Stearns-Knight F6-85 Tires

Stearns-Knight F6-85 was a late-1920s American luxury automobile from a marque known for refined engineering and six-cylinder power at a time when prestige cars were growing larger, heavier, and more demanding on their tires. By 1928, cars in this class often sat at the crossroads between earlier oversized dimensions and newer balloon-type fitments, which makes tire selection more involved than simply matching the year. Stearns-Knight F6-85 is especially tricky because two different sizes appear for the same model year, including an antique-style size code and a numeric balloon size. The first thing to verify on the actual car is whether it carries 20-inch rims and which wheel configuration is fitted.

Stearns-Knight F6-85 Tire Size Guide

Stearns-Knight F6-85 uses 2 distinct tire sizes across the 1928 to 1928 production span. One of those sizes uses the antique diameter-by-section format, where the leading number is the tire's outside diameter rather than the wheel diameter, while the numeric balloon size uses a separate rim diameter listing. Because both sizes appear in the same model year, the wheel and tire setup on the individual car needs to be identified before choosing a replacement.

32X6.751928Antique diameter-by-section

32X6.75 is an antique-size fitment listed for 1928 Stearns-Knight F6-85 applications. In this format, 32 refers to the tire's approximate outside diameter in inches and 6.75 refers to nominal section width, but the wheel diameter is not stated in the size code. Choose 32X6.75 only for a Stearns-Knight F6-85 that is already equipped for that earlier-style sizing, and verify the actual rim dimensions on the car before proceeding.

700-201928Numeric bias-ply

700-20 is a numeric bias-ply fitment listed for 1928 Stearns-Knight F6-85 applications. The 700 indicates a nominal 7.00-inch section width and the 20 indicates a 20-inch rim diameter, with available products shown for 20-inch wheels and rim widths ranging from 3.75 to 5.50 inches depending on the tire. Choose 700-20 for cars using the later balloon-style 20-inch setup, and a tube is required.

Stearns-Knight F6-85 Tires by Year

The year listing shows which tire sizes are associated with each Stearns-Knight F6-85 production year and is the quickest way to narrow the search. In 1928, more than one size is listed, so the split should be treated as a configuration difference rather than a simple year change. The leading number in 32X6.75 is the tire's outside diameter, not the wheel size, so the actual rim dimensions should be confirmed on the car itself.

Best Stearns-Knight F6-85 Tires for Sale

Available Stearns-Knight F6-85 products cover 1 listed size across 3 brands and 7 tires. Options include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles, so confirm the correct size and 20-inch rim before selecting.

700-20 Products

These are the available products for 700-20.

Bias Ply

Firestone Balloon 4.25 Inch Double Whitewall | 700-20

Firestone - Firestone Balloon

SidewallDouble-Whitewall
Rim Diameter20 in
Rim Width3.75 - 4.00 in
Weight39 lb
Max Load1930@40 psi
Buy Now
Bias Ply

Firestone Balloon 4.25 Inch Whitewall | 700-20

Firestone - Firestone Balloon

SidewallWide Whitewall
Rim Diameter20 in
Rim Width3.75 - 4.00 in
Weight35 lb
Max Load1930@40 psi
Buy Now
Bias Ply

BFGoodrich 3.25 Inch Whitewall | 700-20

BFGoodrich - Silvertown Classic Bias Ply

SidewallWide Whitewall
Rim Diameter20 in
Rim Width5.00 - 5.50 in
Weight40 lb
Max Load1980@42 psi
Buy Now
Bias Ply

BFGoodrich | 700-20

BFGoodrich - Silvertown Classic Bias Ply

SidewallBlackwall
Rim Diameter20 in
Rim Width5.00 - 5.50 in
Weight36 lb
Max Load1700@36 psi
Buy Now
Bias Ply

Firestone Balloon | 700-20

Firestone - Firestone Balloon

SidewallBlackwall
Rim Diameter20 in
Rim Width3.75 - 4.00 in
Weight30 lb
Max Load1930@40 psi
Buy Now
Military & Truck

DENMAN HIGHWAY 10 PLY | 700-20

Denman - Highway Classic Truck

SidewallBlackwall
Rim Diameter20 in
Rim Width—
Weight32 lb
Max Load—
Buy Now
Military & Truck

Firestone | Truck Tread | 700-20

Firestone - Firestone Classic Truck

SidewallBlackwall
Rim Diameter20 in
Rim Width5 in
Weight46 lb
Max Load3150@90 psi
Buy Now

Frequently Asked Questions

The FAQ below addresses the 1928 Stearns-Knight F6-85 size split, explains antique versus numeric tire codes, and helps sort through whitewall, blackwall, and truck-type bias-ply options for cars that no longer wear their original tires.

