Star 4 Cyl. Tires
Star 4 Cyl. was part of the late-1920s American light-car market, a period when manufacturers were moving quickly from earlier high-profile tire designs toward more modern balloon-style fitments. Produced from 1926 through 1928, Star 4 Cyl. sits right in that transition, which makes tire selection more involved than simply matching the model name. The fitment picture includes both older antique-style size markings and later numeric balloon sizing, with a wheel diameter change across the production run as well. For Star 4 Cyl., the first thing to verify on the actual car is whether it carries 21-inch or 19-inch rims, since that changes which tire family belongs on the car.
Star 4 Cyl. Tire Size Guide
Star 4 Cyl. used 4 distinct tire sizes from 1926 to 1928, and the rim diameter changed during production from 21-inch to 19-inch wheels in 1928. The listed sizes include antique diameter-by-section markings, where the leading number is the tire's outside diameter rather than the wheel diameter. That distinction matters here, because two different sizing systems appear across a short production span.
29X4.50 is an antique-size fitment used on Star 4 Cyl. models from 1926 through 1927. In this format, 29 means the tire's approximate outside diameter in inches and 4.50 is the nominal section width, while the wheel diameter is 21 inches rather than 29 inches. Choose this size for a 1926 or 1927 Star 4 Cyl. that still uses the earlier 21-inch fitment, and confirm the wheel before matching the tire family.
4.40-21 is a numeric bias-ply size also used on Star 4 Cyl. models in 1926 and 1927. The 4.40 figure is the nominal section width in inches and 21 is the rim diameter, making this a 21-inch wheel fitment. Choose this size when your 1926 or 1927 Star 4 Cyl. is set up for the later numeric balloon-style specification rather than the earlier diameter-by-section marking, and a tube is required.
28X4.75 is an antique-size fitment listed for the 1928 Star 4 Cyl. In this format, 28 is the approximate outside diameter and 4.75 is the nominal section width, while the wheel diameter is 19 inches rather than 28 inches. Choose this size only for a 1928 Star 4 Cyl. on 19-inch wheels and confirm the actual rim before matching an antique-format replacement.
475-19 is a numeric bias-ply size used on the 1928 Star 4 Cyl. The 475 code represents the nominal section width with the decimal omitted, effectively a 4.75-inch class tire, and 19 is the rim diameter; current listed products are built for a 19-inch rim and 3-inch rim width. Choose this size for a 1928 Star 4 Cyl. using 19-inch wheels, and the available products are bias-ply designs with blackwall or wide whitewall styling.
Star 4 Cyl. Tires by Year
The year listing breaks Star 4 Cyl. fitment down by production year so you can narrow the correct tire family before comparing products. Star 4 Cyl. production changed from 21-inch to 19-inch wheels in 1928, so confirm which rim diameter the specific car carries before selecting a tire. The leading number in sizes like 29X4.50 and 28X4.75 is the tire's outside diameter, not the wheel size, so the rim diameter must be matched separately.
1926 Star 4 Cyl.
- 29X4.50
- 4.40-21
1927 Star 4 Cyl.
- 29X4.50
- 4.40-21
1928 Star 4 Cyl.
- 28X4.75
- 475-19
Best Star 4 Cyl. Tires for Sale
Available Star 4 Cyl. products cover 1 brand and 2 products in the listed sizes, with both blackwall and wide whitewall options present. Confirm the correct year-specific size and the 19-inch rim diameter before selecting.
475-19 Products
These are the available products for 475-19.
Frequently Asked Questions
The FAQ below focuses on the questions Star 4 Cyl. owners actually run into: 1926-1927 versus 1928 wheel diameter changes, antique versus numeric size markings, available sidewall styles, and how to care for collector-car tires that see limited use.
Size Basics & Fitment
Star 4 Cyl. uses four sizes across its 1926-1928 production span: 29X4.50 and 4.40-21 for 1926-1927, then 28X4.75 and 475-19 for 1928. The antique-format sizes 29X4.50 and 28X4.75 correspond to 21-inch and 19-inch rims respectively, while the numeric sizes 4.40-21 and 475-19 state the rim diameter directly in the code.
The practical way to narrow the correct fitment is to start with the year, then confirm the wheel diameter on the car itself. A 1926 or 1927 Star 4 Cyl. belongs in the 21-inch group, while a 1928 Star 4 Cyl. belongs in the 19-inch group, and then you can match the specific size marking style that suits the car's setup and restoration goals.
