Jordan Z Tires

Jordan Z production ran from 1930 to 1931, placing the car in the last years of the independent American automobile era when styling, chassis design, and wheel equipment were still changing quickly. Jordan built sporting and upscale cars with a distinctive place in prewar motoring, and the Jordan Z falls into that transitional period between earlier oversized tire conventions and more familiar balloon-era sizing. Tire selection for Jordan Z models is not entirely straightforward because 1930 appears with two different size formats, while 1931 continues with only one. The first step is to confirm whether your Jordan Z carries the 18-inch wheel setup before choosing a tire.

Jordan Z Tire Size Guide

Jordan Z listings span 1930 to 1931 and use 2 distinct tire sizes. One of those sizes uses the older antique diameter-by-section style, where the leading number is the tire's outside diameter rather than the wheel diameter, while the later-style numeric size identifies a tire for an 18-inch rim. That mix is the key reason Jordan Z tire selection requires a careful look at the actual wheels on the car.

30X6.751930Antique diameter-by-section

30X6.75 applies to 1930 Jordan Z models that used this earlier oversized convention. The 30 indicates an overall tire diameter of about 30 inches and the 6.75 indicates section width, but the wheel diameter is not contained in the size code itself. Choose 30X6.75 only if your 1930 Jordan Z is specifically fitted for that sizing system and verify the actual wheel before proceeding.

700-181930-1931Numeric bias-ply

700-18 fits Jordan Z models from 1930 through 1931, including the only listed size for 1931. The 700 identifies a nominal section width of about 7.00 inches in period numeric sizing, and the 18 designates an 18-inch rim diameter. Choose 700-18 when your Jordan Z carries 18-inch wheels and period-style bias-ply construction; a tube is required.

Jordan Z Tires by Year

The year listing below shows which tire sizes are associated with each Jordan Z model year so you can narrow your search before comparing products. In 1930, two sizes are listed, so the specific wheel and configuration matter rather than the year alone. The leading number in 30X6.75 is the tire's outside diameter, not the wheel size, so the actual rim dimensions should be checked on the car itself.

Best Jordan Z Tires for Sale

Available Jordan Z tire products cover 1 listed size with 7 products from 4 brands. Choices include several sidewall styles and series within 700-18, so confirm the correct size and 18-inch rim diameter before selecting.

700-18 Products

These are the available products for 700-18.

Bias Ply

Firestone Balloon 4.25 Inch Double Whitewall | 700-18

Firestone - Firestone Balloon

SidewallDouble-Whitewall
Rim Diameter18 in
Rim Width3.75 - 4.00 in
Weight35 lb
Max Load1520@36 psi
Buy Now
Bias Ply

Firestone Balloon | 700-18

Firestone - Firestone Balloon

SidewallBlackwall
Rim Diameter18 in
Rim Width3.75 - 4.00 in
Weight26 lb
Max Load1520@36 psi
Buy Now
Bias Ply

Firestone Balloon 4.25 Inch Whitewall | 700-18

Firestone - Firestone Balloon

SidewallWide Whitewall
Rim Diameter18 in
Rim Width3.75 - 4.00 in
Weight30 lb
Max Load1520@36 psi
Buy Now
Bias Ply

Firestone | 700-18

Firestone - Firestone Classic Bias Ply

SidewallBlackwall
Rim Diameter18 in
Rim Width3.75 - 4.00 in
Weight29 lb
Max Load1520@36 psi
Buy Now
Bias Ply

Lester | 700-18

Lester - Lester Classic Bias Ply

SidewallBlackwall
Rim Diameter18 in
Rim Width—
Weight28 lb
Max Load—
Buy Now
Bias Ply

Excelsior Comp H | 700-18

Excelsior - Comp H

SidewallBlackwall
Rim Diameter18 in
Rim Width5 in
Weight25 lb
Max Load—
Buy Now
Military & Truck

STA Transport Highway | 700-18

STA - Transport Highway

SidewallBlackwall
Rim Diameter18 in
Rim Width6.00 - 6.50 in
Weight37 lb
Max Load2350@65 psi
Buy Now

Frequently Asked Questions

The Jordan Z FAQ below focuses on the unusual 1930 size split, the meaning of older prewar tire codes, available brands and sidewall styles in 700-18, and the practical questions that come with fitting collector-car bias-ply tires.

Size Basics & Fitment

Jordan Z models use two listed tire sizes across 1930 and 1931: 30X6.75 and 700-18. The 30X6.75 size appears for 1930 only, while 700-18 appears for both 1930 and 1931. Products are available in 700-18, and those products are built for an 18-inch rim diameter.

