Nash 80 Series Tires

The Nash 80 Series was part of Nash’s early-1930s lineup, a period when American cars were becoming more refined, more comfortable, and more capable on improving roads. Built for 1931, Nash 80 Series models sit squarely in the prewar era, where correct tire choice matters not just for appearance, but for ride quality, steering feel, and restoration accuracy. Tire selection for the Nash 80 Series is simpler than on some longer-running models because only one size appears in this model group, but period construction and sidewall style still affect the finished result. Before choosing a tire, confirm that the car still carries its correct 19-inch wheels and the proper rim width.

Nash 80 Series Tire Size Guide

550-191931

The Nash 80 Series uses one tire size across the listed production span: 550-19 for 1931. This is a numeric bias-ply size, where 5.50 indicates the nominal section width in inches and 19 is the rim diameter in inches. Available products for this size use a 19-inch rim with a 2.50 to 3.00 inch rim width range, and both are BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires. Blackwall and 3.25 inch wide whitewall versions are offered in the same size. A tube is required.

Nash 80 Series Tires by Year

The year listing lets you match the Nash 80 Series tire size to the specific model year covered on this page. The 1931 Nash 80 Series uses 550-19 on 19-inch wheels. Because this is a short prewar application, it is wise to verify the wheel and tire specification against original vehicle paperwork or a Nash specialist if the car has been restored before.

Best Nash 80 Series Tires for Sale

Two BFGoodrich products are available for the Nash 80 Series in 550-19, including blackwall and wide whitewall versions. Confirm the car’s 19-inch rim diameter and correct sidewall style before selecting.

550-19 Products

These are the available products for 550-19.

Bias Ply

BFGoodrich | 550-19

BFGoodrich - Silvertown Classic Bias Ply

SidewallBlackwall
Rim Diameter19 in
Rim Width2.50 - 3.00 in
Weight21 lb
Max Load1040@32 psi
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Bias Ply

BFGoodrich 3.25 Inch Whitewall | 550-19

BFGoodrich - Silvertown Classic Bias Ply

SidewallWide Whitewall
Rim Diameter19 in
Rim Width2.50 - 3.00 in
Weight23 lb
Max Load1040@32 psi
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Frequently Asked Questions

The FAQ below addresses the practical questions Nash 80 Series owners usually face, including what 550-19 means, whether tubes are required, which sidewall styles are available, and how to care for bias-ply tires on a lightly used prewar car.

Size Basics & Fitment

The Nash 80 Series listed here uses one tire size: 550-19 for 1931. The available tires for that size are built for a 19-inch rim and fit rims in the 2.50 to 3.00 inch width range. Both listed options are bias-ply tires with the same load rating of 1040 pounds at 32 psi.

That makes fitment more straightforward than on models that changed sizes across several years, but the wheel still needs to be checked carefully. Confirm that the car retains its correct 19-inch wheels and that the rim width falls within the specified range before choosing between the blackwall and wide whitewall versions.

On the Nash 80 Series, 550-19 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.50 figure is the nominal section width in inches, and the 19 is the wheel diameter in inches. It is a period-style sizing format commonly seen on prewar American cars.

Knowing how to read that code helps you avoid substituting a modern-looking size that may alter stance, steering effort, or visual authenticity. If the sidewall on the car is hard to read or the wheels have been changed over the years, compare the mounted tire, wheel diameter, and original vehicle records before replacing anything.

The Nash 80 Series application here uses a 19-inch rim diameter. The available 550-19 tires are specified for 19-inch wheels and a rim width range of 2.50 to 3.00 inches. There is no alternate rim diameter shown within this model group.

That matters because a tire marked 550-19 cannot be safely mounted on a different wheel diameter, even if the tire appears close in overall size. Measure the wheel itself or confirm the stampings on the rim if there is any doubt, especially on a restored car where wheels may have been swapped long ago.

Yes. The Nash 80 Series tires listed here are bias-ply products in a prewar numeric size, and a tube is required. Tube-type construction is part of the normal fitment approach for this kind of early-1930s application.

Using the correct tube and flap arrangement, where applicable to the wheel design, helps protect the assembly and supports reliable service on a collector car. If the wheels have been refinished or repaired, inspect the inside of the rim closely before mounting new tires so the tube is not damaged by corrosion, burrs, or old hardware.

Buying the Right Tire

For the 1931 Nash 80 Series covered here, the tire size is 550-19. The available tires are intended for 19-inch rims with a width range of 2.50 to 3.00 inches, so the wheel dimensions should match that specification. Sidewall appearance is the main visible choice within this size.

Start by reading the existing tire size if it is legible, then confirm the wheel diameter directly rather than relying on memory or old receipts. On a restored prewar car, it is also smart to compare against original literature, restoration notes, or a marque specialist’s guidance so the finished car stays true to its period character.

The Nash 80 Series tires available in 550-19 come in two sidewall styles: Blackwall and Wide Whitewall. Both are BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply products in the same size, load rating, and basic construction. The difference is visual presentation rather than fitment.

That gives you a choice between a more restrained period look and a brighter show-oriented appearance while staying within the correct size. For a restoration, sidewall selection should follow the character of the particular car and the standard of authenticity you want, especially if the vehicle will be judged at marque or era-specific events.

The Nash 80 Series products listed here come from one brand: BFGoodrich. Both available 550-19 options are part of the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line, with one blackwall version and one 3.25 inch wide whitewall version. No additional brands appear within this model group.

