The 1926 Locomobile 48 comes from the closing years of one of America’s distinguished early luxury marques, a period when large, formal automobiles still carried the road presence of the classic coachbuilt era. Tire choice on a car like this is tied as much to authenticity of stance and presentation as it is to basic fitment. The 1926 Locomobile 48 uses bias-ply fitments, with 33X6.75 and 700-21 both associated with the model. Available choices include traditional blackwall and whitewall treatments in period-style series such as Firestone Balloon, Michelin Double Rivet, Lester, and Excelsior. The key is confirming which wheel setup is on the car before choosing for restoration appearance and road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1926 Locomobile 48
The 1926 Locomobile 48 uses two primary tire sizes, and they are not interchangeable choices without first confirming the wheel setup on the car. Both are bias-ply fitments, but they use different sizing conventions and different rim diameters, so the first step is identifying whether your Locomobile is set up for 33X6.75 or 700-21 before comparing tire styles and product options.
A size like 33X6.75 follows an early diameter-by-section format, where 33 refers to the tire’s approximate overall diameter in inches and 6.75 refers to its nominal section width. It is a bias-ply fitment associated with the 1926 Locomobile 48 and represents an older sizing system than later numeric bias-ply designs. On a restoration-minded car, this format matters because the wheel and tire combination affects both the car’s stance and the way the tire fills the fender opening. Confirm the actual wheel dimensions on the car before treating it as an alternative to the 700-21 setup.
The 700-21 size is a numeric bias-ply format in which 700 indicates a nominal section width of about 7.00 inches and 21 identifies the rim diameter in inches. For the 1926 Locomobile 48, this size opens up the broadest visible selection, including Firestone, Michelin, Lester, and Excelsior offerings in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. Tire series also vary, from Firestone Balloon and Double Rivet designs to Lester Classic Bias Ply and Comp H. That makes 700-21 the size where appearance, rim-width compatibility, and restoration character become especially important.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here, but tire selection still depends on confirming the wheel arrangement on the car. The covered 6 Cyl. configuration is associated with both primary tire sizes, so wheel diameter and overall setup matter before choosing a tire.
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1926 Locomobile 48 6 Cyl.
The 1926 Locomobile 48 6 Cyl. is associated with both 33X6.75 and 700-21 bias-ply fitments rather than a single universal size. That means tire selection starts with the wheels currently on the car, then moves to period-style priorities such as blackwall or whitewall presentation within the appropriate size.
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 Locomobile 48 Tires for Sale
Available 700-21 tires for the 1926 Locomobile 48 span Firestone, Michelin, Lester, and Excelsior, with period-style choices in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall form. The product grid is most useful for comparing series character, rim-width specifications, and appearance within the correct size.
Common 1926 Locomobile 48 tire questions usually center on the difference between 33X6.75 and 700-21, how wheel size affects fitment, and how to choose the right period-style bias-ply tire for restoration use and careful road driving.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1926 Locomobile 48?
The 1926 Locomobile 48 is associated with two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 33X6.75 and 700-21. Those sizes represent different wheel setups, not two versions of the same tire expressed in modern shorthand, so the correct choice depends on the wheels actually fitted to the car.
The practical first step is measuring the wheel diameter and confirming what is on the vehicle before ordering tires. A car that takes 700-21 uses a 21-inch rim, while 33X6.75 follows an older diameter-by-section format and should be matched carefully to the wheel and overall vehicle setup.
What size rim does a 1926 Locomobile 48 use?
Rim size depends on which tire fitment your 1926 Locomobile 48 uses. The 700-21 size mounts on a 21-inch rim, while the 33X6.75 fitment is associated with a 5.0-inch rim-diameter figure, making wheel confirmation essential before selecting a tire.
Because this car is tied to more than one tire and rim combination, the safest approach is to inspect the wheels already on the vehicle rather than assume one setup. On a restoration or long-stored collector car, original wheels, replacement wheels, or earlier changes can all affect which tire size actually belongs there.
Why does the 1926 Locomobile 48 have more than one tire size?
The 1926 Locomobile 48 is associated with both 33X6.75 and 700-21 because early luxury cars often appear today with different wheel and tire arrangements. These are distinct primary fitments in bias-ply construction, and they use different sizing systems rather than simple alternate labeling.
