1955 Willys Tire Fitment Guide

1955 Willys vehicles use three different tire sizes depending on model: the 226 uses 700-16, the Bermuda uses 640-15, and the CJ 5 uses 600-16. All three are bias-ply sizes, but they do not share one common fitment across the full make. The 226 and CJ 5 both use 16-inch rim diameters, while the Bermuda uses a 15-inch rim diameter. Published rim-width ranges appear on some products, including 4.50-5.50 inches for certain 700-16 tires, 4.00-4.50 or 4.50-5.00 inches for 640-15 choices, and 4.00-4.50 inches for certain 600-16 tires.

That means year and make alone are not enough to choose a tire for a 1955 Willys. Start by confirming the model, then confirm the wheel diameter already on the vehicle before narrowing the selection by sidewall style or brand. Owners of modified or restored vehicles should also compare the actual wheel against the tire’s listed rim-width range, especially if the wheels have been changed from original-style pieces over the years.

On a 1955 Willys tire, 700-16 is a numeric bias-ply size. The “700” refers to the tire’s nominal section width in the older inch-based sizing system, and the “16” identifies the wheel diameter in inches. In the 1955 Willys lineup, that size belongs to the 226 and mounts on a 16-inch wheel. Available versions include both blackwall and wide whitewall styles, depending on the product and brand selected.

Numeric sizes like 700-16 are common on mid-century American vehicles and should be read as an older fitment language rather than as a modern metric equivalent. The important practical point is that 700-16 is not interchangeable with 640-15 simply because both are vintage sizes. A 1955 Willys owner should match the exact size to the exact model first, then choose among the available sidewall and brand options that fit the intended look and use.

No, 1955 Willys models do not all use the same tire size. The 226 uses 700-16, the Bermuda uses 640-15, and the CJ 5 uses 600-16. That split reflects the very different roles these Willys models played, from passenger-car use to wagon duty to Jeep utility service. Even where the rim diameter matches, as it does between the 226 and CJ 5 at 16 inches, the tire size itself is still different.

For a buyer, that means model identification matters more than cosmetic similarity. A Bermuda owner should not assume a 16-inch Willys tire fits simply because it looks era-correct, and a CJ 5 owner should not assume any 16-inch vintage tire is the right match. If the vehicle has changed hands several times or has undergone restoration work, it is wise to verify the body style and the actual wheel before moving on to product selection.

1955 Willys tires are available in several period-style sidewall treatments, but the choices depend on size. The 700-16 used on the 226 comes in blackwall and wide whitewall versions. The 640-15 used on the Bermuda offers wide whitewall and narrow whitewall choices, while the 600-16 used on the CJ 5 appears in blackwall and wide whitewall form. All of these are bias-ply tires, so the sidewall decision is mainly about appearance within the correct model-specific size.

For restoration-minded owners, sidewall style can change the entire personality of the vehicle. A whitewall often suits a passenger car or stylish wagon more naturally, while a blackwall generally aligns with a more utilitarian presentation. The right answer for a 1955 Willys depends on the model and the look you want to present, whether that is showroom-era visual character or a more workmanlike, understated finish.

Several established brands offer tires for 1955 Willys vehicles, with the exact lineup varying by size. The 700-16 fitment for the 226 is available from Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. The 640-15 fitment for the Bermuda is available from BFGoodrich and Firestone. The 600-16 fitment for the CJ 5 includes BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone, giving that model the broadest visible brand range among the three.

Brand choice on a 1955 Willys usually comes down to presentation, product series, and any specific load or speed marking you want to retain rather than to a universal one-brand answer for the whole make. It is worth comparing the exact product within the correct size, because one brand may offer a blackwall while another emphasizes a whitewall version, and some products carry more detailed service markings than others.

For a 1955 Willys Bermuda using 640-15 tires, both Firestone and BFGoodrich offer bias-ply options, but the visible differences are in sidewall treatment and listed rim-width range. BFGoodrich offers a 3.00-inch whitewall with a listed rim-width range of 4.00-4.50 inches and a load figure of 1190 pounds at 32 psi. Firestone offers 2.75-inch and 2.125-inch wide whitewalls with a 4.50-5.00 inch rim-width range and the same 1190 pounds at 32 psi, plus a 1.00-inch narrow whitewall rated at 970 pounds at 32 psi.

