The 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series came from an era when premium American automobiles emphasized presence, craftsmanship, and smooth road manners as much as mechanical prestige. A car of this stature looks and feels right only when its tire fitment matches the scale and character of the chassis. For the 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series, the primary fitments are bias-ply sizes 33X6.75 and 700-21, so the first step is confirming which wheel and tire arrangement is on the car. Available 700-21 choices include traditional blackwall and whitewall presentations across several vintage tire lines. That makes tire selection as much about authentic road-going character and appearance as simple size matching.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series
The 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series uses two primary tire sizes, and they are not interchangeable by assumption because they correspond to different rim diameters. Before choosing a tire, identify the exact wheel setup on the car and confirm whether it is using the 33X6.75 arrangement or the 700-21 arrangement. Once that is settled, the decision becomes choosing the right bias-ply tire style and specifications for the way the car is restored and driven.
In the 33X6.75 size format, the first number refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter in inches, while the second number refers to its nominal section width. This is an older bias-ply sizing convention that belongs to the late-1920s period and suits vehicles that still use very early wheel and tire dimensions. The key point with this size is not modern brand comparison, but verifying that the wheel setup on the car actually matches this format and rim diameter. It is a fitment that should be approached carefully on restoration-oriented cars where originality, wheel type, and chassis presentation all matter.
The 700-21 size is a numeric bias-ply designation in which 7.00 represents the nominal section width and 21 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series, this is a traditional vintage fitment that opens up meaningful choice in brand, tire series, and sidewall style while retaining the proper bias-ply construction. Available options include Firestone, Michelin, Lester, and Excelsior, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall presentations. This size is the one to evaluate when the car is equipped with 21-inch wheels and the goal is a period-style driving and visual character.
Fitment on the covered 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series sub-model is straightforward in one sense and still demands wheel confirmation in another. The same sub-model is associated with both primary tire sizes, so the important step is checking the actual wheel and tire setup on the car before choosing a replacement.
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1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series 6 Cyl.
The 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series 6 Cyl. is associated with both 33X6.75 and 700-21 bias-ply fitments. That makes wheel verification especially important, because the tire decision depends less on trim identification than on confirming which rim diameter and period-style setup the car is actually running.
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 Pierce Arrow 36 Series Tires for Sale
For 700-21 fitment, the available bias-ply choices span Firestone, Michelin, Lester, and Excelsior, with vintage series differences and sidewall options that include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. The product grid is most useful for comparing appearance, rim-width compatibility, load specification where stated, and overall restoration character.
Owners of a 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series usually need clear answers on two points first: which of the two primary tire sizes is on the car, and how to choose the right bias-ply tire style once the wheel setup is confirmed.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series?
The 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 33X6.75 and 700-21. Those sizes represent different wheel arrangements, so the correct choice depends on the setup currently on the car rather than on a one-size-fits-all assumption.
A careful inspection of the existing wheels and tires is the right next step, especially on an older restoration or long-stored car. Confirm the wheel diameter, compare the size marking on the tire if it is still readable, and make sure the replacement matches the wheel and overall presentation you want before selecting a new tire.
What size rim does a 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series use?
The 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series is associated with two rim diameters tied to its primary tire sizes: 5.0 inches with 33X6.75 and 21 inches with 700-21. That means rim diameter must be confirmed before any replacement tire is chosen.
This matters because a tire size can look period-appropriate and still be wrong for the wheel on the car. Measuring the rim and checking the current tire designation will prevent ordering a vintage-style tire that matches the era visually but does not correspond to the actual wheel arrangement in use.
What does 700-21 mean on a 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series?
A 700-21 tire is a numeric bias-ply size. The 7.00 portion refers to the nominal section width, while the 21 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series, it is one of the correct period-style fitments and uses bias-ply construction.
