Pierce Arrow 33 Series Tires

Pierce Arrow 33 Series belongs to the great American luxury cars of the late 1920s, built when prestige marques were balancing traditional coachbuilt proportions with rapidly evolving chassis and tire technology. For 1926, Pierce Arrow 33 Series sat squarely in that transitional pre-war period, where tire selection can be less straightforward than it first appears. The complication here is that two different size formats appear for the same model year, reflecting an overlap between older diameter-by-section sizing and newer balloon-type numeric sizing. Anyone choosing tires for a Pierce Arrow 33 Series should begin by confirming which wheel and rim specification is actually on the car, then match the tire format to that setup.

Pierce Arrow 33 Series Tire Size Guide

Pierce Arrow 33 Series uses 2 distinct tire sizes across the 1926 production year. One size appears in antique diameter-by-section format, where the leading number is the tire's outside diameter rather than the wheel diameter, while the other uses later numeric bias-ply sizing. Even though both belong to the same model year, they represent different approaches to fitment and should be matched carefully to the wheels on the car.

33X6.751926Antique diameter-by-section

33X6.75 is an antique-format size listed for 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series. The 33 indicates an overall tire diameter of about 33 inches, while 6.75 indicates section width; the wheel diameter is not contained in the size code and must be verified on the actual rim. Choose 33X6.75 only when the car is set up for this earlier sizing convention and confirm the wheel specification before moving forward.

700-211926Numeric bias-ply

700-21 is a numeric bias-ply size listed for 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series. The 700 designates a nominal section width of 7.00 inches and the 21 designates a 21-inch rim diameter, with available products built as bias-ply tires. Choose 700-21 for cars using 21-inch wheels and balloon-style fitment; A tube is required.

Pierce Arrow 33 Series Tires by Year

The year listing breaks Pierce Arrow 33 Series tire options out by model year so you can narrow the choices before comparing products. In 1926, more than two sizes are listed because the model appears with two different sizing systems rather than one single universal fitment. The leading number in 33X6.75 is the tire's outside diameter, not the wheel size, so the wheel itself should be checked before choosing between the 1926 options.

Best Pierce Arrow 33 Series Tires for Sale

Available Pierce Arrow 33 Series products cover 1 listed size with 7 tires from 4 brands, including blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall options. Confirm the correct size format and 21-inch rim diameter on the car before selecting.

700-21 Products

These are the available products for 700-21.

Bias Ply

Firestone Balloon | 700-21

Firestone - Firestone Balloon

SidewallBlackwall
Rim Diameter21 in
Rim Width3.75 - 4.00 in
Weight32 lb
Max Load1930@40 psi
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Bias Ply

Michelin Double Rivet | 700-21

Michelin - Double Rivet

SidewallBlackwall
Rim Diameter21 in
Rim Width3.00 - 3.75 in
Weight31 lb
Max Load—
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Bias Ply

Firestone Balloon 4.25 Inch Whitewall | 700-21

Firestone - Firestone Balloon

SidewallWide Whitewall
Rim Diameter21 in
Rim Width3.75 - 4.00 in
Weight35 lb
Max Load1930@40 psi
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Bias Ply

Firestone Balloon 4.25 Inch Double Whitewall | 700-21

Firestone - Firestone Balloon

SidewallDouble-Whitewall
Rim Diameter21 in
Rim Width3.75 - 4.00 in
Weight38 lb
Max Load1930@40 psi
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Bias Ply

Lester | 700-21

Lester - Lester Classic Bias Ply

SidewallBlackwall
Rim Diameter21 in
Rim Width—
Weight33 lb
Max Load—
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Bias Ply

Excelsior Comp H | 700-21

Excelsior - Comp H

SidewallBlackwall
Rim Diameter21 in
Rim Width5.00 - 5.50 in
Weight31 lb
Max Load—
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Discontinued

Lester | 4 5/8" Whitewall 700-21 | Discontinued

Lester - Lester Classic Bias Ply

SidewallWide Whitewall
Rim Diameter21 in
Rim Width—
Weight38 lb
Max Load—
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Frequently Asked Questions

The FAQ below focuses on the unusual 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series size overlap, including how antique and numeric size codes differ, how to identify the correct wheel setup, and what to know about whitewall and blackwall bias-ply choices.

Size Basics & Fitment

Pierce Arrow 33 Series uses two listed tire sizes for 1926: 33X6.75 and 700-21. The 700-21 size uses a 21-inch rim diameter and is represented by available bias-ply products. The 33X6.75 size is an older antique-style designation, where the first number refers to overall tire diameter rather than wheel diameter, so its rim size must be confirmed separately on the car.

That means a 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series owner cannot rely on the model year alone. The practical next step is to inspect the wheels already fitted, compare the existing size markings if present, and verify whether the car is set up for antique diameter-by-section sizing or later 21-inch balloon-style tires before choosing a replacement.

