Jordan T Tires

Jordan T belongs to the late independent American car era, when smaller-volume manufacturers often blended established chassis practice with distinctive styling and branding. Produced for 1930, Jordan T sits at a moment when the industry was moving away from earlier oversized tire conventions into more modern numeric sizing on steel-disc and artillery-wheel cars. Tire selection for Jordan T is not entirely straightforward because two different size formats appear for the same model year, and they do not describe the wheel in the same way. Before choosing a tire for a Jordan T, the first step is to confirm whether the car carries an 18-inch rim or a larger wheel matched to the antique-format size.

Jordan T Tire Size Guide

Jordan T uses 2 distinct tire sizes across the 1930 production year, and the wheel diameter does not stay consistent between them. One size uses antique diameter-by-section notation, where the leading number is the tire's overall outside diameter rather than the wheel diameter, while the other uses a later numeric bias-ply format on an 18-inch rim. That difference makes wheel identification the key first step before selecting a Jordan T tire.

28X5.501930Antique diameter-by-section

28X5.50 applies to 1930 Jordan T models using the earlier antique-style size convention. The 28 means an overall tire diameter of about 28 inches, the 5.50 indicates section width, and the wheel diameter must be confirmed from the actual rim because it is not encoded in the size itself. Choose this size only if the car still carries the larger wheel intended for this fitment, and verify the rim diameter on the vehicle before proceeding.

550-181930Numeric bias-ply

550-18 applies to 1930 Jordan T models using an 18-inch wheel. The 550 denotes a nominal 5.50-inch section width in traditional numeric sizing, and the 18 is the rim diameter used by the available products. Choose this size for Jordan T cars fitted with 18-inch rims and period-style bias-ply tires; a tube is required.

Jordan T Tires by Year

The year listing breaks Jordan T tire fitment down by production year so you can match the car to the correct size before comparing products. In 1930, more than one size is listed, reflecting a split between different wheel and tire conventions. The leading number in 28X5.50 is the tire's outside diameter, not the wheel size, so the actual rim diameter should be confirmed on the car itself.

Best Jordan T Tires for Sale

Available Jordan T tire products cover 4 brands and 7 offerings in the listed sizes. Confirm the exact size code and rim diameter on the car before choosing, as 1930 Jordan T fitment spans two different size conventions.

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—
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Bias Ply

Firestone | 550-18

Firestone - Firestone Classic Bias Ply

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

Michelin Double Rivet | 550-18

Michelin - Double Rivet

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

BFGoodrich | 550-18

BFGoodrich - Silvertown Classic Bias Ply

SidewallBlackwall
Rim Diameter18 in
Rim Width3 in
Weight20 lb
Max Load1000@32 psi
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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
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Frequently Asked Questions

The Jordan T FAQ focuses on the 1930 size split, the difference between antique and numeric sizing, and practical buying questions such as available brands, sidewall styles, and tube-type bias-ply fitment.

Size Basics & Fitment

Jordan T uses two tire sizes for 1930: 28X5.50 and 550-18. The 550-18 size uses an 18-inch rim in the available products, while 28X5.50 is an antique diameter-by-section size where the wheel diameter is not stated in the size code and must be confirmed separately on the car.

That means the correct choice depends on the actual wheels fitted to the specific Jordan T, not just the model year alone. If the car has 18-inch rims, 550-18 is the straightforward modern-style listing; if it carries the larger-wheel setup associated with 28X5.50, verify the rim before selecting a tire.

On a Jordan T, 28X5.50 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The first number, 28, refers to the tire's overall outside diameter in inches, and the second number, 5.50, refers to the section width. It does not tell you the wheel diameter.

That distinction matters because a buyer can easily mistake 28 for the wheel size when it is actually the tire's outside measurement. When a Jordan T carries this style of size marking, inspect the wheel itself and compare dimensions carefully before choosing a replacement.

A 1930 Jordan T can show two listed sizes because the model year spans two different tire-sizing conventions. One is the antique-style 28X5.50 format, and the other is the later numeric 550-18 format that clearly identifies an 18-inch rim.

The practical takeaway is that year alone does not settle the fitment question on a Jordan T. Check the actual wheel diameter and compare the tire markings already on the car if they are present, since the two listings point to different wheel-and-tire combinations.

Jordan T uses an 18-inch rim when fitted with 550-18 tires. A Jordan T using 28X5.50 does not reveal the rim diameter in the size code, because that antique format describes overall tire diameter and section width rather than wheel diameter.

The safest way to sort out a Jordan T rim is to measure the wheel or confirm the stampings on the rim before matching a tire. That extra step is especially important on cars that have been restored over the years, where wheel changes may not match the original setup now on the vehicle.

Buying the Right Tire

Start by checking the actual wheel diameter on the 1930 Jordan T. If the car has 18-inch rims, the listed numeric size is 550-18. If the car carries the earlier-style fitment marked 28X5.50, the wheel diameter must be verified separately because it is not part of that size code.

A good process is to compare the wheel measurement, any surviving sidewall markings, and period service information for the specific car. Jordan T is a case where the same year can point to two different size conventions, so matching the wheel to the tire matters more than relying on the year alone.

