The 1928 Auburn 88 Series comes from an era when American automobiles balanced luxury, style, and increasingly confident road performance in a rapidly changing market. Auburn earned attention in the late 1920s for giving buyers an upscale look and feel without stepping into the very highest price ranks. Tire fitment on the 1928 Auburn 88 Series centers on two bias-ply sizes, 30X6.00 and 6.00-18, so the first step is confirming which wheel and tire setup is actually on the car. Once that is settled, the decision usually turns toward maintaining a proper period-style bias-ply presentation and checking wheel condition carefully before any road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1928 Auburn 88 Series
The 1928 Auburn 88 Series uses two primary tire sizes, and both are bias-ply fitments. Because the sizes are expressed in different vintage sizing systems and one clearly uses an 18-inch rim, the first job is confirming the exact wheel and tire setup on the car before choosing a replacement. After that, the real decision becomes selecting the right period-style bias-ply tire for the Auburn's current configuration.
30X6.00 is an antique diameter-by-section size, meaning the first number refers to an approximate overall tire diameter of 30 inches and the second number refers to an approximate section width of 6.00 inches. It is a bias-ply fitment suited to the pre-war character and road manners expected of a 1928 Auburn 88 Series. This style of sizing appeals to owners who want a traditional vintage tire presentation rather than a later numeric format. It is important to verify the actual wheel setup on the car, since vintage vehicles are often changed over time and the size format alone does not settle every fitment question.
6.00-18 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 6.00 refers to nominal section width in inches and 18 identifies the wheel diameter. On a 1928 Auburn 88 Series, this is a straightforward vintage replacement format for an 18-inch rim and keeps the car in a period-appropriate bias-ply construction. Buyers familiar with later alphanumeric or metric sizing should read this as an older inch-based system rather than a modern radial designation. Choosing this size starts with confirming that the Auburn still carries 18-inch wheels and that wheel condition, bead seats, and overall clearances are suitable for continued road use.
Sub-model fitment is simple here because the covered Auburn 88 Series configuration uses the same two primary bias-ply size paths. Checking the exact sub-model still helps keep the tire choice centered on the correct vintage setup already on the car.
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1928 Auburn 88 Series 8 Cyl.
The 1928 Auburn 88 Series 8 Cyl. uses the same two bias-ply fitment routes found across this covered application, so the key is determining whether the car is wearing the 30X6.00 setup or the 6.00-18 setup. That keeps tire selection focused on the right period-style replacement and avoids choosing by size format alone.
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 88 Series usually want clarity on its two bias-ply tire sizes, the meaning of those vintage size codes, and what to inspect on an older wheel-and-tire setup before driving the car regularly.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1928 Auburn 88 Series?
The 1928 Auburn 88 Series uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 30X6.00 and 6.00-18. Those are both vintage fitment sizes, but they are written in different sizing systems, so they should not be treated as interchangeable labels for the same tire without checking the actual wheel and setup on the car.
The practical next step is to inspect the wheels already on the Auburn and confirm which size the car is built around today. Many collector cars have had wheel or tire changes over the decades, so replacement should start with wheel diameter, wheel condition, and present-day clearance rather than assuming every surviving car still carries the same configuration.
What size rim does a 1928 Auburn 88 Series use?
The 1928 Auburn 88 Series uses an 18-inch rim with the 6.00-18 tire size. That size is a classic numeric bias-ply format, where the final number identifies the wheel diameter, making the 18-inch rim dimension a central part of correct fitment.
Wheel confirmation matters because pre-war cars may have seen repairs, replacements, or conversions during their lives. A buyer should verify actual wheel diameter and inspect the rim carefully for age, damage, and bead-seat condition before mounting new tires, especially if the car has been off the road for long periods or has uncertain service history.
Does the 1928 Auburn 88 Series 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
The 1928 Auburn 88 Series 8 Cyl. follows the same two primary bias-ply fitment paths used in this covered application: 30X6.00 and 6.00-18. That means the sub-model itself does not create a separate tire-size branch beyond confirming which of those two vintage sizes is on the car.
That still leaves an important inspection step before replacement. Because both sizes appear in vintage formats, the safest approach is to read the existing tire size, confirm the wheel diameter, and compare the current setup against the car's actual wheel hardware and body clearances rather than selecting solely by model name.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 30X6.00 or 6.00-18 tire for a 1928 Auburn 88 Series?
