The 1928 Hupmobile A comes from an era when American cars were moving quickly from strictly utilitarian transportation toward more refined, stylish motoring, and Hupmobile built its reputation on solid engineering and broad appeal. For owners today, tire selection is part fitment question and part restoration decision, especially on a car that may still wear early-style wheels. The 1928 Hupmobile A uses bias-ply fitments in 29X5.50 and 550-19, both tied to a 19-inch wheel application. Available choices center more on presentation than construction, with blackwall and wide whitewall options in 550-19. That makes wheel confirmation and period-style appearance the key priorities before the car goes back on the road.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1928 Hupmobile A
The 1928 Hupmobile A uses two primary tire size formats, and the first step is understanding how those formats relate to the same 19-inch wheel application. Because both sizes appear on the 6 Cyl. sub-model, the real decision is less about trim level and more about confirming the wheel setup on the car, then choosing the bias-ply tire presentation that best suits its restoration and road-use goals.
29X5.50 is an antique diameter-by-section size, meaning the first number refers to an approximate overall tire diameter of 29 inches and the second number refers to an approximate section width of 5.50 inches. It is a bias-ply fitment that reflects the older sizing conventions common on late 1920s vehicles such as the 1928 Hupmobile A. This size is most useful for owners who are matching an early tire notation already associated with the car. The key step is verifying that the vehicle still has the correct 19-inch wheel setup before treating this designation as the right replacement path.
550-19 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 550 represents an approximate 5.50-inch nominal section width and 19 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1928 Hupmobile A, this size gives a more familiar vintage numeric designation while staying within the same traditional bias-ply construction. Available 550-19 options include BFGoodrich tires in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series with either blackwall or wide whitewall styling. That makes this size especially relevant for owners balancing authentic-era proportions with a specific restoration appearance.
Fitment is straightforward here because the covered 1928 Hupmobile A sub-model uses the same two bias-ply size designations. Checking the exact sub-model still matters because it helps confirm that the car matches the expected wheel and tire setup before a replacement is chosen.
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1928 Hupmobile A 6 Cyl.
The 1928 Hupmobile A 6 Cyl. uses the same pair of primary bias-ply fitments, 29X5.50 and 550-19, rather than a different sub-model-specific tire setup. That means selection usually comes down to confirming which size notation matches the car’s current wheel arrangement and whether a blackwall or wide whitewall presentation better suits the vehicle.
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.
Best 1928 Hupmobile A Tires for Sale
Available 550-19 choices focus on traditional bias-ply construction from BFGoodrich in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. The main comparison points are sidewall appearance, with both blackwall and wide whitewall options, along with rim-width compatibility and individual tire weight.
Common questions for the 1928 Hupmobile A usually center on the difference between 29X5.50 and 550-19, 19-inch wheel fitment, bias-ply selection, restoration appearance, and the inspections worth making before a collector car returns to regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1928 Hupmobile A?
The 1928 Hupmobile A uses two primary bias-ply size designations: 29X5.50 and 550-19. Those sizes appear on the 1928 Hupmobile A 6 Cyl. and represent vintage sizing conventions rather than a modern metric or P-metric tire format.
The practical step is confirming which designation matches the wheels and tire notation already associated with the car. Since 550-19 is tied to a 19-inch rim and 29X5.50 is an older diameter-by-section format, owners should verify wheel diameter and overall setup before choosing between the two designations.
What size rim does a 1928 Hupmobile A use?
The 1928 Hupmobile A uses a 19-inch rim with its 550-19 tire fitment. Available 550-19 products are built for that 19-inch rim diameter and call for a rim width in the 2.50 to 3.00 inch range.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed on the car before replacing tires, especially on vehicles that may have seen wheel changes over many decades. Measuring the actual rim and checking its width helps prevent ordering a correct-looking vintage tire for a wheel that no longer matches the original fitment pattern.
Does the 1928 Hupmobile A 6 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1928 Hupmobile A 6 Cyl. uses the same two primary bias-ply size designations, 29X5.50 and 550-19. There is no separate tire-size split shown within this covered sub-model.
