The 1928 Moon 80 Series comes from a fascinating late-1920s period, when independent American automakers were building substantial, stylish cars for drivers who expected both presence and comfort. Tire choice matters on a car like this because the right fitment affects stance, steering feel, and the overall period presentation. The 1928 Moon 80 Series uses bias-ply tires, with 31X6.20 and 650-19 appearing as the relevant primary sizes on 19-inch fitment. That gives owners room to consider traditional blackwall or wide whitewall styling, along with differences in tire series and casing design. The key is matching the car's wheel setup and restoration goals before settling on a final tire choice.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1928 Moon 80 Series
The 1928 Moon 80 Series uses two primary tire sizes, both in bias-ply construction, and both tied to a 19-inch wheel fitment context. Since the covered 8 Cyl. sub-model can use either 31X6.20 or 650-19, the first step is confirming the actual wheel and tire setup on the car before choosing a replacement. Once that is clear, the decision shifts to period-style appearance, available tire series, and wheel compatibility.
A 31X6.20 tire uses an older sizing convention in which the first number refers to approximate overall tire diameter in inches and the second refers to approximate section width. This is a bias-ply fitment suited to the late-1920s character of the 1928 Moon 80 Series, where traditional construction is part of the vehicle's original driving and visual character. Buyers looking at this size should focus on preserving the correct overall look and confirming that the wheel setup on the car matches this older fitment pattern. That matters especially on restored or long-stored cars that may no longer carry their original wheel equipment.
A 650-19 tire is a numeric bias-ply size, with the 650 indicating a nominal section width of about 6.50 inches and the 19 identifying rim diameter. On the 1928 Moon 80 Series, this size keeps the vehicle in a proper vintage bias-ply construction rather than shifting it to a modern radial format. Available choices include Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior, with blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments across series such as Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Balloon, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Comp H. This size is the one to evaluate closely if you want the broadest selection of traditional styling and product differences.
Fitment is straightforward here because the covered sub-model uses the same two primary tire sizes already associated with the 1928 Moon 80 Series. Checking the exact sub-model still helps, but the more important step is confirming which wheel and tire setup the car actually wears today.
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1928 Moon 80 Series 8 Cyl.
The 1928 Moon 80 Series 8 Cyl. uses the same bias-ply fitment pattern associated with this model, with both 31X6.20 and 650-19 in the picture. Tire selection usually comes down to verifying the wheels on the car, then choosing the sidewall treatment and tire series that best match its restoration style and intended 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.
Best 1928 Moon 80 Series Tires for Sale
Available 650-19 choices for the 1928 Moon 80 Series span Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior, with blackwall and wide whitewall styles across several classic bias-ply series. The main comparisons in the product grid are appearance, series character, and rim-width compatibility on certain tire designs.
Owners of a 1928 Moon 80 Series usually need to sort out the correct tire size, confirm 19-inch wheel fitment, and choose between blackwall and wide whitewall bias-ply options. The questions below also cover restoration-minded selection, wheel changes, and pre-drive inspection points.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1928 Moon 80 Series?
The 1928 Moon 80 Series uses two primary tire sizes: 31X6.20 and 650-19. Both are bias-ply fitments, and the covered 8 Cyl. sub-model is associated with both sizes rather than a single exclusive fitment.
That makes wheel verification especially important before ordering tires. A 650-19 clearly points to a 19-inch rim, while 31X6.20 uses an older diameter-by-section format, so the best approach is to confirm the actual wheels and any existing tire markings on the car. On a collector vehicle that has been restored or modified over time, present-day wheel equipment matters more than assumption.
What size rim does a 1928 Moon 80 Series use?
The 1928 Moon 80 Series uses a 19-inch rim fitment. That rim diameter is explicit with the 650-19 size and aligns with the model's overall fitment pattern.
Rim diameter is only part of the check on a late-1920s car. Wheel width and wheel type still matter, especially when comparing among available 650-19 products, since some specify rim-width ranges such as 3.25 to 3.50 inches or 3.25 to 4.25 inches. Confirming the actual wheel dimensions on the car helps narrow the right tire choices and avoids selecting a tire that only suits a different wheel setup.
What does 31X6.20 mean on a 1928 Moon 80 Series?
On a 1928 Moon 80 Series, 31X6.20 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The 31 refers to approximate overall tire diameter in inches, while 6.20 refers to approximate section width.
