The 1929 Moon 72 Series comes from the closing years of an independent American automaker trying to hold its place in a fast-changing late-1920s market. For owners restoring or maintaining one today, tire selection is closely tied to preserving the car’s upright prewar stance and proper road manners. This Moon uses bias-ply fitments in 29X5.50 and 550-19, both tied to a 19-inch wheel setup. Available choices center more on sidewall presentation than construction, with blackwall and wide whitewall 550-19 options in BFGoodrich’s Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line. The key is confirming which size convention matches the wheels and period look the car is wearing now.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1929 Moon 72 Series
The 1929 Moon 72 Series uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes, and the first step is understanding which sizing system matches the car’s current wheel setup. Both fitments are tied to 19-inch applications, so the real decision is confirming whether the car is set up for 29X5.50 or 550-19, then choosing the sidewall style and product presentation that best suits its restoration and driving needs.
29X5.50 is an antique diameter-by-section size, meaning the first number represents an approximate 29-inch overall tire diameter and the second number represents an approximate 5.50-inch section width. In practical terms, this is a period bias-ply format used on older vehicles where the size code does not read like later numeric bias-ply markings. For a 1929 Moon 72 Series, this size is mainly about preserving the correct visual proportion and matching the wheel setup already on the car. It is worth checking the actual rim and the tire markings on the vehicle before selecting between this format and 550-19.
550-19 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 550 refers to an approximate 5.50-inch nominal section width and 19 identifies the rim diameter in inches. That makes it an easier format for many buyers to recognize, especially when confirming 19-inch wheel fitment on a prewar vehicle. For the 1929 Moon 72 Series, 550-19 is available in BFGoodrich’s Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series with both blackwall and 3.25-inch wide whitewall styling. This size is a strong choice when the goal is to match a traditional bias-ply construction while still deciding how formal or understated the finished appearance should be.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered 1929 Moon 72 Series 6 Cyl. uses the same two primary bias-ply tire sizes. The important step is less about trim differences and more about confirming which of the two size conventions matches the wheels and existing setup on the car.
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1929 Moon 72 Series 6 Cyl.
The 1929 Moon 72 Series 6 Cyl. uses the same two primary bias-ply fitments, 29X5.50 and 550-19. That means tire selection depends on confirming which size format the car is actually running, then choosing a period-style replacement that suits its restoration direction and 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.
Best 1929 Moon 72 Series Tires for Sale
Available 550-19 choices stay focused on traditional bias-ply construction within BFGoodrich’s Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. The main comparison points are sidewall appearance, with blackwall and wide whitewall versions sharing the same 19-inch rim diameter and similar restoration-oriented character.
These FAQs for the 1929 Moon 72 Series focus on its two bias-ply tire sizes, 19-inch wheel fitment, period-style sidewall choices, and the practical checks that matter before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1929 Moon 72 Series?
The 1929 Moon 72 Series uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 29X5.50 and 550-19. The covered sub-model, the 1929 Moon 72 Series 6 Cyl., uses those same two size designations rather than a separate fitment tied to a different trim or configuration.
The practical step is determining which size system matches the car’s current wheels and existing tire markings. A prewar vehicle may have been restored, re-wheeled, or converted at some point, so checking the wheel diameter, the size stamped on the tire, and the overall presentation you want will help narrow the choice correctly.
What size rim does a 1929 Moon 72 Series use?
The 1929 Moon 72 Series uses a 19-inch rim with its 550-19 tire fitment. That 19-inch diameter is the key wheel measurement to confirm before choosing a replacement tire, especially on a vehicle from this era where older size markings can look unfamiliar to modern buyers.
Wheel diameter should be checked directly on the car rather than assumed from appearance alone. A collector vehicle may have replacement wheels or mixed components from an earlier restoration, and a tire with the correct vintage look still needs to match the wheel diameter and width before road use.
What does 29X5.50 mean on a 1929 Moon 72 Series?
On a 1929 Moon 72 Series, 29X5.50 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size. The 29 refers to an approximate overall tire diameter in inches, while 5.50 refers to an approximate section width, making it a different style of sizing from a later numeric bias-ply code such as 550-19.
That difference matters because the size code itself does not call out the rim diameter the same way a 550-19 tire does. On an older car, the safest approach is to compare the current tire markings with the actual wheel dimensions so the replacement matches both the fitment and the visual proportions the car was set up around.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 550-19 tire for a 1929 Moon 72 Series?
