Falcon 12 Series Tires

The Falcon 12 Series uses two listed tire sizes for 1928: 29X5.50 and 550-19. The 550-19 size fits a 19-inch rim and is offered on rims measuring 2.50 to 3.00 inches wide. The 29X5.50 size is an antique diameter-by-section marking, so its wheel diameter is not stated in the size code and has to be verified separately on the car.

That means the correct choice starts with the actual wheel and the tire marking your Falcon 12 Series was set up to use, not just the model year. If the car has 19-inch wheels and needs a balloon-style numeric size, 550-19 is the straightforward match. If the car references 29X5.50, measure and verify the wheel carefully before choosing a tire.

A 29X5.50 marking on a Falcon 12 Series is an antique diameter-by-section size. The 29 identifies the tire's approximate overall outside diameter in inches, while 5.50 identifies the section width. Unlike modern sizing, the wheel diameter is not included in that code, so 29 does not mean a 29-inch rim.

That distinction matters because antique tire markings are easy to misread if you are accustomed to later balloon or modern radial sizes. Before selecting a replacement for a Falcon 12 Series carrying 29X5.50, compare the existing tire markings, measure the wheel, and check any surviving factory or restoration paperwork. It is the best way to avoid ordering a tire that is correct in style but wrong in wheel fit.

A 1928 Falcon 12 Series has 2 tire sizes listed because that model year appears with both 29X5.50 and 550-19 sizing conventions. Those are not simply two ways of writing the same size; one is an earlier diameter-by-section format and the other is a balloon-era numeric size tied directly to a 19-inch rim. The split points to a configuration difference that needs to be confirmed on the actual car.

For an owner, that means the year alone is not enough to choose a tire. Start by reading the sidewall of any existing tire, then verify the wheel diameter and compare the wheel profile to the intended replacement style. On a Falcon 12 Series from a transitional period like 1928, the correct answer usually comes from the hardware on the car rather than the calendar year by itself.

The listed Falcon 12 Series tire types point toward tube-type fitment. The available 550-19 products are bias-ply tires, and bias-ply collector tires of this era typically require tubes. The 29X5.50 size is also an early-format application where tube-type construction is the normal expectation.

Tube selection still needs to match the tire size and wheel condition, especially on a collector car that may have older rims or a restoration history that is not fully consistent. Inspect the wheel for rust, burrs, spoke-nipple exposure, or prior repairs before fitting any new tire. A properly matched tube and flap arrangement, where applicable, is part of getting a Falcon 12 Series road-ready in a period-correct way.

The right tire size for a 1928 Falcon 12 Series is confirmed by combining the wheel diameter, the existing tire marking, and any surviving factory or restoration records. The two listed sizes are 29X5.50 and 550-19, and only 550-19 directly states a 19-inch rim in the size code. A car marked 29X5.50 needs closer verification because that code gives outside diameter and section width, not wheel diameter.

Start with the wheel itself and the sidewall of any tire already mounted, then compare that information against period literature or guidance from a Falcon specialist. If the car has been restored, ask whether the wheels were changed during the work, since that can explain a mismatch between the year and the tire code. Taking those steps will narrow the Falcon 12 Series to the correct size without guessing.

For the Falcon 12 Series, the available 550-19 products are offered in both Blackwall and Wide Whitewall sidewall styles. Both are BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires, with one version using a plain black sidewall and the other using a 3.25-inch whitewall treatment. That gives buyers a choice between a more understated presentation and a more visually prominent period-style look.

The right sidewall style depends on how the Falcon 12 Series is being finished and the historical look you want the car to carry. Blackwall usually suits a more restrained or utility-oriented presentation, while a wide whitewall creates a stronger late-1920s to early-classic visual statement. If the car is being judged, compare the sidewall style to period photos, prior restoration notes, and marque-club guidance.

The currently listed Falcon 12 Series products are not marked as made to order. The available 550-19 offerings are standard bias-ply products within the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line, rather than custom-built items flagged with a made-to-order attribute. That means this particular Falcon 12 Series listing does not revolve around a special-production tire program.

Even so, made-to-order status is worth understanding because it appears often in collector-tire categories, especially for lower-volume antique sizes. If you are comparing Falcon 12 Series options across different wheel setups or searching beyond 550-19, keep an eye on product attributes as closely as the size itself. On older cars, construction type, sidewall style, and wheel diameter matter just as much as the size code.

A Falcon 12 Series should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and standing moisture. Bias-ply tires on collector cars do best when they are protected from electric motors, battery chargers, heaters, and solvents that can accelerate rubber aging. Tire pressures should be checked before storage so the car is not left sitting on underinflated casings.

If the Falcon 12 Series will sit for long periods, move it occasionally to change the contact patch or support the car in a way that reduces long-term flat-spotting. Clean tires with mild soap and water rather than dressings that leave petroleum residue. A little preventative care goes a long way on a low-mileage antique or pre-war style car where the tires may age out long before they wear out.

