Franklin 137 Series Tires

The Franklin 137 Series uses two listed tire sizes for 1929: 31X6.20 and 650-19. The 650-19 size clearly fits a 19-inch rim, and every available product in that size is built for a 19-inch wheel. The 31X6.20 size is an antique-style marking, so its leading number refers to tire diameter rather than wheel diameter.

That means a Franklin 137 Series owner should not choose by size code alone. Start by checking the wheel on the actual car, then compare the sidewall marking and overall tire profile to the listed options. If the car has already been restored or re-wheeled at some point, the wheel and existing tire markings matter more than assumptions tied only to the model year.

On a Franklin 137 Series, 31X6.20 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The 31 is the tire's approximate overall outside diameter in inches, and the 6.20 is the nominal section width. Unlike later modern-style sizing, that first number is not the rim diameter.

That distinction is important because a buyer can easily mistake 31 for a wheel measurement when it is really the tire's full height. When comparing a Franklin 137 Series tire, use the wheel itself and the tire's sidewall marking together. Antique-format sizes reward careful checking, especially on cars that may have changed hands, seen restoration work, or accumulated mixed parts over time.

The listed Franklin 137 Series products identify a 19-inch rim diameter for the available 650-19 tires. With the antique-marked 31X6.20 size, the rim diameter is not stated in the size code itself, so it cannot be read the same way as a numeric size such as 650-19. That is why the wheel must be checked directly when comparing the two size conventions.

A Franklin 137 Series owner should treat the wheel as the deciding reference point before choosing a tire. Measure the rim diameter, inspect the existing tire marking if present, and compare that information to the year listing. On a late-1920s car, sidewall markings and wheel equipment can tell a more accurate story than a model name alone.

The available Franklin 137 Series products are all bias-ply tires, and the listed fitments are period tube-type styles. That means a tube is required for the 650-19 options, and tube use is also appropriate when dealing with the antique-style 31X6.20 fitment. Tube-type practice is normal for this era of automobile tire construction.

Inner tubes matter just as much as the outer tire on a collector car of this age. A Franklin 137 Series owner should make sure the tube, flap if required, and wheel condition all match the tire being fitted. Clean wheel surfaces, correct hardware, and proper installation are part of the fitment process, not an afterthought.

The best way to confirm a 1929 Franklin 137 Series tire size is to check the actual wheel diameter and the marking on the tire already fitted to the car, then compare that to the two listed choices: 31X6.20 and 650-19. The numeric 650-19 option is straightforward because it calls for a 19-inch rim. The antique-style 31X6.20 marking needs more interpretation because its leading number is the tire diameter, not the wheel size.

A careful buyer should also look at whether the car has been restored, modified, or fitted with replacement wheels during its life. Period automobiles often survive with equipment changes that do not match assumptions tied to the model year. Original literature, old photos, and Franklin specialists can help settle the question when the current setup looks inconsistent.

Franklin 137 Series tires in the listed 650-19 size are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. The product range includes blackwall offerings from Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior, along with wide whitewall versions from Firestone and Lester. That gives a restorer room to choose between a more restrained period look and a more visually prominent whitewall presentation.

Sidewall style should be chosen to match the character and intended presentation of the car. A Franklin 137 Series being restored for formal display may call for a different visual approach than one kept as a driver or preserved survivor. If authenticity matters, compare the style to period photos of similar cars and to the overall trim level of the vehicle.

The listed Franklin 137 Series tire options come from Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior. Firestone appears in both Classic Bias Ply and Balloon series offerings, Lester is offered in Classic Bias Ply form, and Excelsior appears in the Comp H series. All of the currently listed products are bias-ply tires in the 650-19 size.

Brand choice usually comes down to the look you want, the series that best matches your restoration goals, and the wheel dimensions on the car. Some owners prioritize a period-correct tread and sidewall appearance, while others focus on matching a broader restoration theme. The important step is to confirm the tire size and wheel specifications first, then compare brands within that correct fitment.

The Franklin 137 Series listings include Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Balloon, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Excelsior Comp H. Those series represent different period-style approaches within bias-ply construction, with the Balloon name signaling the later oversized low-pressure look associated with late-1920s motoring. Sidewall presentation also varies within the group, since some series are offered as blackwall and others as wide whitewall.

For a Franklin 137 Series owner, the practical difference is usually historical character rather than a simple right-or-wrong hierarchy. A car restored to a specific late-1920s appearance may suit a balloon-style presentation, while another may be better served by a more conventional classic bias-ply look. Once the size and wheel dimensions are settled, the series helps refine the final visual and restoration direction.

A Franklin 137 Series should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and large temperature swings. Keep the tires clean, avoid petroleum-based dressings, and park the car on clean surfaces rather than bare concrete if possible. Long periods in one position can also create flat spotting on bias-ply tires.

