Jordan E Tires

Jordan E belongs to the late 1920s American automobile market, a period when styling, comfort, and road manners were changing quickly as cars moved away from earlier high-profile tire standards. Produced for 1929, Jordan E sits in that transitional pre-war era where seemingly similar cars could use very different wheel and tire specifications. Tire selection is not straightforward here because two different size formats appear for the same model year, and one of them uses an antique-style measurement where the first number is not the wheel diameter. Before choosing a tire for a Jordan E, the first step is to confirm whether the car carries 18-inch rims or a different wheel setup tied to the alternate size listing.

Jordan E Tire Size Guide

Jordan E uses 2 distinct tire sizes across the 1929 model year, and the most important point is that the rim diameter differs within that single year. The listed fitments include 18-inch rims and another size format that does not state wheel diameter in the code itself. Jordan E also uses an antique diameter-by-section size format in part of the range, so the leading number is the tire's outside diameter, not the wheel diameter.

28X5.501929Antique diameter-by-section

28X5.50 is a 1929 Jordan E fitment used on cars carrying that earlier diameter-by-section specification. The 28 indicates the tire's approximate outside diameter in inches and the 5.50 indicates nominal section width, while the wheel diameter must be confirmed on the actual rim because it is not given in the size code. Choose 28X5.50 only if the car is already fitted for that exact antique-size application, and verify the wheel itself before proceeding.

550-181929Numeric bias-ply

550-18 is a 1929 Jordan E fitment for cars using 18-inch wheels. The 550 indicates a nominal 5.50-inch section width and the 18 is the rim diameter, with the listed products built for 18-inch rims and rim widths ranging from 3 inches to 4.5 inches. Choose 550-18 when the car has 18-inch wheels and you want a period-correct bias-ply tire; a tube is required.

Jordan E Tires by Year

The year listing breaks Jordan E tire fitment down by production year so you can match the car to the correct size before narrowing to brand or sidewall style. Jordan E in 1929 includes more than one listed size, so identify the specific wheel setup on the car rather than relying on the year alone. The leading number in an antique size such as 28X5.50 is the tire's outside diameter, not the wheel size, so the rim itself needs to be checked carefully.

Best Jordan E Tires for Sale

Available Jordan E tires cover two listed sizes, with 7 products across 4 brands in the currently listed range. Confirm the exact size and wheel diameter on the car before selecting, especially because 1929 includes two different size formats.

550-18 Products

These are the available products for 550-18.

Bias Ply

Excelsior Comp H | 550-18

Excelsior - Comp H

SidewallBlackwall
Rim Diameter18 in
Rim Width4 in
Weight18 lb
Max Load—
Buy Now
Bias Ply

Firestone | 550-18

Firestone - Firestone Classic Bias Ply

SidewallBlackwall
Rim Diameter18 in
Rim Width3.25 in
Weight19 lb
Max Load1125@32 psi
Buy Now
Bias Ply

BFGoodrich 3.00 Inch Whitewall | 550-18

BFGoodrich - Silvertown Classic Bias Ply

SidewallWide Whitewall
Rim Diameter18 in
Rim Width3 in
Weight23 lb
Max Load1000@32 psi
Buy Now
Bias Ply

Firestone 3.25 Inch Double Whitewall | 550-18

Firestone - Firestone Classic Bias Ply

SidewallDouble-Whitewall
Rim Diameter18 in
Rim Width3.25 in
Weight23 lb
Max Load1125@32 psi
Buy Now
Bias Ply

Michelin Double Rivet | 550-18

Michelin - Double Rivet

SidewallBlackwall
Rim Diameter18 in
Rim Width3.00 - 4.50 in
Weight18 lb
Max Load—
Buy Now
Bias Ply

BFGoodrich | 550-18

BFGoodrich - Silvertown Classic Bias Ply

SidewallBlackwall
Rim Diameter18 in
Rim Width3 in
Weight20 lb
Max Load1000@32 psi
Buy Now
Bias Ply

Firestone 3.25 Inch Whitewall | 550-18

Firestone - Firestone Classic Bias Ply

SidewallWide Whitewall
Rim Diameter18 in
Rim Width3.25 in
Weight21 lb
Max Load1125@32 psi
Buy Now

Frequently Asked Questions

The FAQs below focus on the 1929 Jordan E size split, the difference between antique and numeric tire codes, available brands and sidewall styles, and the practical checks that matter when fitting a pre-war collector car.

