Auburn 115 Series Tires

Auburn 115 Series fitment for 1928 includes two size codes: 30X6.50 and 650-18. The 30X6.50 size is an antique diameter-by-section format, while 650-18 is a numeric balloon bias-ply size with listed products built for 18-inch rims and 3.25 to 3.50 inch rim widths.

That split means the year alone is not enough to choose a tire for an Auburn 115 Series. Start by checking the wheel diameter on the car, then compare the existing wheel and tire specification to the correct size convention so you do not confuse an outside-diameter size with an 18-inch rim size.

On an Auburn 115 Series, 30X6.50 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The 30 refers to the tire's approximate overall outside diameter in inches, and the 6.50 refers to nominal section width; it does not state the wheel diameter in the size code.

That is the key difference from later balloon and modern tire markings. When an Auburn 115 Series carries a 30X6.50 listing, the buyer needs to identify the actual rim separately and treat the size code as a physical tire dimension rather than a direct wheel-size reference.

The 1928 Auburn 115 Series shows two sizes because it sits in a period when tire conventions overlapped. One size, 30X6.50, follows the older antique diameter-by-section method, while 650-18 follows the balloon numeric method tied directly to an 18-inch rim.

In practical terms, an Auburn 115 Series owner should identify which wheel and tire standard the specific car uses rather than choosing only by model year. Surviving cars may also reflect restoration history, so wheel measurement and original references should take priority over assumptions.

Yes, the Auburn 115 Series should be treated as a tube-type application for the listed sizes. The available 650-18 products are bias-ply tires, and both the antique-format 30X6.50 and the numeric 650-18 belong to the period when inner tubes were part of normal tire fitment.

That matters during mounting and restoration planning because tube condition is just as important as the tire itself. When fitting an Auburn 115 Series, match the tube to the tire size and rim, and make sure the wheel is clean and suitable for tube-type service.

The correct approach for a 1928 Auburn 115 Series is to verify the wheel diameter first, then match the tire size convention to the hardware on the car. A 650-18 fitment uses an 18-inch rim, while 30X6.50 is an antique diameter-by-section size that does not reveal the rim diameter in the marking itself.

After measuring the wheel, compare the car against restoration records, surviving old tires, or marque references tied to that specific Auburn 115 Series. That extra step is especially important on older collector cars, where wheel swaps and restoration-era substitutions are common.

For the available Auburn 115 Series 650-18 products, two sidewall styles are offered: blackwall and wide whitewall. Both are Firestone Balloon bias-ply tires, with one product carrying a 3.50 inch whitewall and the other using a blackwall sidewall treatment.

The right sidewall choice depends on how the Auburn 115 Series is being presented. A blackwall generally supports a plainer, understated period look, while a wide whitewall creates a more decorative late-1920s appearance that many restorers prefer on upscale cars of the era.

The currently listed Auburn 115 Series products are from Firestone. Both available 650-18 offerings belong to the Firestone Balloon line, with one blackwall version and one wide whitewall version.

If your Auburn 115 Series uses 650-18, that gives you a straightforward period-style brand and series choice. The more important decision then becomes matching the sidewall appearance and confirming that the car actually uses the 18-inch balloon-tire setup rather than the alternate antique-format size.

An Auburn 115 Series should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, and ozone-producing equipment. Clean floors, stable temperatures, and correct inflation help reduce flat-spotting and sidewall stress on low-use collector tires.

If an Auburn 115 Series will sit for long periods, move it periodically or support it in a way that avoids concentrating weight on one section of the tire for months at a time. Good storage habits matter as much as tread depth on vintage bias-ply tires.

Tires on an Auburn 115 Series should be visually inspected before each drive and given a more thorough condition check several times a year, even if the car sees little mileage. Look for weather checking, tread separation, sidewall damage, valve issues, and any signs that the tube or flap may be affecting the casing.

Collector cars often age their tires by time rather than distance, so an Auburn 115 Series can appear lightly used while still needing attention. Regular inspection is especially important after winter storage, before touring events, and anytime the car begins to vibrate or pull unusually.

An Auburn 115 Series tire should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, impact damage, casing distortion, or persistent air-loss problems appear, even if the tread still looks usable. On a vintage car, visible tread depth is only one part of the picture, and structural condition matters more.

That rule is especially important for older bias-ply and tube-type applications because many collector cars spend years parked between drives. If there is any doubt about the condition of a tire on an Auburn 115 Series, a specialist inspection is a wise step before the car returns to road use.

Auburn 115 Series fitment in 1928 includes both 30X6.50 and 650-18, showing that more than one tire standard is associated with the model. The available replacement products are Firestone Balloon bias-ply tires in 650-18, but the exact original fitment for a specific Auburn 115 Series should be matched to the car's wheel equipment and period configuration.

For restoration work, the most reliable path is to compare the car's existing wheels, surviving original parts, and marque references before making a final choice. That helps keep an Auburn 115 Series faithful to its era instead of simply fitting whatever size seems closest.

Yes, correct tire fitment can influence both the presentation and judged authenticity of an Auburn 115 Series. Judges and knowledgeable collectors notice whether the tire size, sidewall treatment, and overall stance match the period character and mechanical specification of the car.

For that reason, Auburn 115 Series restoration choices should balance visual correctness with the actual wheel setup on the car. Marque clubs, factory literature, and period photography are useful references when deciding between antique-style and balloon-style fitment or between blackwall and whitewall presentation.

For the available Auburn 115 Series 650-18 tires, blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles are both offered. Either can suit a late-1920s restoration depending on how the specific Auburn 115 Series was equipped and the appearance the owner is trying to recreate.

A blackwall tends to give an Auburn 115 Series a more restrained period look, while a wide whitewall adds a more formal visual presence. The right choice should follow the car's body style, trim character, and the restoration standard being pursued rather than personal preference alone.

A properly fitted and correctly maintained tire can make an Auburn 115 Series suitable for cautious public-road use within the limits of a late-1920s automobile. The key is that tire condition, wheel condition, tube condition, alignment, brakes, steering, and suspension all need to be considered together rather than treating the tire as an isolated part.

An Auburn 115 Series should be driven with the expectations appropriate to vintage bias-ply equipment. Smooth inputs, moderate speed, and conservative route planning are part of safe operation, especially if the car is newly restored or has spent long periods off the road.

Before driving an Auburn 115 Series, check inflation pressure, visible tire condition, valve stems, wheel fasteners, and any signs of rubbing or uneven wear. You should also confirm that the tires fitted actually match the wheel diameter and type used on the car, since 1928 Auburn 115 Series fitment spans two different size conventions.

A short test roll and a final walk-around are good habits before heading onto public roads. Vintage cars communicate problems early through pull, shake, hopping, or steering heaviness, and catching those signs before a full drive can prevent unnecessary stress on the tires and chassis.

An Auburn 115 Series should be driven at speeds that respect the design limits of a late-1920s chassis, brakes, steering geometry, and bias-ply tire behavior. Even when the tires are in good condition, these cars are best enjoyed at moderate touring speeds rather than modern highway pace.

The practical goal is relaxed, predictable operation instead of extracting maximum speed from the car. If an Auburn 115 Series is newly acquired, newly restored, or fitted with older tires of uncertain age, beginning with very conservative speeds is the sensible way to assess roadworthiness.