The 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl. comes from a brief but interesting moment in General Motors history, when Marquette offered a companion make positioned for buyers who wanted a smaller, accessible six-cylinder car with contemporary styling for the late 1920s. Tire selection on this car centers on two period bias-ply fitments, 28X5.25 and 5.25-18, so the first step is confirming which wheel and tire system is actually on the vehicle. Because collector cars of this era are often restored, repaired, or changed over decades, the real decision is balancing correct-looking period presentation with careful wheel, clearance, and road-use verification before putting the car back into service.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl.
The 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl. uses two primary tire sizes, and they do not represent the same wheel setup. Both are bias-ply fitments, but they differ by size format and rim diameter, so the most important step is confirming exactly which wheels are on the car before choosing a tire. Once that is settled, the decision becomes finding the right period-style bias-ply tire for the vehicle's current configuration.
A 28X5.25 tire uses an older diameter-by-section format in which the first number refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter and the second refers to its nominal section width. This is a bias-ply fitment with an early-style sizing convention that suits late-1920s vehicles using antique-format tires rather than later numeric passenger-car sizing. Buyers familiar only with modern radial sizes should pay close attention here, because the code is describing the tire differently from later formats. This size is most useful when the car retains the wheel setup intended for 28-inch overall tire diameter and matching antique-style fitment.
A 5.25-18 tire uses a vintage numeric bias-ply format in which 5.25 refers to nominal section width in inches and 18 refers to rim diameter. This style of sizing became a familiar way to identify period passenger-car tires, and it remains relevant when a 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl. is fitted with 18-inch wheels. The code is simpler for many owners to interpret than antique diameter-by-section sizing, but it still represents a traditional bias-ply tire rather than a modern radial. This size should be chosen only after the wheel diameter is confirmed on the vehicle itself.
The covered sub-model fitment is straightforward in name, but tire choice still requires verification because the Base model appears with two different primary bias-ply sizes. Checking the actual wheel setup matters more than the trim name alone when selecting tires for this Marquette.
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1929 Marquette 6 Cyl. Base
The 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl. Base is associated with both 28X5.25 and 5.25-18 bias-ply tires, which means the tire decision starts with the wheel and tire system currently on the car. Once that is confirmed, the focus shifts to selecting a period-style bias-ply tire that matches the vehicle's restoration approach and intended road use.
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 Marquette 6 Cyl. tires usually need clarity on the two period bias-ply sizes, the wheel diameter tied to each one, and the checks that matter before driving a restored or long-stored car on fresh tires.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl.?
The 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl. uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 28X5.25 and 5.25-18. Those sizes are not just alternate labels for the same tire, because they represent different sizing systems and different rim diameters on the vehicle.
The practical next step is to inspect the car's wheels and confirm which setup is actually installed before ordering tires. On a collector car from this era, previous restoration work, wheel changes, or long-ago service replacements can affect what is currently on the car, so the tire should match the wheel in use rather than assumption alone.
What size rim does a 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl. use?
The 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl. appears with two rim diameters tied to its primary tire sizes. The 28X5.25 fitment is associated with a 5.0-inch rim diameter, while the 5.25-18 fitment uses an 18-inch rim diameter.
Because those diameters are completely different, wheel confirmation is the most important fitment step on this car. Measure the wheel carefully and compare the tire size already mounted, especially if the Marquette has been restored or assembled from older parts, since choosing a tire by appearance alone can easily lead to the wrong fitment.
What does 28X5.25 mean on a 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl.?
On a 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl., 28X5.25 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size. The 28 refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter, and the 5.25 refers to nominal section width, rather than using the later numeric format that centers on rim diameter in the size code.
That matters because a buyer used to modern or later vintage sizing can mistake 28X5.25 for a conventional passenger-car code. On this Marquette, the size points to an earlier style of tire identification, so the wheel setup and the exact tire system on the car should be checked before treating it as interchangeable with a different-looking vintage size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 28X5.25 tire for a 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl.?
