The 1926 Elcar 80 Series came from an era when American automobiles still bridged touring-car tradition and more developed late-1920s road manners. For owners preserving one today, tire choice is less about broad modernization and more about matching the car’s exact wheel setup and intended presentation. The 1926 Elcar 80 Series appears with two primary bias-ply sizes, 30X5.77 and 650-20, and those sizes do not share the same rim diameter. Available 650-20 options include blackwall and wide whitewall styles across Firestone, Denman, and Deka series. That makes wheel confirmation the first step before choosing a tire for restoration use, display, or careful road driving.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1926 Elcar 80 Series
The 1926 Elcar 80 Series uses two primary tire sizes, and the difference is significant because they are tied to different sizing formats and different rim diameters. Before choosing a tire, the first step is confirming which wheels are actually on the car. Once that is settled, the decision shifts toward selecting the right bias-ply style and, in the case of 650-20, comparing available brands, series, and sidewall treatments.
In the 30X5.77 format, the first number refers to the tire’s approximate overall diameter, while the second reflects section width rather than rim diameter. This is a bias-ply fitment used in an earlier-style sizing system that feels distinctly prewar in character and should be matched carefully to the wheel already on the car. Its practical importance on a 1926 Elcar 80 Series is not appearance choice so much as correct wheel identification, since it does not share the same rim diameter as 650-20. That makes wheel measurement and setup verification especially important before moving forward.
The 650-20 size is a numeric bias-ply format in which 6.50 represents the nominal section width in inches and 20 identifies the rim diameter. On a 1926 Elcar 80 Series, this size keeps the vehicle in a period-appropriate bias-ply construction while offering more visible choice within the size itself. Available options include Firestone, Denman, and Deka products, with blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles and both passenger-style and truck-style series. It is the size to evaluate when you want to balance wheel compatibility with a traditional road-going or restoration-oriented appearance.
Fitment for the covered 1926 Elcar 80 Series sub-model is straightforward in one sense and critical in another. The 8 Cyl. application is associated with both primary tire sizes, so the real key is confirming which wheel and rim-diameter setup the car has before selecting a tire.
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1926 Elcar 80 Series 8 Cyl.
The 1926 Elcar 80 Series 8 Cyl. is associated with both 30X5.77 and 650-20 bias-ply tire sizes. That means tire selection starts with the wheel currently on the car, then moves to choosing the appropriate period-style presentation within the correct size, especially if 650-20 options are being considered.
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.
Best 1926 Elcar 80 Series Tires for Sale
Available 650-20 tires give the 1926 Elcar 80 Series buyer several traditional choices, including Firestone, Denman, and Deka products. The comparison points are mainly sidewall style, tire series, and intended character, with blackwall, wide whitewall, classic bias-ply, and truck-style options all represented.
Owners researching 1926 Elcar 80 Series tires usually need to sort out size, rim diameter, and period-style bias-ply choices first. The questions below focus on exact fitment, product selection, restoration appearance, and the checks worth making before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1926 Elcar 80 Series?
The 1926 Elcar 80 Series is associated with two primary tire sizes: 30X5.77 and 650-20. Both are bias-ply sizes, but they belong to different sizing systems and do not use the same rim diameter, so they should not be treated as interchangeable choices for the same wheel.
The practical next step is to confirm which wheels are actually on the car before ordering tires. A surviving collector car may have had wheel changes over time, and that matters here because the two sizes point to very different wheel setups. Once the wheel diameter is verified, tire choice becomes much simpler.
What size rim does a 1926 Elcar 80 Series use?
The 1926 Elcar 80 Series appears with two different rim diameters depending on tire size. A 30X5.77 tire is tied to a 7.0-inch rim diameter, while a 650-20 tire uses a 20-inch rim diameter. Those are separate fitment paths rather than minor variations within one modern standard.
That makes physical wheel confirmation especially important on this car. Measuring the wheel and comparing it to the tire size already mounted can prevent ordering a tire in the wrong format. On an older restored or long-stored vehicle, it is also wise to check whether the wheels are original-style, replacement pieces, or later modifications.
Why does the 1926 Elcar 80 Series have more than one tire size?
The 1926 Elcar 80 Series is tied to both 30X5.77 and 650-20, which reflects two distinct vintage sizing conventions rather than a simple modern width change. Both are bias-ply fitments, but one uses an antique diameter-by-section format and the other uses a numeric bias-ply format with a clearly stated 20-inch rim.
