Studebaker President Tires

Studebaker President uses a broad spread of sizes across its production years: 31X6.20 for 1928-1930, 650-19 for 1928-1931, 30X5.77 and 30X5 for 1929-1930, 650-18 for 1932, 6.50-17 for 1933-1934, 700-16 for 1934-1935, 1937, and 1941, 650-16 for 1936-1940, 700-15 for 1942, 710-15 for 1955 and some 1958 cars, and 800-14, 670-15, or 750-14 for 1958. Available products tie these listings to 19-inch, 20-inch, 18-inch, 16-inch, 15-inch, and 14-inch rims, while the 17-inch application appears in the year-size listings.

The practical takeaway is that year alone is not always enough, especially on 1929, 1930, 1934, 1937, and 1958 Studebaker President cars. Start with the year, then confirm the actual wheel diameter on the car and compare it with the size shown on the sidewall or original restoration records before choosing a tire.

On an early Studebaker President, 30X5 and 31X6.20 are antique diameter-by-section sizes. The first number is the tire’s approximate outside diameter in inches, while the second number is the section width. That means 31X6.20 describes a tire about 31 inches tall and 6.20 inches wide, and 30X5 describes one about 30 inches tall and 5 inches wide. Those markings do not give the wheel diameter directly in the way a later modern size does.

That difference matters because an early Studebaker President can carry more than one wheel diameter in the same general era. The safest approach is to read the sidewall on the existing tire if it is original-style, measure the wheel, and compare the result with the specific size and rim information tied to the correct year and configuration.

A 1958 Studebaker President can show 710-15, 800-14, 670-15, or 750-14 because that model year spans more than one wheel diameter and more than one tire width. The listed sizes split between 15-inch and 14-inch rims, with 710-15 and 670-15 on 15-inch applications and 800-14 and 750-14 on 14-inch applications. That is why the same year can legitimately have four different tire sizes attached to it.

For a 1958 Studebaker President, the wheel itself becomes the deciding factor. Confirm whether the car is on 14-inch or 15-inch wheels first, then compare the existing tire size, wheel width, and the car’s configuration so you select the width and sidewall treatment that matches the car’s intended look and use.

Studebaker President uses several rim diameters across the years covered here. Early applications include 19-inch and 20-inch wheels, followed by 18-inch in 1932, 17-inch in 1933-1934, 16-inch applications through much of the mid-1930s into 1941, 15-inch in 1942 and 1955 plus some 1958 cars, and 14-inch alternatives in 1958. On antique-style sizes such as 30X5 and 31X6.20, the leading number is not the wheel size, so the rim diameter has to be confirmed separately.

That makes wheel inspection one of the most important steps on any Studebaker President. Measure the wheel or verify the stamping before choosing a tire, because a correct-looking size family from the right decade can still be wrong if the rim diameter does not match the actual wheel on the car.

A 1934 Studebaker President can use either 6.50-17 or 700-16, so the year by itself does not settle the question. The two listings point to different wheel diameters, with one application using a 17-inch rim and the other using a 16-inch rim. That means the correct choice depends on the actual wheel fitted to the specific car rather than the model year alone.

Begin by checking the wheel diameter on the car and comparing it to the tire size already fitted, if it appears to be an original-style setup. If the car is in restoration, compare the wheel and tire information against factory literature, restoration notes, or a Studebaker specialist so the final selection matches the car’s true configuration.

Studebaker President tires in the available product range come in blackwall, wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, and redline forms depending on size. Blackwall and wide whitewall appear throughout many of the prewar and postwar passenger-car sizes, narrow whitewall shows up in several later 14-inch and 15-inch applications, and redline appears in a 750-14 option. The available sidewall treatments vary by size rather than being universal across the entire Studebaker President range.

For restoration-minded buyers, the sidewall style should match the era and presentation of the car as closely as possible. A formal prewar Studebaker President often looks right on blackwall or generous whitewall bias-ply tires, while a later 1950s car may call for a narrower whitewall or another period look tied to its exact year and trim.

Studebaker President tire offerings here include Firestone, Lester, Excelsior, Hartford, Avon, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Goodyear, Universal Vintage Tire, US Royal, STA, Tornel, and Garfield. Brand coverage varies sharply by size. Some sizes such as 650-18 are represented by one brand family, while others such as 650-16, 670-15, and 710-15 offer a much wider mix of passenger, truck-style, and military-style bias-ply products.

Brand choice usually comes after fitment is settled. Once the size and rim diameter are confirmed for the specific Studebaker President, the buyer can refine the choice by sidewall style, tread character, and how closely the tire’s overall appearance suits either a factory-style restoration, a touring car, or a more utilitarian presentation.

Studebaker President products span several series families, including Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Balloon, Lester Classic Bias Ply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, Universal Classic Bias Ply, US Royal Classic Bias Ply, Deluxe All-Weather, Super Cushion, Custom Super Cushion, Comp H, Hartford Aero, Traction Mileage, Traxion, Super Transport, Transport Highway, and military-style lines such as Firestone Classic Military and Military NDT. Those names reflect different tread designs, styling cues, and intended use emphasis within a bias-ply world.

The best way to use that information is to decide what role the Studebaker President will play. A concours or period-style restoration may lean toward a traditional passenger-car bias-ply series with the right sidewall treatment, while a more utilitarian or specialty presentation may point toward truck-pattern or military-style options in sizes where those product families are also offered.