Choosing a 28X5.25 tire for a 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl. starts with confirming that the car actually uses the antique diameter-by-section setup. This size is a bias-ply fitment, so the main concern is matching the vehicle's existing wheel system and preserving the period character expected on a late-1920s collector car.
After the wheel setup is verified, think about how the car will be used and how closely the owner wants to stay with a restoration-oriented appearance. A show-focused car, a lightly driven weekend car, and a vehicle returning to regular road use can all need the same basic size, but careful attention to wheel condition and overall tire compatibility still matters.
What should I consider when choosing a 5.25-18 tire for a 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl.?
A 5.25-18 tire for a 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl. should be chosen only after confirming that the car is fitted with 18-inch wheels. The size itself is a vintage numeric bias-ply fitment, so the selection process centers on matching the wheel diameter and maintaining an appropriate period-style tire profile for the vehicle.
It also helps to consider the car's role before final selection. A Marquette used mainly for display may place more emphasis on traditional appearance, while a car that sees touring or regular exercise still needs the same correct size but deserves extra attention to wheel integrity, mounted clearance, and the overall condition of suspension and steering components.
How do I choose between the available tire sizes for a 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl.?
The choice between 28X5.25 and 5.25-18 on a 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl. is determined by the wheel and tire system on the car, not by preference alone. Both are primary bias-ply fitments, but they belong to different sizing conventions and use different rim diameters.
Start by reading the size on the existing tire, then confirm the wheel diameter directly before moving ahead. On a nearly century-old vehicle, assumptions can be risky because wheels may have been changed during restoration or maintenance, and the right selection depends on the hardware now on the car rather than what another Marquette may happen to use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl.?
For a period-style 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl., the right starting point is the primary size that matches the car's actual wheel setup: either 28X5.25 or 5.25-18. Both are bias-ply fitments that suit the visual character of a late-1920s automobile far better than a modern tire style would.
The appearance goal should still follow the car's current hardware. A restoration that aims for strong historical presentation benefits from using the correct size format for the wheels installed, and owners pursuing exact originality should compare their car against marque references, restoration photos, and other vehicle-specific documentation before making the final tire decision.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl. restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl. because tire size affects both the vehicle's appearance and the way the wheel opening is visually filled. On a car from this era, an incorrect size can quickly make an otherwise careful restoration look mismatched.
Fitment also affects basic usability once the car is back on the road. Even when the goal is a strong period presentation, the selected tire still needs to match the wheel diameter in use and clear the body and steering components properly, so restoration-minded owners should treat visual accuracy and mechanical verification as part of the same process.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl.?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl., especially because this car appears with two very different primary wheel-and-tire arrangements. Changed wheels, brake work, suspension alterations, or older restoration choices can all influence which tire size belongs on the car today.
That is why wheel inspection comes before tire selection on this Marquette. A car that has been updated or rebuilt over many decades may no longer match another example of the same model, so checking wheel diameter, mounted clearance, and how the tire sits within the fender area helps avoid choosing a size that suits only an assumed configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl. on new tires?
Before driving a 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl. on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, verify that the tire size matches the wheel setup, and check the steering and suspension for looseness or wear. A collector car that has been stored for long periods also deserves a close look for leaks, hardware movement, and any signs of interference after mounting.
Fresh tires cannot compensate for weak mechanical condition on an early car. It is wise to confirm air pressure, recheck wheel fasteners after initial installation, and make a careful low-speed road test while listening for rubbing or unusual behavior, especially if the Marquette has not been driven regularly or has recently undergone restoration work.
How should tires on a collector 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl. be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1929 Marquette 6 Cyl. should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related condition even if tread wear is minimal. Bias-ply tires on low-use antique cars can spend long stretches parked, which makes cracking, flat spotting, and unnoticed air loss just as important as mileage.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as driving conditions on a vehicle from this period. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and a routine walk-around before each outing can catch cuts, bulges, sidewall deterioration, or shifting clearance issues before they become a road-use problem.