On Pierce Arrow 33 Series, 33X6.75 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The 33 refers to the tire's approximate outside diameter in inches, and the 6.75 refers to the section width. Unlike later size codes, that first number is not the wheel diameter, so the rim size cannot be read directly from 33X6.75 alone.

That distinction matters because modern buyers often assume the first number identifies the wheel. With a Pierce Arrow 33 Series, using an antique-format tire means checking the actual wheel or trusted vehicle records first, especially when the same 1926 model year also appears with a later numeric size that clearly calls for a 21-inch rim.

A 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series has 2 tire sizes listed because the model appears during a period when older and newer tire sizing systems overlapped. One size, 33X6.75, uses antique diameter-by-section notation, while 700-21 uses numeric balloon-era bias-ply sizing. Those are not interchangeable labels for the same exact fitment; they describe different tire conventions.

For an owner or restorer, that means the specific wheel setup on the car matters more than the year by itself. Check the wheel diameter, compare any surviving tire markings, and review restoration history so you can determine whether your Pierce Arrow 33 Series is equipped for the antique-format size or the 21-inch numeric option.

Pierce Arrow 33 Series uses a confirmed 21-inch rim diameter when fitted with 700-21 tires. The antique-format 33X6.75 size does not reveal rim diameter in the size code itself, because 33 refers to overall tire diameter rather than the wheel. As a result, 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series cars should be checked individually instead of assuming both listed sizes use the same wheel.

The safest way to sort that out is to measure the wheel or inspect the rim stamping before selecting a tire. That single check will tell you whether your Pierce Arrow 33 Series belongs with a 21-inch numeric balloon tire or with the earlier diameter-by-section type represented by 33X6.75.

Buying the Right Tire

To confirm the correct tire size for a 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series, start with the wheel and the tire currently on the car rather than the year alone. The listed choices are 33X6.75 and 700-21, and only 700-21 directly identifies a 21-inch rim in the size code. Because 33X6.75 uses antique notation, its wheel diameter must be verified by inspection.

A careful fitment check should include rim diameter, wheel width where relevant, and whether the car was previously restored with a different wheel setup. On Pierce Arrow 33 Series, that step matters because the two listed sizes belong to different sizing traditions, so selecting by appearance alone can easily lead to the wrong tire.

Pierce Arrow 33 Series tires in the available 700-21 size include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall sidewall styles. The blackwall options appear across several brands, while whitewall choices are represented in both single wide whitewall and double-whitewall forms. All of the listed 700-21 products are bias-ply constructions.

For a restoration-minded owner, sidewall style changes the visual character of the car as much as the tread itself. Blackwalls generally suit a more restrained period look, while wide whitewalls and double-whitewalls create a more formal presentation, so the right choice for a Pierce Arrow 33 Series depends on how the specific car is being restored and presented.

Pierce Arrow 33 Series tires in the available 700-21 size are offered by Firestone, Michelin, Lester, and Excelsior. Those products span several series, including Firestone Balloon, Michelin Double Rivet, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Excelsior Comp H. Every listed option in that size is a bias-ply tire intended for period-style fitment.

Brand choice matters less than confirming the correct size and overall specification first. Once the wheel setup on a Pierce Arrow 33 Series is established, the buyer can compare brands by sidewall appearance, series style, and rim width compatibility where that information is supplied for the individual tire.

Pierce Arrow 33 Series tire offerings in 700-21 include Firestone Balloon, Michelin Double Rivet, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Excelsior Comp H series. Those names indicate distinct period-style product families rather than one identical tire sold under different labels. Across the available 700-21 choices, the series also vary in sidewall treatment and, in some cases, stated rim width range and load information.

That gives a Pierce Arrow 33 Series owner room to choose a tire that matches the car's intended presentation, whether the goal is a more formal whitewall appearance or a simpler blackwall look. After size is confirmed, compare the individual series details carefully so the tire's construction style and wheel compatibility suit the car's actual setup.

Maintenance & Longevity

A Pierce Arrow 33 Series should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, ozone sources, and petroleum contamination. Tire pressures should be checked before long storage, and the car should sit on a clean, stable surface. Because Pierce Arrow 33 Series belongs to the pre-war era, avoiding long static load on one contact patch is especially important.

Owners typically reduce stress by moving the car periodically or using methods that prevent the full vehicle weight from resting in one place for months at a time. Good storage practice helps preserve the casing shape, sidewall appearance, and overall service life of collector tires that may see far more time parked than driven.

Tires on a Pierce Arrow 33 Series should be inspected before each drive and given a more thorough examination several times خلال the year, even if the car covers very few miles. Look for air loss, sidewall cracking, tread separation, bead issues, irregular wear, and any signs that a tube-equipped tire has shifted or pinched. Pre-war cars place special importance on frequent visual checks because they often sit for long periods between outings.

