The 1928 Auburn 76 Series came from an era when American automobiles balanced style, engineering ambition, and rapid year-to-year change. Auburn buyers were often drawn to distinctive design and an upscale presence, which makes tire choice especially important on a surviving car today. For the 1928 Auburn 76 Series, the primary fitments are bias-ply sizes 28X5.25 and 5.25-18, so the first step is confirming which wheel and tire setup is actually on the car. Because both sizes belong to an earlier sizing world, the decision is as much about authentic presentation and wheel compatibility as it is about simply replacing an old tire.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1928 Auburn 76 Series
The 1928 Auburn 76 Series uses two primary tire sizes, and they are not interchangeable descriptions of the same thing. One is 28X5.25 and the other is 5.25-18, both in bias-ply construction, so the first job is confirming which wheel and tire setup the car has before choosing a replacement. Once that is settled, the focus shifts to selecting the right period-style tire for the car's appearance and intended road use.
In the size 28X5.25, the first number refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter in inches, while the second refers to its nominal section width. This is an older bias-ply sizing format used on early vehicles, and it reflects a tire system that predates the more familiar modern rim-diameter-first radial sizes. On a 1928 Auburn 76 Series, this size matters because it points to a very specific antique-era wheel and tire arrangement. Choosing it starts with verifying the wheel setup already on the car and then matching that traditional presentation with a proper bias-ply replacement.
The size 5.25-18 is a numeric bias-ply designation in which 5.25 represents the nominal section width in inches and 18 identifies the rim diameter. This format is more familiar to later vintage tire buyers, but it still belongs to the period bias-ply world that suits a 1928 Auburn 76 Series. Its practical value is that it clearly ties the tire to an 18-inch wheel, making wheel confirmation especially important before purchase. For a restoration-minded owner, this size supports a traditional look while keeping the car within the sizing language of its era.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered 1928 Auburn 76 Series configuration uses the same two primary bias-ply tire sizes. Checking the exact sub-model still matters so the tire choice stays aligned with the wheel setup and overall restoration direction of the car.
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1928 Auburn 76 Series 6 Cyl.
The 1928 Auburn 76 Series 6 Cyl. uses the same pair of primary bias-ply fitments found on this vehicle page, so the key decision is determining which wheel and tire setup is actually mounted on the car. That makes tire selection less about trim differences and more about wheel confirmation, traditional appearance, and safe compatibility with the existing chassis and fender clearances.
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 1928 Auburn 76 Series usually need clarity on antique tire sizing, wheel compatibility, restoration-minded choices, and the checks worth making before putting an early collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1928 Auburn 76 Series?
The 1928 Auburn 76 Series uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 28X5.25 and 5.25-18. Those are two distinct vintage fitments, not simply two modern ways of writing the same tire size, so the correct choice depends on the wheel and tire setup currently on the car.
A buyer should start by reading the existing tire size and confirming the wheel dimensions before ordering a replacement. On an older collector vehicle, wheels may have been changed over time, so matching the tire to the actual wheel on the car is more important than assuming every 1928 Auburn 76 Series still carries the same setup.
What size rim does a 1928 Auburn 76 Series use?
The 1928 Auburn 76 Series appears with two wheel-related fitments tied to its two primary tire sizes. The 5.25-18 size uses an 18-inch rim, while the 28X5.25 fitment belongs to an antique diameter-by-section format and should be matched carefully to the wheel arrangement already on the vehicle.
That means rim confirmation should happen before any tire purchase, especially on a car approaching a century in age. Measuring the wheel, checking the existing tire markings, and confirming that the car has not been updated with different wheels can prevent an expensive mismatch and help preserve the intended stance and appearance.
Does the 1928 Auburn 76 Series 6 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1928 Auburn 76 Series 6 Cyl. uses the same two primary bias-ply tire sizes associated with this vehicle page: 28X5.25 and 5.25-18. The important distinction is not between sub-models, but between the actual wheel and tire setup fitted to the car.
That makes inspection more valuable than assumption. A surviving Auburn may have had wheels, tires, or restoration choices changed long ago, so the practical next step is verifying what is mounted now and then selecting the correct bias-ply replacement that matches the wheel dimensions and the vehicle's restoration goals.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 28X5.25 or 5.25-18 tire for a 1928 Auburn 76 Series?
