The 1928 Stutz BB comes from an era when American luxury and performance cars still carried a strong custom-built character, and Stutz stood apart for its advanced engineering and upscale presence. On a car like this, tire selection is closely tied to wheelbase and chassis specification rather than simple year-make fitment. The 1928 Stutz BB uses bias-ply tires in either 32X6.20 or 650-20 form on the 131-inch wheelbase cars, and 32X6.75 or 700-20 on the 145-inch wheelbase cars. Available choices include traditional blackwall, wide whitewall, and even double-whitewall treatments in certain sizes. The right pick depends on confirming the exact wheelbase, preserving the car’s period-style stance, and matching the tire to the wheels actually on the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1928 Stutz BB
Four primary tire sizes apply to the 1928 Stutz BB, and the correct choice depends on the exact wheelbase configuration. Two sizes are associated with the 131-inch wheelbase cars, while two larger sizes are associated with the 145-inch wheelbase cars. Before selecting a tire, the first step is confirming the specific sub-model and then verifying the wheel diameter actually on the car, since these vintage size formats describe fitment differently.
In a size like 32X6.20, the first number refers to the tire’s approximate overall diameter in inches and the second refers to its nominal section width. This is an older sizing convention commonly seen on late-1920s vehicles and it reflects the period-correct bias-ply construction used on the Stutz BB. On this application, the size matters as part of the correct wheelbase-specific fitment rather than as a modern interchange size. Buyers considering this format should confirm that the car still carries the proper wheel setup and compare it carefully with the matching wheelbase configuration before making a selection.
A 650-20 size uses the vintage numeric bias-ply system, where 6.50 indicates nominal section width in inches and 20 identifies the rim diameter. For the 1928 Stutz BB, this size belongs with the shorter-wheelbase fitment group and keeps the traditional look and construction expected on a late-1920s luxury-performance car. Available choices include Firestone, Denman, and Deka products, with blackwall and wide whitewall options depending on the tire series. This size is best evaluated by buyers who want authentic bias-ply construction and need to match the wheel diameter and visual style already established on the car.
The 32X6.75 format identifies a tire that is approximately 32 inches in overall diameter with a nominal section width of 6.75 inches. That naming style reflects an early tire-sizing system and aligns with the bias-ply construction expected for a 1928 Stutz BB. This size is associated with the longer-wheelbase version, so it should not be treated as a general replacement for every BB. Buyers looking at this size should focus on preserving the correct stance and proportions for the 145-inch wheelbase car while confirming the wheel and chassis setup before ordering.
A 700-20 tire is a vintage numeric bias-ply size, with 7.00 representing nominal width and 20 indicating the wheel diameter. On the 1928 Stutz BB, it belongs to the longer-wheelbase fitment group and opens up the broadest visible product choice among the available sizes. Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Denman options appear in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall form across balloon, classic bias-ply, and truck-oriented series. This size deserves careful comparison if the goal is to balance period-style appearance, load-oriented product character, and compatibility with the wheels currently fitted to the car.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1928 Stutz BB because tire size changes with wheelbase. The 131-inch and 145-inch wheelbase cars do not share the same size group, so identifying the exact chassis configuration is the key first step before comparing tires.
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1928 Stutz BB 8 Cyl. (131 inch wheelbase)
The 131-inch wheelbase 1928 Stutz BB 8 Cyl. uses the smaller of the two fitment groups, centered on 32X6.20 and 650-20 bias-ply sizing. Tire selection here is mainly about confirming which of those period formats matches the car’s wheels and then choosing the sidewall treatment and product style that best suits the restoration or driving plan.
The 145-inch wheelbase 1928 Stutz BB 8 Cyl. uses the larger fitment group, centered on 32X6.75 and 700-20 bias-ply sizing. That makes wheelbase confirmation especially important, and it also gives the buyer more visible choice in available blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall product styles within the correct size family.
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 Stutz BB Tires for Sale
Available 1928 Stutz BB tire choices center on 650-20 and 700-20 bias-ply products from Firestone, BFGoodrich, Denman, and Deka. The product grid is most useful for comparing sidewall style, tire series, and rim-width compatibility, especially between passenger-style whitewall offerings and more truck-oriented blackwall designs.
Owners of a 1928 Stutz BB usually need to sort out wheelbase-specific tire sizing first, then compare bias-ply formats, sidewall appearance, wheel compatibility, and basic road-use checks before putting a collector car back into service.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1928 Stutz BB?
A 1928 Stutz BB can use 32X6.20 or 650-20 on the 131-inch wheelbase version, and 32X6.75 or 700-20 on the 145-inch wheelbase version. All of these are bias-ply fitments, but they are not universal across every BB chassis configuration.
The practical first step is confirming which wheelbase car is in front of you, because that determines which size group applies. After that, verify the wheel diameter and the actual wheels mounted on the car, especially if it has been restored or changed over the years.
What size rim does a 1928 Stutz BB use?
