Chrysler 72 Series Tires

Chrysler 72 Series was part of the company’s late-1920s push into more modern, higher-speed American motoring, offering buyers a substantial car from a make that was quickly building a reputation for engineering ambition. Built in 1928, Chrysler 72 Series sits in an era when tire technology was evolving from earlier high-profile fitments toward more standardized balloon-style sizing. Tire selection is not entirely straightforward here because two different size formats appear for the same model year, and one of them uses an antique-style code that can be misread by modern buyers. Before choosing a tire for a Chrysler 72 Series, first confirm the actual rim diameter on the car.

Chrysler 72 Series Tire Size Guide

Chrysler 72 Series uses 2 distinct tire sizes across the 1928 model year, and the first fitment point to sort out is that the rim diameter differs between them. One size uses an 18-inch rim and the other uses a smaller rim diameter, so the wheel itself must be confirmed before a tire is selected. Chrysler 72 Series also includes an antique diameter-by-section size format, where the leading number is the tire’s outside diameter rather than the wheel diameter.

30X6.001928Antique diameter-by-section

30X6.00 is one of the sizes used on 1928 Chrysler 72 Series applications. In this format, 30 refers to the tire’s approximate outside diameter in inches and 6.00 refers to the section width, while the wheel diameter must be confirmed from the matching product specification rather than the size code itself. Choose 30X6.00 only if the car’s wheels match the corresponding smaller rim diameter used with this fitment, and verify tube use against the tire construction selected.

6.00-181928Numeric bias-ply

6.00-18 is also listed for 1928 Chrysler 72 Series applications. In numeric sizing, 6.00 identifies the nominal section width and 18 is the rim diameter in inches, making this an 18-inch wheel fitment. Choose 6.00-18 when the car is fitted with 18-inch wheels, and because this is a period bias-ply format, a tube is required.

Chrysler 72 Series Tires by Year

The year listing for Chrysler 72 Series shows which tire sizes apply to each production year and is the quickest way to narrow the fitment for a specific car. In 1928, more than one size is listed, so the car’s exact wheel and configuration need to be checked before choosing a tire. The leading number in 30X6.00 is the tire’s outside diameter, not the wheel size, which is why rim diameter needs a second look on Chrysler 72 Series.

Frequently Asked Questions

The FAQs below focus on the two size formats used on Chrysler 72 Series, how to identify the correct rim diameter, and what to verify when choosing period-style collector tires for a 1928 Chrysler.

Size Basics & Fitment

Chrysler 72 Series uses two tire sizes in the 1928 model year: 30X6.00 and 6.00-18. The important difference is that 6.00-18 is clearly an 18-inch rim size, while 30X6.00 is an antique diameter-by-section size where the first number describes the tire’s outside diameter rather than the wheel diameter.

That means a Chrysler 72 Series owner should not choose a tire by year alone. The right approach is to inspect the wheels already on the car, confirm the rim diameter, and then match the tire size to that wheel before deciding on tread, sidewall, or construction style.

On a Chrysler 72 Series, 30X6.00 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The 30 refers to the tire’s approximate outside diameter in inches, and the 6.00 refers to the nominal section width, so the code does not directly tell you the wheel diameter the way a later 6.00-18 size does.

That distinction matters because modern buyers often assume the first number is the rim diameter, which would be incorrect here. A Chrysler 72 Series owner using this size should verify the actual wheel diameter on the car and then confirm that the chosen tire matches that rim before moving ahead with a restoration or road-use plan.

A 1928 Chrysler 72 Series can show both 30X6.00 and 6.00-18 because the model year includes more than one fitment path. The split is not just a different way of writing the same size; one format is an antique diameter-based code and the other is a numeric size tied to an 18-inch wheel.

For the owner, that means the correct choice depends on the specific wheels fitted to the individual Chrysler 72 Series. Cars that have been restored, re-bodied, or updated over many decades can carry wheels different from what a buyer expects, so the wheel itself should be treated as the deciding reference.

Chrysler 72 Series uses more than one rim diameter across the listed 1928 fitments. The 6.00-18 size is for an 18-inch rim, while the 30X6.00 size uses an antique-style code that does not state the wheel diameter in the size itself, so the rim diameter has to be confirmed separately.

That is the first fitment check to make on a Chrysler 72 Series because choosing by appearance alone can lead to the wrong tire. Measure the wheel, confirm the existing rim diameter, and only then select the tire size that corresponds to that wheel rather than relying on the year badge on the car.

Buying the Right Tire

The correct tire size for a 1928 Chrysler 72 Series starts with identifying whether the car carries the fitment associated with 30X6.00 or the 18-inch fitment associated with 6.00-18. Because those two sizes use different coding systems, the year alone is not enough to settle the choice.

Begin with the wheel already on the car: check the rim diameter, read any surviving markings, and compare that information with restoration records or period literature for the specific automobile. That extra step is especially important on collector cars that may have had wheels or tires changed several times over their lives.

Made-to-order on a Chrysler 72 Series tire means the tire is produced as a specialty collector application rather than treated as a mass-market replacement item. That is common with 1920s sizes because demand is narrow and the tires are intended for restoration, preservation, and limited-use vintage motoring.

