The 1929 Studebaker President came from a period when American luxury and engineering ambition were advancing quickly, and Studebaker’s big eight-cylinder President stood among the more prestigious cars of its day. For owners of one today, tire choice is closely tied to the exact chassis configuration because this model appears with multiple bias-ply fitments, including 30X5.77, 30x5, 31X6.20, and 650-19. That makes construction straightforward but size identification essential, especially because the formats span antique inch sizing and numeric bias-ply sizing. A restoration-minded owner may also care about traditional blackwall versus wide whitewall presentation. The right starting point is confirming the exact sub-model and wheel setup before comparing tire style options.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1929 Studebaker President
The 1929 Studebaker President uses four primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel setup. All of them are bias-ply fitments, but they do not share the same sizing system or rim diameter, so the first step is confirming whether the car is a President 125 8 Cyl. or a President 135 8 Cyl. before choosing a tire.
30X5.77 is an antique diameter-by-section size, meaning the first number refers to an approximate 30-inch overall tire diameter and the second indicates an approximate 5.77-inch section width. It is a bias-ply fitment suited to early vehicle applications where tire sizing conventions differ from later numeric passenger-car sizes. On a 1929 Studebaker President, this size matters most when preserving the proper era-specific format tied to the covered sub-model. Before choosing it, confirm that the car uses this antique-size setup rather than one of the other President fitments.
30x5 is also an antique diameter-by-section size, with a nominal 30-inch overall diameter and an approximate 5-inch section width. Its bias-ply construction reflects the tire design language of the late 1920s, and the beaded-edge style notation makes this an especially important size to verify carefully on the wheel itself. For a 1929 Studebaker President, this is not a size to substitute casually with a later-looking format. Owners pursuing an authentic visual presentation should confirm the wheel type and exact fitment before moving ahead.
31X6.20 uses the same antique diameter-by-section convention, indicating an approximate 31-inch overall diameter with roughly 6.20 inches of section width. It remains a bias-ply fitment, but it represents a larger antique-size specification than the 30-inch options used elsewhere within the 1929 Studebaker President range. That distinction is important because this size is tied to a different sub-model application and should not be treated as a universal President tire. The right use case for 31X6.20 begins with confirming the exact car configuration and matching wheel arrangement.
650-19 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 6.50 represents the nominal section width in inches and 19 identifies the rim diameter. For the 1929 Studebaker President, this size stands apart from the antique inch-format options because it uses a later-style numeric designation on a 19-inch rim. It is available in several restoration-oriented choices, including Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior products, along with blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments across series such as Firestone Balloon and Firestone Classic Bias Ply. This size deserves a closer look when the goal is pairing confirmed fitment with visible appearance choices.
Tire fitment for the 1929 Studebaker President varies by sub-model, so identifying the exact car matters before selecting a size. The two covered President eight-cylinder sub-models do not share the same tire-size group, and one of them also introduces a different rim-diameter setup.
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1929 Studebaker President 125 8 Cyl.
The 1929 Studebaker President 125 8 Cyl. uses antique-format bias-ply tire sizes rather than the later numeric 650-19 fitment. For this sub-model, tire selection is mainly about confirming which of the two antique sizes belongs on the car and matching that choice to the wheel type already in place.
The 1929 Studebaker President 135 8 Cyl. uses a different fitment group, including 31X6.20 and 650-19 bias-ply sizes. That makes wheel and tire confirmation especially important, since the right choice may involve both a distinct sizing format and a 19-inch rim application.
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 Studebaker President Tires for Sale
Available 650-19 tires for the 1929 Studebaker President include Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior offerings in series such as Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Balloon, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Comp H. Buyers can compare blackwall and wide whitewall styles along with rim-width and load-spec differences where noted.
These FAQs focus on the tire-size differences within the 1929 Studebaker President range, including sub-model fitment, 19-inch wheel questions, product selection, restoration appearance, and the checks worth making before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1929 Studebaker President?
The 1929 Studebaker President does not use one universal tire size across all covered configurations. Applicable bias-ply sizes include 30X5.77, 30x5, 31X6.20, and 650-19, with fitment varying by sub-model rather than one shared size for every President in the range.
The practical first step is identifying whether the car is a President 125 8 Cyl. or a President 135 8 Cyl., then confirming the wheels actually on the vehicle. Many collector cars have changed hands over the years, and wheel swaps or earlier restorations can affect what is currently mounted. Matching the tire to the exact sub-model and wheel setup matters more here than choosing by appearance alone.
What size rim does a 1929 Studebaker President use?
Rim diameter is not the same across every 1929 Studebaker President fitment. The 650-19 size uses a 19-inch rim, while 30X5.77 is associated with a 7.0-inch rim diameter in the covered specifications, showing that this model range includes more than one wheel arrangement.
Checking the wheel itself is especially important on a late-1920s vehicle because the tire-size formats are not all modern or even later-vintage passenger-car conventions. A buyer should confirm the wheel diameter and tire style already on the car before selecting a replacement, particularly when deciding between antique inch-format tires and a numeric bias-ply size like 650-19.
