The 1927 Reo Flying Cloud comes from a period when American cars were rapidly becoming more refined in style, comfort, and road manners, yet still relied on distinctly early tire sizing and wheel conventions. For collectors, it sits squarely in the pre-war touring era where tire appearance matters almost as much as basic fitment. This Reo Flying Cloud uses bias-ply fitments in 30X6.20 and 650-18, both tied to 18-inch wheel use in this application. That leaves room to choose between a traditional blackwall look or a more formal wide whitewall presentation in the available 650-18 offerings. The key is confirming which size is on the car now and matching the tire to its wheels, stance, and restoration goals.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1927 Reo Flying Cloud
The 1927 Reo Flying Cloud uses two primary tire sizes, and the first step is confirming which size is actually mounted on the car. Both fitments are bias-ply and center on 18-inch wheel use here, so the real decision is not only size, but also whether the car should keep its current format and what appearance or product style best suits the vehicle.
30X6.20 is an antique diameter-by-section size, meaning the first number refers to an approximate 30-inch overall tire diameter and the second number refers to an approximate 6.20-inch section width. It is a bias-ply fitment that reflects the transitional sizing language often seen on late 1920s cars and light-duty applications. For a 1927 Reo Flying Cloud, this size is especially important for owners trying to preserve an early-period tire profile and stance. The practical question is whether the car still carries this older-style sizing convention or has already been fitted around the 650-18 format.
650-18 is a numeric bias-ply size in which the 650 represents an approximate 6.50-inch nominal section width and the 18 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1927 Reo Flying Cloud, it is a traditional pre-war style fitment with available Firestone Balloon options in both blackwall and wide whitewall form. Those choices let the tire serve either a more understated roadgoing presentation or a stronger restoration-oriented appearance. This size is worth close attention if the car already runs 18-inch wheels and the goal is to compare visible sidewall style as well as fitment.
Fitment is straightforward here because the covered sub-model uses the same two primary tire sizes. Even so, checking the exact sub-model and the wheels currently on the car still matters, since a Flying Cloud may already be wearing one size format or the other.
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1927 Reo Flying Cloud 6 Cyl.
The 1927 Reo Flying Cloud 6 Cyl. uses the same pair of bias-ply fitments found at the model level, so the main task is confirming which size is actually on the vehicle. That helps narrow the decision toward the correct vintage sizing format and, where 650-18 is involved, the preferred sidewall 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.
Best 1927 Reo Flying Cloud Tires for Sale
Available 650-18 choices center on the Firestone Balloon series, with both blackwall and 3.50-inch wide whitewall versions. These bias-ply options also share the same 18-inch rim fitment range, making appearance one of the clearest points of comparison in the product grid.
Owners of a 1927 Reo Flying Cloud usually need clarity on vintage tire sizing, 18-inch wheel fitment, bias-ply construction, appearance choices, and the checks that matter before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1927 Reo Flying Cloud?
The 1927 Reo Flying Cloud uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 30X6.20 and 650-18. Those sizes reflect two different vintage sizing conventions, with 30X6.20 using an older diameter-by-section format and 650-18 using a numeric bias-ply format tied to an 18-inch rim.
The right choice depends on the wheel and tire setup currently on the car. A Flying Cloud that already carries 650-18 tires should stay within that size family unless the wheel and overall fitment are checked carefully, while a car wearing 30X6.20 should be evaluated with the same care before changing formats.
What size rim does a 1927 Reo Flying Cloud use?
The 1927 Reo Flying Cloud uses an 18-inch rim in this fitment range. That rim diameter is explicitly tied to the 650-18 size, and the vehicle-level fitment grouping centers on 18-inch wheel use for this application.
Rim diameter is only part of the picture on a vintage car. It is still important to confirm the actual wheel on the vehicle, especially if the car has been restored, modified, or re-wheeled over time, and to compare wheel width and tire clearance before settling on a replacement tire.
What does 30X6.20 mean on a 1927 Reo Flying Cloud?
30X6.20 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size. The 30 refers to an approximate overall tire diameter in inches, and the 6.20 refers to an approximate section width, which is a much older style of tire measurement than modern radial or later numeric bias-ply sizing.
