The 1926 Lexington 50 comes from an era when American automobiles were rapidly moving from strictly utilitarian transport toward more refined touring use, and tire fitment still reflected that transition. Owners of a car like this often balance roadworthiness, authentic-looking presentation, and the realities of very early wheel and tire design. For the 1926 Lexington 50, the primary fitments are 30X5.77 and 30x5, both bias-ply sizes used on 7-inch rims. Those two sizes also point to different vintage sizing conventions, including an antique beaded-edge style fitment. The key decision is confirming which wheel and tire setup the car actually carries before choosing a restoration-oriented replacement.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1926 Lexington 50
The 1926 Lexington 50 uses two primary tire sizes, and the first step is confirming which wheel and tire setup is on the car. Both fitments are bias-ply and revolve around a 7-inch rim diameter, but they represent different vintage tire formats, so identifying the exact size on the vehicle matters before narrowing the choice to construction style, appearance, and proper compatibility.
In a size like 30X5.77, the first number refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter in inches, while the second reflects its nominal section width. This is a bias-ply fitment with an early flotation-style presentation that suits a 1926 Lexington 50 equipped for that particular casing profile and wheel arrangement. The practical appeal of this size is preserving the car's substantial antique stance while staying within the sizing system used on many vehicles of the period. It should be chosen only after confirming the wheel setup and making sure the car is not carrying the alternate 30x5 beaded-edge style fitment.
The 30x5 size also uses an antique diameter-by-section format, with 30 indicating approximate overall tire diameter and 5 indicating nominal section width in inches. On the 1926 Lexington 50, this is a bias-ply antique inch fitment associated with a beaded-edge style tire, which places it in a distinctly early automotive tire category. That makes wheel design and tire type especially important, since beaded-edge applications are not the same decision as later clincher-style or more modern vintage fitments. This size is best evaluated by closely matching the tire and wheel style already on the car.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered Lexington 50 configuration shares the same two primary tire sizes. Even so, checking the exact wheel and tire setup on the car still matters, since the two applicable sizes represent different antique tire formats.
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1926 Lexington 50 6 Cyl.
The 1926 Lexington 50 6 Cyl. uses the same two primary bias-ply tire sizes found at the model level: 30X5.77 and 30x5. That means tire selection depends less on trim differences and more on confirming whether the car is running the flotation-style setup or the beaded-edge style arrangement 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
Owners of a 1926 Lexington 50 usually need clarity on antique tire sizing, 7-inch rim fitment, restoration-oriented choices, and the checks that matter before putting an early car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1926 Lexington 50?
A 1926 Lexington 50 uses two primary tire sizes: 30X5.77 and 30x5. Both are bias-ply fitments, and both appear on the covered 1926 Lexington 50 6 Cyl. configuration, so the car is associated with more than one correct vintage tire format rather than one single modern-style replacement size.
The practical step is to identify which setup is actually on the car before ordering tires. The two sizes are not just alternate spellings of the same thing, and one of them is tied to a beaded-edge style fitment. Checking the existing wheel and tire arrangement on the vehicle helps prevent choosing a tire that does not match the wheel design.
What size rim does a 1926 Lexington 50 use?
The 1926 Lexington 50 uses a 7-inch rim diameter with its primary tire fitments. That rim diameter is associated with both 30X5.77 and 30x5 applications for this vehicle, making wheel confirmation an important part of selecting the correct antique tire size.
Rim diameter alone does not settle the decision, because early tire systems can differ even when the nominal rim measurement is the same. It is wise to inspect the wheel type, the existing tire markings, and the style of bead the wheel is designed to accept. On an antique car, those details matter as much as the printed size itself.
What does 30x5 mean on a 1926 Lexington 50?
On a 1926 Lexington 50, 30x5 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size. The 30 refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter in inches, and the 5 refers to its nominal section width. It is also an early bias-ply fitment associated with a beaded-edge style application.
That meaning is useful because it explains why this size should not be treated like a later alphanumeric or metric tire. A buyer should match the tire to the wheel style already on the car and confirm that the existing setup is truly the 30x5 beaded-edge arrangement. Antique cars often carry changes made over many decades, so visual inspection matters.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 30X5.77 tire for a 1926 Lexington 50?
Start by confirming that 30X5.77 is the size actually used on the car, since the 1926 Lexington 50 also appears with a 30x5 fitment. A 30X5.77 tire is an antique diameter-by-section bias-ply size, so the choice centers on maintaining the proper vintage sizing convention and matching the wheel arrangement already in place.