For a low-use collector car, regular movement within the storage area or the use of tire cradles can help reduce casing stress. Inflation should be checked periodically even when the car is not being driven, because underinflation during storage is hard on older tire constructions. Good storage habits preserve both appearance and service life.

Tires on a Franklin 137 Series should be inspected before every drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals during the season. Look for weather checking, sidewall cracking, tread separation, punctures, uneven wear, and any sign that the tube-type assembly is losing air. On a pre-war automobile, small changes deserve attention early.

A bias-ply collector tire can age out long before it wears out, especially on a car that is driven infrequently. Inspection should include the valve stems, the wheel condition, and the way the tire is sitting on the rim. If anything seems unusual, a tire professional experienced with vintage tube-type assemblies should evaluate it before road use.

Franklin 137 Series tires should be replaced when age, cracking, casing deformation, repeated air loss, impact damage, or signs of internal deterioration appear, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector-car tires often accumulate very low mileage, so visual condition and age matter more than remaining tread depth. Any tire showing structural concern should be retired from service promptly.

That rule is especially important on a pre-war automobile, where tire construction, tube condition, and wheel integrity all work together. Replacement decisions should be conservative because these cars are often driven only occasionally, which can hide deterioration between outings. If the car has sat for extended periods, a fresh inspection before the season starts is wise.

The Franklin 137 Series listings show both 31X6.20 and 650-19 as applicable to 1929, and the available products include several period-style bias-ply series such as Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Balloon, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Excelsior Comp H. That tells you the car sits within a period where more than one style of tire convention was in use. It does not reduce the answer to one universal tire for every surviving Franklin 137 Series.

For restoration accuracy, the right approach is to compare the specific car to original literature, surviving photographs, and Franklin marque sources. Wheel equipment, body style, and restoration history can all influence what is correct for one example. Tire selection for judged restoration should follow the individual car rather than a broad assumption about the series name alone.

Correct tire fitment can affect both presentation and judging on a Franklin 137 Series because tire size, sidewall style, and overall profile contribute heavily to the car's stance and period character. Judges and knowledgeable buyers notice when a pre-war automobile sits too tall, too low, or on a sidewall treatment that does not suit the era. Tires are one of the first visual cues on any restoration.

That does not mean every Franklin 137 Series must be restored to the same appearance, but it does mean your tire choice should support the story of the car. Preservation, touring, and concours restoration can lead to different decisions. If value and authenticity matter, compare your choice with marque-club guidance and period imagery before finalizing the fitment.

Franklin 137 Series tire options in the listed 650-19 size include both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Either can fit the broader late-1920s visual vocabulary, but the more correct choice depends on how the individual car was equipped and how it is being restored. Sidewall style is therefore an authenticity question as much as a styling one.

A restorer should compare the intended finish level of the car with period photographs and the overall character of the build. A formal or highly presented Franklin 137 Series may suit a wide whitewall, while a more understated car may look more natural on blackwalls. Matching the sidewall to the car's trim, body, and restoration goal usually produces the most convincing result.

A properly fitted, properly maintained bias-ply tire can be suitable for limited public-road use on a Franklin 137 Series, provided the entire car is mechanically sound. Tire safety on a pre-war automobile depends not only on the tire itself, but also on wheel condition, tube installation, inflation, steering health, and brake performance. These cars should be driven within the capabilities of their original design.

That means a Franklin 137 Series should be approached as a vintage road car, not as a modern highway cruiser. Before regular use, have the running gear and tire assemblies checked by someone familiar with early collector vehicles. Conservative speeds, smooth surfaces, and close attention to vibration or handling changes are part of safe operation.

Before driving a Franklin 137 Series, inspect tire inflation, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and any sign of movement between the tire and rim. Also check wheel fasteners, steering response, and whether the car has sat long enough to develop flat spotting or air loss. A short walk-around before every outing is good practice on a car of this age.

If the Franklin 137 Series has been in storage, add a closer inspection of the tubes, wheels, and overall stance before the first drive of the season. Any wobble, pulling, or unusual sound should end the trip until the cause is found. Vintage tire service is as much about prevention as correction.

A Franklin 137 Series on period-style bias-ply tires should be driven at moderate, conservative speeds that respect the age and design of both the car and the tire construction. Even when new reproduction tires are fitted, a late-1920s automobile does not respond like a modern car in braking, cornering, or emergency maneuvering. Smooth, measured use is the right approach.

The practical rule is to let the road, the condition of the car, and the confidence of the driver set the pace rather than modern traffic expectations. Secondary roads and touring conditions are usually more suitable than sustained high-speed travel. If the car feels unsettled, reduce speed immediately and inspect the tire and chassis condition before continuing.