The 1931 Auburn 98 Series came from an era when American prestige cars balanced engineering confidence with bold styling, and Auburn stood out for giving upscale motorists a distinctly sporting flavor. A surviving 98 Series today is usually judged as much by its stance and road presence as by its bodywork and trim. Tire fitment centers on a single 550-17 bias-ply size on a 17-inch rim, which keeps the car in the construction and visual language of the period. Available choices include blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall versions in BFGoodrich's Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line. That makes the real decision less about size and more about appearance, restoration goals, and overall wheel condition before road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1931 Auburn 98 Series
The 1931 Auburn 98 Series uses one primary tire size: 550-17 in bias-ply construction on a 17-inch rim. The covered 8 Cyl. sub-model uses that same fitment, so the main decision is choosing the sidewall style that suits the car's presentation and confirming that the wheels remain correct in diameter and condition before mounting new tires.
The 550-17 size uses a vintage numeric bias-ply format in which 5.50 refers to the nominal section width in inches and 17 refers to the wheel diameter. On a 1931 Auburn 98 Series, this keeps the car in its proper period-style construction rather than shifting to a modern radial format. Within this size, BFGoodrich offers the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series in blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall treatments. Choosing among them comes down to the look you want on the car and making sure the existing 17-inch wheels are sound and appropriate for continued service.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here, because the covered 1931 Auburn 98 Series configuration uses the same primary tire size throughout. Checking the exact sub-model still matters so the wheel and tire setup on the car matches the intended restoration or road-use plan.
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1931 Auburn 98 Series 8 Cyl.
The 1931 Auburn 98 Series 8 Cyl. uses the 550-17 bias-ply tire size. That keeps tire selection focused on period-style construction and sidewall presentation rather than choosing between multiple fitment sizes.
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 1931 Auburn 98 Series Tires for Sale
Available 550-17 choices center on BFGoodrich's Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, with blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall treatments. That gives a 1931 Auburn 98 Series owner several appearance-focused options while staying in the correct primary size and construction.
Owners researching tires for a 1931 Auburn 98 Series usually need clear answers on 550-17 fitment, 17-inch wheel compatibility, sidewall style choices, restoration presentation, and the basic inspections that matter before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1931 Auburn 98 Series?
The 1931 Auburn 98 Series uses a 550-17 tire in bias-ply construction. That is the primary fitment for this model, and the covered 8 Cyl. version uses the same size, so tire selection starts from a single vintage size rather than multiple factory fitments.
The practical next step is confirming that the car still has proper 17-inch wheels and that no later wheel change has altered the setup. Once size is confirmed, the real choice becomes sidewall appearance, overall restoration character, and the condition of the wheels, tubes, and mounting surfaces before road use.
What size rim does a 1931 Auburn 98 Series use?
The 1931 Auburn 98 Series uses a 17-inch rim with its 550-17 tire size. The tire code and fitment both point to a 17-inch wheel diameter, which is the key wheel measurement to verify before selecting a replacement tire.
Rim diameter is only one part of the check on an older collector car. It also helps to inspect the wheel for damage, corrosion, old repairs, and proper bead-seat condition, especially if the car has spent long periods in storage or has been restored with replacement wheels at some point.
Does the 1931 Auburn 98 Series 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1931 Auburn 98 Series 8 Cyl. uses the same 550-17 bias-ply tire size as the covered model fitment. There is no separate primary size shown for that sub-model, which keeps the fitment question simple at the size level.
That means the buying decision is less about sorting through multiple fitments and more about choosing the right look for the car. Owners should still confirm the actual wheels on the vehicle, because an Auburn that has been modified over the years may no longer wear its original-style rim diameter or wheel construction.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 550-17 tire for a 1931 Auburn 98 Series?
Start with the correct 550-17 size and bias-ply construction, since that is the primary fitment for the 1931 Auburn 98 Series. After that, compare sidewall treatment, tire series consistency, and whether the tire's traditional look suits a preservation-minded car or a more formal restoration presentation.
