The 1929 Chrysler Imperial came from an era when American luxury cars were growing larger, more refined, and more technically ambitious, and tire choice was part of that character. For an owner sorting out this exact car, the key fitment question is especially important because the 1929 Chrysler Imperial is associated with two primary bias-ply sizes: 30X6.75 and 700-18. That means the decision is not just about brand, but also about confirming which wheel setup is on the car. Once that is settled, the available choices in 700-18 include traditional blackwall and whitewall presentations that can support either practical road use or a more restoration-oriented appearance.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1929 Chrysler Imperial
The 1929 Chrysler Imperial uses two primary tire sizes, and the first step is confirming exactly which wheel and tire setup is on the car. Both are bias-ply fitments, but they do not share the same rim diameter, so wheel measurement matters before comparing style, brand, or restoration-oriented appearance choices.
A size like 30X6.75 uses an older diameter-by-section format, where the first number refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter and the second refers to nominal section width. On a 1929 Chrysler Imperial, that points to an early bias-ply fitment style that belongs to the late 1920s era of large luxury cars. Its appeal is usually tied to preserving an authentic early-motoring look rather than expanding into multiple modern-looking product variations. Before choosing this size, the important step is confirming that the car actually has the wheel setup intended for this fitment.
A 700-18 tire uses the vintage numeric bias-ply system, with 7.00 indicating nominal section width and 18 identifying the rim diameter in inches. For the 1929 Chrysler Imperial, this is a traditional bias-ply fitment with a broader selection of available products than many early sizes. Choices in 700-18 include Firestone, Lester, Excelsior, and STA offerings, along with blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall treatments across several tire series. This size is often where the buyer can balance period-style appearance, intended road use, and wheel compatibility most carefully.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered Imperial sub-model shares the same two primary tire sizes. Even so, checking the exact wheel and tire setup on the car still matters, since the two sizes use different rim diameters and lead to different replacement paths.
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1929 Chrysler Imperial 6 Cyl.
The 1929 Chrysler Imperial 6 Cyl. is associated with both 30X6.75 and 700-18 bias-ply tires rather than a single universal size. That makes wheel confirmation especially important before selecting a replacement, and buyers considering 700-18 will also have more visible choices in sidewall style and tire series.
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 Chrysler Imperial Tires for Sale
Available 700-18 options span Firestone, Lester, Excelsior, and STA, with several tire series and sidewall presentations to compare. Blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall choices give this size a useful range of appearance and application differences within a bias-ply fitment.
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Bias Ply
Firestone Balloon 4.25 Inch Double Whitewall | 700-18
Common questions for the 1929 Chrysler Imperial usually center on confirming the correct tire size, understanding the difference between 30X6.75 and 700-18, comparing sidewall and brand options, and checking wheel fitment and tire condition before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1929 Chrysler Imperial?
The 1929 Chrysler Imperial is associated with two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 30X6.75 and 700-18. Those sizes are not the same format, and they do not use the same rim diameter, so the correct choice depends on the wheel setup that is actually on the car.
That makes wheel confirmation the first step before ordering tires. Measure the wheel diameter, confirm the existing size marking if an old tire is still present, and check whether the car has remained stock or has been changed over time. On this Imperial, selecting the right size matters more than comparing sidewall style or brand too early.
What size rim does a 1929 Chrysler Imperial use?
The 1929 Chrysler Imperial is associated with two rim diameters, depending on which tire size is on the car. The 30X6.75 fitment corresponds to a 5.0-inch rim diameter, while the 700-18 fitment uses an 18-inch rim diameter.
Since those diameters are completely different, visual assumptions are not enough. Measuring the wheel before choosing tires helps prevent confusion between an antique diameter-by-section size and a numeric bias-ply size. It is also worth checking whether the wheels are original to the car or part of an earlier restoration or long-ago service replacement.
What does 700-18 mean on a 1929 Chrysler Imperial?
A 700-18 tire uses the vintage numeric bias-ply sizing system. In that format, 7.00 refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches, and 18 refers to the rim diameter in inches, making it a traditional 18-inch bias-ply fitment for the 1929 Chrysler Imperial.
Understanding that format helps when comparing available tires, because several 700-18 choices differ in series, sidewall presentation, rim-width specification, and intended use. It also keeps the tire search focused on the correct wheel diameter, which is essential on a vehicle that can also be encountered with a completely different primary size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-18 tire for a 1929 Chrysler Imperial?
