Auburn 160 Series Tires

The Auburn 160 Series uses two tire sizes in the 1932 model year: 6.00-17 and 6.50-17. Both are numeric bias-ply sizes built for 17-inch rims, with the difference being the nominal section width. That means the Auburn 160 Series did not switch wheel diameter within the listed range, but it did use two distinct tire widths in the same year.

The practical step is to identify which of those two sizes belongs on your specific Auburn 160 Series before selecting a tire. Check the tires currently on the car, measure or verify the wheel, and compare against factory literature, restoration records, or marque-club guidance so the finished car has the correct stance and proportions.

On an Auburn 160 Series, 6.00-17 is an older numeric bias-ply size. The 6.00 figure indicates the nominal section width in inches, while the 17 indicates the rim diameter in inches. It is a period format used on pre-war American cars and should be read differently from later alphanumeric or modern metric sizing.

That code matters because a modern buyer may focus only on the 17-inch wheel and overlook the width difference between 6.00-17 and 6.50-17. On an Auburn 160 Series, that width change affects appearance and fit, so the size should match the wheel and the intended specification of the car rather than being chosen by year alone.

A 1932 Auburn 160 Series has two sizes listed because the model year included more than one fitment within the same 17-inch wheel diameter. The two listed sizes are 6.00-17 and 6.50-17, which indicates a same-year split in tire width rather than a change in wheel diameter. That kind of variation is common on pre-war cars where body style, equipment level, or intended use could affect tire choice.

The important implication is that the car's exact configuration needs to be identified before selecting tires. If your Auburn 160 Series has been restored over many decades, confirm that the wheels now on the car are the wheels it is meant to run, then match the tire size to that setup rather than assuming every 1932 example used the same tire.

The Auburn 160 Series uses older numeric bias-ply sizes, and with that type of pre-war construction a tube is required. Both listed sizes, 6.00-17 and 6.50-17, fall into the period bias-ply category rather than later tubeless radial sizing. That makes tubes part of the normal fitment, not an optional accessory.

When fitting tires to an Auburn 160 Series, treat the tube, flap if applicable, and wheel condition as part of the complete assembly. Old rims should be clean and properly inspected so the tire and tube can seat correctly, especially on a collector car that may spend long periods parked between drives.

A 1932 Auburn 160 Series can use either 6.00-17 or 6.50-17, so confirmation starts with the specific car rather than the year badge alone. Both sizes fit 17-inch rims, which means the deciding factor is the car's individual configuration. The correct size should match the wheel and the intended specification of that particular Auburn 160 Series.

Start by checking the existing tires and wheels, then compare what you find with restoration records, period literature, or recognized Auburn reference material. If the car has been apart for many years or has changed hands repeatedly, take extra care to confirm that the wheel set now on the car is the one you want to preserve in service.

An Auburn 160 Series should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from ozone sources such as electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and heaters. Keep the tires clean, maintain proper inflation, and avoid long exposure to direct sunlight or damp floors. Pre-war bias-ply tires and tube-type assemblies benefit from a stable environment because long idle periods can promote flat-spotting and age-related deterioration.

If the Auburn 160 Series will sit for extended periods, move it occasionally to change the contact patch or support the car in a way that follows accepted collector-car practice. Good storage habits preserve the tire's shape, help the tube assembly stay healthier, and reduce the chances of finding sidewall stress or deformation when the car returns to use.

Tires on an Auburn 160 Series should be inspected before each drive and given a more thorough review at regular intervals even if the car is rarely used. On a pre-war collector car, inspection should include air pressure, visible cracking, tread condition, bead area condition, and any sign that the tube-type assembly is not holding pressure correctly. Bias-ply tires on low-mileage classics often age out before they wear out.

A practical routine is to inspect the Auburn 160 Series every time it comes out of storage, after any long tour, and whenever steering feel or ride quality changes. Periodic review by a shop familiar with collector tires is worthwhile because small issues on an older car can become noticeable quickly once the car is back on the road.

