The 1928 Elcar 78 Series comes from the closing years of the independent American car era, when many manufacturers still straddled older tire conventions and newer sizing systems. That makes tire selection for this car more than a simple catalog exercise, especially for owners balancing preservation, road use, and wheel fitment. The 1928 Elcar 78 Series uses bias-ply fitments in two distinct sizes, 28X5.25 and 5.25-18, and those sizes do not point to the same rim diameter. For a restoration-minded owner, the key step is confirming which wheel and tire setup is actually on the car before choosing a period-style replacement.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1928 Elcar 78 Series
The 1928 Elcar 78 Series uses two primary tire sizes, and the first job is confirming which wheel setup your car has. Both fitments are bias-ply, but they follow different sizing conventions and use different rim diameters, so selecting the right tire starts with identifying the exact wheel and tire arrangement already on the vehicle.
The 28X5.25 size uses an older diameter-by-section format, where 28 refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter and 5.25 refers to its section width. This is a bias-ply fitment and represents an earlier style of sizing that can look unfamiliar compared with later numeric tire codes. On a 1928 Elcar 78 Series, this size should be treated as its own wheel-and-tire combination rather than as a casual substitute for another 5.25-width tire. It is the right starting point when the car still carries the wheel setup intended for this antique-format sizing system.
The 5.25-18 size is a numeric bias-ply format in which 5.25 indicates nominal section width in inches and 18 identifies the rim diameter. This style is more familiar to many vintage car owners because it follows the classic width-and-rim pattern used across many later collector applications. For a 1928 Elcar 78 Series equipped for 18-inch rims, the decision becomes choosing the proper period-style bias-ply presentation while keeping wheel diameter and overall fitment in line with the car's existing setup. It should be matched to the actual wheel on the car, not chosen by width alone.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered 1928 Elcar 78 Series 8 Cyl. uses the same two tire sizes found at the model level. The important detail is still the wheel setup, since the two sizes represent different sizing systems and different rim diameters.
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1928 Elcar 78 Series 8 Cyl.
The 1928 Elcar 78 Series 8 Cyl. uses the same pair of bias-ply tire sizes, 28X5.25 and 5.25-18. That means tire selection depends less on trim distinction and more on confirming which wheel-and-tire arrangement is actually fitted before choosing a restoration-oriented replacement.
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
Tire questions for the 1928 Elcar 78 Series usually come down to interpreting older size formats, confirming wheel diameter, and choosing a bias-ply tire that suits the car's restoration goals and road-use plans.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1928 Elcar 78 Series?
The 1928 Elcar 78 Series uses two primary tire sizes: 28X5.25 and 5.25-18. Both are bias-ply fitments, but they are not simply two ways of writing the same size because they belong to different sizing conventions and use different rim diameters.
That makes wheel confirmation the first step before ordering tires. A car that carries 18-inch rims should stay within the 5.25-18 fitment, while a car set up for 28X5.25 should be treated as an antique-format application. On an older vehicle that may have been changed over time, the tire sidewall and wheel measurements should both be checked before replacement.
What size rim does a 1928 Elcar 78 Series use?
A 1928 Elcar 78 Series can be associated with two different rim diameters depending on which primary tire size is on the car. The 28X5.25 fitment is tied to a 5.0-inch rim diameter, while the 5.25-18 fitment uses an 18-inch rim.
Since those diameters are completely different, the tire choice cannot be made by section width alone. Measuring the wheel or verifying the current mounted tire size is essential before selecting a replacement. On collector cars from this era, wheel changes over the decades are not unusual, so present-day hardware matters more than assumption.
Why does the 1928 Elcar 78 Series have more than one tire size?
The 1928 Elcar 78 Series appears with two primary bias-ply sizes because early automotive tire sizing was not always standardized in the modern sense. One fitment uses the antique 28X5.25 diameter-by-section format, while the other uses the later numeric bias-ply 5.25-18 format.
For an owner, that means the real question is not which size sounds closest, but which wheel-and-tire system the car actually uses today. A careful look at the existing sidewall markings, wheel diameter, and overall setup will prevent ordering a tire that matches the width description but not the rim or intended mounting arrangement.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1928 Elcar 78 Series?
