The 1929 Franklin 130 Series came from an era when American manufacturers still pursued distinct engineering paths, and Franklin’s air-cooled cars earned attention for their lightweight, advanced design. That makes tire choice on this car more than a routine maintenance item, because the right size also shapes stance, ride height, and overall period character. The 1929 Franklin 130 Series uses bias-ply fitments in 31X6.00 and 600-19, both tied to a 19-inch wheel setup. Available choices lean toward traditional presentation, including a wide whitewall option in 600-19. For a restoration-minded car, the key is confirming which size is on the vehicle now and matching the tire to the wheel and intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1929 Franklin 130 Series
The 1929 Franklin 130 Series uses two primary tire sizes, and choosing between them starts with confirming the exact wheel and tire setup already on the car. Both are bias-ply fitments for the covered 6 Cyl. sub-model, but they use different sizing conventions, so the first step is understanding whether the car is currently set up with a 31X6.00 flotation-style tire or a 600-19 numeric bias-ply tire.
A 31X6.00 tire uses an older diameter-by-section format, where the first number refers to the approximate overall tire diameter and the second refers to section width in inches. On a 1929 Franklin 130 Series, this is a bias-ply fitment with a distinctly early automotive sizing style that suits period-oriented restorations and traditional wheel-and-tire presentations. It differs in format from the more familiar numeric bias-ply system, even though both belong to the same vintage era. This size is best evaluated by checking the tire already on the car, the wheel dimensions, and the way the vehicle sits and clears at full steering lock.
A 600-19 tire is a numeric bias-ply size in which the leading number represents an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width and the final number identifies a 19-inch rim. For the 1929 Franklin 130 Series, it delivers a vintage tire construction and sizing format that is familiar across many late-1920s and early-1930s applications. Available product choice in this size includes the Lester Classic Bias Ply series with a Wide Whitewall sidewall treatment, giving the buyer an appearance decision as well as a fitment decision. This size makes the most sense after confirming that the car’s wheels and current setup are intended for a 600-19 tire.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered 1929 Franklin 130 Series 6 Cyl. uses the same two primary bias-ply tire sizes. The main task is not sorting through trim differences, but confirming which of the two vintage size formats is actually on the car before selecting a replacement.
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1929 Franklin 130 Series 6 Cyl.
The 1929 Franklin 130 Series 6 Cyl. uses the same pair of primary bias-ply fitments covered on this page, so tire selection centers on the wheel-and-tire setup already in place rather than on sub-model variation. That means the practical next step is verifying whether the car is running 31X6.00 or 600-19 before choosing a period-style replacement.
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 Franklin 130 Series Tires for Sale
Available product choice for the 1929 Franklin 130 Series centers on 600-19 bias-ply fitment, with Lester offering the Lester Classic Bias Ply series in a Wide Whitewall sidewall style. That gives buyers a traditional construction and a restoration-oriented appearance to compare against the car’s existing setup.
These FAQs focus on 1929 Franklin 130 Series tire size identification, 19-inch wheel fitment, bias-ply selection, period-style appearance, and the checks worth making before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1929 Franklin 130 Series?
The 1929 Franklin 130 Series uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 31X6.00 and 600-19. Both sizes apply to the covered 1929 Franklin 130 Series 6 Cyl., so the fitment question is less about trim level and more about which wheel-and-tire setup the car is actually using today.
Those two sizes come from different vintage sizing systems, so they should not be treated as interchangeable just because the section width appears similar. The most useful next step is to read the size on the existing tire, confirm the wheel dimensions, and check how the car currently sits before selecting a replacement.
What size rim does a 1929 Franklin 130 Series use?
The 1929 Franklin 130 Series uses a 19-inch rim with its 600-19 tire fitment. That rim diameter is the critical measurement to confirm before ordering a replacement tire, especially on a collector car that may have had wheel changes during its life.
A 19-inch rim measurement alone does not settle every fitment question, because wheel width and the actual tire size already mounted still matter. Checking the wheel, the current sidewall markings, and the car’s clearance around fenders and steering components helps keep the replacement choice aligned with the vehicle’s present setup.
What does 31X6.00 mean on a 1929 Franklin 130 Series?
31X6.00 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size. The 31 refers to the tire’s approximate overall diameter in inches, while 6.00 refers to the section width, also in inches, making it a very different format from a numeric bias-ply size such as 600-19.
