Graham 10 Series Tires

Graham 10 Series cars from 1928 came out of a fast-moving period in American motoring, when manufacturers were balancing late antique tire conventions with more modern wheel and tire standards. The Graham 10 Series sits right in that transition, which makes tire selection more involved than simply matching the model name and year. Two very different size formats appear for 1928, and they do not describe the tire in the same way. One uses the older diameter-by-section style, while the other uses a more modern numeric size tied directly to a 19-inch rim. Before choosing a tire for a Graham 10 Series, first confirm which wheel and rim diameter are actually on the car.

Graham 10 Series Tire Size Guide

Graham 10 Series production in this listing uses 2 distinct tire sizes from 1928 to 1928, and the most important fitment detail is that the sizes point to different wheel interpretations. One size uses antique diameter-by-section notation, where the leading number is the tire's outside diameter rather than the wheel diameter, while the other is a numeric size built for a 19-inch rim. That means the wheel on the car needs to be identified first before any size choice makes sense.

29X5.001928Antique diameter-by-section

29X5.00 is an antique-format size used on 1928 Graham 10 Series applications. In this format, 29 indicates the tire's approximate outside diameter in inches and 5.00 indicates nominal section width, while the wheel diameter is not contained in the size code itself. Choose 29X5.00 only when the car is equipped for that older sizing convention, and confirm the actual rim diameter on the wheel before moving forward.

500-191928Numeric bias-ply

500-19 is a numeric bias-ply size used on 1928 Graham 10 Series applications with 19-inch rims. The 500 designates a nominal 5.00-inch section width and the 19 is the wheel diameter, with the available products built for a 19-inch rim and listed around 4 to 5 inches in rim width. Choose 500-19 when the car has 19-inch wheels and a later numeric tire specification; both available products are bias-ply designs, so A tube is required.

Graham 10 Series Tires by Year

The year listing for Graham 10 Series shows which tire sizes appear under each production year so you can narrow the search before comparing products. In 1928, more than one size is listed, reflecting a split between an antique-style diameter-by-section fitment and a 19-inch numeric fitment. The leading number in 29X5.00 is the tire's outside diameter, not the wheel size, so the actual rim diameter should be verified on the car itself.

Best Graham 10 Series Tires for Sale

Available Graham 10 Series tires cover 2 sizes across 2 brands and 2 products. Confirm the correct size format and rim diameter on the car before selecting, since 1928 listings include both an antique-style size and a 19-inch numeric size.

500-19 Products

These are the available products for 500-19.

Bias Ply

Excelsior Comp H | 500-19

Excelsior - Comp H

SidewallBlackwall
Rim Diameter19 in
Rim Width4 in
Weight20 lb
Max Load—
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Performance & Racing

Firestone Dirt Track | Ribbed Front | 500-19

Firestone - Dirt Track

SidewallBlackwall
Rim Diameter19 in
Rim Width4.00 - 5.00 in
Weight19 lb
Max Load895@32 psi
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Frequently Asked Questions

The FAQ below addresses the real points of confusion on Graham 10 Series tires, including the difference between 29X5.00 and 500-19, how to confirm rim size, which brands are available, and how to care for low-use collector tires.

Size Basics & Fitment

Graham 10 Series listings here include two tire sizes for 1928: 29X5.00 and 500-19. The 500-19 size is a numeric bias-ply tire built for a 19-inch rim, with available products listed for that wheel diameter. The 29X5.00 size is an older diameter-by-section format, where 29 refers to overall tire diameter and 5.00 refers to nominal section width rather than wheel size.

That means a Graham 10 Series owner should not treat the two sizes as interchangeable just because they appear under the same year. The practical first step is to inspect the wheels on the car and confirm whether it uses a 19-inch rim with numeric tire sizing or an older wheel matched to the antique-format size.

On a Graham 10 Series, 29X5.00 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size. The 29 is the tire's approximate outside diameter in inches, and the 5.00 is the nominal section width. Unlike a modern or later numeric size, that 29 does not tell you the wheel diameter.

