Nash 1170 Tires

The Nash 1170 uses 550-18 in the available year range, which here is 1933 only. All listed products for Nash 1170 in this size are bias-ply tires, and all use an 18-inch rim diameter. Brands offered in this fitment include Excelsior, Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Michelin.

That makes size selection straightforward, but the car still needs to be checked carefully before fitting tires. Confirm that the wheels on the car are still 18-inch originals or correct replacements, then choose among blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall styles according to how authentic or personalized you want the finished appearance to be.

On a Nash 1170, 550-18 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 550 portion represents a nominal 5.50-inch section width, while the 18 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. In the available Nash 1170 range, that size is paired with bias-ply construction rather than radial construction.

Modern buyers sometimes focus only on the wheel diameter, but the section width is part of the car's original stance and steering character as well. Matching the full 550-18 size helps preserve the proper proportions of the Nash 1170, so the wheel, tire width, and overall visual profile work together the way a prewar car should.

The Nash 1170 uses an 18-inch rim diameter in the listed fitment range. Every available 550-18 product for Nash 1170 is built for an 18-inch wheel, although the approved rim width varies somewhat by tire, with examples ranging from 3 inches to 4.5 inches.

That means the most important physical check on the car is the wheel diameter stamping or direct measurement across the bead seat, not just the appearance of the wheel from the outside. If the car has been altered at some point in its life, confirming the wheel before tire selection will prevent ordering a tire that is correct for the model but wrong for the wheels actually installed.

Yes, the Nash 1170 should be fitted with tubes when using the listed 550-18 tires. Every available product in this fitment is a bias-ply tire, and for this type of prewar application a tube is required. That applies whether the tire is a blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall version.

Tube selection should match both the tire size and the wheel condition. On an older car like Nash 1170, it is smart to inspect the inside of the rim for rust, burrs, or old repairs before mounting fresh tubes, because the tube and flap arrangement is part of the complete tire system, not an afterthought.

Nash 1170 tires are available in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles within the listed 550-18 fitment. Blackwall options appear from multiple brands, while whitewall offerings include both wide whitewall and double-whitewall variations. All of these choices remain within the same basic size and bias-ply construction family.

For a more restrained and utilitarian prewar appearance, blackwall is often the conservative choice. Wide whitewall or double-whitewall treatments change the visual character of the Nash 1170 more noticeably, so buyers aiming for judged restoration should compare the car against period photos, surviving originals, or marque references before deciding which sidewall treatment best suits the car.

Four brands appear in the available Nash 1170 fitment range: Excelsior, Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Michelin. Those products are all offered in the 550-18 size, and all are bias-ply tires suited to the prewar character of the car. The listed series include Comp H, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, and Double Rivet.

Brand choice often comes down to the look you want, the tread style you prefer, and whether you are trying to mirror a period-correct presentation. It also helps to compare the approved rim width range for the specific tire you are considering so the Nash 1170's wheel width and the selected product stay in harmony.

Nash 1170 tires are offered in several series, including Excelsior Comp H, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, and Michelin Double Rivet. All of them are bias-ply tires in 550-18, but they represent different tread and styling approaches within that period-correct construction type. Some are presented as straightforward blackwalls, while others are offered with wide whitewall or double-whitewall sidewalls.

For most buyers, the important distinction is not basic fitment, since all are built around the same size, but how the finished tire supports the look of the car. A Nash 1170 restored for formal show presentation may favor one visual treatment, while a driver-level car may prioritize a simpler blackwall appearance that still preserves the right prewar profile.

For a 1933 Nash 1170, the listed tire size is 550-18. Because only one size appears for the model and year here, the real verification points are the wheel diameter, the rim width compatibility of the chosen tire, and whether the car remains on its original-style wheels. Every listed option remains within bias-ply construction.

Start by checking the wheel itself, then compare that measurement with the 18-inch requirement and the rim width range shown for the specific tire you want. If the car has had wheel changes during an earlier restoration, use original Nash literature, period service information, or a marque specialist to confirm that the wheel and tire combination still matches proper Nash 1170 practice.

A Nash 1170 should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, and ozone sources that can age rubber prematurely. Keep the tires clean, maintain proper inflation for storage, and avoid long exposure to damp concrete or contaminated floors. Prewar bias-ply tires benefit from a stable environment more than modern collector-car owners sometimes expect.

If the Nash 1170 will sit for long periods, move it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces prolonged flat spotting and sidewall stress. Cars stored for a season or more should be checked regularly for pressure loss, cracking, or rim-related tube issues so the tires remain presentable and serviceable when the car returns to the road or show field.

