Pontiac 6 Cyl. Tires
Pontiac 6 Cyl. models of the late 1920s and 1930s marked the brand’s rise as a practical American six-cylinder car, bridging the gap between early motoring and more modern pre-war design. Across the 1926 to 1938 span covered here, Pontiac 6 Cyl. fitment moves through several tire sizing conventions and wheel diameters as the cars evolved. That makes tire selection more involved than simply matching the model name, because the same Pontiac 6 Cyl. family appears with both antique-style and later numeric sizes. The first thing to verify on any Pontiac 6 Cyl. is the wheel’s actual rim diameter, since the listings span 20-inch, 19-inch, 18-inch, and 16-inch rims.
Pontiac 6 Cyl. Tire Size Guide
Pontiac 6 Cyl. production changed rim diameters during this span, moving across 20-inch, 19-inch, 18-inch, and 16-inch wheels, so wheel diameter is the first fitment point to confirm before choosing a tire. Across 1926 to 1938, this model group uses 6 distinct tire sizes. Several of those sizes use antique diameter-by-section sizing, where the leading number gives the tire’s outside diameter rather than the wheel diameter.
29X4.75 is an early Pontiac 6 Cyl. size used in 1926 through 1928. The 29 indicates an overall tire diameter of about 29 inches, the 4.75 indicates nominal section width, and the matching wheel for this fitment is 20 inches in diameter. Choose this size for 1926-1928 cars that still carry the earlier 20-inch wheel setup rather than the alternate 4.75-20 notation; a tube is required.
4.75-20 is also listed for Pontiac 6 Cyl. models from 1926 through 1928. The 4.75 designates nominal section width in inches and the 20 is the rim diameter, making this a 20-inch numeric bias-ply size. Choose this size when the car uses 20-inch rims and later-style numeric sizing is preferred; a tube is required.
29X5.00 is the larger early size listed for Pontiac 6 Cyl. models in 1929 and 1930. The 29 refers to overall tire diameter, the 5.00 is nominal section width, and the corresponding wheel diameter for this fitment is 19 inches. Choose this size for 1929-1930 cars that use the antique diameter-by-section convention rather than the alternate 500-19 size marking; a tube is required.
500-19 fits Pontiac 6 Cyl. models in 1929, 1930, and 1931. The 500 indicates a nominal 5.00-inch section width with the decimal omitted, and the 19 indicates a 19-inch rim diameter. Choose this size for cars on 19-inch wheels, including 1931 applications; a tube is required, and one available product in this size is a ribbed-front racing-style tire rather than a standard road pattern.
5.25-18 is the standalone Pontiac 6 Cyl. size listed for 1932. The 5.25 gives the nominal section width in inches and the 18 indicates an 18-inch wheel diameter. Choose this size only for 1932 cars that retain their 18-inch wheels; a tube is required.
600-16 is the later Pontiac 6 Cyl. size used from 1936 through 1938. The 600 indicates a nominal 6.00-inch section width and the 16 indicates a 16-inch rim diameter. Choose this size for 1936-1938 cars on 16-inch wheels; a tube is required, and available products include both passenger-car bias-ply styles and heavier military or truck-pattern options.
Pontiac 6 Cyl. Tires by Year
The year listing below lets you match each Pontiac 6 Cyl. year to the tire sizes associated with that production period. Pontiac 6 Cyl. production changed from 20-inch to 19-inch to 18-inch and then 16-inch wheels across these years, so confirm which rim diameter the specific car carries before selecting a tire. The leading number in sizes like 29X4.75 and 29X5.00 is the tire’s outside diameter, not the wheel size, so the actual rim diameter must be checked separately.
1926 Pontiac 6 Cyl.
- 29X4.75
- 4.75-20
1927 Pontiac 6 Cyl.
- 29X4.75
- 4.75-20
1928 Pontiac 6 Cyl.
- 29X4.75
- 4.75-20
1929 Pontiac 6 Cyl.
- 29X5.00
- 500-19
1930 Pontiac 6 Cyl.
- 29X5.00
- 500-19
1931 Pontiac 6 Cyl.
- 500-19
1932 Pontiac 6 Cyl.
- 5.25-18
1936 Pontiac 6 Cyl.
- 600-16
1937 Pontiac 6 Cyl.
- 600-16
1938 Pontiac 6 Cyl.
- 600-16
Best Pontiac 6 Cyl. Tires for Sale
Available Pontiac 6 Cyl. tire products cover 2 listed sizes with 28 total products from 9 brands. Confirm the exact year, size, and rim diameter on the car before selecting from the available blackwall, whitewall, double-whitewall, and specialty tread options.
500-19 Products
These are the available products for 500-19.
600-16 Products
These are the available products for 600-16.
Frequently Asked Questions
The FAQ below focuses on the real fitment issues for Pontiac 6 Cyl. owners, including the shift across four rim diameters, the meaning of early antique-style size codes, and the differences between standard passenger and specialty bias-ply offerings.
