The 1927 Chrysler 60 Series came from an era when Chrysler was building a reputation for advanced engineering and strong value in the growing American car market. For collectors today, that makes tire choice part of preserving both the car’s stance and its road manners. This exact model is associated with two primary bias-ply sizes, 28X5.25 and 5.25-18, so the first step is confirming which wheel and tire setup is actually on the car. Those two sizes reflect different vintage sizing systems rather than a simple modern-style alternate. For restoration-minded use, appearance, wheel compatibility, and careful measurement matter as much as the tire itself.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1927 Chrysler 60 Series
The 1927 Chrysler 60 Series uses two primary tire sizes, and they do not share the same sizing format or rim diameter. Before choosing a tire, the important step is confirming the exact wheel setup on the car, since 28X5.25 and 5.25-18 represent different vintage fitment conventions and should not be treated as interchangeable without checking the wheel and overall vehicle setup.
A 28X5.25 size uses the older diameter-by-section format, where 28 refers to the tire’s approximate overall diameter and 5.25 refers to its approximate section width. It is a bias-ply tire, which matches the construction type associated with the 1927 Chrysler 60 Series and suits the car’s pre-war driving character and appearance. This format is familiar on very early vehicles and can look quite different from later numeric bias-ply sizing even when the dimensions seem similar at a glance. Choosing it starts with confirming that the wheel and mounted-tire profile match this earlier sizing convention.
A 5.25-18 tire uses the vintage numeric bias-ply system, with 5.25 indicating nominal section width in inches and 18 identifying the wheel diameter. Its bias-ply construction is appropriate to the period and gives the 1927 Chrysler 60 Series the traditional tire presentation most owners expect on a restoration-oriented car. This later-style numeric format is more familiar to many vintage car owners than the older diameter-based system, but it still requires careful wheel confirmation before selection. It is the right size to evaluate only when the car is set up for an 18-inch rim rather than the alternate vintage fitment.
Fitment is straightforward here because the covered 6 Cyl. sub-model is associated with the same two primary bias-ply sizes used for the 1927 Chrysler 60 Series overall. What matters most is verifying which wheel and tire setup is on the car before choosing between the two vintage sizing systems.
1
1927 Chrysler 60 Series 6 Cyl.
The 1927 Chrysler 60 Series 6 Cyl. is associated with both 28X5.25 and 5.25-18 bias-ply tires. That makes wheel confirmation the key step, since the tire decision is less about trim variation and more about matching the car’s actual rim diameter and period-style setup.
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
Common questions for the 1927 Chrysler 60 Series usually center on the difference between 28X5.25 and 5.25-18, how those vintage sizes relate to the car’s wheels, and what to inspect before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1927 Chrysler 60 Series?
The 1927 Chrysler 60 Series is associated with two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 28X5.25 and 5.25-18. Those are both vintage fitments, but they use different sizing conventions and different wheel diameters, so they should be treated as separate setups rather than casual alternatives.
The practical step is to inspect the car’s existing wheels before ordering tires. A car set up for 5.25-18 uses an 18-inch rim, while 28X5.25 follows an older diameter-by-section format tied to a different wheel arrangement. On a restored or modified car, the tire size on the sidewall and the actual rim measurement should both be checked.
What size rim does a 1927 Chrysler 60 Series use?
Rim size depends on which tire size is on the car. The 5.25-18 fitment uses an 18-inch rim, while the alternate 28X5.25 fitment is associated with a different wheel setup and a much earlier style of tire sizing.
That matters because vintage cars are often restored, re-wheeled, or fitted with components from different periods during their lives. Measuring the wheel and confirming the tire marking already on the car helps prevent ordering a tire that matches the era but not the actual rim. Rim diameter should be verified before any other tire decision is made.
What does 28X5.25 mean on a 1927 Chrysler 60 Series?
On the 1927 Chrysler 60 Series, 28X5.25 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size. In that format, 28 refers to the approximate overall tire diameter and 5.25 refers to the approximate section width, rather than using the later numeric pattern that ends with an obvious wheel diameter.
That older sizing style can be confusing because it does not read like a modern tire code or a later bias-ply size such as 5.25-18. The best approach is to match the tire size to the wheel that is actually on the car and compare the full mounted setup carefully, especially if the Chrysler has been restored or altered over time.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1927 Chrysler 60 Series tire?