That matters because choosing the wrong size is not just an appearance issue. Wheel diameter, rim compatibility, and how the tire sits on the car all come into play, so the best path is to identify the exact wheel setup first and then compare period-style tire options within the correct size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-21 tire for a 1926 Locomobile 48?
Start with the basics: confirm that your 1926 Locomobile 48 actually uses the 700-21 size and that the wheel matches the tire’s rim requirements. Within that size, choices vary by brand, tire series, sidewall presentation, and in some cases rim-width range and load specification.
The visible decision often comes down to how you want the car to present. Blackwall tires create a more restrained look, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall options lean more formal and restoration-oriented, so the right choice depends on your car’s style, the wheels under it, and how closely you want to preserve a period appearance.
What sidewall styles are available for 1926 Locomobile 48 tires?
For 700-21 fitment on a 1926 Locomobile 48, available sidewall styles include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. Those options appear across period-style bias-ply offerings, giving owners a meaningful appearance choice without changing the basic tire size.
Sidewall treatment has a strong visual effect on a car from this era, especially on a large luxury automobile with tall tires and prominent fenders. Once the wheel setup is confirmed, the sidewall choice becomes a matter of restoration tone, whether the goal is a restrained roadgoing look or a more formal whitewall presentation.
What brands offer tires for the 1926 Locomobile 48?
The 700-21 size for the 1926 Locomobile 48 is available from Firestone, Michelin, Lester, and Excelsior. Those brands appear across several period-style series, including Firestone Balloon, Michelin Double Rivet, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Excelsior Comp H.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor on a car like this. It helps to compare the exact tire series, sidewall style, rim-width specification where stated, and the visual character that best suits the Locomobile’s age and presentation before settling on the tire that matches your goals.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1926 Locomobile 48?
A period-style 1926 Locomobile 48 starts with the correct primary size for the wheels on the car, either 33X6.75 or 700-21, and with bias-ply construction retained. Within 700-21, period-style choices include series such as Firestone Balloon, Michelin Double Rivet, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Excelsior Comp H.
Appearance should be guided by the way you want the finished car to read visually, especially in sidewall treatment. Owners pursuing exact historical authenticity should compare the tire choice against marque-club guidance, period photos, or other vehicle-specific references rather than assume any correct-size tire automatically matches the original presentation.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1926 Locomobile 48 restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1926 Locomobile 48 because tall bias-ply tires strongly influence the car’s stance, road presence, and restoration credibility. Using the proper size and wheel combination is part of preserving how an early luxury car sits and fills its fenders.
The visual impact is only part of the story. Proper fitment also affects wheel compatibility and basic running clearance, so a restoration should confirm the exact wheel setup before choosing between blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall options in the appropriate tire size.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1926 Locomobile 48?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1926 Locomobile 48, especially if the car has replacement wheels, altered ride height, brake conversions, or other changes made during earlier restoration work. Even on a collector car, small differences in wheel dimensions can change which tire size is appropriate.
That is particularly important here because the car is associated with both 33X6.75 and 700-21 fitments. A close inspection of wheel diameter, tire clearance, and how the tire sits relative to the fender and steering components is worth doing before choosing a replacement set.
What should I inspect before driving a 1926 Locomobile 48 on new tires?
Before driving a 1926 Locomobile 48 on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition, confirm the tires match the wheel setup, and check that each tire is properly seated and inflated for service. It also helps to look over steering and suspension condition on a car of this age.
A careful walkaround after installation is just as important. Make sure there is no rubbing at full steering lock, recheck air pressure after the first short drive, and watch for uneven stance or unusual wear that might suggest a wheel, alignment, or suspension issue needing attention.
How should 700-21 tires on a collector 1926 Locomobile 48 be maintained?
700-21 bias-ply tires on a collector 1926 Locomobile 48 should be kept clean, properly inflated, and inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, and signs of air loss. On a low-mileage collector car, age and storage conditions can matter just as much as tread wear.
Storage habits play a big role in long-term tire condition. Keeping the car away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, excess moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the sidewalls, and periodic checks before each drive are wise because vintage cars often spend long stretches parked between outings.
