1964 Studebaker Tire Fitment Guide

1964 Studebaker vehicles use three tire sizes: 6.50-15, 600-15, and 670-15. The 670-15 fits every model group here, including 6 Cyl., 8 Cyl., Avanti, Hawk, and Wagons. The 6.50-15 fits the 6 Cyl., 8 Cyl., and Wagons, while the 600-15 is used on the 6 Cyl. models and Wagons. All three sizes mount on 15-inch wheels, and the two 600-15 products cover rim widths from 4.00 to 5.00 inches.

That means year and make alone are not enough to choose a tire for every 1964 Studebaker. If you own an Avanti or Hawk, the choice is straightforward at this level because 670-15 is the only size used here. If you own a six-cylinder car, eight-cylinder car, or wagon, check the model and the actual wheel before ordering so you stay with the size range that suits the vehicle and the wheel.

On a 1964 Studebaker, 600-15 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The first number refers to a nominal section width of about 6.00 inches, and the 15 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. It is an original-era style size rather than a modern metric radial code, and it appears on certain six-cylinder Studebaker cars and wagons in this year range.

The practical value of understanding the code is that it keeps you from confusing a narrower original-style passenger-car tire with a larger 670-15 alternative that also fits some 1964 Studebaker models. On this year and make, 600-15 also comes with different rim-width ranges depending on the product, so the size code alone is only the first step. After identifying 600-15, confirm that the wheel width matches the specific tire you want to use.

No, not all 1964 Studebaker models use the same tire size. The 670-15 is shared across all five model groups, but the 6.50-15 appears only on the 6 Cyl., 8 Cyl., and Wagons, and the 600-15 is limited to the 6 Cyl. models and Wagons. Avanti and Hawk are the simplest cases here because both use only 670-15 at the year-make level.

That difference matters because a buyer working from year and make alone could easily choose a size that belongs to a different branch of the lineup. Studebaker’s 1964 range still covered practical family cars, wagons, and sporty specialty models, so tire sizing was not one-size-fits-all. If your car falls into one of the shared-size groups, use the model as your first checkpoint and the wheel as your second.

1964 Studebaker tires in the available sizes come in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. The 600-15 is available from BFGoodrich in either blackwall or a 2.625-inch wide whitewall. The 670-15 is available in blackwall form from Firestone and Universal Vintage Tire, and in wide whitewall form from US Royal and Coker Classic, with whitewall widths around 2 11/16 to 2.75 inches on those products.

For a 1964 Studebaker, sidewall choice changes the car’s personality almost as much as the wheel cover. Wide whitewalls lean toward a more formal early-1960s appearance, while blackwalls usually look more understated or sporty, especially on Hawk and Avanti applications. If authenticity matters for a particular trim or market version, compare period photos and club resources before settling on a sidewall treatment.

Five brands cover the currently available tire choices for 1964 Studebaker vehicles: BFGoodrich, Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire. BFGoodrich covers the 600-15 size, while the 670-15 is available from Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire. Every product in these sizes is a bias-ply tire, which matches the original construction era of a 1964 Studebaker.

Brand choice on a car like a 1964 Studebaker often comes down to the appearance you want and the exact size your model uses rather than a simple brand ranking. Some buyers choose by sidewall treatment first, then narrow it by brand within the correct size. Others start with a preferred historic name and then confirm that the matching product fits the wheel width and load needs of the car.

The two BFGoodrich 600-15 choices for a 1964 Studebaker share the same basic size, bias-ply construction, 15-inch rim diameter, and 1,150-pound load capacity at 32 psi. The main differences are sidewall style, weight, and rim-width range. The wide whitewall version uses a 2.625-inch whitewall, weighs 19 pounds, and fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims, while the blackwall weighs 18 pounds and fits 4.50 to 5.00-inch rims.

That makes the choice more than cosmetic. If your six-cylinder Studebaker or wagon wears a narrower wheel, the whitewall version may align better with the wheel dimensions, while a slightly wider wheel may point toward the blackwall option. Compare the wheel you actually have before deciding, especially if the car has been restored, modified, or fitted with replacement wheels at some point in its life.

