The 1928 Chandler Special comes from the closing years of an independent American automaker, making it a car that often appeals to collectors who value unusual pre-war machinery and careful preservation. Tire choice on a car like this is not just about getting it rolling again, but about matching the vehicle’s age, proportions, and wheel setup. The 1928 Chandler Special uses bias-ply fitments in two period sizes, 29X4.95 and 5.00-20, so the first step is confirming which wheel and size pattern the car actually carries. That also shapes the restoration approach, especially when balancing traditional appearance with safe, road-ready fitment checks.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1928 Chandler Special
The 1928 Chandler Special uses two primary tire sizes, and they are not interchangeable by assumption because they represent different sizing conventions and different rim diameters. Before choosing a tire, confirm the exact wheel diameter on the car and verify which setup your Chandler Special 6 Cyl. is using, since that matters more here than comparing brand or sidewall style.
The 29X4.95 size uses an older diameter-by-section format, where 29 refers to the tire’s approximate outside diameter in inches and 4.95 refers to its approximate section width. This is a bias-ply fitment suited to the kind of wheel and tire presentation expected on a late-1920s automobile. On a 1928 Chandler Special, this size is part of a true vintage fitment decision rather than a modern sizing exercise. Choosing it starts with confirming that the car is using the matching wheel diameter and that the tire’s overall proportions suit the restoration or touring goal.
The 5.00-20 size is a numeric bias-ply format, with 5.00 indicating nominal section width in inches and 20 indicating the rim diameter. This style of sizing is common on vintage vehicles and keeps the tire selection rooted in period construction rather than modern radial conventions. For a 1928 Chandler Special, 5.00-20 should be evaluated as its own wheel-and-tire setup, not simply as another spelling of the smaller antique-style size. The practical step is confirming the car’s actual rim diameter and overall wheel configuration before selecting a replacement.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered Chandler Special configuration uses the same two primary bias-ply tire sizes. The important detail is not trim differentiation, but confirming which wheel and tire setup is actually on the car before choosing a replacement.
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1928 Chandler Special 6 Cyl.
The 1928 Chandler Special 6 Cyl. uses the same two primary bias-ply size patterns associated with this vehicle, so the tire decision centers on verifying the wheel setup rather than sorting through multiple trim-specific fitments. Once the actual rim diameter is confirmed, the focus shifts to selecting a period-style replacement that suits restoration goals and intended road use.
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
These Chandler Special tire questions focus on the two vintage bias-ply sizes, wheel-diameter confirmation, restoration-minded selection, and the inspection steps worth taking before a pre-war car returns to the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1928 Chandler Special?
The 1928 Chandler Special uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 29X4.95 and 5.00-20. Those sizes reflect different vintage sizing systems, and they also correspond to different rim diameters, so the correct choice depends on the actual wheel setup on the car rather than a simple preference between two labels.
That makes wheel confirmation the first step before buying tires. A collector car of this age may have been restored, repaired, or altered over time, so checking the wheel diameter and the existing tire size on the car is essential. Once that is settled, the decision becomes choosing the proper period-style bias-ply fitment for the Chandler’s present configuration.
What size rim does a 1928 Chandler Special use?
The 1928 Chandler Special appears with two rim-diameter pairings tied to its primary tire sizes: 29X4.95 is associated with a 5-inch rim diameter in the tire dimensions shown here, while 5.00-20 uses a 20-inch rim. Because those are very different wheel sizes, the rim diameter must be confirmed on the vehicle before selecting tires.
That check matters more than trying to interpret the size code by appearance alone. Vintage cars are often decades removed from original service history, and wheels may have been changed during restoration or long-term ownership. Measuring the wheel and matching it to the intended tire size helps avoid ordering a period-style tire that does not suit the car’s current hardware.
What does 5.00-20 mean on a 1928 Chandler Special?
A 5.00-20 tire uses a vintage numeric bias-ply size format. The 5.00 refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches, and the 20 refers to the rim diameter in inches. On a 1928 Chandler Special, that size identifies a traditional bias-ply fitment intended for a 20-inch wheel setup.
That size should be treated as a specific wheel-and-tire combination, not as a broad substitute for every Chandler Special. The practical next step is checking the actual wheel diameter on the car and comparing the current setup to the intended replacement. On a pre-war vehicle, that verification is especially important because surviving cars are often restored in slightly different ways.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1928 Chandler Special?
