre-trip routine on a car from this era, so use the inspection as the opening step in a broader check of brakes, steering, cooling, and lights. If the car has recently come out of storage, give it a short local drive first and reevaluate the tires afterward. That approach helps you catch heat-related or pressure-related issues before committing to a longer run.