A practical inspection routine also includes checking valve stems, wheel condition, and inflation consistency across all four corners plus the spare. Catching a problem early on a Pierce Arrow 33 Series is far easier than dealing with a failure after the car is already in motion, particularly on a heavy luxury car from the 1920s.

Tires on a Pierce Arrow 33 Series should be replaced when age, structural condition, or visible deterioration raises concern, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector cars often wear out their tires by time and storage exposure rather than mileage, so cracking, hardening, distortion, repeated air loss, or any sign of casing weakness is reason to stop using them. Tread depth alone is not a reliable measure on an infrequently driven pre-war car.

That rule is even more important on a Pierce Arrow 33 Series that may carry period-style bias-ply tires and tubes. A regular inspection schedule with an experienced vintage tire specialist helps determine whether a tire still belongs in service or has reached the point where replacement is the safer choice for touring, show movement, or road use.

Restoration & Authenticity

Pierce Arrow 33 Series appears with both 33X6.75 and 700-21 tire sizes for 1926, which shows that more than one period-appropriate size convention is associated with the model. Available product families for 700-21 include Firestone Balloon, Michelin Double Rivet, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Excelsior Comp H. That range points to the importance of matching the specific car's wheel setup and restoration direction rather than assuming one universal original tire specification.

For restoration work, the right reference is the individual car's surviving equipment, period literature, and marque expertise. A Pierce Arrow 33 Series restored for authenticity should have its tire size, sidewall style, and overall visual profile aligned with the exact wheel arrangement fitted to that car, not simply the broad model designation.

Correct tire fitment can affect both the presentation and judged authenticity of a Pierce Arrow 33 Series. Size, profile, sidewall treatment, and period-appropriate construction all influence whether the car looks historically consistent. On a prominent luxury car from the 1920s, incorrect tires are often immediately visible because they change stance, wheel-to-body proportion, and the overall character of the restoration.

For owners concerned with show results or long-term value, tire choice should be treated as a restoration detail rather than an accessory. A Pierce Arrow 33 Series generally benefits from matching tire style to the car's era, wheel setup, and restoration goals, with marque clubs and experienced judges serving as the best final reference for authenticity-sensitive decisions.

Pierce Arrow 33 Series tire offerings in 700-21 include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. Any of those can create a period look, but they present the car differently, from understated blackwall formality to more decorative whitewall treatment. Because Pierce Arrow 33 Series sits in the late 1920s, sidewall appearance should be chosen to match the specific restoration theme rather than by modern preference alone.

A restoration aimed at strict authenticity should compare the tire's sidewall style with period photos, the car's body style, and the way the vehicle is being judged or shown. On a Pierce Arrow 33 Series, the right sidewall is the one that supports the car's intended historical presentation while remaining consistent with the confirmed size and wheel setup.

Safety & Road Use

Pierce Arrow 33 Series tires can be appropriate for public-road use when the tires are in sound condition, correctly fitted to the wheels, properly inflated, and matched to a mechanically sorted car. The available 700-21 options are bias-ply tires, which suit the character of a 1920s automobile but do not behave like modern radials. Safety depends on the entire vehicle system, not the tire alone.

A sensible approach is to treat a Pierce Arrow 33 Series as a collector car that deserves conservative speeds, careful route planning, and regular pre-drive inspection. Before any road outing, confirm tire condition, wheel security, braking performance, and steering integrity so the car is being used within the limits of its age and design.

Before driving a Pierce Arrow 33 Series, check tire inflation, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, wheel fasteners, and any sign of tube-related air loss on bias-ply tires. Also verify that the tire size matches the wheel setup actually on the car, especially if the car could fall under either 33X6.75 or 700-21 fitment. A quick walkaround is essential on a pre-war automobile that may spend long periods parked.

The road check should extend beyond the tires to brakes, steering response, suspension behavior, and whether the spare is serviceable. On a Pierce Arrow 33 Series, a few minutes of preparation before departure can prevent most of the avoidable problems associated with age, storage, and infrequent use.

Appropriate speed for a Pierce Arrow 33 Series on period-style tires is a conservative speed that respects the car's age, tire construction, and overall mechanical condition. Bias-ply tires from this era are best treated with more caution than modern highway tires, even when newly manufactured in correct vintage style. Safe operating speed is therefore governed as much by vehicle condition and road environment as by the tire size itself.

In practice, a Pierce Arrow 33 Series should be driven smoothly and without sustained high-speed use. Gentle acceleration, moderate cruising, and extra following distance help the car remain settled on period-type tires, while rough pavement, heat buildup, and emergency maneuvers should be minimized whenever possible.