Do all 1929 Studebaker President sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1929 Studebaker President 125 8 Cyl. uses 30X5.77 and 30x5, while the 1929 Studebaker President 135 8 Cyl. uses 31X6.20 and 650-19. Both sub-models use bias-ply construction, but the tire sizes and sizing formats differ between them.
That difference means the exact sub-model should be confirmed before comparing brands or sidewall styles. It also means one President may use an antique diameter-by-section tire while another uses a numeric bias-ply size on a 19-inch rim. For a collector car, it is also wise to compare the current wheels and old tires against the intended fitment rather than assuming all President models were equipped the same way.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-19 tire for a 1929 Studebaker President?
Start with confirmed fitment, because 650-19 applies only to the covered President configuration that uses that numeric bias-ply size on a 19-inch rim. Once that is established, the main differences are brand, tire series, sidewall presentation, and certain specification details such as rim-width ranges and load figures where they are stated.
A restoration-focused owner may lean toward blackwall or wide whitewall based on the car’s intended look, while a road-use buyer may spend more time comparing rim-width compatibility and related specifications. Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior options are available in this size, so the decision is less about finding any tire in 650-19 and more about choosing the product character that matches the car.
What sidewall styles are available for 1929 Studebaker President tires?
For the available 650-19 products, sidewall choices include blackwall and wide whitewall. Those options create a noticeably different visual impression on a late-1920s car, even when the tire size and basic bias-ply construction remain the same.
Appearance should still come after fitment. The right approach is to confirm that the car uses 650-19, then decide whether a more understated blackwall look or a brighter wide whitewall presentation better suits the vehicle’s restoration direction. Buyers concerned with historical accuracy should compare the desired sidewall treatment with marque-specific references rather than assuming every period-style option was used the same way.
What brands offer tires for the 1929 Studebaker President?
In the available 650-19 fitment, brands include Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior. Those choices appear across several bias-ply series, including Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Balloon, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Comp H, giving the buyer more than one approach within the same basic size.
Brand alone should not decide the purchase. It is better to compare the exact tire series, sidewall treatment, rim-width specification where stated, and the overall look you want on the car. On a collector vehicle like the 1929 Studebaker President, the best choice is often the one that balances confirmed fitment with the period-style presentation and road-use expectations you have for the finished car.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1929 Studebaker President?
A period-style choice starts with using the correct primary size for the exact 1929 Studebaker President sub-model and wheel setup. Since the covered fitments include antique diameter-by-section sizes as well as 650-19 numeric bias-ply, the most convincing vintage presentation usually begins with the right sizing system before brand or sidewall details enter the picture.
Once fitment is confirmed, the next step is deciding how visible you want the tire to be in the car’s overall presentation. On available 650-19 products, blackwall and wide whitewall options create distinctly different looks. If exact historical authenticity matters beyond general period style, compare the tire choice against marque literature, restoration records, or trusted Studebaker reference material tied to the specific car.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1929 Studebaker President restoration?
Yes, correct fitment matters because the 1929 Studebaker President spans multiple sizes, multiple sizing formats, and more than one wheel arrangement. Using the right basic tire type helps preserve the vehicle’s stance and visual balance, especially on a late-1920s car where antique-size tires are part of the overall presentation.
Fitment also affects practical details during a restoration. Confirming the exact sub-model, wheel diameter, and current wheel style prevents costly mistakes and helps avoid choosing a tire based only on appearance. Even within the covered 650-19 selection, sidewall style and tire series influence the finished look, so restoration planning should treat tire choice as part of the vehicle’s complete visual package.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1929 Studebaker President?
Yes. Any change to wheels, suspension height, steering components, or body clearances can affect tire fitment on a 1929 Studebaker President, especially since the covered range already includes different sizes and wheel arrangements. Even a car restored years ago may not still match its original-style wheel and tire setup.
A careful inspection should include wheel diameter, wheel width where relevant, and visible clearance around fenders and steering travel before ordering replacement tires. That matters even more if the car has aftermarket wheels or a non-original restoration history. On an early collector car, it is better to verify the actual hardware on the vehicle than to rely on model name alone.
What should I inspect before driving a 1929 Studebaker President on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, tire seating, and overall clearance at the front and rear. It is also smart to look over steering and suspension condition, because worn components can affect how a freshly mounted set of bias-ply tires behaves on a large pre-war era vehicle.
Tire pressure should be set appropriately for the tire being used, and the car should be driven carefully at first while checking for rubbing, vibration, or unusual tracking. A short local test drive is a better first outing than a long trip. Rechecking pressure and a visual walk-around after those initial miles can catch issues before they become bigger problems.
How should 1929 Studebaker President tires be maintained?
Collector-car tires should be inspected regularly for air loss, tread wear, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and signs of age-related hardening. On a 1929 Studebaker President, maintenance also includes keeping an eye on how the tires are sitting on the wheels, since older vehicles and long storage periods can reveal issues slowly rather than all at once.
Storage conditions matter as much as mileage. Keeping the car away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. Pressure should be checked before road use rather than assumed, especially on a vehicle that spends much of its life parked. Regular visual inspections are one of the simplest ways to protect both the tires and the car.
