The 1929 Jordan E comes from the final years of an independent American marque, a period when style, road presence, and mechanical individuality mattered as much as outright volume. Owners drawn to a Jordan today are usually balancing preservation with practical touring needs, especially on a car that still carries distinctly late-1920s tire proportions. The 1929 Jordan E uses bias-ply fitments in 28X5.50 and 550-18 on 18-inch rims, so the first step is understanding which sizing convention matches the wheels and setup on the car. Available choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall presentations, making appearance almost as important as fitment and construction.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1929 Jordan E
The 1929 Jordan E uses two primary tire sizes, and both are bias-ply fitments tied to the same 18-inch wheel diameter. Because the difference is in sizing convention rather than a change in vehicle era or construction, the important first step is confirming which size is appropriate for the wheel and overall setup on the car before comparing brands, sidewall treatments, or restoration-oriented appearance choices.
A 28X5.50 tire uses an older diameter-by-section format, where 28 refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter and 5.50 refers to its approximate section width in inches. On a 1929 Jordan E, this points to a true antique-style bias-ply fitment with proportions that suit late-1920s wheel and body design. Selection within this size centers less on modern sizing features and more on preserving the proper visual character and stance. It is a useful size to evaluate when the goal is maintaining an early automotive look while still confirming wheel compatibility and vehicle clearance.
A 550-18 tire uses the vintage numeric bias-ply system, where 5.50 indicates nominal section width in inches and 18 identifies the rim diameter. This is a traditional bias-ply fitment for the 1929 Jordan E and has the broadest visible product choice, including Excelsior, Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Michelin offerings. Available options also vary by sidewall presentation, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles represented across several tire series. This size deserves close attention when the car will be judged on appearance as well as driven, since the sidewall treatment can change the car's overall presentation significantly.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here, since the covered 1929 Jordan E configuration uses the same pair of primary tire sizes. Checking the exact sub-model still matters because it confirms that tire selection is really about sizing convention, wheel setup, and appearance rather than a different construction or rim diameter.
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1929 Jordan E 6 Cyl.
The 1929 Jordan E 6 Cyl. uses the same two bias-ply size patterns associated with this model, both on 18-inch rims. That means the decision usually comes down to matching the wheel setup on the car and then choosing the sidewall style and tire series that best suit either touring use or a restoration-minded 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 Jordan E Tires for Sale
Available 550-18 choices span Excelsior, Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Michelin, with differences in tire series, rim-width specification, load figures where stated, and sidewall presentation. Blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall options make the product grid especially useful for appearance-driven selection.
Owners researching 1929 Jordan E tires usually need clarity on vintage size formats, 18-inch rim fitment, sidewall appearance, and what to inspect before putting a collector car back on the road. These answers stay focused on those practical decisions.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1929 Jordan E?
The 1929 Jordan E uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 28X5.50 and 550-18. Those sizes reflect two different vintage sizing conventions, but both belong to the same general fitment family for this car and are associated with 18-inch rim use.
Choosing between them starts with confirming the wheel setup actually on the car, especially on an older vehicle that may have been changed over time. Once that is settled, the next decision is usually appearance and product style, since 550-18 has choices that range from blackwall to wide whitewall and double-whitewall presentations.
What size rim does a 1929 Jordan E use?
The 1929 Jordan E uses an 18-inch rim with its primary tire fitments. That rim diameter aligns with the 550-18 size directly, and it also matches the vehicle's antique-style 28X5.50 fitment context.
Rim diameter is only one part of the check on a collector car, because wheel width and the actual wheel fitted to the car also affect tire choice. On a vehicle approaching a century old, it is smart to verify the wheels themselves before selecting a tire by appearance alone.
What does 28X5.50 mean on a 1929 Jordan E?
The 28X5.50 size uses an antique diameter-by-section format. In simple terms, 28 refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter and 5.50 refers to its approximate section width in inches, rather than using a modern-style rim-diameter-first format.
