The 1928 Locomobile 80 comes from the final years of one of America’s old-line luxury marques, a period when large, coachbuilt automobiles still carried much of the character of the prewar custom era. Tire choice on a car like this is closely tied to both preservation and roadworthiness, because the 1928 Locomobile 80 uses bias-ply fitments in two distinct vintage size formats: 30X5.77 and 30x5. That makes the decision less about modern tire shopping habits and more about matching the car’s wheel setup and period tire type. Owners restoring for authentic visual presence or preparing the car for careful touring should confirm exactly which vintage fitment their wheels are built to accept.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1928 Locomobile 80
The 1928 Locomobile 80 uses two primary tire sizes, and the first step is confirming which wheel and tire system the car actually carries. Both are bias-ply fitments tied to a 7-inch rim diameter in this application, but they represent different vintage sizing conventions, so identifying the exact wheel setup matters before choosing a replacement tire.
30X5.77 is an antique-style size that expresses the tire as an approximate 30-inch overall diameter with a section width of about 5.77 inches. In bias-ply form, it suits the period character of a late-1920s luxury automobile and reflects an era when tire sizing was often tied closely to older wheel standards. For a 1928 Locomobile 80, this size should be evaluated as its own vintage fitment rather than treated as interchangeable with other 30-inch sizes. Choosing it begins with confirming that the car is actually equipped for this specific antique fitment and not the alternate 30x5 setup.
30x5 is also an antique diameter-by-section size, using a 30-inch outside diameter paired with a nominal 5-inch section width. This is a bias-ply fitment in an older beaded-edge style format, which places it firmly in early motoring tire practice and makes wheel compatibility especially important on a restoration-era vehicle. On a 1928 Locomobile 80, the practical difference is not just dimensions on paper but the wheel and tire system the car was built or later equipped to use. Owners should verify the wheel type carefully before selecting this size for preservation driving or restoration work.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered 1928 Locomobile 80 8 Cyl. uses the same two vintage tire sizes. The key is not trim variation, but confirming which of the two antique fitments matches the wheels currently on the car.
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1928 Locomobile 80 8 Cyl.
The 1928 Locomobile 80 8 Cyl. uses the same pair of primary bias-ply tire sizes found on this vehicle line: 30X5.77 and 30x5. Tire selection therefore centers on identifying the wheel and tire type on the car, then choosing a period-appropriate replacement that suits restoration goals and careful road use.
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 Locomobile 80 usually center on its two antique tire sizes, the difference between those vintage sizing systems, wheel compatibility, and what to inspect before putting a restored collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1928 Locomobile 80?
The 1928 Locomobile 80 uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 30X5.77 and 30x5. Both belong to older antique fitment conventions, and both are tied to this exact vehicle application rather than to modern metric or alphanumeric sizing systems.
The important step is confirming which wheel and tire type the car actually has before ordering replacements. Two tires can share a similar overall diameter yet belong to different vintage fitment families, so the size stamped on the existing tire, the wheel design, and the rim dimensions should all be checked closely on a collector car of this age.
What size rim does a 1928 Locomobile 80 use?
The 1928 Locomobile 80 uses a 7-inch rim diameter with its primary tire fitments. That rim diameter is associated with the vehicle’s vintage 30X5.77 and 30x5 bias-ply tire applications, both of which come from antique-era sizing practice.
Rim diameter alone does not settle the fitment question on a car like this, because the wheel type still needs to match the tire system being used. A replacement tire should be chosen only after confirming the wheel construction, the exact size marking, and the condition of the rims so the new tires match the car’s actual setup.
What does 30X5.77 mean on a 1928 Locomobile 80?
On a 1928 Locomobile 80, 30X5.77 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size. The first number refers to an approximate 30-inch outside diameter, while the second number refers to a nominal section width of about 5.77 inches.
That older sizing method differs from modern radial sizing and even from later bias-ply systems, so it should be read in its own period context. For a Locomobile restoration or roadworthy driver, the meaning of the code helps narrow the correct replacement, but the wheel style and actual rim setup still need to be confirmed before selecting a tire.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 30X5.77 tire for a 1928 Locomobile 80?