The numeric bias-ply sizes used on the 1928 Stutz BB include 20-inch rim fitments, specifically 650-20 and 700-20. Those two sizes are the clearest buyer-facing reference points for wheel diameter on this application.
Because this is a late-1920s car, the safest approach is to inspect the actual wheels before choosing a tire. Antique diameter-by-section sizes and numeric bias-ply sizes can describe similar period fitments differently, so wheel measurement and wheelbase confirmation matter more than relying on appearance alone.
Do all 1928 Stutz BB sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1928 Stutz BB 8 Cyl. with a 131-inch wheelbase uses 32X6.20 or 650-20, while the 145-inch wheelbase version uses 32X6.75 or 700-20. The difference follows the chassis configuration, not just the model name.
That means tire selection starts with identifying the exact wheelbase rather than comparing whitewalls or brands first. Once the correct size group is established, the choice becomes more straightforward and you can compare product style, tire series, and wheel compatibility within that proper fitment range.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1928 Stutz BB tire?
Start with the correct wheelbase-specific size, because the 1928 Stutz BB uses different tire groups for the 131-inch and 145-inch chassis. From there, the main considerations are whether the wheel setup matches the intended size, whether a blackwall or whitewall presentation suits the car, and whether a passenger-style or truck-oriented tire better matches its use.
A careful comparison should also include rim-width compatibility where it is stated, along with load figures when they are given for individual products. Buyers restoring a show-oriented car may prioritize sidewall appearance, while road-use planning may place more emphasis on the tire series and wheel match.
What sidewall styles are available for 1928 Stutz BB tires?
1928 Stutz BB tire options include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall sidewall styles, depending on the exact size and tire series. The broadest sidewall variety appears in 700-20, while 650-20 includes both blackwall and wide whitewall choices.
That sidewall decision has a major effect on the car’s finished look, especially on a prominent late-1920s automobile where tire presentation is visually important. A whitewall can support a more formal restoration-oriented appearance, while a blackwall may suit a more restrained or utility-minded presentation within the correct size.
What brands offer tires for the 1928 Stutz BB?
Available tires for the 1928 Stutz BB come from Firestone, BFGoodrich, Denman, and Deka, depending on the size. Firestone appears across both 650-20 and 700-20, while BFGoodrich is present in 700-20 and Denman and Deka appear in truck-oriented offerings.
Brand alone should not make the decision. It is better to compare the correct size first, then look at the tire series, sidewall style, rim-width specification where given, and whether the product is aimed more toward classic passenger presentation or classic truck service character.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1928 Stutz BB?
A period-style 1928 Stutz BB should begin with the correct wheelbase-specific bias-ply size group: 32X6.20 or 650-20 for the 131-inch wheelbase car, and 32X6.75 or 700-20 for the 145-inch wheelbase car. That keeps the selection rooted in the car’s proper late-1920s tire format and overall visual proportion.
After the size is settled, appearance becomes the next major decision. Whitewall and double-whitewall options can create a more formal restoration-oriented presentation, while blackwalls look more restrained. If exact originality matters at a concours level, marque-specific historical references should guide the final sidewall and brand choice.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1928 Stutz BB restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1928 Stutz BB because tire size influences stance, wheel appearance, and the overall character of the finished car. With two different wheelbase configurations using different size groups, getting the fitment right is part of presenting the car properly.
The visual impact is especially strong on large pre-war cars, where tire height and sidewall style are easy to notice. Even when choosing among period-style alternatives, the safest path is to match the tire to the correct chassis configuration and verify the wheels that are actually mounted on the vehicle.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1928 Stutz BB?
Yes. A 1928 Stutz BB may no longer have its original wheels, and any change in wheel diameter, width, or offset can affect which tire size works properly. Suspension repairs, ride-height changes, or body alterations can also change clearance around a tall vintage tire.
That is why an old fitment assumption should not replace a hands-on check. Measure the wheels, confirm the wheelbase, and inspect steering and fender clearance before choosing among 32X6.20, 650-20, 32X6.75, or 700-20. On a collector car, decades of changes often matter as much as original specification.
What should I inspect before driving a 1928 Stutz BB on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for condition, verify that the tires match the correct wheelbase-specific size group, and make sure inflation is appropriate for the tire being used. It is also wise to check for rubbing at full steering lock and to confirm that the spare matches the intended running size.
A collector car deserves a broader once-over before its first drive. Look at wheel fasteners, brakes, steering play, suspension condition, and any signs that the tires are contacting fenders or chassis parts. A short test drive followed by a second inspection can reveal issues before a longer outing.
How should 1928 Stutz BB tires be maintained on a collector car?
Tires on a collector 1928 Stutz BB should be checked regularly for pressure loss, sidewall cracking, tread wear, cuts, bulges, and signs of age-related deterioration. Even on a lightly driven car, time and storage conditions can be just as important as mileage when judging tire condition.
Good storage habits help preserve a vintage bias-ply tire. Keep the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources, and move it occasionally so one part of the tire is not loaded in the same spot for long periods. Routine inspection before every drive is a sensible practice.