Tires on an Auburn 160 Series should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, separation, repeated air loss, impact damage, or other structural concerns appear, even if the tread still looks serviceable. Collector tires often see little mileage, so appearance at the center of the tread is only one part of the evaluation. On a pre-war car, age and condition matter at least as much as tread depth.

The safest approach is to treat the entire Auburn 160 Series tire assembly as a time-sensitive component and have it evaluated by a specialist whenever there is doubt. A car that is shown often but driven little can still need replacement tires because rubber and tube materials continue to age whether the mileage is high or low.

The Auburn 160 Series is associated here with two period-correct size listings for 1932: 6.00-17 and 6.50-17. Those sizes establish the original style of fitment as numeric bias-ply on 17-inch rims, but they do not by themselves identify one universal factory specification for every Auburn 160 Series. The car's exact body style and equipment history still matter.

For restoration work, use those sizes as the starting point and then confirm the intended specification of your Auburn 160 Series through factory literature, surviving car evidence, and marque expertise. That approach keeps the car historically credible and helps avoid the common mistake of fitting a tire that is generally close but not correct for the particular restoration.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how an Auburn 160 Series is judged and how seriously the restoration is taken. Size, profile, and overall stance are highly visible on a pre-war automobile, and the difference between a 6.00-17 and a 6.50-17 can change the car's presentation. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the tire looks appropriate to the wheel and the car's period character.

For that reason, an Auburn 160 Series restoration should treat tires as part of the authenticity package rather than a late-stage consumable. Matching the right numeric bias-ply size to the specific car helps preserve period appearance, and marque clubs or Auburn specialists remain the best reference when the car's history leaves any doubt.

Sidewall style can be an important visual detail on an Auburn 160 Series restoration because pre-war luxury and sporting cars often depend on tire appearance to complete the car's stance. The correct choice should suit the period character of the car and the specific restoration goal, whether that is formal authenticity, touring presentation, or show-field correctness. The tire size still has to be correct first.

When restoring an Auburn 160 Series, compare the intended sidewall look to period photos, surviving original examples, and marque references so the finished car does not lose historical balance. Sidewall style should complement the wheel and body style rather than overpower it, especially on a 1932 automobile where proportions are central to the overall impression.

Auburn 160 Series tires in the listed 6.00-17 and 6.50-17 sizes can be suitable for public-road use when they are correctly fitted, properly inflated, matched to sound wheels, and used within the realistic operating limits of a pre-war automobile. Safety depends on the complete condition of the tire, tube, wheel, steering, and braking system rather than on size alone. A correctly sized tire is only one part of a roadworthy car.

Before regular road use, make sure the Auburn 160 Series has been inspected as a complete mechanical package. A collector car from 1932 should be driven with period-aware caution, leaving extra braking distance and avoiding modern traffic habits that assume contemporary tire, brake, and suspension performance.

Before driving an Auburn 160 Series, check tire inflation, visible sidewall condition, valve stems, wheel security, and whether the tires match the correct 6.00-17 or 6.50-17 fitment for the specific car. Also look for cracking, bulges, uneven wear, or signs that a tube-type assembly has begun to lose pressure. On a pre-war car, that walk-around inspection should be routine, not occasional.

The broader point is that an Auburn 160 Series rewards careful pre-drive habits. Even if the car is used only for tours, local events, or weekend runs, verifying tire condition before movement helps catch age-related issues early and reduces the risk of discovering a preventable problem once the car is already out on the road.

Appropriate speed for an Auburn 160 Series on original-type bias-ply tires should reflect the realities of a 1932 car, not the pace of modern highway traffic. Even when the tires are the correct size and in good condition, the entire vehicle remains a pre-war design with period steering, braking, and chassis behavior. Sensible operation matters as much as the tire itself.

Drive the Auburn 160 Series at moderate speeds that suit road conditions, vehicle condition, and your confidence in the car's mechanical state. A conservative approach preserves the tires, is kinder to the chassis, and better matches the way a classic pre-war automobile is meant to be enjoyed.