The 1929 Locomobile 86 comes from the final chapter of one of America’s old-line luxury marques, a car built in an era when prestige automobiles still carried formal proportions and substantial road presence. Buyers drawn to a Locomobile today are usually balancing preservation, touring confidence, and a presentation that suits late-1920s styling. Tire fitment on the 1929 Locomobile 86 centers on bias-ply sizing, with 30X6.20 and 650-18 both associated with this model. Available choices in 650-18 include traditional blackwall and wide whitewall versions within the Firestone Balloon line. The key is confirming which size is on the car now and matching that choice to the wheel setup and restoration goals.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1929 Locomobile 86
The 1929 Locomobile 86 uses two primary tire sizes, and both are bias-ply fitments tied to the same covered sub-model. Before choosing a tire, the first step is confirming which size is on the car now, since 650-18 clearly uses an 18-inch rim while 30X6.20 follows an older sizing convention. Once that is settled, the real decision becomes construction retention, sidewall appearance, and matching the tire to the vehicle’s current wheels and restoration direction.
30X6.20 is an antique diameter-by-section size, where the first number refers to the tire’s approximate overall diameter and the second number refers to its approximate section width. On the 1929 Locomobile 86, it represents an early bias-ply fitment from the transition period between older dimensional conventions and more familiar rim-based sizing. This format is especially relevant to preservation-minded owners who want a tire designation that suits the car’s late-1920s character. The practical step is to verify the actual wheel and current tire setup on the vehicle before selecting this older-format size.
650-18 is a numeric bias-ply size in which the leading number represents nominal section width, roughly 6.50 inches, and the final number identifies an 18-inch rim. For the 1929 Locomobile 86, this is a traditional late-1920s style fitment with available Firestone Balloon choices that include both blackwall and 3.50-inch wide whitewall presentations. Those sidewall differences can noticeably change the car’s visual character without changing the basic size category. It is the size to evaluate closely if appearance, wheel compatibility, and a period-style roadgoing setup are the main priorities.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered 1929 Locomobile 86 configuration uses the same two primary bias-ply tire sizes. Checking the exact sub-model still matters, but the bigger question is confirming which of those two sizes is already matched to the car’s wheels.
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1929 Locomobile 86 8 Cyl.
The 1929 Locomobile 86 8 Cyl. uses the same pair of primary bias-ply sizes associated with this model, so selection is less about trim variation and more about the tire already mounted on the car. That means the buyer should confirm wheel diameter and current fitment first, then choose the tire style that best suits driving plans and restoration 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 Locomobile 86 Tires for Sale
Available 650-18 choices focus on the Firestone Balloon series and give the 1929 Locomobile 86 two distinct visual directions: blackwall or wide whitewall. Both remain bias-ply tires, so the main comparison in the product grid is sidewall presentation along with the supporting rim-width and load details.
Owners researching 1929 Locomobile 86 tires usually need clarity on the two primary sizes, 18-inch wheel fitment, bias-ply construction, appearance choices, and the checks worth making before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1929 Locomobile 86?
The 1929 Locomobile 86 uses two primary tire sizes: 30X6.20 and 650-18. Both are bias-ply fitments, and both are associated with the 1929 Locomobile 86 8 Cyl. configuration rather than being split across different covered sub-models.
That makes the main fitment question less about trim level and more about confirming which size is actually on the car now. Since these sizes follow different vintage sizing conventions, checking the wheel, the existing tire markings, and the overall setup of the vehicle is the safest way to choose the right replacement path.
What size rim does a 1929 Locomobile 86 use?
The 1929 Locomobile 86 is associated with an 18-inch rim diameter through its 650-18 tire fitment. That size is a numeric bias-ply designation, and the final number in the size identifies the wheel diameter it is built to fit.
The 30X6.20 size uses an older dimensional format, so it should not be interpreted the same way as 650-18. On a collector car of this age, the right approach is to inspect the wheels already on the vehicle and confirm the mounted tire size before purchasing replacements, especially if the car has been restored or altered over time.
Does the 1929 Locomobile 86 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1929 Locomobile 86 8 Cyl. uses the same two primary tire sizes associated with this model: 30X6.20 and 650-18. Both are bias-ply fitments rather than different constructions assigned to different covered versions.
That consistency simplifies sub-model research, but it does not remove the need to verify the actual wheel-and-tire setup on the individual car. A late-1920s vehicle may have seen wheel changes, restoration updates, or long-term storage, so reading the sidewall of the existing tire and measuring the wheel remain important before selecting a replacement.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-18 tire for a 1929 Locomobile 86?
