1952 Chevrolet Tire Fitment Guide

1952 Chevrolet vehicles use two tire sizes: 670-15 and 710-15. The 670-15 size fits the 1952 Chevrolet 6 Cyl. and 1952 Chevrolet Wagon, while the 710-15 size fits the 1952 Chevrolet Convertible Coupe. Both sizes are built for 15-inch rims, and the products offered for 670-15 list rim-width ranges from 4.50-5.00 inches and 5.00-6.00 inches depending on the tire, while 710-15 products list 5.00-5.50 inches.

Model identification matters more than year and make alone on this Chevrolet page because the Convertible Coupe does not share the same size as the other model groups. Once you have the correct size, the next choice is usually blackwall versus wide whitewall, since both available sizes stay within period-correct bias-ply construction for a 1952 Chevrolet.

A 670-15 tire on a 1952 Chevrolet is a numeric bias-ply size. The 670 portion is the nominal section-width code used in period American sizing, and the 15 indicates the wheel's rim diameter in inches. On 1952 Chevrolet applications, that size belongs to the 6 Cyl. and Wagon models, and the available tires are bias-ply reproductions offered in both blackwall and wide whitewall versions.

That older numeric code does not read like a modern metric size, so it is best treated as a direct period fitment rather than converted by guesswork. If your car is a 6 Cyl. sedan-based Chevrolet or a Wagon, staying with 670-15 keeps the fitment aligned with the models that used it and makes it easier to choose between restoration-oriented sidewall styles.

No, not all 1952 Chevrolet models use the same tire size. The 1952 Chevrolet 6 Cyl. and 1952 Chevrolet Wagon use 670-15, while the 1952 Chevrolet Convertible Coupe uses 710-15. All of them use 15-inch rims, but the size itself changes with the model grouping.

That means a buyer should confirm body style before focusing on brand or whitewall width. A 1952 Chevrolet owner who starts with the exact model can narrow the correct tire size immediately, then compare the visual character of blackwall versus wide whitewall products without sorting through tires meant for another part of the lineup.

1952 Chevrolet tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. The 670-15 size offers blackwall and wide whitewall choices from Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire, while the 710-15 size offers blackwall and wide whitewall choices from BFGoodrich and Firestone. Since all sizes here are bias-ply, the sidewall look becomes one of the biggest visual choices in the final appearance of the car.

Blackwalls generally suit a more restrained, workaday presentation, especially on practical body styles, while wide whitewalls often align with the brighter, dressier look many owners want on a 1952 Chevrolet show car. If your goal is restoration authenticity, match the sidewall style to the way you are presenting the car and the standards of the event or marque community you follow.

Several brands cover 1952 Chevrolet fitments. In 670-15, the available brand names include Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire. In 710-15, the available brands include BFGoodrich and Firestone. All of the listed fitments for this year and make are bias-ply reproductions aimed at preserving the period look and sizing used on early 1950s American cars.

Brand choice usually comes down to the combination of size, sidewall style, and the visual identity you want on the finished car. Some owners prefer a familiar domestic brand name on the sidewall, while others focus more on finding the whitewall treatment or fitment details that best match their particular 1952 Chevrolet model.

For a 1952 Chevrolet that uses 670-15, the Firestone option listed here is a blackwall bias-ply tire with a 1450-pound maximum load at 32 psi, a 15-inch rim diameter, and a 4.50-5.00-inch rim-width range. The Coker Classic 670-15 shown here is a 2.75-inch whitewall bias-ply tire with a 1550-pound maximum load at 32 psi, a 15-inch rim diameter, and a 5.00-6.00-inch rim-width range.

Those differences matter in two ways: appearance and wheel compatibility. A buyer choosing between them should confirm whether the car's wheel width matches the intended tire and decide whether a blackwall or a prominent whitewall better suits the look of the specific 1952 Chevrolet being restored or maintained.

Rim width depends on the tire size and, in some cases, the specific product chosen for a 1952 Chevrolet. The 670-15 options shown here include tires rated for 4.50-5.00-inch rims and others rated for 5.00-6.00-inch rims. The 710-15 options shown here list a 5.00-5.50-inch rim-width range. All of these tires are built for 15-inch rim diameter wheels.

That is why wheel width should be verified before selecting a tire purely by size code. Two tires carrying the same 670-15 marking can still call for different wheel-width ranges, so matching the actual wheel to the individual tire spec is the right way to avoid fitment surprises on a 1952 Chevrolet.

Original 1952 Chevrolet wheels can only be shared across both listed tire sizes if the wheel in question is a 15-inch rim and its width matches the requirements of the tire being considered. Both 670-15 and 710-15 mount on 15-inch rims, but the listed rim-width ranges are not identical. The 670-15 offerings span 4.50-6.00 inches depending on product, while the 710-15 examples shown here call for 5.00-5.50 inches.

That makes diameter compatibility straightforward but wheel-width compatibility a case-by-case check. If you are moving between tire options or verifying a restored set of wheels, measure the wheel and compare it to the specific tire's approved range rather than assuming every original 15-inch 1952 Chevrolet wheel is equally suited to both sizes.

