The 1927 Elcar 70 Series comes from the late brass-to-vintage transition era, when independent makes still gave buyers a wide range of body and chassis combinations and tire sizing could reflect that variety. For a collector or restoration-minded owner, tire choice on a car like this is as much about understanding the original style of fitment as it is about getting it road-ready. The 1927 Elcar 70 Series uses bias-ply tires, with fitments appearing in both 28X5.25 and 5.25-18 sizing. That makes the first step confirming which wheel and tire system the car actually carries. Once that is settled, the focus shifts to period-style appearance, wheel compatibility, and careful pre-drive inspection.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1927 Elcar 70 Series
Two tire sizes apply to the 1927 Elcar 70 Series, and they are both bias-ply fitments. Because these sizes use different sizing conventions and different rim diameters, the first job is confirming the exact wheel setup on the car before choosing a replacement. Once the wheel and sub-model configuration are verified, the decision becomes selecting the right period-style tire within the correct size.
The 28X5.25 size uses an older diameter-by-section format, where 28 refers to the approximate overall tire diameter and 5.25 refers to the nominal section width. It is a bias-ply tire, which suits the construction style and visual character expected on a late-1920s automobile such as the 1927 Elcar 70 Series. This format is quite different from later numeric bias-ply sizing, so it helps to read the marking carefully rather than assuming the first number is wheel diameter. It is the right size to evaluate only after confirming that the car is equipped for this antique-format fitment.
The 5.25-18 size is a numeric bias-ply format in which 5.25 represents the nominal section width in inches and 18 represents the rim diameter. On a 1927 Elcar 70 Series, this is a more familiar vintage replacement format for buyers accustomed to pre-war and early collector-car sizing conventions. Its bias-ply construction keeps the traditional stance and appearance associated with the period. Choosing this size starts with verifying that the car actually carries 18-inch rims, since it should not be confused with the very different 28X5.25 fitment.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here in one sense and important in another. The covered 6 Cyl. configuration is associated with both 28X5.25 and 5.25-18, so tire choice depends on confirming which wheel and tire system is on the car rather than assuming one size applies automatically.
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1927 Elcar 70 Series 6 Cyl.
The 1927 Elcar 70 Series 6 Cyl. is associated with both bias-ply tire sizes used on this page. That makes wheel confirmation especially important, since the buyer needs to match the car to the correct vintage size format before selecting a period-style replacement for road use or restoration presentation.
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 1927 Elcar 70 Series usually need clarity on vintage tire sizing, wheel diameter, restoration-oriented fitment, and the condition checks that matter before putting a low-use collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1927 Elcar 70 Series?
The 1927 Elcar 70 Series uses two bias-ply tire sizes: 28X5.25 and 5.25-18. Those are not interchangeable descriptions of the same size. They represent different vintage sizing systems, and they also correspond to different wheel setups on the vehicle.
The practical step is to inspect the wheels and the existing tire markings before ordering replacements. A car that carries 18-inch rims belongs in the 5.25-18 range, while a car set up for 28X5.25 uses the older diameter-by-section format. On a collector car that may have changed hands or undergone restoration work, checking the actual wheel configuration matters more than relying on assumption.
What size rim does a 1927 Elcar 70 Series use?
Rim size depends on which tire fitment the 1927 Elcar 70 Series has. The 5.25-18 tire uses an 18-inch rim, while the 28X5.25 fitment is associated with a different wheel arrangement and should not be read as an 18-inch size simply because both are vintage tires.
The best approach is to verify the actual wheel diameter on the car before selecting tires. Early vehicles can be restored, modified, or re-wheeled over time, and vintage size markings are easy to misread if you are more familiar with modern radial notation. Matching the tire to the wheel first helps avoid ordering a tire built for a completely different rim diameter.
What does 28X5.25 mean on a 1927 Elcar 70 Series?
On a 1927 Elcar 70 Series, 28X5.25 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size. The first number refers to the approximate overall tire diameter, and the second refers to nominal section width. It does not follow the later pattern where the final number indicates rim diameter.
That distinction is important because a modern buyer might mistake 28X5.25 for a wheel-diameter reference when it is actually an older sizing convention. Reading the sidewall correctly helps narrow the car to the proper vintage fitment system. Before replacing tires, compare the wheel, current tire markings, and overall setup so the new tire matches the car's actual configuration.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1927 Elcar 70 Series?
