The 1930 Gardner 150 Series comes from a short-lived but highly regarded independent American marque known for building premium automobiles with a strong reputation for engineering and road manners. For owners of a Full Classic-era Gardner, tire choice is part of preserving both stance and character. This model uses bias-ply fitments in 30X6.20 and 650-18, so the first step is confirming which of those period sizes matches the car’s current wheel and setup. In 650-18, available choices include Firestone Balloon tires in blackwall and wide whitewall form. That makes the decision less about modernizing and more about matching the car’s presentation, wheel dimensions, and intended touring use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1930 Gardner 150 Series
The 1930 Gardner 150 Series uses two primary tire sizes, and both are bias-ply fitments. Because these sizes are expressed in different vintage sizing conventions and the products shown center on an 18-inch rim, the first step is confirming the exact wheel diameter and the size already fitted to the car. Once that is established, the decision becomes choosing the right period-style tire presentation and matching it to the wheel dimensions and intended use.
30X6.20 is an antique diameter-by-section size, meaning the first number refers to an approximate overall tire diameter of 30 inches and the second number refers to an approximate section width of 6.20 inches. It is a bias-ply fitment suited to the pre-war tire conventions used on the 1930 Gardner 150 Series. Buyers considering this size should pay close attention to the wheel currently on the car, since antique and early numeric sizing systems can look similar while reflecting different fitment conventions. This size is best evaluated by comparing the existing wheel and tire setup on the vehicle before selecting a replacement.
650-18 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 650 represents an approximate 6.50-inch nominal section width and 18 designates the rim diameter. On the 1930 Gardner 150 Series, it reflects a traditional pre-war bias-ply fitment and uses an 18-inch wheel. Available choices in this size include Firestone Balloon tires, with both blackwall and 3.50-inch wide whitewall sidewall treatments. For many owners, this size is where the visual decision becomes important, since the tire can support either a more restrained touring look or a more formal restoration-oriented presentation.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered Gardner 150 Series configuration uses the same pair of bias-ply tire sizes. Checking the exact sub-model still matters, since the buyer should confirm which of the two period sizes is actually mounted on the car before moving ahead.
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1930 Gardner 150 Series 8 Cyl.
The 1930 Gardner 150 Series 8 Cyl. uses the same two bias-ply tire sizes associated with this model line, so the main task is confirming the wheel and tire setup already on the car. That keeps the selection focused on the correct period size and, where applicable, the preferred sidewall appearance.
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 Gardner 150 Series Tires for Sale
Available 650-18 choices center on the Firestone Balloon series in bias-ply construction. The main comparison points are sidewall style, with both blackwall and 3.50-inch wide whitewall options, along with rim-width compatibility and other product details shown in the grid.
Owners researching tires for a 1930 Gardner 150 Series usually need clarity on the two vintage sizes, 18-inch wheel fitment, period-style appearance, and what to inspect before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1930 Gardner 150 Series?
The 1930 Gardner 150 Series uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 30X6.20 and 650-18. Those are both period fitments, but they follow different vintage sizing conventions, so they should not be treated as the same size written two different ways.
The practical next step is to confirm which size is actually on the car now and verify the wheel diameter before choosing a replacement. On a collector car of this age, wheels, tires, and even running gear can change over time, so matching the replacement to the car’s present setup is more important than assuming every surviving Gardner uses the same mounted size.
What size rim does a 1930 Gardner 150 Series use?
The 1930 Gardner 150 Series uses an 18-inch rim with the 650-18 tire size. That rim diameter is the critical fitment point for buyers considering available 650-18 replacement tires, since the tire and wheel must share the same bead-seat diameter.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed directly on the car before ordering, especially on an older restoration or long-stored vehicle. It is also wise to check the wheel width and overall wheel condition, because vintage wheels may have been replaced, repaired, or altered over the years, and those details affect whether a period-style replacement tire is appropriate for the actual setup.
What does 30X6.20 mean on a 1930 Gardner 150 Series?
30X6.20 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size. In that format, 30 refers to the approximate overall tire diameter in inches, while 6.20 refers to the approximate section width, making it a very different naming system from later numeric bias-ply sizes such as 650-18.
That difference matters because early tire codes can be easy to misread if you are more familiar with modern radial or later bias-ply sizing. The safest approach is to compare the size marking on the existing tire with the wheel on the car, then review the vehicle’s clearances and stance so the replacement keeps the Gardner’s proportions and fitment in line with its current setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-18 tire for a 1930 Gardner 150 Series?