That means a 1931 Jordan Z points directly to 700-18, but a 1930 Jordan Z needs a closer look because two different size conventions appear in the same year. Start by checking the wheel and any surviving markings on the tire, rim, or original paperwork so you can match the car to the correct size family before moving on to brand or sidewall choice.

On a Jordan Z, 30X6.75 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The first number, 30, refers to the tire's approximate outside diameter in inches, while 6.75 refers to section width. It does not tell you the wheel diameter directly, which is why this format can confuse modern buyers.

That distinction matters because you cannot assume the wheel size from the tire code alone. If your 1930 Jordan Z carries a tire marked 30X6.75, inspect the wheel itself and compare it with surviving vehicle records or marque knowledge before choosing a replacement, especially if the car may have been changed over to a later 18-inch wheel and tire combination at some point in its life.

The 1930 Jordan Z is listed with both 30X6.75 and 700-18, which reflects two different sizing conventions within the same model year. One is the older outside-diameter-by-section format, and the other is the later numeric balloon-style size built around an 18-inch rim. That is why the same year does not point to one automatic answer.

A 1930 Jordan Z owner should identify the actual wheel and tire system on the car before selecting a replacement. Look for existing sidewall markings, measure the wheel where the bead seats, and compare what you find with period service information so you are matching the tire to the hardware on the car rather than relying on the model year alone.

Jordan Z tire listings here are bias-ply sizes, and the available 700-18 products are all bias-ply construction. For period bias-ply fitments such as 700-18, a tube is required. That aligns with the era and with the construction style used on prewar collector cars.

When fitting a Jordan Z, treat the tube as part of the tire package rather than an afterthought. The condition of the rim, the quality of the flap or liner where needed, and correct installation practice all matter just as much as the outer tire, especially on a low-production prewar car where preserving the wheel and avoiding pinched tubes is part of getting a dependable result.

Buying the Right Tire

A 1931 Jordan Z is straightforward because 700-18 is the only listed size. A 1930 Jordan Z needs more care because both 30X6.75 and 700-18 appear. The most reliable approach is to verify the tire marking currently on the car and confirm the wheel dimensions before choosing a replacement.

Once you know whether your Jordan Z uses the older oversize format or the 18-inch numeric size, the product list becomes much easier to sort through. Check for original wheels versus later substitutions, and compare your findings with factory literature, restoration records, or a Jordan specialist so you can separate a true period fitment from a change made later in the car's life.

Jordan Z products in 700-18 are available with several sidewall styles, including Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall. That gives owners a choice between a more restrained period appearance and a more pronounced whitewall presentation within the same basic size. The available products are all bias-ply construction.

For a Jordan Z restoration, sidewall choice should follow the character of the car and the era you are representing. A blackwall usually suits a conservative prewar presentation, while wide or double whitewall styles can complement a more formal or show-oriented finish, but it is wise to compare the tire look against period photographs and the rest of the car's trim before making the final call.

Jordan Z tires in 700-18 are available from Firestone, Lester, Excelsior, and STA. Those products cover more than one tire series and more than one intended style of use, even within the same nominal size. Firestone appears in both Balloon and Classic Bias Ply forms, while Lester, Excelsior, and STA add further alternatives.

Brand choice on a Jordan Z should come after size, wheel diameter, and intended use are settled. A touring restoration, a judged show car, and a specialty-use vehicle can all point toward different series or visual treatments, so compare the tread character, sidewall style, and overall look of each brand against the way your Jordan Z will actually be driven and presented.

Jordan Z products in 700-18 include Firestone Balloon, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Lester Classic Bias Ply, Comp H, and Transport Highway. Those series reflect different period construction themes and intended personalities, from balloon-era passenger styling to more utility-oriented heavy-duty bias-ply designs. All of the listed 700-18 options are bias-ply rather than radial.

For a Jordan Z used as a collector passenger car, the visual character of the series can matter almost as much as the size itself. Balloon and classic passenger-style series usually make the most sense for a period-correct appearance, while the truck-oriented Transport Highway line should be evaluated carefully against the vehicle's wheel width, stance, and intended use before being treated as an appropriate match.

Maintenance & Longevity

A Jordan Z should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and long exposure to concrete moisture. Keep the car clean, maintain proper inflation for the fitted tires, and avoid leaving the full vehicle weight on one spot for extended periods if the car will sit for months at a time.

Prewar bias-ply tires benefit from regular movement and careful load management. Rolling the Jordan Z occasionally, using tire cradles or stands when appropriate, and keeping the wheel and tube assembly in good condition will help prevent flat spotting, sidewall stress, and premature aging on a collector car that spends more time in the garage than on the road.