For the buyer, that means the decision is not about choosing whichever size looks closest. It is about identifying the exact wheel setup on the car and staying within that fitment path. Once the wheel diameter is settled, the remaining decision is mostly appearance and product selection within the correct size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-20 tire for a 1926 Elcar 80 Series?
Start by confirming that the car actually uses the 650-20 wheel setup, since the 1926 Elcar 80 Series is also associated with 30X5.77. Within 650-20, the main differences are brand, sidewall style, tire series, and whether the tire leans toward a passenger-style classic presentation or a truck-style tread and construction profile.
Appearance and intended use usually guide the final choice. A wide whitewall changes the visual character of the car, while blackwall options keep a more restrained look. It also helps to compare rim-width compatibility where stated and to inspect the car’s wheels carefully before mounting new tires on a long-restored or recently acquired vehicle.
What sidewall styles are available for 1926 Elcar 80 Series tires?
For the 1926 Elcar 80 Series products available in 650-20, the sidewall styles include blackwall and wide whitewall. That gives owners a meaningful appearance choice within the same primary size, especially when the goal is to balance traditional presentation with how the car will be shown or driven.
The right sidewall style depends on the look you want the car to project rather than on a blanket rule. Blackwall tends to suit a more understated presentation, while a wide whitewall creates a stronger vintage visual statement. On a restoration-focused car, the wheel setup and overall finish should be considered alongside the tire itself.
What brands offer tires for the 1926 Elcar 80 Series?
In 650-20, the 1926 Elcar 80 Series has tire options from Firestone, Denman, and Deka. Those products span several series, including Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Truck, Highway Classic Truck, and Deka Classic Truck, so the brand choice also overlaps with differences in style and intended character.
Choosing among them is less about ranking brands and more about matching the tire to the car’s presentation and wheel setup. Some owners want a more traditional passenger-car look, while others may prefer a truck-style tread in the same size. Sidewall treatment, rim compatibility, and overall appearance usually matter more than name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1926 Elcar 80 Series?
A period-style 1926 Elcar 80 Series should begin with the correct primary tire size for the wheels on the car, either 30X5.77 or 650-20, and remain in bias-ply construction. That preserves the vintage sizing language and overall presentation better than trying to modernize the car around an unrelated tire format.
From there, the decision becomes more visual and use-based. In 650-20, blackwall and wide whitewall choices create noticeably different impressions, and truck-style versus classic bias-ply series can also change the look. When exact historical accuracy matters, marque references and period photos are worth checking before settling on a final sidewall style.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1926 Elcar 80 Series restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1926 Elcar 80 Series restoration because this car is associated with two very different tire-size formats and two different rim diameters. Getting the size path wrong can affect both visual authenticity and the basic compatibility between the tire and the wheel.
Restoration-minded buyers should verify the wheel setup first and then choose a tire that supports the intended appearance of the finished car. Even within the correct 650-20 size, blackwall and wide whitewall options present the vehicle differently. The tire should complement the restoration rather than fight the era-specific character of the car.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1926 Elcar 80 Series?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1926 Elcar 80 Series, especially because this application already involves two distinct wheel and tire-size paths. Replacement wheels, altered hubs, brake changes, or other old repairs can change what the car will actually accept, even when the body and chassis still appear stock.
A careful inspection should include wheel diameter, wheel width, and visible clearance around fenders and steering components. On an older collector vehicle, the car in front of you matters more than assumptions about how it left the factory. That is particularly true before choosing between 30X5.77 and 650-20 fitment.
What should I inspect before driving a 1926 Elcar 80 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1926 Elcar 80 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, rust, cracks, or poor previous repairs and make sure the mounted size matches the rim setup on the car. It is also worth checking valve hardware, wheel attachment points, and overall tire seating before any road use begins.
A short shakedown drive should follow a broader vehicle check that includes steering play, brake behavior, and any rubbing during low-speed turns. Tire pressure should be set appropriately for the tire being used, and the car should be rechecked after the first drive for air loss or signs of contact inside the wheel opening.
How should 650-20 tires on a collector 1926 Elcar 80 Series be maintained?
650-20 tires on a collector 1926 Elcar 80 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even on a low-mileage car, tires deserve routine attention for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and slow air loss, since age and storage conditions can matter as much as road miles.
A collector car benefits from being stored away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment. The tires should also be inspected before longer drives, not just at seasonal intervals. On a seldom-used vintage vehicle, problems often appear from age or inactivity well before tread wear becomes the issue.