Start with the basics: confirm that 650-18 is the size on the car, then compare the available bias-ply choices in that size. For the 1929 Locomobile 86, 650-18 is offered in the Firestone Balloon series with both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles.
From there, the decision usually comes down to appearance, wheel compatibility, and how the car will be used. A wide whitewall creates a more formal late-1920s presentation, while a blackwall gives a plainer look. It also helps to review rim-width guidance and any load details tied to the product before settling on a specific tire.
What sidewall styles are available for 1929 Locomobile 86 tires?
For the 1929 Locomobile 86, the available 650-18 products include two sidewall styles: blackwall and wide whitewall. Both are bias-ply tires in the Firestone Balloon series, so the visible difference is largely about the car’s finished appearance rather than a change in basic construction.
Choosing between them depends on the presentation you want from the car. A wide whitewall usually suits a more formal restoration-oriented look, while a blackwall can feel more restrained and utilitarian. Either way, sidewall style should come after the size and wheel setup are confirmed, since appearance never overrides fitment.
What brands offer tires for the 1929 Locomobile 86?
The available products for the 1929 Locomobile 86 in 650-18 come from Firestone. Those options are part of the Firestone Balloon series and remain within the traditional bias-ply construction associated with this car’s covered fitment.
Since the brand selection shown here is narrow, the more useful comparison is within the tire’s presentation and specifications rather than between competing manufacturers. Looking at sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, weight, and load information will usually tell you more than the brand name alone when choosing a tire for a collector car like this.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1929 Locomobile 86?
A period-style approach for a 1929 Locomobile 86 starts with staying in one of its primary bias-ply sizes, either 30X6.20 or 650-18, depending on the wheel-and-tire setup already on the car. That keeps the tire choice aligned with the vehicle’s late-1920s character and avoids introducing a visibly modern construction style.
Within the available 650-18 choices, sidewall appearance becomes a major part of the decision. A wide whitewall can support a formal luxury-car presentation, while a blackwall produces a simpler look. When exact originality matters, compare your selection against marque references, restoration photos, or other vehicle-specific historical guidance before making the final call.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1929 Locomobile 86?
Tire construction has a strong visual effect on a restored 1929 Locomobile 86 because bias-ply tires carry the traditional proportions and presentation most buyers expect to see on a car from this era. Both primary sizes associated with this model are bias-ply, which keeps the overall look in step with late-1920s design language.
Appearance is not just about the size marking, though. Sidewall style also shapes the finished impression, especially when choosing between blackwall and wide whitewall in 650-18. Even when the vehicle is intended for road use rather than show judging, matching the tire’s construction and sidewall treatment to the restoration theme makes the car feel more coherent.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1929 Locomobile 86?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1929 Locomobile 86, especially if the car has different wheels, altered suspension height, brake updates, or body and fender changes from an earlier restoration. Even when the vehicle is associated with 30X6.20 and 650-18 bias-ply sizes, changes to the chassis setup can alter what works safely.
A collector car from this period should always be checked as an individual vehicle rather than treated as untouched from new. Wheel diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and the space inside the fenders all deserve attention before new tires go on. That is particularly important when the car’s present configuration has been changed over the decades.
What should I inspect before driving a 1929 Locomobile 86 on new tires?
Before driving a 1929 Locomobile 86 on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, and the general condition of the suspension and steering components. Make sure the tire size on the car matches the wheel setup, and verify that each tire is seated properly and inflated to the pressure appropriate for that tire and application.
A short, careful shakedown drive is worthwhile before any longer outing. Watch for rubbing during turns, unusual vibration, and any sign of air loss after the first miles. On an older luxury car that may spend long periods parked, it also makes sense to recheck pressure and sidewall condition regularly even after the tires are newly installed.
How should 650-18 tires on a collector 1929 Locomobile 86 be maintained?
650-18 tires on a collector 1929 Locomobile 86 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Look over the tread and sidewalls for cracking, cuts, bulges, or uneven wear, and keep an eye on any gradual air loss that could point to wheel, tube, or sealing issues.
Collector cars often age their tires through time and environment more than mileage. Keeping the Locomobile out of prolonged sunlight, excess heat, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber, and moving the car occasionally can reduce long-term flat spotting. Any tire that shows age-related deterioration deserves closer evaluation before road use, even if tread depth still looks good.
