The 1926 Locomobile 90 comes from the final chapter of one of America’s long-established luxury marques, a car known for formal presence, substantial coachwork, and the kind of road manners expected from an upper-tier automobile of the era. Tire choice on a car like this is closely tied to both authenticity and wheel setup, because the Locomobile 90 appears with two bias-ply fitments: 33X6.75 and 700-21. That creates a very different decision depending on which wheels are on the car. Available 700-21 options also vary by brand, tire series, and sidewall treatment, including blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. Before choosing, confirm the actual rim diameter and decide whether the goal is restoration-oriented presentation or dependable touring use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1926 Locomobile 90
The 1926 Locomobile 90 uses two primary tire sizes, and the first step is confirming which wheel setup is on the car. These fitments are both bias-ply, but they do not share the same rim diameter, so selection starts with wheel verification rather than brand or sidewall style. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to the tire’s period-style presentation and the available product differences within the correct size.
The size 33X6.75 uses an older diameter-by-section format, where 33 refers to the tire’s approximate overall diameter in inches and 6.75 refers to its section width. On the 1926 Locomobile 90, this is a bias-ply fitment tied to a 5-inch rim diameter, which makes wheel confirmation especially important before any purchase. This sizing system is very different from later numeric bias-ply sizes, so it should be read as an antique format rather than a modern width-and-rim code. It is the right fitment to evaluate only when the car is equipped for this specific wheel and tire arrangement.
The size 700-21 is a numeric bias-ply designation in which 7.00 indicates the nominal section width in inches and 21 identifies the rim diameter. For the 1926 Locomobile 90, it is a traditional bias-ply fitment that opens up the broadest visible choice in available tires. Options in this size include Firestone, Michelin, Lester, and Excelsior products, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall presentations across several tire series. This is the size to focus on when the car carries 21-inch wheels and the owner wants to balance period appearance with the exact product style that suits the build.
The covered sub-model uses the same two primary tire sizes, so fitment is straightforward once the car’s actual wheel setup is confirmed. Checking the sub-model still matters because the decision here is less about trim variation and more about matching the tire to the wheels currently on the vehicle.
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1926 Locomobile 90 6 Cyl.
The 1926 Locomobile 90 6 Cyl. can use either of the two established bias-ply fitments, so the key step is verifying whether the car is set up for the 33X6.75 arrangement or the 700-21 arrangement. After that, tire selection becomes a matter of choosing the right period-style look and product configuration within the correct 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 90 Tires for Sale
Available 700-21 tires give the 1926 Locomobile 90 owner several meaningful choices across Firestone, Michelin, Lester, and Excelsior. The main differences to compare are tire series, blackwall versus whitewall styling, and rim-width compatibility within this traditional bias-ply fitment.
Owners of a 1926 Locomobile 90 usually need to sort out two things first: which of the two primary tire sizes belongs on the car and how that choice affects wheel compatibility, appearance, and road readiness.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1926 Locomobile 90?
The 1926 Locomobile 90 uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 33X6.75 and 700-21. Those sizes are not alternate labels for the same tire. They represent different fitments and different rim diameters, so the correct choice depends on the wheel setup currently on the car.
That makes wheel confirmation the first job before choosing any tire. A Locomobile that carries 21-inch wheels belongs in the 700-21 group, while a car set up for the 33X6.75 fitment needs that specific antique-format tire. On a restored or modified collector car, measuring the actual rim diameter is more useful than relying on assumptions.
What size rim does a 1926 Locomobile 90 use?
The 1926 Locomobile 90 appears with two rim diameters, depending on tire size. The 33X6.75 fitment uses a 5-inch rim diameter, while the 700-21 fitment uses a 21-inch rim diameter. That difference is large enough that the tire decision starts with the wheels rather than the tire brand.
Many collector cars have changed hands, been restored, or received wheel substitutions over the years, so it is worth checking the actual wheel before ordering. Once the rim diameter is confirmed, look at rim width and the intended appearance of the finished car. That approach helps avoid choosing a correct-looking tire for the wrong wheel.
What does 33X6.75 mean on a 1926 Locomobile 90?
On a 1926 Locomobile 90, 33X6.75 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size. The first number, 33, refers to the tire’s approximate overall diameter in inches, and 6.75 refers to the section width. It is not read like a later modern size where the last number usually indicates rim diameter.