Because the brand choice is limited in this application, the buying decision is less about manufacturer comparison and more about selecting the right appearance for the car. Focus on confirming wheel diameter, rim width, and the visual style that best matches the way your Nash 80 Series is being restored, shown, or driven.

The Nash 80 Series products shown here are all from one series: BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply. That means there is no split between different construction families such as radial versus bias-ply or between multiple period series within this specific fitment. The available variation is in sidewall style rather than tire series.

For the buyer, that simplifies the decision considerably. Once the 550-19 size and 19-inch rim are confirmed, the remaining choice is whether a blackwall or wide whitewall better suits the car’s restoration theme, intended presentation, and the level of period-correct appearance you want from the finished Nash 80 Series.

Maintenance & Longevity

A Nash 80 Series should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires protected from sunlight, ozone, solvents, and electric motors that generate ozone nearby. Proper inflation should be maintained, and the car should not be left for long periods on soft, underinflated tires. Prewar bias-ply tires benefit from careful storage because they are often used far less frequently than modern driver tires.

If the car will sit for an extended period, move it occasionally to avoid creating flat spots or place it on appropriate supports so the tires are not carrying full weight continuously. Clean, smooth floors and regular visual checks for cracking, sidewall fatigue, or moisture damage will help preserve both the tires and the overall presentation of the car.

Tires on a Nash 80 Series should be inspected before each drive and more thoroughly at regular service intervals even if the car sees only limited use. A pre-drive inspection should include inflation pressure, visible cracking, tread condition, sidewall damage, and valve stem condition. Bias-ply tires on prewar cars deserve close attention because age and storage history can matter as much as mileage.

A careful inspection routine is especially important on collector vehicles that may sit for weeks or months between outings. If anything looks questionable, have the tires and wheels evaluated by a shop experienced with tube-type vintage assemblies rather than assuming that good tread alone means the tire remains serviceable.

Tires on a Nash 80 Series should be replaced when age, cracking, casing condition, impact damage, or long-term storage history makes them questionable, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector tires often age out before they wear out. On a prewar car, sidewall integrity and overall structure are more important than tread depth alone.

That principle matters because an infrequently driven car can still carry very old tires that look presentable at a glance. If there is any doubt about age or condition, especially after years of static display or storage, a specialist inspection is the right next step before putting the car back into regular touring or event use.

Restoration & Authenticity

The Nash 80 Series application here is covered by the 550-19 size, and the available products are BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires. That supports a period-correct bias-ply approach for the car, but it does not by itself establish the exact original factory brand or sidewall treatment used on every individual example. The key original-style fitment point shown here is the size and construction type.

For a restoration aiming at factory-level accuracy, use the 550-19 size as the starting point and then compare the sidewall treatment against original photos, sales literature, and marque references. Those sources will help you decide whether the blackwall or wide whitewall presentation better matches the particular Nash 80 Series being restored.

Yes, correct tire fitment can influence both presentation and judging on a Nash 80 Series. Size, construction type, and sidewall appearance all contribute to whether the car looks mechanically and visually appropriate for its era. A prewar car with the proper 550-19 bias-ply fitment will generally present more convincingly than one wearing an obviously modern substitute.

That does not mean every car needs the same cosmetic treatment, but the tire should match the restoration goal. If the car will be shown competitively, check the judging standard used by the relevant club or event and make sure the chosen blackwall or wide whitewall treatment supports the authenticity level you are trying to achieve.

The Nash 80 Series tires offered here are available in Blackwall and Wide Whitewall form, both in 550-19 bias-ply construction. Either can suit a prewar restoration depending on the car’s trim level, restoration target, and the look established by period references. The size and construction remain the same; the sidewall treatment changes the car’s visual character.

If originality is the priority, compare your car to factory literature, period photography, and marque-club guidance before making the final call. If the goal is a clean touring restoration rather than strict judging accuracy, choose the sidewall style that best complements the car while still staying within the proper prewar size and bias-ply format.

Safety & Road Use

Properly mounted, correctly inflated, and well-maintained bias-ply tires in the correct 550-19 size can be used for public-road operation of a Nash 80 Series within the normal expectations of a prewar collector car. Safety depends on far more than tread appearance alone. Tire age, tube condition, wheel condition, braking ability, steering condition, and overall mechanical health all matter.

A Nash 80 Series should be driven with the understanding that it was designed in a very different motoring era. Shorter trips, conservative speeds, and regular inspections are the right approach, especially after storage or restoration work. Any sign of wheel damage, vibration, wandering, or sidewall distress should be addressed before further road use.

Before driving a Nash 80 Series, check tire inflation, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and the overall security of the wheel and hub hardware. On a tube-type prewar assembly, the condition of the rim itself also matters because internal corrosion or roughness can damage the tube. A quick visual walkaround is essential before every outing.

That routine should be part of a broader pre-drive check that includes steering play, brake response, fluid leaks, and wheel bearing condition. Vintage cars reward careful preparation, and tire-related problems are much easier to catch in the garage than on the road. If the car has been sitting, extend the inspection rather than assuming it is ready to go.

A Nash 80 Series on period-style 550-19 bias-ply tires should be driven at moderate, conservative speeds that respect both the tire design and the overall capability of a 1931 automobile. The correct approach is not to chase modern traffic speeds, but to operate the car comfortably within its mechanical limits. Road, weather, load, and tire age all influence what is sensible.

For most owners, that means planning routes that suit a prewar car rather than forcing the car into conditions it was never meant to handle. Smooth roads, extra following distance, gradual steering inputs, and a margin for braking all help the tires and chassis work as intended while preserving the Nash 80 Series for long-term enjoyment.