1950 Vehicle Tire Fitment Guide

Rim Diameter: 15 in  ·  Sidewalls: Blackwall, Wide Whitewall

The 590-15 size appears on the 1950 Borgward Hansa and Willys VJ 3, making it a compact bias-ply fitment shared by two very different vehicles. Available choices include BFGoodrich and Avon, primarily in Blackwall form, with one BFGoodrich Wide Whitewall option. Some products specify a 15-inch rim and a 4.00 to 4.50-inch rim-width range, while listed load capacities run just above 1000 pounds on certain tires. Because this is not one of the year’s most common sizes, confirming the exact vehicle and wheel setup is especially important.

The 5.75-16 size is tied to the 1950 Bristol 401 and stands out as a more specialized bias-ply fitment rather than a broadly shared one. It uses a decimal sizing convention that sits comfortably within the period’s crossply landscape. No broader range of product specifications is attached here, so selection should focus on matching the exact size shown for the vehicle and reviewing the intended wheel dimensions on the car itself. For Bristol owners, this is the kind of fitment where precision matters more than trying to generalize from similar-looking sizes.

Rim Diameter: 15 in  ·  Sidewalls: Wide Whitewall, Narrow Whitewall

One of the most widely shared 1950 sizes, 760-15 fits a broad group that includes Buick 40 Special, Buick 50 Super, Chrysler Royal & Windsor C48, De Soto S 14, Dodge D 34, Hudson 500, Mercury V8, several Oldsmobile series, Packard Deluxe 8, Packard Standard 8, Packard Super 8, and Studebaker Commander. It is a classic American bias-ply 15-inch size with Blackwall, Narrow Whitewall, and Wide Whitewall product options. Several products specify 5.50 to 6.00-inch rims and load ratings around 1710 pounds, making sidewall style a major differentiator.

Rim Diameter: 15 in  ·  Sidewalls: Wide Whitewall

The 800-15 bias-ply size is associated with larger upper-range American cars such as the Buick 70 Roadmaster, Cadillac 60 Series, Cadillac 61 Series, Cadillac 62 Series, Lincoln EH, Lincoln EL, Oldsmobile 98 Series, and Packard Super 8. Available products here are both Coker Classic wide whitewall tires, offered with different whitewall widths. Product details show 15-inch rim diameter, 6.00 to 6.50-inch rim-width guidance, and a stated load capacity of 1800 pounds at 32 psi. This size is a key fitment for substantial 1950 luxury and near-luxury sedans.

Rim Diameter: 15 in  ·  Sidewalls: Narrow Whitewall, Blackwall, Wide Whitewall

820-15 serves a prominent group of larger American cars, including the Buick 79 Series, Cadillac 75 Series, Chrysler New Yorker & Saratoga C49, De Soto S 14, Dodge D 34, Packard Custom, and Packard Super 8. This is a bias-ply 15-inch fitment with broad brand coverage that includes BFGoodrich, Firestone, and US Royal. Blackwall, Narrow Whitewall, and Wide Whitewall treatments are available, and several products specify 6.00 to 6.50-inch rims with load capacities around 1920 pounds at 32 psi. It is a distinctly heavy-duty passenger-car size for premium 1950 applications.

Rim Diameter: 15 in  ·  Sidewalls: Wide Whitewall, Blackwall

The 890-15 size is reserved here for two of the year’s largest prestige cars: the 1950 Cadillac 86 Series and Chrysler Crown Imperial C50. It is a substantial bias-ply size with products from Firestone and Avon, including Blackwall and Wide Whitewall choices. Firestone products list 15-inch rim fitment with a 6.50 to 7.00-inch rim-width range and a high stated load capacity of 2500 pounds at 40 psi, underscoring the weight and scale of these applications. This is a specialized fitment where exact wheel dimensions should be verified before ordering.

Rim Diameter: 15 in  ·  Sidewalls: Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, Narrow Whitewall

670-15 is one of the core mainstream American fitments for 1950, used on vehicles such as the Chevrolet 6 Cyl., Chevrolet Wagon, Dodge D 33, Ford Custom, Plymouth P20, Plymouth Suburban, Plymouth Wagon, and Willys 4-63 & 6-63 Wagon. Available bias-ply products include Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire, with both Blackwall and Wide Whitewall styles. Several products specify 15-inch rims, with wheel-width guidance generally starting around 4.50 inches. For many family sedans and wagons, this size balances broad product choice with a very period-correct look.

