The 1928 Essex Super 6 comes from the late-1920s period when affordable six-cylinder motoring helped define the American car market, and surviving Essex models now appeal to owners who value authentic road manners and prewar presentation. Tire choice on a car of this age is closely tied to wheel design and the way the car is being restored or driven. The 1928 Essex Super 6 uses bias-ply fitments in two size formats, 29X4.95 and 5.00-20. That creates a real decision between an antique diameter-by-section tire and a numeric bias-ply size, rather than a simple one-size purchase. Before choosing, confirm which wheel setup is actually on the car and match the tire style to its restoration goals and intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1928 Essex Super 6
The 1928 Essex Super 6 uses two primary tire sizes, and the first step is confirming which wheel diameter is on the car. Both fitments are bias-ply, but they differ not only by size code format, but by rim diameter as well, so the decision is tied to the exact wheel setup rather than simply choosing between styles within one size.
The 29X4.95 size uses an older diameter-by-section format in which the first number refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter and the second refers to its section width. It is a bias-ply fitment suited to the early automotive sizing language commonly seen on vehicles from the late 1920s. For a 1928 Essex Super 6, this size matters most when the car retains or uses the wheel setup that matches this smaller rim diameter. It is the right size to evaluate when the goal is maintaining an antique-style tire presentation while staying with the wheel specification that supports 29X4.95.
The 5.00-20 size is a numeric bias-ply format where 5.00 indicates nominal section width in inches and 20 identifies the rim diameter. It reflects the conventional sizing system many late-1920s vehicles used as tire standards became more familiar to modern collectors. On a 1928 Essex Super 6, this size belongs to a different wheel diameter than 29X4.95, so it should be selected only after the actual wheels are confirmed. It is the more appropriate choice when the car is equipped for 20-inch rims and a traditional vintage numeric tire fitment is being maintained.
The covered 1928 Essex Super 6 Base fitment is straightforward in one sense because only one sub-model is involved, but tire choice still depends on wheel configuration. Since the Base can be associated with both primary sizes, checking the actual rim setup on the car is more important than the sub-model name alone.
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1928 Essex Super 6 Base
The 1928 Essex Super 6 Base can use either of the two bias-ply primary sizes associated with this model year. That means tire selection starts with confirming whether the car is set up for the antique 29X4.95 fitment or the 5.00-20 numeric bias-ply fitment before choosing a 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
Owners of a 1928 Essex Super 6 usually need help sorting out the correct tire size format, wheel diameter, restoration-minded bias-ply choices, and the checks that matter before putting an early car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1928 Essex Super 6?
A 1928 Essex Super 6 uses one of two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 29X4.95 or 5.00-20. Both sizes are associated with the model, but they are not the same fitment expressed in two different ways. They correspond to different rim diameters, so the tire on the car now should not be assumed to be correct without checking the wheels.
The practical first step is to confirm the actual wheel diameter before ordering tires. A car restored years ago, modified, or fitted with replacement wheels may not still match its previous tire size. Once the wheel setup is confirmed, the decision becomes much simpler because each size belongs to a specific rim diameter and should be matched accordingly.
What size rim does a 1928 Essex Super 6 use?
The 1928 Essex Super 6 is associated with two rim diameters through its primary tire sizes: 5 inches for 29X4.95 and 20 inches for 5.00-20. That wide difference is why wheel confirmation matters so much on this vehicle. The tire size cannot be chosen correctly until the wheel diameter already on the car is known.
Start by reading the wheel size directly if it is marked, or measure carefully before selecting a tire. On an early collector car, replacement wheels, older restorations, or long service history can change what is actually present. Matching the tire to the true rim diameter is more important than relying on model name alone.
What does 29X4.95 mean on a 1928 Essex Super 6?
On a 1928 Essex Super 6, 29X4.95 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size. The 29 refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter in inches, while 4.95 refers to its section width. It is a bias-ply fitment and belongs to an older sizing language that is very different from later numeric or modern metric tire markings.
That matters because 29X4.95 should not be confused with 5.00-20, even though both are associated with the same vehicle. The key distinction is that the tire size format and the wheel diameter are different. For an early car like the Essex, reading the sidewall code carefully helps prevent ordering a tire that matches the era visually but not the wheel.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1928 Essex Super 6?
The biggest consideration is confirming which of the two primary bias-ply sizes belongs on the car's current wheels: 29X4.95 or 5.00-20. Since those sizes use different rim diameters, the choice begins with wheel identification rather than appearance alone. On a 1928 Essex Super 6, getting the basic size format right is the foundation of proper tire selection.
