The 1928 Reo Wolverine comes from a period when American cars were moving quickly from strictly utilitarian transportation toward more refined everyday motoring, yet tire fitment still reflected older sizing conventions and early wheel standards. For that reason, tire selection on a late-1920s Reo can look unfamiliar to modern buyers even when the fitment itself is straightforward. The 1928 Reo Wolverine uses bias-ply sizing in 30X6.00 and 6.00-18, both tied to the same 18-inch wheel fitment. That leaves room to focus on the right period-style construction and overall presentation rather than chasing modernized sizing. Before choosing, it helps to confirm the wheel setup on the car and decide whether authenticity, road use, or restoration appearance matters most.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1928 Reo Wolverine
The 1928 Reo Wolverine uses two primary tire size formats, and the first step is understanding how those sizes relate to the vehicle's wheel setup. Both fitments are bias-ply and center on an 18-inch rim, but they are expressed in different vintage sizing conventions. For most owners, the real decision is confirming the exact wheel arrangement on the car and choosing the tire presentation that best suits restoration goals and intended use.
30X6.00 is an antique diameter-by-section size, meaning the first number refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter and the second refers to its section width in inches. On a 1928 Reo Wolverine, this is a bias-ply fitment that reflects the older way many late-1920s tires were measured and described. That makes it especially relevant for owners who want a strongly period-style appearance and a tire that visually matches the era of the vehicle. It is worth checking the actual wheel and mounted setup on the car, since vintage vehicles are sometimes updated or fitted with different wheels over time.
6.00-18 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 6.00 indicates nominal section width in inches and 18 identifies the rim diameter. For the 1928 Reo Wolverine, this format gives a more familiar vintage replacement reference while keeping the traditional bias-ply construction that suits the vehicle's age and character. Buyers often recognize this sizing system more easily when confirming wheel compatibility and comparing vintage tire offerings. It is a useful size to evaluate carefully if the car has been restored, re-wheeled, or altered from its earlier in-service configuration.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1928 Reo Wolverine sub-model, since the same two bias-ply size references are associated with it. Checking the exact sub-model still matters because vintage vehicles often survive with wheel or tire changes that do not match the original style of fitment.
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1928 Reo Wolverine 6 Cyl.
The 1928 Reo Wolverine 6 Cyl. uses the same vintage bias-ply fitment pattern found on this model, with both 30X6.00 and 6.00-18 associated with the vehicle. That means tire selection centers less on trim differences and more on confirming the wheel setup, then choosing the size expression and period-style look that best matches 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
These 1928 Reo Wolverine tire FAQs focus on vintage size meaning, 18-inch rim fitment, bias-ply selection, restoration-minded appearance, and the inspection steps that matter before putting a late-1920s car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1928 Reo Wolverine?
The 1928 Reo Wolverine uses two primary tire size references: 30X6.00 and 6.00-18. Both are bias-ply fitments, and they represent vintage sizing systems rather than modern metric or P-metric tire designations. The covered sub-model, the 1928 Reo Wolverine 6 Cyl., uses the same two size references.
That makes the key task less about choosing between modern-style fitments and more about confirming how the car is currently equipped. A restored or long-owned antique vehicle may have had wheels changed at some point, so the safest approach is to verify wheel diameter and overall setup before selecting a replacement tire in either vintage size format.
What size rim does a 1928 Reo Wolverine use?
The 1928 Reo Wolverine uses an 18-inch rim. That rim diameter is tied directly to the 6.00-18 fitment, and the vehicle's overall fitment profile centers on that same wheel size even when the tire is expressed in the older 30X6.00 format.
Rim diameter is one of the most important checks on an antique vehicle because tire size markings can look unfamiliar or be interpreted differently across eras. Measuring the wheel on the car helps prevent ordering a tire that matches the look of the size code but not the actual wheel, especially if the Wolverine has been restored or modified during its life.
What does 30X6.00 mean on a 1928 Reo Wolverine?
On a 1928 Reo Wolverine, 30X6.00 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size. The 30 refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter, while 6.00 refers to the section width in inches. It is a period-style way of expressing tire dimensions that predates the sizing systems many modern buyers know better.
Understanding that format helps when comparing it with a numeric bias-ply size like 6.00-18. One size emphasizes overall tire diameter and width, while the other clearly states the rim diameter. That distinction matters on an antique car because replacement decisions should be grounded in the wheel actually on the vehicle, not just the style of marking printed on an old tire.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 30X6.00 or 6.00-18 tire for a 1928 Reo Wolverine?
