Moon 72 Series Tires

Moon 72 Series cars from 1928 and 1929 use two listed tire sizes: 29X5.50 and 550-19. The 550-19 size is a numeric bias-ply fitment for a 19-inch rim, and the available products for that size call for rims 2.50 to 3.00 inches wide. The 29X5.50 size is an older diameter-by-section format used in the same years, with the tire code showing overall diameter and section width rather than wheel diameter.

That means year alone is not enough to pick a tire for a Moon 72 Series. Start by reading the size on the tire if an original-style casing is still present, then measure or verify the wheel diameter on the car itself. If the car has 19-inch rims and you want a currently available replacement from the listed products, 550-19 is the size to focus on.

On a Moon 72 Series, 29X5.50 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The 29 refers to the tire's approximate outside diameter in inches, while 5.50 refers to section width. Unlike a later numeric size such as 550-19, the wheel diameter is not included in the code itself, so you cannot tell the rim size from 29X5.50 alone.

That older format catches many modern buyers because it looks like a wheel measurement when it is not. The practical step is to confirm the actual rim diameter on the car before choosing a replacement path. If the Moon 72 Series carries 19-inch wheels, a later-style numeric replacement may be the more straightforward match among currently listed products.

A 1928 Moon 72 Series can show both 29X5.50 and 550-19 because the same car line is represented in two period size conventions. One is an older outside-diameter-by-section format, and the other is a numeric bias-ply size that states the 19-inch rim directly. That does not automatically mean both are interchangeable without checking the wheels and the car's existing setup.

Use the two listings as a starting point for identifying what is actually fitted to your Moon 72 Series. Look at the wheel diameter first, then compare the tire markings already on the car, if present, with any restoration records or marque references. That extra step matters on late-1920s cars because size notation was changing during the period.

The currently listed Moon 72 Series products in 550-19 are bias-ply tires, and for this type of period fitment a tube is required. Bias-ply collector tires of this style are generally used with tube-type wheel and rim arrangements from the era. That tube requirement also aligns with the late-1920s construction style represented in the available products.

When fitting a Moon 72 Series, treat the tube, flap if required by the wheel design, and rim condition as part of the tire installation rather than separate afterthoughts. A clean, properly prepared wheel matters just as much as the casing itself on an older car. If the car has been restored or modified over the years, verify the wheel type before finalizing the tire setup.

To confirm the correct tire size for a 1929 Moon 72 Series, check three things together: the size marking on the existing tire if it is legible, the actual wheel diameter, and the wheel width. The listed sizes for 1929 are 29X5.50 and 550-19, and the available 550-19 products are built for 19-inch rims that are 2.50 to 3.00 inches wide.

That combination of checks is more reliable than relying on the model year alone. A car that now wears replacement wheels or a later restoration setup may not match assumptions made from period charts. If your Moon 72 Series measures out to a 19-inch rim and you want one of the available modern-production options, 550-19 is the clearest path.

Moon 72 Series tires in the currently listed 550-19 size are available in two sidewall styles: Blackwall and Wide Whitewall. Both are offered within the same BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, so the main visual difference is the sidewall treatment rather than a change in core construction type. Each remains a bias-ply collector tire for a 19-inch rim.

That gives a Moon 72 Series owner some flexibility depending on whether the goal is a more restrained period look or a brighter presentation. Sidewall appearance can noticeably change the character of a late-1920s car even when the basic tire size stays the same. Match the sidewall style to the car's restoration theme, trim level, and overall presentation standard.

The currently listed Moon 72 Series products are from BFGoodrich. Both available options are in 550-19 and belong to the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line, with one offered as a blackwall and the other as a wide whitewall. No additional brands are represented in the listed product selection for this model group.

That means the real decision for most Moon 72 Series buyers is less about comparing multiple manufacturers and more about confirming the correct size and choosing the sidewall appearance that suits the car. Once the wheel diameter and fitment path are verified, the product choice becomes much simpler. Keep the visual goal and the car's intended use in mind when narrowing it down.

A Moon 72 Series should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires protected from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and long periods on damp concrete. Bias-ply collector tires do best when inflation is maintained properly and the car is not left carrying the full load in one position for months at a time. Clean tires and wheels before storage so grime does not hold moisture against the rubber or metal.

For longer storage, move the Moon 72 Series periodically or place it on stands so the tires are not developing flat spots under static weight. Keep the car away from electric motors, welders, and heaters that can accelerate rubber aging. Good storage habits matter especially on a lightly used collector car, where time often ages the tires faster than mileage does.

