1939 Vehicle Tire Fitment Guide

1939 vehicles in this guide use a broad range of bias-ply tire sizes, including 4.25-12, 500-16, 550-16, 600-16, 6.25-16, 650-16, 700-15, 700-16, 750-16, 750-17, and 825-16. Most of the year’s applications center on 16-inch sizes, especially 600-16 and 650-16, but larger premium cars and smaller specialty vehicles branch out from that pattern.

That spread reflects how varied the 1939 market was. Smaller cars such as the 1939 Crosley 2 Cyl. and 1939 Willys models used much smaller tires, while senior luxury cars from Packard, Cadillac, Buick, and Lincoln moved into larger section widths or different rim diameters. The right approach is to begin with the exact year, make, and model, then confirm the tire size before choosing a brand or sidewall style.

No, 1939 vehicles do not use one universal tire size. Even though many popular models share 600-16, the year includes much smaller fitments like 4.25-12 and 500-16, plus larger sizes such as 700-16, 750-16, 750-17, and 825-16. Tire size varies significantly by make, model, and vehicle class.

This is especially important with late-1930s cars because a single make could span several size categories. Buick, Packard, Ford, Chrysler, Plymouth, and others all show size variation within their own lineups. Some individual models are even associated with more than one size, so a year-only search is not enough. Confirming the exact model designation and wheel setup is the best way to avoid ordering a tire that is close in era but wrong in fitment.

Start by identifying the exact 1939 make and full model name, then match it to the tire size associated with that application. For example, 1939 fitment can change between models of the same brand, and in some cases a single model line is linked to more than one size. That means the model designation matters just as much as the year.

After narrowing down the likely size, confirm the wheel diameter and the vehicle’s current configuration. Restored cars may have replacement wheels, and long-term ownership changes can alter what is currently installed. Once the size is confirmed, compare available products within that size for construction, sidewall appearance, rim-width guidance where listed, and any product attribute that affects how the tire suits the vehicle’s intended use.

The 1939 makes represented here include Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Crosley, De Soto, Dodge, Ford, Graham, Hudson, Hupmobile, La Salle, Lafayette, Lincoln, Nash, Oldsmobile, Packard, Plymouth, Pontiac, Studebaker, and Willys. Together they cover a wide cross-section of late-1930s American passenger-car applications, from compact economy cars to large luxury automobiles.

That variety matters because it creates a very broad fitment range. A 1939 Ford, Chevrolet, or Pontiac may use a common passenger-car size, while a 1939 Packard or Lincoln can move into substantially larger dimensions. The make list is therefore useful as a starting point, but the exact model is what determines whether a given tire size and product family is actually relevant.

The year includes many distinct model applications, such as the 1939 Chevrolet Deluxe, 1939 Chevrolet Master, 1939 Buick 90 Series, 1939 Chrysler Imperial, 1939 Lincoln V12, 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series, and 1939 Willys Standard. Some models share common sizes with many other cars, while others are tied to a more specialized fitment or even multiple listed sizes.

A practical way to read the year is by grouping models into patterns. Mainstream models often fall into 600-16, upper-mid models frequently use 650-16 or 700-16, and large senior cars move into 750-16, 750-17, or 825-16. Smaller models like the 1939 Crosley 2 Cyl. and certain Willys applications stand apart with notably smaller sizes, which makes accurate model identification especially important.

Yes, different 1939 models from the same year very often use different tire sizes. Buick is a good example, moving from 650-16 on the 1939 Buick 40 Special to 700-15, 700-16, and 750-16 across higher series. Packard also spans several sizes, and Ford ranges from 550-16 to 600-16 depending on the model.

This variation reflects how automakers tailored wheel and tire dimensions to vehicle weight, series position, and body size. It also means shoppers should not assume one 1939 make has one tire size across the board. The correct process is to identify the exact model first, then review the available tire products only within that size, especially when whitewall width, rim-width guidance, or specialty product attributes are part of the decision.

The available 1939 vehicle tires shown here are bias-ply products. Within that construction, the selection includes standard passenger-car offerings, period-style Blackwall and Wide Whitewall versions, and a few specialty products such as STA Traxion in 700-15 and a Firestone Dirt Track Ribbed Front tire in 500-16. Product type therefore depends heavily on the exact tire size.

For most 1939 passenger-car applications, the main decision is not radial versus bias-ply but which bias-ply product best matches the vehicle’s size, wheel, and appearance goals. Some sizes have broad brand coverage, while others are much narrower. If the car is being restored for a particular presentation style, sidewall treatment may be just as important as the nominal size when comparing options.

The 1939 tire applications and products represented here are bias-ply. That includes the listed vehicle tire sizes across compact, mainstream, and luxury models, as well as the currently shown product lines from brands such as Firestone, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Lester, Excelsior, Avon, Garfield, and STA where applicable.

