The 1929 Auburn 80 Series came from an era when American cars balanced style, prestige, and increasingly confident road manners, and Auburn was known for giving buyers a lot of visual flair for the money. On a car like this, tire choice affects more than drivability; it shapes stance, ride character, and the overall presentation of the restoration. The 1929 Auburn 80 Series uses bias-ply fitments in 28X5.50 and 550-18 on 18-inch wheels. That opens the door to traditional blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall choices across several period-style tire lines. The key is confirming which size your car uses and matching the tire to the wheel, appearance goal, and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1929 Auburn 80 Series
The 1929 Auburn 80 Series uses two primary tire sizes, both in bias-ply construction, and the first step is confirming which size is on your particular wheel setup. Both fitments are tied to the covered 6 Cyl. application, so the real decision is understanding the sizing format, verifying the wheel, and then choosing the period-style tire presentation that best suits the car.
The 28X5.50 designation uses an older diameter-by-section format, where 28 refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter in inches and 5.50 refers to its nominal section width. It is a bias-ply fitment suited to the pre-war driving character and visual stance expected on a late-1920s Auburn. This format is especially useful for owners trying to interpret an early sizing convention that does not read like later numeric bias-ply markings. Before choosing around this size, confirm the actual wheel and compare the car's existing tire markings so the replacement matches both the wheel and the restoration plan.
The 550-18 size is a numeric bias-ply designation, with 5.50 representing nominal section width in inches and 18 identifying the wheel diameter. For the 1929 Auburn 80 Series, this is the size with the broadest visible product choice, including Excelsior, Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Michelin options in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. Tire series also vary, from Firestone Classic Bias Ply and BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply to specialty offerings like Double Rivet and Comp H. It is the size to study closely if appearance, brand character, and wheel-width compatibility all matter in the final selection.
Fitment is straightforward here because the covered 1929 Auburn 80 Series sub-model shares the same two bias-ply size paths. Checking the exact sub-model still matters so the tire size on the car can be matched to the wheel and to the restoration or driving goal.
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1929 Auburn 80 Series 6 Cyl.
The 1929 Auburn 80 Series 6 Cyl. uses the same pair of primary bias-ply fitments covered for this model line, so the main task is identifying which size is actually mounted on the car. That keeps the focus on correct wheel confirmation and on choosing the sidewall style and tire series that best match the vehicle's intended presentation.
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 1929 Auburn 80 Series Tires for Sale
Available 550-18 choices span Excelsior, Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Michelin, with differences in tire series, sidewall treatment, and rim-width specification. Blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall presentations give the 1929 Auburn 80 Series several distinct period-style directions.
These FAQs focus on 1929 Auburn 80 Series tire sizing, 18-inch wheel fitment, bias-ply construction, sidewall and brand choices, and the checks worth making before road use on a collector-era car.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1929 Auburn 80 Series?
The 1929 Auburn 80 Series uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 28X5.50 and 550-18. The covered 6 Cyl. sub-model is associated with both of these sizes, which means the right choice starts with confirming what is actually fitted to the car rather than assuming one marking applies to every surviving Auburn.
Those two size markings come from different vintage sizing conventions, so it helps to read the sidewall on the existing tire and verify the wheel before ordering a replacement. On a restored or long-stored car, wheel changes over the years are common, and the correct selection depends on matching the tire to the actual wheel and the appearance you want.
What size rim does a 1929 Auburn 80 Series use?
The 1929 Auburn 80 Series uses an 18-inch rim with its 550-18 bias-ply fitment, and the overall fitment profile for this model centers on 18-inch wheels. That makes wheel confirmation especially important, since vintage cars are sometimes found with later replacement wheels or mixed components from earlier restorations.
Check the wheel itself rather than relying only on old paperwork or assumptions about what should be on the car. Rim diameter is only part of the picture, because rim width also affects which tire options make sense, especially within the available 550-18 product range where specifications vary by tire line and sidewall style.
Does the 1929 Auburn 80 Series 6 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1929 Auburn 80 Series 6 Cyl. sub-model is associated with the same two primary bias-ply sizes used on this page: 28X5.50 and 550-18. That means sub-model identification does not create a separate tire path here in the way it sometimes does on later vehicles with more trim and wheel variations.
