The 1930 Buick 60 Series came from an era when Buick balanced upscale touring comfort with the substantial road presence buyers expected from a premium American car. Its long-wheelbase, six-cylinder character makes tire choice especially important, because the right fitment affects both stance and the way the car presents on the road. This Buick uses bias-ply fitments in 31X7.00 and 700-19, both tied to the 19-inch wheel setup used on the covered application. Available choices center on traditional blackwalls along with whitewall and double-whitewall styles in 700-19. For a restoration-minded owner, the real decision is matching the tire’s appearance and fitment to the car’s intended use and wheel configuration.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1930 Buick 60 Series
The 1930 Buick 60 Series uses two primary tire sizes, and both are bias-ply fitments associated with the same covered sub-model. The first step is confirming which size is on the car now and verifying the wheel setup, since both 31X7.00 and 700-19 are tied to this application. Once size is confirmed, the decision shifts to period-style appearance, brand preference, and sidewall treatment within the correct fitment.
A 31X7.00 tire uses an older diameter-by-section format, where 31 refers to the tire’s approximate overall diameter and 7.00 refers to its nominal section width in inches. It is a bias-ply fitment suited to the pre-war character of the 1930 Buick 60 Series and reflects an early sizing system that differs from later numeric bias-ply markings. Buyers considering this size should treat it as a vintage-format fitment and confirm that the car’s wheel and existing setup match this designation before selecting a replacement path.
A 700-19 tire uses a numeric bias-ply format in which 7.00 represents the nominal section width and 19 identifies the rim diameter in inches. On the 1930 Buick 60 Series, this bias-ply fitment opens up the broadest visible product choice, including Firestone and Lester offerings in series such as Firestone Balloon, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, and Lester Classic Bias Ply. Sidewall treatments include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall, making this size especially important for owners balancing restoration appearance with wheel compatibility and road use.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered 1930 Buick 60 Series application uses the same pair of bias-ply tire sizes. Checking the exact sub-model still matters so the tire size on the car now can be matched to the wheel setup before replacement.
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1930 Buick 60 Series 6 Cyl.
The 1930 Buick 60 Series 6 Cyl. uses the same two primary bias-ply fitments found on this page, so the main task is determining which of those sizes is actually mounted on the car. That makes selection less about trim variation and more about confirming wheel fitment, then choosing the sidewall style and product series that suit the car’s restoration direction.
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 1930 Buick 60 Series Tires for Sale
Available 700-19 choices span Firestone and Lester, with product differences centered on tire series, blackwall versus whitewall presentation, and a few specification details such as rim-width range and load figures where stated. That makes the product grid most useful for comparing appearance and vintage-style fitment details within the same size.
These 1930 Buick 60 Series tire questions focus on the two primary bias-ply sizes, 19-inch rim fitment, product and sidewall choices, and the inspections worth making before putting a pre-war Buick back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1930 Buick 60 Series?
The 1930 Buick 60 Series uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 31X7.00 and 700-19. The covered sub-model on this page, the 1930 Buick 60 Series 6 Cyl., is associated with both of those sizes rather than a separate size for a different trim or engine grouping.
The practical next step is checking the tire markings already on the car and confirming the wheel setup before choosing a replacement. A pre-war Buick may still carry older wheels, restored wheels, or later substitutions, so selecting between 31X7.00 and 700-19 starts with the actual size and rim arrangement on the vehicle in front of you.
What size rim does a 1930 Buick 60 Series use?
The 1930 Buick 60 Series uses a 19-inch rim in the covered fitment. That rim diameter is directly tied to the 700-19 size, and the available 700-19 products on this application are built for 19-inch wheels.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before any tire purchase, especially on a car that may have been restored decades ago or changed over time. The wheel itself should also be inspected for width, condition, and bead-seat integrity so the chosen tire matches both the nominal size and the physical wheel it will be mounted on.
What does 31X7.00 mean on a 1930 Buick 60 Series?
31X7.00 is an older antique diameter-by-section size marking. In that format, 31 refers to the tire’s approximate overall diameter in inches, while 7.00 refers to the nominal section width. It is a bias-ply designation and reflects an earlier sizing system than the more familiar later numeric bias-ply markings.
That older format matters because it should not be treated as a modern metric or P-metric size. On a 1930 Buick 60 Series, the safest approach is to verify the wheel setup and compare the existing tire markings before replacing it, especially if the car has a mix of old parts, reproduction wheels, or long-ago service replacements.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-19 tire for a 1930 Buick 60 Series?
