1927 Pierce Arrow 36 Series Tires

The 1927 Pierce Arrow 36 Series uses two primary tire sizes: 33X6.75 and 700-21. Both are bias-ply fitments, but they are not the same type of sizing system and they do not use the same wheel diameter.

That makes wheel confirmation the first step before choosing a tire. A car equipped for 700-21 uses a 21-inch rim, while 33X6.75 follows an antique diameter-by-section format tied to a different setup. On a restored or long-owned Pierce Arrow, checking the wheels already on the car is more useful than assuming one size applies to every example.

A 1927 Pierce Arrow 36 Series can use more than one rim diameter because its two tire sizes are built around different wheel arrangements. The 700-21 tire uses a 21-inch rim, while the 33X6.75 fitment is associated with a 5.0-inch rim diameter in the tire dimensions shown for that size.

That difference is why the wheel itself must be identified before a tire is selected. On an antique car, wheels may have been changed during restoration or service life, and the currently mounted tire size may not tell the whole story if the car has been sitting for years. Measure the wheel carefully and match the tire to the actual rim in use.

On a 1927 Pierce Arrow 36 Series, 700-21 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 7.00 refers to the nominal section width in inches, and the 21 refers to the wheel diameter in inches.

That size format is familiar on many late-1920s and early-1930s vehicles and is easier for most buyers to interpret than older diameter-based markings. For this Pierce Arrow, 700-21 also opens the door to more visible product variation, including different brands and sidewall styles. Even so, the correct choice still depends on the car actually wearing 21-inch wheels rather than the alternate 33X6.75 setup.

Start with the basics: confirm that the car uses the 700-21 size and a 21-inch wheel, then compare the available bias-ply options within that fitment. The main differences here involve brand, tire series, sidewall treatment, and product specifications such as stated rim-width range, weight, and load capacity where those details appear.

Selection usually comes down to how the car will be presented and driven. A restoration-oriented owner may focus on traditional styling cues like blackwall or wide whitewall, while a road-use owner may pay closer attention to wheel compatibility and load figures such as 1930@40 psi where they are stated. Matching the tire to the car's wheel setup and intended use matters more than choosing by appearance alone.

The available 700-21 tire options for a 1927 Pierce Arrow 36 Series include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall sidewall styles. Those choices create noticeably different visual presentations even when the tire size remains the same.

Sidewall style is often one of the biggest appearance decisions on a pre-war luxury car because it affects the car's stance and visual weight from a distance. A blackwall keeps the look restrained and formal, while whitewall treatments bring more contrast and presence. The right choice depends on the style direction of the car, the wheel finish, and whether the goal is conservative touring presentation or a brighter restoration look.

For the 700-21 size used on the 1927 Pierce Arrow 36 Series, available brands include Firestone, Michelin, Lester, and Excelsior. Those brands appear across several period-style series, including Firestone Balloon, Double Rivet, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Comp H.

Brand choice is only one part of the decision. It is worth comparing the series character, sidewall style, and wheel compatibility details attached to each product, since some 700-21 options are aimed at a traditional touring presentation while others differ in whitewall treatment or stated rim-width range. On an antique luxury car, the best comparison is the one that balances correct size, visual character, and the wheel setup actually on the vehicle.

A period-style starting point for a 1927 Pierce Arrow 36 Series is the correct primary size already matched to the car's wheel setup, either 33X6.75 or 700-21, both in bias-ply construction. From there, the choice becomes one of visual presentation and product character rather than moving away from the original era's tire construction.

For many restoration-oriented cars in this class, sidewall treatment has a major effect on the final look. Blackwall creates a more restrained appearance, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall options add more visual emphasis. If exact originality matters beyond a general period-style presentation, checking marque references, surviving photos, or other vehicle-specific historical material is the safest way to narrow the final appearance choice.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1927 Pierce Arrow 36 Series because tire size strongly affects the car's stance, wheel fill, and overall visual balance. Using the right primary size for the wheel setup keeps the restoration grounded in the proportions expected of a late-1920s Pierce Arrow.

Fitment also influences practical details such as wheel compatibility and body clearance, especially on a car that may have seen wheel changes over many decades. Even when the visual goal is the priority, the tire still needs to match the actual rim and the car's current configuration. A restoration looks more convincing when size, construction, and sidewall style all work together rather than competing with the car's formal design.

Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1927 Pierce Arrow 36 Series, especially if the car has had wheel changes, altered hubs, brake updates, suspension work, or body modifications over its long service life. Even a correct-size antique tire can become a poor match if the wheel setup no longer reflects the original style of fitment.

A careful check should include wheel diameter, wheel width, and the space available at the fenders and steering components. On a pre-war car, decades of restoration work may have changed more than one part of the chassis. Confirming the current hardware before mounting new tires helps avoid choosing a period-style size that suits the model in theory but not the specific vehicle in front of you.

Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, mounting hardware, and the overall condition of the steering and suspension so the new tires are not asked to compensate for unrelated problems. The tires themselves should be checked for proper inflation, secure seating on the rim, and any obvious signs of air loss after installation.

An antique car also benefits from a cautious first drive. Pay attention to straight-line tracking, steering response, brake feel, and any rubbing or contact at full steering lock. It is smart to recheck inflation and wheel fasteners after the first few miles, especially on a collector vehicle that may have spent long periods off the road before receiving its new tires.

700-21 bias-ply tires on a collector 1927 Pierce Arrow 36 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss, particularly on a car that sees occasional rather than frequent use.

Collector cars often age tires through time and storage conditions more than mileage. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment helps preserve the rubber. It also helps to inspect the tires before every meaningful drive instead of relying on appearance alone, since a low-use antique vehicle can carry aged tires that still show acceptable tread.