The 1928 Elcar 70 Series comes from an era when independent automakers gave buyers a distinctly upscale, hand-built motoring experience, and tire fitment was still closely tied to early chassis and wheel design. For a car like this, tire choice is part preservation decision and part road-use decision. The 1928 Elcar 70 Series uses bias-ply fitments, with both 28X5.25 and 5.25-18 appearing in coverage for the model. That makes size identification especially important, because the two formats describe tires in very different ways. For restoration-minded owners, the goal is confirming the actual wheel setup on the car and then choosing a tire that suits both appearance and intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1928 Elcar 70 Series
The 1928 Elcar 70 Series uses two primary tire sizes, and the first step is determining which wheel setup is actually on the car. These fitments differ not only by size designation but also by rim diameter, so confirming the exact wheel before selecting a tire matters more here than simply matching the vehicle name alone.
The 28X5.25 size uses an older format in which the first number refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter and the second refers to its section width. This is a bias-ply fitment suited to early vehicle applications where tire sizing conventions were very different from later numeric systems. On a 1928 Elcar 70 Series, this size is best approached as a specialty vintage fitment rather than a modern equivalent-style designation. Owners should confirm that the car actually carries the corresponding wheel setup before choosing this size for restoration or road service.
The 5.25-18 size is a numeric bias-ply format in which 5.25 represents nominal section width in inches and 18 identifies the rim diameter. This type of sizing is familiar on many late-1920s and early-1930s vehicles and aligns well with the period construction expected on a car of this age. For the 1928 Elcar 70 Series, it represents a more conventional vintage tire designation than the flotation-style 28X5.25 format. Selecting it starts with confirming that the car is fitted with 18-inch wheels and has not been altered over the years.
Fitment is straightforward at the sub-model level here, but the tire choice still requires close attention because the covered 6 Cyl. configuration is associated with two different primary sizes. Checking the exact wheel setup on the car matters before settling on either fitment.
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1928 Elcar 70 Series 6 Cyl.
The 1928 Elcar 70 Series 6 Cyl. is associated with both 28X5.25 and 5.25-18 bias-ply tire fitments. That makes wheel confirmation the key step, especially on a vehicle that may have seen wheel, rim, or restoration changes over the course of its life.
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 FAQs focus on the tire sizes used on the 1928 Elcar 70 Series, how to sort out the two vintage fitments, and what to inspect before putting a restored or collector-era car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1928 Elcar 70 Series?
The 1928 Elcar 70 Series is associated with two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 28X5.25 and 5.25-18. Those are both vintage fitments, but they are not just two ways of writing the same size. They represent different sizing systems and different wheel setups.
The practical next step is to confirm which wheels are actually on the car before choosing a tire. A long-restored or partially restored vehicle may not still carry its earlier wheel arrangement, so checking the rim diameter and the markings on the existing tire or wheel can prevent ordering the wrong size.
What size rim does a 1928 Elcar 70 Series use?
Rim size depends on which of the two primary tire fitments is on the car. The 5.25-18 size uses an 18-inch rim, while the 28X5.25 fitment is associated with a 5.0-inch rim diameter in the available dimensions. Because both sizes are tied to the same model coverage, wheel verification is essential.
Looking at the vehicle itself is more important than relying on assumption with a car from 1928. Wheel changes, restoration work, or surviving mixed parts can affect what is currently fitted, so measuring the wheel and checking any stamped or existing tire information is the safest way to sort out the correct rim size.
What does 28X5.25 mean on a 1928 Elcar 70 Series?
On the 1928 Elcar 70 Series, 28X5.25 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size. The 28 refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter, and 5.25 refers to its section width. That is a much earlier sizing convention than the later numeric bias-ply format used in sizes such as 5.25-18.
Understanding that format helps avoid confusing the first number with wheel diameter. A buyer seeing 28X5.25 should treat it as a specialty early-vehicle tire size and then confirm that the wheel and chassis setup on the car truly match that fitment before selecting a replacement.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1928 Elcar 70 Series?
