The 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series comes from an era when prestige automobiles were expected to deliver presence, smoothness, and long-distance composure as much as mechanical strength. Pierce-Arrow stood at the upper end of the American luxury market, and tire choice still plays a big role in how authentically a surviving car looks and feels today. This model is associated with two primary bias-ply sizes, 33X6.75 and 700-21, so the first step is confirming which wheel and tire setup is actually on the car. Available choices center on traditional bias-ply construction, with differences in brand, tire series, and sidewall treatment that can shape both restoration appearance and touring use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series
The 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series is associated with two primary tire sizes, and they do not use the same rim diameter. One fitment is 33X6.75, while the other is 700-21, so confirming the actual wheel setup on the car comes before choosing a tire. Once that is settled, the decision moves to traditional bias-ply selection, including brand, tire series, and sidewall presentation.
The 33X6.75 size uses an older diameter-by-section system, 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, which suits the period construction expected on a car from the mid-1920s and gives the buyer a traditional starting point for restoration-minded selection. This format is especially important to interpret correctly because it differs from later rim-diameter-based sizing conventions. For a 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series, this size is best evaluated by confirming the wheel dimensions already on the vehicle before moving ahead with any replacement plan.
The 700-21 size is a numeric bias-ply designation in which 7.00 represents the nominal section width in inches and 21 identifies the rim diameter. That makes it a more familiar pre-war fitment format for many collector-car owners, while still preserving the traditional bias-ply construction associated with the period. In this size, available choices include Firestone, Michelin, Lester, and Excelsior, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles across series such as Firestone Balloon, Double Rivet, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Comp H. It is the size to examine closely when appearance, rim-width compatibility, and period-style presentation all matter.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered 33 Series listing uses the same two primary tire sizes throughout. The important step is not choosing between trims, but confirming which wheel and tire arrangement the car carries before selecting a replacement.
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1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series 6 Cyl.
The 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series 6 Cyl. is associated with both 33X6.75 and 700-21 bias-ply fitments. That makes wheel confirmation especially important, after which the tire decision becomes a matter of selecting the proper period-style size and then comparing available brands, series, and sidewall treatments where offered.
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 Pierce Arrow 33 Series Tires for Sale
Available 700-21 choices span Firestone, Michelin, Lester, and Excelsior, with traditional bias-ply construction offered in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. The product grid is most useful for comparing tire series, appearance, rim-width specifications, weight, and load details where stated.
Common questions for the 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series usually center on the two primary tire sizes, wheel confirmation, bias-ply selection, period-style appearance, and the condition checks that matter before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series?
The 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series is associated with two primary tire sizes: 33X6.75 and 700-21. Both are bias-ply fitments, but they are not the same sizing system, and they do not share the same rim diameter. That makes this a vehicle where the correct answer starts with the wheel and tire setup actually present on the car.
A buyer should inspect the wheel diameter and the tire markings already on the vehicle before choosing a replacement. Cars of this age may have been restored, re-wheeled, or altered over time, so selecting by year and model alone is not enough when two primary sizes are associated with the same Pierce Arrow.
What size rim does a 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series use?
The 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series is associated with two different rim diameters depending on tire size. The 33X6.75 fitment is tied to a 5.0-inch rim diameter, while the 700-21 fitment uses a 21-inch rim diameter. Those are very different wheel arrangements, so the wheel itself has to be confirmed before a tire is selected.
That distinction matters because a tire size cannot be chosen correctly without matching the actual wheel. Start by measuring the wheel or verifying the size stamped on the existing tire, then compare the tire's rim-width requirements and the car's current setup so the replacement matches both the wheel and the vehicle's physical clearance.
What does 33X6.75 mean on a 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series?
On a 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series, 33X6.75 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The 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 format from an earlier sizing system, so it reads differently from later numeric sizes such as 700-21.
