The 1928 Kissel 70 comes from the final years of an independent American luxury-performance marque known for distinctive styling and upscale craftsmanship. Cars from this era depend heavily on proper tire sizing because wheel, stance, and road manners are closely tied to period fitment conventions. For the 1928 Kissel 70, the primary fitments are 30X6.00 and 6.00-18, both bias-ply sizes tied to the vehicle’s 18-inch wheel setup. That makes the decision less about modern tire categories and more about understanding two vintage sizing formats for the same car. Owners balancing restoration appearance with practical road use should confirm the exact wheel setup before choosing between the available period-style fitments.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1928 Kissel 70
The 1928 Kissel 70 uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes, and the first step is understanding how those sizes relate to the car’s 18-inch wheel setup. Since both sizes appear on the same covered sub-model, the real decision is confirming the wheel and tire convention already on the vehicle rather than assuming one modern replacement standard applies.
6.00-18 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 6.00 identifies the nominal section width in inches and 18 identifies the rim diameter. This format is more familiar to many vintage-tire buyers because it ties the tire directly to an 18-inch wheel while still preserving traditional bias-ply construction. For a 1928 Kissel 70, it provides a straightforward period-style fitment reference when the owner wants to verify wheel diameter first. It is especially helpful when inspecting the car for existing wheel markings or prior replacement history before selecting a tire.
Fitment is straightforward here because the covered 1928 Kissel 70 sub-model uses the same two bias-ply tire sizes. Even so, checking the exact sub-model and wheel setup still matters, since vintage cars are often restored or altered over time.
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1928 Kissel 70 6 Cyl.
The 1928 Kissel 70 6 Cyl. uses the same pair of primary bias-ply fitments, so tire selection centers on confirming which vintage size convention matches the wheels currently on the car. That makes this sub-model less about trim-based variation and more about restoration approach, wheel verification, and preserving an appropriate period-style presentation.
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
Common questions for the 1928 Kissel 70 usually center on its two vintage tire sizes, the shared 18-inch wheel relationship, period-style bias-ply fitment, and the checks worth making before putting a restored or long-stored car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1928 Kissel 70?
The 1928 Kissel 70 uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 30X6.00 and 6.00-18. Both are vintage fitments associated with this exact model, and they reflect two older sizing conventions rather than a single modern-style tire designation.
That means the best starting point is to inspect the wheels and any existing tires on the car before choosing one size. On a collector car of this age, restored wheels, replacement rims, or long-ago service changes can affect what is mounted today, so matching the tire to the actual wheel setup is more important than assuming every surviving car still carries the same configuration.
What size rim does a 1928 Kissel 70 use?
The 1928 Kissel 70 uses an 18-inch rim. That is stated directly by the 6.00-18 size designation, and it is the wheel diameter to confirm when evaluating tire fitment for this vehicle.
The 30X6.00 size can be less intuitive because its first number describes approximate tire diameter, not wheel diameter. On an antique car, that makes wheel verification especially important before ordering tires, since the size code alone may not read like a modern passenger-car size. Checking the wheel itself helps prevent confusion between vintage sizing systems that can look similar but mean different things.
What does 30X6.00 mean on a 1928 Kissel 70?
30X6.00 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size. On the 1928 Kissel 70, the 30 refers to the tire’s approximate overall diameter in inches, while the 6.00 refers to its approximate section width rather than the wheel diameter.
That matters because antique sizing can be easy to misread if you are more familiar with later numeric bias-ply tires such as 6.00-18. The practical step is to treat 30X6.00 as a period format that still needs to be matched to the actual wheel and car setup. Confirming the wheel diameter and existing mounting arrangement helps avoid selecting a tire based on size-code appearance alone.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1928 Kissel 70?
Start with the two correct primary sizes, 30X6.00 and 6.00-18, and make sure the tire matches the wheel setup already on the car. Since both are bias-ply fitments, the decision is mainly about selecting the right vintage size convention rather than choosing between modern construction types.