Start with the actual tire size and wheel setup on the car, because the 1928 Auburn 76 Series uses two different primary bias-ply fitments. After that, the main considerations are staying within the proper vintage size system, keeping the tire matched to the wheel, and choosing a replacement that suits the car's restoration style and road use.
A practical inspection should include wheel dimensions, tire age, clearance around fenders and steering components, and the general condition of suspension parts on a long-stored car. Getting those basics right helps maintain the Auburn's proportions and avoids turning a simple tire purchase into a larger fitment problem.
How do I choose between the available 1928 Auburn 76 Series tire sizes?
The choice is determined by the wheel and tire configuration already on the vehicle, not by preference alone. If the car uses the antique 28X5.25 format, it should stay within that sizing system; if it uses 5.25-18, the replacement should match that numeric bias-ply size and its 18-inch rim requirement.
Looking at the current tire sidewall and physically confirming the wheel dimensions is the safest way to sort it out. Early cars are often restored over many decades, and that history can leave them with a setup different from what an owner expects from the model name alone.
Why is tire format important on a 1928 Auburn 76 Series?
Tire format matters because 28X5.25 and 5.25-18 communicate fitment in different ways. The first is an antique diameter-by-section size built around approximate outside diameter and section width, while the second is a numeric bias-ply size that includes a clear 18-inch rim designation.
Understanding that difference helps prevent ordering the wrong type of tire for the wheel on the car. It also helps a restoration-minded owner preserve a more authentic visual presentation instead of forcing a later sizing convention onto a vehicle designed during a much earlier tire era.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1928 Auburn 76 Series?
A period-style 1928 Auburn 76 Series should begin with the correct primary bias-ply size for the wheel setup on the car, either 28X5.25 or 5.25-18. Both sizes belong to the vehicle's vintage context, so the right starting point is matching the tire to the wheel rather than trying to modernize the size description.
Appearance on an Auburn is strongly influenced by tire proportion and profile, especially on an early luxury-oriented automobile. Owners pursuing strict historical accuracy should compare the car against marque references, restoration photography, and authoritative Auburn resources before deciding which period-style presentation best suits the vehicle.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1928 Auburn 76 Series restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment plays a major role in a 1928 Auburn 76 Series restoration. Tire size affects stance, wheel fill, and the overall visual balance of the car, and using the proper bias-ply format helps the finished vehicle look appropriate to its era rather than visually out of step.
Fitment also matters mechanically, since an incorrectly matched tire can create issues with wheel compatibility or body clearance on an early car. Even when the goal is mostly appearance, taking time to confirm the exact size already suited to the wheel setup helps protect both the restoration investment and road usability.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1928 Auburn 76 Series?
Yes. A 1928 Auburn 76 Series can be affected by later wheel changes, brake work, suspension repairs, or other restoration-era modifications that alter tire fitment. Because this car uses early bias-ply sizing, even a small change in wheel setup can shift which tire size is appropriate.
An owner should inspect the actual wheels on the car instead of relying only on the model year and nameplate. Checking wheel dimensions, steering clearance, and the relationship between the tire and the fenders can help catch issues created by past work before a replacement tire is installed.
What should I inspect before driving a 1928 Auburn 76 Series on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, tire seating, visible clearances, and the condition of suspension and steering components. On a collector car like the 1928 Auburn 76 Series, it is also wise to confirm that the tires are properly inflated and that there are no signs of rubbing at full steering lock.
A short shakedown drive should be treated as part of the inspection process rather than the end of it. Afterward, recheck pressure, look for witness marks that suggest contact, and make sure the car tracks cleanly without unusual vibration or pull that could point to a wheel or chassis issue.
How should 1928 Auburn 76 Series tires be maintained?
Tires on a 1928 Auburn 76 Series should be inspected regularly for age-related cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and air loss, especially if the car is driven infrequently. Collector vehicles often age their tires through time and storage conditions long before the tread appears worn out.
Storage practices matter just as much as mileage. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition, and periodic pressure checks are essential because an underinflated vintage tire can be damaged even during short local drives.
