1940 Vehicle Tire Fitment Guide

1940 vehicles used a wide spread of bias-ply tire sizes, including 4.25-12, 550-16, 600-16, 6.25-16, 650-16, 700-15, 700-16, 750-15, 750-16, and 750-17. The most commonly shared sizes were 600-16 and 650-16, while larger luxury and senior cars often moved into 700-16, 750-16, or 750-17 applications.

The size range reflects how different 1940 cars were from one another. Smaller models such as the 1940 Crosley 2 Cyl. used a compact fitment, while larger Buick, Cadillac, Chrysler, Lincoln, and Packard models required substantially bigger tires. When researching 1940 tire sizes, it helps to treat the year as a broad fitment family rather than assuming one universal size across all makes.

No. 1940 vehicles do not use one shared tire size. Even within the same make, tire fitment can change by series or model. Buick, Cadillac, Chrysler, Ford, Hudson, Oldsmobile, Packard, Plymouth, and Studebaker all show size differences across their 1940 model lines, ranging from lighter 550-16 applications to larger 750-series fitments.

That variation is exactly why year-only tire shopping is not enough for a prewar car. A 1940 Ford 60 Series, a 1940 Chevrolet Master, and a 1940 Lincoln V12 fall into very different fitment categories. Before selecting a product, confirm the exact year, make, model, and the tire size associated with that specific vehicle rather than relying on brand similarity or visual approximation.

Start with the exact year, make, and full model name, then match that vehicle to its associated tire size. For 1940 cars, that step matters because many makes used more than one size across the model range. Once the size is known, compare available products in that exact fitment, including sidewall style, rim diameter, and any published rim-width range or load specification.

It is also wise to check the actual wheels and the current tire markings on the vehicle, especially on restored or long-owned collector cars. Some surviving 1940 vehicles may no longer be on their original wheels. If the car has had suspension, brake, or wheel changes, confirm clearance and wheel dimensions before treating a listed year-and-model fitment as automatic.

The 1940 fitment guide covers a broad cross-section of American makes, including Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Crosley, De Soto, Dodge, Ford, Graham, Hudson, La Salle, Lafayette, Lincoln, Nash, Oldsmobile, Packard, Plymouth, Pontiac, Studebaker, and Willys. That range includes compact cars, mainstream passenger cars, and larger luxury models.

Because the makes represented are so diverse, the tire landscape is equally varied. A small Crosley application sits on the same year page as senior Cadillac and Lincoln fitments, but those vehicles are not remotely similar in tire requirements. Browsing by make is often the fastest way to narrow the correct 1940 vehicle tire fitment before comparing specific tire sizes and product options.

The 1940 model list includes everything from Chevrolet Deluxe and Chevrolet Master to Buick 90 Series, Cadillac V16, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln V12, Packard Super, and Studebaker Champion. Some makes have only one or two model groups represented, while others spread across several distinct series with their own tire sizes.

A few patterns stand out. Shared mainstream sizes such as 600-16 appear on many popular models, while larger sizes are concentrated on upper-end cars. Certain makes also show dual-size associations within a single model group, including the 1940 De Soto 6 Deluxe & Custom and 1940 Dodge Special Six & Deluxe. That is why model-level identification is a better guide than make alone.

Yes. Different models from the same 1940 model year often used different tire sizes, and in many cases those differences appear within the same make. Buick, Chrysler, Ford, Hudson, Oldsmobile, Packard, and Studebaker all show clear variation by series or model, with larger or more premium cars generally moving into larger fitments.

This is common in prewar and immediate prewar-era fitment charts because manufacturers offered broad model ranges with meaningful differences in chassis and vehicle class. A 1940 Cadillac 60 Series and a 1940 Cadillac V16 do not sit in the same tire category, even though they share the same make and year. For accurate 1940 tire selection, the full model name matters.

The available 1940 vehicle tires shown here are bias-ply products. Within that construction, there is still meaningful variety depending on tire size. Buyers can find traditional passenger-car offerings in blackwall and wide whitewall form, along with a few specialized products such as STA Traxion or Military NDT options in certain sizes.

The product mix also changes by fitment. Common sizes like 600-16 and 650-16 have broad brand coverage, while more specialized applications such as 750-15 or 4.25-12 are much narrower. That means the right tire for a 1940 vehicle is not just about construction type, but also about matching the specific size to the intended look, wheel, and use of the car.

The 1940 applications and products represented here are bias-ply. That includes the listed vehicle tire sizes and the currently available product selections tied to those fitments. For a 1940 collector vehicle, bias-ply construction is consistent with the period character of the cars covered on this page, from smaller 550-16 applications up through larger 750-16 and 750-17 fitments.

