Jordan R Tires

Jordan R uses two listed tire sizes for 1928: 28X5.25 and 5.25-18. The 28X5.25 size is an antique diameter-by-section format paired with a 22-inch rim, while 5.25-18 is a numeric bias-ply size for an 18-inch rim. Both are valid Jordan R fitments, but they correspond to different wheel setups.

The practical takeaway is that the correct tire cannot be chosen by model year alone. Measure the wheel, inspect any existing tire markings, and verify whether the car has 22-inch rims for 28X5.25 or 18-inch rims for 5.25-18 before selecting a replacement.

On Jordan R, 28X5.25 is an antique tire size format. The first number, 28, is the tire's approximate outside diameter in inches, and the second number, 5.25, is the section width. It does not mean the tire fits a 28-inch wheel; the matching rim diameter is 22 inches.

That format often causes confusion because modern buyers expect the last number to identify wheel diameter. When working with a Jordan R that uses 28X5.25, always confirm the rim itself rather than reading wheel size from the antique code.

A 1928 Jordan R has 2 tire sizes listed because the model appears with two different wheel-and-tire arrangements: 28X5.25 on a 22-inch rim and 5.25-18 on an 18-inch rim. That is a rim diameter split rather than a simple alternate description of the same tire.

For an owner or restorer, that means the car's actual wheels matter more than the model year by itself. Check the rim diameter directly and compare the overall stance of the car with period references if originality is important.

Jordan R appears with two rim diameters in the listed fitments: 22 inches for 28X5.25 and 18 inches for 5.25-18. The antique-format 28X5.25 size does not reveal the wheel diameter in the code itself, so the rim size has to be identified separately.

That makes the rim measurement the most important first check on a Jordan R. If the wheel measures 18 inches across the bead seat, use the numeric 5.25-18 fitment; if the car carries 22-inch rims, the antique-format 28X5.25 is the relevant size.

The surest way to confirm the correct tire for a 1928 Jordan R is to identify the wheel diameter first and then match the size format to the car. A Jordan R can use either 28X5.25 on a 22-inch rim or 5.25-18 on an 18-inch rim, so the wheel itself determines which path to follow.

Start by checking rim markings, measuring the wheel at the bead seat, and comparing any surviving tire size information on the car. If the automobile has been restored in the past, do not assume the current wheels are original to the chassis.

Jordan R should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and large swings in temperature. Tire pressure should be kept at the proper operating level for the installed tires, and long-term storage is easier on the carcass if the vehicle's weight is reduced with jack stands placed correctly under the chassis.

Pre-war tires can suffer from age and flat-spotting long before the tread appears worn. If the Jordan R remains on the ground, move it periodically so the same section of tire is not carrying the load for months at a time.

Tires on a Jordan R should be inspected before every drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals even if the car only sees occasional use. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, tube-related air loss, bead disturbance, uneven wear, and any sign that the tire is moving on the rim.

A lightly used collector car can develop tire problems while standing still, especially with older tube-type constructions. Seasonal inspection by a shop familiar with vintage wheels and tube-type assemblies is a sensible part of Jordan R ownership.

Jordan R tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, casing distortion, repeated air loss, or any structural concern appears, even if the tread still looks serviceable. Tread depth alone is not a reliable guide on a collector car that spends much of its life parked.

Pre-war automobiles deserve a conservative approach because tire failure can damage scarce body and chassis parts as well as create a road hazard. If there is any doubt about age or condition, have the tires evaluated by a specialist before the car is driven.

Jordan R is listed with both 28X5.25 and 5.25-18 fitments for 1928, which shows that more than one period size pattern is associated with the model. One is an earlier-style antique diameter-by-section size on a 22-inch rim, and the other is a numeric 18-inch fitment.

For a restoration, the right answer depends on the exact car and how it was equipped. Original sales literature, surviving wheel specifications, and Jordan marque references are the best guides when authenticity matters more than simply matching the model name.

Correct tire fitment can matter significantly to the value, presentation, and judging of a Jordan R because wheel diameter, tire profile, and overall stance are highly visible on a pre-war automobile. A car fitted with the wrong diameter or an obviously incorrect profile can look out of character even to non-specialists.

Collectors and judges usually respond best to a combination that matches the car's era and configuration. If the Jordan R is being prepared for formal judging, compare the wheels and tires to period photos and seek guidance from marque historians before finalizing the setup.

Jordan R restorations should use a sidewall style that matches the period character of a late-1920s American automobile and the exact tire line chosen for the car. On pre-war cars, sidewall appearance has a large visual effect because the tire occupies so much of the vehicle's profile.

The best approach is to match the sidewall treatment to period photography, factory literature, and the judging standard you are restoring toward. For a Jordan R intended for serious authenticity, sidewall choice should be treated as part of the restoration plan rather than an afterthought.

A correctly sized and properly installed tire can make a Jordan R roadworthy for careful use, but safety depends on far more than tire size alone. Wheel condition, tube and flap integrity where required, brake performance, steering play, and the overall mechanical state of the car all matter on a pre-war automobile.

Jordan R should be driven within the limits of its era and only after a thorough inspection of the complete running gear. Sensible route planning, moderate speeds, and extra stopping distance are part of using a vintage car safely on modern roads.

Before driving a Jordan R, inspect tire pressure, sidewalls, tread condition, valve stems, wheel fasteners, and any sign of tube-related leakage or carcass distortion. Also check that the rims are sound, the spare is usable, and the car's steering and brakes operate properly.

Those checks matter because a pre-war car puts much more responsibility on the driver and owner than a modern vehicle does. A short walk-around before every outing can catch aging-tire problems early and prevent damage to hard-to-replace Jordan R components.

A Jordan R should be driven at conservative speeds that suit both the tire type fitted and the overall capability of a late-1920s automobile. Even with properly selected tires, the car's chassis, brakes, steering, and tire construction belong to a very different motoring era than present-day highway traffic.

The safest habit is to treat the Jordan R as a touring and display car rather than a sustained high-speed machine. Keep speeds moderate, avoid abrupt inputs, and allow the condition of the tires and the mechanical state of the car to set the pace.