The 1928 Erskine 52 Series came from Studebaker’s effort to offer a well-appointed, compact car during the late pre-war era, and today it appeals to owners who appreciate uncommon American automobiles from the transition into more modern styling and engineering. Tire selection on a car like this matters just as much as appearance, because the 1928 Erskine 52 Series uses bias-ply fitments in two vintage sizing formats: 29X4.75 and 4.75-20. That makes the key decision less about modern performance choices and more about confirming which sizing convention matches the wheels on the car. For restoration-minded use, wheel diameter and period-style presentation should be checked before anything else.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1928 Erskine 52 Series
The 1928 Erskine 52 Series uses two primary tire sizes, and the difference centers on sizing format and rim diameter rather than modern trim-level tire packages. Before choosing a tire, the first step is confirming which wheel setup is on the car, because 29X4.75 and 4.75-20 do not use the same rim diameter. The covered 6 Cyl. sub-model is associated with both sizes, so the wheel itself needs to be verified carefully.
4.75-20 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 4.75 represents the nominal section width in inches and 20 identifies the rim diameter. This format became a familiar vintage replacement convention and is more immediately recognizable to many collectors because the wheel size is built directly into the code. For a 1928 Erskine 52 Series, it is the right path only when the car is fitted with 20-inch wheels. Choosing it starts with wheel confirmation, then moves to the kind of period-style tire appearance and road-use expectations the owner wants to maintain.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered 1928 Erskine 52 Series 6 Cyl. is associated with the same two primary tire sizes. The important step is not separating trims, but confirming which wheel diameter is actually on the car before selecting between the two vintage bias-ply formats.
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1928 Erskine 52 Series 6 Cyl.
The 1928 Erskine 52 Series 6 Cyl. is associated with both 29X4.75 and 4.75-20 bias-ply fitments, so size choice depends on the wheel setup rather than a separate sub-model-specific tire program. That means tire selection should begin with rim confirmation, then move toward the period-style look and road-use character that suits the car.
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 Erskine 52 Series usually need clarity on vintage tire sizing, wheel diameter, restoration-minded choices, and the checks that matter before putting an older collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1928 Erskine 52 Series?
The 1928 Erskine 52 Series is associated with two bias-ply tire sizes: 29X4.75 and 4.75-20. Those are both primary fitments for this vehicle, but they are not the same type of size and they do not point to the same wheel diameter.
The next step is verifying which wheels are actually on the car. A collector vehicle from this era may have had wheel changes over time, and the correct tire choice depends on matching the tire to the wheel diameter already in service rather than choosing by appearance alone.
What size rim does a 1928 Erskine 52 Series use?
The 1928 Erskine 52 Series is associated with two different rim diameters depending on tire size. The 29X4.75 fitment uses a 5-inch rim, while the 4.75-20 fitment uses a 20-inch rim.
That difference is significant because these sizes are tied to completely different wheel setups. Before ordering tires, measure the actual wheel diameter on the car and confirm that the existing wheels match the intended tire size, especially if the vehicle has been restored, repaired, or changed over many decades.
What does 29X4.75 mean on a 1928 Erskine 52 Series?
29X4.75 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size. In that format, 29 refers to the tire’s approximate outside diameter in inches, while 4.75 refers to the nominal section width.
That differs from a size like 4.75-20, where the final number identifies wheel diameter directly. On a 1928 Erskine 52 Series, understanding that distinction helps prevent ordering the right-looking tire in the wrong fitment, so wheel measurement should come before any restoration or road-use decision.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 29X4.75 or 4.75-20 tire for a 1928 Erskine 52 Series?
Start with the correct primary size for the wheels on the car, because the 1928 Erskine 52 Series is associated with both 29X4.75 and 4.75-20 bias-ply fitments. The first decision is wheel compatibility, not sidewall preference or general vintage appearance.
After wheel diameter is confirmed, think about how the car will be used and presented. A restoration-oriented owner may focus on period-style proportions, while a touring-minded owner may prioritize overall condition and serviceability. On a car this old, confirming the actual wheel setup is the foundation for every other tire decision.
How do I choose between the available vintage tire sizes for a 1928 Erskine 52 Series?
The choice is not a matter of preference between two interchangeable sizes. 29X4.75 and 4.75-20 are both bias-ply fitments, but they represent different sizing systems and different wheel diameters for the 1928 Erskine 52 Series.
That means the correct route is to identify the wheels currently on the vehicle and match the tire to them. Once that is settled, the owner can evaluate which size best supports the car’s restoration direction, driving plans, and traditional pre-war visual character without forcing an incorrect fitment.
Why does the 1928 Erskine 52 Series have more than one tire size?
The 1928 Erskine 52 Series appears with two vintage bias-ply fitments because older vehicles often straddle more than one historical sizing convention. Here, one size is expressed as 29X4.75 and the other as 4.75-20, which reflects different ways of identifying an appropriate tire.
For today’s owner, that means the tire code alone does not tell the full story unless it is tied to the wheel already on the car. Checking the existing rim diameter is more important than assuming one vintage format automatically converts to the other in a restoration or service setting.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1928 Erskine 52 Series?
A period-style 1928 Erskine 52 Series starts with the correct primary bias-ply fitment for the wheels on the car, either 29X4.75 or 4.75-20. Both sizes suit the vehicle’s late-1920s character, but they belong to different wheel diameters and should not be treated as casual substitutes.
Appearance matters on a pre-war car, yet fitment still comes first. Once the wheel size is confirmed, the owner can choose the tire that best supports the car’s restoration direction and visual balance. If absolute historical originality is the goal, marque-specific references should guide the final presentation details.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1928 Erskine 52 Series restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters greatly on a 1928 Erskine 52 Series because tire size affects both the car’s stance and its mechanical compatibility with the wheels. Using the proper bias-ply size for the actual rim setup helps preserve the proportions expected of a late-1920s automobile.
Restoration value is not only about how the car looks when parked. A mismatched tire and wheel combination can create problems before the car ever reaches the road, so wheel diameter confirmation should happen early in the project rather than after paint, trim, and final assembly are already complete.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1928 Erskine 52 Series?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1928 Erskine 52 Series. Any change to wheels, hubs, suspension height, brake components, or body clearance can alter which tire size works properly, even when the car is still wearing a vintage-looking bias-ply tire.
That matters because this Erskine is associated with two different wheel diameters, and age alone can hide past changes. A careful inspection of the wheels already installed, plus a check of steering and body clearance, helps avoid selecting a tire that suits the era visually but not the vehicle mechanically.
What should I inspect before driving a 1928 Erskine 52 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1928 Erskine 52 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition and correct diameter, then check that the tires seat properly and clear the body and steering components. Tire pressure, valve condition, and visible wheel damage deserve attention before the car leaves the garage.
A pre-war collector car also benefits from a broader road-readiness check. Look at suspension wear, wheel fasteners, alignment-related wear patterns, and any signs of rubbing once the car is on the ground. A brief slow-speed test can reveal clearance or handling concerns before a longer outing.
How should tires on a collector 1928 Erskine 52 Series be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1928 Erskine 52 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Watch for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, or slow air loss, especially on a car that spends more time parked than driven.
Collector vehicles often age their tires through time and environment as much as mileage. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tire casing, and occasional inspections of wheel condition and clearances are wise before each driving season begins.
