Paige 65 Series Tires
Paige 65 Series cars from 1927 came from an important moment in American motoring, when manufacturers were balancing late-vintage style with increasingly modern performance and road manners. The Paige name carried real prestige in the 1920s, and the 65 Series belongs to that era when wheel, tire, and chassis specifications could vary more than many modern buyers expect. Tire selection for the Paige 65 Series is not entirely straightforward because the 1927 range is associated with two different size conventions, including an older diameter-by-section style alongside a numeric size tied directly to a 21-inch rim. Before choosing a tire, confirm whether the car carries the larger antique-format fitment or the 21-inch wheel setup.
Paige 65 Series Tire Size Guide
The Paige 65 Series uses 2 distinct tire sizes across the 1927 model year, and those sizes follow two different sizing conventions. One of them, 31X5.25, uses the antique diameter-by-section format, where the leading number is the tire's outside diameter in inches rather than the wheel diameter. That distinction matters because 525-21 clearly fits a 21-inch rim, while antique-format sizes require the wheel diameter to be verified separately on the car or against the wheel specification.
31X5.25 is an antique-format size associated with 1927 Paige 65 Series applications. The 31 indicates an overall tire diameter of about 31 inches and the 5.25 indicates nominal section width, but the wheel diameter is not contained in the size code itself. Choose this size only after confirming the actual wheel it is meant to fit, and because this format is used with bias-ply collector tires, a tube is required.
525-21 is a numeric bias-ply size used on 1927 Paige 65 Series applications and it is the size with current product coverage here. The 525 refers to a nominal 5.25-inch section width and the 21 is the rim diameter, with available products fitting 21-inch wheels. Choose this size when the car has 21-inch rims and you want a period-style bias-ply tire; a tube is required.
Paige 65 Series Tires by Year
The year listing breaks the Paige 65 Series down by model year so you can match the car to the size options used in that period. In 1927, two sizes are listed, so the correct choice depends on the specific wheel and configuration rather than the year alone. The leading number in antique-format sizes is the tire's outside diameter, not the wheel size, so confirm the rim itself before moving forward.
1927 Paige 65 Series
- 31X5.25
- 525-21
Best Paige 65 Series Tires for Sale
Available Paige 65 Series tires cover 2 sizes across 3 products from 2 brands. Confirm the correct size code and the actual rim diameter on the car before selecting, especially where antique-format and 21-inch numeric fitments may both appear for 1927.
525-21 Products
These are the available products for 525-21.
Frequently Asked Questions
The FAQ below focuses on the Paige 65 Series fitment questions that matter most here: sorting out 1927's two size conventions, understanding antique versus numeric sizing, and choosing among the available bias-ply product lines and sidewall styles.
Size Basics & Fitment
The Paige 65 Series uses two listed tire sizes for 1927: 31X5.25 and 525-21. The 525-21 size fits a 21-inch rim in the available products, while 31X5.25 is an antique diameter-by-section size where the wheel diameter is not stated in the size code itself. Both belong to period-style bias-ply fitments rather than modern metric sizing.
That means the right starting point is the wheel on the actual car, not the model year alone. If your Paige 65 Series has a confirmed 21-inch rim, 525-21 is the straightforward match from the available selections. If the car carries the 31X5.25 fitment, verify the wheel specification carefully before choosing a tire, because the overall diameter shown in the size code can be mistaken for wheel diameter by modern buyers.
On a Paige 65 Series, 31X5.25 is an antique tire size written in the older diameter-by-section format. The 31 refers to the tire's approximate outside diameter in inches, and the 5.25 refers to its nominal section width. It does not tell you the rim diameter, which must be confirmed separately.
That older sizing style is one of the easiest places to make a mistake on a late-1920s car. A buyer who assumes the first number is the wheel diameter can end up chasing the wrong fitment entirely. For a Paige 65 Series wearing 31X5.25, inspect the wheel itself, compare against period references for the specific car, and treat the size code as only part of the fitment picture.
A 1927 Paige 65 Series has two tire sizes listed because the model year is associated with two different fitment patterns: 31X5.25 in antique diameter-by-section form and 525-21 in numeric rim-based form. That kind of overlap was not unusual in the late 1920s, when wheel and tire conventions were still evolving. The difference is not simply cosmetic, because the two size codes communicate fitment in different ways.
