The 1926 Davis 93 Series comes from the transitional years of American motoring, when many cars still reflected brass-era tire practices even as the industry moved toward more standardized wheel and tire designs. For owners of this unusual mid-1920s automobile, tire selection is less about modern performance categories and more about matching the car’s wheel setup and preserving proper vintage character. The 1926 Davis 93 Series uses bias-ply fitments in 30X5.77 and 30x5, both tied to 30-inch overall diameter sizing. That opens an important choice between flotation-style and beaded-edge style fitment. Before choosing, confirm exactly which wheel and rim arrangement is on the car and whether restoration appearance or road-use practicality matters most.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1926 Davis 93 Series
The 1926 Davis 93 Series uses two primary tire sizes, and the right choice depends first on confirming the exact wheel and rim setup on the car. Both are bias-ply 30-inch fitments, but they represent different vintage sizing conventions, so the key decision is not just diameter but which tire style matches the car’s hardware and restoration direction.
30X5.77 is an antique diameter-by-section size, meaning the first number refers to the tire’s approximate overall diameter and the second identifies its nominal section width. On the 1926 Davis 93 Series, this is a bias-ply flotation-style fitment built around a 30-inch diameter and a 7-inch rim. Its practical value is in matching cars equipped for that later-1920s style of vintage tire rather than beaded-edge hardware. This size should be evaluated when the Davis has the correct wheel configuration for 30X5.77 fitment and the goal is to stay aligned with the car’s proper vintage setup.
30x5 is also an antique diameter-by-section size, so the 30 indicates approximate overall diameter while the 5 identifies nominal section width. For the 1926 Davis 93 Series, it is a bias-ply beaded-edge style tire, which points to a different early tire and wheel arrangement than the 30X5.77 fitment. Its importance is less about overall size alone and more about compatibility with the specific type of rim and tire retention system on the car. This size deserves careful attention when the Davis retains period-style beaded-edge wheels or is being restored with that earlier presentation in mind.
Fitment is straightforward in one sense because the covered 1926 Davis 93 Series sub-model uses the same two primary tire sizes. The important step is still checking the actual wheel type on the car, since those sizes represent different vintage tire configurations rather than a simple cosmetic choice.
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1926 Davis 93 Series 6 Cyl.
The 1926 Davis 93 Series 6 Cyl. uses the same pair of bias-ply fitments, 30X5.77 and 30x5. Tire selection comes down to identifying whether the car is set up for flotation-style fitment or beaded-edge style fitment before choosing a replacement.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions for the 1926 Davis 93 Series usually center on the difference between 30X5.77 and 30x5, vintage rim compatibility, restoration-minded tire selection, and what to inspect before putting an antique car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1926 Davis 93 Series?
The 1926 Davis 93 Series uses two primary tire sizes: 30X5.77 and 30x5. Both are bias-ply fitments built around a 30-inch overall diameter, but they are not simply alternate modern sizes for the same wheel arrangement because one is a flotation-style fitment and the other is a beaded-edge style fitment.
That makes wheel identification the first step before choosing tires. A Davis that still has its original-style wheels may require one format or the other, and an antique car that has been restored or modified over time may not match its original setup. Confirm the actual rim type, wheel dimensions, and how the tire is retained before selecting either size.
What size rim does a 1926 Davis 93 Series use?
The 30X5.77 fitment for the 1926 Davis 93 Series uses a 7-inch rim. The 30x5 fitment is also a 30-inch antique tire size, but its main distinction is beaded-edge style construction, which makes the wheel type just as important as the diameter when evaluating fitment.
Early tire sizing can be misleading if the car has changed wheels during its life. Measure the wheel and confirm whether the rim is intended for flotation-style or beaded-edge tires before ordering anything. On a vintage car like the Davis, that hardware difference matters more than a modern buyer might expect when trying to match the correct tire.
What does 30x5 mean on a 1926 Davis 93 Series?
On a 1926 Davis 93 Series, 30x5 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The 30 refers to the tire’s approximate overall diameter in inches, while the 5 refers to nominal section width. It is a bias-ply beaded-edge style tire, which reflects an older tire and rim system than modern drop-center wheel designs.
That means the size code is only part of the fitment story. A 30x5 tire must also match the correct style of wheel, not just the general diameter. Owners should verify the rim construction, inspect how the tire seats to the wheel, and avoid assuming that another 30-inch antique tire format will serve the same purpose.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 30X5.77 tire for a 1926 Davis 93 Series?
