The 1930 Kissel 95 comes from the closing years of the classic American luxury and performance era, when premium automobiles still carried tall, narrow tires that shaped both their stance and their road manners. For collectors and restoration-minded owners, tire choice on a car like this affects far more than appearance alone. The 1930 Kissel 95 uses a 6.00-18 bias-ply tire on an 18-inch rim, keeping the fitment firmly in period construction. That makes the main decision less about multiple sizes and more about choosing a tire that suits the car’s presentation and intended use. Before putting the car back on the road, wheel condition, tire age, and overall fitment should all be checked carefully.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1930 Kissel 95
The 1930 Kissel 95 uses one primary tire size: 6.00-18. This is a bias-ply fitment for an 18-inch rim, and the same size applies to the covered 8 Cyl. sub-model. Since there is no primary size split to sort through, the real decision is choosing a restoration-oriented tire within that size and confirming that the car still retains the correct wheel setup.
The 6.00-18 size uses the older numeric bias-ply format, where 6.00 refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches and 18 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1930 Kissel 95, this construction matches the period character of the car and preserves the tall, upright look associated with pre-war fitment. Numeric bias-ply tires in this size are chosen as much for proper visual proportion as for basic road use on a collector vehicle. The key is to confirm that the car still has the correct 18-inch wheels and to select a tire that suits the vehicle’s restoration goals and driving expectations.
Fitment is straightforward on the covered 1930 Kissel 95 sub-models. The tire size remains consistent, so the focus shifts from sorting out size differences to confirming wheel condition, preserving period-style appearance, and choosing a suitable bias-ply tire for road use.
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1930 Kissel 95 8 Cyl.
The 1930 Kissel 95 8 Cyl. uses the same 6.00-18 bias-ply fitment as the model core. That keeps tire selection centered on maintaining the proper pre-war look, verifying the 18-inch wheel setup, and making sure the car is ready for safe collector-vehicle driving.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
These FAQs focus on 1930 Kissel 95 tire fitment, 6.00-18 sizing, 18-inch rim compatibility, restoration-minded bias-ply choices, and the inspections that matter before returning a pre-war collector car to road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1930 Kissel 95?
The 1930 Kissel 95 uses a 6.00-18 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment, with 6.00 indicating the nominal section width and 18 indicating the wheel diameter in inches. The covered 8 Cyl. sub-model uses the same primary size.
That means the first step is not comparing several factory sizes, but confirming that the car still has the proper 18-inch wheels. On a vehicle of this age, wheels may have been changed during earlier restorations or repairs, so checking the actual rim before selecting tires is just as important as matching the size code.
What size rim does a 1930 Kissel 95 use?
The primary tire fitment for the 1930 Kissel 95 is built around an 18-inch rim. That rim diameter corresponds to the 6.00-18 tire size, which is the correct primary size for the covered fitment. Matching tire and wheel diameter is essential on a pre-war vehicle.
An 18-inch designation alone is not the whole story, especially on an older collector car. Wheel condition, width, and true serviceability should be inspected carefully before mounting new tires, and any replacement wheel should be checked for compatibility with the car’s hubs, brake components, and body clearance.
What does 6.00-18 mean on a 1930 Kissel 95?
On a 1930 Kissel 95, 6.00-18 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 6.00 figure represents the tire’s nominal section width in inches, while the 18 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is an older sizing system commonly seen on pre-war American automobiles.
Understanding that format helps when comparing period-style replacement tires, because it differs from later alphanumeric and modern metric sizing. The most important practical point is to keep the tire in the proper vintage format for the vehicle’s wheel setup and to inspect the wheel itself before assuming an old mounted tire is the correct reference.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 6.00-18 tire for a 1930 Kissel 95?
Start with the correct primary size, which is 6.00-18, and keep the construction appropriate to the car’s period by using a bias-ply tire. On a 1930 Kissel 95, the choice is less about sorting through several fitment sizes and more about selecting a tire that matches the vehicle’s restoration direction and intended road use.