Wheel condition matters just as much as the tire itself on a car from this era. A sound 17-inch rim, proper mounting components, and attention to how the car will actually be driven all affect the final choice, especially when the goal is dependable road manners without losing the Auburn's period character.
What sidewall styles are available for 1931 Auburn 98 Series tires?
The 550-17 tire for a 1931 Auburn 98 Series is available in blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall versions. Those options all stay within the same primary size and BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, but they change the car's visual character in a meaningful way.
Blackwall gives the most restrained appearance, while whitewall treatments add more visual contrast and a more formal period-style presentation. The best choice depends on how the car is trimmed, how authentic-looking you want the finished stance to be, and whether the goal is regular touring, show display, or a balanced restoration.
What tire series are available for the 1931 Auburn 98 Series?
Available 550-17 tires for the 1931 Auburn 98 Series are offered in the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. That keeps product comparison fairly focused, since the main differences are the sidewall treatments rather than a mix of unrelated series with very different visual styles.
This makes selection easier for a buyer who wants to keep the car in a consistent period-style presentation. The remaining checks are practical ones: verify the 17-inch wheels, inspect the age and condition of any existing tires on the car, and match the sidewall look to the Auburn's restoration level and intended use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1931 Auburn 98 Series?
A period-style 1931 Auburn 98 Series starts with the correct 550-17 size in bias-ply construction. That preserves the vintage profile and presentation associated with early 1930s automobiles, while still leaving room to choose between blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall versions depending on the look of the finished car.
The right visual choice depends on the specific restoration approach rather than a universal rule. Owners seeking exact historical accuracy should compare the tire's appearance against marque references, period photographs, and vehicle-specific documentation, while others may simply want a traditional presentation that complements the Auburn's body lines and trim.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1931 Auburn 98 Series?
On a restored 1931 Auburn 98 Series, bias-ply construction plays a major role in the car's stance and overall visual authenticity. The 550-17 bias-ply size supports the tall, narrow, pre-war look that suits the Auburn's era, especially when paired with a sidewall treatment that matches the intended restoration style.
Appearance is not just about whitewalls versus blackwalls; the construction itself influences how the car sits and reads from the side. Keeping the proper vintage format also simplifies the restoration story, since the wheels, trim, and tire shape work together more naturally than they would with a visibly modern tire profile.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1931 Auburn 98 Series?
Yes. Even though the primary size for a 1931 Auburn 98 Series is 550-17, fitment can change if the car has different wheels, altered suspension height, brake conversions, or body repairs that affect clearance. Any deviation from the original-style setup can influence tire selection and mounting confidence.
A careful inspection helps prevent ordering the correct size for the wrong wheel package. Measure the actual rim diameter on the car, confirm wheel condition, and look for signs of rubbing at the fenders, steering linkage, or suspension travel areas, especially on an older restoration with parts gathered over many decades.
What should I inspect before driving a 1931 Auburn 98 Series on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the 17-inch wheels for cracks, corrosion, bent areas, and old repairs, and make sure the tires were mounted correctly for the wheel type. It also helps to check valve hardware, wheel fasteners, and overall tire seating so the new 550-17 tires begin service on a sound foundation.
A collector car should also be checked beyond the tires themselves. Steering play, brake function, wheel bearing condition, and suspension wear all affect how the Auburn will feel on the road, and a short local drive is a sensible way to confirm pressure retention, ride quality, and clearance before longer touring.
How should 550-17 tires on a collector 1931 Auburn 98 Series be maintained?
Collector-car 550-17 tires should be inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss, even if the 1931 Auburn 98 Series is driven only occasionally. Low annual mileage does not stop tires from aging, so condition matters as much as tread depth on a pre-war automobile.
Good storage habits help extend service life. Keep the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources, maintain proper inflation for the way the car is used, and look over the tires before each outing so age-related issues are found early instead of after the Auburn is already on the road.