Start with the correct size, then compare the construction, rim-width specification, sidewall appearance, and the character of the tire series being considered. In 700-18, the 1929 Chrysler Imperial has bias-ply choices from Firestone, Lester, Excelsior, and STA, with both passenger-style and more specialty-oriented options present.
The right selection depends on how the car will be used and how it should look. A blackwall can suit a restrained touring presentation, while whitewall styles create a more formal period look. It also helps to compare load figures where given and make sure the wheel itself matches the tire's intended rim-width range.
What sidewall styles are available for 1929 Chrysler Imperial tires?
For 700-18 fitment on a 1929 Chrysler Imperial, the available sidewall styles include blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall. Those choices do not change the underlying bias-ply construction, but they do change the visual impression of the car quite a bit.
Sidewall style is often one of the most visible restoration decisions on a late-1920s luxury car. A blackwall gives a simpler, more utilitarian appearance, while whitewall treatments can make the car look more formal and upscale. The right choice should still begin with the correct tire size and wheel compatibility rather than appearance alone.
What brands offer tires for the 1929 Chrysler Imperial?
In 700-18, the 1929 Chrysler Imperial has tire choices from Firestone, Lester, Excelsior, and STA. Those options cover several tire series, including Firestone Balloon, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Lester Classic Bias Ply, Comp H, and Transport Highway.
Brand selection should be treated as part of a broader fitment decision rather than the only deciding factor. Compare the tire series, sidewall treatment, rim-width specification, and overall presentation that best suits the car. On an older collector vehicle like this, the visual style of the tire can matter almost as much as the basic size itself.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1929 Chrysler Imperial?
A period-style 1929 Chrysler Imperial tire choice starts with staying in one of the correct primary bias-ply sizes used on the car, either 30X6.75 or 700-18, depending on the wheel setup. From there, 700-18 offers the broadest visible choice in blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall presentations.
The best visual direction depends on the restoration goal. Some owners want a restrained touring look, while others prefer the more formal presence that a whitewall can give a late-1920s luxury car. When exact originality matters, it is wise to compare period photos, marque-club guidance, and surviving vehicle details before settling on one appearance.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1929 Chrysler Imperial restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1929 Chrysler Imperial because the tire has a strong effect on stance, wheel presentation, and the overall period impression of the car. Using the proper primary size and the correct rim diameter is the foundation of a restoration-oriented tire choice.
Appearance is only part of the story. An incorrect size can also create trouble with wheel compatibility and the way the car sits visually. Even when the goal is mostly show presentation, it still helps to inspect the wheels carefully, confirm the tire format being used, and avoid assuming that any old-style tire will suit the car.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1929 Chrysler Imperial?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1929 Chrysler Imperial, especially if the car has replacement wheels, altered suspension components, brake changes, or bodywork that differs from original dimensions. Those changes can influence which primary size is appropriate and whether the wheel matches the intended tire specification.
Even modest changes can complicate fitment on a vehicle of this age. A car that looks stock may still have different wheels from an earlier restoration or long-term maintenance history. Checking wheel diameter, wheel width, and available clearance before mounting tires is the safest way to avoid choosing a period-looking tire that does not suit the actual setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1929 Chrysler Imperial on new tires?
Before driving a 1929 Chrysler Imperial on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and the general condition of the suspension and steering components. The tire itself should also be checked for proper inflation, secure seating on the rim, and any early signs of air loss after installation.
A pre-drive inspection matters because collector cars often sit for long periods and may have hidden mechanical issues unrelated to the new tires. It is smart to look for rubbing at full steering lock, confirm that all tires clear the fenders properly, and take the first drive slowly enough to notice vibration, pull, or other setup concerns.
How should 700-18 tires on a collector 1929 Chrysler Imperial be maintained?
700-18 tires on a collector 1929 Chrysler Imperial should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age even if tread wear looks minimal. Bias-ply tires on low-use collector cars deserve routine checks for cracking, bulges, cuts, and any change in how the tire is holding air.
Storage conditions also matter. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help protect the tires between drives. It also helps to inspect them before every outing rather than relying on mileage alone, since a collector Imperial may spend far more time parked than it does on the road.
