The 1926 Star 4 Cyl. comes from the brass-to-vintage transition years, when practical small cars introduced many drivers to dependable everyday motoring on improving but still imperfect roads. Tire choice on a car like this matters as much for stance and appearance as it does for proper road use. The 1926 Star 4 Cyl. uses bias-ply fitments in 29X4.50 and 4.40-21, both tied to a 21-inch wheel setup. That gives owners a decision between two period-style sizing formats rather than a modern radial-versus-bias choice. For restoration-minded driving, the key is confirming which size is on the car now and matching the tire to the wheel and overall presentation.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1926 Star 4 Cyl.
The 1926 Star 4 Cyl. uses two primary tire sizes, and both are bias-ply fitments associated with the same 21-inch wheel diameter. The first step is confirming which size is on the car now, since the choice is less about construction and more about selecting the correct vintage sizing system, wheel match, and period-style appearance for your particular setup.
29X4.50 is an antique diameter-by-section size, meaning the first number refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter in inches and the second refers to its approximate section width. On the 1926 Star 4 Cyl., this is a bias-ply fitment suited to an early vehicle that used traditional tall, narrow tire proportions. This format appeals to owners who want a distinctly early motoring look instead of a later numeric size presentation. It is a useful size to evaluate when preserving the car's vintage character while still confirming the actual wheel and existing setup on the vehicle.
4.40-21 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 4.40 indicating nominal section width in inches and 21 identifying the rim diameter. For a 1926 Star 4 Cyl., this format reflects a more familiar vintage sizing convention while keeping the traditional bias-ply construction expected on a car of this era. It can be the right direction for an owner whose car is already set up around this numeric size and matching wheel diameter. The practical step is to verify the wheel and current fitment before choosing a replacement based on appearance alone.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered 1926 Star 4 Cyl. Base uses the same two bias-ply size choices. Even so, checking the exact wheel and tire already on the car still matters, since early vehicles are often restored or updated over time.
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1926 Star 4 Cyl. Base
The 1926 Star 4 Cyl. Base uses 29X4.50 and 4.40-21 bias-ply tire fitments. That means tire selection centers on confirming which vintage size format matches the car's present wheel setup and deciding which look best supports the restoration or driving goal.
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 Star 4 Cyl. usually need help sorting out vintage tire sizing, 21-inch wheel fitment, restoration-oriented appearance, and the checks worth making before putting an early car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1926 Star 4 Cyl.?
The 1926 Star 4 Cyl. uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 29X4.50 and 4.40-21. Both sizes are associated with the same 21-inch wheel diameter, but they represent different vintage sizing conventions, so the size printed on the tire matters when choosing a replacement.
The practical decision is confirming which size is actually mounted on the car today. Early vehicles are often restored, re-wheeled, or changed over many decades, so checking the existing tire markings and wheel dimensions is more useful than assuming every surviving Star 4 Cyl. still carries the same setup.
What size rim does a 1926 Star 4 Cyl. use?
The 1926 Star 4 Cyl. uses a 21-inch rim. That rim diameter aligns with the 4.40-21 size directly, and the alternate 29X4.50 fitment is also associated with the same 21-inch wheel setup on this vehicle.
Rim diameter is one of the first things to verify before replacing tires on an early car. A 21-inch wheel can still vary in other ways, and older cars sometimes wear replacement wheels, so checking the actual wheel on the vehicle helps avoid choosing a tire that matches the year and model but not the car's present hardware.
What does 29X4.50 mean on a 1926 Star 4 Cyl.?
On a 1926 Star 4 Cyl., 29X4.50 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size. The 29 refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter in inches, and the 4.50 refers to its approximate section width, making it a distinctly early sizing format rather than a later numeric designation.
That matters because antique tire sizes do not read the same way as modern radial sizes or even later vintage numeric bias-ply tires. Matching the size correctly helps preserve the car's stance and look, while confirming the wheel and current setup keeps the replacement grounded in how the vehicle is actually configured today.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1926 Star 4 Cyl.?
