The 1930 Durant 14 Series comes from an era when independent American automakers were still competing on style, value, and practical road manners. For owners restoring or maintaining one today, tire selection is closely tied to preserving that pre-war driving character and the proportions that suit the car’s narrow 19-inch wheel setup. The 1930 Durant 14 Series uses bias-ply fitments in 29X5.00 and 500-19, both tied to the same 6-cylinder sub-model. Available choices lean toward traditional blackwall presentation, with differences in tire series and intended use rather than a wholesale change in appearance. The key is matching the correct size format to the wheel and the kind of use the car will actually see.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1930 Durant 14 Series
The 1930 Durant 14 Series uses two primary tire sizes, and both are bias-ply fitments associated with the covered 6-cylinder sub-model. Because both sizes relate to a 19-inch wheel setup, the main decision is confirming which size format is on the car now and then choosing the tire style and series that best suits restoration goals and intended driving use.
A 29X5.00 size uses an older diameter-by-section format, where 29 refers to the tire’s approximate overall diameter and 5.00 refers to its nominal section width in inches. On a 1930 Durant 14 Series, this points to a true antique-era bias-ply fitment and helps preserve the tall, narrow look expected on an early 1930s car. This format matters because it is interpreted differently than later numeric sizing, even when the tire appears similar at a glance. Owners should confirm the wheel setup and the size already on the car before choosing this format for restoration or road use.
A 500-19 tire is a numeric bias-ply size, with 5.00 representing nominal section width in inches and 19 identifying the rim diameter. For the 1930 Durant 14 Series, it is a traditional fitment that stays consistent with period tire construction while giving buyers a clearer path through the available product choices. Current options in this size include Excelsior and Firestone, both in blackwall form, with differences in tire series and intended character. This size deserves a close look when the car already runs 19-inch wheels and the goal is a usable vintage-style replacement.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1930 Durant 14 Series. The covered 6-cylinder version uses the same pair of bias-ply size options, so the important step is confirming which size format is actually mounted on the car before selecting a replacement.
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1930 Durant 14 Series 6 Cyl.
The 1930 Durant 14 Series 6 Cyl. uses the same two primary bias-ply fitment sizes found at the model level, 29X5.00 and 500-19. That keeps the decision focused on verifying the wheel and existing tire format, then choosing a traditional blackwall tire series that matches the car’s restoration direction and road-use plans.
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 Durant 14 Series Tires for Sale
Available 500-19 tires for the 1930 Durant 14 Series come from Excelsior and Firestone. Both use a blackwall bias-ply presentation, while the series and specifications give buyers a useful way to compare traditional road-style and more specialized performance-oriented choices.
Common questions for the 1930 Durant 14 Series usually center on its two bias-ply tire sizes, 19-inch wheel fitment, selecting between available 500-19 options, and checking an older collector car carefully before returning it to regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1930 Durant 14 Series?
The 1930 Durant 14 Series uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 29X5.00 and 500-19. Both sizes are associated with the covered 1930 Durant 14 Series 6 Cyl. configuration, so either size may be relevant depending on the wheel and tire format already on the vehicle.
That makes verification more important than simply ordering by year and model alone. A 29X5.00 tire uses an antique diameter-by-section format, while 500-19 uses a numeric bias-ply format tied to a 19-inch rim, so the safest next step is checking the size currently mounted and confirming the wheel before selecting a replacement.
What size rim does a 1930 Durant 14 Series use?
The 1930 Durant 14 Series uses a 19-inch rim with its 500-19 fitment. That rim diameter is the key wheel reference on this application and matches the numeric bias-ply size format used on available 500-19 products.
Older vehicles are often changed over time, so the wheel on the car should still be checked before replacing tires. The stamped tire size, the wheel itself, and the way the current tire sits on the rim can help confirm whether the car is set up for 500-19 or whether it is currently running the alternative 29X5.00 antique-format fitment.
Does the 1930 Durant 14 Series 6 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1930 Durant 14 Series 6 Cyl. uses the same two primary bias-ply sizes associated with this model: 29X5.00 and 500-19. That means sub-model selection is simple, but the actual size on the car still needs to be verified before choosing a tire.
The practical issue is not trim-level variation but tire-format variation. A 29X5.00 marking and a 500-19 marking describe tires in different vintage sizing systems, so owners should inspect the existing tires and wheels closely rather than assuming both sizes are interchangeable without checking the car’s present setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 500-19 tire for a 1930 Durant 14 Series?