Start with the correct primary size for the car’s current wheel setup, since the 1927 Chrysler 60 Series is associated with both 28X5.25 and 5.25-18 bias-ply tires. The first decision is not brand or appearance, but whether the car is using the earlier diameter-by-section fitment or the 18-inch numeric bias-ply fitment.
Once the size is confirmed, think about how the car will be used and how closely the finished look should follow a restoration-oriented presentation. A show-focused car may prioritize period-style proportions, while a regularly driven collector car still needs proper wheel compatibility, good overall condition in the running gear, and enough clearance through steering and suspension travel.
How do I choose between the available 28X5.25 and 5.25-18 tires for a 1927 Chrysler 60 Series?
Choosing between 28X5.25 and 5.25-18 is really a matter of matching the tire to the wheel and existing setup on the 1927 Chrysler 60 Series. Both are bias-ply fitments, but they belong to different vintage sizing systems and are not simply two ways of writing the same size.
A car that has kept its long-standing restoration setup may already point you toward the correct choice through its wheel dimensions and current tire markings. Any uncertainty calls for a careful check of rim diameter, the way the tire sits within the fender opening, and whether the car has had wheel changes at any point in its collector life.
Why does the 1927 Chrysler 60 Series have more than one tire size?
The 1927 Chrysler 60 Series appears with two different primary bias-ply sizes because early automotive tire sizing was not as standardized as later systems. A 28X5.25 tire uses an antique diameter-by-section format, while 5.25-18 uses a later numeric bias-ply format centered more clearly around nominal width and wheel diameter.
For an owner, that means the right choice comes from the actual wheel and tire arrangement on the car rather than from assuming one vintage size automatically substitutes for the other. Collector cars often carry decades of restoration history, so checking the mounted tire size and measuring the rim can save time and avoid fitment mistakes.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1927 Chrysler 60 Series?
A period-style 1927 Chrysler 60 Series should stay with the primary bias-ply fitment that matches the car’s actual wheel setup, either 28X5.25 or 5.25-18. Both sizes reflect genuine vintage sizing language, so the more important restoration question is which one belongs on the wheels currently fitted to the car.
That approach helps preserve the car’s visual proportions and keeps the tire choice aligned with the era’s construction style. When exact originality matters beyond a broadly period-style result, marque references, restoration records, and other Chrysler-specific historical sources can help confirm which wheel-and-tire combination best suits a particular car’s history.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1927 Chrysler 60 Series restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1927 Chrysler 60 Series because the tire has a major effect on stance, wheel fill, and the overall visual balance of an early car. Using the right vintage bias-ply size also helps preserve the way the car presents in profile and at the wheel opening.
The restoration issue is not just appearance, though. An incorrect wheel-and-tire combination can create clearance concerns, alter how the car sits, and make the finished restoration feel inconsistent with the period. Confirming the wheel diameter, existing tire markings, and the intended restoration standard should happen before any final tire choice is made.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1927 Chrysler 60 Series?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1927 Chrysler 60 Series, especially on a vehicle this old. Wheel changes, brake conversions, suspension work, altered ride height, or body and fender repairs can all change the space available for a vintage bias-ply tire and may also affect which of the two primary sizes makes sense.
A car that has been updated at any point should be checked in its current configuration rather than by model year alone. Measuring rim diameter, inspecting wheel width, and turning the steering through its range can reveal issues before mounting tires. Clearance at the fender, chassis, and suspension should all be part of that check.
What should I inspect before driving a 1927 Chrysler 60 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1927 Chrysler 60 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition, confirm the tires match the actual rim setup, and make sure the valve hardware and mounting components are in good shape. A collector car should also be checked for steering play, suspension wear, and any rubbing points around the fenders or chassis.
Tire condition remains important even when the tires are newly installed. Verify inflation, recheck for any air loss after the first period of sitting, and look over the sidewalls once the car has been rolled and steered under load. A short, careful test drive is the best way to confirm the setup behaves cleanly.
How should 1927 Chrysler 60 Series tires be maintained on a collector car?
Tires on a 1927 Chrysler 60 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Because collector cars often spend long periods parked, it is important to watch for sidewall cracking, flat spotting, cuts, bulges, and any sign that the tire is losing air between drives.
Storage conditions make a real difference on vintage vehicles. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the tires during inactive periods. It also helps to inspect the wheels and surrounding suspension at the same time, since a sound tire setup depends on the condition of the entire rolling assembly.
