1950 Ford Tire Fitment Guide

1950 Ford vehicles in this lineup use two different tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the model. The 1950 Ford Custom uses 670-15 bias-ply tires on 15-inch rims, while the 1950 Ford DL uses 600-16 bias-ply tires on 16-inch rims. For 670-15, listed rim-width ranges include 4.50 to 5.00 inches and 5.00 to 6.00 inches depending on the product. For 600-16, listed rim-width ranges include 4.00 to 4.50 inches.

That means year and make alone are not enough to choose a tire for every 1950 Ford. Start by confirming the model, then confirm the actual wheel diameter on the car before comparing brands or sidewall styles. Once the correct size is established, you can narrow the choice by appearance, such as blackwall versus wide whitewall, and by how closely you want the finished car to reflect period bias-ply fitment.

On a 1950 Ford, 670-15 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 6.70 figure is the nominal section width expressed in inches, and the 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. In the 1950 Ford range covered here, that size applies to the Custom and mounts on a 15-inch rim.

Numeric bias-ply sizes are common on mid-century American cars, and they are read differently from later metric radial sizes. If your 1950 Ford carries a 15-inch wheel and the car is a Custom, 670-15 is the size family you should research further. From there, the main choices are brand, sidewall style, and the exact approved rim-width range for the product you are considering.

No, not all 1950 Ford models in this group use the same tire size. The 1950 Ford Custom uses 670-15 bias-ply tires, while the 1950 Ford DL uses 600-16 bias-ply tires. The difference is more than section width alone, because the two sizes also mount on different wheel diameters: 15 inches for the Custom and 16 inches for the DL.

That distinction is important because a tire choice cannot be made correctly from the year and make alone. If the car has changed hands, been restored, or had wheels swapped over the decades, verify both the model identity and the wheel itself before selecting a tire. Doing that first keeps you from comparing products in the wrong size family and saves time when narrowing the final options.

1950 Ford tires in these two sizes are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. The 670-15 size for the 1950 Ford Custom includes blackwall and wide whitewall options from several brands, and the 600-16 size for the 1950 Ford DL does the same. That gives owners room to match the finished look of the car without stepping outside the correct basic size for the model.

Sidewall style can strongly influence how a 1950 Ford presents, especially on a car restored to a period showroom look. Wide whitewalls usually suit a more formal, era-authentic appearance, while blackwalls tend to look more understated. The correct choice depends on how the car is being finished and how closely you want the tire's appearance to align with the vehicle's trim level, restoration theme, and period character.

Several brands offer tires for 1950 Ford applications in the sizes used here. The 670-15 size includes Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire. The 600-16 size includes BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone. All of the listed fitments remain within the bias-ply family, so the brand choice is not a switch between bias-ply and radial in this particular year-make coverage.

Brand choice for a 1950 Ford usually comes down to the exact sidewall appearance you want, the load and pressure markings on the tire, and the historical flavor you prefer. Some owners want a familiar American name on the sidewall, while others are more focused on getting the correct whitewall presentation or a product series that suits a show-oriented restoration. Once the size is confirmed, comparing brands becomes much more straightforward.

For the 1950 Ford 670-15 size, Firestone and Coker Classic are both bias-ply offerings, but they differ in available sidewall presentation and some listed specifications. The Firestone example shown is a blackwall tire rated at 1450 pounds at 32 psi with a 4.50 to 5.00-inch rim-width range and a 23-pound weight. The Coker Classic example shown is a wide whitewall tire rated at 1550 pounds at 32 psi with a 5.00 to 6.00-inch rim-width range and a 21-pound weight.

That means the choice is not just about brand name on a 1950 Ford Custom. You should also compare the visual goal for the car, the wheel width you actually have, and the load-and-pressure markings on the specific tire. Two tires in the same nominal size can still differ in approved rim-width range and sidewall look, so it is worth matching the product carefully to the wheel and the restoration plan.

1950 Ford rim-width requirements vary by tire size and sometimes by product within the same size. In 670-15 for the 1950 Ford Custom, listed rim-width ranges include 4.50 to 5.00 inches and 5.00 to 6.00 inches. In 600-16 for the 1950 Ford DL, listed rim-width ranges include 4.00 to 4.50 inches. Those ranges should be matched to the actual wheel on the car, not assumed from the year alone.

This matters because a tire and wheel can share the same rim diameter but still have different approved width ranges. Before mounting tires on a 1950 Ford, measure or verify the wheel width and compare it to the specific product you intend to use. That step is especially useful on older cars that may have received replacement wheels during a prior restoration or decades of service use.

The listed 1950 Ford products do not carry tube-type or tubeless markers in a way that creates a size-by-size distinction here, so the more important practical question is whether your wheels are designed and prepared for tube use. Mid-century Ford applications like these are often restored with original-style wheels, and bias-ply fitments are commonly paired with tube-aware mounting practices when the wheel condition or design calls for it.

Before fitting tires to a 1950 Ford, inspect the wheel's condition, valve-stem setup, and the exact sidewall markings on the tire you plan to use. A restorer or wheel specialist can help determine whether tubes are advisable for your specific wheel and intended use. That is especially worthwhile on older rims with age, pitting, prior repairs, or uncertain service history.

A 1950 Ford should be stored in a cool, dry, shaded space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Keep the tires properly inflated, roll the car periodically if possible, and avoid letting the full weight sit in one position for long stretches. Bias-ply tires are more prone to temporary flat-spotting during static storage than later radials, so movement matters.

