The 1928 Kissel 80 comes from the late brass-and-classic transition era, when luxury and performance marques still relied on tall, narrow tire profiles to deliver the stance and road presence expected of an upper-tier automobile. For this exact model, the tire decision centers on two bias-ply fitments, 30X6.20 and 650-18, both tied to 18-inch wheel fitment. That makes construction choice straightforward, while appearance becomes more important, especially for owners comparing blackwall and wide whitewall presentations in the available 650-18 offerings. The right selection depends on confirming the wheel setup already on the car and deciding how closely the finished look should follow a restoration-oriented presentation.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1928 Kissel 80
The 1928 Kissel 80 uses two primary tire sizes, and both are bias-ply fitments associated with the covered 8-cylinder sub-model. The first step is confirming which size is on the car now and making sure the wheel setup matches the intended tire, since period vehicles are often restored, re-wheeled, or updated over time. Once the size is confirmed, the real choice shifts to tire appearance and product style within the correct fitment.
30X6.20 uses an older size format in which the first number refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter and the second number refers to its approximate section width. It is a bias-ply fitment, which matches the construction style expected on a late-1920s luxury and performance car such as the Kissel 80. This size suits buyers who want to stay close to an early tire-sizing convention rather than moving to a later numeric bias-ply designation. Before choosing it, confirm that the wheels and overall vehicle setup are intended for this specific antique-style sizing system.
650-18 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 6.50 represents the nominal section width in inches and 18 identifies the rim diameter. On the 1928 Kissel 80, it provides a period-appropriate bias-ply construction while using a more familiar vintage numeric size format for collector-car buyers. Available choices include Firestone Balloon tires in blackwall and 3.50 inch wide whitewall form, giving this size a clear appearance decision as well as a fitment decision. It is a useful option for owners who want an 18-inch bias-ply tire with a traditional profile and restoration-minded sidewall choices.
Fitment is fairly straightforward for the covered 1928 Kissel 80 sub-model, since the 8-cylinder version uses the same two primary bias-ply sizes. Checking the exact sub-model still matters because the next step is confirming which of those two sizes matches the wheels and restoration direction of the individual car.
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1928 Kissel 80 8 Cyl.
The 1928 Kissel 80 8 Cyl. uses both 30X6.20 and 650-18 bias-ply tire sizes, so the key is determining which fitment belongs on the wheels currently installed on the car. That makes tire selection less about construction and more about verifying the wheel setup, then choosing the sidewall presentation and product style that best 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.
Best 1928 Kissel 80 Tires for Sale
Available 1928 Kissel 80 tire choices center on 650-18 Firestone Balloon bias-ply tires, with blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments. That gives buyers a straightforward comparison focused on presentation, rim-width compatibility, and restoration-oriented style within the correct vintage size.
Common 1928 Kissel 80 tire questions usually come down to the difference between 30X6.20 and 650-18, confirming 18-inch wheel fitment, and choosing the right bias-ply tire style for restoration, display, and road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1928 Kissel 80?
The 1928 Kissel 80 uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 30X6.20 and 650-18. The covered 8-cylinder sub-model is associated with both sizes, so the correct choice depends on which wheel and tire setup is actually on the car rather than on a simple one-size-fits-all assumption.
That means the first job is to inspect the wheels already installed and verify the size stamped on the existing tires, if they are still present and readable. On a restored or long-owned collector car, wheels may have been changed decades ago, so matching the replacement tire to the actual wheel diameter and intended period presentation matters more than relying on appearance alone.
What size rim does a 1928 Kissel 80 use?
The 1928 Kissel 80 uses an 18-inch rim with its 650-18 tire fitment. That rim diameter is also the key wheel reference point for buyers comparing replacement tires for a car that may have been restored, stored, or altered over time.
An 18-inch wheel should still be measured and inspected before a new tire is chosen, especially on a late-1920s vehicle where original-style wheels, replacement rims, or older restoration work may affect fitment. Wheel width, bead condition, and overall wheel type should all be checked so the tire size selected matches the hardware on the car rather than just the model name.
What does 30X6.20 mean on a 1928 Kissel 80?
30X6.20 is an antique diameter-by-section size. In that format, 30 refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter and 6.20 refers to its approximate section width, making it different from later numeric bias-ply sizes that place the rim diameter at the end of the code.
That distinction matters because a modern buyer can easily mistake 30X6.20 for a wheel-size reference when it is really describing the tire's outside dimensions in an older sizing system. On a 1928 Kissel 80, this size should be matched carefully to the existing wheel setup and vehicle presentation before ordering, particularly if the car has seen restoration work or long-term collector ownership.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-18 tire for a 1928 Kissel 80?