Start with the correct size, construction, and wheel match. A 500-19 on the 1930 Durant 14 Series is a bias-ply tire for a 19-inch rim, and available choices differ by brand, tire series, rim-width specification, weight, and overall intended character rather than by modern touring-versus-performance categories.
Appearance and use should guide the final decision. Both available 500-19 options use a blackwall presentation, but one buyer may want a more traditional restoration-oriented look while another may be comparing a more specialized series. Checking rim width, expected use, and how closely the tire matches the car’s existing presentation will narrow the choice effectively.
What sidewall styles are available for 1930 Durant 14 Series tires?
The available 500-19 tire choices for the 1930 Durant 14 Series use a blackwall sidewall style. That keeps the visual presentation traditional and understated, which suits the period character of an early 1930s Durant without introducing a later muscle-car or postwar sidewall treatment.
Sidewall style matters because it has a strong effect on the finished look of a restoration. Even when the tire size is correct, a sidewall treatment that does not match the car’s intended presentation can look out of place, so buyers usually choose blackwall here when the goal is a clean pre-war appearance with the proper vintage feel.
What brands offer tires for the 1930 Durant 14 Series?
The available 500-19 tires for the 1930 Durant 14 Series come from Excelsior and Firestone. Those choices give buyers more than one brand path within the correct bias-ply size while keeping the fitment grounded in a traditional 19-inch vintage application.
Brand alone should not decide the purchase. It makes more sense to compare each tire’s series, rim-width specification, weight, and intended use, then consider how the tire will be used on the car. A Durant that is shown occasionally may call for a different emphasis than one that is driven more regularly on vintage events.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1930 Durant 14 Series?
A period-style 1930 Durant 14 Series usually starts with the correct bias-ply sizing format already used on the car, either 29X5.00 or 500-19. Keeping the tire in a bias-ply construction helps preserve the narrow-profile look and visual character expected on a pre-war automobile.
The best choice depends on how exact the restoration needs to be. Buyers aiming for a historically consistent presentation should verify the wheel setup and compare the mounted size to period references for the specific car, while buyers focused on sympathetic vintage appearance can choose the correct-size bias-ply tire that best matches use and presentation.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1930 Durant 14 Series restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment has an outsized effect on a 1930 Durant 14 Series restoration. Tire size, construction, and overall profile shape influence how the car sits, how much sidewall it shows, and whether the finished vehicle looks appropriate for an early 1930s Durant.
Even small-looking changes in vintage tire format can alter the stance and visual balance of the car. Using the proper size system, confirming the 19-inch wheel where applicable, and staying with a traditional bias-ply presentation will usually support a more coherent restoration result than choosing a tire simply because it seems close by modern standards.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1930 Durant 14 Series?
Yes. Any changes to wheels, wheel width, suspension height, steering components, or body clearance can affect tire fitment on a 1930 Durant 14 Series, even when the replacement tire is in one of the correct vintage sizes. Older collector cars often carry changes made decades after they were built.
That is why a visual and physical check matters before mounting new tires. A Durant with replacement wheels or chassis work may need closer attention to rim width, sidewall clearance, and steering travel than a stock car, so the existing wheel setup should always be confirmed rather than assumed from the model name alone.
What should I inspect before driving a 1930 Durant 14 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1930 Durant 14 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems or tubes as applicable, lug hardware, brake condition, steering play, and the general state of the suspension. Tire pressure should also be set correctly, and each tire should be checked for proper seating and any obvious air loss.
A freshly mounted tire cannot compensate for neglected chassis components on a pre-war car. It helps to recheck wheel fasteners after the first short drive, watch for rubbing at full steering lock, and confirm that the car tracks predictably before moving on to longer trips or sustained road speeds.
How should 500-19 tires on a collector 1930 Durant 14 Series be maintained?
500-19 tires on a collector 1930 Durant 14 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and careful storage. Owners should look for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, or gradual air loss, especially on cars that sit for long periods between events or seasonal drives.
Collector vehicles benefit from a routine even when mileage stays low. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help protect the tires, and rolling the car occasionally can reduce long-term stress in one spot. A short inspection before every drive is a smart habit on a vehicle of this age.