That older sizing language is very different from later numeric bias-ply sizes such as 650-19. It is useful for buyers who want to preserve a distinctly prewar presentation, but it also means the wheel and tire setup should be checked carefully rather than assumed from the size alone. Looking at existing wheel dimensions, tire markings, and overall clearance helps confirm whether the car is set up for this fitment.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-19 tire for a 1928 Moon 80 Series?
Start with the basics: correct size, bias-ply construction, and 19-inch wheel compatibility. Then compare the available 650-19 choices by brand, tire series, sidewall style, and any stated rim-width specification that applies to the wheel on the car.
A period-style touring presentation may point one buyer toward a blackwall, while a restoration-minded owner may prefer a wide whitewall look. Product differences such as Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Balloon, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Comp H can also shape the final decision. Matching the tire's visual character and wheel requirements to the car's current setup is more important than choosing by name alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1928 Moon 80 Series tires?
For the available 650-19 fitment, sidewall choices include blackwall and wide whitewall. Those two treatments give the 1928 Moon 80 Series a noticeably different visual presentation even when the tire size remains the same.
Blackwall tends to deliver a more understated vintage look, while wide whitewall creates a stronger restoration-oriented statement typical of many late-1920s and early-1930s collector builds. The right choice depends on how the car is finished and what overall appearance you want from the wheel and tire package. When authenticity matters at a high level, compare the sidewall choice against period photos or marque-specific restoration guidance.
What brands offer tires for the 1928 Moon 80 Series?
The available 650-19 tire choices for a 1928 Moon 80 Series include Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior. Those brands appear across several classic bias-ply offerings rather than a single uniform tire design.
The practical difference is not simply brand name, but how each option combines series style, sidewall treatment, and wheel compatibility. Firestone appears in both Classic Bias Ply and Balloon forms, Lester appears in blackwall and wide whitewall versions, and Excelsior is represented in the Comp H series. Once size and wheel fitment are confirmed, those distinctions help narrow the tire that best matches the car's appearance and intended use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1928 Moon 80 Series?
A period-style 1928 Moon 80 Series should stay with one of its bias-ply fitments, either 31X6.20 or 650-19, depending on the wheel setup on the car. That keeps the construction and visual character aligned with the vehicle's late-1920s era.
Once the wheel fitment is confirmed, the next choice is usually appearance. A 650-19 opens up visible differences such as blackwall versus wide whitewall, and it also gives access to several vintage-style tire series. If the goal is a highly exact restoration, use vehicle-specific historical references to decide which sidewall treatment and tire profile best suit the car rather than assuming every vintage-looking option is equally appropriate.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1928 Moon 80 Series restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1928 Moon 80 Series because tire height, section width, and construction all influence the car's stance and overall visual balance. A late-1920s vehicle can look noticeably different when the wrong size or wrong style is installed.
Fitment also affects the restoration beyond appearance alone. Wheel compatibility, steering clearance, and the way the tire fills the fender opening all deserve attention before a final choice is made. Even when two period-style bias-ply sizes are associated with the model, the best result comes from matching the tire to the actual wheels on the car and to the level of authenticity the restoration is aiming to achieve.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1928 Moon 80 Series?
Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1928 Moon 80 Series, especially if the car has replacement wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, or body changes that affect clearance around the tire.
A collector car from this era may have gone through decades of repairs or updates, so the present setup should always be checked before choosing between 31X6.20 and 650-19. Measuring wheel diameter and width, then checking clearance at the fender, steering components, and suspension, helps prevent surprises. Even small changes in wheel equipment can narrow which bias-ply options make the most sense.
What should I inspect before driving a 1928 Moon 80 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1928 Moon 80 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and overall mounting condition. The tires themselves should be checked for proper inflation, even seating on the rim, and any visible issues after installation.
A broader road-use inspection is just as important on an older car. Look over steering components, brakes, suspension condition, and wheel bearings so the new tires are not being asked to compensate for unrelated mechanical problems. A short initial drive followed by a second inspection for air retention, rubbing, and fastener security is a smart way to confirm everything is settling in properly.
How should 650-19 tires on a collector 1928 Moon 80 Series be maintained?
650-19 tires on a collector 1928 Moon 80 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even when tread wear is minimal, an infrequently driven vintage car can still develop age-related tire issues.
Periodic checks should include looking for cracking, cuts, bulges, flat spotting, and slow air loss. Storage away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tire casing on vehicles that spend long stretches parked. It also helps to move the car occasionally and inspect the wheel and tire package before each outing rather than assuming low mileage means everything is road-ready.
