1947 Vehicle Tire Fitment Guide

1947 vehicles in this guide use a broad range of sizes, including 450-12, 450-19, 525-16, 550-15, 550-16, 550-17, 600-15, 600-16, 6.50-15, 650-16, 670-15, 700-15, 750-16, and 185R16. Most are bias ply sizes in period numeric formats, while 185R16 is a radial fitment associated with the 1947 Bentley Mark.

This spread reflects how varied postwar vehicle design was. Small cars such as the 1947 Crosley 4 Cyl. use compact dimensions, larger luxury cars move into 700-15 or 750-16 territory, and some makes have overlapping size choices within the same year. Wheel diameters also range from 12 to 19 inches, so the size itself is only one part of proper 1947 tire fitment.

No, 1947 vehicles do not use one universal tire size. Even within a single make, fitment can vary by model or series. Buick, Cadillac, Chrysler, De Soto, Dodge, Hudson, Nash, Oldsmobile, Packard, Pontiac, Studebaker, and Willys all show more than one listed tire size for the year.

That variation is why year alone is not enough when shopping. A 1947 Chevrolet 6 Cyl. uses 600-16, while larger premium cars often move into 700-15, and specialty applications such as the 1947 MG Midget or 1947 Crosley 4 Cyl. use very different sizes altogether. The safest approach is to match the exact year, make, model, current wheel diameter, and the tire size already verified for the vehicle.

Start by identifying the exact 1947 make and full model name, then match it to the listed tire size or sizes for that application. After that, confirm the wheel diameter and, when available, the wheel-width range shown on the tire product. This is especially important for models with more than one listed fitment, such as the 1947 Packard Clipper or 1947 Willys Wagon.

It also helps to inspect the vehicle as it sits today. Many collector cars have changed wheels over time, and some surviving cars no longer carry their earlier tire size. On 1947 vehicles, a bias ply numeric size and a radial metric size are not interchangeable by assumption, so the exact size and construction need to be verified before choosing a brand or sidewall style.

The 1947 makes covered here include AC, Bentley, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Crosley, De Soto, Dodge, Ford, Frazer, Hudson, Jensen, Kaiser, Lincoln, MG, Mercedes-Benz, Mercury, Nash, Oldsmobile, Packard, Plymouth, Pontiac, Studebaker, and Willys. That range spans domestic and imported vehicles, from compact cars to large luxury models.

Because these makes occupy very different parts of the market, the tire-size landscape is equally varied. Some have one clearly defined fitment, such as Chevrolet or Plymouth, while others show multiple size paths depending on the exact model. Looking at the make first is useful, but final tire selection still depends on the specific 1947 model and its wheel setup.

The model coverage includes vehicles such as the 1947 Bentley Mark, Buick 40 Special, Buick 70 Roadmaster, Cadillac 75 Series, Chevrolet 6 Cyl., Chrysler New Yorker & Saratoga, Crosley 4 Cyl., Hudson Commodore, Lincoln Zephyr, MG Midget, Mercedes-Benz 170, Packard Clipper, Plymouth Deluxe, Studebaker Champion, and Willys Wagon. Many other 1947 make-model combinations are also represented.

Some sizes are shared by multiple models, while others are much more specific. For example, 700-15 appears across a number of larger American cars, while 450-12, 450-19, and 525-16 are tied to more specialized applications. That mix helps narrow your search naturally: identify the model first, then compare the tire-size options and product styles available for that fitment.

Yes, different 1947 models from the same make can use different tire sizes, and in some cases the same model line may be listed with more than one size. Cadillac, for example, uses both 700-15 and 750-16 depending on the series, while Nash splits between 6.50-15 and 600-16 across its Ambassador models.

This is common in a year like 1947 because body size, vehicle class, and wheel configuration varied substantially. It also means that trim level or body style can matter just as much as the make itself. Before selecting a tire, confirm the exact model designation and check whether the vehicle still carries the wheel diameter and width intended for the size you plan to buy.

Most 1947 vehicle tires covered here are bias ply designs, which fit the period sizing used across the majority of makes and models. There is also a radial option in 185R16 for the 1947 Bentley Mark. Depending on the size, products are available in several series and visual styles, including Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, Narrow Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall treatments.

The product mix also varies by application. Some sizes have broad brand coverage from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Coker Classic, and others, while more specialized sizes may have only one or a few product choices. On sporting or niche fitments such as 450-19, tread and series options can be more distinctive than on mainstream sedan sizes.

Nearly all listed 1947 applications use bias ply tires, but not every one does. The clear exception here is the 1947 Bentley Mark, which is also associated with 185R16 radial options from Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein. The other listed sizes for the year are bias ply fitments in traditional period numeric formats.

