1938 Vehicle Tire Fitment Guide

1938 vehicle tire sizes in this guide include 550-16, 600-16, 6.25-16, 650-16, 700-15, 700-16, 750-16, 700-17, 750-17, and 825-16. Every listed application uses bias-ply construction, which fits the period character of late-1930s American cars. Most fitments are on 16-inch wheels, but certain models use 15-inch or 17-inch sizes.

The year covers everything from smaller cars such as the 1938 Ford 60 Series and 1938 Willys 4 Cyl. up through luxury applications like the 1938 Packard 12 Cyl. and 1938 Pierce Arrow line. That spread is why size identification matters so much for 1938 vehicle tire fitment. A tire that suits one series or chassis can be completely wrong for another car from the same year.

No, 1938 vehicles do not use one universal tire size. Fitment varies widely by make, model, and series, with smaller applications using sizes such as 550-16 and mainstream cars often using 600-16 or 650-16. Larger and more prestigious models step up into sizes like 700-16, 750-16, 700-17, 750-17, or even 825-16.

Even within a single brand, tire size can change significantly. Buick, for example, ranges from 650-16 to 750-16 depending on series, while Lincoln splits between 700-16 and 750-17. Some models are even associated with more than one listed size, including the 1938 Dodge D 8 and 1938 Nash Ambassador. That makes exact vehicle identification more important than relying on year alone.

Start by confirming the exact year, make, and full model name, then match that vehicle to its listed tire size. For 1938 cars, series designations matter because different trim or chassis lines within the same make often use different sizes. Once the correct size is identified, compare wheel diameter and any stated rim-width guidance on the available tire products.

On surviving prewar cars, it is also wise to inspect the current wheel and overall configuration before ordering. Restored vehicles may have had wheels changed over the decades, and some 1938 applications appear with more than one size. Using the vehicle identification together with wheel measurement and clearance checks gives the strongest path to accurate 1938 tire selection.

The 1938 fitment guide covers a broad mix of American makes, including Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, De Soto, Dodge, Ford, Graham, Hudson, Hupmobile, La Salle, Lafayette, Lincoln, Nash, Oldsmobile, Packard, Pierce Arrow, Plymouth, Pontiac, Studebaker, Terraplane, and Willys. That range includes both everyday passenger cars and high-end luxury models.

Because the year spans so many market segments, 1938 vehicle tire fitment is especially diverse. Compact and lower-priced cars often use smaller sizes, while prestige cars move into larger 16-inch and 17-inch applications. This make spread is useful for shoppers because it shows where sizes are shared across brands and where certain fitments are tied to just one or two upscale model lines.

The listed tire sizes are associated with a wide range of 1938 models, from the 1938 Chevrolet Deluxe and 1938 Ford 85 Series to the 1938 Cadillac V16, 1938 Lincoln V12, and 1938 Packard 12 Cyl. Some sizes appear across many mainstream cars, while others are tied to a small number of upper-series applications.

Several makes also show internal variety at the model level. The 1938 Hudson lineup spans 550-16, 600-16, and 650-16 depending on series, while Packard moves from 650-16 and 700-16 up to 825-16 on its twelve-cylinder car. That kind of variation is typical of the period and is one reason model names and series numbers remain important when researching 1938 tires.

Yes, different models from 1938 very often use different tire sizes, even within the same make. A brand’s entry-level, mid-level, and premium cars could all have distinct fitments. Buick is a good example, with separate sizes for the 1938 Buick 40 Series, 60 Series, 80 Series, and 90 Series.

This pattern also appears in Ford, Hudson, Oldsmobile, Packard, Pontiac, and others. In some cases, one model is associated with more than one size, such as the 1938 Chrysler Imperial or 1938 Plymouth Deluxe. That means shoppers should avoid assuming that a single year or brand equals a single tire size. The exact model and series remain the key to proper 1938 vehicle tire fitment.

The available 1938 vehicle tires here are bias-ply tires. Product families include classic passenger-car offerings such as BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and select Avon, Excelsior, Garfield, Ensign, and STA products depending on size. Sidewall treatments vary by tire size and product line.

This is appropriate for a 1938 fitment guide because bias-ply construction reflects the period’s standard design approach. Some sizes offer simple blackwalls, while others also include wide whitewalls or even double-whitewall treatments on selected 17-inch applications. The available mix gives owners options for visual presentation without changing the fundamental construction type associated with these listed 1938 fitments.

The listed 1938 vehicle tire applications are bias-ply. No radial fitments are represented among the available sizes and products in this guide. That means shoppers researching 1938 tire sizes should expect period-style bias-ply construction across the board, whether they are looking at a common size like 600-16 or a large luxury size such as 750-17 or 825-16.