Start with the correct vintage size reference for the wheel setup on the car, since the 1928 Reo Wolverine is associated with both 30X6.00 and 6.00-18. Both are bias-ply fitments, so the main selection issue is usually not construction type but how the tire size is expressed and how it suits the vehicle's current configuration.
A buyer should also think about the goal of the vehicle. A restoration-minded Wolverine may favor a strongly period-style presentation, while a regularly driven car still needs close attention to wheel diameter, mounted clearance, and overall condition of the chassis and steering components. On an antique vehicle, those checks matter just as much as the printed size itself.
How do I choose between the available vintage tire sizes for a 1928 Reo Wolverine?
Choosing between the available vintage tire sizes on a 1928 Reo Wolverine comes down to matching the tire to the wheel setup and the style of size reference you need. 30X6.00 uses an older diameter-by-section format, while 6.00-18 uses the more familiar numeric bias-ply convention tied directly to an 18-inch rim.
That difference matters most when the car's history is unclear or the wheels may have been changed over time. Looking at the existing wheel diameter, any prior restoration work, and the overall visual presentation you want from the finished car will usually point you toward the better choice. Antique tire fitment is often as much about verification as it is about the size code.
What rim-fitment details should I compare when choosing 1928 Reo Wolverine tires?
The most important rim-fitment detail for a 1928 Reo Wolverine is confirming that the car uses the expected 18-inch wheel setup. Since the vehicle is associated with both 30X6.00 and 6.00-18, the tire marking alone should not be treated as the only checkpoint when selecting a replacement on an antique vehicle.
It also helps to inspect the wheel itself for age, condition, and suitability for the tire being considered. Collector cars from this era can carry replacement wheels, mixed sets, or long-ago repairs that affect fitment. A careful wheel check reduces the risk of ending up with a tire that looks correct on paper but does not suit the car's actual hardware.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1928 Reo Wolverine?
For a period-style 1928 Reo Wolverine, the strongest starting point is staying with one of the vehicle's proper bias-ply fitments: 30X6.00 or 6.00-18. Both reflect the era of the car and preserve the older tire construction and sizing character that buyers expect to see on a late-1920s American vehicle.
The better choice depends on how the wheels on the car are set up and how closely the restoration follows a known historical standard. Owners pursuing exact originality should compare the vehicle against marque references, period photography, or restoration records. For many antique drivers, a correct-looking bias-ply fitment and proper wheel match are the most important visual priorities.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1928 Reo Wolverine restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1928 Reo Wolverine because the tire is a large visual element on an antique car and strongly affects stance, proportion, and period character. Using one of the proper bias-ply size references helps the vehicle look consistent with the era rather than giving it a noticeably mismatched modern presentation.
Fitment also matters mechanically. An antique vehicle with the wrong wheel or tire combination can create avoidable clearance, mounting, or appearance issues even before it turns a wheel on the road. Taking time to confirm the 18-inch wheel setup and the intended restoration standard helps keep the finished result cohesive and more convincing from both near and far.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1928 Reo Wolverine?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1928 Reo Wolverine even when the tire size itself sounds correct. Antique vehicles sometimes receive replacement wheels, brake updates, suspension work, or body repairs over many decades, and each of those changes can alter the space available for a vintage bias-ply tire.
A Wolverine with non-original wheels or altered ride height deserves a closer look before tires are chosen. Measuring wheel diameter, checking side-to-side clearance, and turning the steering through its full range can help reveal conflicts early. That is especially important when a car has an uneven restoration history or has spent years off the road.
What should I inspect before driving a 1928 Reo Wolverine on new tires?
Before driving a 1928 Reo Wolverine on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, and the condition of the tire itself after mounting. An antique car also deserves a close look at steering components, suspension points, brake condition, and any signs that the tire may contact fenders or chassis parts once the vehicle is moving.
A short low-speed test is a smart way to confirm that the tires run true and that the car tracks as expected. Tire pressure should be checked regularly, and it is wise to recheck for air loss, unusual wear, or rubbing after the first few drives. On a vehicle of this age, surrounding mechanical condition matters as much as the new tire.
How should 30X6.00 or 6.00-18 tires on a collector 1928 Reo Wolverine be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1928 Reo Wolverine should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Bias-ply tires on an antique vehicle should be watched for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, tread wear, and slow air loss, especially if the car spends long periods parked between drives.
Storage conditions matter more than many owners expect. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition over time. It also helps to inspect the tires before every road outing rather than only by mileage, since collector cars often age their tires through time and environment rather than frequent use.