That older sizing language matters because it can be confusing when compared with a numeric size such as 550-18 on the same vehicle. The safest approach is to confirm which vintage size convention matches the wheels and tire fitment already established on the car before selecting a replacement.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 550-18 tire for a 1929 Jordan E?
Start with the basics: the correct size, bias-ply construction, and compatibility with the wheel on the car. From there, the meaningful differences in 550-18 come from brand, tire series, sidewall style, rim-width specification, and load figures where they are stated.
A Jordan owner who wants a more understated touring appearance may lean toward blackwall, while a restoration-oriented presentation may call for wide whitewall or double-whitewall styling. It also helps to compare the wheel width already fitted to the car against the individual tire's rim-width requirement before narrowing the choices.
What sidewall styles are available for 1929 Jordan E tires?
For the 1929 Jordan E, available 550-18 products include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall sidewall styles. Those choices all stay within the correct vintage bias-ply character, but they create very different visual impressions once mounted on the car.
Sidewall style does not change the need to match the proper size and wheel, yet it can strongly influence the final look of a late-1920s car. Buyers focused on restoration appearance often compare sidewall treatment first, then narrow the options by brand, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility.
What brands offer tires for the 1929 Jordan E?
The 550-18 fitment for the 1929 Jordan E is available from Excelsior, Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Michelin. Those options appear across several vintage-style tire series, giving the buyer more than one path depending on appearance and wheel requirements.
Brand choice should be weighed alongside the rest of the specification rather than treated as the whole decision. Comparing sidewall style, stated rim width, weight, and any load information attached to a particular tire usually gives a clearer picture of which option best suits the car's intended use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1929 Jordan E?
A period-style 1929 Jordan E should stay with one of its correct bias-ply fitment patterns, either 28X5.50 or 550-18, depending on the wheel setup on the car. Within 550-18, several vintage-style tire series and sidewall treatments are available, which makes appearance a major part of the decision.
The right choice depends on whether the goal is a restrained touring presentation or a more formal restoration look with visible whitewall treatment. Buyers pursuing strict originality should verify brand, sidewall style, and visual details against marque-specific references rather than assuming every correct-size tire matches period delivery.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1929 Jordan E?
On a restored 1929 Jordan E, bias-ply construction is a major part of the car's visual character. The tread shape, sidewall profile, and overall stance of a vintage bias-ply tire complement the proportions expected on a late-1920s automobile in a way that modern-looking alternatives often do not.
Appearance is also influenced by sidewall treatment, especially when choosing between blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall designs in 550-18. Even when the size is right, a different sidewall style can change the car from understated to more formal, so visual goals should be settled before choosing a specific tire.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1929 Jordan E?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1929 Jordan E even when the tire size itself is correct. Wheel changes, altered wheel width, brake updates, suspension work, or body and fender adjustments can all change how a vintage tire sits and clears the car.
That matters especially on older vehicles that may have been updated over many decades. A Jordan with replacement wheels or chassis changes should be checked for actual rim dimensions, steering clearance, and fender room before settling on either 28X5.50 or 550-18, since the original fitment assumptions may no longer apply.
What should I inspect before driving a 1929 Jordan E on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, mounting surfaces, and overall tire condition after installation. A collector car such as a 1929 Jordan E also deserves a close look at steering and suspension condition, because worn components can make any new tire feel less stable or wear unevenly.
Air pressure, visible clearance at full steering lock, and any signs of rubbing should be checked before a serious drive. It is also smart to look over the rest of the car's road-ready basics, since a properly fitted bias-ply tire performs best when the chassis, brakes, and alignment are equally well sorted.
How should 550-18 tires on a collector 1929 Jordan E be maintained?
550-18 tires on a collector 1929 Jordan E should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and protected from long exposure to heat, sunlight, and ozone sources. Cars that sit for long periods need especially careful tire checks before being returned to the road.
Maintenance also includes watching for slow air loss and checking that the wheel and tire remain in sound condition after storage. A Jordan that is driven only occasionally can still develop age-related tire issues, so visual inspection and pressure checks matter just as much as tread depth on a low-mileage collector vehicle.
