The 1929 Kissel 73 comes from the closing years of an independent American luxury and performance marque that built distinctive cars for buyers who wanted something less ordinary than the mass-market field. That gives tire choice extra importance today, because the look and stance of a late-1920s automobile are shaped heavily by the tires it wears. For this exact model, the primary fitment centers on bias-ply sizes 30X6.00 and 6.00-18. Those two size formats reflect period sizing conventions rather than modern radial language, so understanding what each one means is the first step. From there, the real decision is preserving the right vintage presentation while confirming wheel compatibility before road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1929 Kissel 73
The 1929 Kissel 73 uses two primary tire sizes, both in bias-ply construction, and choosing between them starts with identifying the exact wheel setup on the car. Because these are period size formats, the first priority is confirming whether the car is set up around the 30X6.00 sizing convention or a 6.00-18 tire on an 18-inch rim before comparing tire style or restoration appearance.
30X6.00 is an antique diameter-by-section size, meaning the first number refers to an approximate overall tire diameter of 30 inches and the second number refers to an approximate section width of 6.00 inches. It is a bias-ply fitment that suits the period construction and visual character expected on a late-1920s automobile such as the 1929 Kissel 73. Buyers often encounter this format on earlier and transitional vintage applications where the size naming system differs from later rim-diameter-first conventions. It is a useful choice to evaluate when the goal is maintaining an authentic prewar look while verifying that the car's wheels match this sizing system.
6.00-18 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 6.00 represents the nominal section width in inches and 18 identifies the wheel diameter. On the 1929 Kissel 73, this format ties the tire selection more directly to an 18-inch rim, which makes wheel confirmation especially important before moving ahead. Numeric bias-ply sizes are familiar on many vintage cars from the period and keep the traditional construction and profile that collectors often want to preserve. This size is the right one to examine when the car is already known to use 18-inch wheels and the priority is a correct period-style fitment approach.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered 1929 Kissel 73 sub-model uses the same two primary bias-ply tire sizes. Even so, checking the exact sub-model and wheel setup still matters so the tire format on the car matches the wheel and restoration direction.
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1929 Kissel 73 6 Cyl.
The 1929 Kissel 73 6 Cyl. uses the same pair of primary bias-ply fitments, so the main issue is not trim-related variation but confirming which period size format is actually on the car. That makes tire selection more about wheel verification, appearance goals, and staying consistent with the vehicle's vintage setup.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Owners researching 1929 Kissel 73 tires usually need clarity on period size formats, 18-inch wheel fitment, restoration-minded construction choices, and the basic inspection steps that matter before putting a vintage car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1929 Kissel 73?
The 1929 Kissel 73 uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 30X6.00 and 6.00-18. Both are period fitments for this exact model, but they represent different vintage sizing conventions, so the right choice depends on the wheel and tire setup already on the car rather than a modern one-size-fits-all assumption.
A careful inspection of the wheels and the existing tire markings is the best starting point before selecting replacements. On a collector car that has changed hands over many decades, wheels may have been swapped, so confirming whether the car is set up for a 30X6.00 format or an 18-inch rim using 6.00-18 helps avoid buying the right-looking tire in the wrong size system.
What size rim does a 1929 Kissel 73 use?
The 1929 Kissel 73 is associated with an 18-inch rim through the 6.00-18 tire size. That numeric bias-ply format names the wheel diameter directly, which makes it the clearest fitment reference when the car is using that size convention.
The practical next step is to verify the actual wheels on the car, especially if it has been restored or modified at some point. Vintage cars sometimes carry replacement wheels or mixed components, and that matters here because the 30X6.00 fitment uses an older naming style that does not state wheel diameter in the same way as the 6.00-18 size.
Does the 1929 Kissel 73 6 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1929 Kissel 73 6 Cyl. uses the same two primary bias-ply tire sizes associated with this model: 30X6.00 and 6.00-18. That means the sub-model itself does not introduce a separate tire-size requirement within the covered fitment.
Even with shared sub-model fitment, the actual choice still depends on the wheel setup fitted to the car today. A 1929 vehicle may have gone through restoration work long ago, and matching the tire format to the wheels is more important than assuming either size applies automatically without checking the rim and the current tire markings.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 30X6.00 or 6.00-18 tire for a 1929 Kissel 73?
