The 1931 Auburn 98WW Series comes from an era when American automobiles balanced luxury, presence, and advancing engineering with a strong emphasis on road manners and visual elegance. Auburn remains especially appealing to collectors because these cars carry unmistakable pre-war style and reward careful restoration choices. For this exact model, the primary fitment is a 6.50-17 bias-ply tire, a size that suits the vehicle’s period character and 17-inch wheel setup. The real choice is less about finding multiple primary sizes and more about selecting the right period-style tire within that fitment. Appearance, construction, wheel condition, and intended driving use all deserve attention before the car returns to the road.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1931 Auburn 98WW Series
The 1931 Auburn 98WW Series uses one primary tire size: 6.50-17 in bias-ply construction on a 17-inch rim. That fitment also carries across the covered 8 Cyl. sub-model, so the main decision is choosing the right tire within that size while keeping period appearance, wheel condition, and intended road use in mind.
The 6.50-17 size uses a vintage numeric bias-ply format in which 6.50 refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches and 17 identifies the wheel diameter. Bias-ply construction is the traditional fitment style for a 1931 Auburn 98WW Series and helps preserve the car’s pre-war look and overall tire profile. On a collector vehicle of this era, the decision within this size centers on choosing a restoration-oriented tire that matches the car’s visual character and intended use. It is also wise to confirm wheel condition and dimensions before mounting fresh tires on an older rim.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1931 Auburn 98WW Series sub-models because the same primary tire size is used throughout. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm that the car remains on its proper wheel and tire setup, especially after decades of ownership or restoration work.
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1931 Auburn 98WW Series 8 Cyl.
The 1931 Auburn 98WW Series 8 Cyl. uses the same 6.50-17 bias-ply fitment as the model core. That keeps tire selection focused on finding the right period-style replacement in the correct size while also confirming that the wheels on the car remain true to the intended 17-inch setup.
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
Common questions for the 1931 Auburn 98WW Series usually center on the 6.50-17 tire size, 17-inch rim fitment, period-style bias-ply selection, restoration appearance, and the inspections that matter before putting a pre-war collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1931 Auburn 98WW Series?
The 1931 Auburn 98WW Series uses a 6.50-17 tire size in bias-ply construction. For the covered fitment, that is the primary size associated with this exact year, make, and model, including the 8 Cyl. sub-model.
That means the first priority is staying with the correct 17-inch tire size rather than sorting through multiple primary fitments. On a pre-war car, it is smart to verify the wheel diameter stamped or measured on the car, especially if the vehicle has changed hands, been restored, or sat for long periods with older wheels and tires.
What size rim does a 1931 Auburn 98WW Series use?
The 1931 Auburn 98WW Series uses a 17-inch rim with its 6.50-17 tire size. The wheel diameter is a key part of the fitment because the tire size is built around that 17-inch rim dimension.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before any tire purchase, since a vintage car may no longer be wearing its intended wheels after years of repairs or restoration changes. Wheel condition also matters on a car from this era, so the rim should be inspected for damage, corrosion, and proper bead-seat condition before mounting a fresh set of tires.
Does the 1931 Auburn 98WW Series 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1931 Auburn 98WW Series 8 Cyl. uses the same 6.50-17 bias-ply tire size as the model core. That keeps fitment simple and avoids the need to sort between multiple primary sizes for this covered sub-model.
Even with shared fitment, the car itself should still be checked closely before replacement. Collector vehicles sometimes carry later wheels, mixed tires, or older restorations that changed the setup, so confirming the actual wheel diameter and overall condition of the rolling stock is still worthwhile before committing to a new set.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 6.50-17 tire for a 1931 Auburn 98WW Series?
Start with the correct primary fitment: 6.50-17 in bias-ply construction on a 17-inch rim. On a 1931 Auburn 98WW Series, the main selection factors are staying within the proper vintage size, choosing a tire that suits the car’s pre-war character, and matching the tire to how the car will actually be driven.
