1946 Vehicle Tire Fitment Guide

1946 vehicle tire sizes in this guide include 450-12, 550-16, 600-16, 650-16, 6.50-15, 700-15, 750-15, 750-16, and 185R16. Most of the year’s applications are bias-ply passenger-car sizes built around 15- and 16-inch wheels, while 185R16 appears as a radial fitment for the Bentley Mark.

The most widely shared sizes are 600-16, 650-16, 6.50-15, and 700-15, which show up across several domestic makes. More specialized sizes include 450-12 for the Crosley 4 Cyl., 550-16 for the Mercedes-Benz 170 and Studebaker Champion, and 750-series fitments for larger applications. That mix makes 1946 tire identification heavily dependent on exact make and model rather than year alone.

No. 1946 vehicles used a range of tire sizes, and the correct fitment depends on the exact make and model. A compact application such as the Crosley 4 Cyl. uses 450-12, many mainstream cars use 600-16 or 650-16, several larger cars use 700-15, and some heavier or more specialized cars step into 750-15 or 750-16.

Variation also exists within the same make. Cadillac includes both 700-15 and 750-16 applications, Chrysler spans 6.50-15 and 700-15, and Oldsmobile covers several sizes across different series. That is why 1946 vehicle tire fitment should always be narrowed by year, make, model, and the actual size associated with the vehicle before choosing a product.

Start by identifying the exact 1946 make and full model name, then match it to the tire size associated with that application. A 1946 Plymouth Deluxe points to 600-16, a 1946 Lincoln Zephyr uses 700-15, and a 1946 Mercedes-Benz 170 uses 550-16. That model-specific step is the quickest way to avoid shopping the wrong size.

It also helps to confirm the wheel diameter and the vehicle’s current configuration before ordering. Some 1946 models are linked to more than one size, including the Packard Clipper, De Soto 6 Deluxe & Custom, and Chrysler Royal & Windsor C38. Restored or modified cars may no longer carry their earlier wheel setup, so checking the existing tire size and wheel details is still an important final step.

The 1946 fitment guide includes Bentley, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Crosley, De Soto, Dodge, Ford, Hudson, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Mercury, Nash, Oldsmobile, Packard, Plymouth, Pontiac, and Studebaker. That range covers compact cars, mainstream passenger cars, upscale domestic models, and a few distinctive European or specialty applications.

This variety is one reason 1946 vehicle tire shopping is not just a matter of picking a common size. Some makes are tied to a single fitment, while others span multiple wheel diameters and tire sizes. Owners researching 1946 Buick tires, 1946 Cadillac tires, or 1946 Packard tires should expect model-level differences that can affect both the available products and the final look of the vehicle.

The 1946 models represented here include vehicles such as the Bentley Mark, Buick 40 Special, Buick 70 Roadmaster, Cadillac 75 Series, Chevrolet 6 Cyl., Chrysler New Yorker & Saratoga, Crosley 4 Cyl., De Soto 6 Deluxe & Custom, Lincoln Zephyr, Mercedes-Benz 170, Mercury V8, Packard Clipper, Plymouth Deluxe, and Studebaker Champion, along with many others.

Those models are spread across several tire sizes rather than one universal fitment. For example, 600-16 is common among many mainstream cars, 700-15 appears on several larger or upper-line models, and 550-16 and 450-12 are more specialized. The best way to use the model list is to identify the exact vehicle first, then move to the size and product options tied to that specific application.

Yes. Different 1946 models often use different tire sizes, even when they come from the same manufacturer. Buick divides between 650-16 and 700-15, Nash splits between 600-16 and 6.50-15, and Pontiac separates the Streamliner from the Torpedo with two different fitments. The year alone is not enough to determine the correct tire.

This is especially important for larger model families and upper-line cars. Cadillac uses one size pattern for the 60, 61, and 62 Series, then a different one for the 75 Series. Oldsmobile is even broader, covering 600-16, 650-16, 700-15, and 750-15 across its models. That kind of variation is typical of the period and makes accurate model identification essential.

1946 vehicle tire options in this guide are primarily bias-ply tires, which fits the postwar character of most applications covered here. There is also a radial offering in 185R16 for the 1946 Bentley Mark. Product lines include classic passenger-car tires in blackwall and wide whitewall form, plus a few specialty-style products such as STA Traxion and Military NDT.

That means the available tire type depends heavily on the size tied to the vehicle. A common size such as 600-16 or 650-16 offers several period-style bias-ply choices, while a specialized size may have a much narrower product range. For shoppers balancing restoration goals and road use, the key is to begin with the exact fitment and then compare the constructions and sidewall treatments available within that size.

Most 1946 vehicle tires shown here are bias-ply. Sizes such as 450-12, 550-16, 600-16, 650-16, 6.50-15, 700-15, 750-15, and 750-16 are all associated with bias-ply construction. The exception in this guide is 185R16, which appears as a radial fitment for the 1946 Bentley Mark.

