The 1927 Erskine 50 Series comes from an era when smaller American cars were gaining a stronger identity, blending practical transportation with styling and proportions that still appeal to pre-war collectors today. Tire choice on a car like this affects more than road use; it shapes stance, visual authenticity, and how comfortably the car can be prepared for touring or display. For this model, the primary fitment centers on bias-ply tires in 28X4.40 and 4.40-20 sizing. That gives owners a period-style tire decision rather than a modern performance comparison. The key is confirming which sizing convention matches the car's wheel setup before selecting a tire.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1927 Erskine 50 Series
The 1927 Erskine 50 Series uses two primary tire sizes, and both are bias-ply fitments associated with 20-inch wheel equipment. Because these sizes use different sizing conventions, the first step is confirming exactly which wheel and tire marking your car is set up for. Once that is clear, the decision becomes choosing the period-style tire presentation that best suits your restoration goals and intended road use.
The 28X4.40 size uses an early diameter-by-section format, where 28 refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter and 4.40 refers to its section width in inches. It is a bias-ply fitment suited to the kind of wheel and tire presentation expected on a late-1920s car such as the Erskine 50 Series. This format speaks more to period tire practice than to later numeric sizing systems. If your car is set up for this older style designation, it is worth keeping that format in mind when choosing a tire for restoration appearance and proper visual proportion.
The 4.40-20 size is a numeric bias-ply format in which 4.40 indicates the nominal section width in inches and 20 identifies the rim diameter. On a 1927 Erskine 50 Series, that makes it a straightforward vintage fitment tied to a 20-inch wheel. This style of marking is more familiar to many collectors because it clearly identifies wheel diameter within the size itself. It is the right size to evaluate if your wheels and existing tires are already marked in numeric bias-ply form and you want to stay aligned with a traditional pre-war tire setup.
Fitment is straightforward here because the covered sub-model uses the same two primary bias-ply tire sizes. Checking the exact sub-model still matters so the tire size and wheel setup on the car stay consistent with the configuration being restored or maintained.
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1927 Erskine 50 Series 8 Cyl.
The 1927 Erskine 50 Series 8 Cyl. uses the same pair of primary bias-ply fitments, so the main question is not trim-based variation but which sizing convention matches the car's wheels. That makes selection more about confirming the current wheel setup and choosing a tire that preserves the period look appropriate to a late-1920s automobile.
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 Erskine 50 Series usually need clarity on early tire sizing, 20-inch wheel fitment, restoration-minded tire selection, and the checks that matter before putting a pre-war car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1927 Erskine 50 Series?
The 1927 Erskine 50 Series uses two primary tire sizes: 28X4.40 and 4.40-20. Both are bias-ply fitments, and both relate to the 20-inch wheel setup used on this vehicle. These are not modern interchangeable labels as much as two vintage sizing conventions that can appear on cars from this period.
The practical step is confirming which size format matches the wheels and existing tire markings on your car. A pre-war vehicle may have had wheels, tires, or restoration work changed over time, so checking the actual rim diameter, wheel condition, and current setup helps prevent ordering a tire that matches the era but not the hardware on the car.
What size rim does a 1927 Erskine 50 Series use?
The 1927 Erskine 50 Series uses a 20-inch rim. That rim diameter is stated directly in the 4.40-20 size, and it also aligns with the vehicle's overall tire and wheel fitment information. For an early car like this, confirming wheel diameter is an essential first step before selecting tires.
Many collector cars have seen wheel changes, long-term storage, or mixed parts over the years, so it is worth measuring and inspecting the wheels already on the car. A tire can look visually similar in period form yet still be wrong for the rim, and careful confirmation helps preserve both fitment accuracy and safe mounting practice.
What does 28X4.40 mean on a 1927 Erskine 50 Series?
On the 1927 Erskine 50 Series, 28X4.40 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The first number, 28, refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter, while 4.40 refers to the section width in inches. It is an earlier style of tire marking than the later numeric bias-ply format many collectors recognize more easily.
That older designation matters because it describes the tire differently from a size such as 4.40-20, which explicitly names the rim diameter. When choosing tires for a pre-war car, it helps to compare the wheel setup, the markings on the old tires, and the restoration direction of the car rather than assuming two vintage labels are automatically interchangeable.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 28X4.40 or 4.40-20 tire for a 1927 Erskine 50 Series?
