Moon 60 Series Tires
Moon was one of the more distinctive independent American automakers of the 1920s, and the Moon 60 Series belongs to the period when the industry was moving from earlier high-profile tire designs toward more modern late-1920s fitments. That makes the Moon 60 Series especially interesting for collectors, because tire choice is tied not just to appearance but to a real transition in wheel and tire practice. The 1927 Moon 60 Series uses two different size formats in the same model year, including an antique diameter-by-section size and a rim-diameter-based size. The first thing to confirm on a Moon 60 Series is which wheel and rim setup the car actually carries before choosing a tire.
Moon 60 Series Tire Size Guide
Moon 60 Series fitment spans 1 model year, 1927, and uses 2 distinct tire sizes. One of those sizes uses the antique diameter-by-section format, where the leading number is the tire's outside diameter rather than the wheel diameter. Because both sizes appear in the same production year, buyers should identify the exact wheel setup on the car before choosing between them.
29X4.75 is one of the listed tire sizes for the 1927 Moon 60 Series. In this format, 29 is the tire's approximate outside diameter in inches and 4.75 is the nominal section width, while the wheel diameter is not stated in the size code itself. Choose 29X4.75 only if the car is equipped for that older diameter-by-section fitment, and verify the actual rim diameter on the wheel before selecting a tire.
4.75-20 is also listed for the 1927 Moon 60 Series and reflects a later numeric sizing style. The 4.75 indicates the nominal section width in inches and the 20 indicates a 20-inch rim diameter. Choose 4.75-20 if the car has 20-inch wheels, and confirm the wheel marking or original specifications on the specific car before moving ahead.
Moon 60 Series Tires by Year
The year listing below shows which tire sizes are associated with each Moon 60 Series model year and helps narrow the search from the vehicle year to the actual wheel setup. In 1927, more than one size is listed, so the specific configuration matters rather than the year alone. The leading number in 29X4.75 is the tire's outside diameter, not the wheel size, so the rim itself should be checked before making a final choice.
1927 Moon 60 Series
- 29X4.75
- 4.75-20
Frequently Asked Questions
The FAQ below focuses on the unusual 1927 Moon 60 Series size split, the difference between antique and numeric sizing, and the practical checks that matter when identifying the correct tire for a late-1920s collector car.
Size Basics & Fitment
The Moon 60 Series uses two listed tire sizes for 1927: 29X4.75 and 4.75-20. Those are not simply two ways of writing the same size. The first is an antique diameter-by-section size, while the second is a numeric size built around a 20-inch rim diameter.
That means a Moon 60 Series owner should start with the actual wheel and rim on the car, not the model year alone. If the car carries an earlier-style fitment, 29X4.75 may be the correct direction; if it has 20-inch wheels, 4.75-20 is the likely match. Check the wheel, compare against period literature for the specific car, and then choose the tire size that matches the hardware actually fitted.
On a Moon 60 Series, 29X4.75 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The 29 refers to the tire's approximate outside diameter in inches, and the 4.75 refers to the nominal section width. It does not tell you the wheel diameter directly, which is why this format can confuse modern buyers.
That distinction matters because a buyer might incorrectly assume the first number is the rim size. With a Moon 60 Series, 29X4.75 should be treated as a period size designation that requires the wheel itself to be checked before any final decision. If the car has been restored, updated, or fitted with later wheels at some point, that physical inspection becomes even more important.
The 1927 Moon 60 Series has two tire sizes listed because the model year spans two different size conventions: 29X4.75 and 4.75-20. That usually points to a configuration difference within the same year rather than a simple interchangeable choice. The two codes describe tires in different ways, and one of them directly identifies a 20-inch rim while the other does not.
For an owner, the practical takeaway is that year alone is not enough to select a tire for a 1927 Moon 60 Series. Confirm the wheel size, examine the existing rims, and compare the car's setup against trusted marque references if needed. That step will separate an authentic, usable fitment from a tire choice that only looks correct on paper.
