The 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series comes from an ambitious period in American motoring, when engineering innovation and road-going comfort were becoming major selling points for upscale cars. A car of this era looks right only when its tire fitment matches both its proportions and its intended use. The 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series centers on bias-ply fitment, with 33X6.00 and 600-21 both associated with the model. Available choices in 600-21 include traditional blackwall and wide whitewall presentations from Lester and BFGoodrich. The real decision is confirming which of these period-size formats suits the car's wheel setup, appearance goals, and road-use plans.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series
The 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series uses two bias-ply tire sizes, and the first step is confirming exactly which size is on the car now. Both sizes are tied to this model, and one of them is clearly associated with a 21-inch rim, so wheel measurement matters before choosing a replacement. Once the size is confirmed, the decision shifts to period-style appearance, sidewall treatment, and product details within the correct fitment.
A 33X6.00 tire uses an antique diameter-by-section format, where 33 refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter and 6.00 refers to its approximate section width in inches. It is a bias-ply fitment, which suits the driving character and visual proportions expected on a late-1920s American car. This format appeals to owners trying to preserve an earlier tire presentation rather than moving toward later numeric sizing. It is important to confirm the actual wheel and existing tire markings on the car, since antique-format sizes can be confused with later numeric bias-ply sizes at a glance.
A 600-21 tire uses the numeric bias-ply system, where 600 represents an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width and 21 identifies the rim diameter in inches. On the 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series, this bias-ply size is supported by available period-style products in blackwall and wide whitewall form. Lester and BFGoodrich options are available, including Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Lester Classic Bias Ply series choices. This size is the practical place to start when the car is on 21-inch wheels and the goal is a traditional replacement with some flexibility in appearance.
Fitment for the covered sub-model is straightforward in one sense and still worth checking carefully in another. The 8 Cyl. version is associated with two bias-ply sizes, so identifying the tire size already on the car remains the key step before comparing replacement options.
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1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series 8 Cyl.
The 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series 8 Cyl. is associated with both 33X6.00 and 600-21 bias-ply tires. That makes wheel and existing tire verification especially important, then the choice can move to the kind of period-style presentation you want, such as blackwall or wide whitewall in 600-21.
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 Rickenbacker 90 Series Tires for Sale
Available 600-21 choices include Lester and BFGoodrich bias-ply tires in Lester Classic Bias Ply and Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series form. The main differences in the product grid are sidewall style, including blackwall and wide whitewall, along with rim-width and load details where stated.
Owners of a 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series usually need to sort out antique tire sizing, 21-inch wheel fitment, period-style sidewall choices, and the practical checks that matter before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series?
The 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series is associated with two bias-ply tire sizes: 33X6.00 and 600-21. The covered 8 Cyl. sub-model uses those same two sizes, so the fitment question is less about trim differences and more about confirming which size is actually mounted on the car.
That matters because these are two different vintage sizing formats, not just two ways of writing the same modern tire size. Checking the tire sidewall, measuring the wheel, and comparing the car's present setup will usually point to the right replacement path before choosing between available sidewall styles and brands.
What size rim does a 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series use?
A 21-inch rim is clearly tied to the 600-21 tire size used on the 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series. The 600-21 size itself identifies the wheel diameter, and available products in that size are built for 21-inch rims.
Because this car is also associated with 33X6.00, it is smart to verify the wheel before ordering tires rather than relying on the model name alone. Measuring the wheel diameter and checking any existing tire markings can prevent confusion between antique diameter-based sizing and later numeric bias-ply fitment.
What does 33X6.00 mean on a 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series?
On a 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series, 33X6.00 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size. The 33 refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter in inches, while 6.00 refers to its approximate section width, and the tire uses bias-ply construction.
That format differs from 600-21, which names a nominal section width and a wheel diameter instead. Anyone replacing a worn or aged tire should confirm the existing wheel and compare the sidewall markings carefully, since using the wrong vintage size format can lead to the wrong replacement even when the numbers seem similar.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-21 tire for a 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series?
Start with the basics: confirm that the car is using 600-21 rather than 33X6.00, then compare the available bias-ply choices within the correct size. For this Rickenbacker, 600-21 options include Lester and BFGoodrich products, with blackwall and wide whitewall styles available.
From there, the decision usually comes down to appearance, wheel compatibility, and how the car will be used. Some 600-21 products include stated rim-width and load details, which are worth checking against the wheels on the car before selecting a period-style touring tire for regular display or road use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series tires?
In 600-21, the 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series has blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall choices. Blackwall options are available from Lester and BFGoodrich, while a BFGoodrich 3.50 inch whitewall provides a more pronounced traditional sidewall presentation.
The right choice depends on the appearance you want from the car rather than a blanket rule. A blackwall usually gives a simpler, more understated look, while a wide whitewall creates a stronger late-1920s restoration-oriented visual statement once the correct size and wheel fitment have already been confirmed.
What brands offer tires for the 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series?
The available 600-21 tire choices for the 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series include Lester and BFGoodrich. Those options are all bias-ply tires and cover more than one visual style, giving owners a useful comparison within a traditional vintage fitment.
Brand alone should not be the only decision point on a car of this age. It helps to compare sidewall treatment, tire series, wheel-width suitability where stated, and the type of finish you want the car to have, especially if the goal is a consistent period-style look across all four tires.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series?
A period-style 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series should stay with one of its associated bias-ply sizes, either 33X6.00 or 600-21, after confirming which setup is actually on the car. That keeps the size format and construction in step with the kind of proportions expected on a late-1920s automobile.
Once the size is settled, appearance becomes the next major factor. In 600-21, blackwall and wide whitewall options create noticeably different visual character, so the best choice depends on whether the car is being finished for a restrained touring look or a more formal restoration-oriented presentation.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series because tire size strongly affects stance, wheel appearance, and the overall visual balance of the car. Using one of the associated bias-ply sizes is the proper starting point for a restoration-minded replacement.
That does not mean every sidewall style or brand choice carries the same historical implication. Owners pursuing exact originality should compare the car against period photos, marque references, or other vehicle-specific historical sources, while others may simply choose the right size and a sidewall treatment that suits the finished look.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series even when the tire size itself is correct. Changes such as different wheels, altered wheel width, brake updates, suspension work, or body adjustments can all influence how a vintage bias-ply tire sits and clears.
That is especially important on a pre-war era vehicle where replacement parts and past modifications may not match original practice. Checking wheel diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and fender space before mounting new tires can prevent problems that are easy to miss when relying only on the model designation.
What should I inspect before driving a 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and any tubes or related hardware that may be part of the setup. The tires should also be checked for proper seating, visible damage, and inflation appropriate to the tire and wheel combination being used.
A collector car that has spent time parked deserves extra attention beyond the tires alone. Wheel condition, brake operation, steering response, and clearance through a full steering sweep should all be checked carefully so the first road miles do not reveal an avoidable fitment or safety issue.
How should 600-21 tires on a collector 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series be maintained?
600-21 tires on a collector 1927 Rickenbacker 90 Series should be inspected regularly for air loss, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven tread wear. Collector vehicles often spend long periods parked, so age and storage conditions can matter just as much as tread depth.
Good maintenance also means keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources when stored. Pressure checks before use, occasional visual inspections during storage, and a close look at the wheels and hardware before longer drives will help preserve both appearance and roadworthiness.