That consistency simplifies the search, but the owner still needs to verify what is actually on the vehicle. Cars from this era may have replacement wheels or long-ago tire changes, so checking the wheel diameter and the size marking on the existing tires remains the safest way to narrow the correct replacement.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 550-19 tire for a 1928 Hupmobile A?
Start with the correct size, construction, and wheel dimensions. A 550-19 for the 1928 Hupmobile A is a bias-ply tire for a 19-inch rim, and the available BFGoodrich options in this size are built for rims measuring 2.50 to 3.00 inches wide.
Once fitment is confirmed, the next choice is how the car should look and be used. Blackwall and wide whitewall versions create very different visual results, while differences in tire weight and the same 1040@32 psi load specification may also matter when comparing otherwise similar period-style tires.
What sidewall styles are available for 1928 Hupmobile A tires?
For the 1928 Hupmobile A in 550-19, available sidewall styles include Blackwall and Wide Whitewall. Both are offered within BFGoodrich's Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line, so the basic construction remains traditional even though the appearance changes.
That choice matters most for presentation. A blackwall gives the car a plainer, more understated look, while a wide whitewall creates a stronger restoration-oriented visual statement. The best choice depends on how the Hupmobile is being finished and whether the owner is aiming for a restrained or more formal period-style appearance.
What brands offer tires for the 1928 Hupmobile A?
The available 550-19 tires for the 1928 Hupmobile A come from BFGoodrich. Those options appear in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series and include both blackwall and wide whitewall versions.
With a narrow brand spread in this fitment, the buying decision is less about comparing multiple manufacturers and more about comparing presentation and wheel compatibility. Checking the actual rim width, confirming the 19-inch diameter, and deciding which sidewall style suits the car will usually matter more than brand comparison in this case.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1928 Hupmobile A?
A period-style approach starts with the Hupmobile's primary bias-ply fitments, 29X5.50 or 550-19, rather than a modern radial size. Within the available 550-19 choices, BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires keep the vintage construction and proportions that suit a late 1920s car.
The final choice depends on how strictly the car is being restored and what appearance the owner wants. A blackwall creates a simpler presentation, while a wide whitewall adds a more formal visual character. When exact originality matters, period photos, marque references, and restoration records are worth checking before deciding on sidewall style.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1928 Hupmobile A?
Tire construction has a major visual effect on a restored 1928 Hupmobile A because the car was built around bias-ply sizing and proportions. A bias-ply tire preserves the narrow, upright vintage look that matches the wheel and body relationship expected on a late 1920s automobile.
Appearance is only part of the decision, but it is an important one on a collector car from this era. Even before sidewall style is considered, changing away from a traditional bias-ply presentation can alter the car's stance and overall character, so many restoration-minded owners begin by keeping the original construction type.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1928 Hupmobile A?
Yes. Any wheel, brake, suspension, or body change can affect tire fitment on a 1928 Hupmobile A, even when the replacement tire is in a correct vintage size. Cars of this age may also have accumulated decades of repairs or parts substitutions that change the original wheel setup.
A modified car should be checked carefully before tires are selected or installed. Measuring actual wheel diameter and width, inspecting steering and fender clearance, and confirming that the tire matches the vehicle's present configuration will help avoid choosing a period-size tire for a car that no longer has period-size hardware.
What should I inspect before driving a 1928 Hupmobile A on new tires?
Before road use, inspect wheel condition, lug hardware, valve stems, and basic tire inflation, then confirm that each tire seats correctly on the rim. On a collector car like a 1928 Hupmobile A, it also makes sense to look over suspension components, steering play, and brake function.
The first miles after installation are a good time to recheck pressure and look for any sign of rubbing or uneven clearance. Older vehicles can reveal issues only once they are rolling and turning under load, so a slow test drive followed by another visual inspection is a sensible final step.
How should 550-19 tires on a collector 1928 Hupmobile A be maintained?
550-19 tires on a collector 1928 Hupmobile A should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage. Sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and slow air loss deserve attention even if the car is driven only occasionally, because age and storage conditions matter as much as mileage.
Collector vehicles benefit from being kept away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment when stored. Moving the car periodically, checking the tires before each outing, and watching for changes in ride height or handling can help catch a tire problem early, before it turns into a roadside issue.