Tires on a Moon 72 Series should be inspected before every drive and more thoroughly several times through the driving season. On a late-1920s bias-ply fitment, that inspection should include inflation pressure, sidewall condition, tread separation signs, valve stem condition, and any movement between tire and rim. Wheel condition deserves equal attention because tube-type systems depend on a sound rim as well as a sound casing.

Collector cars often sit long enough for small problems to become large ones between outings. A careful walk-around before moving the Moon 72 Series can catch cracking, underinflation, or damage from storage before the car is on the road. If anything looks irregular, have the tire and wheel assembly evaluated before putting miles on it.

Moon 72 Series tires should be replaced when age, cracking, casing distortion, repeated air loss, or any structural concern appears, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector tires often age out long before they wear out, especially on cars that see mostly light seasonal use. A tire that looks acceptable at a glance can still be unsuitable if the rubber has hardened or the casing has deteriorated internally.

That principle is even more important on an older bias-ply setup because ride quality and road feel may not reveal a developing problem early enough. Replace on condition and age, not on tread depth alone. If a Moon 72 Series has spent long periods parked, a close specialist inspection is the right standard before trusting the tires for regular road use.

Moon 72 Series listings for 1928 and 1929 include both 29X5.50 and 550-19, which reflects the period overlap between older and newer tire size conventions. The currently available products are BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires in 550-19, but that product availability should not be confused with a blanket statement about every original factory delivery configuration. Late-1920s cars can vary by body style, wheel equipment, and restoration history.

For a restoration-minded Moon 72 Series owner, the best approach is to compare the car's existing wheel dimensions, surviving period paperwork, and any marque references before settling on a final fitment. Getting the size format right matters as much as choosing the right visual style. A period-correct presentation starts with matching the wheel-and-tire relationship to the specific car, not just the model name.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Moon 72 Series is judged and how seriously the restoration is taken. Size, sidewall treatment, construction style, and overall stance all influence whether the car looks appropriate for its late-1920s character. Even when a tire physically fits the wheel, an obviously mismatched profile or sidewall style can alter the car's proportions and period presentation.

For a Moon 72 Series shown in preservation or judged restoration settings, tire choice should support the era and the specific way the car is being presented. Owners pursuing authenticity usually compare their tire selection against period photos, factory literature, and marque-club guidance. Careful tire selection is one of the easiest ways to avoid a finished car looking subtly wrong.

Moon 72 Series tires in the listed 550-19 offerings are available as both Blackwall and Wide Whitewall. Either sidewall treatment can suit a late-1920s restoration depending on the car's presentation, trim level, and the look the owner is trying to recreate. The construction remains the same BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply type, so the main restoration question is visual authenticity rather than a mechanical difference between the two options.

A blackwall Moon 72 Series generally gives a more restrained, functional appearance, while a wide whitewall creates a more formal and decorative period impression. The right choice depends on the car's body style, finish, and the standard of authenticity being pursued. Compare your intended sidewall style to period imagery of similarly equipped Moon cars before making the final call.

A properly fitted, properly maintained bias-ply tire can be suitable for public-road use on a Moon 72 Series within the car's mechanical limits and period expectations. That said, a late-1920s automobile asks more of the driver than a modern car in braking, steering feel, ride response, and emergency maneuvering. Tire condition is only one part of the safety picture on a vehicle of this age.

Before regular road use, make sure the Moon 72 Series has sound wheels, correct inflation, and a full mechanical review that includes brakes, steering, suspension, and wheel bearings. Keep your driving style conservative and leave extra stopping distance. A collector tire should be treated as part of an old-car system, not as a modern performance upgrade.

Before driving a Moon 72 Series, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and whether each tire is seated correctly on the rim. On a tube-type late-1920s setup, also pay attention to wheel condition and any signs of slow air loss after the car has been parked. If the car uses 550-19 tires, verify that the wheels remain within the correct 19-inch fitment range.

That pre-drive habit is especially important on a collector car that may sit for weeks between outings. Problems that develop quietly in storage often show up first at the tires and wheels. A five-minute inspection of the Moon 72 Series before rolling out can prevent avoidable roadside trouble and protect hard-to-replace components.

A Moon 72 Series should be driven at moderate, conservative speeds that respect both the age of the car and the behavior of bias-ply tires. Even with sound modern-production collector tires, the steering, brakes, suspension geometry, and road manners of a 1928-1929 automobile are fundamentally different from those of a modern vehicle. Safe speed is shaped by the whole car, not by tire size alone.

In practice, that means treating the Moon 72 Series as a touring-era collector car rather than trying to keep up with aggressive modern traffic. Smooth inputs, extra following distance, and lower sustained cruising speeds are the right approach. If the car has not been exercised regularly, begin with short local drives and build confidence only after the entire vehicle proves stable and predictable.