A show-focused restoration may prioritize traditional appearance, while a car used regularly on tours may place more emphasis on overall road readiness and careful wheel inspection. It also helps to compare the condition of the rims, confirm that all four wheel positions match, and avoid choosing by appearance alone if the car has had earlier fitment changes.
How do I choose between the available 6.50-17 tires for a 1931 Auburn 98WW Series?
The best approach is to compare tires within the correct 6.50-17 size by overall presentation, construction type, and compatibility with the vehicle’s wheel setup. Since this Auburn has one primary fitment, the choice is usually about selecting the tire that best matches the car’s restoration direction and planned use.
A touring car that sees occasional road miles may call for a different emphasis than a vehicle restored mainly for display. Looking at tire profile, period-style appearance, and the condition of the existing wheels will usually be more useful than chasing unnecessary size changes on a pre-war application that already has a clear original fitment path.
What rim-fitment details matter when choosing tires for a 1931 Auburn 98WW Series?
The most important rim-fitment detail is confirming that the car is still using the correct 17-inch wheels for its 6.50-17 tires. On a vehicle from 1931, wheel condition is just as important as wheel size because the tire must seat properly on a sound, serviceable rim.
A careful inspection should include rust, cracks, bent flanges, bead-seat condition, and signs of prior repairs. Pre-war cars can also have mismatched spare or replacement wheels, so checking all wheel positions individually helps avoid mounting the right tire onto a wheel that is no longer suitable for safe road use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1931 Auburn 98WW Series?
A period-style 1931 Auburn 98WW Series should begin with the proper 6.50-17 bias-ply fitment. That size and construction align with the car’s pre-war character and keep the overall presentation closer to what enthusiasts expect from an Auburn of this vintage.
The final choice depends on how strictly the restoration is being judged and how the car will be used. For a historically focused project, tire appearance should be compared alongside period photos, marque references, and restoration records, while a touring-oriented restoration may place a little more emphasis on practical road use without leaving the correct size behind.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1931 Auburn 98WW Series restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because tire size has a strong effect on the stance, visual balance, and overall authenticity of a 1931 Auburn 98WW Series restoration. Using the proper 6.50-17 fitment helps preserve the proportions expected on a pre-war automobile with 17-inch wheels.
Restoration quality is not only about paint and trim; the tire profile and construction style are part of the car’s finished presentation. Even if the Auburn is not headed for formal judging, keeping the fitment correct helps avoid a modernized look that can feel out of place on a car defined by long-hood, coachbuilt-era design cues.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1931 Auburn 98WW Series?
Yes. Even though the primary fitment is 6.50-17, modifications can change whether that size works the way it should on a 1931 Auburn 98WW Series. Wheel substitutions, suspension changes, brake conversions, or body and fender work can all alter the space available around the tire.
A collector car that has been restored over many decades may not be exactly as built, so the current setup deserves a close look. Checking wheel diameter, wheel condition, steering travel, and clearance at full lock can prevent surprises, especially if the car no longer sits at its original ride height or uses replacement wheels.
What should I inspect before driving a 1931 Auburn 98WW Series on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, mounting quality, and overall tire condition on the 1931 Auburn 98WW Series. A fresh tire still depends on a sound rim, proper installation, and a car that is mechanically ready to carry it safely.
It is also wise to check steering components, suspension condition, brake operation, and tire pressure before the first meaningful drive. On a pre-war car, a short local test run is usually smarter than an immediate long-distance outing, since it gives time to confirm that the tires track properly and clear the body and chassis as expected.
How should 6.50-17 tires on a collector 1931 Auburn 98WW Series be maintained?
Collector-car tires in 6.50-17 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and clean, dry storage conditions. On a 1931 Auburn 98WW Series, long periods of inactivity can be just as hard on tires as active road use if the car is parked in heat, sunlight, or near ozone-producing equipment.
Routine checks should include cracking, flat spotting, tread wear, cuts, bulges, and slow air loss. Moving the car periodically, keeping the tires properly inflated, and inspecting them before each drive helps preserve both appearance and roadworthiness, especially on a pre-war vehicle that may spend much of its life stored between events.