The Moon 60 Series includes one size that clearly uses a 20-inch rim: 4.75-20. The other listed size, 29X4.75, is an antique diameter-by-section code and does not reveal the rim diameter within the size marking itself. That means Moon 60 Series rim diameter cannot be judged from the antique size alone.
The safest approach is to inspect the actual wheel or compare it with reliable period specifications for the exact car. On a Moon 60 Series, that check is more important than it would be on a later vehicle with a single modern-style size code. If the car has been apart for restoration or has mixed parts from another late-1920s car, measuring the rim directly is well worth the time.
Buying the Right Tire
A 1927 Moon 60 Series should be matched by checking the actual wheel setup first, because both 29X4.75 and 4.75-20 are associated with that same year. One size uses an antique outside-diameter format and the other uses a 20-inch rim-based numeric format. The correct choice depends on the hardware fitted to the car rather than the model year by itself.
Start by reading any markings on the wheel, then compare the rim dimensions and overall setup against factory literature, restoration records, or recognized Moon references. If the car has already been restored, verify that the wheels now on the car are the ones intended for it. That process is especially important on independent makes, where surviving cars may have been updated or repaired with period-compatible parts from other sources.
The Moon 60 Series size information points to two distinct sizing approaches rather than a single standardized late-model format. One is the older antique diameter-by-section style, represented by 29X4.75, and the other is the later numeric style, represented by 4.75-20. Those approaches reflect different ways tires were specified during the late 1920s as wheel and tire practice evolved.
For a buyer, the important issue is not simply choosing the style that looks most familiar, but choosing the one that matches the wheels on the car. A Moon 60 Series can fall on either side of that transition within the same model year. That is why period accuracy, usable fitment, and wheel inspection all matter more here than they would on a later car with one settled tire standard.
A Moon 60 Series fitted with period-correct late-1920s bias-ply style tires should generally be approached as a tube-type application unless the specific wheel and tire combination clearly indicates otherwise. Both listed Moon 60 Series sizes belong to older sizing systems that collectors commonly associate with tube-type fitments. On a car of this era, tube use is part of the normal fitment conversation rather than an exception.
The practical step is to inspect the wheel construction and match the tube, flap, and tire type correctly if the setup requires it. A mismatched tube arrangement can create service problems even when the outer tire size appears correct. Because the Moon 60 Series sits in a transitional period, owners should make sure the wheel, rim profile, and tire type all belong to the same fitment strategy.
Maintenance & Longevity
A Moon 60 Series should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires protected from sunlight, ozone sources, and long periods on wet concrete. Tires on low-use collector cars age as much from time and environment as from mileage. Keeping the car clean, properly inflated, and away from electric motors, welders, and heaters helps preserve the rubber.
If the Moon 60 Series will sit for an extended period, move it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces flat spotting and casing stress. Owners of late-1920s cars should also check wheel hardware, tube-type components, and valve stems during storage intervals. Good storage habits preserve both drivability and the appearance expected of a carefully kept collector car.
Tires on a Moon 60 Series should be inspected before each drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals even if the car is used only occasionally. A collector car from 1927 can spend long periods standing still, and that makes air loss, sidewall cracking, bead issues, and tube-related problems easier to miss. Visual condition alone is never the whole story on an older tire setup.
During inspection, check inflation, sidewalls, tread surface, valve stems, and any signs that the tire is shifting on the rim. It is also wise to look over the wheels themselves for rust, damage, or prior repairs that could affect fitment. Short pre-drive checks are part of responsible ownership on a Moon 60 Series, especially when the car sees parade, tour, or show-field use rather than daily mileage.
A Moon 60 Series tire should be replaced when age, cracking, sidewall deterioration, repeated air loss, casing distortion, or service history raises concern, even if tread depth still looks usable. Collector-car tires often age out long before they wear out. On a car from the late 1920s, elapsed time and storage conditions deserve as much attention as visible tread.