Start with the basics: the tire must be the correct 650-18 size for the wheel on the car, and it should match the Gardner’s bias-ply fitment style. In this size, the available Firestone Balloon options differ in sidewall treatment and other product details, giving owners a meaningful appearance choice.
Beyond size, compare the tire’s rim-width specification, weight, and any stated load capacity where it is shown. A wide whitewall can suit a formal restoration-oriented presentation, while a blackwall gives a more understated look, so the right choice depends on whether the car is being judged, toured, or simply maintained with a traditional pre-war appearance.
What sidewall styles are available for 1930 Gardner 150 Series tires?
In 650-18, the available sidewall styles include blackwall and a 3.50-inch wide whitewall. Both are Firestone Balloon bias-ply tires, so the choice is primarily about presentation rather than changing the vintage construction type used on the car.
That visual difference can have a major effect on how a pre-war car reads from the curb. A blackwall tends to look more restrained and mechanical, while a wide whitewall creates a dressier period-style appearance, so buyers should choose the sidewall that best matches the Gardner’s restoration direction, trim level appearance, and the overall look they want once the car is back on the road.
What brands offer tires for the 1930 Gardner 150 Series?
The available products shown for the 1930 Gardner 150 Series center on Firestone in the 650-18 size. Those tires appear in the Firestone Balloon series, with both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments offered in bias-ply construction.
For most buyers, that means the real comparison is not between competing brands, but between presentation and specification details within the same vintage-style line. Reviewing sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, and load information where it appears is more useful than focusing only on the brand name, especially on a collector vehicle where visual character and wheel fitment both matter.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1930 Gardner 150 Series?
A period-style 1930 Gardner 150 Series should stay with one of its proper bias-ply sizes, either 30X6.20 or 650-18, depending on the wheel and tire setup on the car. Within the available 650-18 choices, Firestone Balloon tires preserve the traditional pre-war construction and visual character expected on a Full Classic-era automobile.
Once the size is confirmed, the appearance decision becomes more specific. A blackwall keeps the look understated, while a 3.50-inch wide whitewall gives the car a more formal restoration-oriented presentation; if exact originality is important, it is worth comparing that choice with period photography, marque-club references, or other vehicle-specific historical documentation before finalizing the tire style.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1930 Gardner 150 Series restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1930 Gardner 150 Series because tire diameter, section width, and sidewall presentation all influence the car’s stance and period character. On an early luxury automobile, the wrong size or an out-of-place sidewall style can noticeably change how the finished restoration looks.
Fitment also affects more than appearance. Choosing the proper vintage size helps preserve wheel compatibility and supports the clearances the car was designed around, so it is smart to confirm the mounted wheel diameter, inspect the wheel itself, and make sure the selected tire matches the restoration’s goals before putting the Gardner back into regular touring service.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1930 Gardner 150 Series?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1930 Gardner 150 Series. Changes such as replacement wheels, altered wheel widths, brake updates, suspension work, or body and fender adjustments can all change the space available for a vintage tire and may also alter which of the period sizes is currently appropriate.
That is why the car should be checked as it sits today rather than treated as a fixed factory configuration after nearly a century of ownership history. Confirm the wheel diameter, inspect wheel width, and look at steering and fender clearance with the suspension loaded so the replacement tire suits the actual car, not just the model name on the title.
What should I inspect before driving a 1930 Gardner 150 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1930 Gardner 150 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, wheel attachment points, and overall brake and steering condition in addition to the tires themselves. A collector car that has been parked for long periods may have age-related issues elsewhere that affect roadworthiness even when the tires are fresh.
It also helps to confirm inflation, check for any rubbing at full steering lock, and verify that the tires seat properly on the wheels. A cautious first drive should include listening for unusual noises and rechecking pressure afterward, since early cars can reveal wheel, alignment, or clearance problems only once they are moving under their own weight.
How should 650-18 tires on a collector 1930 Gardner 150 Series be maintained?
650-18 tires on a collector 1930 Gardner 150 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even on lightly driven cars, tire condition matters because age, underinflation, sunlight, heat, and long stationary periods can shorten service life before tread wear becomes the main issue.
A good routine is to inspect for sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and signs of air loss before road use. Storage away from prolonged sunlight, ozone sources, and moisture helps preserve a vintage tire’s condition, and moving the car periodically or using sound storage practices can reduce flat-spotting concerns on a bias-ply collector vehicle.