Tires on a Jordan Z should be visually inspected before every drive and given a more thorough condition check several times during the year. Look for cracking, sidewall distortion, tread separation, impact damage, tube-related air loss, and any sign that the tire is shifting on the rim. On a prewar car, that routine should be taken seriously even if annual mileage is very low.

Collector cars can age their tires out long before they wear them out. A Jordan Z that is driven only occasionally still needs regular pressure checks, valve stem inspection, and wheel-condition review, because long periods of inactivity can hide problems until the car is finally taken out for an event or tour.

Jordan Z tires should be replaced when age, cracking, casing condition, repeated air loss, or structural concerns make the tire unreliable, even if the tread still looks usable. On collector cars, visible tread depth is only one part of the picture. Time, storage history, and internal condition matter just as much as the surface appearance.

That point is especially important on a lightly used prewar car, where old-looking tires may seem serviceable until they are asked to carry load and speed. Any tire on a Jordan Z that shows age-related hardening or sidewall deterioration deserves prompt attention, and a specialist should evaluate any period tire that has been in service for a very long time before the car returns to regular driving.

Restoration & Authenticity

Jordan Z listings across 1930 and 1931 show two period-correct size families: 30X6.75 for 1930 and 700-18 for 1930-1931. Within the available 700-18 products, series include Firestone Balloon, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Lester Classic Bias Ply, Comp H, and Transport Highway. That tells you the Jordan Z sits in a period where more than one style of tire can be relevant depending on the exact car and year.

For restoration work, the right answer for a specific Jordan Z should come from surviving factory literature, early photographs, and marque expertise rather than from size alone. Confirming whether the car still carries its original wheel type will help determine whether an early oversized convention or a balloon-style 18-inch fitment is the more authentic direction for your particular restoration.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect the presentation, judging outcome, and perceived authenticity of a Jordan Z. Size, sidewall style, overall profile, and construction type all influence whether the car looks visually right for its year. On a low-production prewar automobile, those details tend to stand out to knowledgeable judges and experienced collectors.

A Jordan Z restored with the proper tire dimensions and an era-appropriate sidewall treatment will usually appear more settled and convincing than one wearing a generic modern substitute. If the car is being prepared for concours or formal judging, compare your planned tire choice with period images, restoration standards, and marque-club advice so the wheels and tires support the rest of the historical work.

Jordan Z tires in 700-18 are offered in Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall styles. Any of those can be visually appropriate depending on the presentation standard, the exact year impression you want, and how the rest of the car is finished. The choice is less about raw fitment and more about period appearance.

A blackwall Jordan Z often reads as more conservative and mechanically focused, while wide or double whitewall treatments can create a more formal, upscale prewar look. The best restoration decision is usually the one that matches period photos of comparable cars and stays consistent with the wheel finish, body color, and trim level rather than choosing a sidewall style in isolation.

Safety & Road Use

A properly fitted, correctly installed, and well-maintained bias-ply tire can be appropriate for operating a Jordan Z on public roads within the limitations of a prewar automobile. Safe use depends on much more than the tire alone, including wheel condition, tube installation, brake performance, steering integrity, and the overall mechanical health of the car.

A Jordan Z should be driven with the understanding that its handling, braking, and stability will not match modern vehicles. Keep speeds moderate, allow extra stopping distance, and inspect the tire and wheel assembly carefully before road use so the car's capabilities and limitations stay in balance with the conditions you plan to drive in.

Before driving a Jordan Z, inspect tire pressure, sidewall condition, tread integrity, valve stems, and the general condition of the wheels and rims. On a bias-ply prewar fitment, also look for signs of tube-related air loss, casing distortion, or movement between tire and rim. A quick walk-around is good practice every time the car leaves the garage.

That inspection should be paired with a broader safety review of brakes, steering, wheel bearings, suspension points, and lug security. A Jordan Z rewards careful preparation, and a few minutes spent checking the car before a drive can prevent the kind of roadside problem that begins with a minor tire issue but becomes more serious once the car is underway.

A Jordan Z fitted with period-style bias-ply tires should be driven at moderate speeds that respect both the age of the vehicle and the behavior of early tire construction. Even when the tires are new production, the car itself remains a prewar machine with old-world steering, braking, and suspension characteristics. Speed should always be matched to road surface, traffic, and the mechanical condition of the car.

In practice, Jordan Z road use should emphasize smooth touring rather than sustained high-speed operation. The safer habit is to build speed gradually, avoid abrupt lane changes or hard braking, and keep enough margin that the tires, tubes, wheels, and chassis are never being asked to perform like modern highway equipment.