For a current owner, the practical takeaway is that year alone is not enough to choose correctly. Check the tire currently on the car, read the wheel dimensions if they are known, and compare the wheel diameter to the 21-inch requirement of the 525-21 offerings. If the car is restored, confirm whether the wheel and tire combination reflects original configuration or a later change made during its life.
Yes, Paige 65 Series tires in the listed sizes should be treated as tube-type fitments. The available 525-21 products are bias-ply tires, and the antique-format 31X5.25 fitment also belongs to the same period style of construction. On collector cars of this era, tubes are a normal part of proper installation.
Tube selection should match both the tire size and the wheel condition, especially on original or restored rims. Before mounting a fresh tire on a Paige 65 Series, make sure the rim is clean, true, and free of burrs or corrosion that could damage the tube. Proper flap, tube, and rim preparation matter just as much as selecting the correct outer tire size.
Buying the Right Tire
The most reliable way to confirm tire size for a 1927 Paige 65 Series is to identify the wheel and compare it to the two listed fitments: 31X5.25 and 525-21. If the car has a 21-inch rim, the available 525-21 options align with that wheel size. If the car carries 31X5.25, the size code gives outside diameter and section width, so the wheel diameter must be checked separately.
Start with the tire and wheel that are physically on the car, then compare those details with any restoration records, period literature, or marque-club guidance you may have. That matters most on a Paige 65 Series because 1927 overlaps two size conventions. A carefully restored car may still have had wheels changed decades ago, so verifying the present hardware is more useful than relying on assumptions about the model year.
Paige 65 Series tires in the available 525-21 offerings come in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Firestone appears in both blackwall and a 3.00-inch whitewall version, while Excelsior Comp H is offered as a blackwall. That gives owners a choice between a more restrained look and a stronger visual period accent.
For a restoration-focused Paige 65 Series, sidewall choice should follow the car's intended presentation. A blackwall usually suits a more understated or utility-minded appearance, while a whitewall can better match a dressed, higher-style late-1920s presentation. If the car is being judged, compare the sidewall treatment against photographs, surviving examples, and marque references rather than choosing strictly by visual preference.
The listed Paige 65 Series tire offerings come from Firestone and Excelsior. Firestone appears in the Firestone Classic Bias Ply line for 525-21, and Excelsior appears with the Comp H series in the same nominal size. Both are period-style collector tire choices rather than modern touring-car fitments.
Brand selection on a Paige 65 Series usually comes down to the look you want, the rim width range you need to work with, and whether you prefer a particular series style. Compare the sidewall treatment, construction style, and wheel compatibility before deciding. On a visible pre-war style car, those differences affect appearance almost as much as they affect the technical fitment.
The available Paige 65 Series product lines include Firestone Classic Bias Ply and Excelsior Comp H. Both are bias-ply collector tire series, but they differ in branding, sidewall offerings, and wheel-width coverage within the listed 525-21 size. Firestone is offered in both blackwall and wide whitewall versions, while Excelsior Comp H is listed as a blackwall.
That means the choice is not just about the size stamped on the sidewall. A Paige 65 Series owner should also consider the final look of the car and the wheel dimensions being used, since the listed rim-width ranges are not identical across every option. If visual authenticity matters, the series and sidewall combination can be as important as the basic size match.
Maintenance & Longevity
A Paige 65 Series should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires protected from sunlight, ozone, and petroleum exposure. Keep the car away from electric motors, welders, heaters, and solvents that can accelerate rubber aging. For a low-use collector car, clean floors and stable temperatures matter more than many owners realize.
If the Paige 65 Series will sit for long periods, keep the tires at proper inflation and move the car occasionally to avoid flat spotting and stress in one area of the casing. Many collectors also reduce continuous load by using stands placed correctly under the chassis or axle points when the car will be stored for an extended season. Good storage habits preserve both appearance and service life.
Tires on a Paige 65 Series should be inspected before every drive and given a more thorough examination at regular intervals even if the car sees very little mileage. Check inflation, sidewall condition, tread integrity, valve stems, and any sign of tube or bead-related trouble. On an older collector car, long idle periods can be harder on tires than moderate use.