Start with the correct primary size for the wheels on the car, because the 1929 Kissel 73 uses two different period bias-ply size conventions. 30X6.00 is an antique diameter-by-section format, while 6.00-18 is a numeric bias-ply size that directly identifies an 18-inch rim.
Once the size format is confirmed, the decision becomes one of vintage presentation and road-use readiness. A restoration-focused owner may want the tire that best matches the car's existing period look, while any owner planning regular driving should also inspect the wheels, verify tire age and condition, and make sure all four tires match in size and construction.
How do I choose between the available 1929 Kissel 73 tire sizes?
Choosing between 30X6.00 and 6.00-18 is not a matter of preference alone, because both are primary fitments tied to different vintage sizing systems. The correct choice depends on which setup the car actually uses, with 6.00-18 pointing directly to an 18-inch wheel and 30X6.00 following an older diameter-and-section-width format.
A good approach is to read the tire sidewalls already on the car and confirm the wheel dimensions before ordering replacements. That matters especially on prewar-era automobiles, where a car may carry components installed decades after it was built, and getting the fitment right affects not only appearance but also mounting compatibility and overall stance.
What rim-fitment details matter when choosing tires for a 1929 Kissel 73?
The key rim-fitment detail is matching the tire size system to the wheel setup on the car. With a 6.00-18 tire, the 18-inch rim diameter is explicit, while the 30X6.00 fitment uses an older format that requires extra care when confirming compatibility with the wheels currently installed.
It also helps to inspect the wheels for age, condition, and any signs of prior repair before mounting new tires. On a collector vehicle of this era, damaged lock rings, bent rims, corrosion, or mismatched wheels can create fitment and safety issues even when the tire size itself is correct for the 1929 Kissel 73.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1929 Kissel 73?
A period-style 1929 Kissel 73 should stay with one of its primary bias-ply sizes, either 30X6.00 or 6.00-18, depending on the wheel setup actually on the car. Bias-ply construction preserves the visual character associated with late-1920s automobiles more closely than a modern-looking alternative would.
For many restorations, the best starting point is the tire size and format already proven by the vehicle's wheels rather than trying to reinterpret the fitment. When exact originality matters, marque-specific references, surviving historical photos, and restoration records can help confirm whether the current setup reflects the way this particular Kissel 73 was equipped in period.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1929 Kissel 73 restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1929 Kissel 73 because the tire's diameter, width presentation, and construction all influence how the car sits and how authentic it appears. On a prewar automobile, the wrong size format can look noticeably out of place even before the car moves.
Correct fitment also helps preserve practical compatibility with the wheels and keeps the restoration consistent from corner to corner. Matching the proper bias-ply size system to the car is especially important here, since 30X6.00 and 6.00-18 are both valid period fitments but represent different ways of specifying a vintage tire.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1929 Kissel 73?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1929 Kissel 73 even when the tire size itself is correct. Replacement wheels, brake updates, suspension work, and body or fender repairs can all change the clearances and mounting conditions that a vintage bias-ply tire has to work within.
That is why a modified car should be checked at the wheel, not just by the model name. Steering clearance, fender space, wheel condition, and the actual dimensions of the installed rims all deserve attention before new tires are mounted, especially when the car may no longer match the exact wheel setup it carried earlier in its life.
What should I inspect before driving a 1929 Kissel 73 on new tires?
Before driving a 1929 Kissel 73 on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, mounting hardware, and overall tire condition carefully. The car should also be checked for proper inflation, visible sidewall damage, tread issues, and any sign that a tire is contacting suspension, steering, or body components.
A short, low-speed test drive is a sensible way to confirm that everything is seated and tracking properly before regular road use. Vintage cars that spend long periods parked can also develop unrelated issues such as loose wheel hardware, stiff steering components, or aged brake parts, so the tire change is a good moment to review the entire running setup.
How should tires on a collector 1929 Kissel 73 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1929 Kissel 73 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even when tread wear is minimal, an older collector car tire can age out through time, sunlight, ozone exposure, or long stationary periods that place stress on the casing.
Keeping the car clean, dry, and away from prolonged heat helps preserve both the tires and the wheels. It also helps to move the vehicle periodically, watch for flat spotting or air loss, and inspect for cracking, bulges, cuts, or uneven wear before every driving season and again before any longer trip.