That distinction matters because bias ply and radial tires differ in construction, road feel, and available sizing formats. A 1947 owner should not assume that one construction can automatically replace the other without confirming the vehicle’s exact application and wheel setup. For most domestic 1947 cars in this guide, the shopping path stays firmly within bias ply offerings and period-style sidewall choices.

They vary because 1947 covered a wide span of vehicle types, from compact economy cars to large luxury sedans and specialized European applications. A Crosley, a Cadillac 75 Series, and a Bentley Mark were built for very different weight, wheel, and usage requirements, so they naturally do not share one tire format or one construction style.

Construction differences are also tied to the tire-size conventions used on each vehicle. Most of the year’s fitments are classic bias ply numeric sizes, while the Bentley’s 185R16 reflects a radial format with its own product set and fitment logic. In practical terms, 1947 tire research works best when size, construction, and vehicle application are treated as one connected package.

Start with the exact tire size for the specific 1947 make and model, then look at construction, wheel diameter, and any stated rim-width range on the available products. After fitment is confirmed, the next choices are usually visual and usage related, such as Blackwall versus whitewall styling, or selecting among product series that better suit a restored touring car, a formal sedan, or a smaller sporting model.

Vehicle condition matters too. A restored car may have different wheels than it originally carried, and that can affect both appearance and fit. On sizes such as 600-15 and 670-15 for the 1947 Willys Wagon, or dual listings for the 1947 Packard Clipper, the best selection process always includes checking the current wheel-and-tire setup before ordering.

Brand coverage for 1947 applications includes BFGoodrich, Firestone, Coker Classic, Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, Garfield, Lester, STA, Deka, Excelsior, Ensign, US Royal, and Universal Vintage Tire. The available brand mix depends on the tire size, so a common size such as 600-16 or 650-16 typically presents different choices than a specialized size like 525-16 or 550-15.

That size-by-size variation is important when comparing products. A Bentley owner shopping 185R16 will see radial brands, while an owner of a 1947 Chevrolet 6 Cyl. in 600-16 is looking at bias ply offerings in a different style range. Brand selection should follow fitment confirmation, not the other way around, since not every brand appears in every 1947 size.

Sidewall styles for 1947 vehicle tires include Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, Narrow Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall, depending on the tire size. Blackwall choices are common across many sizes, while whitewall options appear frequently in sizes such as 550-17, 600-16, 650-16, 700-15, 750-16, 600-15, and 670-15. The radial 185R16 products listed for the Bentley Mark are Blackwall.

Choosing a sidewall style is usually about presentation after fitment is settled. A wide whitewall can give a fuller period-dress look on larger postwar sedans, while Blackwalls can suit a simpler or more utilitarian appearance. The key is to select within the correct tire size first, because sidewall options are not offered uniformly across all 1947 applications.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment significantly on a 1947 vehicle. Changes to wheels, suspension height, steering components, brake hardware, or body clearance can alter what size will physically fit and how the tire sits relative to fenders and chassis parts. Even a vehicle listed with more than one size from the factory-era fitment guide may no longer match those dimensions after restoration or customization.

This is especially important on collector cars that have changed hands over many decades. A car may now wear a different wheel width or diameter than expected, and that can change the usable product range. Before buying, compare the current wheel measurements and available clearance with the specifications shown for the specific tire size under consideration.

Before installation, confirm the exact 1947 year, make, and full model name, then verify the tire size, wheel diameter, and any stated rim-width requirement for the product you plan to use. It is also wise to inspect wheel condition, valve stems, and overall clearance at the fenders, steering components, and suspension points so the new tire is being mounted onto a sound and compatible setup.

For 1947 applications, this step is especially useful because many sizes look similar at a glance but serve different vehicles. It also helps prevent confusion between 15-inch and 16-inch fitments or between a common bias ply size and the Bentley’s 185R16 radial application. Proper pre-installation checks make product selection much more reliable.

Tires on a 1947 vehicle should be inspected regularly for visible cracking, uneven wear, embedded debris, sidewall damage, and signs of improper inflation. Owners should also monitor tread condition, verify that the tire is seated properly on the wheel, and maintain inflation pressure appropriate to the tire and vehicle setup. Any collector car that sits for long periods benefits from more frequent visual checks.

Because many 1947 applications use bias ply construction, storage and maintenance habits can make a noticeable difference in service life and appearance. Keeping the vehicle out of prolonged sun exposure, moving it periodically, and checking pressure before driving can help reduce flat spotting and stress. On a recently restored car, rechecking clearances after initial road use is also a smart practice.