Understanding that format helps prevent a common mistake: assuming the first number refers to wheel diameter. On an early luxury car like this Pierce Arrow, that would lead the buyer in the wrong direction. Always match the size marking to the wheel and verify the existing setup before making a replacement decision.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-21 tire for a 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series?
Start with the basics: confirm that the car actually uses the 700-21 fitment, then compare the available bias-ply options by brand, tire series, sidewall treatment, and rim-width specification. In this size, choices include Firestone, Michelin, Lester, and Excelsior, with series such as Firestone Balloon, Double Rivet, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Comp H.
The right choice depends on how the car will be presented and driven. A restoration-oriented owner may focus on traditional blackwall or whitewall appearance, while another buyer may compare load figures, weight, or wheel compatibility more closely. Matching the tire's construction and rim requirements to the car's actual setup is the key step.
What sidewall styles are available for 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series tires?
For the 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series in 700-21, available sidewall styles include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. Those choices can change the car's visual character quite a bit, especially on a full-classic luxury automobile where tire presentation contributes heavily to the overall stance and period impression.
A blackwall usually gives a restrained traditional look, while whitewall treatments create a more formal and display-oriented appearance. The best choice depends on how the car is being restored and shown, but sidewall style should still be chosen only after the correct size, wheel compatibility, and intended use have been settled.
What brands offer tires for the 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series?
In the 700-21 size associated with the 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series, available brands include Firestone, Michelin, Lester, and Excelsior. Those brands appear across several distinct tire series, giving the buyer more than one period-style path within the same basic size and traditional bias-ply construction.
Brand choice should be treated as one part of a larger fitment decision rather than the first decision by itself. Compare the actual series, sidewall style, rim-width range, and any stated load details, then weigh those factors against the car's restoration goals and road-use plans before narrowing the field.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series?
A period-style 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series should begin with the correct primary size already on the car, either 33X6.75 or 700-21, and with traditional bias-ply construction. That keeps the tire's sizing language and construction in line with the era, which is especially important on a luxury car from the middle of the 1920s.
Once the proper fitment is confirmed, the appearance decision becomes more specific. Buyers can compare blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall treatments in 700-21 and then weigh those choices against the car's restoration style. When exact originality matters, marque-specific references and period photos are worth consulting before finalizing sidewall presentation.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series?
Tire construction matters visually on a restored 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series because bias-ply tires carry the traditional look most buyers expect on a vehicle of this age. Sidewall shape, overall stance, and the way the tire fills the wheel opening all contribute to the car's presentation, even before brand or sidewall style enters the decision.
That does not mean every bias-ply tire presents the car the same way. A blackwall gives a more restrained finish, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall options create a more formal show-oriented appearance. The best match depends on the restoration's visual direction, but it should always begin with the correct size and wheel setup.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series, especially when a car has had wheel changes, brake work, altered suspension height, or body and fender repairs over many decades. That matters even more here because the model is associated with two primary tire sizes that use very different wheel dimensions.
A buyer should check the actual wheel diameter, rim width, and available clearance at the fender and steering components before assuming either size is appropriate. Cars from this era are often restored in stages, so the best practice is to confirm the current physical setup rather than relying on the vehicle identification alone.
What should I inspect before driving a 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, brake components, and surrounding clearance areas so the new tires are mounted on sound foundations. The tires themselves should be checked for proper seating, correct inflation, and any immediate signs of rubbing once the car is on the ground.
A short initial road test should be followed by another close inspection. Look for sidewall scuffing, contact at full steering lock, unusual vibration, and any pressure loss after the first miles. On a collector car that may have spent long periods parked, those checks are just as important as choosing the right tire size.
How should 700-21 tires on a collector 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series be maintained?
700-21 tires on a collector 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Collector cars often accumulate fewer miles, so aging, cracking, flat spotting, and slow air loss can become as important as tread wear in judging a tire's condition.
It helps to inspect the tires before and after drives, especially around the sidewalls and tread shoulders. Storage away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires between outings. The wheel condition should also be checked periodically so the tire and rim continue to work together properly.