If a 1950 Ford will sit for months at a time, many collectors either reposition it regularly or support it in a way that reduces prolonged loading on one contact patch. Clean, dry floors and stable temperatures help preserve both the rubber and the wheels. Good storage habits protect appearance as well as drivability, especially on restored cars wearing wide whitewalls that owners want to keep bright and free from avoidable aging.

Tires on a 1950 Ford are usually evaluated more by age than by mileage, because collector cars often cover limited annual distance. A sensible rule is to inspect them closely after about five to seven years of service and to treat the ten-year mark as a point for very serious replacement consideration, even if tread remains. The DOT date code on the tire is the best quick reference for age.

Low mileage can make older tires look better than they really are on a 1950 Ford. Rubber hardens, sidewalls age, and internal materials can deteriorate even when the car is only driven to local events. If the car has been stored for long periods or the service history is unclear, age-based replacement thinking is safer than relying on tread depth alone.

Tires on a 1950 Ford should be checked before every drive and given a more careful inspection before any longer outing. Look for visible cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and signs that the tire has been losing pressure. On an older collector car, also pay attention to valve stems and the general condition of the spare, since those are often overlooked during routine garage storage.

A brief inspection takes little time and can prevent an avoidable roadside problem. For a 1950 Ford that sees occasional use, it is smart to combine the tire check with a quick walkaround of the wheels, lug-nut security, and inflation consistency. Cars that sit between drives need this even more than regularly used vehicles because age and inactivity can hide problems until the next trip.

A 1950 Ford Custom would have belonged to an era when bias-ply tires were standard factory practice, and the fitment covered here keeps that period-correct construction approach intact with 670-15 bias-ply tires on 15-inch rims. The specific original brand can vary by market, supplier arrangement, and surviving factory records, so the safest authenticity baseline is to match the size, construction type, and era-appropriate sidewall treatment first.

For a restoration-minded owner, that means getting the broad fundamentals right before chasing smaller details. A 1950 Ford Custom shown in judged events may be examined for correct size, bias-ply construction, and whether the sidewall style looks appropriate to the car's presentation. Marque clubs, factory literature, and period photos are still the best way to confirm market-specific details for a particular restoration.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1950 Ford because tires affect stance, visual balance, and historical accuracy all at once. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the car is wearing the proper size for its model, the proper construction type for the era, and a sidewall style that suits the car's period appearance. A model-specific size error stands out quickly on a car from this period.

That does not mean every show uses the same judging standard, but it does mean tire choice should be part of the restoration plan rather than an afterthought. For a 1950 Ford Custom or DL, start with the right size and wheel diameter for the model, then match the sidewall look to the way the car is being presented. Event rules and marque specialists can help refine the final choice.

For the 1950 Ford 600-16 size, both BFGoodrich and Firestone are bias-ply offerings with wide whitewall styling in the examples shown, and both carry a listed load rating of 1400 pounds at 32 psi. The BFGoodrich example uses a 3.50-inch whitewall, while the Firestone example uses a 3.25-inch whitewall. Both list a 4.00 to 4.50-inch rim-width range, but the example weights differ at 21 pounds for BFGoodrich and 24 pounds for Firestone.

On a 1950 Ford DL, that means the visual effect of the whitewall width may matter as much as the brand itself. If you are restoring for a particular look, the difference between a 3.25-inch and 3.50-inch whitewall can change the car's character from the curb. Since the rim-width range is the same in these examples, the decision often comes down to appearance and brand preference rather than wheel compatibility.

1950 Ford tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, properly mounted, correctly inflated, and in sound condition. The listed 600-16 Avon example carries an H speed rating, which corresponds to a 130 mph ceiling, while many of the other products are traditional bias-ply collector tires without a modern high-speed positioning emphasis. On a 1950 Ford, the car's own brakes, steering, suspension condition, and overall mechanical health are often more limiting than the tire in normal highway use.

The practical takeaway is to think about the whole vehicle, not just the sidewall. A freshly inspected 1950 Ford on age-appropriate tires can be enjoyable on modern roads, but sustained speed should always respect the car's vintage design and condition. If the car sees regular road use, inspect tire age, inflation, and wheel condition first, then drive within the limits of both the tire and the vehicle.

Inflation pressure for a 1950 Ford should be matched to the exact tire size and the specific product's load-and-pressure markings, while still being checked against the vehicle's original factory recommendations. In 670-15, examples are listed at 1450 pounds at 32 psi and 1550 pounds at 32 psi depending on the product. In 600-16, examples are listed at 1400 pounds at 32 psi, while the Avon 600H16 product lists a 1433-pound maximum load figure.

Those figures should not be treated as a universal setting for every 1950 Ford tire. Use the original owner's manual or factory literature for the vehicle's intended operating pressure, then compare that to the tire maker's rated information for the exact tire you are using. Keep front-to-rear needs in mind as appropriate for the car's loading and avoid assuming that one size's pressure guidance applies to the other.

Before a longer drive in a 1950 Ford, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and stable inflation, and do not forget the spare. Check valve stems, wheel condition, and whether the tires have been sitting long enough to develop temporary flat spots. On a collector car of this age, tires are only one part of the picture, so brakes, steering, cooling, belts, fluids, and lighting deserve the same attention.

A longer trip asks more of a 1950 Ford than a short local outing, and small issues tend to show up quickly once the car is fully warmed and running at speed. Giving the tires a careful inspection before leaving is one of the easiest ways to reduce risk. It also helps preserve the car's finish and trim by avoiding the kind of roadside problem that can follow a preventable tire failure.