Auburn 125WW Series Tires
The Auburn 125WW Series belongs to the early 1930s luxury-performance era, when American manufacturers were blending speed, style, and increasingly sophisticated chassis engineering into premium automobiles. Produced for 1930, Auburn 125WW Series models sit right at a transition point in tire design, where older large-diameter sizing conventions overlapped with newer balloon-era fitments. That makes tire selection less straightforward than it first appears, because the same model year is associated with two very different size formats rather than one simple modern equivalent. Anyone choosing tires for an Auburn 125WW Series should first confirm whether the car carries the larger antique-style fitment or an 18-inch wheel using balloon-type sizing.
Auburn 125WW Series Tire Size Guide
Auburn 125WW Series tires span 2 distinct sizes for the 1930 model year, and the most important point is that the fitments use different wheel relationships rather than one interchangeable size family. One size uses antique diameter-by-section nomenclature, where the leading number is the tire's overall outside diameter rather than the wheel diameter. The other uses balloon-era numeric sizing tied to an 18-inch rim, so identifying the wheel on the actual car is the first step.
30X6.75 is an antique-format Auburn 125WW Series size used for 1930 applications within this model group. The 30 indicates an overall tire diameter of about 30 inches and the 6.75 indicates nominal section width in inches, while the wheel diameter is not contained in the size code itself. Choose 30X6.75 only after confirming the actual rim diameter on the car, because antique sizes do not reveal wheel size in the marking.
700-18 is a balloon-era Auburn 125WW Series size used for 1930 applications and it is the size with current product coverage here. The 700 indicates a nominal section width of roughly 7.00 inches and the 18 indicates an 18-inch rim, with listed products fitting 18-inch wheels in rim widths ranging from 3.75-4.00 inches up to wider specialty applications. Choose 700-18 when the car is fitted with 18-inch wheels and period-style balloon tires are appropriate, and because the available products are bias-ply designs, a tube is required; one product in this size is listed as new-old-stock original period production — contact the supplier for age and condition details before ordering.
Auburn 125WW Series Tires by Year
The year listing breaks Auburn 125WW Series fitments down by production year so you can match the car to the size range used in that period. In 1930, more than two size formats are not present, but two distinct sizing systems are, so the correct choice depends on the wheel and configuration rather than the year alone. The leading number in an antique size such as 30X6.75 is the tire's outside diameter, not the wheel size, so confirm the rim itself before moving ahead.
1930 Auburn 125WW Series
- 30X6.75
- 700-18
Best Auburn 125WW Series Tires for Sale
Available Auburn 125WW Series tires cover 2 sizes across 4 brands and 7 products. Confirm the correct size and the 18-inch rim fitment before selecting, and note that one listing is a new-old-stock original period tire that deserves specialist evaluation before use regardless of appearance.
700-18 Products
These are the available products for 700-18.
Frequently Asked Questions
The FAQs below focus on the unusual overlap of antique and balloon-era sizing on the Auburn 125WW Series, how to confirm the correct wheel and tire combination, and what to know about bias-ply, specialty-use, and new-old-stock listings.
Size Basics & Fitment
Auburn 125WW Series fitments in this model group include two sizes for 1930: 30X6.75 and 700-18. The 700-18 size uses an 18-inch rim, while 30X6.75 is an antique diameter-by-section size whose wheel diameter is not stated in the size code itself. Current product coverage here is concentrated in 700-18, with bias-ply options from several brands and sidewall styles.
That means the first job is identifying which wheel and tire system your Auburn 125WW Series actually carries. Check the size stamped on an existing tire if present, then compare the wheel diameter on the car and any surviving factory or restoration records. Treat the year as only part of the answer, because both sizes appear within the same 1930 model grouping.
On an Auburn 125WW Series, 30X6.75 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The 30 refers to the tire's approximate overall outside diameter in inches, and the 6.75 refers to the nominal section width. Unlike later size formats, that first number is not the wheel diameter, so the rim size cannot be read directly from the marking.
That distinction matters because it is easy to mistake an antique size for a wheel-size reference when it is not. If your Auburn 125WW Series has an older-style large-diameter tire, measure the rim carefully and compare it with the tire and wheel assembly already on the car. Antique-format fitments deserve extra caution when a car has been restored or converted at some point in its life.
