Overland 91 Series Tires
Overland 91 Series belongs to the mid-1920s period when American cars were moving away from earlier high-profile tire conventions and into more standardized balloon-tire fitments. As a 1926 Overland model, it sits right in that transitional era, which matters because buyers can encounter more than one tire size format for the same year. Overland 91 Series is not a simple one-size vintage fitment case, since both an older diameter-by-section style and a more modern numeric size appear for 1926. The smartest first step is to identify which wheel and tire sizing system the actual Overland 91 Series is using before narrowing the choice any further.
Overland 91 Series Tire Size Guide
Overland 91 Series uses 2 distinct tire sizes across the 1926 model year. One size appears in the older antique diameter-by-section format, where the leading number gives the tire's outside diameter rather than the wheel diameter, while the other uses a later numeric convention tied to wheel diameter. That makes it important to confirm which sizing system is on the car before selecting a replacement tire.
29X4.75 is one of the listed 1926 sizes for Overland 91 Series. In this format, 29 is the tire's approximate outside diameter in inches and 4.75 is the section width in inches, while the wheel diameter is not stated in the size code itself. Choose this size only if the car is already equipped for the antique-style sizing convention rather than the later numeric alternative used in the same year.
4.75-20 is also listed for 1926 Overland 91 Series. In numeric bias-ply sizing, 4.75 refers to the nominal section width in inches and 20 is the rim diameter in inches. Choose this size if the car carries 20-inch wheels, and treat it as the more modern of the two 1926 sizing conventions.
Overland 91 Series Tires by Year
The year listing shows which tire sizes are associated with each Overland 91 Series model year and helps narrow the choice before you compare individual tires. In 1926, two sizes are listed, so the specific wheel and configuration should be confirmed rather than relying on the year alone. The leading number in 29X4.75 is the tire's outside diameter, not the wheel size, while 4.75-20 identifies a 20-inch rim directly.
1926 Overland 91 Series
- 29X4.75
- 4.75-20
Frequently Asked Questions
The FAQ below addresses the main fitment questions for Overland 91 Series buyers, especially the difference between the 1926 antique-style size and the 20-inch numeric size. It also covers restoration considerations and long-term care for a low-use vintage car.
Size Basics & Fitment
Overland 91 Series has two listed tire sizes for 1926: 29X4.75 and 4.75-20. Those are not interchangeable descriptions of the same thing. The first is an older diameter-by-section style, while the second is a numeric size that directly identifies a 20-inch rim.
The practical takeaway is that an Overland 91 Series owner should identify the wheel and existing tire convention on the car before choosing a replacement. If the car carries 20-inch wheels, 4.75-20 is the relevant size. If the car is set up around the older 29X4.75 convention, confirm the actual wheel specifications on the car before moving forward.
On an Overland 91 Series, 29X4.75 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size. The 29 refers to the tire's approximate outside diameter in inches, and the 4.75 refers to the tire's section width in inches. The wheel diameter is not written into that size code, which is why it can be confusing to a modern buyer.
That matters because an Overland 91 Series owner cannot read 29X4.75 the same way they would read a later size like 4.75-20. The right approach is to inspect the wheels, compare the tire already on the car, and verify the intended wheel diameter before selecting a replacement. This is especially important on 1920s cars that sit near a sizing transition.
A 1926 Overland 91 Series can show both 29X4.75 and 4.75-20 because the model sits in an era when tire sizing conventions were changing. One size is expressed in the older outside-diameter format, and the other is a later numeric size tied directly to a wheel diameter. That creates a split within the same model year rather than a single universal fitment.
For an owner, that means the year alone is not enough to choose a tire for an Overland 91 Series. The wheel on the car, the style of tire previously fitted, and any restoration changes all need to be checked together. Looking at the existing rim and comparing it to period service information is usually the fastest way to sort out which size belongs on the car.
Overland 91 Series uses at least one clearly identified 20-inch rim size through the 4.75-20 listing. The 29X4.75 size does not state the rim diameter in the size code, so it should not be read as a 29-inch wheel. On antique-format tires, the first number is the tire's outside diameter, not the rim diameter.
The best way to sort this out on an Overland 91 Series is to inspect the actual wheel and compare it with the tire size already fitted. A buyer should measure and verify the wheel before assuming that both listed sizes fit the same rim. That single check prevents one of the most common ordering mistakes on mid-1920s cars.
Buying the Right Tire
Start with the tire size currently fitted to the 1926 Overland 91 Series and then verify the wheel diameter on the car. The two listed sizes, 29X4.75 and 4.75-20, point to different sizing systems, so the sidewall marking alone should be read carefully. If the car has older restored or replaced wheels, that check becomes even more important.
An Overland 91 Series owner should also compare the car against period manuals, restoration records, or marque-club guidance when available. That extra step helps separate an original-style setup from a later conversion. Treat the year as the starting point and the actual wheel and tire combination on the car as the deciding evidence.
Overland 91 Series tire buyers should expect the biggest difference to be the size system itself rather than a broad spread of modern tire categories. One listed size follows the older diameter-by-section convention, and the other follows a numeric convention tied to a 20-inch rim. Those formats reflect a real transition in how tires were specified during the 1920s.
For restoration work, the important choice is whether the Overland 91 Series is being kept in an earlier-style presentation or matched to the later numeric wheel-and-tire setup. That affects both appearance and fitment logic. Once the correct size family is identified, period-correct construction and sidewall style become the next details to confirm.