This matters because many buyers naturally assume the first number must be the rim size, which would be incorrect here. If your Graham 10 Series carries 29X5.00, confirm the actual wheel diameter from the wheel itself or from trusted vehicle references before comparing tires, tubes, or wheel hardware.

A 1928 Graham 10 Series can show both 29X5.00 and 500-19 because those sizes represent two different sizing systems rather than two ways of writing the same tire. One is an older antique-style size based on outside diameter and section width, while the other is a numeric bias-ply size tied directly to a 19-inch wheel.

That split means year alone is not enough to choose correctly. A Graham 10 Series owner should identify the wheels currently fitted to the car, look for any surviving markings, and compare the wheel and tire setup against restoration records or marque expertise before settling on one of the listed sizes.

The Graham 10 Series uses at least one confirmed 19-inch rim application in 1928 through the 500-19 size. The 29X5.00 listing does not reveal wheel diameter in the size code, because antique-format sizes use overall tire diameter as the leading number rather than rim diameter. As a result, the wheel size for a Graham 10 Series carrying 29X5.00 has to be confirmed from the wheel itself or from vehicle-specific reference material.

That distinction is critical when sorting parts for a restoration or a driver-quality car. If your Graham 10 Series is already mounted on 19-inch wheels, 500-19 is the clearer path; if it is not, do not assume the antique-format size can be matched by reading only the tire code.

Buying the Right Tire

The correct way to confirm tire size for a 1928 Graham 10 Series is to start with the wheel and the current tire markings, then compare them to the two listed fitments: 29X5.00 and 500-19. If the wheel is a confirmed 19-inch rim, that aligns with 500-19. If the car uses an older-style setup with a diameter-by-section marking, 29X5.00 may be the relevant size.

A useful next step is to check any restoration paperwork, period service material, or advice from a Graham specialist who knows the car's exact configuration. That matters especially on cars that may have had wheel changes over the decades, where the present wheel equipment can differ from what the chassis originally carried.

The currently listed Graham 10 Series products in 500-19 are available as blackwall tires. Both listed options, the Excelsior Comp H and the Firestone Dirt Track Ribbed Front, use black sidewalls. No alternate sidewall style appears among the available products in that size here.

For a buyer, that means the visible finish is straightforward if the car uses the 500-19 fitment. If the goal is restoration correctness, sidewall appearance should still be matched to the car's period presentation and intended use, especially when a car is being prepared for judged display rather than general hobby driving.

Two brands appear in the current Graham 10 Series tire selection: Excelsior and Firestone. Both are listed in the 500-19 size, and both are bias-ply offerings. The available series are Excelsior Comp H and Firestone Dirt Track.

Brand choice should be weighed alongside the car's purpose, since a restoration-minded owner and a period competition-style owner may prioritize different tread styles and visual details. Once the wheel diameter and size format are confirmed on a Graham 10 Series, comparing brands becomes much more meaningful.

The Graham 10 Series products listed here include two tire series in 500-19: Excelsior Comp H and Firestone Dirt Track. Both are bias-ply tires, but they are not presented as the same type of application. Comp H is a period-style bias-ply series name, while Dirt Track Ribbed Front signals a more specialized ribbed-front performance orientation.

For a Graham 10 Series owner, that means series selection should follow the car's intended role rather than size alone. A general restoration, a period-inspired special, and a car meant for display can all call for different visual and functional priorities even when the nominal tire size is the same.

Maintenance & Longevity

A Graham 10 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. Tires on collector cars age more from time and environment than from mileage alone, especially when the car spends long periods parked. Clean floors, moderate temperature swings, and proper inflation all help preserve the casing.

If the Graham 10 Series will sit for months at a time, move the car occasionally to avoid prolonged flat spotting and check pressure before and after storage periods. Owners who keep the car on display for long stretches often benefit from regular tire rotation within the storage space or from taking weight off the tires when appropriate.

Tires on a Graham 10 Series should be inspected before each drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals during the season. Look for cracking, tread separation, sidewall weathering, punctures, loose valve hardware, and any signs that the tire is shifting on the rim. On an older collector car, low annual mileage does not reduce the need for inspection.