The first consideration is identifying whether the car uses 28X5.25 or 5.25-18, since both are primary bias-ply fitments for the 1928 Elcar 70 Series. After that, the important factors are matching the wheel setup on the car and choosing a tire that suits the vehicle's restoration direction and intended road use.
On a collector car of this age, appearance matters, but basic fitment comes first. Confirm the wheel diameter, inspect for any wheel changes made during earlier restoration work, and compare the existing setup carefully so the selected tire complements both the car's vintage character and its mechanical reality.
How do I choose between the available 1928 Elcar 70 Series tire sizes?
Choosing between 28X5.25 and 5.25-18 is not a matter of preference alone, because they are separate primary fitments. The correct choice depends on which wheels are fitted to the 1928 Elcar 70 Series. Each size belongs to a different vintage sizing format, so the markings should not be treated as interchangeable.
The best approach is to inspect the car directly before moving ahead with a replacement. Check the rim diameter, read any surviving tire markings, and look for signs that the wheels may have been changed at some point. That step matters more than trying to choose by appearance or by the vehicle name alone.
What rim-fitment details matter when choosing 1928 Elcar 70 Series tires?
Rim diameter is the critical detail on the 1928 Elcar 70 Series because the two primary tire sizes do not use the same wheel setup. A 5.25-18 tire belongs on an 18-inch rim, while 28X5.25 follows a much earlier format and should be matched carefully to the wheel actually on the car.
Beyond diameter, inspect the wheel itself for age, damage, prior repairs, and any signs of mismatch between the front and rear. Early cars sometimes accumulate replacement parts over decades, so a close look at the complete wheel-and-tire package helps prevent fitment surprises once the new tires are mounted.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1928 Elcar 70 Series?
A period-style choice for a 1928 Elcar 70 Series starts with staying in the correct vintage bias-ply size for the actual wheel setup on the car, whether that is 28X5.25 or 5.25-18. Using the proper sizing format helps preserve the visual proportions that suit a late-1920s automobile.
For many restorations, the real decision is less about modernizing and more about matching the car's age and presentation. If exact historical originality is important, compare the tire choice with marque references, restoration records, and other vehicle-specific documentation before finalizing the size and style.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1928 Elcar 70 Series restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1928 Elcar 70 Series restoration because tire dimensions strongly affect stance, wheel appearance, and the overall visual balance of an early automobile. Using the wrong vintage size format can make the car look noticeably off, even before any road-use issues appear.
Fitment accuracy also helps avoid practical problems during assembly and driving. A restorer should confirm the actual wheels on the vehicle, compare the chosen tire to the intended restoration direction, and make sure the finished setup clears fenders and steering components without assuming all old parts remained original.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1928 Elcar 70 Series?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1928 Elcar 70 Series, especially if the car has had wheel swaps, brake work, suspension changes, or earlier restoration alterations. Even small changes in wheel setup can complicate the choice between 28X5.25 and 5.25-18 on a vehicle of this age.
A careful inspection helps avoid ordering a tire that matches the name of the car but not the hardware now on it. Check wheel diameter, look for non-original rims, and verify steering and fender clearance so the selected bias-ply size suits the car as it currently sits.
What should I inspect before driving a 1928 Elcar 70 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1928 Elcar 70 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels, lug hardware, valve areas, and surrounding suspension and steering components. The car should also be checked for adequate tire clearance at full steering lock and during suspension movement, particularly if it has been restored or stored for long periods.
Tire installation is only part of making an early car road-ready. It is also wise to verify inflation, confirm there are no rubbing points, and inspect the rest of the chassis for age-related issues that could affect safe operation once the car returns to regular road use.
How should tires on a collector 1928 Elcar 70 Series be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1928 Elcar 70 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related deterioration. Even a car that is driven sparingly can develop sidewall cracking, flat spotting, air loss, or weather-related damage if it spends long periods parked or stored improperly.
Good storage habits make a difference on a vehicle from this era. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, while periodic inspection before each outing helps catch bulges, cuts, or tread issues before they become a road-use problem.