Overland 91 Series buyers should pay close attention to sidewall style because it can strongly influence the car's finished appearance even when the size is correct. Mid-1920s cars can look markedly different depending on whether the tire has a more conservative blackwall presentation or a brighter period style. The right visual choice depends on how the car is being restored and presented.
A careful owner should match the sidewall treatment on an Overland 91 Series to the car's era, trim character, and restoration goals rather than choosing on looks alone. Parade and show cars often benefit from strict period consistency. A touring-oriented restoration may prioritize durability and proper fit first, then select the sidewall style that best supports the car's intended presentation.
Maintenance & Longevity
An Overland 91 Series should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place with the tires kept away from sunlight, ozone sources, and petroleum products. Electric motors, battery chargers, heaters, and solvents can all accelerate rubber aging. Clean floors and stable temperatures matter more for a collector car than many owners realize.
If an Overland 91 Series will sit for long periods, keep the tires properly inflated and move the car occasionally to prevent flat spotting. Long-term storage on jack stands can help in some cases, but the suspension and chassis should be supported correctly. Regular visual checks for cracking, distortion, and bead separation are especially important on a vintage car.
Tires on an Overland 91 Series should be inspected before every drive and more thoroughly several times a year, even if the car sees only occasional use. A vintage tire can deteriorate with age, storage conditions, and underinflation long before the tread looks worn. Sidewalls, beads, valve stems, and any signs of uneven shape all deserve attention.
A good routine for an Overland 91 Series is a quick visual check before moving the car and a deeper inspection at the start of each driving season. If the car is shown or paraded more than it is driven, the inspection schedule should stay the same. Collector cars often age out tires before they wear them out.
An Overland 91 Series should have its tires replaced whenever age, cracking, hardening, impact damage, bead problems, or structural irregularities appear, even if plenty of tread remains. Tread depth alone is a poor guide on a collector car because rubber condition often determines safety long before the grooves are gone. Any tire with visible deterioration deserves immediate attention.
For an Overland 91 Series, replacement timing should be guided by condition, age, and use pattern rather than mileage. Cars that spend long periods parked can still end up with compromised tires. If the car carries older period rubber of any kind, a specialist familiar with antique and vintage tires should inspect it before further road use.
Restoration & Authenticity
Overland 91 Series is associated here with two 1926 tire sizes: 29X4.75 and 4.75-20. That indicates more than one period fitment path within the same model year rather than a single universal original answer. The car falls into a time when manufacturers and owners could encounter overlapping tire conventions.
For a restoration, the best reference for an Overland 91 Series is the specific car's surviving wheels, factory literature, and marque-club guidance. That combination helps determine whether the car should wear the older diameter-by-section format or the later 20-inch numeric size. Originality in this era depends on the exact configuration, not just the model name.
Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect both judging and perceived value on an Overland 91 Series. Judges and knowledgeable buyers notice whether the tire size, profile, and overall presentation fit the period and the car's configuration. A visibly incorrect size can change stance, wheel appearance, and authenticity in ways that stand out immediately.
For an Overland 91 Series being restored for show, matching the proper size convention is as important as choosing an attractive tire. Owners should compare the car against period photos, factory literature, and recognized marque resources. Even when a non-original setup is functional, a period-correct tire choice usually supports stronger historical credibility.
The correct sidewall style for an Overland 91 Series depends on the exact restoration goal and the period presentation being followed. Mid-1920s cars can be very sensitive to sidewall appearance, and the wrong visual treatment can make an otherwise accurate restoration look out of character. Size correctness still comes first, but sidewall style is the detail that often completes the look.
A restorer should choose the sidewall style on an Overland 91 Series to match period references for the specific car rather than relying on modern taste. Blackwall-style presentation often reads more restrained and utilitarian, while brighter period looks can suit certain show restorations. Marque references and surviving original photos are the best guide when authenticity matters.
Safety & Road Use
A properly selected and correctly installed tire can make an Overland 91 Series suitable for careful public-road use, but the car's age means the tire is only one part of the equation. Steering, brakes, wheels, bearings, and chassis condition matter just as much. Vintage cars ask for a much more conservative approach than modern traffic conditions encourage.
An Overland 91 Series should be driven only after the entire car is inspected and the chosen tire size is confirmed against the wheel actually fitted. Road use should stay measured and defensive, with extra space for braking and turning. Even with fresh tires, a 1926 car should be treated as a vintage machine rather than a modern commuter.
Before driving an Overland 91 Series, check inflation pressure, sidewall condition, valve stems, wheel security, and any sign of bulges, cracking, or impact damage. A quick look at tread seating and overall tire shape is also worthwhile, especially after the car has been stored. On a car of this age, small issues can become serious very quickly once the vehicle is moving.
The driver of an Overland 91 Series should also confirm that the tire size on the car matches the wheel setup and that all four tires are in comparable condition. If the car has sat for months, inspect brakes and steering before the first outing as well. A slow, methodical pre-drive routine is part of owning a safe vintage car.
An Overland 91 Series should be driven at modest, conservative speeds that respect both the tire type and the capabilities of a mid-1920s automobile. Even when the tires are new, the chassis, brakes, and steering geometry belong to an earlier motoring world. Sustained high-speed use is not what a car like this was built around.
On the road, an Overland 91 Series is best enjoyed in a way that avoids abrupt lane changes, hard braking, and fast highway pacing. Owners should think in terms of relaxed touring, local events, and secondary roads rather than modern interstate use. If the car is newly restored or newly fitted with tires, begin with short drives and careful reinspection.