Jordan 80 Tires
Jordan occupied a distinctive place in American motoring, and the Jordan 80 from 1931 through 1932 belongs to the final period of an independent make known more for style and character than mass production. Cars of this era sit squarely in the transition from earlier motoring conventions into more modern road manners, which makes tire selection especially important for both appearance and drivability. Jordan 80 tire choice is simpler than on many longer-running classics because the same size appears across both model years, but construction style and sidewall treatment still affect the finished look. Before choosing a tire, confirm that the car still carries its 18-inch wheels and that the rim width matches the intended tire.
Jordan 80 Tire Size Guide
Jordan 80 uses one tire size across its 1931 to 1932 production span: 550-18. This is a numeric bias-ply size, where 5.50 indicates the nominal section width in inches and 18 is the wheel diameter in inches. Available products for this size are bias-ply tires built for 18-inch rims, with listed rim widths ranging from 3 inches and 3.25 inches up to a broader 3.00 to 4.50 inch application depending on the tire. A tube is required. Jordan 80 owners choosing this size should match the tire to the wheel width already on the car and then decide between blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall styling to suit the restoration.
Jordan 80 Tires by Year
The year listing below shows which tire size applies to each Jordan 80 model year and helps narrow fitment by production year. Jordan 80 uses the same 18-inch fitment across 1931 and 1932, so the key check is that the car still retains its original wheel diameter and an appropriate rim width.
1931 Jordan 80
- 550-18
1932 Jordan 80
- 550-18
Best Jordan 80 Tires for Sale
Seven products from four brands are available for Jordan 80 fitment in 550-18, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall options. Confirm the correct size and 18-inch rim diameter on the car before selecting.
550-18 Products
These are the available products for 550-18.
Frequently Asked Questions
These Jordan 80 tire questions focus on the single 550-18 fitment, 18-inch wheel requirements, bias-ply construction, and the sidewall and series choices that matter when balancing road use with period-correct appearance.
Size Basics & Fitment
Jordan 80 uses one tire size across the two model years covered here: 550-18 for both 1931 and 1932. Every available product for Jordan 80 in this fitment is built for an 18-inch rim, and the offerings are bias-ply tires rather than radial designs.
That makes the first fitment step straightforward: verify that the car still has 18-inch wheels. After that, compare the wheel width on the car with the rim width range listed for the tire you are considering, then choose the sidewall style and series that best match either a touring driver or a period-correct restoration.
On a Jordan 80, 550-18 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 5.50 designates the nominal section width in inches, and the 18 designates the wheel diameter in inches, so this is an 18-inch rim fitment rather than an overall tire diameter measurement.
Modern buyers sometimes expect more detailed sizing information than older numeric codes provide, so wheel width becomes an important second check. For Jordan 80, once the 18-inch wheel is confirmed, the next step is to match the tire to the rim width already fitted and then decide whether the car calls for blackwall or one of the whitewall treatments.
Jordan 80 tire offerings in 550-18 are bias-ply designs, and for this style of vintage fitment a tube is required. The available products do not indicate tubeless construction, so Jordan 80 owners should plan on tube-type installation as part of the correct setup.
That matters because the tube, flap, wheel condition, and tire all work together on an older car. When preparing a Jordan 80 for service, inspect the rim carefully for corrosion, burrs, or distortion, and treat tube selection and installation quality as part of the overall fitment rather than as an afterthought.
Buying the Right Tire
Jordan 80 tires are available in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall form within the 550-18 size. Those choices appear across several bias-ply offerings, so the owner can stay within the correct size while changing the visual character of the car.
For a Jordan 80 restoration, sidewall style often comes down to the look you want the car to present. Blackwalls usually suit a more restrained period appearance, while wide whitewalls and double whitewalls create a brighter, more formal look, so compare your car with period photos, surviving examples, or club guidance before making the final choice.
Jordan 80 tires in 550-18 are available from Excelsior, Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Michelin. Within those brands, the listed series include Comp H, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, and Double Rivet.
Brand choice on a Jordan 80 usually comes down to balancing appearance, tread character, and how closely a particular tire matches the era you want to present. Once the 550-18 size and 18-inch wheel are confirmed, compare sidewall styling and series design rather than assuming every tire in the size will give the same visual result.
Jordan 80 tire listings include Excelsior Comp H, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, and Michelin Double Rivet in the same 550-18 size. All are bias-ply tires, but the series names reflect different tread and presentation styles rather than a change in basic fitment.
For Jordan 80 owners, that means the real comparison is not size compatibility but how the series supports the look and character of the car. A restoration aimed at a specific period appearance may favor one series, while a driver may prioritize the tread pattern or sidewall treatment that best complements the car’s stance and intended use.