Start with the size that matches the Auburn's present wheel and tire setup, because 30X6.00 and 6.00-18 are both primary bias-ply fitments but they are not simply modern equivalents of one another. The key decision is preserving the correct vintage size system and keeping the car in a period-style bias-ply construction.
After size is confirmed, attention should turn to wheel condition, intended road use, and how closely the tire's appearance should suit a restoration-minded car. A low-use show car, a tour car, and a long-stored project may all need different levels of inspection, even when they share the same nominal tire size.
How do I choose between the available 1928 Auburn 88 Series tire sizes?
Choosing between 30X6.00 and 6.00-18 is less about preference and more about identifying which setup the car actually uses. The 30X6.00 size follows an antique diameter-by-section convention, while 6.00-18 is a numeric bias-ply size tied to an 18-inch rim, so the correct choice starts with the wheel already on the vehicle.
A careful inspection usually settles the question quickly. Read the sidewall on the current tire if it is legible, measure the wheel diameter if needed, and look for signs that the Auburn has been changed from an earlier or alternate setup during its life. That approach keeps appearance and fitment aligned instead of relying on guesswork.
What rim-fitment details matter when choosing 1928 Auburn 88 Series tires?
Rim diameter is the most important starting point, especially with 6.00-18 because the size specifically calls for an 18-inch wheel. On a 1928 Auburn 88 Series, rim condition matters just as much as the tire size itself, since an aged or damaged wheel can compromise a correct-looking replacement.
Beyond diameter, inspect the bead area, mounting surfaces, and overall trueness of the wheel before putting the car back into service. Vintage collector vehicles are often stored for long periods, and that means rust, past repairs, and wear may be more relevant than mileage. A sound wheel foundation helps any correct-size bias-ply tire perform as intended.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1928 Auburn 88 Series?
A period-style 1928 Auburn 88 Series should stay with one of its proper primary bias-ply fitments, either 30X6.00 or 6.00-18, depending on the wheel and tire setup the car actually uses. Keeping the car in a bias-ply construction preserves the visual character and sizing language that suit a late-1920s automobile.
The right choice depends on whether the car is being preserved as-found, restored to a particular configuration, or prepared for regular touring. Owners seeking exact historical authenticity should compare the current setup with marque references, restoration records, or other vehicle-specific documentation, since appearance details on pre-war cars can vary from one surviving example to another.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1928 Auburn 88 Series restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1928 Auburn 88 Series because tire size and construction strongly influence the car's stance, sidewall profile, and overall period presentation. Using the proper vintage bias-ply format also helps the restoration read as appropriate to the era rather than borrowing a later visual language.
Appearance is only part of the equation. A restoration-minded owner should also confirm wheel diameter, inspect rim integrity, and make sure the tire chosen matches the car's actual setup before it goes back on the road. That combination supports both a convincing vintage look and a more dependable return to service.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1928 Auburn 88 Series?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1928 Auburn 88 Series. If the car has different wheels, altered suspension height, brake conversions, or body changes from past restoration work, the original 30X6.00 or 6.00-18 fitment path may no longer tell the whole story about current clearance and wheel compatibility.
A modified collector car should be checked as it sits now, not only by its model designation. Measure wheel diameter, verify the present wheel and tire size, and look closely at steering and fender clearance before mounting replacements. That is especially important on pre-war vehicles, where decades of repairs and changes can leave the final setup far from original.
What should I inspect before driving a 1928 Auburn 88 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1928 Auburn 88 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels, lug hardware, valve stems, and the overall condition of the suspension and steering components. The tire itself should also be checked after mounting for proper seating, air retention, and any obvious interference that appears once the car is on the ground.
A short test at low speed is a sensible first step before putting miles on a freshly fitted pre-war car. Watch for rubbing during turns, recheck inflation after the first drive, and pay attention to vibration or unusual pull. A thorough once-over matters even more on older collector vehicles that may have spent long periods in storage.
How should 30X6.00 or 6.00-18 tires on a collector 1928 Auburn 88 Series be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1928 Auburn 88 Series should be inspected regularly for cracking, weathering, cuts, bulges, and gradual air loss, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Bias-ply tires on lightly used vintage vehicles often age by time and storage exposure as much as by tread wear.
Clean, dry storage away from prolonged sunlight, heat, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition between drives. It also helps to check inflation before every outing and give the Auburn a careful visual inspection after long periods parked. Low annual mileage does not remove the need for routine tire attention on a pre-war automobile.
