Star 6 Cyl. Tires

Star 6 Cyl. was part of the energetic mid-1920s American market, when manufacturers were moving motorists from earlier touring-car conventions into faster, more refined six-cylinder transportation. Built across 1926 and 1927, Star 6 Cyl. sits right in that transition period, which matters because tire sizing was changing from older outside-diameter style markings to wheel-diameter-based numeric sizing. That means tire selection for Star 6 Cyl. is not just a matter of matching the year, since the listed sizes for each year reflect two different sizing systems for the same 21-inch wheel. The first step is to confirm which size convention matches the wheels and existing fitment on the specific car.

Star 6 Cyl. Tire Size Guide

Star 6 Cyl. uses 4 distinct tire sizes across the 1926 to 1927 production span. These listings include both antique diameter-by-section sizing and later numeric sizing, but the rim diameter stays at 21 inches across the range rather than changing during production. On the antique sizes, the leading number is the tire's outside diameter in inches, not the wheel diameter, so the actual rim size must be read separately.

30X4.951926Antique diameter-by-section

30X4.95 is one of the 1926 Star 6 Cyl. sizes and represents an earlier style of sizing still seen during this transition period. The 30 means an overall tire diameter of about 30 inches, the 4.95 is the section width in inches, and the products for this size fit a 21-inch rim. Choose 30X4.95 when the car is set up for the earlier diameter-marked fitment and a period-style bias-ply tire is desired; A tube is required.

5.00-211926Numeric bias-ply

5.00-21 is also listed for 1926 Star 6 Cyl. and reflects the newer numeric sizing system that identifies wheel diameter directly. The 5.00 indicates nominal section width in inches and the 21 is the rim diameter in inches. Choose 5.00-21 when the car carries the later numeric-marked fitment for that year and a period-correct bias-ply tire is appropriate; A tube is required.

30X4.751927Antique diameter-by-section

30X4.75 is one of the two sizes listed for 1927 Star 6 Cyl. and continues the earlier diameter-by-section convention. The 30 refers to overall tire diameter in inches, the 4.75 is the section width, and the matching products fit a 21-inch rim. Choose 30X4.75 when the car retains the earlier style fitment used that year and a period-style bias-ply tire is needed; A tube is required.

4.75-211927Numeric bias-ply

4.75-21 is the alternate 1927 Star 6 Cyl. size and uses the more modern numeric bias-ply format. The 4.75 indicates nominal section width in inches and the 21 identifies the rim diameter. Choose 4.75-21 when the wheel and existing fitment call for the numeric-marked size rather than the earlier diameter-marked equivalent; A tube is required.

Star 6 Cyl. Tires by Year

The year listing separates the Star 6 Cyl. sizes used in 1926 from those used in 1927 so you can narrow the fitment by production year first. In both 1926 and 1927, two sizes are listed because the same 21-inch wheel appears under both antique diameter-by-section and newer numeric sizing conventions. The leading number in each antique size is the tire's outside diameter, not the wheel size, so confirm the 21-inch rim before matching the tire code.

Frequently Asked Questions

The FAQs below focus on the unusual sizing transition found on Star 6 Cyl., including how antique and numeric size codes relate to the same 21-inch rim and what to verify on a low-use pre-war collector car before choosing tires.

Size Basics & Fitment

Star 6 Cyl. uses four sizes across its two-year run: 30X4.95 and 5.00-21 for 1926, plus 30X4.75 and 4.75-21 for 1927. All four sizes relate to 21-inch rims, but they are expressed in two different sizing systems. The 30X sizes are antique diameter-by-section markings, while the 4.75-21 and 5.00-21 sizes are numeric bias-ply markings.

That means the correct choice depends on more than the model name alone. Start with the year, then look at the wheel and any existing tire markings to determine whether the car is set up for the earlier diameter-marked size or the later numeric-marked size. If the car has been restored or re-wheeled over the years, confirm the actual rim before settling on a replacement tire.

On a Star 6 Cyl., 30X4.95 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The 30 refers to the tire's overall outside diameter in inches, not the wheel diameter, and the 4.95 refers to the section width in inches. For this application, the matching rim diameter is 21 inches.

That distinction is important because a modern buyer can easily mistake the first number for the wheel size. If your Star 6 Cyl. carries an older style tire marking like 30X4.95, match it to the proper 21-inch rim and stay with the correct bias-ply construction. Antique-format tires in this range normally require tubes, so the wheel condition and tube compatibility should be checked at the same time.