Bias-ply construction is important not only for fitment but also for the car’s overall character. Late-1930s vehicles were engineered around tires of this general type, and many restoration-minded owners prefer the corresponding appearance. Product differences still exist within that category, including brand, sidewall style, series, and stated load capacity, so construction is consistent even though product selection is not identical from one size to another.

Tire sizes vary across 1938 vehicles because cars from that year differed greatly in weight, wheel diameter, chassis class, and market position. Smaller cars could use compact sizes such as 550-16, while larger sedans and luxury models required bigger fitments like 700-16, 750-16, or 750-17. In this guide, however, construction type does not vary; the listed products are all bias ply.

The size spread reflects how broad the 1938 marketplace really was. A Chevrolet or Willys had very different physical requirements from a Cadillac V16 or Pierce Arrow. Wheel dimensions also change by application, and some products include rim-width guidance that shows those differences. Even when two cars share a year, they may have been built for entirely different duty, proportions, and styling expectations.

Choose 1938 vehicle tires by first confirming the exact tire size for the make and model, then reviewing construction, wheel diameter, and any stated rim-width guidance. Since these are bias-ply applications, the next major decision is usually appearance, especially whether a blackwall, wide whitewall, or in some cases double-whitewall best suits the vehicle and restoration style.

Product selection also depends on how specialized the fitment is. Common sizes like 600-16 and 650-16 offer broader choices, while larger luxury sizes are more limited. If specifications such as maximum load capacity are provided for a product, they can be useful for comparing options within that exact size. On older restorations, confirm wheel and clearance details before treating any listed option as automatically correct.

Available brands for 1938 vehicle tires include BFGoodrich, Firestone, Coker Classic, Lester, Avon, Excelsior, Garfield, STA, and Ensign, depending on the tire size. Not every brand appears in every fitment, so the options for a 550-16 car may differ from those for a 750-17 or 825-16 application. Brand choice is therefore tied directly to the size your vehicle uses.

Several of the year’s most common sizes have especially broad brand coverage. For example, 600-16, 650-16, and 700-16 include multiple established vintage-style product lines, while more specialized sizes may have fewer choices. The practical approach is to identify the correct size first, then compare the brands available within that size by sidewall style, stated specifications, and overall presentation.

1938 vehicle tires are available in blackwall and wide whitewall styles across many of the listed sizes, and certain 17-inch applications also offer double-whitewall treatments. The exact sidewall options depend on the tire size and product line. A common size like 600-16 may have several whitewall and blackwall choices, while a specialized size may have a narrower menu.

Sidewall style can strongly affect the visual character of a prewar car. A blackwall can suit a more restrained or utilitarian appearance, while a wide whitewall creates a more formal late-1930s presentation. On selected 700-17 and 750-17 products, double-whitewall offerings add another period-oriented look. Since sidewall choices are not universal across all sizes, buyers should review the products within their exact fitment.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1938 vehicle. Changes to wheels, suspension, brake components, steering parts, ride height, or bodywork can alter the space available for the tire and may also change the wheel dimensions needed for proper installation. This matters even when the vehicle is associated with a listed 1938 tire size.

Many surviving prewar cars have been restored, updated, or repaired over decades of use, so current configuration should never be assumed. A replacement wheel may differ from original dimensions, and clearance at the fender, steering arms, or rear body can become an issue. Before installing new tires, confirm the actual wheel diameter, any applicable rim-width range, and the available clearance on the specific car.

Before installing tires on a 1938 vehicle, confirm the exact year, make, model, and applicable tire size, then verify the wheel diameter and inspect the wheel itself. If the product includes rim-width guidance, compare it to the wheel on the car. It is also smart to check for clearance around fenders, suspension parts, and steering components before mounting the tires.

Prewar cars can differ from their original configuration, especially if they have been restored or fitted with replacement wheels. A model such as the 1938 Dodge D 8 or 1938 Nash Ambassador may appear with more than one listed size, so visual comparison alone is not enough. Reviewing the tire’s sidewall style, stated load information where available, and intended use can help avoid ordering a tire that looks right but is not the best fit.

Tires on a 1938 vehicle should be inspected regularly for air pressure, tread wear, sidewall aging, cracking, uneven wear, and any signs of impact damage or prolonged underinflation. If a product includes a stated pressure relationship tied to load capacity, that specification should be respected. The wheel, valve stem, and bead area also deserve periodic attention, especially on older cars.

Because these are bias-ply tires for prewar applications, maintenance should also include watching for alignment or suspension issues that can affect wear. Collector vehicles often sit for long periods, which makes storage conditions and periodic movement important. Keeping the tires clean, correctly inflated, and free from overload helps preserve both appearance and service life on 1938 cars used for touring, shows, or occasional road driving.