A 1931 Jordan 80 and a 1932 Jordan 80 both use 550-18, so the size itself does not change between years. The important confirmations are that the car still carries 18-inch wheels and that the rim width matches the intended tire, since listed rim widths vary by product.
Start by reading the wheel size on the rim if possible, then compare it with the tire’s rim width specification before choosing a particular product. After the fitment basics are settled, select the sidewall style and tire series that best suit whether your Jordan 80 is being prepared as a judged restoration, a tour car, or a display vehicle.
Maintenance & Longevity
A Jordan 80 should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and large temperature swings. Keep the tires clean, maintain proper inflation for storage conditions, and avoid prolonged contact with oil, solvents, or damp concrete where possible.
Because Jordan 80 uses tube-type bias-ply tires, long periods of inactivity can create flat spotting and add stress to the casing and tube. If the car will sit for an extended period, move it occasionally or support the weight appropriately, and inspect inflation regularly so the tire does not spend months under load in a partially deflated condition.
Tires on a Jordan 80 should be inspected before each drive and given a more thorough review at regular intervals during the season. Look for cracking, tread separation, sidewall damage, embedded debris, uneven wear, and any sign that the tube-type assembly has lost air or shifted on the rim.
That inspection routine matters more on a lightly used collector car than mileage alone might suggest. A Jordan 80 often spends long periods parked, so age, storage conditions, and underinflation can do as much harm as road use, making visual checks and pressure checks a normal part of preparing the car for any outing.
A Jordan 80 tire should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, casing distortion, repeated air loss, or other structural concerns appear, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector-car tires often age out long before they wear out, especially on vehicles that are driven only occasionally.
The practical rule is to treat visible condition and age as seriously as tread depth. If a Jordan 80 shows sidewall weathering, vibration that cannot be corrected, or any sign of internal deterioration, have the tires assessed by a vintage tire specialist and replace them before putting the car back into regular touring service.
Restoration & Authenticity
Jordan 80 fitment here centers on the 550-18 size for 1931 and 1932, with available replacement series including Comp H, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, and Double Rivet. Those listings establish the correct size family, but they do not point to one single original equipment brand across every surviving car.
For restoration work, the best approach is to use 550-18 as the fitment baseline and then compare sidewall style and tread character with period photos, sales literature, and marque references. That helps a Jordan 80 owner choose a tire that looks historically credible without assuming that every car left the factory with the same brand or presentation.
Correct tire fitment can materially affect how a Jordan 80 is judged and how complete the restoration appears. Size, sidewall treatment, and overall period character all influence whether the car reads as carefully restored or visually inconsistent with its early-1930s design.
A Jordan 80 wearing the proper 550-18 size and an era-appropriate sidewall style will usually present better than one fitted with a visually modern substitute. For serious show preparation, compare your choice against period imagery and the expectations of marque clubs or event judges so the tire supports the car’s authenticity rather than distracting from it.
Jordan 80 restoration options in 550-18 include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall tires. Each can suit an early-1930s presentation, but they create noticeably different visual results and should be matched to the way the specific car is being restored.
Blackwall generally gives a more understated appearance, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall choices add a more formal, dressier look that can transform the stance of a Jordan 80. The best answer comes from period photos, trim level presentation, and the owner’s restoration goal, especially if the car is being prepared for judging rather than casual touring.
Safety & Road Use
A properly installed, correctly inflated 550-18 bias-ply tire can be suitable for public-road use on a Jordan 80 when the rest of the car is mechanically sound and the tire is in good condition. Safety depends on the complete condition of the wheel, tube, brakes, steering, suspension, and alignment, not on tire size alone.
Jordan 80 drivers should treat any road outing as vintage motoring rather than modern-car use. Keep speeds conservative, allow for longer stopping distances, and inspect the tires before each drive so the car is being used within the limits of its design and the condition of its running gear.
Before driving a Jordan 80, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, wheel fasteners, and any sign that a tube-type tire has shifted or lost air. Also inspect the wheels themselves and confirm that the tire size remains 550-18 on the 18-inch rims intended for the car.
A brief walkaround can prevent most avoidable problems on a vintage car. Because Jordan 80 uses bias-ply tires and older wheel hardware, any wobble, fresh crack, repeated pressure loss, or unusual vibration should be addressed before road use rather than dismissed as normal old-car behavior.
A Jordan 80 fitted with period-style 550-18 bias-ply tires should be driven at moderate, sensible speeds that reflect both the tire construction and the capabilities of an early-1930s automobile. Even when the tires are new, the overall vehicle is still operating with vintage steering, braking, and suspension characteristics.
That means the appropriate speed for a Jordan 80 is the speed at which the car remains composed, steerable, and easy to stop with a wide safety margin. Smooth inputs, extra following distance, and avoidance of sustained high-speed driving will do more for safety and tire life than chasing modern traffic pace.