For a Chrysler 72 Series owner, the practical takeaway is to choose carefully and confirm every fitment detail before settling on size, construction, and appearance. Specialty tires are part of a restoration plan, so the best results come from matching the tire to the wheel and the intended use of the car from the start.

Chrysler 72 Series fitments from 1928 can fall across more than one period sizing convention, which usually reflects the broader transition in late-1920s tire design from earlier diameter-based identification toward more standardized numeric balloon sizing. The key difference for the buyer is not marketing language but the wheel diameter and size system each tire belongs to.

That means a Chrysler 72 Series owner should evaluate each option by its actual dimensions, rim compatibility, and the type of restoration being pursued. A car restored for authentic period appearance may call for a different choice than one being prepared for occasional touring, even when both remain within proper period-style fitment.

Maintenance & Longevity

A Chrysler 72 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. Tire pressure should be maintained correctly, and if the car will sit for extended periods, reducing static load with proper stands can help protect the casing and avoid flat spotting.

Collector cars from the 1920s benefit from routine movement rather than long neglect. Rolling a Chrysler 72 Series occasionally, keeping the wheels clean, and checking for sidewall cracking or bead-area distress will do more for tire life than focusing on tread depth alone.

Tires on a Chrysler 72 Series should be inspected before every drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals even if the car sees very little road use. A 1928-era vehicle places a premium on sidewall condition, tube condition where applicable, bead seating, valve stem health, and any signs of age-related cracking or separation.

A practical routine is to give a quick visual check before moving the car and schedule a closer inspection at least seasonally. On a Chrysler 72 Series that attends tours, shows, or parade events, a specialist familiar with vintage bias-ply and antique-style tires is worth involving from time to time.

Tires on a Chrysler 72 Series should be replaced when they show age cracking, stiffness, cord exposure, sidewall distortion, repeated air loss, impact damage, or any sign that the casing has deteriorated, even if the tread still looks deep. Low-mile collector tires often age out long before they wear out.

That rule matters even more on a pre-war car because tire materials can degrade quietly during storage. A Chrysler 72 Series owner should treat visible age, not just miles driven, as a major replacement trigger and should have any older specialty tire evaluated if there is doubt about continued road use.

Restoration & Authenticity

Chrysler 72 Series is associated here with two 1928 fitment sizes: 30X6.00 and 6.00-18. Those listings show that period-correct selection is not limited to a single modern-looking size convention and that more than one authentic fitment path may exist for the model year.

For restoration work, the most accurate next step is to compare the car’s current wheels and surviving historical evidence for that exact automobile. A Chrysler 72 Series being judged at a high level should be matched to the fitment that best aligns with its wheel equipment, build details, and restoration objective.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Chrysler 72 Series is viewed in restoration judging and by knowledgeable collectors. Size format, sidewall appearance, overall stance, and whether the tire suits the wheel diameter all contribute to how authentic the finished car appears.

A Chrysler 72 Series restored with the wrong wheel-to-tire relationship can look noticeably off even to casual observers. Owners pursuing show presentation or long-term collector value should verify fitment against marque references and compare the car with well-regarded restorations before settling on a final tire choice.

The correct sidewall style for a Chrysler 72 Series depends on the restoration goal and the exact period presentation being pursued. Late-1920s American cars can be sensitive to sidewall appearance because the visual effect of the tire is a major part of the car’s stance and overall period character.

A Chrysler 72 Series restored for authenticity should use a sidewall style that matches the era, the wheel size, and the intended judging standard rather than whatever looks most modern. Comparing the finished car to period photography and trusted marque references is the best way to make that decision with confidence.

Safety & Road Use

A properly selected and properly maintained tire can make a Chrysler 72 Series suitable for careful public-road use, but the tire is only one part of the equation. A 1928 automobile also depends on sound wheels, correct tubes where required, proper brake function, steering condition, and overall mechanical health.

That means a Chrysler 72 Series should be treated as a collector car, not as modern daily transportation. Reasonable speeds, short drives, and regular inspection are the right approach, especially after long storage or when the car has recently been returned to service.

Before driving a Chrysler 72 Series, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, valve stems, wheel fasteners, and whether the tire size installed actually matches the wheel diameter on the car. On a model with both 30X6.00 and 6.00-18 fitments, confirming that wheel-and-tire pairing is especially important.

A broader pre-drive walkaround should also include brakes, steering play, fluid leaks, and any rubbing or clearance issue at the fenders and suspension. A Chrysler 72 Series that has sat for months should be treated cautiously on the first outing until everything has been rechecked under real operating conditions.

A Chrysler 72 Series should be driven at moderate, conservative speeds that respect both the capabilities of a 1928 automobile and the construction style of period-type tires. Even when the car is in good condition, these tires are chosen for vintage compatibility and appearance rather than for modern highway expectations.

The best practice is to drive a Chrysler 72 Series at a pace that keeps the car settled, steering predictable, and braking distance manageable. Owners planning extended touring should think in terms of mechanical sympathy and safety margin, not the maximum speed the engine can produce.