A restoration-oriented owner may focus on preserving a period-style look, while a road-use owner may put more emphasis on wheel condition and overall serviceability. It also helps to inspect the existing tires, wheel markings, and any restoration records before deciding. On a car from 1928, small differences in past repairs or wheel changes can matter more than they would on a later standardized vehicle.
How do I choose between the available 1928 Kissel 70 tire sizes?
The choice between 30X6.00 and 6.00-18 depends on which size convention matches the wheel and tire setup currently on the 1928 Kissel 70. Both are correct primary bias-ply fitments for this model, but they communicate dimensions in different ways.
The safest approach is to confirm the actual rim diameter first and then compare that with the tire marking already on the car. Vintage vehicles are often restored over many decades, and a surviving car may not wear the same wheels or tires it had earlier in its life. Selecting between these two sizes should come from physical verification, not guesswork based on age alone.
What rim-fitment details matter when choosing 1928 Kissel 70 tires?
The most important rim-fitment detail for a 1928 Kissel 70 is confirming the 18-inch wheel diameter and making sure the tire size corresponds to the actual wheel on the car. That is especially important because one of the correct sizes, 30X6.00, does not state the rim diameter in the same way a later numeric size does.
Wheel condition matters too, particularly on a car approaching a century in age. Inspect the rims for damage, rust, prior repair work, and signs that the wheels may have been changed during restoration. A tire can only perform as intended when mounted to a sound wheel, so tire selection and wheel inspection should be treated as part of the same decision.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1928 Kissel 70?
A period-style 1928 Kissel 70 should stay with one of its correct primary bias-ply sizes: 30X6.00 or 6.00-18. The right choice depends on which size convention matches the wheels and the overall restoration approach already established on the car.
For many owners, the goal is preserving the proportions and visual character expected of a late-1920s luxury car rather than forcing a later tire standard onto it. If exact originality is important, compare the car’s current setup with marque references, period photos, or restoration documentation. That extra step helps align the tire choice with the vehicle’s intended presentation.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1928 Kissel 70 restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1928 Kissel 70 because tire size strongly affects stance, wheel presentation, and the overall visual balance of the car. On an antique vehicle, the wrong size can look out of place even before road-use concerns enter the picture.
Proper fitment also supports practical restoration goals such as wheel compatibility and fender clearance. Since this car uses older sizing systems, taking time to verify the exact wheel and tire arrangement helps preserve both appearance and usability. A careful fitment decision contributes to a more convincing restoration than treating the tires as a generic replacement item.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1928 Kissel 70?
Yes. A 1928 Kissel 70 can be affected by wheel changes, brake work, suspension repairs, or other restoration-era modifications that alter the relationship between the tire and the car. Even when the correct vintage size is chosen, the actual fit still depends on the hardware currently installed.
That is why it helps to inspect the car rather than relying only on model identification. Changes in wheel diameter, rim condition, axle height, or body clearance can all influence how a tire sits and operates. On an antique vehicle, even older repairs done many years ago may still shape fitment today, so a careful physical check is always worthwhile.
What should I inspect before driving a 1928 Kissel 70 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and the general condition of the suspension and steering components. The tires themselves should be checked for proper inflation, secure mounting, and enough clearance around fenders, steering arms, and other nearby parts.
A freshly mounted tire does not cancel out other age-related issues on a collector car. Look over wheel integrity, alignment signs, and any evidence of rubbing during full steering movement. It is also smart to give the car a short, cautious test drive and recheck the tires afterward, especially if the Kissel has been stored, restored, or inactive for a long period.
How should tires on a collector 1928 Kissel 70 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1928 Kissel 70 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Watch for sidewall cracking, tread separation, bulges, cuts, and slow air loss, especially if the car is driven infrequently or spends long periods parked.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on an antique vehicle. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition over time. It also helps to inspect the tires before every meaningful drive, since age and inactivity can create problems that are not obvious until the car is put back into service.