Rim Diameter: 15 in  ·  Sidewalls: Wide Whitewall, Blackwall, Narrow Whitewall

The 710-15 bias-ply size spans a diverse mix of 1950 cars, including the Chevrolet Convertible Coupe, Dodge D 34-6, Frazer F505 & F506, Hudson 500, Kaiser K501, Kaiser K502, Mercury V8, Nash Ambassador, Oldsmobile 76 Series, Plymouth Wagon, and Pontiac 6 & 8 Cyl. Product options from BFGoodrich and Firestone include both Blackwall and Wide Whitewall styles, with several tires listing 5.00 to 5.50-inch rim widths and load capacities of 1550 pounds at 32 psi. This is a useful middle-ground fitment between lower and upper full-size American passenger-car sizes.

Rim Diameter: 12 in  ·  Sidewalls: Blackwall, Narrow Whitewall

450-12 is the compact bias-ply fitment associated with the 1950 Crosley All Models. Its small 12-inch rim diameter sets it apart from the predominantly 15- and 16-inch fitments seen elsewhere in the year. Available BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply options include a Blackwall and a Narrow Whitewall version, giving Crosley owners a choice between a plainer driver-oriented look and a more stylized period presentation. Because of the scale of this application, accurate identification of wheel diameter and vehicle model is especially important before selecting a replacement tire.

The 7.10-15/6 size appears on the 1950 Dodge D 34-6, Pontiac 6 & 8 Cyl., Pontiac Pontiac, and Pontiac Sedan Delivery. This is a bias-ply fitment written in a format that differs from the more common 710-15 style, so it should be matched exactly rather than treated casually as a duplicate. It is concentrated within a relatively small group of domestic applications, which makes vehicle confirmation essential. For owners researching these cars, the key step is verifying the exact size shown for the model before moving on to sidewall or brand preferences.

Rim Diameter: 14 in  ·  Sidewalls: Blackwall

The 165R14 size is a radial fitment linked to the 1950 Fiat 1400 and reflects a more modern metric radial approach than the year’s many numeric bias-ply sizes. Product choices include Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein, all in Blackwall form. Several products specify 14-inch rims, with listed wheel-width ranges spanning roughly 4.0 to 6.00 inches and one Vredestein load rating of 1,102 pounds at 51 psi. This size is a good example of how some 1950 European vehicles require tire selection based on both size format and construction type.

5.90-14 is the bias-ply counterpart associated with the 1950 Fiat 1400, giving that model both a numeric crossply path and a radial metric path depending on the vehicle’s configuration and wheel setup. While product details are not expanded here in the same way as some larger sizes, the fitment itself is important because it shows that this car should not be approached with a one-size-fits-all assumption. A shopper should verify which wheel and tire format is currently on the vehicle before selecting a replacement.

The 4.40-15 size is one of two small bias-ply fitments associated with the 1950 Fiat 500. It represents a very compact passenger-car size from the early postwar period, reflecting the narrow proportions and light-duty requirements of microcar-scale applications. No expanded product detail is attached here, so correct identification becomes the central issue. Because the Fiat 500 is also listed with another close but different size, owners should confirm the exact tire marking on the car or wheel before choosing a replacement rather than assuming either size will interchange.

Also associated with the 1950 Fiat 500, 4.25-15 is a compact bias-ply size distinct from 4.40-15 and should be treated as its own fitment. On small European vehicles of this era, even slight size differences can matter for clearance, stance, and wheel compatibility. There are no added product specifications here to generalize from, so the safest path is to confirm the exact size needed for the specific car and wheel assembly. This is a niche application where accurate tire identification matters more than broad brand or style comparisons.

Rim Diameter: 16 in  ·  Sidewalls: Wide Whitewall, Blackwall, Double-Whitewall

The 600-16 bias-ply size is shared by the 1950 Ford DL, Jaguar XK, Willys 2WD, and Willys Jeep CJ-3A, a mix that spans passenger-car and utility applications. Product coverage is extensive, with BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone among the available brands, along with Blackwall and Wide Whitewall styles. Several products list 16-inch rim diameter, 4.00 to 4.50-inch wheel-width guidance, and load capacities around 1400 pounds at 32 psi. Because the same size appears on both sporting and utility vehicles, intended use and sidewall appearance may influence the final choice.

Rim Diameter: 15 in  ·  Sidewalls: Blackwall

155R15 is a radial size used across several smaller 1950 European and Commonwealth vehicles, including the Holden 48/215, MG MG, MG MGA, MG Midget, Morris Oxford, Peugeot 203, and Wolseley 50. Available products come from Firestone and Michelin, all in Blackwall form, with 15-inch rim fitment and wheel-width guidance generally from 4.00 to 5.50 inches where listed. This size is useful for owners seeking a radial construction in classic proportions, especially on lighter cars where preserving steering feel and overall scale is part of the appeal.

