Reo 30 & 35 Series Tires

The Reo 30 & 35 Series uses 650-18 in the year covered here, which is 1931. The available tires for that size are built for 18-inch rims and suit rim widths from 3.25 to 3.50 inches. Both listed choices are bias-ply Firestone Balloon tires, with one blackwall version and one wide whitewall version.

That means the main fitment job is verifying the wheel itself rather than sorting through multiple year-by-year sizes. Check the stampings on the wheel if present, measure the rim diameter carefully, and make sure the wheel width falls within the stated range. If the car is a restoration, choose the sidewall style that matches the look you are trying to achieve.

On a Reo 30 & 35 Series, 650-18 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 650 represents the nominal section width in inches with the decimal omitted, which corresponds to roughly 6.50 inches, and the 18 is the wheel diameter in inches. This is the traditional sizing system commonly used on early 1930s American passenger cars.

Understanding that code helps you avoid one of the most common mistakes on pre-war cars: focusing on overall visual height while overlooking the wheel diameter. The tire must match an 18-inch rim, and the wheel width should also be checked against the tire's approved range. Since this is a bias-ply application, it should be treated as a period-style fitment rather than a modern metric substitute.

Yes, the Reo 30 & 35 Series fitment shown here should be treated as a tube-type application. The available 650-18 products are bias-ply tires in an early 1930s numeric size, and tube use is part of correct fitment practice for that style of tire. That applies to both the blackwall and wide whitewall choices listed for the model.

When mounting tires on an older wheel, the condition of the rim well, valve hole, and bead seat matters as much as the tire size itself. Use the correct tube and flap arrangement where appropriate, and inspect the wheel for rust, cracks, or distortion before assembly. Good tube fitment helps prevent chafing, air loss, and avoidable damage during low-speed collector use.

Reo 30 & 35 Series tires are offered here in two sidewall styles for 650-18: blackwall and 3.50 inch wide whitewall. Both are Firestone Balloon bias-ply tires and both fit 18-inch rims within the stated width range. The difference is visual presentation rather than basic size compatibility.

That choice matters most on a restoration or preservation car where the tire contributes heavily to period character. A blackwall gives a more restrained, utilitarian look, while a wide whitewall delivers a brighter, more formal appearance that many owners prefer on show cars. If originality is important, compare the tire appearance to period photos, surviving cars, and marque references before deciding.

For a 1931 Reo 30 & 35 Series, the listed tire size is 650-18. The tires available in that size are intended for 18-inch wheels and work with rim widths from 3.25 to 3.50 inches. Since there is only one size listed for the year, confirmation centers on the actual wheels mounted on the car.

Start by measuring the rim diameter rather than estimating from the mounted tire, especially if the car has been off the road for many years. Then check wheel width and look for any evidence that the wheels were changed during an older repair or restoration. Original owner literature, parts books, and experienced Reo specialists are the best final references when a car's history is unclear.

The products listed for Reo 30 & 35 Series in 650-18 are from Firestone. Both offerings belong to the Firestone Balloon series and share the same basic size and bias-ply construction. One is a blackwall tire and the other is a 3.50 inch wide whitewall version.

Because only one brand is represented here, the practical choice is less about comparing manufacturers and more about selecting the appearance that best fits the car. Owners building a preservation or judged restoration should think carefully about sidewall presentation. Owners interested in occasional tour or display use should also confirm the wheel condition and tube setup at the same time.

A Reo 30 & 35 Series should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, heaters, and ozone sources that can age rubber. Keep the tires clean, maintain proper inflation for storage, and avoid parking on damp earth or oil-stained concrete. Because the car uses pre-war style bias-ply tires, stable conditions matter more than they do on a modern daily driver.

If the car will sit for extended periods, move it slightly from time to time or support it in a way that reduces prolonged flat spotting and sidewall stress. Inspect tubes and valve stems whenever the tires are serviced, since air retention depends on the whole assembly. Good storage habits preserve both appearance and drivability on collector cars that see limited miles.

Tires on a Reo 30 & 35 Series should be inspected before every drive and more thoroughly at regular service intervals, even if the car sees only occasional use. Look for cracking, tread separation, sidewall bruising, irregular wear, valve stem issues, and any signs of tube trouble. On an early 1930s bias-ply setup, age and inactivity can matter as much as mileage.