If the Moon 60 Series carries older tires of uncertain age, have them evaluated before relying on them for any road use. That is especially true on tube-type or antique-format applications, where internal condition may not match outward appearance. Replacing aged tires before failure protects the car, the wheels, and the experience of driving a rare independent automobile.
Restoration & Authenticity
The Moon 60 Series is associated here with two period size conventions for 1927: 29X4.75 and 4.75-20. That indicates the original fitment question is tied to the exact wheel setup and configuration of the individual car rather than a single universal size for every 1927 example. Both sizes are historically appropriate to the era, but they are not interchangeable without regard to the rim arrangement.
For restoration work, the best path is to match the tire size to the wheels actually intended for that specific Moon 60 Series. Period photographs, factory literature, surviving unrestored cars, and marque specialists are especially valuable on less common independent makes. Correct sizing has a strong effect on stance, proportions, and whether the finished car looks convincingly right for 1927.
Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Moon 60 Series is judged and perceived, because tire size and profile influence ride height, visual balance, and historical accuracy. On a relatively uncommon 1920s car, judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the tire format matches the wheel type and period character. An incorrect modern-looking choice can alter the car's whole presentation.
Owners aiming for serious restoration standards should verify the proper Moon 60 Series size against period references and marque-club knowledge before finalizing the car. Even for a driver-quality restoration, getting the right size family matters because it preserves the way the car sits and reads visually. Tire fitment is one of the most visible details on any open-fender automobile from this era.
A Moon 60 Series restoration should use a sidewall style that suits late-1920s presentation and the exact restoration goal of the car. Collector restorations from this period may use either blackwall or whitewall depending on how the specific car is being interpreted. The right answer is usually the one that matches the car's intended trim level, period appearance, and wheel setup.
If the Moon 60 Series is being restored for authenticity, compare period photos, sales literature, and accepted marque references before making the final sidewall choice. Whitewall width and overall tire profile both influence the visual result, especially on a 1927 automobile with tall, prominent tires. Sidewall style should support the car's era-correct look rather than overpower it.
Safety & Road Use
A properly fitted tire in the correct Moon 60 Series size can be suitable for careful public-road use when the entire car is mechanically sound and the wheel setup is correct. Tire safety on a 1927 automobile depends on more than the rubber itself. Brake condition, steering play, wheel integrity, and overall chassis health are just as important as choosing between 29X4.75 and 4.75-20.
Owners should treat a Moon 60 Series as a vintage machine that requires conservative use and realistic expectations. Even with the right tires, road conditions, traffic speed, and the car's mechanical limits should guide how and where it is driven. A careful pre-drive routine and modest operating pace matter far more than they would on a modern vehicle.
Before driving a Moon 60 Series, check tire inflation, visible sidewall condition, valve stems, wheel fasteners, and any signs that the tire is not seated or wearing evenly. On a late-1920s car, it is also wise to inspect steering response, brake function, and whether the car tracks straight at low speed. Those basics are part of safe operation, not extra precautions.
A Moon 60 Series also deserves a quick review of the tire size itself to make sure the car is running the correct fitment for its wheels. If the wheels are set up for 20-inch numeric tires, a 4.75-20 path makes sense; if the car uses the earlier setup, 29X4.75 may be appropriate. Starting every drive with those checks helps prevent avoidable problems on the road.
A Moon 60 Series should be driven at moderate, conservative speeds that respect the limits of a 1927 automobile and the condition of its tires, wheels, and chassis. Even when properly fitted, period-style tires are part of an older system with very different handling and braking expectations from a modern car. Safe speed is tied to mechanical condition and road environment, not simply what the engine can do.
For practical use, the Moon 60 Series is best enjoyed on secondary roads, tours, and event driving where pace can remain relaxed. High-speed traffic, abrupt lane changes, and long sustained runs beyond the car's comfort zone should be avoided. A vintage car with the correct tires is still a vintage car, and sensible speed is one of the most important parts of preserving both safety and authenticity.