Franklin 147 Series Tires

The Franklin 147 Series uses two listed tire sizes for 1930: 31X6.20 and 650-19. The 650-19 size is built for 19-inch rims, while 31X6.20 is an antique diameter-by-section size whose wheel diameter is not contained in the code itself and must be confirmed from the actual wheel.

That means the correct choice starts with the car in front of you, not just the year. Check the size stamped on an existing tire if it is readable, measure the wheel, and compare the car against original service literature or a Franklin specialist so you can sort out whether your 1930 Franklin 147 Series belongs with the antique-style size or the later numeric 19-inch size.

On a Franklin 147 Series, 31X6.20 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size. The 31 refers to the tire’s approximate outside diameter in inches, and the 6.20 refers to nominal section width. Unlike a modern or later numeric size, that 31 is not the wheel diameter.

This is why antique-era and transitional pre-war tire sizing often causes confusion during restoration work. If your Franklin 147 Series carries a 31X6.20 marking, verify the actual wheel diameter before choosing a replacement, because the code alone does not tell you the rim size and a mismatch between tire and wheel can stop the project cold.

A 1930 Franklin 147 Series can show both 31X6.20 and 650-19 because two different sizing conventions appear within the same model year. One is an older diameter-by-section format, and the other is a later numeric bias-ply format tied to a 19-inch rim.

For an owner or restorer, that means year alone is not enough to settle the fitment question. Identify the wheel actually on the car, look for original tire markings if any survive, and compare the vehicle’s setup to Franklin reference material so you can match the tire to the correct wheel and configuration rather than assuming both sizes interchange.

The Franklin 147 Series has listed tire options that include a confirmed 19-inch rim diameter in size 650-19. The 31X6.20 option does not state the rim diameter in the size code, so its wheel size has to be determined from the wheel itself or other vehicle-specific references.

That distinction matters because many pre-war tire codes look like wheel sizes when they are actually overall tire diameters. If you are working on a 1930 Franklin 147 Series, measure the rim bead seat carefully and avoid choosing a tire solely by the first number in an antique-style code.

To confirm the correct tire size for a 1930 Franklin 147 Series, start by identifying the wheel diameter and then compare that with the two listed sizes, 31X6.20 and 650-19. If the car has 19-inch rims, 650-19 is the directly identified numeric option; if the car carries an older diameter-by-section setup, 31X6.20 may be the relevant fitment.

A careful restoration approach is to inspect any surviving tire markings, measure the wheel, and verify the car’s configuration against period literature or Franklin club guidance. That extra step is worthwhile on a one-year pre-war application where more than one size convention appears and modern assumptions can easily lead to the wrong tire.

Franklin 147 Series tire offerings in 650-19 include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Blackwall choices appear from Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior, while wide whitewall options are also offered in the same size from Firestone and Lester.

The right sidewall style depends on how you want the car to present and how closely you are following a period-correct restoration direction. Many pre-war cars can look appropriate with either blackwalls or whitewalls depending on trim, photography, and owner preference, so use the car’s surviving details and period references to settle the final appearance.

Franklin 147 Series tires are available here from Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior in the listed 650-19 size. Those products include Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Balloon, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Excelsior Comp H series offerings.

Brand choice on a pre-war collector car often comes down to the combination of appearance, series style, and the way you intend to use the car. A touring-oriented owner may prioritize one tread and sidewall look, while a restoration-minded owner may focus more on a period presentation that complements the Franklin 147 Series body and wheel treatment.

The Franklin 147 Series is offered in several series types within 650-19, including Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Balloon, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Excelsior Comp H. All of the listed products are bias-ply tires, but the series names reflect different period styles and design families rather than a single universal look.

That gives a Franklin 147 Series owner some flexibility in matching the tire to the car’s restoration character. If you want a more standard later pre-war bias-ply appearance, a classic bias-ply line may be the better fit; if you are matching a balloon-era look, the balloon series deserves closer attention.

A Franklin 147 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. Proper inflation matters even during storage, because underinflation on a heavy pre-war car can distort the casing over time.