Rim-width guidance is available for the 600-15 and 670-15 sizes used on 1964 Studebaker vehicles. The 600-15 fits rims from 4.00 to 4.50 inches in one BFGoodrich version and 4.50 to 5.00 inches in another. The 670-15 products shown here fit 4.50 to 5.00-inch rims in Firestone and US Royal form, and 5.00 to 6.00-inch rims in the Coker Classic version.

That overlap is useful because it shows why size alone does not finish the job on a 1964 Studebaker. Even within one size, different tire designs can favor slightly different wheel widths. Measure the wheel or verify its width before committing to a product, especially if the car has aftermarket wheels, replacement steel wheels, or wheels swapped from another Studebaker model group.

The available 600-15 and 670-15 products here do not carry tube-type or tubeless markings in the size description, so the tube decision should be made by the specific tire’s sidewall marking and the wheel design itself. On a 1964 Studebaker, original-style 15-inch wheels may or may not be suited to tubeless operation depending on their construction, condition, and whether they have the proper safety-bead profile.

That means the wheel deserves as much attention as the tire. If your Studebaker still runs original wheels, inspect the rim condition and confirm whether the intended tire is marked for tube-type or tubeless use before mounting. If there is any doubt, a shop experienced with vintage wheels or a Studebaker marque specialist can help you avoid mismatching the tire and wheel setup.

All three tire sizes used on 1964 Studebaker vehicles here share the same 15-inch rim diameter, so they are compatible with the same basic wheel diameter. That said, wheel width still matters. The 600-15 products span 4.00 to 5.00 inches depending on version, while 670-15 examples here range from 4.50 to 6.00 inches depending on brand and product design.

In practical terms, that means an original 15-inch wheel may accept more than one 1964 Studebaker tire size, but not every 15-inch wheel is equally suitable for every product. A six-cylinder car or wagon with a narrower wheel may point you toward a different tire than an Avanti or Hawk with a wider one. Confirm the wheel width before assuming any 15-inch Studebaker tire is automatically interchangeable.

A 1964 Studebaker should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires protected from sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, and other ozone sources that accelerate rubber aging. Keep the tires clean, maintain proper inflation, and move the car periodically so it does not rest on one footprint for months at a time. Because these are bias-ply sizes, they are more prone to temporary flat-spotting after long static storage than a modern radial would be.

That storage routine helps preserve both appearance and road manners. If the Studebaker will sit for an extended period, many owners roll it occasionally or use stands to reduce prolonged loading, while still supporting the suspension correctly. A little prevention goes a long way on a collector car whose tires may age out long before the tread wears away.

Tires on a 1964 Studebaker should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. On a collector vehicle, a close evaluation around the five- to seven-year mark is sensible, and many owners begin serious replacement consideration at roughly ten years regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code on the tire is the best quick reference for age, but sidewall condition, storage history, and pressure retention matter just as much.

That age-based approach is especially important for a low-use Studebaker that may spend long stretches parked. A tire can look respectable and still be nearing the end of its safe service life. If the car has older reproduction bias-ply tires with cracking, hardening, or repeated air-loss issues, replacing them is usually wiser than trying to stretch more calendar years out of them.

Tires on a 1964 Studebaker deserve a quick inspection before every drive and a more deliberate inspection before any longer outing. Check air pressure, look for sidewall cracks, bulges, weathering, uneven wear, punctures, and any signs that the car has been sitting on low pressure. If the wheel-and-tire setup uses tubes, the valve stems and tube-related sealing points deserve attention too.

Regular inspection is one of the easiest ways to avoid trouble on an older car whose use can be irregular. Collector vehicles often go from weeks of inactivity to an all-day drive or event without much middle ground, so catching a weak tire early matters. Make the spare part of the routine as well, since a decades-old spare can be in worse shape than the four on the ground.