Tires on a Nash 1170 should be inspected before every drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals during the season. On a prewar car using tube-type bias-ply tires, visual checks should include tread separation signs, sidewall cracking, bead condition, valve stem condition, and any evidence of uneven wear or impact damage. Wheels and rim interiors matter as much as the outer rubber on cars of this era.

A quick walkaround is not enough when the car is used infrequently. An annual hands-on inspection by someone experienced with antique and prewar tire service is a sound habit, especially if the Nash 1170 is driven beyond local show grounds, because low-use collector tires can age internally even when they still show usable tread.

A Nash 1170's tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, deformation, impact damage, repeated pressure loss, or structural concerns appear, even if tread depth still looks acceptable. Bias-ply collector tires often age out before they wear out, and that is especially important on a prewar car whose chassis and braking characteristics place greater importance on tire integrity.

Replacement decisions should be driven by condition and age rather than mileage alone. If there is any doubt about the state of the tires, tubes, or rims on a Nash 1170, have the entire assembly evaluated by a specialist familiar with antique and classic tire service before the car is used for touring, not just before a major event.

The listed Nash 1170 fitment is 550-18, and the available replacement tires for that size are all bias-ply designs. Several period-appropriate series are represented, including Excelsior Comp H, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, and Michelin Double Rivet. That means the correct starting point for authenticity is the 550-18 size and prewar bias-ply construction rather than a single assumed brand.

For a fully accurate restoration, original sales literature, factory service references, period photographs, and Nash club resources remain the best way to narrow the choice further. Those sources can help determine whether a particular Nash 1170 should wear a plain blackwall or one of the available whitewall treatments to match its trim level and restoration goal.

Yes, correct tire fitment can influence both the judged authenticity and the perceived value of a Nash 1170. On a prewar car, the right size, proper bias-ply construction, and an era-appropriate sidewall treatment contribute strongly to the car's stance and visual credibility. Even small deviations can make an otherwise careful restoration look out of period.

Judges and knowledgeable buyers often notice tire profile and sidewall appearance quickly because they shape the whole car's posture. A Nash 1170 restored for concours, AACA-style judging, or marque events should be matched to trusted period references so the tire's size and appearance support the restoration rather than quietly working against it.

Nash 1170 tires are available in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles in the listed 550-18 size. Any of those may suit a restoration depending on the specific presentation being recreated, because prewar cars could vary in trim emphasis and visual character. The sidewall decision is therefore an authenticity question as much as a fitment question.

A conservative restoration often leans toward blackwall, while a more formal or upscale appearance may point toward one of the whitewall options. The best practice is to match the Nash 1170 to period photos, original literature, or marque-club judging standards so the sidewall style looks intentional and historically appropriate rather than simply decorative.

A properly fitted and properly maintained set of fresh bias-ply tires in 550-18 can be suitable for public-road use on a Nash 1170 when the rest of the car is mechanically sound. Tire safety on a prewar car depends on the complete condition of the vehicle, including steering, brakes, wheels, tubes, alignment, and suspension, not on the tires alone.

Public-road use should be approached with the expectations appropriate to a 1933 automobile. The Nash 1170 should be driven within the limits of its era, with extra following distance, modest speeds, and careful route selection, especially if the car is used infrequently or has just returned to service after a long restoration or storage period.

Before driving a Nash 1170, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, valve stems, wheel fasteners, and any signs of rubbing, bulging, or fluid contamination around the tires. Because the listed fitment is tube-type bias-ply, it is also wise to watch for slow leaks or shifting that can point to tube or rim issues rather than tread wear alone.

Pre-drive checks on a car like Nash 1170 should extend beyond the rubber itself. Confirm that the spare is serviceable, the brakes are even, the steering is free of excess play, and the car tracks properly, because a well-fitted tire still cannot compensate for mechanical issues that are common on low-mileage prewar automobiles.

A Nash 1170 fitted with period-style 550-18 bias-ply tires should be driven at conservative speeds that respect both the tire construction and the capabilities of a 1933 chassis. The right pace is not defined by tread depth alone; it depends on the overall condition of the tires, tubes, wheels, suspension, and brakes, along with road surface and weather.

In practice, the Nash 1170 is best enjoyed as a measured touring or local-event car rather than something driven like a modern automobile. Smooth inputs, moderate cruising speeds, and avoidance of aggressive cornering or emergency-style maneuvers will do more to preserve both safety and tire life than any single product choice.