Tires on a Falcon 12 Series should be inspected before every drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals even if the car is used only sparingly. Look for air loss, sidewall cracking, tread separation, punctures, bead-area damage, and any signs that the tire is shifting on the rim. Because collector cars often sit for extended periods, age-related issues can appear without much mileage.

A Falcon 12 Series deserves a quick walk-around before leaving the garage and a closer inspection whenever the car is serviced or cleaned. Check the valve stems, the wheel condition, and the inner-tube system where applicable, since tube-type setups can hide problems until they become serious. On an older car, catching a small issue early is far preferable to discovering it on the road.

Falcon 12 Series tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, deformation, or structural damage appears, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector tires often reach the end of their safe service life by time and storage history rather than by miles driven. Any tire showing sidewall deterioration, repeated air loss, impact damage, or visible casing issues is a replacement candidate.

That principle is especially important on a lightly used Falcon 12 Series, where a tire can look respectable in the garage yet be too old for dependable road use. If an older period tire or long-stored spare is still on the car, have it inspected by a specialist before trusting it in motion. Tread depth alone is never the deciding factor on a collector vehicle from this era.

The Falcon 12 Series is associated here with two period-appropriate size conventions for 1928: 29X5.50 and 550-19. The available product offerings are BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires in 550-19, which align with the late-1920s bias-ply character of the car. Because more than one size convention appears for the same model year, the exact original fitment for a particular Falcon 12 Series should be tied to that car's wheel and surviving historical evidence.

For restoration work, treat the car itself as the final reference point. Original photographs, old registration records, service notes, and marque-club research can help determine whether a specific Falcon 12 Series was configured around an earlier-style marked tire or a 19-inch balloon size. Getting that detail right improves not just fit, but also the visual and historical character of the finished car.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect both the appearance and the judged authenticity of a Falcon 12 Series. Size, sidewall style, construction type, and overall profile all influence whether the car sits and presents as it should for its era. On a lower-production car like the Falcon 12 Series, judges and informed buyers often notice tire details because they change the car's stance so visibly.

That does not mean every Falcon 12 Series must be restored for show judging, but it does mean tire choice should support the car's intended purpose. A touring-oriented car may prioritize practical reproduction bias-ply fitment, while a concours-focused restoration may need closer attention to sidewall treatment and period-correct proportions. Marque clubs and period photography are usually the best checkpoints when authenticity matters.

Falcon 12 Series buyers currently looking at 550-19 have Blackwall and Wide Whitewall options available. Either can suit a period-style restoration depending on the exact presentation being recreated, since late-1920s cars could appear with more conservative black sidewalls or with more decorative whitewall styling. The key is to match the sidewall look to the car's intended finish rather than choosing purely by preference.

If the Falcon 12 Series is being restored to a specific factory appearance or a known historical photograph, let that evidence guide the choice. Whitewalls can dramatically change the visual character of a smaller pre-war car, while blackwalls often produce a more restrained and mechanically honest look. Sidewall style may seem cosmetic, but on a restoration it is part of the car's identity.

A properly fitted, correctly inflated collector tire can be suitable for cautious public-road use on a Falcon 12 Series, provided the rest of the car is equally roadworthy. The listed 550-19 options are modern-production bias-ply tires built in a period-correct style rather than original 1920s rubber. Safe use still depends on correct size selection, sound wheels, proper tubes, and a full mechanical inspection of the car.

Public-road driving in a Falcon 12 Series should always reflect the capabilities of a late-1920s automobile, not a modern car. Braking distances, steering feel, suspension response, and lighting all lag far behind present-day traffic standards. Treat tire selection as one part of a complete safety picture, and make sure the car is evaluated as a whole before any regular road use.

Before driving a Falcon 12 Series, check tire pressure, visible tire condition, wheel security, valve stems, and any signs of sidewall damage or uneven seating. On a bias-ply, tube-type setup, it is also wise to listen for slow leaks and inspect the rim area for rust or damage that could affect tube life. Because the Falcon 12 Series uses period-style fitment, simple pre-drive checks matter more than they do on many newer collector cars.

A smart pre-drive routine also includes brakes, steering play, fluid levels, lights, and the basic hardware that keeps an older car controllable at speed. If the Falcon 12 Series has been sitting, roll it a short distance first and feel for any obvious flat-spotting or pull. A few extra minutes in the garage can prevent the kind of roadside problem that is much harder to solve once the car is moving.

A Falcon 12 Series should be driven at speeds appropriate to a late-1920s automobile running on period-style bias-ply tires, even when the tires themselves are modern reproductions. The car's chassis, steering, brakes, and suspension are the real limiting factors, not just the tire. Smooth, moderate driving is the right mindset, especially if the car retains largely original mechanical character.

In practical terms, a Falcon 12 Series is best enjoyed at conservative road speeds where the car remains composed and the driver has ample margin for stopping and lane changes. Avoid sustained high-speed use, abrupt maneuvering, and rough pavement that can punish both tire and chassis. Collector cars from this era reward patience, and tire life generally benefits when the car is driven within its historical comfort zone.