Size Basics & Fitment
Pontiac 6 Cyl. applications in this range use six sizes across the years covered here: 29X4.75 and 4.75-20 for 1926-1928, 29X5.00 and 500-19 for 1929-1930, 500-19 again for 1931, 5.25-18 for 1932, and 600-16 for 1936-1938. Those sizes correspond to 20-inch rims for 29X4.75 and 4.75-20, 19-inch rims for 29X5.00 and 500-19, 18-inch rims for 5.25-18, and 16-inch rims for 600-16.
The practical takeaway is that Pontiac 6 Cyl. fitment is tied closely to year and wheel diameter, not just the model name. Start by confirming the car’s year, then measure or verify the actual rim diameter on the wheel before narrowing the choice to the correct size.
On a Pontiac 6 Cyl., 29X4.75 is an antique diameter-by-section size used for 1926 through 1928. The 29 is the tire’s approximate outside diameter in inches, not the wheel diameter, and the 4.75 is the nominal section width. The wheel used with that fitment is 20 inches in diameter.
That older sizing format often causes confusion because modern buyers naturally assume the first number refers to the rim. If a Pontiac 6 Cyl. still carries early wheels, verify the rim itself and then match the tire by both the size code and the actual wheel diameter rather than reading 29 as a wheel measurement.
Pontiac 6 Cyl. applications here span four rim diameters: 20-inch wheels on the 1926-1928 29X4.75 and 4.75-20 sizes, 19-inch wheels on the 1929-1931 29X5.00 and 500-19 sizes, 18-inch wheels on the 1932 5.25-18 size, and 16-inch wheels on the 1936-1938 600-16 size. On the antique 29X sizes, the rim diameter is not spelled out by the size code and has to be matched separately.
That progression means wheel diameter is the single most important first check on a Pontiac 6 Cyl. Tire age, replacement wheels, and long-ago repairs can all complicate assumptions, so inspect the wheel itself and compare it with the year-specific size before choosing a replacement.
Every listed Pontiac 6 Cyl. size here is a bias-ply style in either antique diameter-by-section or numeric format, and those applications should be treated as tube-type fitments. That includes 29X4.75, 4.75-20, 29X5.00, 500-19, 5.25-18, and 600-16. Nothing in these fitments suggests a tubeless radial application.
For a collector Pontiac 6 Cyl., tube condition matters just as much as the outer casing. If the car is being refitted after long storage or restoration work, inspect the rims carefully and use the tire, tube, and flap combination appropriate to the wheel design and era.
Buying the Right Tire
The correct Pontiac 6 Cyl. tire size is confirmed by matching the car’s year to the listed size group and then verifying the wheel diameter on the car. The sequence is 20-inch fitments for 1926-1928, 19-inch fitments for 1929-1931, an 18-inch fitment for 1932, and a 16-inch fitment for 1936-1938. Some years use two different notations for the same wheel diameter, especially in the late 1920s.
Use the year first, but do not stop there. Restored and surviving cars may carry replacement wheels, so confirm the rim diameter physically and compare the existing tire marking if one is still present before choosing among the listed Pontiac 6 Cyl. sizes.
Pontiac 6 Cyl. products in the available listings include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall sidewall styles. The widest variety appears in 600-16, where blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall options are all present. The 500-19 offerings shown here are blackwall.
For a restoration-minded Pontiac 6 Cyl., sidewall style affects the car’s visual character as much as the size itself. Blackwall usually suits a more utilitarian or understated presentation, while whitewall and double-whitewall choices are better reserved for cars where period appearance and show presentation are part of the goal.
The available Pontiac 6 Cyl. products shown here come from Excelsior, Firestone, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Ford Script, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. Brand coverage is heaviest in 600-16, while 500-19 currently shows a smaller selection. Each brand appears in specific series and sidewall combinations rather than across every size.
Brand choice on a Pontiac 6 Cyl. should come after size and wheel diameter are confirmed. Once the fitment is correct, buyers can narrow the field by period look, sidewall style, intended use, and whether they want a standard passenger-car tread or a more specialized pattern.
Pontiac 6 Cyl. products include a wide spread of series, especially in 600-16: Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, Turbospeed Mk4, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Ford Script, Excelsior Bias Ply, Lester Classic Bias Ply, Tourist Crossply, Traction Mileage, Goodyear Military NDT, Deluxe All-Weather, Firestone Classic Military, Firestone Military NDT, Military NDT, NATO CJ110, and Firestone Classic Truck. In 500-19, the series shown are Excelsior Comp H and Firestone Dirt Track. Those names represent different tread styles and intended uses rather than one uniform type of Pontiac 6 Cyl. replacement tire.
A restorer should separate standard road-going passenger tires from military, truck, dirt-track, and ribbed-front specialty options before making a choice. For most Pontiac 6 Cyl. road cars, the correct direction is a conventional passenger-car bias-ply series in the proper size and sidewall style, with specialty patterns reserved for a very specific build or use.