Choosing a 30X5.77 tire for a 1926 Davis 93 Series starts with confirming that the car is actually set up for the flotation-style 30X5.77 fitment rather than the 30x5 beaded-edge alternative. Both are bias-ply vintage sizes, but they belong to different wheel and tire arrangements, so the correct choice depends on hardware before appearance.
A restoration-minded owner should also think about how the car will be used. A museum-style presentation, a road-driven antique, and a long-stored project car can call for different priorities when judging authenticity, serviceability, and condition. Confirm rim dimensions, inspect the wheels carefully, and make sure the tire format matches the actual setup on the Davis.
How do I choose between the available 30X5.77 and 30x5 tires for a 1926 Davis 93 Series?
The choice between 30X5.77 and 30x5 for a 1926 Davis 93 Series is determined by the wheel type on the car, not by preference alone. Both are primary bias-ply fitments for this model, but 30X5.77 is a flotation-style size while 30x5 is a beaded-edge style size with a different vintage wheel relationship.
Start by identifying whether the car retains its original-style wheels or has been restored with different rims over the years. Antique automobiles often pick up later hardware, and that can change the correct tire format entirely. Matching the tire to the actual wheel construction is the key step before weighing appearance, road use, or restoration presentation.
What rim-fitment details matter most when choosing tires for a 1926 Davis 93 Series?
For a 1926 Davis 93 Series, the most important rim-fitment detail is whether the wheel is built for the 30X5.77 flotation-style tire or the 30x5 beaded-edge style tire. The 30X5.77 fitment uses a 7-inch rim, and the different tire types should not be treated as automatic substitutes simply because they share a 30-inch size designation.
Careful wheel inspection matters on antique cars because rim design, tire retention method, and prior restoration work can affect what actually belongs on the vehicle today. Check the wheel dimensions, look for evidence of altered rims or replacement wheels, and confirm that the tire style matches the wheel before moving on to any appearance or driving-use decisions.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1926 Davis 93 Series?
A period-style tire choice for a 1926 Davis 93 Series begins with using the correct primary size for the wheel setup already on the car: either 30X5.77 or 30x5. Since both are bias-ply vintage fitments, the real restoration question is whether the Davis is equipped for flotation-style tires or for beaded-edge style tires.
Appearance and authenticity can shift depending on when the car was restored, how original the wheels are, and what historical standard the owner wants to follow. If exact originality matters, compare the car against marque-specific references or restoration documentation. That approach is safer than choosing by diameter alone on an uncommon 1920s automobile.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1926 Davis 93 Series restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1926 Davis 93 Series restoration because the two accepted sizes represent different vintage tire formats, not just different widths. A 30X5.77 flotation-style tire and a 30x5 beaded-edge style tire can create very different results in both wheel compatibility and the visual character of the finished car.
A well-restored antique looks right when the tire format matches the wheel design and the era-specific presentation of the vehicle. Incorrect tire style can make the stance or wheel detail look off even if the size sounds close. Careful confirmation of wheel type, rim dimensions, and restoration intent helps avoid expensive mistakes and preserves the car’s period feel.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1926 Davis 93 Series?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1926 Davis 93 Series, especially because antique cars are often restored over many decades and may no longer retain their original wheels. Replacement rims, later hubs, brake conversions, or changes to suspension height can all influence whether 30X5.77 or 30x5 remains the appropriate choice.
Even small changes matter more on early vehicles than many owners expect. A Davis with altered wheels may need a different evaluation than one with original hardware, and body or steering clearance should always be checked once the wheel setup is confirmed. Inspect the full wheel-and-tire package rather than relying only on a size marked on an old casing.
What should I inspect before driving a 1926 Davis 93 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1926 Davis 93 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels for cracks, corrosion, bent sections, and any signs that the rim style does not match the tire being installed. On an antique vehicle, the fit between the tire and wheel is especially important, and the correct vintage format should be confirmed before road use.
After installation, check inflation, valve condition, even seating, and clearance through the full steering range. A car that has spent long periods stored should also have its suspension, steering, and brake components inspected before regular driving. Tire condition alone is not enough to make a 1920s automobile road-ready if the surrounding hardware has aged.
How should tires on a collector 1926 Davis 93 Series be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1926 Davis 93 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Bias-ply antique tires deserve routine attention for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and air loss, especially on a car that is driven only occasionally or displayed for long periods between outings.
Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage on a vehicle of this age. Keep the Davis away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, standing moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors when possible. Before each season of use, inspect both the tires and the wheels closely so age-related issues are caught before they become a road-use problem.
