VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Black wall tires verses white wall tires on my 41

I assume it was rare to see 41's with whitewall tires in 1941 so I had assumed I would buy a set of black walls when I finished my restoration. Now I am having second thoughts. What do you think?

I went to Belle Tire and had them mount an extra tire I had for use as the spare. Am I kidding myself that the car should have whitewalls? I plan on calling them Monday to let them know what I want them to order. I am thinking about buying a set of Firestone biased ply whitewalls with the zig zag pattern at $197 each or the blackwallls at $165 each. 90% of my driving is at speeds under 45 MPH.

Thanks, MIke

Mike I am getting to the point on my 47 of getting a set of tires. I think I am going to buy black wall, that's what was on it when I bought it in 1968, plus black walls will be much easier to clean. The other day I cleaned up the original spare out of my 41, it's a blue wheel with the three silver strips, mounted it on the 47 that is painted freedom blue and decided that I did not need white walls.
Mike if your wheel had the silver strips I think would help a lot.

If your wheels are painted black or a dark color, white wall tires would look a lot better and white wall tires would also give the wheels some contrast.

Mike

For the price difference I should go for the white walls.
I have a set of both ( 5 *new* black and 4 whites ) for my 48 and my opinion is that the white walls make it look better.I use the white walls only at local club events as they are old and I should not risk driving big distances or at higher speeds.

Jianis

Thanks for all the replies. My concern is not only the maintenance issues with whitewalls but also that they draw so much attention. I want to emphasis the paint, stainless, body design, authenticity of the car, not so much the tires and wheels.

Thanks, Mike
P.S. All feedback is appreciated.

Hi Mike. I have had that blackwall/whitewall discussion in my head many times. Ultimately, I went with whitewalls with a dark blue wheel. I like them, I think they help the car, but I know the original buyer of my car in 1940 probably had blackwalls. I agree with the fellow who suggested wheel stripes would lighten the look. Maybe a cream colored wheel with maroon stripes would break up the black wheel/black tire combo. Not to make your life more complicated, have you considered a bias looking radial tire? Good luck, it's not an easy choice! Mike

From the factory Based on this, I might go with the black walls.

Hello Mike.
I just installed 5 new BF Goodrich blackwall tires from Coker, smooth chrome beauty rings, and new stainless steel hubcaps for my 40. My car is black and I just think blackwall tires look great with my car. I did consider whitewall tires for a moment, but decided they would be too flashy for my humble Sport Sedan.

Curt

I was also going to suggest a set of beauty rings if you're going with the black walls...

Looks like the wheels would've had some pin striping which would enhance the use of black wall tires. I myself am not crazy about the look of white wall tires, but we are of course stating an opinion here....Joe

Here is a picture which is a bit lighter so it shows the wheel/tire combination better. I still have to install the bottom rocker panel stainless that goes under the door and over the bottom of the front fender, that should draw less attention to the darkness of the wheel/tire area. I will eventually pin strip the wheel rims as they were ORIGINALLY.

Still wondering and appreciating all your comments, Mike

P.S. Thanks Russell for the link to all the Chevy models in 41 showing blackwall tires and pin stripping on the rims.

Mike, Your the only one you have to please ! Go for what you like and not what someone else cares for. I myself do as I like unless I can't afford it, then I do it anyway. Usually at dinner time the day I do this, Dinner is ( cold shoulder & hot tongue.
P.K.

Russell: Thanks for informing us of this site. Very interesting and useful.
Even though the Chev brochures for 47/48 show only blackwall tires, both of us chose whitewalls for our Fleetlines.

It would appear whitewalls first appeared on the Chev brochures in 1953.

dick

White walls did not appear in Chevrolet literature because it was an option.
White wall tires were "discontinued" in the fall of 1941 so a very few 1942 cars were so eqipped. They became available again in the Spring of 1947. Discontinued in the late winter if 1951 and returned in late 1952.
They were casuality of the various wars.

Also, all accessory white wall tires up until around 1939 or so, were double white walls, not single white walls.

True. However according to the spec. sheet whitewalls were a option from the factory. '48 spec.

I don't see whitewalls in the '41 spec. 41 spec. Could have been available though, don't know?

Also, from the accessories list you could buy the whitewall "looking" wheel rings.

White walls were an option in 1940-41. I would guess about 5% of the 1941 had white walls in this area.....which is/was very consertive.

same color as yours?
I don't think the whitewall take anything "away" from the over all look. Hard to beat this. Did you ask your travel partner what she thinks?

The maroon and darker color cars need the whites to bring out the color of the car. What a great example.
I agree with the choice of the Firestones. That is the only 6.00X16 tire that had the tread duplicate a tire available in 1941 + Chevrolet did used some Firetones in 1941.
My experiance is the new Firestone runs a little larger than other brands, which is good, and the white walls get whiter and stay whiter. Also the were better than the others.

Mike,

Pay attention now!

Here is what I think is sound advice: (Don't listen to anyone else. Just me)

a. Do care what other's think of the looks of your car. What you decide may be quite different than popular thinking. You do care what others think or you would not have asked the question.

b. Owing to the lack of chrome on the master, your car needs all the help that it can get. White walls would make a HUGE difference in the overall appearance. Just don't park it anywhere neer a Special Deluxe. Its betters will make that MD look like a well used shop rag in comparison. Will too!

c. The fact that white-walls were an option is reason enough to skip the Blackwalls. Add all the accessories you can get to that wallflower. Anything will help. But not a fulton.

d. Do add the trim rings to the wheels. Never mind the scratches to the wheel paint.

e. Add the bronze rings, as well. They also help set off the wheels. The more you add on will help mask the less lovely MD.

f. What's a couple hundred bucks to a well heeled man?

g. Do not ask the missus (driving partner) which way you should go. You already know what the answer will be. Do what you need to do and clean up the mess later. Always.

h. Don't forget to maint the background behind the chrome "C H E V R O L E T" above the grille. It should be body color but you know that.

It is my opinion that the most desirable option for any old car is white-wall tires. Second for 40 and 41s is the addition of Shark Tooth rims. Correct for 41 or not.

Also, get yourself a two spoke steering wheel. Much btter loking than the truck look of a three spoke one.

You're welcome,

Charlie

BTW: Those who suggest black-walls are probably those who asked their missus for advice. Missusses will always vote for the cheaper stuff. (Unless, of course, it's something for them.) Having made a poor decision, the blackwallers backers are more than likely merely looking for kindred souls to shar their misery with. Are too.

I agree with B 100% but didn't want to be so blunt

For years I had Blackwells on my 55 Chevy, 40 Ford and 33 Ford. Friends would frequently say about each that white walls would make them look much better. Now my 31 Chevy, 41 Chevy, and my 55 Chevy all have white walls, and friends say they look great with white walls. I agree. If they were street rods I might feel differently. And that's my 2 cents worth!
Sid

I put blackwalls on my 48 with trim rings. Wish I would have bought whitewalls.

Leave them BLACK ! looks so much better,when I buy a car with whites they come off fast.

i have 3 n.o.s.? good year "safety all weather" bias ply tires never mounted, 600x16 black wall tires , had them in my storage for years
im not going to use them. if someone has 1 you can build a set