Nash 1120 Tires

The Nash 1120 uses 550-17 in the year covered here, 1933. All listed tires for the Nash 1120 in this size are bias-ply products built for 17-inch rims, so the essential fitment points are the 5.50 nominal section width and the 17-inch wheel diameter.

That makes the first check fairly straightforward: verify that the car still has its correct 17-inch wheels and that a previous owner has not changed wheel size. Once that is confirmed, the main choice becomes appearance and restoration style, since blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall versions are all available in the same basic size.

On a Nash 1120, 550-17 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 550 indicates a nominal 5.50-inch section width, written without a decimal point, and the 17 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On the listed Nash 1120 products, that means the tire is intended for a 17-inch rim.

Modern buyers sometimes expect older sizes to work like metric radial sizing, but this prewar format is much simpler and much older in design. Matching the wheel diameter is still critical, and the car should be fitted as a complete bias-ply setup rather than mixing in modern radial sizing assumptions when choosing replacement tires.

Yes, the Nash 1120 fitment shown here should be treated as a tube-type application. The listed 550-17 tires are bias-ply products, and for a prewar fitment of this kind, a tube is required as part of the proper installation.

That matters because tube selection and installation quality affect reliability just as much as the outer tire. A collector-car installer familiar with prewar wheels, rim condition, flap or tube requirements where applicable, and careful mounting practices is the right approach for a Nash 1120 that will be driven as well as shown.

Nash 1120 tires in 550-17 are available in three sidewall styles: blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. All three are offered within the same BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply family, so the construction and basic size remain consistent while the appearance changes.

That gives a Nash 1120 owner room to match the car’s restoration personality. A blackwall usually suits a more restrained, workmanlike prewar presentation, while whitewall and double-whitewall styles create a more formal or upscale visual effect. The best choice depends on how the car is being restored and how closely the owner wants the finished look to reflect period style.

The Nash 1120 products listed here are all from BFGoodrich. Each available 550-17 option belongs to the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line, with the difference between them coming from sidewall treatment rather than a change in brand or construction type.

For a buyer, that simplifies the decision because the main comparison is not between competing manufacturers. Instead, the focus should be on choosing the sidewall style that best fits the car’s restoration goals and then confirming that the wheels on the car are still the correct 17-inch rims for the 550-17 size.

The Nash 1120 fitment shown here uses one tire series: BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply. That means there is no split between balloon, cord, high-pressure, radial, or other construction families within this model group; the available differences are cosmetic sidewall variations in the same basic bias-ply series.

That consistency is useful for restoration work because the ride character, stance, and period feel remain aligned across the available options. When choosing among them, think less about performance categories and more about how blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall presentation will look on the specific Nash 1120 being restored or driven.

A Nash 1120 should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, ozone sources, and petroleum contamination. Clean floors, moderate temperatures, and correct inflation are especially important for a prewar bias-ply tire, which can flat-spot more easily than a modern radial if left standing too long.

If the car will sit for extended periods, move it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces continuous load on one contact patch. Good storage habits help preserve sidewall appearance, reduce casing stress, and make a visible difference on a collector car that may spend long intervals between local drives, tours, and show outings.

Tires on a Nash 1120 should be inspected before every drive and given a more thorough review at regular service intervals throughout the season. On a prewar car running bias-ply tires and tubes, the inspection should include inflation, sidewall condition, tread separation signs, valve stem condition, uneven wear, and any change in how the car sits or steers.

That routine matters because collector cars often spend more time parked than driven, and age-related issues can appear before tread wear becomes significant. A Nash 1120 that is shown, paraded, or driven occasionally still benefits from the same careful checks as a tour car, especially after winter storage or any long period off the road.

Tires on a Nash 1120 should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, vibration, casing damage, or tube-related issues appear, even if the tread still looks usable. On a lightly driven prewar car, age usually matters more than mileage, because the tire can deteriorate internally and externally long before the tread is worn out.

That is why replacement decisions should be made on condition and service history rather than appearance alone. A specialist inspection is wise if the Nash 1120 has sat for years, has unknown tire age, or shows any sign of sidewall distress, irregular ride quality, or prolonged storage stress that could compromise safe road use.

The Nash 1120 fitment covered here is 550-17, and the available products are BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires. That supports a period-correct bias-ply restoration approach, but original-delivery details such as exact sidewall treatment on a particular car can vary with trim, market, and restoration history.

For a serious restoration, the best reference is the individual car itself along with factory literature, period photographs, and Nash club knowledge. Those sources help determine whether a blackwall or whitewall presentation is the most authentic choice for the specific Nash 1120 being judged, preserved, or returned to touring condition.

Yes, correct tire fitment can affect both the presentation and the judged authenticity of a Nash 1120. Proper size, correct prewar bias-ply construction, and an era-appropriate sidewall style all influence how accurately the car sits and how convincingly it reflects its period.

That does not mean every restored Nash 1120 must look the same, but it does mean tire choices should support the restoration’s purpose. A touring car, local show car, and high-level judged restoration may all call for slightly different decisions, and marque clubs or experienced judges are often the best final reference for authenticity standards.

Nash 1120 tires are available here in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall form, all in the same 550-17 bias-ply size. Any of those can suit a prewar presentation, but the most correct look depends on the specific car’s trim level, surviving evidence, and the style of restoration being pursued.

A restorer aiming for authenticity should study period photos, factory sales material, and traces left by the car itself before deciding. Blackwall often gives a conservative look, while whitewall treatments create a more formal visual character. The right answer for a Nash 1120 restoration is the one that matches the car’s own historical context.

A properly fitted new bias-ply tire in the correct 550-17 size can be suitable for public-road use on a Nash 1120 when the entire car is mechanically sound and used within the limits of a prewar automobile. Safety depends on much more than the tire alone, including wheel condition, tube installation, steering integrity, brakes, alignment, and overall chassis health.

That means a Nash 1120 should be approached as a complete vintage system rather than treated like a modern daily driver. The right tire helps, but careful preparation matters just as much. Owners should expect prewar handling characteristics and should build road use around conservative speeds, generous braking distance, and regular inspections.

Before driving a Nash 1120, check tire inflation, visible sidewall condition, tread surface, valve stems, wheel attachment, and any sign of tube or bead trouble. Because the car runs a prewar bias-ply setup, it is also wise to look for flat-spotting after storage and to confirm that the car rolls evenly without pulling or vibration.

Those tire checks should be part of a larger walk-around that includes brake response, steering free play, fluid leaks, and basic chassis condition. A Nash 1120 rewards deliberate preparation, and a few careful minutes in the garage can reveal issues that are easy to miss on a collector car that is only driven occasionally.

A Nash 1120 running period-style 550-17 bias-ply tires should be driven at speeds appropriate to a prewar car’s steering, brakes, suspension, and overall mechanical condition rather than to modern highway expectations. Even with fresh tires, the experience remains that of an early-1930s automobile, with slower responses and greater sensitivity to road surface, crosswinds, and braking distance.

In practice, that means smooth, conservative driving and avoiding the assumption that new tires make the car behave like a modern sedan. A well-sorted Nash 1120 can be enjoyable on secondary roads, tours, and local events, but speed choices should always respect the limits of the full vehicle, not just the condition of the tires.