A 1930 Auburn 125WW Series shows two listed sizes because this model group bridges two different sizing conventions: antique diameter-by-section sizing and balloon-era numeric sizing. The split is not simply a brand choice or whitewall choice. It reflects different wheel-and-tire combinations that can exist within the same model year grouping.
That is why a 1930 Auburn 125WW Series should never be matched by year alone. Look at the wheel diameter on the car, compare the existing tire size if an older correct set is still present, and check restoration paperwork or period references tied to the exact body and chassis configuration. The right tire follows the wheel and setup, not just the calendar year.
The Auburn 125WW Series uses an 18-inch rim when fitted with 700-18 tires. With 30X6.75, the size code does not reveal the wheel diameter because antique sizing uses overall tire diameter first rather than rim diameter. That means Auburn 125WW Series wheel diameter depends on which size family the car is using.
If your Auburn 125WW Series is fitted with 700-18, the wheel question is straightforward: it is an 18-inch rim. If the car carries 30X6.75, verify the wheel directly before choosing a replacement tire, especially on an older restoration where wheels may have been swapped. A careful rim check prevents ordering a tire from the wrong sizing era.
Buying the Right Tire
A 1930 Auburn 125WW Series can correspond to either 30X6.75 or 700-18, so confirmation starts with the wheel and the tire currently on the car. If the car wears 700-18, you are dealing with an 18-inch rim and currently available bias-ply replacement choices. If it wears 30X6.75, you need to verify the antique-format fitment by measuring and matching the wheel and tire system already in place.
The best approach is to inspect all four tires, read any surviving sidewall markings, and measure the wheel itself rather than relying on memory or a single spare. Restoration history matters on a car of this age, since later owners may have changed wheels for practicality or appearance. Marque-specific references and period photographs can help settle close calls.
Auburn 125WW Series tire options in 700-18 include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. Those choices appear across the currently listed bias-ply products, with blackwall being the most common style in the available range. Sidewall style does not change the basic size, but it does affect the visual character of the finished car.
For a formal restoration, the right sidewall treatment should match the specific presentation you want for your Auburn 125WW Series and the way the car would have appeared in period. Blackwalls often suit a more understated look, while whitewall variants deliver a more upscale presence. Use photographs, marque references, and judging standards if authenticity is a priority.
Auburn 125WW Series tire options in the listed 700-18 size come from Firestone, Lester, Excelsior, and STA. Firestone appears in both Balloon and Classic Bias Ply series, Lester appears in Classic Bias Ply, Excelsior appears in Comp H, and STA appears in the Transport Highway series. All currently listed products for this size are bias-ply constructions.
Brand choice should follow the type of restoration or use you have in mind for your Auburn 125WW Series. Some buyers prioritize a period-correct visual profile, while others focus on matching a particular tread family or sidewall style. Once the size and wheel are confirmed, compare brand and series differences to decide what best suits the car's intended presentation and use.
One Auburn 125WW Series listing in 700-18 is identified as new-old-stock original period production. That means it is an older tire manufactured in the period rather than a newly produced reproduction, even if it has never been mounted or shows very little wear. Age alone can affect rubber condition, casing integrity, and roadworthiness in ways that are not obvious from appearance.
For most Auburn 125WW Series owners, a new-production tire is the practical choice for driving, while a new-old-stock tire is more often considered for display, preservation, or highly specific authenticity goals. If you are considering NOS for use, have it assessed by a specialist familiar with vintage tire construction and storage history. The visual appeal of an untouched period tire does not by itself make it suitable for road service.
Maintenance & Longevity
An Auburn 125WW Series should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, ozone sources, and petroleum contamination. Bias-ply tires on low-use collector cars benefit from stable inflation and a clean surface under the tire rather than bare damp concrete. Long periods in one position can encourage flat spotting and stress on the carcass.
If the Auburn 125WW Series will sit for extended periods, roll the car occasionally or support it in a way that reduces continuous load on one contact patch. Keep inflation consistent with the tire's intended service and inspect for sidewall cracking, weathering, or separation before the next outing. Good storage habits matter as much as mileage on collector tires.
Tires on an Auburn 125WW Series should be inspected before every drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals even if the car covers very few miles. A pre-war collector car often spends long periods parked, which can hide age-related changes until the car is put back into motion. Bias-ply construction also rewards close attention to pressure, sidewall condition, and bead area health.