That distinction matters because construction affects both the appearance and the available product range. Bias-ply tires tend to align with the visual character of many 1946 American cars, especially where wide whitewalls are desired. The radial 185R16 choices from Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein give Bentley owners a different construction path, but that does not mean radial and bias-ply options are interchangeable across the rest of the year’s applications.

Tire sizes vary across 1946 vehicles because cars from that year covered a broad range of body sizes, weights, and wheel configurations. A small Crosley, a mid-range Plymouth, and a large Cadillac limousine did not share the same tire requirements, so the fitments spread across multiple 12-, 15-, and 16-inch sizes.

Construction differences are limited here, but they still reflect application-specific product offerings. Most 1946 fitments remain bias ply, which is typical for the period, while the Bentley Mark’s 185R16 radial option stands apart. Product selection also changes by size, with some fitments offering multiple brands and sidewall styles and others having only a narrow specialty choice. That is why size, construction, and vehicle application all need to be considered together.

Start with the exact 1946 make, full model name, and the tire size linked to that application. From there, compare construction, sidewall style, and any listed wheel-width or load information. For example, some common sizes such as 600-16, 650-16, and 700-15 offer multiple blackwall and wide whitewall choices, while more specialized sizes may be far more limited.

Appearance is often a major part of selection on a 1946 collector vehicle, but it should not override fitment. Confirm the wheel diameter, check whether the car still has its original-style wheel setup, and account for any changes in suspension or body clearance. On some applications, a simple choice between blackwall and wide whitewall can shape the vehicle’s final period look without changing the basic size.

Brands represented across 1946 vehicle tire products include Firestone, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, Excelsior, Lester, Garfield, and STA. Brand availability depends on the tire size. The 185R16 Bentley fitment, for example, includes Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein radial choices, while common bias-ply sizes such as 600-16 and 650-16 include several traditional collector-oriented brands.

Because brand selection changes from size to size, the best approach is to identify the correct fitment first and then compare the brands offered within that category. Some sizes emphasize classic passenger-car styling, while others include more specialty-oriented products such as Traxion or Military NDT. A shopper looking for 1946 vehicle tires should think of brand as a size-dependent option, not a universal menu.

Sidewall styles for 1946 vehicle tires include blackwall and wide whitewall across many of the year’s common bias-ply sizes. There is also a narrow whitewall option in 450-12 for the Crosley 4 Cyl. The 185R16 radial products for the Bentley Mark are blackwall, and specialty products such as STA Traxion and Military NDT are also shown in blackwall form.

Sidewall choice can have a strong visual effect on a 1946 vehicle, especially on larger domestic sedans and luxury cars where whitewalls are part of the period look many owners prefer. Still, sidewall treatment is only a choice within the correct tire size. A blackwall or whitewall tire should be selected only after confirming the fitment, wheel dimensions, and the style direction of the vehicle.

Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1946 vehicle by changing wheel width, wheel diameter, ride height, steering clearance, or fender clearance. Even when a vehicle is associated with a known size such as 600-16 or 700-15, a later wheel swap or suspension change can alter what fits properly on the car today.

This is especially relevant for restored or restyled collector cars that may no longer retain their earlier factory-type setup. Cars with replacement wheels, altered brakes, or body changes should be measured carefully before ordering tires. The original year-and-model fitment remains the best starting point, but modified vehicles need an added layer of confirmation to avoid rubbing, clearance issues, or mismatched wheel compatibility.

Before installing tires on a 1946 vehicle, verify the exact tire size, confirm the wheel diameter, and compare any available rim-width guidance for the product being considered. It is also wise to inspect the wheels themselves for condition and to make sure the car’s current configuration matches the intended fitment, especially on vehicles linked to more than one size.

For some 1946 products, rim-width ranges are listed, such as 4.00-4.50 inches for certain 600-16 tires or 5.00-5.50 inches for certain 700-15 tires. That information can be very useful when narrowing product choices. Clearance around suspension and bodywork should also be checked, particularly on cars that have been restored, modified, or fitted with non-original wheels.

Tires on a 1946 vehicle should be inspected regularly for visible cracking, uneven wear, cuts, embedded debris, and signs of age-related deterioration. Inflation should be kept consistent with the tire and vehicle requirements, and the sidewalls should be checked closely, especially on collector vehicles that may spend long periods parked or driven only occasionally.

Maintenance matters because many 1946 cars use specialty collector sizes and older-style wheel setups that deserve closer attention than an everyday modern car. Tires should also be evaluated after long storage, after any suspension or brake work, and whenever the vehicle’s steering feel changes. Keeping wheels clean, protecting the tires during storage, and replacing worn or aged tires promptly helps preserve both fitment confidence and road manners.