On a Star 4 Cyl., 29X4.50 is an antique diameter-by-section size used for 1926-1927 applications. The 29 refers to the tire's approximate overall outside diameter in inches, and 4.50 is the nominal section width. It does not mean the tire fits a 29-inch wheel; the matching rim diameter for this fitment is 21 inches.
That distinction matters because modern buyers often read the first number as the wheel size, which would be incorrect here. If your Star 4 Cyl. still uses antique-format sizing, measure or confirm the wheel before choosing a replacement, because the visual profile may look right while the bead seat diameter is entirely different.
Star 4 Cyl. uses two rim diameters across the years covered here: 21-inch rims in 1926 and 1927, and 19-inch rims in 1928. The 4.40-21 size states the 21-inch wheel directly, and the 475-19 size states the 19-inch wheel directly. With antique sizes such as 29X4.50 and 28X4.75, the rim diameter is not the first number in the code and has to be matched separately.
This is the most important fitment check on Star 4 Cyl. because the production run spans a wheel-size change. Before comparing sidewall style or period appearance, confirm whether the car carries 21-inch or 19-inch rims, since that determines which size group belongs on the car at all.
Star 4 Cyl. applications in the listed sizes are bias-ply designs in antique or early numeric formats, and those are tube-type fitments. The currently listed 475-19 products are bias ply, and tube use is part of the normal setup for this kind of late-1920s fitment. That makes inner tubes a standard part of assembling the tire package on a Star 4 Cyl.
When fitting a Star 4 Cyl., think of the tire, tube, and wheel condition as one system rather than separate parts. A clean, correctly prepared rim and the proper tube matter just as much as choosing the right size, especially on collector cars that may sit for long periods and then return to occasional road use.
Buying the Right Tire
A 1928 Star 4 Cyl. uses the 19-inch wheel group, with 28X4.75 and 475-19 listed for that year. That narrows the search immediately away from the 1926-1927 21-inch sizes. The currently available products are in 475-19, so the key is confirming that the car still carries 19-inch rims and that the tire marking style you want matches the car's presentation.
Start by reading the sidewall on any existing tire if present, then verify the wheel diameter itself before choosing a replacement. If the car is being restored for period appearance, compare the size notation and sidewall style to original literature or a marque authority so the finished result suits both the wheel and the era.
The listed Star 4 Cyl. products in 475-19 are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall versions. Both are bias-ply Goodyear Deluxe All-Weather tires with the same basic size, load rating, and 19-inch rim fitment. The difference is visual presentation rather than a change in wheel diameter or tire family.
For a Star 4 Cyl., sidewall choice should follow the look you want the car to present rather than replacing the fitment check. A blackwall usually suits a more restrained, workmanlike appearance, while a wide whitewall gives a brighter late-1920s show look, but either way the tire still needs to match the year-correct 19-inch wheel group.
The currently listed Star 4 Cyl. products are from Goodyear. Both available 475-19 options are Goodyear Deluxe All-Weather bias-ply tires, offered in blackwall and wide whitewall form. No additional brands appear in the present product set for this make and model grouping.
Brand matters on a collector car not only for appearance but also for how closely the finished tire complements the period character of the vehicle. Once the correct size and wheel diameter are confirmed for your Star 4 Cyl., the remaining choice is mostly about presentation and whether the available Goodyear sidewall style fits the look of your restoration.
Maintenance & Longevity
A stored Star 4 Cyl. should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and sustained heat. Tire pressures should be checked before storage and kept at a proper level for the tire type so the casing is not left underinflated on the rim. Clean floors and a stable parking surface also help prevent flat spotting and sidewall stress.
If the Star 4 Cyl. will sit for long intervals, move it periodically or take some load off the tires with proper support practices suitable for the car. Collector tires tend to age more from time, environment, and inactivity than from mileage, so careful storage is one of the best ways to preserve both appearance and service life.
Tires on a Star 4 Cyl. should be inspected before every meaningful drive and again during routine maintenance intervals, even if the car covers very few miles. Look for weather checking, sidewall cracking, irregular wear, bead-area issues, and any signs that the tube or rim may be affecting how the tire sits. Bias-ply collector tires benefit from regular visual checks because age-related issues can appear long before tread is worn out.