Bias-ply construction is appropriate to the period character of 1939 cars and remains the central construction type for these fitments on this page. Even so, construction alone does not determine fit. A buyer still needs to confirm the exact size, wheel diameter, and, where listed, rim-width guidance. Product comparisons should then focus on the available sidewall style, series, load specification when shown, and any specialty attribute tied to that specific size.

Tire sizes vary across 1939 vehicles because the cars themselves varied widely in size, weight, and market position. A compact model like the 1939 Crosley 2 Cyl. needed a very different fitment than a large luxury car such as the 1939 Lincoln V12 or upper-series Packard. In this year guide, construction does not vary in the same way, because the listed products are consistently bias-ply.

The practical takeaway is that size was the main differentiator for 1939 fitment. Mainstream cars often clustered around 600-16, while larger models moved upward into 650-16, 700-16, and bigger. Differences in wheel diameter also appear, such as 700-15 and 750-17. That is why fitment research should follow the sequence of year, exact model, tire size, then product, instead of jumping straight to brand selection.

The most important factor is the exact tire size associated with the specific 1939 make and model. After that, compare available products by construction, sidewall style, rim diameter, and any listed rim-width or load specification. For many late-1930s cars, appearance also matters, since Blackwall and Wide Whitewall choices can change the overall presentation of the vehicle.

It also helps to think about the car’s intended use. A show-focused restoration may prioritize period-oriented sidewall styling, while a regularly driven collector car may place extra emphasis on matching wheel dimensions and product specifications closely. Because some 1939 models are linked to more than one fitment and some surviving cars have changed over time, confirm the current wheel and body clearance before making a final tire choice.

Available brands for 1939 vehicle tires include BFGoodrich, Firestone, Coker Classic, Avon, Lester, Excelsior, Garfield, and STA, depending on tire size. Brand coverage is not identical across the entire year, so the relevant question is usually which brands are offered in the specific size for the car, not which brands appear somewhere in the 1939 range.

For example, high-volume sizes such as 600-16 and 650-16 have broader brand representation, while more specialized sizes are narrower. Some sizes also include distinctive product lines, such as Firestone Balloon in 750-17 or STA Traxion in 700-15. Once the correct size is confirmed, brand comparison becomes more meaningful because it can be tied to the actual sidewall treatment, series, and specifications available for that fitment.

Sidewall styles available across 1939 vehicle tire products include Blackwall and Wide Whitewall, with Double-Whitewall also appearing in 750-17 offerings for the 1939 Lincoln V12 fitment. The exact sidewall choices depend on the tire size, so a car using 600-16 or 650-16 may have different visual options than one using a more specialized size.

This matters because sidewall styling is one of the most visible parts of a late-1930s tire choice. On some applications, a whitewall can create a more formal or upscale period look, while Blackwall can deliver a more restrained appearance. Selection should still begin with fitment, not styling alone. Once the proper size is identified, sidewall preference becomes a useful way to refine the final product choice.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1939 vehicle. Replacement wheels, altered suspension height, brake conversions, steering changes, body repairs, or non-original axle components can all influence clearance and wheel compatibility. Even if a certain size is associated with the vehicle, a modified car may no longer accept that size in exactly the same way.

This is especially relevant with collector vehicles because many surviving cars have been restored more than once over the decades. Before buying tires, check the actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and available clearance at the fender, steering, and suspension points. That is particularly important on models already linked to multiple possible fitments, where the correct choice depends on the specific configuration now on the car.

Before installing tires on a 1939 vehicle, confirm the exact year, make, model, and tire size, then verify the wheel diameter and wheel width. It is also wise to inspect the existing wheels for damage, corrosion, or mismatch, especially on vehicles that may have had wheels swapped during earlier repairs or restorations.

After the basic fitment check, compare the tire’s listed specifications with the vehicle’s actual setup. If rim-width guidance is provided for the product, use it. Also look at sidewall clearance, front steering clearance, and whether the car’s spare-tire carrier or fender openings limit overall tire dimensions. Installation is the final step in the fitment process, not the first, and careful verification helps prevent avoidable problems on vintage vehicles.

Tires on a 1939 vehicle should be inspected regularly for visible cracking, irregular wear, cuts, sidewall damage, and signs of age-related deterioration. Air pressure should be maintained to the product’s appropriate operating range, and the tires should be checked after long storage periods, since collector cars often spend extended time parked compared with modern daily drivers.

Maintenance also includes paying attention to the wheels and the vehicle around the tires. Misalignment, worn suspension components, and brake issues can all affect wear on bias-ply tires. Because 1939 cars often run sizes and constructions that are very different from modern replacements, owners should treat tire condition as part of overall preservation. Clean storage, proper inflation, and routine inspection help protect both the tires and the driving character of the vehicle.