Both 1926 and 1927 Star 6 Cyl. listings show two sizes because the car sits in a period when tire labeling was shifting from antique outside-diameter markings to numeric wheel-diameter markings. In 1926, the pair is 30X4.95 and 5.00-21, and in 1927 it is 30X4.75 and 4.75-21. The split is not a wheel-diameter change, since each of those sizes fits a 21-inch rim.

The practical takeaway is that you should not assume the two sizes are interchangeable without checking the wheel and the fitment already on the car. A restored Star 6 Cyl. may have been set up around one convention or the other. Reading the sidewall on the current tire, measuring the rim, and checking period service references for the specific car will usually settle the question quickly.

Star 6 Cyl. applications in these sizes are bias-ply fitments from the mid-1920s, and the listed size formats are antique diameter-by-section or numeric bias-ply rather than modern tubeless radial sizing. In practical restoration use, those tires are tube-type applications. That applies to 30X4.95, 30X4.75, 5.00-21, and 4.75-21.

Inner tubes are only part of the equation on a car of this age. The rim well, valve hole, flap requirements where applicable, and overall wheel condition matter just as much as the tire size itself. When fitting tires to a Star 6 Cyl., treat tube selection and wheel inspection as part of the same job rather than as separate steps.

Buying the Right Tire

The most reliable approach is to use the year as the starting point and then verify the size convention used on the actual car. A 1926 Star 6 Cyl. may use 30X4.95 or 5.00-21, while a 1927 Star 6 Cyl. may use 30X4.75 or 4.75-21. All of them fit 21-inch rims, but the markings reflect different ways of expressing the tire's dimensions.

Look for existing sidewall markings first, then confirm the wheel diameter directly. If the car has older restoration work, replacement wheels, or mixed equipment, compare what is on the car to period literature or a knowledgeable Star specialist. That process is more dependable than choosing only by model name, especially on vehicles from this transitional tire-sizing era.

No product entries are attached to the Star 6 Cyl. sizes in this set, so the page's key value is the fitment structure rather than a brand comparison. The useful information here is the year-to-size relationship and the distinction between antique diameter-by-section markings and numeric 21-inch sizes. That is the foundation for narrowing the correct tire before comparing manufacturers.

Once the correct size is confirmed for your Star 6 Cyl., brand choice should follow the goals of the car. A show-focused restoration may emphasize period appearance, while a regularly driven collector car may prioritize consistency of construction and casing freshness. Choosing a brand before confirming the exact size format can send the search in the wrong direction.

No tire series are named in the Star 6 Cyl. entries here, so the meaningful distinction is between the two sizing conventions used during 1926 and 1927 rather than between named product families. The antique sizes describe outside diameter and section width, while the numeric sizes identify section width and 21-inch rim diameter. Both belong to period-style bias-ply fitment practice.

For a Star 6 Cyl. owner, the main decision is less about series naming and more about selecting the correct size expression for the wheels on the car. Once that is settled, tread style, sidewall look, and restoration intent can shape the final choice. On a pre-war car, getting the basic dimensions right matters more than chasing a product label first.

Maintenance & Longevity

A Star 6 Cyl. should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires protected from sunlight, electric motors, ozone sources, and petroleum contamination. Clean floors and stable temperature matter because collector tires age from environment as much as from mileage. On a 1920s car with tube-type bias-ply tires, long stationary periods can also encourage flat spotting and stress at one contact patch.

If the car will sit for extended periods, keep inflation appropriate for storage, move the car occasionally, or use stands in a way that supports the chassis safely without distorting the tires. Avoid letting an old pre-war car rest indefinitely on underinflated tires. Good storage habits extend casing life and help preserve both ride quality and appearance.

Tires on a Star 6 Cyl. deserve inspection before every meaningful drive and at regular intervals even when the car is mostly static. Collector cars often accumulate little mileage, but age, storage conditions, and wheel condition continue to affect the tires. On a pre-war bias-ply setup, inspect for cracking, sidewall changes, tread separation signs, uneven wear, valve issues, and any movement between tire and rim.

A seasonal inspection by someone familiar with early collector cars is wise, especially if the Star 6 Cyl. sees parade, tour, or show-field movement after long storage. Include the spare, tubes, and wheel hardware in that routine. Frequent visual checks catch problems early and are far more useful on a low-mileage antique car than waiting for tread wear to tell the story.