Inspection should include the wheel and valve area, not just the tread and sidewall. A Star 4 Cyl. that spends much of its life parked can develop problems quietly, so frequent checks help catch aging, pressure loss, or rim-condition issues before the next outing rather than after the car is already on the road.
A Star 4 Cyl. tire should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, deformation, or other condition issues begin to outweigh the value of the remaining tread. Collector-car tires often age out long before they wear out, especially on cars driven lightly. Tread depth alone is not a reliable measure of continued serviceability on a late-1920s vehicle.
Replacement timing should be guided by regular inspection and the intended use of the car, with extra caution on any vehicle that sees parade, tour, or public-road operation. If an older period tire is under consideration for continued use, have it evaluated by a specialist familiar with antique and early bias-ply construction rather than judging it by appearance alone.
Restoration & Authenticity
Star 4 Cyl. appears here with four period-size fitments across three years: 29X4.50 and 4.40-21 for 1926-1927, then 28X4.75 and 475-19 for 1928. That tells you the model sat in a transitional period when both antique-style and later numeric balloon-style sizing conventions were in use. The correct original specification for a particular car depends on its exact year and wheel setup.
For restoration work, use the year grouping first and then compare the car against factory literature, surviving original examples, or marque-club guidance. Star 4 Cyl. is the sort of late-1920s car where getting the wheel diameter and the style of size notation correct can make the finished restoration look much more convincing.
Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Star 4 Cyl. is viewed in restoration, display, and judging settings. Size, wheel diameter, sidewall treatment, and overall profile all contribute to whether the car presents as accurately restored for its year. A mismatched diameter or an obviously incorrect visual style can stand out even to a casual observer.
For a Star 4 Cyl. being prepared for serious show use, the tire decision should be treated as part of the restoration rather than a last-minute replacement item. Marque clubs, period photographs, and original sales literature are often the best references when choosing between acceptable period-looking options that differ in sidewall appearance or size notation.
The listed Star 4 Cyl. products in 475-19 are offered in blackwall and wide whitewall form, and both can create a period-appropriate late-1920s look depending on the car's presentation. Blackwall gives a more restrained appearance, while wide whitewall makes a stronger visual statement. The sidewall choice does not change the basic 19-inch fitment requirement for the available products.
For restoration purposes, sidewall style should follow the character of the specific Star 4 Cyl. you are building rather than a one-answer rule. A conservative restoration may lean toward blackwall, while a more formal or show-oriented presentation may favor whitewall, but the final choice should still harmonize with the wheel diameter, body style, and overall trim.
Safety & Road Use
A properly fitted, correctly maintained tire can support public-road use in a Star 4 Cyl., but the car should always be approached as a late-1920s machine with braking, steering, and chassis limitations far removed from modern traffic. Bias-ply collector tires are part of that original driving character rather than an update that makes the car behave like a modern vehicle. Safe use depends on the whole car being mechanically sound, not just the tires being fresh.
Road use should be conservative and planned around the vehicle's capabilities, especially if the car is used only occasionally. Before taking a Star 4 Cyl. into traffic, make sure the wheel diameter, tire size, inflation, tube setup, and overall mechanical condition are all in order so the car is being driven within the limits of its era.
Before driving a Star 4 Cyl., check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and whether each tire appears to be seated properly on the rim. On a collector car of this age, it is also wise to inspect the wheel itself for rust, damage, or bead-seat issues that could affect tire retention. Any change in stance, vibration, or steering feel deserves attention before the trip continues.
A short pre-drive walkaround is especially valuable on cars that are not driven weekly. Star 4 Cyl. owners should also factor in the car's broader mechanical systems, because confident road manners depend on brakes, steering linkage, and wheel hardware being in the same ready condition as the tires.
A Star 4 Cyl. should be driven at speeds appropriate to a late-1920s automobile on bias-ply tires, with the emphasis on moderate, conservative operation rather than keeping pace with fast modern traffic. Even when the tire size is correct, the overall vehicle was designed for a different road environment and different expectations of braking and handling. Tire fitment should support the car's intended character, not encourage modern-style use.
In practice, that means choosing routes and speeds that leave plenty of safety margin for steering response, braking distance, and road surface quality. A Star 4 Cyl. is usually happiest on secondary roads, local tours, and short drives where the car can be enjoyed within the limits of its original design and tire technology.