Start with the exact tire size the car uses, because the 1927 Elcar 70 Series appears with both 28X5.25 and 5.25-18 bias-ply fitments. Those sizes represent different vintage systems, so the first decision is not brand or appearance but confirming the wheel and tire arrangement already on the car.
After that, focus on how the car will be used and presented. A restoration-oriented car may call for a tire that preserves a traditional look, while a tour-ready driver still needs the correct size and wheel relationship first. It also helps to inspect existing wheel condition, make sure all four corners match, and confirm that no previous owner changed the setup.
How do I choose between 28X5.25 and 5.25-18 tires for a 1927 Elcar 70 Series?
Choose between 28X5.25 and 5.25-18 by matching the tire to the car's actual wheel and existing fitment, not by preference alone. Both are bias-ply sizes used on the 1927 Elcar 70 Series, but they are different formats and belong to different wheel arrangements.
A close inspection of the current tires, wheels, and any restoration paperwork can help settle the question. The older 28X5.25 marking describes overall tire diameter and section width, while 5.25-18 uses a numeric bias-ply size tied to an 18-inch rim. Confirming that detail first keeps the car aligned with its present hardware and avoids a mismatch at installation time.
What rim-fitment details should I compare when choosing 1927 Elcar 70 Series tires?
Rim diameter is the key fitment detail to compare on a 1927 Elcar 70 Series. A 5.25-18 tire belongs on an 18-inch rim, while 28X5.25 is part of a different antique-format fitment. Making sure the wheel matches the tire size is more important than comparing styles at the start.
It is also smart to inspect the wheel itself for condition and consistency across the vehicle. On older collector cars, a previous repair, spare-wheel substitution, or mixed set of rims can complicate tire selection. Checking wheel size, bead-seat condition, and whether the car has remained mechanically consistent helps narrow the choice to the right vintage tire format.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1927 Elcar 70 Series?
For a period-style 1927 Elcar 70 Series, the right starting point is the correct bias-ply size already matched to the car's wheel setup, either 28X5.25 or 5.25-18. Both preserve the traditional construction type expected on a late-1920s automobile more naturally than a modern-looking substitute.
Appearance and authenticity usually begin with getting the size format right, since the proportions of an antique tire are part of the car's visual stance. Owners pursuing a more exact restoration should also compare surviving photos, marque references, and restoration records tied to the individual car. That extra step is worthwhile when originality matters as much as road use.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1927 Elcar 70 Series restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1927 Elcar 70 Series restoration because the tire's dimensions and construction shape the car's stance, visual balance, and period presentation. Using the proper bias-ply format, whether 28X5.25 or 5.25-18, helps the finished vehicle look mechanically and historically coherent.
A mismatch in size system can make an otherwise well-restored car look off even before it is driven. Restorations also benefit from checking that all wheels match and that the spare follows the same fitment logic. Tire choice should support the vehicle's era, but it also needs to agree with the hardware currently on the car.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1927 Elcar 70 Series?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1927 Elcar 70 Series. Changes such as replacement wheels, altered hubs, suspension work, or non-original restoration choices can shift the car away from its expected vintage tire setup. That matters even more here because two different bias-ply size systems are associated with the model.
A modified car should be measured carefully before new tires are chosen. Wheel diameter needs to match the tire size, and any changes in track width, steering travel, or fender relationship should be reviewed at the same time. Early collector cars often evolve over decades, so the current hardware on the vehicle is the real guide for safe fitment decisions.
What should I inspect before driving a 1927 Elcar 70 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1927 Elcar 70 Series on new tires, inspect wheel condition, valve hardware, mounting quality, and inflation, then confirm that each tire matches the correct size for the wheel. It also helps to check the spare and make sure the vehicle is not carrying a mixed set of tire formats.
A short, careful test drive is wise after installation, especially on a low-use collector car. Watch for rubbing during turns, listen for unusual noises, and recheck pressure after the first miles. Tire condition is only part of the equation on a 1920s vehicle, so brakes, steering play, and general chassis condition deserve attention before regular road use.
How should tires on a collector 1927 Elcar 70 Series be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1927 Elcar 70 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even when mileage is low, a bias-ply tire can still age from time, heat, sunlight, and long periods of sitting, so condition matters as much as tread depth.
Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss before each driving season and after longer storage. Moving the car occasionally and storing it away from moisture and ozone sources can help preserve the tires. Any sign of deterioration should be taken seriously on an older vehicle, where stability and braking margins are already different from modern cars.
