Apperson 6 Cyl. Tires
Apperson 6 Cyl. represents the closing years of one of America’s early independent luxury and performance car makers, built during a period when the industry was moving from truly early motoring practice into more standardized late-1920s fitments. Cars of this era often survive with changes made over decades of service, restoration, and replacement, so tire selection is not always as straightforward as a single year listing might suggest. Apperson 6 Cyl. is especially tricky because 1926 appears with two very different size conventions, one using an antique diameter-by-section designation and one using a more modern numeric casing size. The first thing to verify on the actual car is whether it carries 21-inch rims.
Apperson 6 Cyl. Tire Size Guide
Apperson 6 Cyl. uses 2 distinct tire sizes across the 1926 model year, and the most important detail is that the same year is associated with different size conventions. One of those is an antique diameter-by-section size, where the leading number is the tire’s outside diameter rather than the wheel diameter. That means the size code alone does not tell you the rim size, so the wheel itself must be checked carefully before choosing a tire.
33X6.00 is an antique-style size listed for 1926 Apperson 6 Cyl. applications. In this format, 33 is the tire’s approximate outside diameter in inches and 6.00 is the nominal section width, but the wheel diameter is not part of the size code. Choose 33X6.00 only after confirming that the car is set up for that earlier diameter-based fitment rather than a 21-inch numeric size.
600-21 is a numeric bias-ply size used on 1926 Apperson 6 Cyl. fitments and supported here by available products. The 600 indicates a nominal 6.00-inch section width and the 21 indicates a 21-inch rim diameter, with listed products fitting 21-inch wheels and some specifying 3.00 to 3.75 inch rim widths. Choose 600-21 when the car carries 21-inch rims and period-style bias-ply tires are appropriate; a tube is required.
Apperson 6 Cyl. Tires by Year
The year listing breaks Apperson 6 Cyl. fitment down so you can match the tire size to the specific 1926 car you are working on. In 1926, more than two sizes are listed because the year includes a split between different size conventions rather than a single universal fitment. The leading number in an antique size such as 33X6.00 is the tire’s outside diameter, not the wheel size, so the rim diameter must be confirmed from the wheel itself.
1926 Apperson 6 Cyl.
- 33X6.00
- 600-21
Best Apperson 6 Cyl. Tires for Sale
Available Apperson 6 Cyl. tires cover 2 brands across 3 products, centered on 600-21 fitment with blackwall and wide whitewall bias-ply options. Confirm the actual size marking and 21-inch rim diameter on the car before selecting.
600-21 Products
These are the available products for 600-21.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Apperson 6 Cyl. FAQ focuses on the 1926 size split, the difference between antique and numeric tire markings, tube-type bias-ply fitment, and how to identify the correct period-style tire for a restored or surviving car.
Size Basics & Fitment
Apperson 6 Cyl. is listed with two tire sizes for 1926: 33X6.00 and 600-21. The 600-21 size uses a 21-inch rim, while 33X6.00 is an antique diameter-by-section size in which the rim diameter is not stated in the size code itself. Both belong to the same model year, which means the car in front of you has to be matched by its actual wheel and tire setup rather than by year alone.
Start by reading the size on the tire if it is still legible, then measure or confirm the wheel diameter directly. If the car has 21-inch rims, the 600-21 choices are the natural place to begin. If the car carries an older diameter-based size marking such as 33X6.00, treat that as a separate fitment path and verify it against restoration records, original literature, or an Apperson specialist before moving forward.
On an Apperson 6 Cyl., 33X6.00 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The 33 refers to the tire’s approximate outside diameter in inches, and the 6.00 refers to the nominal section width. It does not identify the wheel diameter, which is why modern buyers sometimes mistake antique sizes for rim sizes when they are not.
That difference matters because a buyer cannot assume wheel fit from the number 33. The correct approach is to confirm the actual rim diameter on the car and then compare that with the intended antique-style tire fitment. Cars from this period were often altered during long service lives, so a surviving Apperson 6 Cyl. may no longer wear the same wheel and tire combination it left with decades ago.
A 1926 Apperson 6 Cyl. has 2 tire sizes listed because that model year appears with two different size systems: 33X6.00 and 600-21. One is an older diameter-by-section format and the other is a later numeric casing size tied directly to a 21-inch wheel. That is a genuine fitment split within the same model year rather than duplicate wording for the same tire.
The practical implication is that year alone is not enough to choose the tire. You need to identify which wheel and tire arrangement your specific Apperson 6 Cyl. actually uses today, especially on a restored car that may have had wheel changes in the past. Looking at the wheel diameter, old photos, restoration invoices, and period specifications together is the safest way to sort out the correct path.