Size Basics & Fitment

Stearns-Knight F6-85 uses two listed tire sizes for 1928: 32X6.75 and 700-20. The 700-20 size is paired with 20-inch rims in the available products, while 32X6.75 is an antique-style size whose code gives overall tire diameter and section width rather than wheel diameter.

That means year alone is not enough to choose a tire for a Stearns-Knight F6-85. Start by checking the wheel and any surviving tire markings on the car, then compare those details with factory literature, restoration records, or marque-club guidance so the replacement matches the specific configuration actually fitted.

On a Stearns-Knight F6-85, 32X6.75 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The 32 refers to the tire's approximate outside diameter in inches, and 6.75 refers to nominal section width, so the code does not directly state the wheel diameter.

That distinction matters because many modern buyers assume the first number names the rim size, which is not true here. When a Stearns-Knight F6-85 carries an antique-style size like 32X6.75, the rim must be identified from the wheel itself or from period references before any tire is chosen.

A 1928 Stearns-Knight F6-85 can show both 32X6.75 and 700-20 because more than one wheel-and-tire configuration is associated with that single model year. One is an antique-style diameter-by-section size, while the other is a numeric balloon size tied to a 20-inch rim.

That usually means the car's exact setup needs to be identified by what is physically on the chassis rather than by model year alone. Measure the wheel, inspect any surviving old tire markings, and review restoration history so the selected tire matches the configuration your Stearns-Knight F6-85 actually uses.

Stearns-Knight F6-85 uses a confirmed 20-inch rim with the 700-20 size. The 32X6.75 size does not reveal rim diameter in the code itself, because antique sizes express outside diameter and section width instead of wheel diameter.

For a Stearns-Knight F6-85 wearing 700-20 tires, the rim diameter question is straightforward. For a car associated with 32X6.75, rim identification is part of the fitment work, so the wheel should be measured carefully and checked against period references before replacement tires are chosen.

Buying the Right Tire

To confirm the correct tire size for a 1928 Stearns-Knight F6-85, begin with the car itself: inspect the wheels, note any surviving sidewall markings, and determine whether the car is set up for 32X6.75 or for 700-20 on a 20-inch rim. Both sizes are associated with the same year, so visual and physical verification matters.

After that first check, compare your findings with restoration paperwork, period literature, and marque-specialist advice. That process is especially important on an older luxury car like Stearns-Knight F6-85, where wheel changes over the decades are common and a previous owner's substitution can easily mislead a year-only lookup.

For the Stearns-Knight F6-85, the available 700-20 products include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall sidewall styles. Those options span Firestone, BFGoodrich, and truck-oriented bias-ply offerings, so appearance can vary significantly even within the same nominal size.

Sidewall choice should follow the character of the restoration and the way the car will be presented. A formal restoration may call for a period-appropriate whitewall treatment, while a more utilitarian or touring presentation may favor blackwalls, but the correct size and wheel configuration still come first.

Stearns-Knight F6-85 tire offerings in the listed products come from Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Denman. Within the available 700-20 choices, those brands cover passenger-style balloon tires as well as truck-oriented bias-ply patterns.

Brand selection should be secondary to getting the right size, construction style, and sidewall appearance for the specific Stearns-Knight F6-85 in your garage. Once those fundamentals are settled, the remaining decision usually comes down to whether the car is being restored for judged presentation, touring, or a more workmanlike vintage look.

Stearns-Knight F6-85 products include Firestone Balloon, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Highway Classic Truck, and Firestone Classic Truck series. All of the listed offerings are bias-ply tires, but they differ in intended character, with passenger-style balloon and classic bias-ply options on one side and heavier truck-oriented patterns on the other.

That distinction matters because a Stearns-Knight F6-85 restored as a luxury passenger car will usually call for a very different appearance and driving feel than a truck-type tread. When comparing series, look at sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, and the overall visual period effect rather than treating every 700-20 bias-ply tire as interchangeable.

Maintenance & Longevity

A Stearns-Knight F6-85 should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with clean tires, stable inflation, and as little long-term weight concentration on one contact patch as possible. Collector cars of this age benefit from being kept away from sunlight, ozone sources, heaters, and solvents that accelerate rubber aging.