Start with the correct primary size for the wheels on the car, because the 1927 Erskine 50 Series appears with both 28X4.40 and 4.40-20 bias-ply fitments. On a vehicle from this era, the choice is usually about preserving the proper sizing convention and overall appearance rather than chasing modern tire categories or altered handling character.
Once the wheel setup is confirmed, think about how the car will be used. A show-oriented restoration may favor one presentation, while a lightly driven touring car still needs the right fitment, sound wheel condition, and a tire that maintains the visual scale expected on a late-1920s automobile.
How do I choose between the available 1927 Erskine 50 Series tires?
The main difference is not brand competition or modern performance positioning, but whether your car is set up for 28X4.40 or 4.40-20. Both are bias-ply sizes appropriate to the period, so the selection process begins with matching the tire to the wheels and the style of fitment already established on the car.
After that, consider the goal of the project. A car being restored for authenticity in stance and presentation may call for staying close to the tire format already associated with the vehicle, while a maintained driver still benefits from careful inspection of wheel integrity, clearance, and the overall condition of the surrounding suspension and steering components.
What rim-fitment details matter when choosing tires for a 1927 Erskine 50 Series?
The most important rim-fitment detail is confirming the 20-inch wheel diameter used on the 1927 Erskine 50 Series. Because this car appears with both an antique diameter-by-section size and a numeric bias-ply size, owners should make sure the tire designation they choose truly matches the wheel arrangement on the car.
It also helps to inspect the wheels themselves for age, damage, corrosion, or previous repair work before mounting new tires. On collector vehicles that have been apart for restoration or stored for long periods, tire choice should be tied to the actual wheel condition and assembly details, not just to what seems visually close.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1927 Erskine 50 Series?
A period-style 1927 Erskine 50 Series should begin with the two primary bias-ply fitments associated with the car: 28X4.40 and 4.40-20. Both reflect vintage sizing practice and suit the pre-war character of the vehicle. The right choice depends on which size format matches the wheels and overall setup on the car being restored.
Appearance matters on a late-1920s vehicle because tire shape and proportion strongly affect stance. If exact originality is a priority, it is wise to compare the car against marque references, period literature, or restoration records so the tire size supports both the mechanical fitment and the look expected for the project.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1927 Erskine 50 Series restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1927 Erskine 50 Series because the tire is a large visual part of the finished car. The right bias-ply size helps preserve the vehicle's proportions, ride height impression, and overall period presentation in a way that is especially noticeable on pre-war automobiles.
Fitment also affects the practical side of restoration. A tire that does not properly match the wheel setup can complicate mounting, change the visual stance, or create avoidable clearance concerns. Even on a car intended mainly for display, taking time to match the tire size to the wheel and restoration plan is worth the effort.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1927 Erskine 50 Series?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1927 Erskine 50 Series, even when the car still appears outwardly stock. Wheel substitutions, brake work, suspension changes, or previous restoration decisions can alter which of the two primary bias-ply sizes best matches the car's actual setup and available clearance.
That is why an owner should inspect the car itself rather than relying only on period expectations. A different wheel diameter, altered rim profile, or shifted ride height can change the tire decision quickly. Careful checking around the fenders, steering movement, and wheel hardware helps avoid unpleasant surprises once the tires are mounted.
What should I inspect before driving a 1927 Erskine 50 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1927 Erskine 50 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, steering components, and surrounding suspension parts, along with the tires themselves. On a pre-war car, road readiness depends on the entire assembly being sound, not simply on installing fresh rubber in the correct 28X4.40 or 4.40-20 size.
It also makes sense to check inflation, look for any interference at full steering lock, and confirm that the car rolls smoothly without vibration or uneven stance. A collector vehicle that has spent time parked may need extra attention to wheel integrity and chassis condition before it is ready for regular road use.
How should tires on a collector 1927 Erskine 50 Series be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1927 Erskine 50 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even when tread wear is minimal, a pre-war car's tires can age from time, sunlight, heat, and long periods of inactivity, especially if the vehicle is used only occasionally.
Routine inspection should include looking for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, flat-spotting, and any signs of air loss. Storage away from direct sunlight, excess moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. Short collector-car mileage can hide age-related deterioration, so condition matters just as much as apparent tread depth.