A practical routine is to check inflation, visible condition, and wheel security every time the Graham 10 Series leaves the garage, then schedule a closer inspection at least several times a year. Cars with bias-ply tires especially benefit from frequent visual checks because age, storage conditions, and underinflation can change how they behave on the road.

Tires on a Graham 10 Series should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, casing distortion, or damage makes them questionable, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector tires can appear presentable long after the underlying structure has aged beyond comfortable service. Tread depth alone is not a reliable measure on an infrequently driven antique or pre-war era car.

That is especially important for a Graham 10 Series that is driven only to shows or parades, where owners may be tempted to rely on old-looking but lightly worn tires. Any tire of significant age should be evaluated conservatively, and any period tire or long-stored spare should be treated with caution before road use.

Restoration & Authenticity

The Graham 10 Series appears here with two period-appropriate size types for 1928: 29X5.00 and 500-19. The available products in the current selection are 500-19 bias-ply tires from Excelsior and Firestone, but that does not make them a blanket statement of original factory brand or exact original series for every car. The main historical takeaway is that the model sits at a point where more than one tire notation could apply.

For an accurate restoration, the best approach is to match the tire size and presentation to the specific Graham 10 Series chassis, wheel equipment, and surviving evidence on the car. Period literature, original photos, and marque-club guidance are the strongest references when a restorer is aiming for factory-authentic detail.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect both the presentation and judged authenticity of a Graham 10 Series. Size format, sidewall appearance, tread style, and the overall visual proportion of the tire all influence whether the car looks mechanically and historically coherent. Even when a tire physically mounts, an incorrect type can change the car's stance and period character.

For owners concerned with show standards or long-term value, tire choice should be treated as part of the restoration rather than an afterthought. A Graham 10 Series that carries the right size system for its wheels and era will generally present more convincingly to knowledgeable enthusiasts, judges, and future caretakers.

The available Graham 10 Series products listed in 500-19 are blackwall tires. That sidewall style is visually appropriate to the period represented by a 1928 Graham 10 Series, particularly for owners seeking a traditional pre-war appearance. No alternate sidewall treatment appears among the currently listed 500-19 products here.

For restoration work, sidewall choice should still be viewed in context with wheel finish, body style, and the way the car is being presented. A Graham 10 Series built for formal judging may call for closer comparison with period photographs and club guidance, while a touring or display car may allow a bit more flexibility within period-correct appearance.

Safety & Road Use

A Graham 10 Series can be driven on public roads only within the limits of its tire type, wheel condition, mechanical condition, and the car's overall pre-war design. The listed 500-19 products are bias-ply tires, which behave differently from modern radials and should be used with expectations appropriate to an older chassis. Safety depends on correct size selection, sound rims, proper inflation, and a car that has been mechanically inspected.

For practical use, a Graham 10 Series is best treated as a collector automobile rather than everyday transportation. Even with new tires fitted, road use should be conservative, braking distances should be respected, and the entire steering and suspension system should be reviewed before regular driving.

Before driving a Graham 10 Series, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, wheel fasteners, and any signs that the tire is not seated correctly on the rim. On an older car, it is equally important to inspect brakes, steering free play, wheel bearings, and suspension components because tire performance depends on the rest of the chassis being in proper order.

A short pre-drive walkaround goes a long way with a Graham 10 Series, especially if the car has been sitting. Any pull, vibration, cracking, or air loss should be taken seriously, and a collector car that has not been used recently deserves a careful recommissioning check rather than an immediate road outing.

A Graham 10 Series should be driven at moderate, conservative speeds that respect both the capabilities of bias-ply tires and the engineering limits of a 1928 automobile. Even when a correctly sized tire is fitted, steering response, braking, and ride behavior differ substantially from modern cars. Safe speed is determined by road conditions, tire condition, wheel condition, and the mechanical health of the car.

For most owners, the right mindset is relaxed touring rather than sustained high-speed use. A Graham 10 Series is happiest when driven smoothly, with extra following distance and careful attention to road surface, especially if the car is wearing narrow period-style tires and sees only occasional hobby use.