Davis 94 Series Tires

The Davis 94 Series uses two tire sizes in the 1927 model year: 29X4.95 and 5.00-20. The 29X4.95 size is an antique diameter-by-section format, where 29 is the overall tire diameter and the product fitment uses a 20-inch rim. The 5.00-20 size is a numeric bias-ply size that also uses a 20-inch rim, with 5.00 identifying the nominal section width.

That means the year alone is not enough to choose a tire for a Davis 94 Series. Start by reading the existing tire, measuring the rim, and comparing the wheel to any surviving factory or restoration records for the car. On an older car that may have seen wheel swaps over the decades, the wheel actually fitted to the car matters more than the model year by itself.

On a Davis 94 Series, 29X4.95 is an older tire size format rather than a modern wheel-size code. The 29 identifies the tire's outside diameter in inches, and 4.95 identifies the nominal section width. It does not mean the tire fits a 29-inch wheel, because the corresponding rim diameter is 20 inches.

That distinction matters because antique tire codes are easy to misread if you are more familiar with later sizing systems. If a Davis 94 Series still wears old tires, compare the size marking with the actual wheel and rim before selecting a replacement. Matching the tire by the code alone without confirming the rim can send you toward the wrong product family.

The Davis 94 Series fitments listed here use 20-inch rims. That applies to both 29X4.95 and 5.00-20, even though the two sizes express themselves differently. The antique-format size hides the rim diameter in the code, while the numeric size states it directly after the dash.

For a buyer or restorer, the practical step is to confirm the wheel before focusing on the tire designation. Measure the rim, inspect any stamping on the wheel, and compare what is on the car to period literature if available. On transitional late-1920s cars, the same model can look confusing simply because one size code describes overall tire dimensions and the other describes rim fitment more directly.

Yes, the Davis 94 Series should be treated as a tube-type application with these listed sizes. The 29X4.95 antique size and the 5.00-20 numeric bias-ply size both belong to the period when tube-type construction was standard. On collector cars of this era, the tire, tube, and rim condition all work together as part of the fitment.

Inner tubes should be matched to the tire size and installed only after the wheel has been checked for rust, burrs, spoke issues, or damage that could chafe the tube. If the car has been sitting for years, inspect the rim band or any contact surfaces inside the wheel as carefully as the tire itself. Tube service is part of proper pre-war tire fitment, not an optional extra.

A 1927 Davis 94 Series can appear with either 29X4.95 or 5.00-20, so the correct tire begins with the wheel actually fitted to the car and the size system the car is using. Read the markings on any existing tire, measure the rim, and compare that information with original owner literature, restoration records, or marque references tied to the specific car.

The best approach is to treat the year as a starting point rather than the final answer. Cars from this period may have received replacement wheels, later service tires, or mixed parts during long-term ownership. If the size stamped on the old tire and the wheel measurement do not agree, trust the physical wheel first and then work backward to the correct tire family.

Made-to-order on a Davis 94 Series tire means the tire is built as a specialty collector product rather than a routine modern replacement. That is common in early and limited-production fitments, where demand is much smaller and the tire is produced for historically specific applications. The designation reflects the nature of the product, not a change in the tire's intended fitment.

For the owner, the key implication is to verify every fitment detail before selecting the tire, because specialty production tires are chosen for a particular wheel and size system. Confirm the exact size code, confirm the rim diameter, and make sure the car is staying within the period-correct construction style you want for restoration or road use. Precision matters more here than convenience.

The Davis 94 Series page groups fitments by size rather than by a long list of modern performance categories, so the biggest differences are the sizing system and period construction style. One size appears in antique diameter-by-section form and the other in later numeric bias-ply form. Those formats reflect an industry transition in how tires were labeled and selected during the 1920s.

For a restorer, that means the right choice is usually the one that matches the wheel and the era presentation of the car. A car being restored for historical accuracy may favor the size and visual character that best align with its surviving wheels and period specification. A touring-oriented car still needs the same discipline, because the wrong size family can create both fitment and appearance problems.

A Davis 94 Series should be stored in a cool, dark, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, ozone sources, and petroleum contamination. Keep the tires clean, maintain appropriate inflation for storage, and avoid long periods with one spot of the tire carrying the full weight on rough or damp surfaces. Early collector tires benefit from a stable environment more than from frequent cosmetic treatment.

If the car will sit for an extended period, move it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces flat spotting and sidewall strain without placing the suspension in an unnatural position. Covering the tires from light and keeping the floor clean and dry helps preserve both rubber and tube assemblies. Good storage habits matter as much as mileage on a low-use pre-war car.