Start with the basics: 650-18 must match the wheel diameter, and the tire should also suit the rim-width range used by the wheel on the car. For the 1928 Kissel 80, available 650-18 choices stay within bias-ply construction, so the main differences are brand series, sidewall style, and related product specifications.
That makes the buying decision more about how the car will be presented and used. A blackwall can support a restrained vintage look, while a wide whitewall creates a more formal restoration-oriented appearance. It also helps to compare load capacity where given, product weight, and the condition of the wheels themselves so the tire choice matches both the car's style and its road-use expectations.
What sidewall styles are available for 1928 Kissel 80 tires?
For the available 650-18 fitment on a 1928 Kissel 80, sidewall choices include blackwall and wide whitewall. Both are offered within the Firestone Balloon line, which means the visual difference is a major part of the selection process even though the construction type remains bias-ply in either case.
The better choice depends on the look the car is meant to carry. A blackwall tends to keep the presentation simpler and more understated, while a wide whitewall adds stronger visual contrast and a more formal vintage character. Buyers restoring the car should compare the tire's appearance against photographs, club references, and the vehicle's overall finish before deciding.
What tire series are available for the 1928 Kissel 80?
The available product range for the 1928 Kissel 80 includes the Firestone Balloon series in 650-18. That series is offered in more than one sidewall presentation, giving the buyer a choice between a simpler blackwall appearance and a more decorative wide whitewall treatment.
Since the series itself remains consistent, the comparison becomes more focused and easier to manage. The buyer can concentrate on the visual character of the sidewall, confirm the tire matches the car's wheel specifications, and consider whether the finished vehicle is being prepared for touring, local driving, or a more restoration-oriented display setting.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1928 Kissel 80?
A period-style 1928 Kissel 80 starts with the correct vintage bias-ply size for the wheel setup on the car, which means confirming whether 30X6.20 or 650-18 belongs on that particular vehicle. Construction is straightforward because both primary fitments are bias-ply, so the main restoration decision is usually the exact size and sidewall presentation.
For owners using 650-18, the available blackwall and wide whitewall choices create noticeably different visual results. The best match depends on how the car is being restored and what historical look is being pursued. When exact originality matters, period photos, marque-club guidance, and vehicle-specific restoration records are the right references before settling on the final tire style.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1928 Kissel 80?
On a restored 1928 Kissel 80, bias-ply construction plays a major role in the car's visual stance because these tall, narrow vintage tires carry the proportions expected of a late-1920s automobile. Since the primary fitments for this model are bias-ply, staying with that construction helps preserve a traditional collector-car presentation.
Appearance is also shaped by the sizing format and sidewall treatment, not just by the construction itself. A 650-18 blackwall reads differently than a 650-18 wide whitewall even when both remain within the same general period style. Buyers focused on authenticity should treat construction as one piece of the visual package rather than the only restoration decision.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1928 Kissel 80?
Yes. Even on a collector vehicle such as a 1928 Kissel 80, wheel changes, brake updates, suspension work, or long-ago restoration decisions can alter what tire size makes sense today. That is especially important here because the model is associated with both 30X6.20 and 650-18 bias-ply sizes.
A replacement tire should be chosen only after the actual wheel diameter and wheel width on the car have been confirmed. Steering clearance, fender clearance, and ride-height changes should also be reviewed before mounting new tires. On older vehicles, small hardware changes made over the decades often matter more to fitment than the original catalog description alone.
What should I inspect before driving a 1928 Kissel 80 on new tires?
Before driving a 1928 Kissel 80 on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, and mounting surfaces, then make sure the tires are inflated appropriately for the application and seated correctly. It also helps to check steering movement lock to lock and look for any contact points around fenders, suspension parts, or brake components.
Roadworthiness on an older collector car also depends on more than the tires alone. Wheel bearings, suspension condition, alignment, and brake function should all be reviewed before regular use. A short low-speed test drive is a smart final step, since it gives the owner a chance to confirm tracking, clearance, and general behavior before taking the car farther from home.
How should 650-18 tires on a collector 1928 Kissel 80 be maintained?
650-18 tires on a collector 1928 Kissel 80 should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and protected from long periods of heat, sunlight, and moisture when the car is stored. Collector cars that are driven infrequently also benefit from periodic movement so the tires are not left sitting in one position for too long.
Maintenance also includes checking the age and condition of the tires even when the tread still looks good. An older tire can appear serviceable yet still deserve replacement because of age-related deterioration. Regular visual inspections before each drive, combined with careful storage habits, help preserve both the tire and the road manners of a pre-war style automobile.