That makes the choice less about broad construction differences and more about visual detail and wheel compatibility. A Bermuda owner comparing these tires should verify actual wheel width, then decide whether a fuller whitewall or a narrower stripe better suits the car’s restoration style. Matching the sidewall width to the period look you want can matter just as much as choosing the correct 640-15 size itself.

Rim-width requirements for 1955 Willys tires vary by size and by product. Certain 700-16 tires for the 226 list a 4.50-5.50 inch rim-width range. The 640-15 tires used on the Bermuda appear with ranges of 4.00-4.50 inches on some BFGoodrich products and 4.50-5.00 inches on some Firestone products. Certain 600-16 tires for the CJ 5 list a 4.00-4.50 inch rim-width range.

That variation is important because an old wheel that is the correct diameter can still be a poor match if its width falls outside the tire’s approved range. Before choosing a 1955 Willys tire, measure the wheel or confirm its size with certainty, especially if the vehicle has replacement rims or a mixed set. Staying within the listed rim-width range helps preserve the intended casing shape and fit on the wheel.

The available 1955 Willys products shown here do not carry tube-type or tubeless markers in their size descriptions, so the practical tube decision should be made by the specific tire’s construction details and, just as importantly, by the wheel itself. All of the listed fitments are bias-ply tires in vintage sizes, which often appear on older-style wheels that may be run with tubes depending on wheel design and condition. That question matters most on original or reproduction steel wheels that were built around earlier tire standards.

A 1955 Willys owner should inspect the wheel before assuming a tube or tubeless setup. If the wheel lacks modern tubeless bead characteristics, has surface corrosion, or is being restored for traditional service practice, an inner tube may be part of the correct setup. Check the actual tire sidewall marking and wheel configuration together rather than treating every 700-16, 640-15, or 600-16 tire as identical in this respect.

A 1955 Willys should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, generators, and other ozone-producing equipment. Bias-ply tires can develop flat spotting more readily than modern radials when left sitting for long periods, so static storage conditions matter. Clean, dry floors are preferable to damp ground, and the vehicle should not be left with underinflated tires during storage.

Periodic movement helps reduce casing set, and some owners use stands for longer inactive periods if suspension and storage conditions allow. If the vehicle remains on its tires, rolling it occasionally changes the contact patch and helps prevent one area from carrying the load continuously. A 1955 Willys that is stored thoughtfully will usually return to service with fewer vibration, cracking, and pressure-retention surprises.

Tires on a 1955 Willys should be judged more by age and condition than by miles traveled. Collector vehicles often see limited annual mileage, so a tire can look usable in tread depth while still aging out internally. A good practice is to evaluate tires closely once they reach roughly five to seven years of service and to treat around ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration regardless of tread. The DOT date code, if present on the tire, helps establish age.

That matters because a low-mile Willys parked carefully in a garage may still be riding on old rubber that no longer offers the same reliability as when new. Sidewall cracking, hardness, recurring air loss, and casing distortion are stronger warning signs than mileage alone. If the age of the tires is uncertain, replacing them can be a smarter move than trusting appearance on a vehicle that may spend long periods off the road.

Tires on a 1955 Willys should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, tread separation signs, and pressure loss. Because these are vintage-style bias-ply tires, a visual inspection should also include checking how the car has been sitting and whether any flat spotting remains after a short warm-up drive. Valve stems and the spare deserve the same attention as the four road tires.

Frequent inspections matter more on older vehicles because the tire is only one part of an aging system that may include original-style wheels and hardware. A quick walkaround before using a 1955 Willys can catch problems early, especially after long storage or seasonal temperature changes. If the vehicle uses tubes, valve stem condition and any signs of creeping or leakage should be part of the inspection routine as well.

A 1955 Willys CJ 5 would have been fitted in the bias-ply era, and the listed model-specific size for the CJ 5 is 600-16. That size mounts on a 16-inch wheel and aligns with the period construction type expected for an early civilian Jeep. Original-equipment branding could vary by production source, market, and replacement history over the life of the vehicle, so the most reliable point here is the correct size and bias-ply construction rather than a single brand assumption.

