Pierce Arrow 1802 Tires

Pierce Arrow 1802 uses one tire size in the available fitment range: 750-17 for 1938. The products offered in that size are built around a 17-inch rim diameter and are all bias-ply tires. Within that single size, there are both passenger-car style offerings and heavier-duty truck-type offerings, so the size itself is straightforward even though the product types vary.

That means the main fitment check is not the year span, but the wheel and intended use of the individual car. Confirm that the car still has 17-inch wheels and compare the wheel width and the car’s restoration goals before choosing between a period-correct passenger-car tire with blackwall or whitewall styling and a more utility-oriented heavy-duty tire.

On a Pierce Arrow 1802, 750-17 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 7.50 indicates the nominal section width in inches, written without a decimal in the older sizing style, and the 17 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. Every available tire in this fitment is bias-ply rather than radial, which is consistent with the period character of a 1938 luxury automobile.

Reading the size correctly helps avoid one of the most common collector-car mistakes, which is matching only the overall appearance without checking the actual wheel diameter. If your wheel is 17 inches, the next step is deciding whether you want a traditional passenger-car bias-ply for authentic appearance and driving feel or a heavier-duty version for a specialized application.

Pierce Arrow 1802 uses a 17-inch rim diameter in the available tire range. Every listed 750-17 option is built for a 17-inch wheel, even though the products span different brands, sidewall treatments, and service types. There is no year-to-year rim diameter change within this model group.

Even with a single rim diameter, it is still important to inspect the actual wheels on the car because many pre-war cars were modified during long ownership histories. Measure the wheel, check any stampings if present, and compare the wheel width to the tire’s intended range so the tire selected matches both the rim and the way the Pierce Arrow 1802 will be used.

Pierce Arrow 1802 fitments in this size range are bias-ply tires in an older numeric format, and a tube is required. That applies to the passenger-car style 750-17 tires as well as the heavier-duty bias-ply options in the same size. Tube-type construction is normal for a pre-war application of this kind.

Tube use affects more than installation, because the condition of the wheel, flap, and valve hardware matters as much as the tire itself. When fitting new tires to a Pierce Arrow 1802, inspect the wheel thoroughly for rust, sharp edges, and old repairs so the tube is not damaged during mounting or later road use.

A 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802 uses 750-17 in the available fitment range, so the size itself is simple. The real confirmation points are the wheel diameter, the wheel width, and whether the car is equipped and used as a passenger automobile or in some more specialized heavy-duty role. The listed products all share the same basic size but differ in sidewall styling, load characteristics, and intended service family.

Start with the wheel on the car, not with appearance alone. Verify that the wheel is 17 inches, compare the rim width to the tire’s stated range where provided, and then match the tire to the car’s restoration goal. A formal pre-war luxury car usually calls for a passenger-car bias-ply look, while truck-type options should be chosen only when the application truly justifies them.

Pierce Arrow 1802 tires in 750-17 are available in several sidewall styles, including blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. The blackwall choices appear across multiple brands, while whitewall and double-whitewall offerings are available in selected passenger-car bias-ply lines. Those style differences are cosmetic, but they strongly affect the visual character of a pre-war luxury automobile.

For a restoration-minded owner, sidewall choice should follow the look of the specific car rather than personal preference alone. A formal 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802 often benefits from the more upscale appearance of a whitewall treatment, while blackwalls suit a plainer or more utilitarian presentation. Period photographs, surviving original cars, and marque references are the best guides for final appearance.

Pierce Arrow 1802 tires in 750-17 are available from Firestone, BFGoodrich, Tornel, and STA. Firestone and BFGoodrich cover traditional passenger-car bias-ply styles, while Tornel and STA appear in heavier-duty blackwall offerings within the same basic size. That gives owners a mix of appearance-focused and service-oriented choices without changing the nominal fitment.

Brand selection on a collector car usually comes down to restoration goals and use. If the Pierce Arrow 1802 is being kept visually faithful to late pre-war luxury presentation, a traditional passenger-car line is usually the better match. If the car has a specialized use or wheel setup that calls for a different service category, compare the construction and wheel-width details closely before deciding.

Pierce Arrow 1802 tires in 750-17 are offered in several series, including Firestone Balloon, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Tornel Classic Truck, and Super Transport. Firestone Balloon and Silvertown Classic Bias Ply are passenger-car style bias-ply lines aimed at vintage automotive use, while Tornel Classic Truck and Super Transport are heavier-duty bias-ply series with a more utility-oriented character. All share the same 17-inch rim diameter, but they are not interchangeable in appearance or intended feel.

Choosing between series is really about matching the tire to the role of the car. A Pierce Arrow 1802 restored as a formal luxury automobile usually benefits from the profile and sidewall presentation of a passenger-car series, especially if whitewalls are desired. The truck-oriented series make more sense only when the vehicle’s actual use, wheel requirements, or special setup points in that direction.

A Pierce Arrow 1802 should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from sunlight, ozone sources, and large temperature swings. Proper inflation matters even during storage, because underinflated bias-ply tires can develop flat spotting and sidewall stress more readily when a heavy pre-war car sits for long periods. Clean floors and good ventilation also help preserve both the rubber and the wheels.