A hands-on check is especially important after long storage, transport, or display time. Low-use collector vehicles often appear sound from a distance while hiding age-related problems that only show up under close inspection. If anything looks questionable, have the tire and wheel assembly evaluated by a shop familiar with vintage tube-type applications before the car goes back on the road.

Tires on a Reo 30 & 35 Series should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, vibration, sidewall damage, or structural concerns appear, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector-car tires often age out long before they wear out. That is especially true for bias-ply tube-type tires used on pre-war cars that spend much of their time parked or on display.

Do not judge serviceability by appearance alone, particularly on a vehicle that is driven infrequently. The safest approach is to treat visible aging, repeated air loss, or mounting damage as a reason for professional review and likely replacement. Fresh tires, properly mounted with the correct tube components, can make an enormous difference in how confidently an older car can be exercised.

The fitment listed for Reo 30 & 35 Series here is 650-18, and the available replacement products are in the Firestone Balloon series. That places the car squarely in the balloon-tire era rather than the earlier high-pressure period. The products shown reflect the size and general construction style appropriate to that application, with both blackwall and wide whitewall versions available.

If the goal is factory-level authenticity, the exact appearance should be checked against period photographs, sales literature, surviving original cars, and marque research. Sidewall presentation can change the character of a restoration even when the size is correct. A preservation-minded owner should use the listed size as the foundation, then refine the cosmetic choice around the individual car's history.

Yes, correct tire fitment can affect both the visual credibility and judged accuracy of a Reo 30 & 35 Series. Size, sidewall style, and overall period character all contribute to whether the car looks properly finished. A 1931 pre-war automobile can look noticeably wrong if the tire profile or sidewall treatment departs from what the car would have worn in its era.

For owners preparing for concours display or marque judging, the safest path is to verify the size first and then compare blackwall versus wide whitewall presentation to recognized references. Judges and experienced enthusiasts often notice tire details immediately because they sit at eye level and frame the entire car. Correct fitment supports both historical integrity and long-term collector appeal.

Reo 30 & 35 Series tires are available here in blackwall and 3.50 inch wide whitewall form, both in 650-18 Firestone Balloon bias-ply construction. Either style can be visually appropriate on a car from the early 1930s, depending on how the specific automobile was equipped and presented. The correct choice is therefore less about fit and more about restoration intent.

A blackwall usually suits a more restrained or utilitarian presentation, while a wide whitewall creates a more formal and dressy appearance. Owners restoring a car to a specific period image should compare against period advertising, owner photos, and established Reo references. Choosing the right sidewall style is one of the simplest ways to make the finished car look coherent and era-correct.

A correctly sized and properly mounted bias-ply tire can be suitable for operating a Reo 30 & 35 Series on public roads within the limits of the car, the tires, and the vehicle's mechanical condition. The listed fitment is 650-18 on 18-inch rims, using traditional pre-war style construction. Safe use depends on the complete package rather than the tire alone.

Before road use, make sure the wheels are sound, the tubes are correct, the brakes are properly adjusted, and the steering and suspension are free of dangerous wear. Older cars require more planning, longer stopping distances, and a more conservative pace than modern traffic often expects. Drivers should treat the car as a carefully preserved machine, not as transportation that can be used casually.

Before driving a Reo 30 & 35 Series, check tire inflation, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, wheel hardware, and valve stems. Since the car uses a tube-type bias-ply setup in 650-18, it is also wise to watch for gradual air loss that could suggest tube or rim issues. A quick visual walk-around is not enough on a long-stored pre-war automobile.

Expand that pre-drive check to include brakes, steering free play, wheel bearings, and any fluid leaks that could affect road safety. If the car has been parked for a season or longer, give extra attention to the tires for age cracking or flat spotting before setting out. A careful inspection routine helps prevent small issues from becoming expensive or dangerous failures on the road.

A Reo 30 & 35 Series fitted with period-style 650-18 bias-ply tires should be driven at conservative speeds that respect both the age of the vehicle and the behavior of vintage construction. Even with fresh tires, an early 1930s car will not respond like a modern sedan in braking, cornering, or emergency maneuvers. The tire is only one part of a much older driving system.

The practical approach is to favor secondary roads, avoid sustained high-speed travel, and leave generous margins for stopping and steering correction. Road speed should always be matched to tire condition, wheel condition, weather, and the overall health of the chassis. Comfortable, unhurried touring is the right mindset for keeping both the Reo and its tires in good order.