Tires on a Star 6 Cyl. should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, impact damage, sidewall weakness, or structural concerns appear, even if the tread still looks usable. Tread depth is only one part of tire condition on a lightly driven collector car. On a mid-1920s bias-ply application, time and storage history can matter more than miles traveled.

If the car has sat for years, replacement decisions should be made conservatively and with the whole wheel-and-tube assembly in mind. A tire that looks presentable at show distance may still be unsuitable for real road use. Early intervention is cheaper and safer than trying to extract one more season from a casing that is already telling you it has aged out.

Restoration & Authenticity

Star 6 Cyl. is associated here with two sizes for 1926 and two sizes for 1927: 30X4.95 and 5.00-21 in 1926, then 30X4.75 and 4.75-21 in 1927. That pairing reflects a period when older outside-diameter markings and newer numeric rim-based markings overlapped. No original-equipment brand is identified in these entries.

For restoration work, the right approach is to match the tire size to the exact year and to the wheel and fitment style on the specific car. Cars from this era were often repaired, re-tired, or updated over time, so surviving equipment may not tell the whole story by itself. Marque literature and period photographs can help settle whether your Star 6 Cyl. should wear the older or newer size convention.

Correct tire fitment can influence both the appearance and the credibility of a Star 6 Cyl. restoration. Judges and experienced collectors notice when the size format, overall proportions, and stance look consistent with the car's year and era. On a 1926-1927 car, that includes recognizing whether an antique diameter-marked tire or a numeric 21-inch size is appropriate.

Even outside formal judging, the right tire helps the car sit correctly and presents the restoration as thoughtful rather than generic. If your Star 6 Cyl. is being prepared for shows, tours, or resale, compare the tire selection against period references and marque-club expectations. Tire fitment is one of the most visible details on an early car and can either support or undercut the whole restoration.

A correct sidewall style for a Star 6 Cyl. should suit a mid-1920s American restoration and the overall presentation goal of the car. On pre-war vehicles, sidewall treatment affects period character almost as much as the size itself. The tire should look consistent with the body style, trim level, and the way the restoration is being judged or displayed.

Most owners should settle the size first and then choose the sidewall appearance that best matches the car's era and reference material. Factory photos, sales literature, and marque-club examples are especially helpful on 1920s cars, where visual correctness is part of the appeal. A Star 6 Cyl. with the proper proportions and sidewall look will read more authentically than one fitted only by dimension.

Safety & Road Use

A properly selected, properly fitted tire can support cautious public-road use in a Star 6 Cyl., but safety depends on far more than the sidewall size. The wheels, tubes, inflation, steering, brakes, and overall mechanical state of a mid-1920s car all matter. Because Star 6 Cyl. uses period bias-ply fitments, road manners and braking expectations are very different from those of modern cars.

Treat any road use as collector-car driving rather than everyday motoring. Keep speeds modest, allow generous stopping distance, and make sure the car tracks correctly before venturing beyond short local outings. A Star 6 Cyl. can be enjoyed on the road, but only when the complete vehicle is prepared for it and the driver respects the limits of its era.

Before driving a Star 6 Cyl., check tire inflation, visible sidewall condition, valve integrity, wheel security, and any signs of casing movement or age-related deterioration. Because these are tube-type bias-ply applications on a pre-war vehicle, the tire inspection should be part of a broader mechanical review that also covers brakes, steering linkage, bearings, and suspension. A short visual walk-around is not enough on a car of this age.

After the basic checks, drive the car gently at first and pay attention to pull, vibration, or unusual heat buildup. Any change in feel from what is normal for the car deserves investigation before a longer outing. On a Star 6 Cyl., a careful pre-drive routine is one of the best ways to prevent small tire or wheel issues from becoming expensive or dangerous ones.

A Star 6 Cyl. should be driven at conservative speeds that suit a 1920s chassis, its tire construction, and the condition of the complete car. Even with correctly sized tires, period bias-ply behavior is less forgiving than modern tire performance. Speed choice should reflect road surface, braking capability, steering condition, and the age of every component between the hub and the tread.

For most owners, that means keeping the car to gentle touring, local roads, and speeds that never ask the tires or the chassis to behave like a later automobile. Smooth inputs and mechanical sympathy matter more than keeping up with modern traffic. If the Star 6 Cyl. shows any instability, tire heat, or wandering, reduce speed immediately and inspect the setup before driving farther.