Tires on a Davis 94 Series should be inspected before every meaningful drive and again after long storage periods. Look for tread separation, sidewall cracking, bead issues, tube-related deflation, weather checking, uneven wear, and any sign that the rim itself may be affecting the tire. On a 1920s car, inspection should include the wheel hardware and surrounding chassis condition, not just the rubber.

A pre-drive inspection routine is especially important because these cars are often used infrequently, and problems can develop while parked rather than while accumulating miles. A car that appears fine visually can still have tube leakage, rim corrosion, or age-related casing weakness. Regular inspection by an owner who knows the car, supplemented by periodic specialist review, is a smart habit.

Tires on a Davis 94 Series should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, vibration, casing distortion, repeated air loss, or any structural concern appears, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector tires often age out long before they wear out. Any tire of uncertain age, especially one that has sat mounted for years, deserves careful scrutiny rather than reliance on appearance alone.

That principle is even more important on a pre-war car, where the tire and tube system is part of a much older vehicle design. If the car develops new steering shake, unusual ride harshness, or sidewall changes, stop and inspect before driving further. Replacing an aged tire early is usually far less costly than risking damage to a rare wheel, fender, or chassis component.

The Davis 94 Series is associated here with two period-appropriate sizes in 1927: 29X4.95 and 5.00-20. Those sizes reflect the late-1920s overlap between older diameter-based sizing and newer numeric bias-ply sizing. Because both appear within the same model year, the original tire for a particular Davis 94 Series depends on the exact wheel and configuration of the individual car.

For an accurate restoration, the best reference is the car's surviving wheels along with factory literature, period photographs, and marque-specific research. A restorer should avoid assuming that every 1927 Davis 94 Series left the factory with the same tire code simply because the model year matches. Authenticity usually comes from matching the specific car, not choosing the most familiar size name.

Yes, correct tire fitment can affect both the presentation and the judged authenticity of a Davis 94 Series. Tire size, side profile, overall diameter, and construction style all influence how the car sits and how faithfully it reflects its period. On uncommon cars, judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the tires support the car's proper stance and era character.

For that reason, tire choice should be part of the restoration plan rather than a last-minute replacement item. A Davis 94 Series fitted with the wrong size family can look visibly off even before any driving issue appears. If the car is intended for show use, compare the wheels and tires against period references and consult marque circles that understand lesser-produced late-1920s automobiles.

A correct sidewall style for a Davis 94 Series restoration should match both the tire family chosen and the period character of the car. Late-1920s restorations often place a premium on visual authenticity, so sidewall appearance matters nearly as much as the size itself. The right answer depends on the exact tire offering that matches the wheel and the restoration goal for the car.

If the Davis 94 Series is being restored for judging, use period photos, factory literature, and marque references to decide whether a plainer blackwall-style appearance or a more decorative presentation belongs on that specific example. If the car is a driver-quality restoration, the same sidewall discipline still helps preserve proper era appearance. Tires are one of the most visible restoration choices on any early car.

A Davis 94 Series can be driven on public roads only when the tires, tubes, wheels, brakes, steering, and chassis are all in sound condition and appropriate for the intended use. Tire safety on a 1927 car is not just about tread depth; age, casing condition, and wheel integrity matter at least as much. Even a properly fitted tire cannot make up for neglected mechanical systems on an early automobile.

In practice, most owners should think in terms of careful local driving, not modern traffic expectations. Plan routes that suit the car's age, inspect the tires before departure, and avoid assuming that a restored appearance means the car is ready for sustained road use. A cautious mechanical review is part of safe tire use on any rare pre-war vehicle.

Before driving a Davis 94 Series, check tire inflation, visible sidewall condition, tread integrity, valve stems, wheel fasteners, brake function, steering free play, and any sign of tube leakage or rim trouble. On an early car, a quick walk-around should also include suspension hardware, spoke or wheel condition, and clearance around fenders and brake components. The tire is only one part of the roadworthiness picture.

A sensible pre-drive routine reduces the chance that a small problem becomes a roadside failure. If the car has been parked for weeks or months, roll it slowly and look for flat spotting, binding, or changes in ride height before heading out. The older and rarer the car, the more valuable that slow, deliberate inspection becomes.

A Davis 94 Series should be driven at conservative speeds that respect both the age of the car and the character of period-style tires. Even with correctly fitted replacement tires, a 1927 automobile was not designed around modern highway conditions, braking distances, or steering response. Tire preservation and vehicle safety both improve when speed is kept modest and road conditions are chosen carefully.

The practical rule is to drive the Davis 94 Series at a pace that never outruns its steering, braking, or the condition of its wheels and tires. Short local drives, touring on secondary roads, and event use are more appropriate than sustained high-speed travel. If the car feels unsettled, wanders, or develops vibration, slow down immediately and inspect the tire and wheel assembly.