The 1929 Whippet 96A comes from the short but distinctive Willys-Overland Whippet era, when compact, affordable cars helped bring modern closed-body motoring to a wider audience. For owners restoring or maintaining one today, tire choice is closely tied to preserving that late-1920s driving character and visual proportion. The 1929 Whippet 96A uses bias-ply fitments, with both 28X4.75 and 475-19 associated with the covered 4 Cyl. configuration. Available choices center on traditional bias-ply construction, including Blackwall and Wide Whitewall versions in 475-19. The key is confirming which wheel setup is on the car before selecting a period-style tire for restoration display or careful road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1929 Whippet 96A
The 1929 Whippet 96A uses two primary tire sizes, and the first step is confirming which wheel and rim setup is actually on the car. Both fitments are bias-ply, but they correspond to different sizing systems and different rim diameters, so choosing correctly starts with verifying the exact wheel before comparing tire style or appearance options.
The size 28X4.75 uses an early diameter-by-section format, where 28 refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter in inches and 4.75 refers to its approximate section width. It is a bias-ply fitment that reflects the sizing conventions commonly seen on late-1920s vehicles such as the Whippet 96A. This size is tied to a different rim diameter than 475-19, so it should be treated as its own wheel-and-tire combination rather than as an alternate notation for the same setup. It is the right starting point when the car still carries that specific early-style wheel arrangement.
The size 475-19 is a numeric bias-ply designation, with 4.75 representing the nominal section width in inches and 19 identifying the rim diameter. On a 1929 Whippet 96A, this is the fitment with product choices currently available in the Goodyear Deluxe All-Weather series. Those options include both Blackwall and 2.875 inch Wide Whitewall presentations, giving the buyer a meaningful appearance choice within the same traditional construction. This size makes sense when the car is running 19-inch wheels and the goal is to stay with a vintage-style bias-ply tire.
Fitment is straightforward in one sense because the covered sub-model is clearly identified, but tire choice still depends on confirming which of the two wheel-and-tire formats is on the car. That matters here because the two sizes do not share the same rim diameter.
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1929 Whippet 96A 4 Cyl.
The 1929 Whippet 96A 4 Cyl. is associated with both 28X4.75 and 475-19 bias-ply tire sizes. Tire selection starts with identifying the actual wheel setup on the vehicle, then deciding whether the goal is a traditional Blackwall or Wide Whitewall look where 475-19 options are available.
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 Whippet 96A Tires for Sale
Available 475-19 choices focus on Goodyear's Deluxe All-Weather bias-ply series in either Blackwall or Wide Whitewall form. That makes the product comparison less about changing size and more about selecting the sidewall presentation that best suits the car's restoration style.
Common questions for the 1929 Whippet 96A usually come down to sorting out its two bias-ply tire sizes, confirming wheel diameter, choosing between traditional sidewall styles, and inspecting an older collector car carefully before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1929 Whippet 96A?
The 1929 Whippet 96A is associated with two bias-ply tire sizes: 28X4.75 and 475-19. Those sizes are not just alternate ways of writing the same tire, because they correspond to different sizing systems and different rim diameters.
Selecting the right one starts with checking the wheels actually fitted to the car. A Whippet that has been restored, repaired, or converted over the years may not still carry its earlier wheel setup, so the safest approach is to confirm the wheel diameter and overall configuration before choosing a replacement tire.
What size rim does a 1929 Whippet 96A use?
The two tire sizes associated with the 1929 Whippet 96A use different rim diameters. The 28X4.75 fitment is paired with a 5.0-inch rim diameter, while 475-19 is paired with a 19-inch rim diameter.
That difference makes wheel confirmation especially important on this car. Before ordering tires, inspect the existing wheels carefully and read the actual wheel or mounted tire markings if they are still legible, because choosing by appearance alone can lead to the wrong size family and an unusable tire.
What does 475-19 mean on a 1929 Whippet 96A?
On a 1929 Whippet 96A, 475-19 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 4.75 portion refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches, and the 19 identifies the rim diameter in inches.