For the listed Jordan T products in 550-18, available sidewall styles include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. Those options appear across several bias-ply offerings from Excelsior, Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Michelin.

The right visual choice depends on how the Jordan T is being presented today. A restoration aimed at a restrained period look may lean toward blackwall, while whitewall or double-whitewall treatments can suit certain presentation styles and owner preferences if they match the character and finish of the car.

The listed Jordan T products are offered by Excelsior, Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Michelin. Those brands appear within the 550-18 fitment, with multiple period-style bias-ply series and more than one sidewall treatment available.

Brand choice on a Jordan T usually comes down to the look you want, the tread and sidewall presentation you prefer, and how closely you want the tire to align with the car's intended era feel. After that, confirm that the selected product matches the correct size and wheel diameter on the car.

Jordan T products in 550-18 include Excelsior Comp H, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, and Michelin Double Rivet. All of the listed offerings are bias-ply tires, but they differ in brand family, tread styling, and sidewall presentation rather than in radial-versus-bias construction.

That means a Jordan T owner can choose among several period-flavored interpretations without leaving the basic bias-ply format that suits the era of the car. Once the correct size is established, the series decision is mainly about appearance and the character you want the finished car to project.

Maintenance & Longevity

A Jordan T should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and large temperature swings. Keep the tires clean, avoid prolonged contact with petroleum products, and move the car occasionally or support it properly if it will sit for extended periods.

Collector cars age tires differently from daily drivers because long periods of static load can create flat spotting and stress old casings. If a Jordan T will spend much of its life parked, careful storage habits do as much for tire life as mileage control.

Tires on a Jordan T should be inspected regularly even if the car is driven very little. Check for cracking, cuts, bulges, tread separation, irregular wear, and changes in inflation before drives, and give the tires a more thorough inspection at least several times خلال the season.

Bias-ply collector tires can look acceptable at a glance while still developing age-related issues that matter once the car is moving. A Jordan T benefits from routine visual checks, hand pressure checks for unusual stiffness or distortion, and periodic inspection by a shop familiar with vintage tire construction.

A Jordan T tire should be replaced when age, cracking, separation, impact damage, or long-term storage history raises concern, even if the tread still appears deep. Collector tires often age out before they wear out, especially on cars that see occasional use rather than steady road mileage.

Tread depth alone is not the best measure for a Jordan T because time, environment, and storage conditions matter just as much. If there is any question about casing condition, sidewall integrity, or the age of an older tire, replacement is wiser than trying to stretch a visibly serviceable but aging tire.

Restoration & Authenticity

Jordan T is associated here with two period-appropriate size conventions for 1930: 28X5.50 and 550-18. The listed replacement offerings for 550-18 are all bias-ply tires, including series such as Excelsior Comp H, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, and Michelin Double Rivet.

Because more than one size convention appears for the same model year, originality should be tied to the specific Jordan T and the wheels actually on it. Owners pursuing strict authenticity should compare surviving car details and marque references before settling on a final size and visual style.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely influence how a Jordan T is judged and how convincing the finished restoration looks. Size, sidewall treatment, and overall stance all affect whether the car presents as coherent for its period, especially on a relatively uncommon independent make.

Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts tend to notice when wheel diameter, tire profile, or sidewall style looks out of step with the car's era. A Jordan T restored for show or serious collection use benefits from matching the tire choice to the car's specific configuration rather than choosing only by general appearance.

Jordan T tires in the listed 550-18 offerings are available in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. All are period-style treatments within the replacement range, but the most appropriate look depends on how the particular Jordan T is being restored and presented.

For a historically disciplined restoration, sidewall style should follow the car's intended era impression, trim character, and surviving reference material. Blackwall often gives the most restrained look, while whitewall treatments can change the visual weight of the car significantly, so they should be chosen with the full restoration theme in mind.

Safety & Road Use

A properly fitted modern-manufacture bias-ply tire in the correct Jordan T size can be suitable for public-road use within the limitations of a 1930 collector car. Safety depends on correct size selection, sound wheels, proper inflation, good tubes where required, and the overall mechanical condition of the car.

Jordan T should be driven with the expectations appropriate to an early 1930 automobile rather than to a modern car. Even with fresh tires, braking, steering response, and stability are shaped by vintage design, so careful speeds and conservative route choices remain part of safe operation.

Before driving a Jordan T, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and whether the chosen size truly matches the wheel diameter on the car. Also look for loose spokes or rim issues if applicable, and confirm that the tires are seated evenly and free from obvious distortion.

A short pre-drive inspection matters more on a collector car than on a daily driver because long storage periods can hide problems until the car starts moving. On a Jordan T, that quick check should be part of every outing, especially when the car uses tube-type bias-ply tires and uncommon period wheel equipment.

A Jordan T should be driven at moderate, vintage-appropriate speeds that respect the limits of early 1930 chassis, brakes, steering, and bias-ply tires. Even when the tires are in good condition, the correct mindset is steady, conservative motoring rather than modern highway pace.

The right speed for a Jordan T is the one that keeps the car composed, leaves generous braking distance, and avoids heat buildup or stress from prolonged fast running. Owners who treat the car as a collector automobile rather than a contemporary traffic machine generally get the best combination of safety and preservation.