1926 Kissel 55 Tires

The 1926 Kissel 55 uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 33X6.00 and 600-21. The covered 6 Cyl. sub-model is associated with both sizes, so the correct choice depends on which wheel-and-tire setup is actually on the car rather than on a simple year-make-model lookup alone.

That means the next step is to inspect the existing tires and wheels before ordering replacements. A 33X6.00 marking follows an older diameter-by-section format, while 600-21 is a numeric bias-ply size built around a 21-inch rim. Matching the tire to the wheel already installed is especially important on a 1920s vehicle where later wheel changes are always possible.

The 1926 Kissel 55 uses a 21-inch rim with the 600-21 tire size. That rim diameter is explicit in the numeric bias-ply fitment and is the key wheel measurement to verify when the car is running 600-21 tires.

Wheel confirmation still matters because this vehicle is also associated with 33X6.00, an older style size that expresses overall tire diameter and section width rather than repeating the rim diameter in the same way. Checking the wheel itself, the existing tire markings, and the actual mounted setup helps avoid ordering a tire that matches the model name but not the car's present configuration.

On a 1926 Kissel 55, 33X6.00 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size. The 33 refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter in inches, and the 6.00 refers to nominal section width. It is a bias-ply format used on early vehicles before later sizing conventions became more standardized.

This matters because 33X6.00 should not be read like a modern radial or even like a later numeric bias-ply size such as 600-21. A buyer should treat it as its own fitment language and verify that the wheel and vehicle setup are intended for that style of tall tire. On collector cars, preserving the correct visual proportion is often as important as simply finding a tire with close width.

Choosing a 600-21 tire for a 1926 Kissel 55 starts with confirming that the car actually uses the 21-inch wheel setup rather than the alternate 33X6.00 fitment. From there, the decision usually comes down to bias-ply construction, sidewall appearance, brand preference, and whether the stated rim-width and load-related specifications suit the wheel and intended use.

Available 600-21 products include blackwall and wide whitewall choices from Lester and BFGoodrich, with Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Lester Classic Bias Ply series represented. That gives a restorer room to choose a more understated or more formal look without leaving the correct size family. Matching the tire to the vehicle's appearance goal and actual wheel dimensions is more useful than focusing on brand alone.

For the 1926 Kissel 55 in 600-21, the available sidewall styles include blackwall and wide whitewall. Both remain within the period-style bias-ply presentation, but they create noticeably different visual results once mounted on a tall 21-inch wheel.

Blackwall tends to keep the look simpler and more restrained, while a wide whitewall adds stronger visual contrast and a more formal restoration-oriented presence. The right choice depends on how the car is being presented and what wheel-and-body combination it carries. Owners pursuing exact historical accuracy should compare their choice against marque-specific reference material rather than assuming one sidewall treatment fits every surviving Kissel.

The 1926 Kissel 55 has 600-21 tire options from Lester and BFGoodrich. Those offerings stay within traditional bias-ply construction and give the buyer more than one route for replacing the tire while keeping the correct vintage size format.

Brand choice is only part of the decision on a car of this age. It also helps to compare sidewall treatment, the tire series offered, and any stated rim-width or load-capacity details attached to the individual product. A blackwall Lester may suit one restoration direction, while a BFGoodrich wide whitewall may better match another, even though both stay in the same 600-21 size family.

A period-style 1926 Kissel 55 tire choice begins with using the correct primary size already associated with the car, either 33X6.00 or 600-21, and staying with bias-ply construction. That preserves the tall, narrow visual character expected of a mid-1920s automobile and keeps the tire presentation in step with the vehicle's era.

Once the size is confirmed, appearance becomes the real separator. In 600-21, blackwall and wide whitewall options create different restoration impressions without changing the basic vintage construction. Buyers aiming for exact historical fidelity should compare tire style against period photos, surviving examples, or marque-club guidance, since a period-style replacement and a fully authenticated restoration choice are not always the same thing.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1926 Kissel 55 because the tire contributes heavily to the vehicle's stance, wheel opening proportion, and overall period character. Using the right size family, whether 33X6.00 or 600-21, helps the car retain the visual balance expected of a 1920s touring-era automobile.

Fitment also affects practical restoration choices beyond appearance. A tire that does not match the wheel setup can complicate mounting, alter the visual height of the car, or create a look that feels out of step with the chassis and body. Careful confirmation of wheel diameter, current tire markings, and sidewall style is one of the most visible details in any restoration-oriented tire purchase.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1926 Kissel 55, especially if the car has had wheel changes, brake conversions, altered ride height, or body and fender work over the years. Because this model is associated with both 33X6.00 and 600-21 bias-ply sizes, any deviation from the original-style setup can change which tire is appropriate.

A modified car should be checked at the wheel before a replacement tire is chosen. Wheel diameter, rim width, and available clearance during steering and suspension movement all matter more than the model name by itself. On an older collector vehicle, assumptions are risky, so a hands-on measurement and visual inspection are the safest way to keep the next tire choice aligned with the car as it sits today.

Before driving a 1926 Kissel 55 on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition, confirm the tires are properly seated, and make sure inflation is appropriate for the tire being used. It also helps to look over valve stems, lug hardware, and the surrounding suspension and steering components on a car of this age.

A short initial drive followed by a second inspection is a sensible habit with vintage vehicles. Watch for rubbing at full steering lock, uneven stance, vibration, or any sign that the tire is contacting the fender or chassis. Collector cars that spend long periods parked can hide worn bushings, weak springs, or wheel issues that only become obvious once fresh tires are installed and road use begins again.

600-21 tires on a collector 1926 Kissel 55 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Even when tread wear is minimal, a seldom-driven vintage car can develop age-related concerns such as sidewall cracking, flat spotting from long parking periods, or gradual air loss.

Routine inspections should include cuts, bulges, weathering, and uneven wear that may point to wheel or chassis issues. Storage away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment helps protect the rubber over time. Before any longer outing, it is wise to confirm inflation, recheck wheel hardware, and make sure the tire still has adequate clearance and stable road manners once the car is underway.