Apperson 6 Cyl. fitments here are bias-ply and belong to the tube-type era. The available 600-21 products are all bias-ply tires, and tube use is appropriate for this style of collector-car fitment. Antique and early prewar applications such as 33X6.00 were also built around tube-type practice rather than modern tubeless construction.
When preparing a set of tires for an Apperson 6 Cyl., plan the tire, tube, and rim condition as one system rather than treating the casing by itself. Old wheels should be checked for rust, pitting, cracks, and proper bead-seat condition before assembly. A sound tube installation and correct wheel preparation matter just as much as selecting the right size, especially on a low-production luxury car from the 1920s.
Buying the Right Tire
The right tire size for a 1926 Apperson 6 Cyl. is confirmed by matching the actual wheel diameter and the size system already on the car. If the car uses 21-inch rims, 600-21 is the clearly identified numeric fitment with current bias-ply product support. If the car is set up around 33X6.00, the tire must be chosen as an antique diameter-by-section application rather than assumed interchangeable with 600-21.
Check the size molded into any existing tire, measure the wheel, and compare those findings with restoration paperwork or period references for your exact car. On many 1920s survivors, wheel and tire changes were made long after first delivery, so visual inspection matters more than relying on the model year alone. That extra step prevents ordering a tire that is correct for an Apperson 6 Cyl. in general but wrong for your particular example.
Apperson 6 Cyl. tire options in 600-21 include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. The listed products include a Lester blackwall, a BFGoodrich blackwall, and a BFGoodrich 3.50 inch whitewall. That gives buyers a choice between a more understated blackwall appearance and a brighter period-style presentation.
The best sidewall choice depends on how the Apperson 6 Cyl. is being restored or presented. A blackwall often suits a conservative touring or factory-style look, while a whitewall can better match a late-1920s luxury presentation if supported by the car’s restoration theme. Period photos, concours standards, and marque-club guidance are useful when appearance matters as much as fitment.
Apperson 6 Cyl. tires are represented here by two brands: Lester and BFGoodrich. The available 600-21 products include a Lester Classic Bias Ply blackwall and BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply offerings in both blackwall and wide whitewall form. All of the currently listed products are bias-ply construction, which fits the period character of the car.
Brand choice on an Apperson 6 Cyl. usually comes down to the look you want and how closely you are aiming to match a period presentation. Some restorers prioritize a particular tread and sidewall appearance, while others simply want a dependable bias-ply tire in the correct size. Once the size is settled, comparing sidewall treatment and overall visual character is often the next deciding factor.
Apperson 6 Cyl. tire listings in 600-21 include two series names: Lester Classic Bias Ply and Silvertown Classic Bias Ply. Both are bias-ply collector-car tires rather than radial designs, and both are aligned with period-style fitment for a 1926 application. The most visible difference in the listed range is the available sidewall treatment, since BFGoodrich Silvertown appears in both blackwall and wide whitewall forms while Lester is shown in blackwall.
That means series selection is less about changing the basic construction type and more about choosing the look and brand presentation that best suits your Apperson 6 Cyl. A car restored for formal show presentation may call for one sidewall style, while a more restrained touring restoration may favor another. Once size and wheel diameter are confirmed, the series choice is mainly a matter of authenticity goals and visual preference.
Maintenance & Longevity
A fitted Apperson 6 Cyl. should be stored in a cool, dry, dark environment away from direct sunlight, electric motors, ozone sources, and petroleum contamination. Tires on infrequently used collector cars age more from time and environment than from tread wear. On a 1920s luxury car with tall bias-ply tires, stable storage conditions help preserve both the casing and the overall shape of the tire.
If the Apperson 6 Cyl. will sit for long periods, keep the tires properly inflated and move the car occasionally to avoid prolonged flat spotting. Some owners also reduce weight on the tires with stands placed correctly under the chassis during long storage intervals. The goal is to protect both the tire and the wheel assembly so the car is ready for careful use when it comes back out.
Tires on an Apperson 6 Cyl. should be inspected before every drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals even if the car is rarely used. Collector tires can look acceptable at a glance while still developing age-related issues such as cracking, casing distortion, valve problems, or tube-related air loss. Early prewar cars deserve especially careful routine checks because their tire systems are part of a much older driving environment.
A practical inspection should cover inflation, sidewalls, tread surface, valve stems, wheel condition, and any sign of tube chafing or uneven wear. Also look for evidence that the car has settled on one spot for too long in storage. If anything seems questionable, have the Apperson 6 Cyl. examined by a shop familiar with antique and prewar tire service rather than treating it like a modern passenger-car tire issue.