Start with the correct primary size, because the 1928 Chandler Special uses two vintage bias-ply fitments: 29X4.95 and 5.00-20. That means the first decision is confirming the wheel diameter actually on the car. After that, the right tire choice depends on whether the goal is a restoration-oriented appearance, occasional touring use, or basic road-ready service.
A useful selection process also includes checking the condition of the wheels, making sure the tire size matches the car’s current setup, and thinking about how the Chandler will be driven. A lightly used collector car may prioritize period presentation, while a car intended for regular events may place more emphasis on consistency across all four tires and careful overall fitment.
How do I choose between the available 1928 Chandler Special tire sizes?
Choosing between 29X4.95 and 5.00-20 is not a matter of style alone, because each size belongs to a different vintage fitment pattern and wheel diameter. The Chandler Special can be encountered with either setup, so the correct tire is the one that matches the car’s actual wheel and existing intended configuration.
The best way to sort that out is to inspect the wheels already on the car and confirm the size molded into the existing tires if they are still readable. On a pre-war car, parts substitutions over the decades are common. Once the wheel diameter is verified, selecting the proper bias-ply size becomes much more straightforward and much safer.
What rim-fitment details matter when choosing tires for a 1928 Chandler Special?
Rim diameter is the main fitment detail to confirm on a 1928 Chandler Special, because its two primary tire sizes do not share the same wheel size. A 29X4.95 setup and a 5.00-20 setup are separate vintage arrangements, so choosing the correct tire starts with matching the tire size to the wheel already on the car.
Wheel condition also deserves attention on a car from this era. Rust, bent rims, prior repairs, and older restoration work can all affect how a new bias-ply tire seats and runs. Once the wheel size is confirmed, inspect the rim carefully and make sure the overall vehicle setup still matches the type of tire you plan to install.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1928 Chandler Special?
A period-style 1928 Chandler Special should stay with the correct primary bias-ply size that matches the car’s actual wheel setup, either 29X4.95 or 5.00-20. Both sizes belong to the vocabulary of vintage tire fitment, so the key is not modernizing the size, but making sure the chosen tire reflects the wheel arrangement on the vehicle.
That approach preserves the car’s visual balance and keeps the tire selection aligned with its late-1920s character. If exact originality matters, the owner should compare the car against marque references, restoration records, or period photographs tied to the specific vehicle. For many collectors, though, the right period-style size and proper bias-ply construction are the practical starting point.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1928 Chandler Special restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1928 Chandler Special because the tire is a large visual part of the car’s stance, wheel opening, and overall period impression. Using the proper bias-ply size for the actual wheel setup helps the restoration look coherent and avoids the awkward appearance that can come from mismatched proportions.
Fitment also affects how the car sits and how confidently it can be prepared for display or road use. On a vintage restoration, it is worth confirming wheel diameter, tire size, and overall condition together rather than treating the tire as an isolated purchase. That extra attention usually pays off in both appearance and practical usability.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1928 Chandler Special?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1928 Chandler Special, especially because this car already appears with two different vintage tire-size patterns. If the Chandler has replacement wheels, altered suspension components, brake updates, or body repairs that changed wheel positioning, those changes can influence which tire size the car can use properly.
A careful inspection should cover wheel diameter, wheel condition, steering clearance, and the space around the fenders before new tires are installed. Pre-war vehicles often pass through many owners and restoration phases, so assumptions can be risky. Verifying the current physical setup is the best way to avoid ordering a tire that does not suit the car as it sits today.
What should I inspect before driving a 1928 Chandler Special on new tires?
Before driving a 1928 Chandler Special on new tires, inspect the wheels, lug hardware, valve stems, and the general condition of the steering and suspension. A car from this period should also be checked for loose components, uneven wheel mounting surfaces, and any signs that an old rim has been bent, rusted, or previously repaired.
The tires themselves should be set up carefully and then watched during initial use for air loss, irregular seating, or clearance issues during turning. It also helps to look over the brakes and wheel bearings before heading onto the road. On a collector car, safe road use depends on the entire wheel-and-tire system, not just the new tires alone.
How should tires on a collector 1928 Chandler Special be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1928 Chandler Special should be inspected regularly even if the car is driven only occasionally. Watch for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and gradual air loss, and keep the car stored away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources that can accelerate rubber aging during long periods of inactivity.
Routine checks are especially important on vintage cars because low annual mileage can hide age-related deterioration. The car should also be moved or positioned thoughtfully during storage so one spot on the tire is not stressed for long periods. Before any longer drive, recheck inflation, inspect the tread and sidewalls, and confirm that the tires still look roadworthy.