Beyond the size itself, think about how the car will be used. A restoration-focused Lexington may call for a tire that preserves an early-period look, while a vehicle intended for occasional road use still needs the correct wheel compatibility and enough clearance at full steering angle. On an antique application, confirming the exact wheel type is as important as reading the sidewall size.
How do I choose between the available 1926 Lexington 50 tire sizes?
The right choice depends on which of the two primary fitments your 1926 Lexington 50 actually uses: 30X5.77 or 30x5. Both are bias-ply sizes, but they represent different antique tire formats, and 30x5 is tied to a beaded-edge style application rather than simply being a narrower version of 30X5.77.
A close inspection of the wheels, the existing tire markings, and the overall tire profile usually points you in the right direction. Cars from this period were sometimes altered during their lives, so relying only on a broad model reference can lead to the wrong selection. Matching the wheel design and tire system should come before appearance or driving-use preferences.
What rim-fitment details matter when choosing tires for a 1926 Lexington 50?
The most important rim-fitment detail is the 7-inch rim diameter used with the primary Lexington 50 tire sizes. Since both 30X5.77 and 30x5 are tied to that diameter, the real issue is not just the number itself but whether the wheel is built for the specific antique tire style the car is wearing.
That is especially important on a 1926 vehicle, where wheel design can determine whether a tire system is appropriate at all. Look at the wheel construction, compare it with the current tire markings, and make sure the bead style matches the intended tire. Early cars reward careful verification before installation, particularly when the vehicle has changed hands or sat for years.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1926 Lexington 50?
A period-style 1926 Lexington 50 should stay with one of its correct primary bias-ply sizes, either 30X5.77 or 30x5, depending on the wheel and tire setup the car actually uses. Both sizes belong to early tire conventions, so the proper starting point is preserving the vehicle's authentic-looking configuration rather than adapting it to a later format.
For a careful restoration, the wheel type deserves as much attention as the size marking. The 30x5 fitment carries beaded-edge style significance, which makes it a different visual and mechanical choice from 30X5.77. If exact historical appearance matters, compare the car with marque references, period photos, or restoration documentation before settling on a final tire style.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1926 Lexington 50 restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1926 Lexington 50 because early cars were built around tire and wheel systems that differ noticeably from later vintage applications. Using the proper primary size and the proper style of tire helps preserve the car's stance, visual proportion, and mechanical compatibility with its wheels.
A restoration can lose credibility quickly if the tire format does not match the wheel design, even when the overall diameter looks close. On a car with either 30X5.77 or 30x5 fitment, careful matching is part of the restoration process, not a finishing touch. That is why antique tire selection should begin with the wheel and existing setup, not appearance alone.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1926 Lexington 50?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1926 Lexington 50, especially because this car uses early bias-ply tire formats that depend heavily on the wheel setup. Changes such as replacement wheels, altered hubs, brake conversions, suspension work, or body modifications can all influence whether the intended antique tire size remains appropriate.
Even subtle changes can matter on a vehicle from this era. A Lexington that has been updated over the years may no longer match its original wheel and tire arrangement, so clearance and bead-style compatibility should be inspected carefully. Looking at steering clearance, wheel construction, and current tire markings helps avoid assuming that every surviving car still carries its original setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1926 Lexington 50 on new tires?
Before driving a 1926 Lexington 50 on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve areas, mounting surfaces, and overall tire seating to make sure the tire and wheel type are properly matched. It is also wise to check for sidewall damage, cuts, irregular wear, and any sign that the car's steering or suspension condition could affect how the tires run.
An early collector car benefits from a slow, careful first road test rather than immediate extended driving. Verify inflation, watch for rubbing at full steering lock, and recheck the tires after a short run for any settling or air loss. Antique vehicles often reveal issues only once moving, so a cautious shakedown is part of safe recommissioning.
How should tires on a collector 1926 Lexington 50 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1926 Lexington 50 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Even when tread wear is minimal, antique cars can spend long periods parked, which makes sidewall aging, flat spotting, and unnoticed air loss more important than mileage alone.
Storage conditions make a real difference. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. It also helps to inspect them before each outing for cracking, bulges, or cuts and to confirm that the wheel and tire hardware still appears sound, especially after seasonal storage or long inactivity.