A touring car that is shown frequently may call for a different emphasis than one driven regularly on local roads. Wheel diameter should be confirmed directly on the car, and the condition of the rims, steering components, and suspension should be checked so the new tires complement the vehicle rather than mask underlying problems.
How do I choose between the available 6.00-18 tires for a 1930 Kissel 95?
The best way to compare 6.00-18 options for a 1930 Kissel 95 is to focus on the kind of presentation and use the car will see. Since the primary fitment stays the same, selection usually comes down to period-style appearance, construction fidelity, and how closely the tire suits a preservation, restoration, or regular collector-driving goal.
It also helps to look at the vehicle as it sits today rather than assuming every older restoration still follows original wheel specifications. A carefully chosen 6.00-18 should support the car’s visual balance and road readiness, but only after the rim condition, mounting surfaces, and overall chassis setup have been inspected.
What rim-fitment details should I compare when choosing 1930 Kissel 95 tires?
The most important rim-fitment detail on a 1930 Kissel 95 is the 18-inch wheel diameter required by the 6.00-18 tire size. That tire size must match the wheel diameter exactly. On a car from 1930, the wheel’s physical condition can be just as important as the size stamped or assumed from an older tire.
Look closely for corrosion, damage, distortion, worn bead seats, and any signs of previous repairs before fitting new tires. Since collector cars can pass through multiple restorations over the decades, it is wise to verify the actual wheel setup on the car and have questionable wheels inspected by a qualified tire or wheel professional.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1930 Kissel 95?
For a period-style 1930 Kissel 95, the right starting point is the original-style primary fitment format: a 6.00-18 bias-ply tire on an 18-inch rim. That keeps the tire construction and overall look aligned with the era of the car, which matters on a pre-war automobile with tall, visually prominent tires.
A restoration-minded choice should support the car’s proportions and presentation rather than simply fill the wheel opening. If exact historical authenticity is especially important, the tire should be compared against marque-specific references and restoration records so the finished look reflects the way the vehicle is being preserved.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1930 Kissel 95 restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters greatly on a 1930 Kissel 95 restoration. A car from this era shows a large amount of sidewall and tire height, so the wrong size or construction can noticeably change the vehicle’s stance, visual balance, and overall character even before it moves an inch.
Using the proper 6.00-18 bias-ply format also helps keep the wheel-and-tire package in step with the car’s age and intended presentation. Restorers should still inspect the actual wheels on the vehicle, because a decades-old restoration or earlier repair work may have introduced changes that need to be corrected before new tires are installed.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1930 Kissel 95?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1930 Kissel 95 even when the intended tire size remains 6.00-18. Changes to wheels, suspension height, steering components, brake hardware, or body clearances can alter how a tire sits and moves through its full range of travel on an older collector car.
A car that has been restored, repaired, or updated over many decades should be checked as it exists today, not only by catalog size. Clearance at the fenders, frame, and steering stops deserves attention, and any non-original wheel should be measured carefully before assuming it is suitable for the proper pre-war tire fitment.
What should I inspect before driving a 1930 Kissel 95 on new tires?
Before driving a 1930 Kissel 95 on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, mounting surfaces, and overall condition of the suspension and steering system. The tires themselves should be checked for proper mounting and inflation, while the car should also be evaluated for loose components, brake concerns, and signs of rubbing or interference.
A pre-war automobile often spends long periods parked, so age-related issues elsewhere on the chassis can appear as soon as it returns to the road. A careful low-speed shakedown drive is wise after installation, followed by another look at tire seating, air retention, and any fresh marks that suggest alignment or clearance problems.
How should 6.00-18 tires on a collector 1930 Kissel 95 be maintained?
6.00-18 tires on a collector 1930 Kissel 95 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even when tread wear is minimal, collector-car tires can age from time, sunlight, temperature swings, and long stationary periods, so sidewalls and tread surfaces deserve close attention.
Cracking, bulges, cuts, flat spotting, and unexplained air loss are all reasons for further inspection before road use. Storage away from prolonged heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tires, and moving the car periodically or using sound storage practices can reduce the stress that comes from letting a heavy vintage vehicle sit in one position.