That matters because 475-19 belongs to a later numeric bias-ply system rather than the older diameter-by-section format used by 28X4.75. For a buyer, the practical takeaway is to match the tire to the wheel and intended appearance, especially if the car is being restored with a traditional Blackwall or Wide Whitewall presentation.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1929 Whippet 96A?
Start with the correct primary size, because the 1929 Whippet 96A is associated with both 28X4.75 and 475-19. After size is confirmed, the next considerations are bias-ply construction, wheel diameter, and whether the car's intended look calls for a Blackwall or Wide Whitewall presentation.
Product selection is easiest once the wheel setup is known. A restoration-focused owner may care most about visual character, while a car intended for occasional driving also benefits from checking load capacity, rim-width compatibility, and the overall condition of the wheels before mounting any new vintage-style tire.
What sidewall styles are available for 1929 Whippet 96A tires?
For the 1929 Whippet 96A, the available 475-19 tire choices include both Blackwall and Wide Whitewall sidewall styles. Both are offered in the Goodyear Deluxe All-Weather bias-ply series, so the main difference is visual presentation rather than a change in basic size.
That gives the owner a useful appearance decision to make. A Blackwall usually creates a more understated period look, while a Wide Whitewall can add a brighter restoration-oriented presence, so the right choice depends on how the car is being finished and how closely the tire's look should complement the rest of the build.
What brands offer tires for the 1929 Whippet 96A?
The available product choices for the 1929 Whippet 96A are in Goodyear's Deluxe All-Weather line for the 475-19 size. Those options stay within traditional bias-ply construction and focus on sidewall appearance rather than switching among multiple brands or tire families.
That means the selection process is less about comparing brand names and more about confirming the size and deciding which visual treatment suits the car. Once the wheel setup is verified, the buyer can focus on whether a Blackwall or Wide Whitewall better matches the Whippet's restoration goals and presentation.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1929 Whippet 96A?
A period-style 1929 Whippet 96A should begin with the correct bias-ply size for the wheel setup on the car, either 28X4.75 or 475-19. That keeps the tire choice aligned with the car's late-1920s proportions and the traditional construction style associated with the vehicle.
Once the correct size is confirmed, appearance becomes the next decision. In 475-19, Blackwall and Wide Whitewall options create distinctly different visual impressions, so an owner concerned with exact historical authenticity should compare the tire choice with marque references, old photos, and restoration documentation for that specific car.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1929 Whippet 96A restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1929 Whippet 96A because the tire contributes heavily to stance, wheel-to-body proportion, and overall period character. Using the right size family also helps preserve the visual balance that makes an early car look properly sorted.
Fitment accuracy matters mechanically as well as cosmetically. A restoration should account for the actual wheel diameter on the car, the tire's bias-ply construction, and the sidewall style that best matches the finished presentation, especially when the goal is a carefully judged show car rather than a generalized vintage look.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1929 Whippet 96A?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1929 Whippet 96A. Changes such as replacement wheels, altered suspension height, brake conversions, or body and fender work can change the tire size the car will reasonably accept, even when the car still appears largely original.
That is especially important here because this Whippet is associated with two different tire-size systems. Any owner working with a long-restored or partially modified car should confirm wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at steering and suspension travel before assuming that the previously mounted size is still the right one.
What should I inspect before driving a 1929 Whippet 96A on new tires?
Before driving a 1929 Whippet 96A on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, mounting surfaces, and overall tire seating carefully. It also helps to check that the tires are inflated properly for their intended use and that the car shows no obvious steering, brake, or suspension issues.
A short test drive should follow only after confirming that nothing rubs at full steering lock and that the car tracks predictably. On a collector vehicle of this age, it is also wise to recheck air pressure, lug security, and sidewall condition after the first few miles rather than assuming the installation is finished.
How should tires on a collector 1929 Whippet 96A be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1929 Whippet 96A should be checked regularly for pressure loss, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, even if the car is only driven occasionally. Vintage vehicles often spend long periods parked, which makes time and storage conditions just as important as mileage.
Storage away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tire over time. It is also smart to move the car periodically, keep the wheels clean, and inspect the tires before every outing, because a low-use collector car can develop age-related tire issues long before the tread appears worn.