Maintenance & Longevity
A Pontiac 6 Cyl. should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and petroleum contamination. Bias-ply collector tires are especially vulnerable to flat-spotting and sidewall stress when a car sits in one position for long periods. Clean floors, proper inflation, and a stable indoor climate matter more than mileage on a low-use collector car.
If a Pontiac 6 Cyl. will sit for months, move it periodically or use methods that reduce long-term loading on one contact patch. Storage habits have a direct effect on ride quality, appearance, and casing life, especially on older pre-war wheels and tube-type assemblies.
Tires on a Pontiac 6 Cyl. should be inspected before every drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals even if the car sees very little use. On a pre-war car, inspection should include sidewall cracking, tread separation signs, valve stem condition, tube-related air loss, and any rim issues that could affect the bead area. Collector tires age by time and environment, not by tread wear alone.
A practical routine is to check air pressure and visible condition before each outing, then schedule a deeper inspection at least seasonally. Cars that spend long periods parked can develop problems quietly, so a low-mileage Pontiac 6 Cyl. often deserves more attention, not less.
Pontiac 6 Cyl. tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, uneven deformation, or structural concerns appear, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector-car tires often age out long before they wear out, and that is especially true on pre-war tube-type bias-ply applications. Serviceable appearance alone is not enough to judge an older casing.
Any Pontiac 6 Cyl. tire of uncertain age deserves careful evaluation before road use. If an older tire is being kept for display, touring, or show purposes, separate cosmetic value from roadworthiness and have questionable assemblies examined by a specialist familiar with vintage tube-type tires.
Restoration & Authenticity
Pontiac 6 Cyl. original fitment depends on year, because the covered applications move from 29X4.75 and 4.75-20 in 1926-1928 to 29X5.00 and 500-19 in 1929-1931, then to 5.25-18 in 1932 and 600-16 in 1936-1938. The available products shown here include a variety of later replacement series rather than one single original-equipment pattern across the whole run. That makes year-correct sizing more certain than any blanket claim about one original tire line.
For a restoration, start with the correct size and wheel diameter for the specific Pontiac 6 Cyl. year, then narrow the choice by sidewall style and tread character. If concours authenticity matters, period literature and Pontiac marque specialists remain the best reference for the exact presentation expected for a specific car.
Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Pontiac 6 Cyl. is viewed in restoration judging and by informed collectors. Size, sidewall style, tread character, and overall stance all influence whether the car looks appropriate for its production year. A visibly wrong wheel diameter or an obviously unsuitable specialty tread can distract from otherwise strong restoration work.
For a Pontiac 6 Cyl. built for shows or formal judging, the safest path is to match the year-correct size first and then choose a sidewall treatment that suits the period presentation. Marque clubs, event judging sheets, and original sales material are the right references when authenticity has a direct effect on value.
Pontiac 6 Cyl. products shown here offer blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles, though the available sidewall spread is much broader in 600-16 than in 500-19. For a pre-war car, sidewall choice should suit the year and the character of the restoration rather than being chosen only for visual drama. Blackwall remains the most restrained option, while whitewall styles create a more formal period look.
The best restoration choice for a Pontiac 6 Cyl. is the one that matches the era, trim presentation, and judging standard for the specific car. If originality is the goal, compare surviving photos, sales literature, and club guidance before deciding between blackwall and whitewall treatments.
Safety & Road Use
A Pontiac 6 Cyl. can be driven on public roads only when the tires are the correct size, properly mounted on suitable wheels, and in sound condition for use. The listed Pontiac 6 Cyl. fitments are all bias-ply applications, and some available products in 600-16 are specialty military, truck, or racing-style patterns that should be chosen with care. Safety depends on the complete assembly and the condition of the car, not just the presence of tread.
Before regular road use, treat the Pontiac 6 Cyl. as a pre-war collector car with limits that differ from modern traffic. Correct inflation, sound tubes, wheel condition, steering condition, and brake performance all deserve review so the tire choice matches how the car will actually be used.
Before driving a Pontiac 6 Cyl., check tire pressure, visible sidewall and tread condition, valve stems, wheel security, and any sign of rubbing or irregular stance. On tube-type bias-ply tires, even a slow air loss or a pinched tube can change how the car behaves. A pre-war car also deserves a quick look at steering, brakes, and wheel bearings before setting off.
That inspection matters because a Pontiac 6 Cyl. communicates problems earlier through feel and handling than a modern car does. If anything seems unsettled, especially after long storage, resolve it before the car returns to the road rather than assuming the tire will recover once driven.
A Pontiac 6 Cyl. on period-style bias-ply tires should be driven at moderate, conservative speeds that respect both the tire design and the capabilities of a pre-war chassis. Even with new production tires in the correct size, the car’s braking, steering, suspension, and wheel construction remain part of the equation. Specialty tread options such as dirt-track or military patterns are not a reason to treat the car like a modern high-speed vehicle.
The sensible approach is to let the Pontiac 6 Cyl. settle into a pace where steering feel, braking distance, and tire temperature remain comfortable. Touring speeds should be chosen for road conditions and mechanical condition, with extra caution on hot days, rough pavement, or after the car has been stored for a long period.