1928 Auburn 115 Series Tires

The 1928 Auburn 115 Series uses two primary bias-ply tire size expressions: 30X6.50 and 650-18. The covered 8 Cyl. sub-model is associated with both sizes, so either size may be part of the correct fitment picture depending on the wheel and period tire convention being followed on the car.

That makes the next step less about guessing a modern substitute and more about confirming what is actually mounted on the vehicle. Check the wheel diameter, the existing tire markings if they are still readable, and the overall restoration direction before selecting a replacement. On a car of this age, wheel condition and actual wheel dimensions deserve the same attention as the tire size itself.

The 1928 Auburn 115 Series uses an 18-inch rim with the 650-18 tire size. Available 650-18 products are built for 18-inch fitment and show a rim-width range of 3.25 to 3.50 inches, which is useful when checking compatibility with the wheel currently on the car.

That rim measurement matters because an 18-inch tire must be matched to an 18-inch wheel, not simply to a similar-looking vintage tire. On an older restored vehicle, wheels may have been changed over time, so it is smart to verify actual wheel diameter and width before mounting tires. A close visual match is not enough when dealing with early bias-ply sizes.

650-18 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 650 portion refers to an approximate 6.50-inch nominal section width, while the 18 indicates the rim diameter in inches. On the 1928 Auburn 115 Series, it is one of the primary period tire sizes and connects directly to available Firestone Balloon tire choices.

Understanding that format helps separate tire width from wheel diameter, which is especially important on pre-war and late-1920s vehicles. It also explains why a buyer should not treat every old-size marking as interchangeable just because the width looks similar on paper. Matching the correct 18-inch wheel and choosing the preferred sidewall style are the practical steps that follow.

Start with the correct size, construction, and wheel compatibility. For the 1928 Auburn 115 Series, 650-18 is a bias-ply fitment on an 18-inch rim, and available Firestone Balloon options are built around a 3.25 to 3.50 inch rim-width range. Sidewall appearance is also a real part of the decision.

From there, think about how the car will be presented and used. A blackwall tire gives a more restrained traditional look, while a 3.50-inch wide whitewall creates a stronger period visual statement. It also helps to compare details such as maximum load specification where stated, tire weight, and the condition of the wheels before settling on a final choice.

The available 650-18 tires for the 1928 Auburn 115 Series come in blackwall and wide whitewall form. The wide whitewall option is a Firestone Balloon with a 3.50-inch whitewall, while another Firestone Balloon version is offered as a blackwall. Both remain within the same traditional bias-ply size family.

That choice has more to do with presentation than fitment, assuming the tire size and wheel specifications are correct. A wide whitewall can suit a more formal restoration-oriented look, while a blackwall keeps the appearance simpler and more understated. Owners trying to mirror a specific historical presentation should compare the car against period photos or marque references before deciding.

Firestone is the brand represented in the available 650-18 product selection for the 1928 Auburn 115 Series. Those options fall within the Firestone Balloon series and keep the focus on traditional bias-ply construction, which suits the vehicle's late-1920s fitment character and appearance expectations.

Since the brand spread is narrow here, the more useful comparison is within the available Firestone offerings rather than between unrelated manufacturers. Look at sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, and any stated load specification to decide which version best suits the car. On a vehicle like this, the right size and presentation usually matter more than chasing variety for its own sake.

A period-style approach to a 1928 Auburn 115 Series starts with its primary bias-ply sizing, 30X6.50 or 650-18, rather than a modern tire format. Among the available product choices, 650-18 Firestone Balloon tires keep the look and construction in line with the car's era, making them a strong visual and fitment-oriented starting point.

The final choice depends on how closely the car is being restored and how it is meant to be shown or driven. Some owners prefer a blackwall for a more restrained presentation, while others want the visual impact of a 3.50-inch wide whitewall. Exact originality questions are best checked against period photos, marque-club resources, or other Auburn-specific historical references.

Tire construction has a visible effect on a restored 1928 Auburn 115 Series because bias-ply tires carry the period shape and stance expected on a late-1920s automobile. Since the primary fitments here are bias-ply, staying with that construction helps preserve the traditional visual relationship between the tire, wheel, and body proportions.

Appearance is not only about sidewall color, but also about the overall impression the tire gives once mounted on the car. A wide whitewall can emphasize the car's upscale touring character, while a blackwall keeps the presentation more understated. Before choosing purely by looks, confirm that the selected tire also matches the wheel dimensions and intended use of the vehicle.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1928 Auburn 115 Series, even when the tire size itself is correct. If the car has replacement wheels, altered suspension height, brake changes, or bodywork differences from its original setup, those changes can influence wheel compatibility, steering clearance, and the space available around the tire.

That is especially important on a car from this era because small wheel and chassis changes can have a noticeable effect. Check actual wheel diameter and width first, then look at clearance through steering travel and suspension movement. A restored or long-stored car should also be inspected for wheel damage, loose hardware, and any signs that previous fitment choices were forcing contact.

Before driving a 1928 Auburn 115 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, and mounting condition as carefully as the tires themselves. Confirm that the tire size matches the wheel, that the beads are properly seated, and that there is no visible rubbing, uneven stance, cracking, cuts, or obvious air loss before the car goes on the road.

A short, careful initial drive is a smart way to recheck the installation. After that first outing, look again for clearance marks, fastener looseness, and any change in tire pressure. On an older collector car, it also pays to inspect steering response and brake behavior at low speed before planning a longer trip, since fresh tires can reveal issues elsewhere in the chassis.

650-18 tires on a collector 1928 Auburn 115 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Bias-ply tires on vehicles that see limited mileage can age out long before they wear out, so tread depth alone is not enough. Sidewall condition, cracking, flat spotting, and air retention all deserve attention.

Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage on a collector car. Keep the Auburn away from prolonged sunlight, heat sources, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment when possible, and inspect the tires before each outing rather than only at seasonal intervals. A car that has been sitting should also have its wheel hardware, valve stems, and general tire condition checked before returning to regular road use.