Start with the exact primary size on the car, because the 1928 Elcar 78 Series uses either 28X5.25 or 5.25-18, and those are not interchangeable by name alone. Both are bias-ply fitments, so the main selection issue is matching the correct size format and rim diameter to the car's actual wheel setup.
After size is confirmed, think about how the car will be used. A restoration-focused car may place more emphasis on traditional appearance, while a touring car still needs the same careful attention to wheel fit and overall condition. On a car of this age, tire selection should support both visual character and dependable mounting on the existing wheels.
How do I choose between the available 1928 Elcar 78 Series tire sizes?
The choice between 28X5.25 and 5.25-18 is not a style preference; it depends on which setup your 1928 Elcar 78 Series actually has. The first is an antique diameter-by-section size, while the second is a numeric bias-ply size built around an 18-inch rim.
Looking only at the 5.25 width figure can be misleading, because the overall tire designation and wheel diameter matter just as much. The safest approach is to inspect the sidewall markings already on the car and verify the wheel dimensions directly. That keeps the replacement decision tied to the actual hardware rather than to a guess based on similar-looking numbers.
What does 28X5.25 mean on a 1928 Elcar 78 Series?
On a 1928 Elcar 78 Series, 28X5.25 is an antique tire size format rather than a later modern-style rim designation. The 28 refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter, and the 5.25 refers to its section width, making it a size description built around overall tire dimensions.
That matters because it should not be confused with a numeric bias-ply size such as 5.25-18, which centers on wheel diameter. Owners replacing older tires often encounter both systems on prewar and late-1920s vehicles. Reading the full sidewall code and checking the wheel itself will keep the replacement in the right sizing family for the car.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1928 Elcar 78 Series?
For a period-style 1928 Elcar 78 Series, the right starting point is the original sizing system that matches the wheel setup currently on the car. That means choosing either 28X5.25 or 5.25-18 in a bias-ply construction, depending on which wheel-and-tire arrangement the vehicle carries.
Appearance on a late-1920s car is strongly influenced by profile, construction, and proportion, so preserving the correct size format matters as much as the width itself. Owners pursuing a highly accurate restoration should also compare their choice against marque-specific references or period documentation, especially if the car has been altered over its lifetime.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1928 Elcar 78 Series restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1928 Elcar 78 Series restoration because tire size affects both stance and how authentically the car presents. With two distinct bias-ply fitments in circulation, using the wrong sizing system can change the visual relationship between tire, wheel, and body.
Restoration-minded buyers should pay attention to the full size designation, not just the width figure. A car fitted with wheels for 5.25-18 should remain in that family, while a car built around 28X5.25 should stay with that antique-format setup. Getting that foundation right helps preserve both safe mounting practice and period character.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1928 Elcar 78 Series?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1928 Elcar 78 Series, especially because this car already appears with two very different wheel-and-tire arrangements. Any change to wheels, hubs, brakes, ride height, or fender clearance can alter which tire size can be mounted and used safely.
A car from this era may also have accumulated decades of running changes, so present condition matters more than assumption. Owners should verify wheel diameter, wheel width, mounting condition, and clearance at full steering travel before replacing tires. That extra inspection is especially important when the car no longer matches its earlier wheel setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1928 Elcar 78 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1928 Elcar 78 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels for sound condition, confirm the mounted tire size matches the wheel setup, and make sure each tire is properly seated and inflated. It is also wise to check valve stems, lug security, and any tube-related service requirements that apply to the wheel design.
A short, careful test drive should follow, with attention to steering response, rubbing, vibration, and any sign of uneven seating. Since older collector cars often sit for long periods, the rest of the chassis deserves a look as well. Brake operation, steering linkage, and suspension condition all influence how safely the new tires can be put into service.
How should tires on a collector 1928 Elcar 78 Series be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1928 Elcar 78 Series should be inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, flat spotting, and slow air loss, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Maintaining proper inflation and keeping the tires clean and dry helps preserve both service life and road manners on an older bias-ply-equipped vehicle.
Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage on a collector car. Parking away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors or compressors can help protect the rubber over time. Periodic movement of the car, along with routine checks before each outing, will also help catch condition issues before they become road-use problems.