Size Basics & Fitment

Jordan E uses two listed tire sizes for 1929: 28X5.50 and 550-18. The 550-18 size is tied to 18-inch rims, while 28X5.50 is an antique diameter-by-section size where the wheel diameter is not stated in the code itself and must be confirmed separately on the car.

That means year alone is not enough to choose a tire for a Jordan E. Start by reading the size on the tire if it is still present, then measure or verify the wheel diameter and compare it to the car's existing rims before choosing between the two fitments.

On a Jordan E, 28X5.50 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The 28 refers to the tire's approximate outside diameter in inches, and the 5.50 refers to nominal section width. Unlike a modern size, that first number is not the wheel diameter.

This matters because a buyer can easily mistake 28 for a rim size when it is actually the overall tire height. If your Jordan E uses 28X5.50, confirm the actual wheel diameter from the rim itself before selecting a replacement, since the tire code alone does not provide that number.

A 1929 Jordan E has two tire sizes listed because the model year includes more than one wheel-and-tire setup. One listing is the antique-style 28X5.50 format, and the other is the numeric 550-18 size that clearly uses an 18-inch rim.

The practical takeaway is that you need to identify the actual configuration on your Jordan E before choosing a tire. Check the wheel diameter, compare the existing tire markings if they are still legible, and use the year listing as a starting point rather than assuming every 1929 Jordan E used the same setup.

Jordan E uses at least one confirmed 18-inch rim application in 1929 through size 550-18. The other listed size, 28X5.50, is an antique measurement where the rim diameter is not encoded in the size itself, so the wheel diameter must be verified directly from the rim on the car.

That makes wheel identification one of the most important fitment checks on a Jordan E. Before choosing a tire, inspect the wheel, measure if necessary, and make sure the tire size format matches the wheel you actually have rather than relying on appearance alone.

Buying the Right Tire

To confirm the correct tire size for a 1929 Jordan E, begin with the wheel diameter and the existing tire marking if either can be verified. Jordan E uses both 28X5.50 and 550-18 in 1929, so the car's actual wheel-and-tire setup determines which size is correct.

A good process is to inspect all four wheels, read any surviving size marks, and compare the rim dimensions before choosing a replacement. If the car is restored or has been apart for many years, also check period service records, restoration notes, or marque expertise to make sure the current wheels are appropriate for the car.

Jordan E tires in the listed 550-18 size are available with several sidewall styles, including blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. Those choices appear across the current product range from multiple brands, giving buyers both understated and more decorative period-style options.

The right choice depends on how the Jordan E is being presented. A blackwall generally suits a more restrained or utility appearance, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall treatments create a stronger late-1920s visual statement for show presentation and restoration styling.

The listed Jordan E tire offerings include products from Excelsior, Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Michelin. Those brands appear in the currently available 550-18 range, with several different tread families and sidewall treatments represented.

Brand choice on a Jordan E usually comes down to the appearance you want and how closely you are matching a period restoration theme. Once the correct size is confirmed, compare sidewall style, series character, and wheel compatibility rather than choosing by brand name alone.

Jordan E tires in 550-18 are available in several series, including Excelsior Comp H, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, and Michelin Double Rivet. All are bias-ply offerings, but they differ in branding, tread family, and the sidewall treatments available within each line.

For a Jordan E owner, the practical difference is usually historical presentation and visual style rather than a change from bias-ply to radial construction. After size and wheel diameter are settled, the series name helps narrow the tire that best matches the car's intended period look and use.