If the car will sit for long periods, roll it periodically or support it in a way that reduces flat-spotting and sidewall stress. Collector cars with bias-ply tires benefit from a regular walk-around even in storage, since early-style casings and tubes can lose pressure slowly and show age-related changes before the next driving season.

Tires on a Franklin 147 Series should be inspected before every drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals even if the car is rarely used. Look for air loss, cracking, bulges, tread separation, tube-related issues, bead problems, and any signs that the tire is no longer seating or wearing evenly.

Pre-war collector cars do not get a free pass simply because their annual mileage is low. A Franklin 147 Series that mostly attends shows can still develop age-related tire problems, so make inspection part of your routine maintenance and include the spare if you expect it to serve as a usable road tire.

A Franklin 147 Series tire should be replaced whenever age, cracking, casing distortion, recurring air loss, impact damage, or other condition issues appear, even if the tread still looks usable. Tread depth alone is a poor guide on low-mile collector tires because time often ages them out before wear does.

That is especially true on pre-war applications, where driving loads, tube fitment, and long storage periods can hide internal deterioration. If an older tire is still mounted on your Franklin 147 Series and its service history is uncertain, have it evaluated by a specialist before trusting it for road use.

Franklin 147 Series fitment listings for 1930 include both 31X6.20 and 650-19, which shows that more than one size convention applies within this model year. Available replacement products in 650-19 include classic bias-ply and balloon-style series from Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior.

For a factory-correct restoration, the exact answer should be tied to the individual car’s wheel setup and period reference material. Original sales literature, restoration guides, and Franklin marque expertise are the right tools for narrowing the car to its proper tire type, especially where an antique-style size and a later numeric size overlap in the same year.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect the presentation, stance, and judging outcome of a Franklin 147 Series. Size, sidewall style, and period-appropriate tire family all influence whether the car looks right to knowledgeable observers, particularly on a pre-war automobile where wheel-and-tire proportions are visually prominent.

For owners building a show-level car, getting beyond 'close enough' is worthwhile. Matching the Franklin 147 Series to the correct size convention, wheel diameter, and sidewall treatment will usually support authenticity better than choosing purely by appearance, and club judging standards or marque advisors are often the best references for those final decisions.

Franklin 147 Series tire offerings in 650-19 include both blackwall and wide whitewall styles, so either appearance is represented in the available replacements. That gives restorers a useful range for tailoring the car to a more restrained touring look or a more formal period presentation.

The most correct choice depends on the specific Franklin 147 Series body style, trim level, and restoration goal. If the aim is top-level authenticity, compare the car against period photographs, surviving original examples, and marque references rather than choosing a whitewall or blackwall solely because it looks attractive in isolation.

A properly selected, properly mounted, and properly maintained tire can make a Franklin 147 Series suitable for careful public-road use within the limits of a pre-war automobile. The key is choosing the correct size for the wheel, keeping the tire in sound condition, and remembering that bias-ply collector tires are not meant to mimic modern tire behavior.

Road safety on a Franklin 147 Series also depends on the rest of the car. Before regular use, make sure the wheels, steering, suspension, brakes, and alignment are in good order, then drive with the understanding that stopping distances, cornering feel, and straight-line tracking will reflect 1930 design rather than modern expectations.

Before driving a Franklin 147 Series, check inflation, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, wheel hardware, and whether the tire matches the wheel size actually fitted to the car. On a pre-war car, it is also wise to inspect for tube-related air loss and any signs that the tire has shifted, aged, or flat-spotted in storage.

A short pre-drive inspection can prevent most tire-related surprises on collector vehicles. If the Franklin 147 Series has been sitting, drive a few slow miles first and pay attention to vibration, pull, or unusual heat buildup, since those clues often reveal pressure problems, old damage, or a tire and wheel mismatch.

A Franklin 147 Series on period-style bias-ply tires should be driven at prudent speeds that respect both the tire design and the capabilities of a 1930 chassis. Even when the tires are new, they are part of an overall pre-war driving system that asks for more margin, more following distance, and more mechanical sympathy than a modern car.

In practical terms, the best approach is smooth, moderate touring rather than sustained high-speed operation. Let the condition of the car, the road surface, and the tire’s construction guide your pace, and keep in mind that preserving the Franklin 147 Series is usually more important than testing its limits.