Rim Diameter: 15 in  ·  Sidewalls: Blackwall

The 550-15 bias-ply size appears on the 1950 Holden 48/215, MG Midget, Morris Oxford, and Wolseley 50. It serves as a traditional crossply alternative to radial listings found on some of those same vehicles. The available product shown here is an Excelsior blackwall tire with a 15-inch rim diameter and a listed rim-width range of 3.00 to 3.50 inches. For owners comparing this size against radial options on certain models, the decision often comes down to whether the goal is a more period-oriented bias-ply presentation or a different driving character.

175R16 is the radial fitment associated with the 1950 Jaguar XK and stands apart from the model’s alternate 600-16 bias-ply listing. This illustrates a common fitment theme in 1950 sports and touring cars, where buyers and restorers may encounter more than one accepted size and construction format. No broad product matrix is detailed here beyond the size itself, so the practical focus is confirming which wheel and tire combination is currently fitted or intended. For Jaguar owners, choosing between radial and bias-ply paths can shape both appearance and road manners.

Rim Diameter: 16 in  ·  Sidewalls: Blackwall

The 525-16 size is used on the 1950 Jensen Alle Typen and is a narrow bias-ply fitment with a distinct specialist feel. The listed product is a Deka blackwall tire in the Deka Classic Truck series, with a 16-inch rim diameter, 4.00 to 4.25-inch rim-width guidance, and a stated load capacity of 902 pounds at 30 psi. Because this size is tied to a single application here, it is best approached as a precise fitment rather than one to substitute loosely from neighboring sizes.

The 165-400 size is associated with the 1950 Lancia Aurelia and reflects an early millimetric format rather than the inch-based numeric sizing used on most domestic applications. It is listed as a radial fitment, which places it among the more advanced European tire conventions represented for the year. Even though the size may resemble later metric radial markings, it should be matched carefully because millimetric rim dimensions are not interchangeable with inch-diameter wheels. This is a fitment where exact wheel measurement and tire marking matter more than broad cross-shop comparisons.

Rim Diameter: 400mm in  ·  Sidewalls: Narrow Whitewall, Blackwall

Also used on the 1950 Lancia Aurelia, 165R400 is a millimetric radial size with dedicated Michelin product coverage. Available choices include a blackwall Michelin X-Stop and a narrow whitewall Michelin X Radial, both for 400mm rims. Listed rim-width ranges vary by product, from 4.50 to 6.00 inches on one tire up to 6.0 to 7.0 inches on another. This size is especially important to identify correctly because 400mm wheel diameters require matching millimetric tires, not nearby 16-inch substitutes.

Rim Diameter: 15 in  ·  Sidewalls: Narrow Whitewall, Wide Whitewall, Blackwall

The 560-15 bias-ply size is linked to the 1950 MG MG and MG MGA, giving those lightweight sports-car applications a traditional crossply option. Products are available from Firestone and US Royal with both Narrow Whitewall and Wide Whitewall sidewall treatments. Several list a 15-inch rim diameter, with rim-width guidance around 4.5 to 5.50 inches and stated load capacities of 970 pounds at 32 psi. This size offers a useful mix of period styling flexibility, especially for owners who want a more vintage visual character than a blackwall radial typically provides.

175R15 is a radial fitment found on the 1950 Mercedes-Benz 170, Rover 75, Rover Land Rover, and Wolseley 80. It represents a slightly larger metric radial format than 155R15 or 165R15 and suits midsize European saloons and utility-oriented vehicles. While detailed product specifications are not expanded here in the same way as some other radial sizes, the fitment itself signals that shoppers should pay close attention to both construction and wheel diameter. It is not simply another version of the nearby 600-15 or 640-15 bias-ply sizes.

Rim Diameter: 15 in  ·  Sidewalls: Wide Whitewall, Narrow Whitewall, Blackwall

The 640-15 bias-ply size appears on the 1950 Mercedes-Benz 170, Nash Statesman, Plymouth P19, Plymouth Suburban, Studebaker Champion, and Willys VJ 3. Product options include BFGoodrich and Firestone, with a mix of Wide Whitewall and Narrow Whitewall styles. Several tires specify 15-inch rims with wheel-width guidance in the 4.00 to 5.00-inch range, and some list load capacities around 1190 pounds at 32 psi. This size sits in the lower-to-middle passenger-car range for 1950 and gives buyers a solid combination of classic appearance choices and broad application coverage.