Start with the fundamentals: 550-19, bias-ply construction, and a 19-inch rim. In this size, the available BFGoodrich options stay within the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line, so the main differences are sidewall presentation, rim-width compatibility, weight, and whether a blackwall or wide whitewall better suits the car.
A restoration leaning toward restrained touring appearance may call for blackwall, while a more formal prewar look may point toward a wide whitewall. It also helps to confirm that the wheel width falls within the tire’s stated range and that the tire’s appearance matches the rest of the car rather than standing apart from it.
What sidewall styles are available for 1929 Moon 72 Series tires?
For the 1929 Moon 72 Series in 550-19, the available sidewall styles are blackwall and wide whitewall. Both are bias-ply tires in the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, so the visual difference is more significant here than any change in basic construction.
Sidewall choice has a major effect on how a prewar car reads at a glance. Blackwall gives a plainer, more understated presentation, while a wide whitewall adds a more formal period-style look. The right choice depends on how the car is restored, how it is trimmed, and whether visual authenticity or personal taste leads the decision.
What brands offer tires for the 1929 Moon 72 Series?
The available 550-19 options for the 1929 Moon 72 Series are offered by BFGoodrich. Those choices are part of the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, with differences centered on sidewall style rather than a change to another brand or construction type.
That makes the buying decision more focused than on a multi-brand application. Instead of comparing one manufacturer against another, attention can stay on the exact size, the wheel’s dimensions, and whether the car looks more appropriate with a blackwall or a wide whitewall treatment once mounted.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1929 Moon 72 Series?
A period-style 1929 Moon 72 Series starts with the correct bias-ply sizing system for the car’s current wheel setup, whether that is 29X5.50 or 550-19. Keeping the vintage construction and proportions in place helps preserve the upright stance and visual character expected from a late-1920s American car.
Once the size is confirmed, appearance becomes the next decision. A 550-19 blackwall gives a quieter, more restrained look, while a wide whitewall creates a more formal presentation. When exact historical authenticity matters, marque references, period photos, and restoration records are worth checking before settling on a sidewall treatment.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1929 Moon 72 Series restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1929 Moon 72 Series because the tire has a strong effect on stance, wheel opening proportion, and overall period character. On a prewar car, an incorrect size or mismatched sizing convention can make the vehicle look visibly off even before road behavior enters the discussion.
Fitment also matters mechanically. The tire must suit the wheel diameter and width actually on the car, and a restoration completed many years ago may not still wear its earlier wheel setup. Taking time to verify the mounted size, wheel dimensions, and intended appearance helps avoid a tire that looks right in isolation but wrong on the car.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1929 Moon 72 Series?
Yes. A 1929 Moon 72 Series can be affected by wheel changes, brake work, suspension rebuilding, ride-height changes, or earlier restoration modifications that altered its original setup. Even when the car still wears vintage-style tires, those changes can influence which size convention makes sense and how the tire sits in the fender opening.
That is why the wheel diameter and width should be checked directly before replacing old tires. It also helps to look at steering clearance, suspension travel, and any signs of rubbing around the fenders or chassis. On a collector car, assumptions based on age alone are less reliable than a careful inspection of what is actually installed.
What should I inspect before driving a 1929 Moon 72 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1929 Moon 72 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and overall tire seating, then confirm inflation pressure and clearance at full steering lock. It is also smart to look over brakes, steering joints, and suspension condition since fresh tires can highlight problems that old tires masked.
A short, slow shakedown drive is the best next step after installation. During that first outing, pay attention to pull, vibration, rubbing, or unusual heat buildup, then recheck pressure and wheel hardware afterward. On a low-use collector car, the surrounding chassis condition often matters just as much as the new tire itself.
How should 550-19 tires on a collector 1929 Moon 72 Series be maintained?
550-19 tires on a collector 1929 Moon 72 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and periodic review of wheel condition. Because collector cars are often driven infrequently, age and storage exposure can matter as much as tread depth.
Storage habits make a real difference on an older vehicle. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tire, and moving the car occasionally can reduce flat spotting during long periods of inactivity. Any tire showing visible deterioration should be evaluated before the car returns to road use.