A useful routine for an Auburn 125WW Series is a visual walk-around before each movement, followed by periodic hands-on inspection of tread, sidewalls, valve stems, and wheel condition. If the car sees tours or event driving, recheck pressures and look for uneven wear afterward. Any vibration, pull, bulge, or sudden change in feel deserves immediate attention.
Auburn 125WW Series tires should be replaced when age, cracking, casing deterioration, impact damage, or structural concerns appear, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector cars often age out their tires long before they wear them out. That is especially true on pre-war automobiles where tire construction and storage history have a large effect on serviceability.
Do not judge an Auburn 125WW Series tire by tread depth alone. Sidewall weathering, repeated flat spotting, bead damage, or long-unknown storage conditions are enough reason to have the tire professionally evaluated and often replaced. If the tire is a new-old-stock piece, age becomes an even bigger part of the decision because an unused period tire can still be unsuitable for driving.
Restoration & Authenticity
Auburn 125WW Series listings here show two period-appropriate size paths for 1930: 30X6.75 and 700-18. The available series within 700-18 include Firestone Balloon, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Lester Classic Bias Ply, Comp H, and Transport Highway. That tells you the car sits in a period where more than one vintage tire style family can be relevant depending on the exact configuration.
For a truly exact restoration, the right answer for an Auburn 125WW Series should be tied to the specific body, wheel, and restoration goal rather than assumed from the model name alone. Surviving factory literature, marque club references, and period photographs are the best way to refine the choice after the basic size has been confirmed. Size comes first, then series and sidewall treatment.
Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how an Auburn 125WW Series is judged and how convincing the restoration appears. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, sidewall treatment, profile, and whether the tire style suits the car's era. A pre-war luxury-performance automobile like the Auburn 125WW Series benefits from tires that look proportionally and historically appropriate on the car.
That does not always mean one single answer for every Auburn 125WW Series, especially when more than one size family is associated with the model year. The key is consistency between the wheel, the selected tire size, and the presentation standard you are aiming for. If the car will be judged, compare your choice with marque-club guidance before finalizing the set.
Auburn 125WW Series options in 700-18 include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. All three are visually distinct, and each changes the car's character even when the size remains the same. On a 1930 premium automobile, sidewall style should be chosen as part of the restoration story, not as an afterthought.
If authenticity is the priority, use period images and marque references to determine whether your Auburn 125WW Series should wear blackwalls or one of the whitewall treatments. If the goal is a clean touring look, blackwall may be the better match; if the goal is a more formal or upscale appearance, a whitewall treatment may better suit the car. Keep the sidewall style consistent across all five tires if a spare is carried.
Safety & Road Use
New-production bias-ply tires in the correct size can be suitable for public-road use on an Auburn 125WW Series when the car is mechanically sound and the tires are properly mounted, inflated, and matched to the wheel. The key point is that this is a 1930 pre-war automobile with period handling, braking, and suspension behavior. Tire choice is only one part of the overall safety picture.
Auburn 125WW Series road use should be approached with realistic speeds, generous following distance, and close attention to steering feel and braking response. Before regular driving, make sure wheels, tubes, brakes, alignment, and suspension are all in good order. A correct tire improves confidence, but it does not modernize the way a pre-war car behaves in traffic.
Before driving an Auburn 125WW Series, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and the security of the wheel and hardware. On a bias-ply pre-war car, you also want to watch for flat spotting after storage, cuts around the bead area, and any bulges or irregularities that suggest internal damage. A short visual inspection before each outing is worthwhile.
Also verify that the Auburn 125WW Series is riding on the correct tire size for the wheel fitted to the car. If the car has recently been restored or has sat for a long period, add a check of brake operation, steering free play, and wheel bearing condition before venturing onto public roads. Small issues become more serious quickly on older chassis designs.
An Auburn 125WW Series on period-style bias-ply tires should be driven at speeds that respect the capabilities of a 1930 automobile rather than the pace of modern traffic. Even with correct new-production tires, the overall vehicle design, braking system, steering geometry, and road manners remain pre-war in character. Smooth, moderate driving is the right baseline.
For practical use, think of the Auburn 125WW Series as a car for measured touring, secondary roads, and event driving rather than sustained high-speed travel. Avoid abrupt lane changes, late braking, and heavy heat buildup from extended fast running. If the car is fitted with any period or specialty tire of uncertain age, reduce expectations further and have the entire setup reviewed before road use.