A practical routine is to look over the tires each time the Paige 65 Series leaves the garage and to perform a hands-on inspection several times during the driving season. Pay particular attention after winter storage or after the car has been parked for months. If anything looks questionable, have the tires and wheels evaluated by a shop familiar with vintage tube-type and bias-ply installations.
Tires on a Paige 65 Series should be replaced when age, cracking, deformation, repeated air loss, impact damage, or structural concerns appear, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector tires often age out before they wear out. On a car of this era, visible tread depth alone is not a dependable measure of serviceability.
That is especially important for a Paige 65 Series used for tours, local road driving, or event transportation rather than static display. If a tire has been on the car for many years, or if its history is unclear, replacement is often the safer course. Have tubes, flaps, and the wheel itself reviewed at the same time so the new installation starts from a sound foundation.
Restoration & Authenticity
Paige 65 Series fitments in this year range include 31X5.25 and 525-21, and the available replacement products fall within bias-ply collector tire series rather than modern radial categories. Firestone Classic Bias Ply and Excelsior Comp H are among the listed options for 525-21. More than one period-style approach appears, which is common on cars from the late 1920s.
For an exact restoration, the best reference is the specific car's original literature, surviving wheel equipment, and marque-club guidance. A Paige 65 Series may have changed wheels or tires during its life, so present-day fitment is not always proof of original delivery condition. Restorers should treat the listed sizes as the proper fitment range, then refine the final choice by configuration and presentation goal.
Yes, correct tire fitment can affect both the presentation and perceived correctness of a Paige 65 Series. Judges and experienced collectors notice size, sidewall treatment, overall stance, and whether the tire construction matches the character of the car. An obviously incorrect tire can change the look of the body, fender clearance, and wheel presence.
For owners concerned with value or judged authenticity, tire choice should support the era and the specific configuration of the Paige 65 Series rather than simply filling the wheel opening. Matching the proper size convention and an appropriate sidewall style usually matters more than chasing novelty. Marque clubs, period photos, and restoration histories are the right references when you want the car to look settled and correct.
Paige 65 Series tire options in the listed 525-21 size include blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Either can suit a late-1920s car depending on how the specific automobile was equipped and how the restoration is being interpreted. The important point is to match the sidewall style to the car's intended period appearance rather than treating every 1927 car the same.
A conservatively restored Paige 65 Series may look more natural on blackwalls, while a more formal or deluxe presentation may support a whitewall. The choice should harmonize with wheel finish, body style, and the overall level of trim. If the car will be judged, use historical photos and club guidance to decide whether the sidewall should be understated or intentionally more decorative.
Safety & Road Use
Properly selected and professionally installed collector tires can be suitable for careful public-road use on a Paige 65 Series, provided the entire car is mechanically sound. The listed options are period-style bias-ply tires intended for vintage applications, not modern high-speed service. Safety depends on the condition of the tires, tubes, wheels, steering, brakes, and suspension as a system.
A Paige 65 Series should be driven within the limits of its design and in conditions appropriate to an antique automobile. Even fresh tires do not turn a 1920s car into a modern one, and road manners will reflect vintage construction. Before regular road use, have the car reviewed by someone familiar with antique chassis behavior and tube-type tire installations.
Before driving a Paige 65 Series, check tire inflation, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and whether the car is sitting level on all four corners. Also inspect the wheels for loose hardware or damage and make sure the spare is in equally usable condition. On a car from this era, a brief pre-drive walkaround is an essential part of safe operation.
The tire check should happen alongside a broader mechanical review of brakes, steering response, fluids, and any signs of leakage or binding. A Paige 65 Series may spend long periods parked, and dormant systems can surprise you once the car starts rolling. Catching a soft tire or deteriorated tube before departure is far easier than dealing with trouble away from home.
A Paige 65 Series running period-style tires should be driven at moderate speeds that respect both the tire construction and the vehicle's 1920s chassis design. Bias-ply collector tires deliver an authentic driving character, but they do not provide the same reserve as modern high-speed radials. The sensible target is steady, conservative driving rather than sustained fast cruising.
In practice, the appropriate speed for a Paige 65 Series is the speed at which the car feels composed, steering remains settled, and braking distance stays manageable for surrounding traffic. Tire age, wheel condition, road surface, and weather all reduce that margin further. If the car is newly restored or newly fitted with tires, build confidence gradually rather than assuming highway behavior will be modern.