That distinction matters because this format can be confusing to buyers more familiar with numeric or metric tires. The Locomobile also uses 700-21 in another wheel setup, so mixing the two formats would create a fitment mismatch. Always read 33X6.75 as its own antique specification and confirm that the car’s rims are set up for that fitment.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-21 tire for a 1926 Locomobile 90?
Start with the basics: the car must actually use the 700-21 fitment and must have 21-inch wheels. After that, compare the available bias-ply options by sidewall style, tire series, brand, and any rim-width specifications that apply to the wheel on the car.
For a more formal restoration look, whitewall or double-whitewall presentation may matter as much as the brand name. For a more understated touring appearance, a blackwall may be the better match. It also helps to compare details such as published load information, tire weight, and how closely the tire’s visual profile suits the way the Locomobile is being finished.
What sidewall styles are available for 1926 Locomobile 90 tires?
In 700-21, the 1926 Locomobile 90 has blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall choices. Those sidewall treatments create noticeably different presentations even when the tire size remains the same, so appearance can change substantially without changing the basic fitment.
That gives the owner room to match the tire to the car’s restoration style rather than treating every 700-21 tire as visually identical. A blackwall tends to deliver a more restrained look, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall versions bring a stronger period-luxury character. The key is choosing the sidewall treatment after the correct size and wheel compatibility are settled.
What brands offer tires for the 1926 Locomobile 90?
For the 700-21 fitment used on the 1926 Locomobile 90, available brands include Firestone, Michelin, Lester, and Excelsior. Those options appear across several tire series, including Firestone Balloon, Michelin Double Rivet, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Excelsior Comp H.
Brand choice should be considered alongside the tire’s sidewall treatment, series character, and wheel requirements rather than in isolation. One owner may be focused on a formal whitewall presentation, while another may want a simpler blackwall touring look. Comparing the complete tire specification helps narrow the right choice for the way the car is being restored or driven.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1926 Locomobile 90?
A period-style 1926 Locomobile 90 starts with the correct primary size for the wheels on the car, either 33X6.75 or 700-21, both in bias-ply construction. From there, the decision usually becomes one of visual character, especially on 700-21, where several brand and sidewall treatments are available.
For many restoration-oriented cars of this era, the tire contributes heavily to stance and presence, not just basic fitment. Blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall choices can all steer the finished look in different directions. When exact originality matters, compare the intended tire style against marque references, period photography, or other vehicle-specific historical sources.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1926 Locomobile 90 restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1926 Locomobile 90 because the car uses two very different size formats and two different rim diameters. Getting the fitment right affects the car’s stance, proportions, and how convincingly the finished restoration reflects the design language of a mid-1920s luxury automobile.
Appearance is only part of the equation. The wrong tire format can also create problems with wheel compatibility and undermine the visual balance that makes a large pre-war car look settled and properly finished. Even on a driver-quality restoration, confirming the actual wheels and selecting a tire that suits the car’s presentation is worth the extra care.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1926 Locomobile 90?
Yes. Any 1926 Locomobile 90 that has had wheel changes, brake updates, suspension work, or body modifications should have tire fitment checked carefully before a new set is chosen. That is especially important here because the car appears with both 33X6.75 and 700-21 fitments, which use different rim diameters.
Even when the car still looks stock, collector vehicles often carry parts installed decades after they were built. Measure the wheel diameter, confirm the wheel width, and look at steering and fender clearance before settling on a tire. A modified setup may still work well, but it should be evaluated on the car rather than assumed from model year alone.
What should I inspect before driving a 1926 Locomobile 90 on new tires?
Before driving a 1926 Locomobile 90 on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and mounting surfaces, and make sure the tires match the car’s actual rim diameter and intended fitment. It also helps to check for free steering movement, visible clearance around fenders and suspension parts, and stable inflation after mounting.
A short, careful shakedown drive is a smart next step on a collector car, especially one that may have older chassis components or long periods of storage behind it. After the first miles, recheck air pressure and look for any sign of rubbing or uneven seating. Catching a small issue early is much easier than troubleshooting it after a longer trip.
How should tires on a collector 1926 Locomobile 90 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1926 Locomobile 90 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and periodic review of tread and sidewall condition even if the car sees limited mileage. Low-use vintage cars can develop age-related issues such as cracking, flat spotting, or air loss long before the tread appears worn.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a pre-war collector car. Keeping the Locomobile away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition between drives. It is also wise to inspect the tires before every outing, since a car that sits for weeks or months may reveal problems only when it is prepared for road use.