Long storage is easier on the tires if the car is moved occasionally or supported in a way that reduces prolonged static load. Keep tubes, valve hardware, and wheel condition in mind as part of the same system. On a substantial car like the Pierce Arrow 1802, a careful storage routine protects ride quality, appearance, and service life.

Tires on a Pierce Arrow 1802 should be inspected before each drive and given a more thorough check at regular intervals during the season. On a low-use pre-war car, age, storage effects, and wheel condition can matter as much as tread wear. Look for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, shifting inflation, and any signs that the tube or valve area may be causing trouble.

Frequent inspection is especially important because collector cars can go from long inactivity to immediate road use without the steady wear patterns that reveal problems on a daily driver. A Pierce Arrow 1802 is heavy enough that a small issue can become serious quickly, so periodic hands-on inspection by someone familiar with vintage bias-ply tires is a smart part of ownership.

Tires on a Pierce Arrow 1802 should be replaced when age, cracking, casing condition, or repeated air-loss concerns make them questionable, even if the tread still appears usable. Collector-car tires often age out long before they wear out, particularly on cars driven only occasionally. Visible sidewall deterioration, hardening rubber, or any structural concern is reason to stop relying on the tire.

Mileage is a poor guide on a pre-war luxury car, so replacement decisions should center on condition and age rather than tread depth alone. If an older tire has uncertain history, or if the wheel and tube condition suggest recurring stress, replacing the set is usually the prudent move. Period appearance matters, but roadworthiness should always come first on a Pierce Arrow 1802.

Pierce Arrow 1802 is covered here in one size, 750-17, with period-appropriate bias-ply offerings available in Firestone Balloon and Silvertown Classic Bias Ply passenger-car series, along with heavier-duty alternatives in truck-oriented series. That means the essential original-style fitment question begins with the 750-17 size and a bias-ply construction rather than a modern radial format. The exact brand or sidewall treatment for a specific car may vary according to how it was equipped and presented.

For an authenticity-focused restoration, use the size as the foundation and then verify details through Pierce-Arrow literature, surviving original cars, and marque-club knowledge. Sidewall style can materially change the look of the finished car, so final selection should reflect the way your Pierce Arrow 1802 would have appeared when new rather than simply choosing the most visually dramatic option.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect both the presentation and judging outcome of a Pierce Arrow 1802. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the car sits correctly, whether the sidewall treatment suits the era, and whether the construction and overall look belong on a late pre-war American luxury automobile. Even when the size is right, the wrong sidewall style or an obviously utility-oriented tire can alter the car’s visual balance.

That matters because tires are one of the first things seen at eye level, especially on a large formal car. If the Pierce Arrow 1802 is being prepared for serious show use, compare your choice with period photos and club guidance before mounting a set. Getting the details right helps the car look complete rather than merely functional.

Pierce Arrow 1802 tire choices in 750-17 include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. Any of those may be visually plausible on a 1938 luxury car depending on the car’s original presentation, trim level, and the restoration’s objective. The sidewall style does not change the basic fitment, but it has a major effect on period appearance.

Owners restoring a Pierce Arrow 1802 for show should choose sidewall style by reference to original photos, sales material, and marque expertise rather than taste alone. Whitewall treatments usually emphasize the formal, upscale character of the car, while blackwalls create a more restrained look. The right answer is the one that matches the individual automobile’s history and restoration standard.

A properly fitted, correctly inflated, and well-maintained bias-ply tire can be suitable for public-road use on a Pierce Arrow 1802 when the entire vehicle is mechanically sound. The available tires are period-type constructions, so they should be judged by collector-car standards rather than by the behavior of modern radials. Safety depends on the full condition of the tire, tube, wheel, suspension, steering, and brakes working together.

That means road use should be approached with realistic expectations. A Pierce Arrow 1802 on bias-ply tires will not react like a modern car in emergency maneuvers, lane changes, or heavy braking. Before regular road driving, have the car inspected comprehensively and make sure the chosen tire type truly suits the weight, wheel, and intended use of the vehicle.

Before driving a Pierce Arrow 1802, check tire inflation, visible sidewall condition, valve stems, wheel fasteners, and any signs of rubbing or uneven wear. On a tube-type bias-ply setup, a quick visual inspection is not enough if the car has been sitting, because air loss, tube issues, or wheel corrosion can develop quietly over time. The car’s steering, brakes, and suspension should also be checked with the same seriousness.

A pre-drive routine matters more on a collector car than on a modern daily driver because long periods of inactivity can hide developing problems. If the Pierce Arrow 1802 has not been on the road recently, begin with a short, cautious test at modest speed and reassess the tires and chassis afterward. That habit helps catch heat buildup, pressure change, or handling problems early.

A Pierce Arrow 1802 on period-type bias-ply tires should be driven at conservative speeds appropriate to the tire construction, road conditions, and the overall mechanical condition of the car. Even when a tire is new, bias-ply behavior and pre-war chassis design call for more restraint than a modern vehicle would require. The available fitment here is meant to preserve vintage character, not to modernize the car’s performance envelope.

The practical rule is to drive the Pierce Arrow 1802 smoothly and well within the comfort range of the car rather than treating highway speed as the goal. Steering response, braking distances, heat buildup, and crosswind sensitivity all deserve respect on a large 1938 automobile. Modest cruising speeds and generous following distance are part of using original-type tires responsibly.