Franklin Olympic Tires

Franklin Olympic uses 6.00-17 for both 1933 and 1934. That means the tire is a numeric prewar size with a nominal 6.00-inch section width and a 17-inch wheel diameter. There is no year-to-year size change within the Franklin Olympic range covered here.

That consistency makes Franklin Olympic simpler to fit than many collector cars, but it is still wise to confirm the wheel on the actual car before selecting a tire. Restored cars can pick up replacement wheels over time, so matching the tire size to the wheel diameter and the car's current configuration is the right first step.

On a Franklin Olympic, 6.00-17 is a traditional numeric tire size used on prewar American cars. The 6.00 figure refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches, and the 17 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. It is a straightforward period size rather than a modern metric code.

Understanding that code helps prevent one of the most common collector-car mistakes, which is focusing on overall appearance instead of the actual wheel diameter. For a Franklin Olympic, the correct starting point is a 17-inch wheel paired with the proper 6.00-17 tire rather than trying to substitute a modern-looking size by sight alone.

Franklin Olympic uses a numeric bias-ply fitment, and a tube is required. That is consistent with the construction and wheel practices of the prewar era, where tube-type assemblies were standard. The tube is part of the complete tire setup, not an optional extra.

When fitting tires to a Franklin Olympic, the tube, flap if required by the wheel design, and overall wheel condition should be considered together. A sound tube-type installation matters as much as the tire itself, especially on a collector car that may have older wheels, long periods of storage, and infrequent road use.

For both 1933 and 1934, Franklin Olympic uses 6.00-17. The most direct confirmation is to verify that the car still carries 17-inch wheels and that its existing wheels match the intended prewar tire setup. Since the size does not vary by year in this range, the main check is the wheel itself rather than the model year.

That matters because collector cars often pass through multiple owners and restorations, and wheel changes can happen without obvious outward clues. Comparing the wheel diameter, any surviving old tire markings, and the car's restoration paperwork will usually give a clearer answer than relying on appearance alone.

A Franklin Olympic should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, ozone sources, and petroleum contamination. Tire pressure should be maintained, and the car should not be left sitting for long periods with excessive load concentrated on one spot of the tire. For a prewar collector car, stable storage conditions matter as much as mileage.

If the Franklin Olympic will sit for an extended period, moving it occasionally or using methods that reduce prolonged flat-spotting can help preserve the tires. Good storage also protects the tube-type assembly, wheel finish, and overall drivability when the car returns to touring, show, or preservation use.

Tires on a Franklin Olympic should be inspected before each drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals even if the car is rarely used. On a low-mileage collector car, age, storage conditions, inflation loss, sidewall cracking, and wheel condition can matter more than tread wear. Prewar tires deserve especially close visual and hands-on inspection.

A practical routine is to check inflation, sidewalls, tread surface, valve stems, and any signs of tube-related issues every time the Franklin Olympic comes out of storage. An annual inspection by a shop or specialist familiar with older tire and wheel assemblies adds another layer of protection for a car that may spend much of its life parked.

Tires on a Franklin Olympic should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, casing distortion, or damage makes continued service questionable, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector-car tires often age out long before they wear out. On a prewar car, the visual appearance of the tread alone is never a complete measure of serviceability.

That is especially important for a Franklin Olympic because long storage, light seasonal use, and older wheel hardware can mask deterioration until the car is back on the road. If there is any doubt about age or condition, a specialist inspection is the sensible next step before further driving.

Franklin Olympic is listed here with one period-correct size for both 1933 and 1934: 6.00-17. That establishes the fitment size used across the model run covered here, but original brand and exact factory tire specification can vary by surviving records, production timing, and restoration history. The size itself is the strongest confirmed reference point.

For a Franklin Olympic restoration, the next step is to compare that size with period literature, restoration paperwork, and Franklin marque resources. That approach helps separate what is correct for the model from what may have been added later during service or restoration.

Correct tire fitment can affect both the presentation and the credibility of a Franklin Olympic restoration. Judges, knowledgeable collectors, and marque enthusiasts generally notice whether the tire size and overall look suit the car's era. A visibly incorrect tire can distract from otherwise strong restoration work.

For a Franklin Olympic, staying with the correct 6.00-17 fitment is part of presenting the car as a coherent prewar automobile rather than simply making it roll. If formal judging matters, Franklin club guidance and period reference material are the best standards for confirming details beyond basic size.

Sidewall style on a Franklin Olympic should be chosen to match the car's restoration goal and period presentation. Prewar American cars can be sensitive to sidewall appearance because it changes the stance and visual character of the entire car. The right choice is the one that aligns with the era, the wheel treatment, and the standard being followed for the restoration.

A Franklin Olympic built for preservation-class authenticity may call for a different sidewall look than one restored as a road car or personal touring car. Checking period photographs, Franklin literature, and marque-club judging guidance is the best way to settle sidewall style when originality is the priority.

A properly fitted tire in the correct 6.00-17 size can be suitable for operating a Franklin Olympic on public roads, but safe use depends on more than size alone. The condition of the tires, tubes, wheels, steering, brakes, and suspension all matter on a prewar car. A correct-looking tire does not by itself make the car road-ready.

Before taking a Franklin Olympic into traffic, the entire running gear should be evaluated with the car's age and intended speed in mind. Occasional touring and careful secondary-road use are very different from modern highway driving, and the car should be driven within the limits of its design and current mechanical condition.

Before driving a Franklin Olympic, check tire inflation, visible sidewall and tread condition, valve stems, wheel security, and any signs of tube-related air loss. A prewar car also deserves attention to brake operation, steering play, suspension response, and general mechanical soundness before each outing. The tire inspection should be part of a broader road-readiness check.

That routine is especially important on a Franklin Olympic because collector cars often spend long periods parked between drives. A careful pre-drive inspection can catch age-related issues early and helps keep a short local drive from turning into a roadside problem.

A Franklin Olympic should be driven at conservative speeds that respect both the car's prewar design and the condition of its tires and running gear. Even with correctly sized tires, an older automobile should not be treated like a modern highway car. Speed choice should reflect road conditions, tire age, mechanical condition, and the car's overall stability.

In practice, that means using a Franklin Olympic in a measured, attentive way rather than pushing for sustained high-speed travel. Owners who plan regular road use should think in terms of preserving the car and its tires, with driving habits that leave a margin for braking distance, steering response, and the limits of vintage chassis design.