Understanding the code helps separate wheel diameter from tire appearance choices. Once 700-21 is confirmed on the car, attention can shift to blackwall versus whitewall styling, brand and tire-series preferences, and rim-width compatibility so the replacement matches both the wheel and the restoration goal.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-21 tire for a 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series?
Start with the basics: confirm that the car is using 21-inch wheels and that 700-21 is the intended fitment. From there, compare the available bias-ply options by brand, tire series, sidewall style, and any stated rim-width or load specifications that matter to the car's setup.
A Pierce Arrow from this period often calls for a decision that balances appearance and road use. A blackwall gives a restrained traditional look, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall versions create a more formal presentation. Matching the tire's visual character to the car's restoration style is just as important as matching the size.
What sidewall styles are available for 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series tires?
For the 700-21 fitment, available sidewall styles include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. Those choices give the 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series noticeably different visual personalities while keeping the proper vintage bias-ply construction and 21-inch wheel format.
Sidewall style should be chosen with the car's restoration theme in mind rather than as a purely cosmetic afterthought. A more understated touring presentation may suit blackwalls, while a formal show-oriented appearance may lean toward whitewall treatments. The right answer depends on how the car is finished and how closely the owner wants to follow period style.
What brands offer tires for the 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series?
The 700-21 size for a 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series is available from Firestone, Michelin, Lester, and Excelsior. Those brands appear across several vintage tire lines, giving the buyer a useful range of appearance and specification differences within the same basic fitment.
Brand choice should still come after size and wheel confirmation. Once 700-21 is established, compare each option by tire series, sidewall style, stated rim-width range where given, and any published load figure that suits the vehicle's intended use. That approach keeps the decision grounded in fitment rather than reputation alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series?
A period-style 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series should begin with the correct primary size for the wheel setup on the car, either 33X6.75 or 700-21, and with bias-ply construction. From there, the visual direction becomes the main choice, especially if the car uses 700-21 and has access to multiple sidewall treatments.
For many restorations, the tire should complement the car's body style, finish, and intended presentation instead of standing out as a modern substitution. If exact historical authenticity is especially important, compare your choice against marque references or restoration records so the final look supports the car rather than simply filling the wheel opening.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series because tire size, construction, and sidewall presentation strongly affect the stance and overall visual balance of the car. An incorrect wheel diameter or mismatched tire format can disrupt the proportions that define a proper late-1920s luxury-car appearance.
The practical side is just as important as the visual side. A restoration should confirm the wheel arrangement first, then choose a tire that suits that setup and the intended use of the vehicle. That keeps the car looking coherent while also avoiding avoidable problems with mounting, clearance, or unsuitable vintage tire selection.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series?
Yes. Any change to wheels, suspension height, brake components, hubs, or body clearances can affect tire fitment on a 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series. That is especially important on a vehicle that may have been restored decades ago or updated over time with non-original wheels.
The safest approach is to inspect what is physically on the car before choosing between 33X6.75 and 700-21. Check rim diameter first, then wheel width, tire-to-fender clearance, and steering clearance. Older collector cars often differ from their original configurations, so the actual hardware on the car matters more than assumption.
What should I inspect before driving a 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and overall mounting condition, then verify that each new tire is inflated appropriately for the tire and wheel setup. It also makes sense to check for any contact points at the fenders or steering components once the tires are installed.
A collector car deserves a broader walk-around before its first outing. Look over the suspension, steering play, brake condition, and the age and integrity of any spare tire that may still be carried. A short local test drive can reveal vibration, rubbing, or tracking issues before the car is taken farther from home.
How should 700-21 tires on a collector 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series be maintained?
700-21 bias-ply tires on a collector 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series should be checked regularly for air loss, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven tread wear. Even a lightly driven car needs periodic inspection because age and storage conditions can affect vintage-style tires as much as mileage does.
Storage habits matter with a pre-war era automobile. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment can help preserve the tires, and proper inflation helps the casing maintain its shape while the car sits. Frequent visual checks are worthwhile on vehicles that spend long periods parked between drives.