Start with the exact size already used on the car: either 29X4.50 or 4.40-21. Both are bias-ply fitments for the 1926 Star 4 Cyl., so the choice is not about switching between primary constructions but about matching the correct vintage sizing format and wheel setup.
After size confirmation, think about the car's purpose. A restoration-oriented Star may call for the tire format that best supports a traditional appearance, while a regularly driven car still needs careful attention to wheel condition, tire age, and overall fitment so the selected tire suits real road use rather than display alone.
How do I choose between 29X4.50 and 4.40-21 for a 1926 Star 4 Cyl.?
Choose between 29X4.50 and 4.40-21 by matching the size that belongs to the wheel and existing setup on the car. Both are proper bias-ply fitments for a 1926 Star 4 Cyl., but they are written in different vintage sizing systems and should not be treated as casual substitutes.
A good approach is to inspect the tires already on the vehicle and confirm the wheel diameter before ordering replacements. This is especially important on an early car that may have seen restoration work long after it left the road in regular service, since visual similarity alone can lead to the wrong choice.
Why does the 1926 Star 4 Cyl. have more than one tire size?
The 1926 Star 4 Cyl. has more than one tire size because vintage vehicles can be associated with more than one period-style sizing convention. In this case, 29X4.50 and 4.40-21 are both bias-ply fitments tied to the same 21-inch wheel diameter.
That does not mean every car should use either size without verification. On an early collector vehicle, the safest path is to confirm what is mounted now, examine the wheel itself, and make sure the chosen size supports the way the car is being presented, whether that is a restoration-focused look or careful occasional driving.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1926 Star 4 Cyl.?
For a period-style 1926 Star 4 Cyl., the starting point is staying with one of the correct bias-ply fitments: 29X4.50 or 4.40-21. Both maintain the tall, narrow vintage character expected on an automobile from this era, but the right choice depends on the wheel and existing configuration on the car.
Appearance on a mid-1920s vehicle is closely tied to tire proportions, so the selected size affects more than simple fitment. Owners pursuing a historically faithful restoration should compare the tire currently on the vehicle with authoritative references such as marque literature, period photos, or club guidance before settling on one format.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1926 Star 4 Cyl. restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1926 Star 4 Cyl. because the tire is a visible part of the car's stance, wheel opening proportion, and overall period presentation. Using the proper bias-ply size format helps the vehicle look coherent instead of giving it a later or mismatched appearance.
Fitment also matters mechanically, since early cars depend on the right relationship between tire, wheel, and chassis clearance. Even on a show-oriented restoration, it is worth checking the wheel diameter, the existing size markings, and the general condition of the wheels before mounting new tires for display or road use.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1926 Star 4 Cyl.?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1926 Star 4 Cyl. even when the intended tire size is otherwise correct. Replacement wheels, brake updates, suspension work, or body changes can alter the space available around the tire and may change which vintage size works best on the car.
That is why an early vehicle should be checked as it sits today rather than only by year and model. Looking at wheel diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and fender clearance helps confirm that the selected 29X4.50 or 4.40-21 bias-ply tire suits the actual car rather than an assumed original configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1926 Star 4 Cyl. on new tires?
Before driving a 1926 Star 4 Cyl. on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, and overall mounting condition, then make sure the tires are inflated appropriately for the application. It is also wise to look over the steering and suspension components, since an early car's road manners depend on more than just fresh rubber.
A short local test is usually smarter than heading straight out on a long drive. After the first miles, recheck for air loss, unusual contact marks, vibration, or any sign that the tire is not seating or clearing as expected, especially on a vehicle that has spent years in storage or undergone restoration work.
How should tires on a collector 1926 Star 4 Cyl. be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1926 Star 4 Cyl. should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Bias-ply tires on low-use antique vehicles can age out long before the tread is worn, so sidewall cracking, flat spotting, cuts, and air loss deserve as much attention as tread depth.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as driving conditions. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tire over time, and periodic inspections remain important even when the Star is driven only occasionally for events, tours, or short exercise runs.
