Need help with tires for my 1941 Buick, What Size?

[Guest 41buick]

hello all, I need to buy tires for my 41 buick special convertible. My car has the 118" wheel base and is model 44-C. It came from the factory with 6.50 x 15". These tires are no longer being made and are not available from anyone. The tires that are available in 15" are: 7.00 x 15, 6.70 x 15", 6.40 x 15" and 6.00 x 15". I can get 6.50 x 16", but then I would have to change my wheels and I'm still not sure that they would fit properly in the wheel wells. I want a tire that looks original, (which would be only 4"-4 1/2" tread width) and with a 3 1/2-4" white wall. Does anyone have any recommendations or know what available tire would be the closest to the original. Thanks mike <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> [color:"yellow"] [color:"red"]

[Guest imported_Thriller]

Mike,

I was just at Coker Tire after you stated there aren't any available...they list 6.50-16 as the original tire size, as does the BCA Judging Manual. Coker lists a few whitewall tires available (BFG and Firestone have the whitewall width you are looking for).

Oh...that is the A series Special. Listing by size at Coker confirms that there is no 6.50-15, which is correct for your car.

Sorry to have posted without really adding any useful information. Universal Tire lists 640-15 and 670-15...both would be close...an option to consider. I didn't check to see if they have any with appropriate whitewall though.

[Guest imported_JPIndusi]

I agree with Thriller in that I am better than 95% sure that the original tire size

was 6.50X16. It could be that a previous owner changed to 15 inch wheels.

Joe, BCA 33493

[Guest imported_Thriller]

Actually Joe, you may want to go through my ramblings again. This model of car is one of the A-series Special, which was based on a Chevrolet chassis which had 15 x 6.50s.

[Guest 41buick]

thriller, Your correct. The original tire size is 6.50 x 15 for the 40A series Special. The 40 series Special used 6.50 x 16. What I'm trying to determine is of the tires available today (7.00 x 15, 6.70 x 15, 6.40 x 15, 6.00 x 15), which one would be the closest in size, profile and tread design to the original 6.50 x 15. mike

[Guest DaveCorbin]

Dear 41 Buick:

Google or do a yellow pages search for Wallace Wade Tires in Dallas, TX. He either has them or can get them. He's also a BCA member of long standng, and I've bought from him for years. He ships all over the world.

Regards, Dave Corbin

[Guest imported_JPIndusi]

I stand corrected. Was the series 40A based on the GM "A" body only available in 1941?

Joe, BCA 33493

[Guest imported_Thriller]

I don't have the answer to that question...all I know is it was a 118" wheelbase and it seems to me I read somewhere that it was a Chevrolet chassis. There's a couple references to it on Matt Harwood's '41 Buick site.

Mike - have you had any success checking out some of the tire size specification sites? I would think that the 6.40X15 would be closest, therefore most correct, therefore the least issue for your speedometer / odometer. If you go to Tire Rack, that page has a link near the bottom that shows a chart to convert from the old sizes to current sizes, which would let you know which one best suits your needs. It refers to the numeric size starting in 1949 - the BCA Judging Handbook shows that sizing continuing considerably earlier, so I think it should be fine. Unfortunately, that one doesn't list the 6.40-15 that is available to you.