That matters because the number sequence does not describe the tire the way a modern driver might expect. On a 1927 Reo Flying Cloud, the size should be treated as its own vintage fitment format, so wheel compatibility and the car's current setup should be checked before moving to a different size code.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1927 Reo Flying Cloud?
Start with the exact tire size already in use on the car, because the 1927 Reo Flying Cloud can use either 30X6.20 or 650-18 bias-ply tires. After size is confirmed, look at wheel diameter, wheel width, construction, and whether the tire's overall appearance suits a preservation-minded or restoration-oriented car.
Selection becomes more specific with 650-18, where available choices include different sidewall presentations within the Firestone Balloon line. A blackwall keeps the look restrained, while a wide whitewall creates a more formal period-style appearance, so the final decision often comes down to both fitment accuracy and visual character.
What sidewall styles are available for 1927 Reo Flying Cloud tires?
For the 1927 Reo Flying Cloud, the available 650-18 products include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. The wide whitewall version is offered as a 3.50-inch whitewall within the Firestone Balloon series, while another Firestone Balloon option uses a blackwall sidewall.
Sidewall choice changes the car's visual impression more than its basic fitment. A blackwall usually gives a simpler, more restrained presentation, while a wide whitewall tends to emphasize period formality and restoration display appeal, so the best choice depends on how the Flying Cloud is being presented and driven.
How do I choose between the available 650-18 tires for a 1927 Reo Flying Cloud?
The current 650-18 options for a 1927 Reo Flying Cloud are both Firestone Balloon bias-ply tires, so the main comparison is sidewall style rather than brand or construction. One uses a blackwall treatment, while the other adds a 3.50-inch wide whitewall for a more decorative pre-war look.
It also helps to compare rim-width compatibility and any load or weight figures that matter to your intended use. On a collector car, appearance often drives the final choice, but the tire still needs to match the wheel correctly and suit how the car will actually be used on the road.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1927 Reo Flying Cloud?
A period-style 1927 Reo Flying Cloud should begin with one of its correct bias-ply fitment sizes, either 30X6.20 or 650-18, depending on the wheel and tire setup on the car. That keeps the selection aligned with the vehicle's late-1920s character rather than shifting it into a noticeably newer tire look.
Within 650-18, the available Firestone Balloon options allow the presentation to move toward either a simpler blackwall appearance or a more formal wide whitewall style. Buyers chasing exact restoration accuracy should also compare period photos, marque references, and other vehicle-specific documentation before settling on a final visual treatment.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1927 Reo Flying Cloud?
Bias-ply construction is a major part of the restored appearance on a 1927 Reo Flying Cloud because the car's primary fitments are vintage bias-ply sizes. The overall profile, sidewall character, and stance of a bias-ply tire contribute strongly to the way a pre-war car sits and looks.
Appearance is not only about size code, since sidewall treatment also changes the car's visual tone. A wide whitewall can make the Flying Cloud feel more formal and show-oriented, while a blackwall keeps the presentation more restrained, so construction and sidewall style should be considered together rather than separately.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1927 Reo Flying Cloud?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1927 Reo Flying Cloud even when the tire size itself appears correct. Changes to wheels, wheel width, suspension height, brake components, or body clearances can alter how a vintage bias-ply tire sits and moves within the car's available space.
A Flying Cloud that has been restored over many decades may not still match its original wheel setup. Checking actual rim diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and fender clearance before mounting replacement tires helps avoid choosing a size that is right on paper but mismatched to the car's present configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1927 Reo Flying Cloud on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and overall mounting condition, then verify tire pressure and make sure each tire seats properly. It is also wise to look over the steering and suspension for looseness, since a vintage car can feel unsettled even when the new tires themselves are correct.
A short, careful test drive is the best first step after installation. Listen for rubbing, confirm straight-ahead tracking, and recheck pressure after the initial drive, because a collector vehicle that has spent long periods parked may reveal wheel, brake, or chassis issues only after it returns to regular road movement.
How should tires on a collector 1927 Reo Flying Cloud be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1927 Reo Flying Cloud should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even if tread wear is minimal, sidewall cracking, flat spotting, cuts, bulges, and gradual air loss matter on an older vehicle that may spend much of its time parked.
Storage conditions have a real effect on tire life. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, heat, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber, and moving or driving the car periodically can reduce long-term flat spotting while giving you a chance to catch age-related condition issues early.