For an owner restoring a 1955 Willys CJ 5, that means starting with 600-16 bias-ply tires and then refining the choice by sidewall style and the visual character of the finished vehicle. A blackwall often suits a utility-oriented Jeep presentation, while some owners may choose a whitewall for a more personalized period look. Marque clubs and factory literature are the best places to confirm market-specific original-delivery details for a particular restoration standard.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1955 Willys because judged vehicles are often evaluated on whether the tire size, construction type, and sidewall presentation suit the model and era. A 700-16 on a 226, a 640-15 on a Bermuda, and a 600-16 on a CJ 5 each tell a different fitment story, and mixing those model-specific sizes would be an obvious mismatch. On a mid-1950s Willys, a modern-looking substitution or the wrong sidewall style can stand out quickly.

Show standards vary, but judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts usually notice whether the tires complement the vehicle’s intended restoration theme. A Bermuda with an unsuitable sidewall treatment or a CJ 5 wearing the wrong size can undermine otherwise careful work. Owners aiming for points judging should confirm size, construction, and sidewall details with the event rules or a Willys marque specialist before finalizing the tire choice.

For the 1955 Willys 226 in 700-16, both Firestone and BFGoodrich offer bias-ply tires, and both list 16-inch rim diameter with a 4.50-5.50 inch rim-width range on the examples shown here. The BFGoodrich version appears as a blackwall tire with a listed load figure of 1900 pounds at 36 psi. The Firestone version shown is a 4.00-inch wide whitewall with a listed load figure of 1800 pounds at 36 psi, making sidewall appearance one of the most visible distinctions between them.

A 1955 Willys 226 owner comparing these two is largely deciding how the finished car should present itself while staying within the correct size and construction. The blackwall BFGoodrich leans toward a simpler visual treatment, while the Firestone wide whitewall emphasizes a more dressed-up mid-1950s look. Wheel width should still be confirmed, but in this comparison the strongest separation is the look of the tire on the car.

1955 Willys tires can be suitable for highway use when they are in good condition, correctly inflated, and matched to the vehicle’s proper size, but their construction and service markings still matter. All three fitments here are bias-ply tires, and some products include explicit speed ratings, such as L on an Avon 700-16C with a 75 mph ceiling and H on an Avon 600H16 with a 130 mph ceiling. Those ratings apply to the specific tire, not to every tire in the size, and many other products rely more on traditional size-and-load presentation than modern high-speed marketing language.

A 1955 Willys owner should treat the tire as one part of the total roadworthiness picture. On an older Jeep, wagon, or passenger car, braking, steering, suspension condition, and alignment are often just as important as the tire’s rated capability at normal highway speeds. Choosing the correct size, avoiding aged or cracked tires, and driving within the limits of both the product and the vehicle itself are the real safety priorities.

Inflation pressure on a 1955 Willys should follow the vehicle’s factory recommendations for the correct size and also respect the tire’s own load-and-pressure markings where those are given. Examples in these fitments include 700-16 tires listed at 1900 pounds at 36 psi and 1800 pounds at 36 psi, 640-15 tires listed at 1190 pounds at 32 psi and 970 pounds at 32 psi, and 600-16 tires listed at 1400 pounds at 32 psi. Those figures are not universal operating instructions for every Willys model, but they do show that pressures and carrying capacities differ by product and size.

The practical approach is to start with the original owner’s manual or factory specification for your exact model, then compare it against the tire manufacturer’s guidance for the specific reproduction tire you are using. A 640-15 Bermuda tire should not automatically be inflated like a 700-16 226 tire, and a Jeep application should not be assumed to share passenger-car settings. Matching pressure to the exact model and tire helps preserve ride quality, handling feel, and tire life.

Before a longer drive in a 1955 Willys, inspect all five tires for cracking, weathering, cuts, bulges, abnormal wear, and correct cold inflation pressure. Verify that the spare is usable, the valve stems are sound, and the wheel fasteners are secure. If the vehicle has been sitting, look for flat spotting and make sure each tire is holding air consistently. On a vintage Willys, tire condition should be checked alongside brakes, steering, wheel bearings, fluids, and lighting.

That broader pre-drive habit matters because a collector vehicle may seem fine around town and still reveal age-related issues once distance and heat build up. A careful inspection is especially important if the car has older bias-ply tires, has been in storage, or has recently returned to service after restoration work. A few minutes spent checking the tires and the rest of the chassis can prevent the most common road-trip interruptions.