Start with the basics: the correct size, bias-ply construction, and a 19-inch wheel. In 700-19, the 1930 Buick 60 Series has choices from Firestone and Lester, and those options vary by tire series, sidewall presentation, rim-width specification where stated, and some published load and weight details.
From there, the decision usually comes down to how the car will be used and how it should look. A road-driven restoration may call for one presentation, while a more formal show-oriented Buick may lead you toward a different sidewall treatment. Matching the tire to the wheel dimensions and the car’s finished appearance matters as much as the size itself.
What sidewall styles are available for 1930 Buick 60 Series tires?
For the 1930 Buick 60 Series in 700-19, available sidewall styles include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. Those options allow the car to be presented with a more understated touring look or with a more formal whitewall treatment that better matches certain restoration themes.
Sidewall choice is largely an appearance decision once the correct size and wheel fitment are confirmed. Since sidewall treatment can change the car’s visual balance significantly, many owners compare it against the Buick’s paint, trim, and intended era presentation before deciding. Exact originality questions are best settled with period photos or marque-specific restoration references.
What brands offer tires for the 1930 Buick 60 Series?
The available 700-19 options for the 1930 Buick 60 Series come from Firestone and Lester. Firestone appears in both Balloon and Classic Bias Ply offerings, while Lester is represented by the Lester Classic Bias Ply line in this size.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It helps to compare which sidewall styles are offered within each brand’s lineup and to review fitment details such as rim-width range where that information is stated. For many owners, the final choice comes down to the combination of appearance, vintage character, and compatibility with the wheels already on the car.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1930 Buick 60 Series?
A period-style 1930 Buick 60 Series tire choice starts with the correct bias-ply sizing used on the car, then narrows to the visual character you want. Within 700-19, choices include Firestone Balloon, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, and Lester Classic Bias Ply, with blackwall and whitewall variations that can support different restoration presentations.
The right decision depends on whether the Buick is being preserved as a restrained driver, a formal restoration, or something in between. Since period-style does not automatically mean factory-original, owners pursuing exact authenticity should compare tire appearance against marque literature, restoration records, and surviving-era photography before settling on a specific sidewall treatment.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1930 Buick 60 Series restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1930 Buick 60 Series because the tire has a major effect on the car’s stance, side profile, and overall authenticity of presentation. Using the proper bias-ply size also helps preserve the visual relationship between the wheel, fender opening, and body proportions typical of a 1930 luxury-touring Buick.
Appearance is only part of the equation. The wheel diameter, wheel width, and physical condition of older rims should be checked before mounting replacement tires, especially on a restored car that may have components from different eras. A visually appropriate tire still needs to suit the actual wheel and vehicle setup to be a sensible restoration choice.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1930 Buick 60 Series?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1930 Buick 60 Series even when the car still appears largely stock. Changes such as replacement wheels, altered suspension height, brake updates, or body work around the fenders can change the space available and influence which of the original-style tire sizes is practical on the vehicle.
A modified pre-war car should be measured rather than judged by appearance alone. Wheel diameter and width need to be verified, and steering clearance should be checked lock to lock before choosing a tire. That is especially important when the Buick has been rebuilt over many decades and may no longer match its earlier wheel or suspension setup exactly.
What should I inspect before driving a 1930 Buick 60 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1930 Buick 60 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition, confirm that the tire size matches the wheel setup, and make sure each tire is mounted and inflated properly. It is also wise to check valve stems, wheel hardware, and general chassis condition on a car that may have been off the road for extended periods.
A new set of tires cannot compensate for old mechanical issues elsewhere. Side-to-side clearance, steering movement, brake condition, and suspension play should all be checked before road use, particularly on a heavy pre-war car. A short local test drive followed by a second inspection often reveals rubbing, settling, or hardware issues worth correcting early.
How should 700-19 tires on a collector 1930 Buick 60 Series be maintained?
700-19 tires on a collector 1930 Buick 60 Series should be kept clean, properly inflated, and inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and air loss. Collector cars often age tires by time and storage conditions rather than mileage, so visual condition and age matter as much as tread depth.
Storage habits play a major role in tire life on a low-use Buick. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment helps preserve the sidewalls, while periodic movement can reduce long-term flat spotting. Routine inspections before each drive are especially worthwhile when the car is used only seasonally or for events.