A stored 1952 Chevrolet should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone sources that age rubber. Because the available tires for 1952 Chevrolet fitments here are bias-ply, long static storage can lead to temporary flat-spotting more readily than many later radial designs, especially if the car sits for extended periods without being moved.

Owners who store a collector Chevrolet for months at a time usually benefit from maintaining proper inflation, rolling the car periodically, or supporting it appropriately if the storage plan allows. Good storage habits protect both blackwall and whitewall tires, and they help preserve ride quality and appearance before the next driving season.

Tires on a 1952 Chevrolet should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage, because many collector cars see limited annual use. A sensible rule is to begin close evaluation around the five-to-seven-year mark and to treat about ten years as a serious replacement consideration regardless of tread depth. The tire's date code and its actual condition matter more than how often the car is driven around town.

That approach is especially important on an older car that may spend long periods parked between events. Sidewall cracking, hardening, flat-spotting that does not drive out, or recurring pressure loss are stronger reasons to replace a 1952 Chevrolet tire than low mileage alone, even if the tread still looks presentable.

Tires on a 1952 Chevrolet should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer road outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread wear, cuts, bulges, objects lodged in the tire, and signs that the tire is losing pressure. On a collector car, even a short local drive is enough reason to check condition first because time and storage affect vintage-style tires as much as road use does.

A quick walkaround catches problems while they are still minor and helps prevent damage to the car's wheels or body if a tire fails. Include the spare in those checks, and pay close attention to whitewalls for age-related discoloration or cracking that may show up before the tire's remaining tread tells the full story.

A 1952 Chevrolet 6 Cyl. used 670-15 tires, and the period-correct construction for a Chevrolet of this era is bias-ply. That matches the available fitment offerings here, which are all bias-ply reproductions in 670-15. Sidewall presentation could vary by how the car was ordered and how it is being restored today, so the size and construction are the first authenticity anchors to get right.

Owners pursuing a faithful restoration should start with the correct 670-15 size and then decide whether a blackwall or wide whitewall best fits the way their specific car is being represented. For market-specific or judging-specific detail, a Chevrolet marque club or restoration specialist is the best place to confirm how a particular body style should be finished.

Correct tire fitment matters on a shown 1952 Chevrolet because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, and sidewall appearance immediately. A bias-ply tire in the proper size supports the right stance and era look, while a visibly incorrect size or an out-of-era sidewall treatment can stand out even on an otherwise well-restored car.

That does not mean every event uses the same standard, but it does mean tire choice is part of the restoration story. Owners preparing a 1952 Chevrolet for concours or marque judging should align the tire size to the exact model first, then choose the sidewall style that best fits the presentation goals and the expectations of the club or show.

For a 1952 Chevrolet Convertible Coupe using 710-15 tires, the BFGoodrich blackwall and BFGoodrich wide whitewall options share the same basic fitment fundamentals: bias-ply construction, 15-inch rim diameter, 5.00-5.50-inch rim-width range, and a 1550-pound maximum load at 32 psi. The practical difference is the sidewall presentation, with one offering a plain blackwall and the other a more prominent whitewall treatment.

That makes the choice primarily an authenticity and appearance decision rather than a basic fitment decision. A blackwall can create a simpler, more restrained look, while a wide whitewall is often the more visually expressive option on an open 1952 Chevrolet body style where tire appearance contributes strongly to the finished car's character.

1952 Chevrolet tires can be suitable for normal highway use when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and used within the operating limits of the tire and the car. The fitments shown here are all bias-ply tires, which means the driving feel will remain true to the period and may differ from what modern drivers expect in tracking, steering response, and ride behavior on grooved pavement or crosswinds.

On a 1952 Chevrolet, the condition of the brakes, steering, suspension, wheel bearings, and alignment is just as important as the tires themselves before any higher-speed driving. A well-sorted car on properly fitted tires is the goal, and owners should drive within the capabilities of both the vintage tire construction and the vehicle's broader 1950s mechanical design.

The listed tire load information for 1952 Chevrolet fitments shows 670-15 products carrying 1450 pounds at 32 psi in some versions and 1550 pounds at 32 psi in others, while the 710-15 products shown here carry 1550 pounds at 32 psi. Those figures are the tire ratings, not a blanket instruction that every 1952 Chevrolet should automatically be run at the maximum rated pressure.

Use the original Chevrolet owner's literature as the baseline for vehicle pressure recommendations, then make sure the tire you choose is appropriate for that service. Keeping the tire size and the tire's own rated pressure information separate helps avoid overgeneralizing from one product to another, especially when comparing 670-15 and 710-15 fitments.

Before a longer drive in a 1952 Chevrolet, inspect all four tires and the spare for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation. Check the valve stems, look closely at the whitewall or blackwall surfaces for age-related damage, and confirm that the tires are the correct size for the model. Since these are bias-ply fitments, it is also worth paying attention to any vibration or flat-spot sensation as the car comes up to speed after sitting.

That tire check should be part of a broader pre-drive routine that includes brakes, steering, cooling, and fluid levels on any early 1950s car. A 1952 Chevrolet that is mechanically ready and riding on healthy, properly matched tires is far better suited to a relaxed touring drive than one that has simply been parked and started.