A 30X5.77 tire for a 1928 Locomobile 80 should first be chosen by confirming that the car is actually equipped for that exact antique-size fitment. This is a bias-ply application in an early sizing format, so the decision starts with wheel compatibility rather than with modern replacement habits.
Once the size is confirmed, the next consideration is how the car will be used and presented. A restoration-focused car may prioritize period-style appearance, while a carefully driven touring car may place more emphasis on overall tire condition, consistent fitment across the axle, and proper compatibility with the existing rims and chassis clearances.
How do I choose between the available 1928 Locomobile 80 tire sizes?
Choosing between 30X5.77 and 30x5 on a 1928 Locomobile 80 is not a matter of personal preference alone. The right choice depends on which tire and wheel system is actually on the car, since these are two different antique fitment formats even though both are bias-ply and share a similar overall diameter.
A close inspection of the existing tires, rim construction, and any prior restoration work is the best place to start. Collector cars often pass through decades of repairs and wheel changes, so confirming what is physically mounted on the car is more useful than assuming one vintage size automatically substitutes for the other.
What rim-fitment details matter when choosing tires for a 1928 Locomobile 80?
Rim diameter matters on the 1928 Locomobile 80, but it is only part of the fitment picture. The car’s antique tire sizes are tied to older wheel standards, so the actual wheel design and tire-retention style must match the replacement tire as closely as the nominal size marking does.
A buyer should inspect the rims for width, condition, corrosion, repairs, and any signs that the wheels were changed during an earlier restoration. On a car from 1928, the safest approach is to verify the wheel and tire system together before mounting new tires, especially when dealing with specialized antique-size applications.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1928 Locomobile 80?
A period-style 1928 Locomobile 80 should begin with the tire size and construction type that match the car’s actual wheel setup, which in this case means one of the two primary bias-ply sizes: 30X5.77 or 30x5. Either can suit the car’s era when correctly matched to the wheels.
Appearance and authenticity both depend on starting with the proper vintage fitment family, not simply on choosing a tire with a similar diameter. When exact restoration accuracy matters, it is worth comparing the car against period photographs, marque references, and restoration records so the final tire selection supports the way the car is being preserved.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1928 Locomobile 80 restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters greatly on a 1928 Locomobile 80 because tire size, construction, and wheel type all contribute to the car’s stance, visual balance, and safe operation. On an antique luxury car, the tires are a major part of how the finished restoration presents itself.
Using the wrong vintage fitment can create problems that go beyond appearance, including improper seating on the wheel or mismatched proportions. A restoration-minded owner should confirm the actual wheel setup first, then choose the bias-ply size that belongs with that system so the car looks right and remains suitable for careful road use.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1928 Locomobile 80?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1928 Locomobile 80, especially on a vehicle that may have seen decades of restoration work, wheel changes, or chassis repairs. Even when the correct antique tire sizes are known, altered wheels or suspension components can change what actually works on the car today.
A close check of wheel construction, fender clearance, steering travel, and axle-to-body spacing is worthwhile before fitting new tires. Collector vehicles often differ from their original configuration in small but important ways, so the tire choice should follow the car’s present mechanical setup rather than assumptions based only on the model year.
What should I inspect before driving a 1928 Locomobile 80 on new tires?
Before driving a 1928 Locomobile 80 on new tires, inspect the wheels, lug hardware or fastening system, valve hardware, and the overall condition of the rims. The suspension, steering linkages, wheel bearings, and brakes also deserve attention, since a fresh set of tires should not be asked to compensate for neglected chassis components.
After installation, check inflation regularly, watch for uneven seating, and confirm that the tires clear the body and steering components through the full range of movement. A short, careful test drive followed by a second inspection is a sensible step on an antique car, particularly one that has spent long periods off the road.
How should 1928 Locomobile 80 tires be maintained on a collector car?
Tires on a collector-grade 1928 Locomobile 80 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Even when tread wear is minimal, age, long stationary periods, and environmental exposure can affect an antique vehicle’s tires more than mileage does.
Owners should watch for cracking, cuts, bulges, flat spotting, and slow air loss, especially after the car has been stored. Keeping the vehicle away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and occasional inspection of rim condition is just as important on a late-1920s automobile.