That difference matters because older sizing systems describe the tire in different ways and can affect how a replacement is evaluated. Reading the size directly from the sidewall, confirming the wheel it is mounted on, and comparing the car’s stance and clearance are the best ways to avoid ordering by appearance alone.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-19 tire for a 1929 Franklin 130 Series?
Start with the basic fitment points: the car must actually be using the 600-19 size and a 19-inch wheel. From there, the main choice in the current product range is a traditional bias-ply construction with a restoration-oriented look, including a Wide Whitewall sidewall style.
Selection usually comes down to how closely the tire matches the car’s present appearance and wheel setup rather than chasing modern performance traits. It helps to inspect the existing tires, confirm the wheel dimensions, and decide whether the goal is a road-ready vintage presentation or a more appearance-focused restoration approach.
What sidewall styles are available for 1929 Franklin 130 Series tires?
The available sidewall style in the current 600-19 product offering for the 1929 Franklin 130 Series is Wide Whitewall. That style gives the car a distinctly prewar visual character and often plays a major role in how the finished vehicle presents at a glance.
Sidewall choice should still follow size and wheel confirmation, because appearance only helps if the tire is appropriate for the car’s actual setup. Buyers who are aiming for a historically sympathetic look often compare the whitewall presentation against period photos, restoration goals, and the overall finish of the car before deciding.
What brands offer tires for the 1929 Franklin 130 Series?
Lester is represented in the available 1929 Franklin 130 Series product selection, specifically in the 600-19 size. That offering appears in the Lester Classic Bias Ply series and combines a vintage bias-ply construction with a Wide Whitewall sidewall treatment.
Brand alone should not drive the decision on a car of this age. The more important checks are confirming the exact tire size on the vehicle, making sure the wheel dimensions match, and deciding whether the tire’s appearance and construction suit the way the Franklin will be restored, shown, or driven.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1929 Franklin 130 Series?
A period-style 1929 Franklin 130 Series tire choice begins with staying within the vehicle’s primary bias-ply fitments: 31X6.00 or 600-19, depending on the setup already on the car. That keeps the construction and overall presentation aligned with the late-1920s character of the Franklin.
The right selection depends on whether the goal is faithful visual proportion, dependable road use within a vintage format, or a show-oriented appearance. Buyers pursuing exact historical accuracy should compare the tire choice against marque references, restoration photography, and vehicle-specific documentation rather than assuming one vintage-looking size suits every surviving car.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1929 Franklin 130 Series restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1929 Franklin 130 Series because tires strongly influence stance, wheel-fill, and the way the car reads visually from the side. On an early car like this, an incorrect size or mismatched sizing system can make the restoration look off even before finer details are noticed.
Fitment also affects practical details such as wheel compatibility and clearance during steering and road use. Restorers usually get the best result by verifying the size already associated with the car, confirming the wheel dimensions, and choosing a bias-ply tire that supports the intended appearance without assuming that all vintage sizes relate the same way.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1929 Franklin 130 Series?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1929 Franklin 130 Series. If the car has replacement wheels, altered suspension components, body repairs, or changes in ride height, those differences can influence which of the two primary tire sizes makes sense and how much clearance remains around the tire.
Even subtle changes on an older vehicle can alter steering sweep, fender spacing, or wheel compatibility. A smart approach is to inspect the car as it sits today, measure the wheel, verify the size marked on the current tire, and look for any signs that the existing setup differs from a more traditional restoration layout.
What should I inspect before driving a 1929 Franklin 130 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1929 Franklin 130 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or excessive corrosion, make sure the mounted size matches the car’s intended setup, and check that the tires clear properly at full steering lock. It is also worth confirming even seating, proper inflation, and valve condition.
A collector car deserves a broader pre-drive inspection than tires alone. Looking over wheel bearings, brake function, suspension wear, and any age-related cracking or looseness around the chassis helps the new tires work as intended and reduces the chance that an older mechanical issue gets mistaken for a tire problem.
How should tires on a collector 1929 Franklin 130 Series be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1929 Franklin 130 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection for cracking, cuts, bulges, and unusual wear, and periodic attention even when the car is driven infrequently. Vintage cars often spend long periods parked, which makes age and storage conditions especially important.
Good storage habits can help preserve both appearance and service condition. Keeping the Franklin away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources, while also moving the car occasionally or relieving long-term standing load, can help limit flat spotting and premature aging on a bias-ply collector tire.