A stored Studebaker President should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, heaters, and ozone sources. Tires last better when they are clean, properly inflated, and not supporting the full vehicle weight in one spot for long periods. On cars that sit for months at a time, flat spotting and sidewall stress are more of a concern than tread wear.

Move the Studebaker President periodically or place it on stands if the storage period will be extended and the suspension setup allows it safely. If the car remains on the ground, rolling it occasionally and keeping inflation checked helps protect both the tire casing and the overall ride quality when the car returns to service.

Tires on a Studebaker President should be inspected before every meaningful drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals during the season. Look for pressure loss, sidewall cracking, tread separation, impact damage, valve condition, and signs that the tire is rubbing due to wheel, brake, or suspension issues. Collector cars often age out tires long before they wear them out, so visual condition matters as much as tread depth.

A practical routine is to check inflation and sidewalls every time the Studebaker President leaves the garage, then perform a closer hands-on inspection a few times each year. If the car is an early prewar example or wears an uncommon period-style size, a tire specialist familiar with vintage casings is especially valuable during annual service.

Studebaker President tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, impact damage, persistent air loss, or structural irregularities appear, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector tires often spend more time aging than wearing, and deterioration inside the casing can progress long before the tread seems used up. Any vibration, bulge, or visible separation is reason to stop using the tire until it is evaluated.

That rule applies even more strongly to an older restoration car that sees limited mileage. If a Studebaker President carries an original-era or long-stored tire, appearance alone should never be the deciding factor; age and condition should guide the replacement decision so the car remains dependable for touring, display movement, and occasional road use.

Studebaker President did not use one single tire specification across its full run here. The listings span early antique-style sizes such as 31X6.20 and 30X5, later prewar numeric sizes such as 650-19, 650-18, 6.50-17, 700-16, and 650-16, and postwar sizes such as 700-15, 710-15, 800-14, 670-15, and 750-14. The available tire series also range from Balloon and Classic Bias Ply families to later named passenger-car series, which reflects how much the car changed over time.

For an exact restoration, the correct answer depends on the year and the individual car’s wheel equipment. Original owner’s literature, factory specifications, marque club references, and period photographs are the best tools for narrowing the Studebaker President to the right size, sidewall treatment, and style rather than relying on the model name alone.

Correct tire fitment can matter a great deal to the presentation and judged authenticity of a Studebaker President. Size, wheel diameter, sidewall style, and the overall visual character of the tread all influence whether the car reads as properly restored for its period. A wheel-and-tire combination that is mechanically usable but visually wrong can stand out immediately on a serious restoration.

That does not mean every Studebaker President must be restored for concours judging, but it does mean tire choice should be intentional. Owners who care about value, historical appearance, or club judging should compare their selected size and sidewall style against period references and Studebaker club guidance before finalizing a tire package.

Studebaker President restoration choices here include blackwall, wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, and in one later 750-14 application, redline. The period-correct look depends heavily on the year. Earlier cars generally suit blackwall or broad whitewall bias-ply styling, while later 1950s Studebaker President applications may call for narrower whitewall proportions depending on the car’s trim and the visual effect being restored.

Because multiple sidewall treatments are offered in several sizes, the best restoration choice is the one that matches the car’s era and original presentation rather than simply the most decorative option. Period photos, sales literature, and marque experts can help settle whether a Studebaker President should wear blackwalls, a substantial whitewall, or a later narrow-band look.

A properly selected and properly maintained Studebaker President tire can be suitable for public-road use within the limits of the car, the tire type, and the overall mechanical condition of the vehicle. All of the listed Studebaker President products here are bias-ply designs, so they deliver a period driving character rather than modern radial behavior. Safety depends on correct size selection, sound wheels, correct inflation, and an honest assessment of how the car will be driven.

Public-road use in a Studebaker President should always be approached as vintage motoring, not modern commuting. Keep speeds conservative, avoid overloading the car, and make sure steering, brakes, suspension, and wheel hardware are in good condition so the tire is working in a system that is ready for the road.

Before driving a Studebaker President, check tire pressure, sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, wheel fasteners, and whether the tire has adequate clearance at full steering lock. On cars using tube-type bias-ply tires, pressure stability matters because underinflation can create excess heat and casing stress. A quick visual inspection can catch many of the problems that low-use collector cars develop while sitting.

The smart habit is to build a short pre-drive routine around the Studebaker President every time it comes out. If the car has been stored for a long period, or if it rides on very early-size or unusual wheels, add a closer inspection of the wheel itself and the brake system before any sustained road miles.

Appropriate speed for a Studebaker President on original-style tires should be governed by the age of the vehicle, the condition of the tires, and the fact that the listed products are period-style bias-ply designs. A 1928-1930 Studebaker President on early-size tires should be driven much more conservatively than a later 1950s car on postwar bias-ply sizes. Even when the tire itself is new, the complete vehicle remains a vintage machine with vintage braking, steering, and suspension behavior.

The best practice is to treat the Studebaker President as a collector car and drive at moderate speeds that suit both the road and the car’s condition. Smooth inputs, generous following distance, and avoiding long high-speed runs are all part of getting the right service life and the right driving experience from original-style tires.