The practical question is not whether the 6 Cyl. has a unique size, but which of the two vintage markings is on your car now. Reading the sidewall, checking the wheel diameter, and comparing the car's present setup will do more to prevent a mismatch than relying on the sub-model name alone.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 550-18 tire for a 1929 Auburn 80 Series?
Start with the basics: correct size, bias-ply construction, and compatibility with the 18-inch wheel on the car. Within 550-18, the available choices differ by brand, tire series, sidewall style, and rim-width specification, so the decision is really about matching the tire to the wheel and to the way the Auburn is being restored or driven.
Appearance matters on a late-1920s car, so blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall options can change the visual character significantly. It also helps to compare product details such as rim-width requirements, weight, and load figures where they are stated, especially if the car sees regular road use instead of display-only mileage.
What sidewall styles are available for 1929 Auburn 80 Series tires?
For 550-18 fitment on the 1929 Auburn 80 Series, available sidewall styles include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. Those choices give the car very different visual presentations, from a restrained touring look to a brighter restoration-oriented appearance that draws more attention to the wheel and fender profile.
The best sidewall style depends on how the car is being finished and what period look you are after, not on a universal rule. A buyer concerned with exact historical appearance should compare the tire style against marque references or period photos, while also making sure the chosen product still matches the wheel specification.
What brands offer tires for the 1929 Auburn 80 Series?
The 1929 Auburn 80 Series has 550-18 tire options from Excelsior, Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Michelin. Those choices also span several tire series, including Firestone Classic Bias Ply, BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Excelsior Comp H, and Michelin Double Rivet, so the selection is broader than a single-brand replacement search.
Brand choice should be considered alongside sidewall treatment, wheel compatibility, and the style of restoration you want to achieve. Rather than treating the name on the sidewall as the whole decision, compare the specific tire line, the rim-width requirement, and the visual effect each option will have once mounted on the Auburn.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1929 Auburn 80 Series?
A period-style 1929 Auburn 80 Series starts with staying in the correct vintage size family and keeping bias-ply construction. From there, the decision usually narrows to 550-18 product options, where the available tire series and sidewall treatments create different restoration directions without leaving the traditional visual character expected on a car of this age.
Blackwall tends to give a more restrained presentation, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall options create a more formal, dressier look. If exact historical accuracy matters, compare your choice with period photos, Auburn reference material, or marque-club guidance so the finished tire appearance supports the rest of the restoration.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1929 Auburn 80 Series restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1929 Auburn 80 Series because tire size and construction influence the car's stance, the way it fills the fenders, and the overall period impression. On a pre-war car, an otherwise well-restored body and wheel combination can look noticeably off if the tire format or proportions are wrong.
Good restoration fitment means more than choosing a tire that mounts on the wheel. It also means confirming the proper vintage size marking, checking the wheel dimensions, and selecting a sidewall style that supports the car's intended finish, whether the goal is a restrained touring look or a more formal whitewall presentation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1929 Auburn 80 Series?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1929 Auburn 80 Series even when the tire size itself is correct. If the car has replacement wheels, altered ride height, brake upgrades, or body and fender work from an older restoration, those changes can influence wheel positioning, sidewall clearance, and how the tire sits in the opening.
That is why the existing setup should be checked before choosing between 28X5.50 and 550-18 or narrowing the search to a specific product. Looking at actual wheel diameter and width, steering clearance, and the car's present stance helps prevent a mismatch that may not be obvious until the tires are mounted.
What should I inspect before driving a 1929 Auburn 80 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1929 Auburn 80 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, mounting hardware, and overall clearance at the fenders and steering components. The tires themselves should be checked for proper inflation, secure seating on the rim, and any sign of rubbing once the car is on the ground and turned lock to lock.
A collector-era Auburn also benefits from a broader pre-road inspection, especially if it has been stored or recently revived. Look over the suspension and steering condition, confirm that all tires are holding pressure evenly, and make a short initial drive to recheck for contact, vibration, or settling before longer use.
How should 550-18 tires on a collector 1929 Auburn 80 Series be maintained?
550-18 tires on a collector 1929 Auburn 80 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Because collector cars often spend long periods parked, sidewall condition, tread aging, and slow air loss deserve as much attention as mileage, especially on a pre-war vehicle that may not be driven often.
Storage environment matters almost as much as road use. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, excess heat, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires between drives, and periodic inspections for cracks, bulges, cuts, or flat-spotting will make the car safer and more predictable when it returns to the road.