Maintenance & Longevity

A Jordan E should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and prolonged moisture. Clean floors, stable temperatures, and proper inflation help reduce sidewall stress and flat-spotting on a collector car that may sit for long periods.

If the Jordan E will be parked for an extended season, move it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces constant loading on one contact patch. Pre-war cars benefit from regular visual checks during storage because their tires are often used less, but age and environment still affect them.

Tires on a Jordan E should be inspected before each drive and more thoroughly several times during the year, even if the car covers very few miles. Look for cracking, sidewall distortion, tread separation, irregular wear, low pressure, and any evidence that the tire is shifting on the rim.

A pre-war car can spend long periods inactive, which makes routine inspection especially important. Because Jordan E fitments include bias-ply construction and vintage-style sizing, catching problems early is far better than discovering them once the car is in motion.

Tires on a Jordan E should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, sidewall damage, structural change, or repeated pressure loss appears, even if tread depth still looks usable. Collector-car tires often age out before they wear out, particularly on vehicles that see light seasonal use.

Replacement decisions on a Jordan E should focus on condition and age as much as mileage. A tire that looks attractive on a show car may still be unsuitable for road use if the casing has deteriorated, so periodic professional inspection is an important part of long-term ownership.

Restoration & Authenticity

Jordan E is associated here with two 1929 fitments: 28X5.50 and 550-18. The current product range for 550-18 includes several bias-ply series and sidewall styles, showing that more than one period-style presentation is possible within the known fitment range.

For a restoration, the key is to match the tire to the exact wheel setup and presentation of the specific Jordan E. Original literature, period photos, and marque expertise remain the best references when the goal is to determine how a particular car was equipped when new.

Correct tire fitment can matter significantly to both the appearance and judged authenticity of a Jordan E. Judges and knowledgeable buyers notice whether the size, overall profile, and sidewall style look appropriate for the car's year and period character.

A Jordan E fitted with the wrong diameter, the wrong visual profile, or a mismatched sidewall treatment can lose some of its historical coherence even if the car remains usable. Owners pursuing high-level restoration should compare their choices with marque references and event judging standards before finalizing tires.

Jordan E tires in the listed 550-18 range are available in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. Any restoration choice should suit the late-1920s character of the car and the specific look being pursued, whether conservative touring presentation or a more formal show appearance.

Because sidewall treatment changes the visual stance of a Jordan E so noticeably, it is worth comparing your selection to period photographs or established restoration examples. Once the correct size is confirmed, sidewall style becomes one of the most visible authenticity decisions on the car.

Safety & Road Use

A properly selected, correctly fitted, and well-maintained tire can be appropriate for limited public-road use on a Jordan E, but the car's overall mechanical condition matters just as much as the tire itself. Steering, brakes, wheel condition, alignment, and inflation all need to be right on a pre-war automobile.

Driving a Jordan E on modern roads calls for conservative speeds, generous following distance, and close attention to surface conditions. The safest approach is to treat the car as a collector vehicle with vintage dynamics rather than expecting the behavior of a modern automobile.

Before driving a Jordan E, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, wheel security, and any signs of tube or valve issues. Also inspect for cracking, bulges, looseness at the rim, and uneven stance that could point to a pressure or fitment problem.

A Jordan E rewards a short pre-drive routine because small problems become much more serious once an older car is moving. It is wise to include a quick mechanical walkaround as well, since safe tire performance depends on the condition of the rest of the chassis and running gear.

A Jordan E should be driven at moderate, conservative speeds that respect both the age of the car and the behavior of vintage-style bias-ply tires. Even with fresh tires, pre-war automobiles were engineered for a different traffic environment than today's highways.

The practical rule is to drive a Jordan E at speeds that feel comfortable for the steering, braking, road surface, and tire condition rather than trying to keep pace with modern fast traffic. Smooth inputs and modest cruising speeds do more to protect the car and its tires than any single equipment choice.