For a 1964 Studebaker Avanti, the year-make fitment here points to 670-15, and the original construction era was bias-ply. That aligns with how American cars of the period were normally equipped before radial tires became common in the U.S. market. A specific original brand should not be assumed from year and make alone, but the available 670-15 bias-ply format is the correct style family for an authenticity-minded Avanti restoration.

If you are restoring an Avanti for judged events, treat 670-15 bias-ply as the foundation and then verify details such as sidewall style against period photography, factory literature, and Avanti club resources. Studebaker history in its final years included production and market nuances, so event-level authenticity often depends on more than size alone. That extra research is worthwhile when appearance and judging points matter.

Yes, correct tire fitment matters when showing a 1964 Studebaker because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, and sidewall style right away. A 1964 Studebaker belongs to an era where bias-ply construction was normal, so an obviously modern substitute can change the visual stance and sidewall character of the car. Whitewall width and blackwall versus whitewall choice can also affect whether the finished look suits the model and presentation.

That does not mean every event uses the same standard, but it does mean tire choice should be part of the restoration plan instead of an afterthought. Owners aiming for concours-level accuracy should compare their intended tire against period photos and ask Studebaker club members what is accepted in the classes they plan to enter. The right size and sidewall treatment can do as much for authenticity as paint details or trim.

For a 1964 Studebaker, both Firestone and Coker Classic offer 670-15 bias-ply tires on 15-inch rims, but their details differ. The Firestone example here is a blackwall with a 1,450-pound load capacity at 32 psi and a 4.50 to 5.00-inch rim-width range. The Coker Classic example is a wide whitewall with a 1,550-pound load capacity at 32 psi and a 5.00 to 6.00-inch rim-width range.

Those differences make the comparison partly about appearance and partly about wheel compatibility. A buyer restoring a sporty or understated 1964 Studebaker may prefer the blackwall look, while a more formal presentation may lean toward the wide whitewall. The wheel width can be the deciding factor, since the Firestone and Coker Classic versions do not target exactly the same rim-width range even though they share the same nominal tire size.

The 1964 Studebaker tires covered here are bias-ply designs, and no speed-rating letters are shown for the available 600-15 or 670-15 products. That means highway use should be approached with the expectations appropriate to a vintage bias-ply tire and a 1964 automobile rather than a modern touring car. On a well-sorted Studebaker, the larger limitation at ordinary highway speeds is often the age, setup, and mechanical condition of the car as a whole rather than sheer tire capability alone.

Safe highway driving starts with condition and realism. A freshly inspected Studebaker on properly inflated, age-appropriate tires can be enjoyable on modern roads, but it should still be driven within the limits of its brakes, suspension, steering feel, and vintage tire behavior. If you plan frequent long-distance highway use, pay close attention to tire age, wheel condition, and how the car tracks and responds before stretching its range.

Load-and-pressure figures shown for 1964 Studebaker tire products include 1,150 pounds at 32 psi for the 600-15, 1,450 pounds at 32 psi for some 670-15 options, and 1,550 pounds at 32 psi for one 670-15 option. Those figures are tire ratings, not a blanket inflation recommendation for every 1964 Studebaker application. Factory vehicle pressure recommendations should come from the owner’s manual or period service information for the specific model.

Use the vehicle recommendation as the starting point, then make sure the tire you choose is being used within its own published limits. Avoid carrying a pressure figure from one Studebaker size to another simply because the wheel diameter is the same. Tire size, vehicle weight distribution, and the individual tire’s construction all play into the correct final pressure for real-world use.

Before a longer drive in a 1964 Studebaker, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, uneven wear, and proper cold inflation. Check that the valve stems are sound, and if the tire-and-wheel setup uses tubes, make sure there are no signs of slow leakage or stem distress. The spare should also be aired up and inspected, because an old spare on a collector car is often forgotten until it is urgently needed.

Tires are only one part of the pre-trip routine on a car of this age. A prudent longer-drive check also includes wheel fasteners, brakes, steering play, suspension condition, lights, and fluid levels so the Studebaker is ready as a complete system. Doing that work before departure is far easier than sorting out a preventable roadside problem with a vintage car and vintage-style tires.