Tires on an Apperson 6 Cyl. should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, separation, recurring air loss, or structural concerns appear, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector-car tires often age out long before they wear out, especially on cars that see light seasonal use. On a 1926 car, visible tread depth alone is never a reliable measure of serviceability.
Replacement decisions should be conservative because the Apperson 6 Cyl. belongs to an era where tire and wheel systems demand more respect than modern cars do. Any tire with uncertain age history deserves close scrutiny, and that standard is even more important if a car carries an older or little-used spare. A specialist inspection is wise whenever there is doubt, since preventing a failure is far easier than dealing with one on an antique automobile.
Restoration & Authenticity
Apperson 6 Cyl. is associated here with two 1926 fitment sizes, 33X6.00 and 600-21, but that does not point to one single original-equipment brand. The currently represented products for 600-21 are Lester Classic Bias Ply and BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, both as period-style replacement tires rather than a claim about what every car left the factory wearing. The key takeaway is that original fitment must be sorted by the exact wheel and configuration of the individual car.
For a serious restoration, the best path is to compare the surviving car with period literature, old photographs, and recognized Apperson or broader prewar marque references. That will help determine whether your Apperson 6 Cyl. should present with the antique-style 33X6.00 approach or the 600-21 setup. Once that is established, you can choose a modern reproduction tire that supports the correct overall look.
Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how an Apperson 6 Cyl. is judged and how seriously a restoration is taken. On a rare prewar luxury car, judges and knowledgeable buyers notice whether the tire size, overall diameter, sidewall style, and period character match the era of the automobile. A tire that is mechanically usable but visually or dimensionally out of place can weaken an otherwise high-level restoration.
That matters most when the car is being prepared for concours judging, national meets, or eventual sale to another collector. Matching the proper size system and a suitable sidewall treatment usually contributes more to authenticity than simply choosing a recognizable brand name. Marque clubs, period sales material, and long-time restorers are the best references when the goal is historical credibility as well as roadworthiness.
Apperson 6 Cyl. tire options in 600-21 include blackwall and wide whitewall styles, either of which can influence the car’s finished appearance significantly. Blackwall generally gives a more restrained and utilitarian presentation, while wide whitewall adds a more formal and upscale visual statement. Since Apperson occupied the upper end of the market, either look may be considered depending on the restoration direction and evidence for the specific car.
The right choice comes down to how your Apperson 6 Cyl. is being restored and what period references support it. If the aim is a sober touring look, blackwall may fit the car best; if the goal is a more dressed luxury presentation, wide whitewall may be more appropriate. Photographs from the car’s era, restoration history, and show standards should guide the final decision.
Safety & Road Use
A properly fitted, correctly installed tire can make an Apperson 6 Cyl. suitable for careful public-road use within the limits of a 1926 automobile. Safety depends on much more than the tire itself, including wheel condition, tube condition, inflation, brake function, steering integrity, and the overall mechanical state of the car. A prewar car should always be treated as a specialized driving experience rather than used like modern traffic-duty transportation.
That means public-road driving in an Apperson 6 Cyl. should be deliberate, moderate, and preceded by a full mechanical review. Even with sound tires, the car’s age, braking distances, and chassis behavior set the practical limits. Many owners reserve these cars for fair-weather secondary roads, tours, and events where speed and traffic density can be managed more comfortably.
Before driving an Apperson 6 Cyl., check tire inflation, sidewall condition, valve stems, wheel security, and any sign of cuts, cracking, or casing distortion. On a tube-type prewar setup, a tire that has lost air while sitting deserves attention before the car moves. It is also important to inspect the spare, since many antique cars rely on it more seriously than a modern emergency spare.
Beyond the tires, confirm brakes, steering response, wheel bearings, and basic chassis condition before taking an Apperson 6 Cyl. onto the road. A short test roll in a controlled area can reveal problems that are easy to miss in the garage. Antique-car road use is safest when every outing begins with a routine that respects the age of both the vehicle and its tire system.
An Apperson 6 Cyl. should be driven at moderate, conservative speeds that match the character of a late-1920s prewar automobile and the condition of its tire and wheel system. Even when using fresh period-style bias-ply tires, the car is not meant to be driven like a modern sedan. Stability, braking, and steering response all reflect the engineering limits of its time.
The sensible approach is to let road conditions, traffic, and the car’s mechanical confidence level set the pace. Smooth secondary-road touring and event driving usually suit an Apperson 6 Cyl. far better than sustained high-speed travel. If the car is newly restored or newly fitted with tires, begin with shorter, slower drives and recheck inflation and hardware afterward.