135R14 is a radial size associated with the 1950 Morris Minor and represents one of the smaller metric fitments used that year. It is very different in character from the larger American bias-ply 15-inch and 16-inch sizes found across domestic cars. Because this fitment is closely tied to a single small British application, the main priority is confirming the exact wheel and tire specification on the vehicle before selecting a replacement. On compact cars of this type, tire dimensions play a significant role in preserving proper scale and clearance.

The 5.00-14 size is the bias-ply fitment associated with the 1950 Morris Minor. It serves as the traditional crossply alternative to the model’s radial 135R14 listing and reflects the transition period many smaller European cars occupied around 1950. There are no expanded product specifications attached here, so fitment work starts with identifying whether the car is being maintained with its current bias-ply style or fitted with a radial-size wheel-and-tire package. As with many small-car applications, even modest changes in size can have noticeable visual and clearance effects.

The 155-400 radial size is one of several millimetric fitments associated with the 1950 Peugeot 203. Its presence highlights how some European vehicles of the period can require tire sizing that does not follow the inch-based conventions familiar on American collector cars. Because millimetric rim sizing is involved, careful wheel identification is essential before ordering tires. This is not a size to approximate casually from a 15-inch fitment, even if the dimensions appear close. Peugeot owners should verify both the exact size marking and the wheel standard in use on the car.

185-400 is another radial fitment listed for the 1950 Peugeot 203 and indicates that this model can appear with more than one millimetric tire specification. Compared with the smaller 155-400 listing, it suggests that Peugeot 203 tire identification should be handled carefully at the individual vehicle level rather than by year alone. No broader product details are attached here, so practical selection depends on confirming the size already fitted or otherwise specified for the car. As with any 400mm application, exact wheel compatibility is central to the process.

The 175-400 size also belongs to the 1950 Peugeot 203 and sits between the other millimetric radial listings associated with that model. This is a good example of why 1950 European fitment can be more involved than simply matching year and make. When multiple 400mm sizes appear on one model line, the exact wheel and current configuration need to be verified before moving to product selection. It is best treated as a specific millimetric fitment requirement rather than an interchangeable variant of inch-based or nearby metric radial sizes.

The 8.00-17 bias-ply size is tied to the 1950 Rolls Royce Phantom and stands as one of the year’s most specialized large-diameter luxury fitments. Its dimensions reflect a substantial pre-metric, inch-based convention suited to a prestigious heavyweight application. No broader product matrix is outlined here beyond the fitment itself, so owners should focus on confirming wheel diameter, section size, and intended use before selecting a replacement. On a car of this type, maintaining the correct tire presence is important not only for fitment but also for the vehicle’s overall visual character.

Rim Diameter: 15 in  ·  Sidewalls: Wide Whitewall, Blackwall

The 600-15 size appears on the 1950 Rover 75, Rover Land Rover, and Wolseley 80 as a bias-ply alternative to radial fitments on those vehicles. Available BFGoodrich products include both Blackwall and Wide Whitewall versions, with 15-inch rim diameter and listed rim-width guidance generally in the 4.00 to 5.00-inch range. Some products show a load capacity of 1150 pounds at 32 psi. For owners comparing this with 175R15 on related models, the distinction is less about broad interchangeability and more about matching the car’s actual wheel-and-tire setup.

Rim Diameter: 15 in  ·  Sidewalls: Wide Whitewall, Blackwall

The 700-15 bias-ply size is associated with the 1950 Volvo PV 831 & 832 and Volvo PV 833 & 834. Product choices include Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA, with Blackwall and Wide Whitewall options available. Several products specify 15-inch rims and 5.00 to 5.50-inch wheel-width guidance, while stated load capacities reach 1700 pounds at 32 psi on some tires. The inclusion of an STA Traxion option also gives this size a somewhat broader character than many sedan-only fitments, making vehicle use and appearance an important part of the selection process.

The 6.50-15 size is linked to the 1950 Willys 463 Wagon and uses a decimal bias-ply format distinct from the more common 650-15 style. Because only this Willys application is associated with the size here, it should be treated as a specific fitment rather than grouped loosely with other midrange 15-inch tires. No expanded product specifications are shown, so exact confirmation of the tire marking and wheel setup is the key next step. For utility wagons and restored work-oriented vehicles, that kind of precision helps avoid clearance and stance issues.