After wheel diameter is verified, think about how the car is being used and restored. Some owners prioritize an antique-style presentation, while others are mainly concerned with putting the car back into careful road use with an appropriately sized bias-ply tire. Clearance, wheel condition, and the overall state of the suspension should also be checked before finalizing the tire choice.
How do I choose between 29X4.95 and 5.00-20 for a 1928 Essex Super 6?
The correct choice depends on the wheel setup already on the 1928 Essex Super 6. A 29X4.95 tire is an antique diameter-by-section fitment tied to a 5-inch rim diameter, while 5.00-20 is a numeric bias-ply size for a 20-inch rim. They are both valid primary fitments, but they are not interchangeable simply because they appear on the same model page.
Measure the wheel or confirm its markings before making the decision. On an early car, it is common to encounter mixed restoration history, older replacement parts, or a mismatch between what is mounted and what the car should use. Choosing between the two sizes is really a matter of verifying the wheel diameter and preserving the proper relationship between tire and rim.
Why does the 1928 Essex Super 6 have more than one tire size?
The 1928 Essex Super 6 is associated with more than one primary tire size because early vehicles often appear today with different wheel and tire configurations tied to period fitment practices or later restoration choices. In this case, both 29X4.95 and 5.00-20 are bias-ply sizes, but they represent different size systems and different rim diameters.
For the owner, that means the model name alone is not enough to settle the tire decision. A quick check of the actual wheels usually answers the question faster than comparing size codes in the abstract. Once the rim diameter is confirmed, the correct tire family becomes clear and the risk of ordering the wrong size drops significantly.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1928 Essex Super 6?
For a period-style 1928 Essex Super 6, the right starting point is one of the two correct bias-ply primary sizes already associated with the car: 29X4.95 or 5.00-20. Both suit the era far better visually than a modern radial format would. The deciding factor is not which size looks more vintage, but which wheel diameter the car actually uses.
Appearance and fitment need to work together on a restoration-minded car. A tire can look appropriately early yet still be wrong for the wheel if the diameter does not match. When exact historical authenticity matters beyond general period style, marque-specific references and restoration records are useful for confirming how the individual car should be equipped.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1928 Essex Super 6 restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1928 Essex Super 6 because tire size influences both appearance and the way the car sits on its wheels. Using the proper bias-ply format helps preserve the visual character expected of a late-1920s automobile. On a restoration, the wrong rim-and-tire combination can look out of place even before the car moves.
Fitment also affects practical use. A mismatch between tire and wheel diameter can create mounting issues, and an incorrect setup may alter clearances around fenders or steering components. Even on a display-oriented restoration, confirming the actual wheels, tire size, and overall presentation is part of getting the car back to a convincing and usable finished state.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1928 Essex Super 6?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1928 Essex Super 6, especially when they involve wheel replacement, brake work, suspension changes, or body alterations. Because this car is associated with both 29X4.95 and 5.00-20, even a past wheel change can shift the tire size required. Early cars often have long service histories, so assumptions can lead to mistakes.
A modified or partially restored Essex should be checked carefully before new tires are chosen. Verify wheel diameter first, then inspect wheel width, steering clearance, and any signs that the car sits differently than expected. A tire that is correct for the model in general still needs to match the actual hardware and clearances present on the specific car.
What should I inspect before driving a 1928 Essex Super 6 on new tires?
Before driving a 1928 Essex Super 6 on new tires, inspect the wheels, lug seating surfaces, valve hardware, and general condition of the suspension and steering components. Make sure the tire size matches the wheel diameter actually on the car and look over the surrounding clearance at the fenders and front steering range. On an early vehicle, those basics matter as much as the tires themselves.
It also helps to check inflation, fastener security, and whether the car shows any uneven stance or rubbing once the tires are mounted. A short, careful test drive followed by another visual inspection can reveal issues early. Collector cars that spend long periods parked deserve extra attention because stale rubber, weak tubes, or wheel corrosion may have developed unnoticed.
How should tires on a collector 1928 Essex Super 6 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1928 Essex Super 6 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and careful storage practices. Bias-ply tires on low-use vintage cars can age out long before the tread is worn, so sidewall cracking, flat spotting, bulges, cuts, and slow air loss deserve close attention. A car that looks fine parked may still have tires unready for road use.
Good storage helps preserve the tires between drives. Keep the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors or battery chargers. Rolling the car occasionally and checking the tires before every outing is sensible on a prewar vehicle, especially when it spends more time displayed or stored than actively driven.