Bias-ply tires have a different visual profile and driving feel than later radial designs, so owners often consider them when preserving an era-appropriate look and response. Even within bias-ply construction, though, there are still important differences in sidewall treatment, tread type, rim-width compatibility, and load specification from one tire size or product line to another.

Tire sizes vary across 1940 vehicles because the cars themselves varied widely in size, weight, and market position. A compact Crosley, a mainstream Chevrolet, and a senior Lincoln or Cadillac were built for very different roles, so they did not share one common tire fitment. In this 1940 group, the construction type remains consistently bias-ply, but the dimensions change substantially.

Those differences also reflect the way manufacturers structured model ranges at the time. Lower-series cars often used smaller 16-inch sizes, while larger luxury applications could move to 700-16, 750-16, or 750-17. Within a single make, higher series frequently used larger tires. That is why year-only or make-only shopping can miss the real fitment distinction.

Start with the correct tire size for the exact 1940 make and model, then narrow the choice by construction, sidewall style, and any wheel-related specifications shown for that product. Since these are bias-ply applications, selection often comes down to whether the owner wants a blackwall, wide whitewall, or in some cases a more specialized tread or sidewall treatment.

It also helps to consider how the vehicle will be used. A preserved show car, a touring car, and a restoration with non-original wheels may not call for the same product choice even when the size matches. Check published rim diameter, any listed rim-width range, and load information where available so the final selection suits both the vehicle and its configuration.

Available brands across the 1940 tire sizes include BFGoodrich, Firestone, Coker Classic, Lester, Avon, Excelsior, Garfield, and STA. Brand coverage depends on the exact tire size. Popular sizes such as 600-16, 650-16, and 700-16 have multiple brand choices, while more specialized fitments can have a much narrower selection.

That brand spread gives owners room to prioritize appearance, tread style, or a specific product line within the correct size. For example, some sizes include classic passenger-car offerings from BFGoodrich or Firestone, while others add specialty choices such as Avon or STA. The best approach is to confirm fitment first, then compare brands only within the tire size that suits the vehicle.

1940 vehicle tires are available in several sidewall styles depending on size, including blackwall and wide whitewall, with double-whitewall also appearing in at least one 750-17 option. Sidewall selection is strongly size-dependent. Common sizes such as 550-16, 600-16, 650-16, 700-15, 700-16, and 750-16 include both blackwall and whitewall choices.

For many owners, sidewall style is one of the biggest visual decisions in a 1940 tire purchase. A blackwall can deliver a plainer, more understated appearance, while a wide whitewall creates a more formal prewar look. Since not every size offers every treatment, it makes sense to confirm the fitment first and then compare the available sidewall presentations within that size.

Yes. Modifications can absolutely affect tire fitment on a 1940 vehicle, even when the car originally used one of the listed year-and-model sizes. Wheel changes, brake conversions, suspension work, body alterations, and steering modifications can all change the space available for the tire or alter the wheel dimensions needed for proper mounting.

This is especially relevant on collector cars that have been restored over many decades or built in a period-custom style. A 1940 Ford, Plymouth, or Willys may no longer sit on stock wheels, and a larger luxury car may also have had wheel substitutions over time. Before ordering tires, confirm rim diameter, wheel width, and clearance at the fender and suspension points.

Before installing tires on a 1940 vehicle, confirm the exact tire size for the full make and model, then verify the wheel diameter and overall wheel condition. If a product includes a published rim-width range, compare that to the wheel on the car. Also check for adequate clearance around the fenders, steering components, and suspension throughout the turning range.

Collector cars often carry decades of changes, so the wheel currently on the car may not be the one it originally used. It is also smart to inspect tubes, flaps, and old mounting hardware if the application requires them, and to make sure the chosen sidewall style matches the owner’s restoration or presentation goals before final installation.

Tires on a 1940 vehicle should be inspected regularly for cracking, uneven wear, cuts, aging, and changes in inflation pressure. A bias-ply tire can look serviceable at a glance yet still need closer examination, especially on a collector car that spends long periods parked. Routine pressure checks and visual inspection of both sidewalls and tread are basic but important maintenance steps.

It also helps to watch how the vehicle sits and drives. Irregular wear can point to alignment, wheel, or suspension issues rather than a tire problem alone. On larger 1940 cars, paying attention to load rating and keeping the tire matched to the proper wheel can improve service life. Clean storage, proper inflation, and periodic movement help protect tires between drives.