If the Stearns-Knight F6-85 will sit for extended periods, roll it periodically or support it in a way that reduces flat spotting while avoiding suspension stress. Good storage habits preserve sidewall appearance, help the tires keep their shape, and make the car easier to inspect before its next outing.

Tires on a Stearns-Knight F6-85 should be inspected before every drive and more thoroughly several times خلال the year, even if the car covers very little mileage. Pre-war tires and wheels deserve close attention for cracking, weathering, tread separation, bead issues, valve-stem condition, and uneven wear.

A regular inspection routine matters more on a seldom-driven collector car than on a modern daily driver. Many tire problems on a Stearns-Knight F6-85 develop quietly during storage, so a careful visual check and pressure check before each outing is one of the simplest ways to prevent avoidable trouble.

Tires on a Stearns-Knight F6-85 should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, distortion, recurring air loss, or any structural concern appears, even if the tread still looks deep. On collector cars, age and condition are often more important than mileage because the rubber can deteriorate long before the tread is worn out.

Any tire of uncertain history on a Stearns-Knight F6-85 deserves a conservative approach, especially on a heavy late-1920s luxury car. If an older tire is being considered for continued use, a specialist inspection is wise before the car returns to road or tour duty.

Restoration & Authenticity

Stearns-Knight F6-85 is associated here with two period-style fitments for 1928: 32X6.75 and 700-20. The available product families for 700-20 include passenger-oriented balloon tires and classic bias-ply lines, which reflects the transitional nature of late-1920s fitment practice.

To determine what was originally fitted to a particular Stearns-Knight F6-85, the best reference is the car's own surviving equipment together with factory literature and marque-club guidance. That extra step matters because a restoration aiming for authenticity may need a specific size format and sidewall style, not merely a tire that mounts and rolls.

Correct tire fitment can affect both judging results and how a Stearns-Knight F6-85 is received by informed collectors. Size, sidewall treatment, and overall tire profile all shape the car's stance, visual balance, and period character, especially on a luxury automobile from the late 1920s.

A Stearns-Knight F6-85 restored for concours or high-level club events should have its tire choice checked against marque expectations before final selection. Even when two sizes are associated with the same year, judges and specialists will usually expect the tire to match the specific wheel setup and restoration theme of the individual car.

Stearns-Knight F6-85 tire options in 700-20 include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. All three create a very different visual impression, and each can shift the car's appearance from formal luxury presentation to a more restrained touring look.

The correct choice for a Stearns-Knight F6-85 restoration depends on the exact restoration goal and the way the car is being interpreted. Period photos, sales literature, and marque specialists are the right references when deciding whether the car should wear blackwalls, a broad whitewall, or a more dramatic double-whitewall treatment.

Safety & Road Use

A properly fitted, correctly inflated bias-ply tire can be suitable for limited public-road use on a Stearns-Knight F6-85 when the rest of the car is mechanically sound. Safety depends on the complete condition of the vehicle, including wheels, brakes, steering, suspension, tubes where required, and the age and condition of the tires themselves.

A Stearns-Knight F6-85 should be driven with the expectations appropriate to a substantial pre-war automobile, not like a modern car. Conservative speeds, generous following distance, and careful route selection make far more sense than sustained high-speed driving, especially if the car has not been used regularly.

Before driving a Stearns-Knight F6-85, inspect tire pressure, sidewalls, tread condition, valve stems, wheel fasteners, and any signs of rubbing or shifting on the rim. On a pre-war car, it is also wise to confirm brake response, steering play, wheel-bearing condition, and that no tube-related air loss has developed during storage.

That pre-drive routine is especially important when a Stearns-Knight F6-85 sits for long intervals between outings. A few minutes of inspection can catch age-related issues early and helps ensure the tire chosen for the car's wheel configuration is still performing as intended when the car returns to the road.

A Stearns-Knight F6-85 should be driven at modest, conservative speeds that respect the limitations of a late-1920s chassis and bias-ply tire behavior. Even with fresh tires, the car's design, braking capacity, steering response, and overall vintage mechanical condition should set the pace rather than modern traffic expectations.

The practical approach is to use a Stearns-Knight F6-85 for relaxed touring, event driving, and favorable road conditions instead of sustained fast highway running. Smooth inputs and a comfortable margin below the car's theoretical capability will do more for safety and tire life than chasing speed on an automobile of this age.