The 1931 Buick 80 Series came from a moment when Buick was building substantial eight-cylinder cars for buyers who wanted smooth power and prestige without stepping into the very top luxury tier. Its long-wheelbase presence and formal pre-war proportions make tire choice a visible part of the vehicle’s character. This Buick uses a 650-19 bias-ply tire on a 19-inch rim, keeping the fitment firmly in the period tire world. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall treatments across Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior offerings. For a restoration-minded owner, the real decision is balancing authentic pre-war appearance, wheel compatibility, and the kind of road use the car will actually see.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1931 Buick 80 Series
The 1931 Buick 80 Series uses one primary tire size: 650-19, a bias-ply fitment for a 19-inch rim. The same size also carries across the covered 8 Cyl. sub-model, so the main choice is not which primary size fits, but which version of 650-19 best matches the car’s appearance, wheel setup, and restoration goals.
A 650-19 size uses the vintage numeric bias-ply system, where the 6.50 designation refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches and the 19 indicates rim diameter. On a 1931 Buick 80 Series, that means a traditional bias-ply construction suited to the car’s era, stance, and wheel design. Within this size, choices include Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior products, along with blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments and several classic tire series. The practical decision is choosing a 650-19 that respects the Buick’s period presentation while also matching the actual rim width and intended driving use.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1931 Buick 80 Series sub-models because the same primary tire size is used across them. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm that the car remains on the expected 19-inch wheel and period bias-ply setup.
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1931 Buick 80 Series 8 Cyl.
The 1931 Buick 80 Series 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-19 bias-ply tire fitment as the model core. That keeps tire selection focused on sidewall style, brand, and tire series rather than sorting through multiple primary 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 Buick 80 Series Tires for Sale
Available 650-19 tires for the 1931 Buick 80 Series include Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior offerings in classic bias-ply construction. The product mix gives buyers a useful comparison of blackwall versus wide whitewall presentation, along with differences in tire series and rim-width specifications.
These 1931 Buick 80 Series tire questions focus on 650-19 fitment, 19-inch rim compatibility, bias-ply construction, sidewall appearance, and the practical checks worth making before putting a pre-war Buick back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1931 Buick 80 Series?
The 1931 Buick 80 Series uses a 650-19 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply size mounted on a 19-inch rim, and it is the primary fitment for the covered model and sub-model on this page.
That makes the buying decision more about choosing the right version of 650-19 than searching for alternate primary sizes. Before selecting a tire, confirm that the car still has the expected 19-inch wheels and has not been changed to a different wheel diameter or width during an earlier restoration or modification.
What size rim does a 1931 Buick 80 Series use?
The 1931 Buick 80 Series uses a 19-inch rim with its 650-19 tire fitment. That rim diameter is central to the sizing itself, since the final number in 650-19 refers to the wheel diameter the tire is built to mount on.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a pre-war car. It is also worth checking actual wheel width and condition, especially if the Buick has older wheels, replacement rims, or restoration work of unknown age, because some 650-19 products carry more specific rim-width ranges than others.
Does the 1931 Buick 80 Series 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1931 Buick 80 Series 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-19 bias-ply tire size as the model core. That keeps fitment simple and avoids the need to sort between multiple primary sizes within the covered sub-model range.
Even with shared fitment, the right tire choice can still vary by owner priorities. A restoration-focused car may call for a different sidewall presentation than a driver-quality car, so it helps to confirm wheel dimensions and decide whether blackwall or wide whitewall better suits the Buick’s intended appearance.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-19 tire for a 1931 Buick 80 Series?
Start with the correct 650-19 size and bias-ply construction, then compare the details that matter within that fitment. For this Buick, available choices vary by brand, tire series, sidewall style, and in some cases rim-width specification.
The best way to narrow the options is to match the tire to the car’s purpose. A formal restoration may lean toward a traditional wide whitewall look, while a more understated presentation may favor blackwall, and any choice should still be checked against the actual wheel width and overall condition of the car’s rims.
What sidewall styles are available for 1931 Buick 80 Series tires?
The 1931 Buick 80 Series has 650-19 tire options in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Those two sidewall treatments create very different visual effects on a pre-war Buick, even when the underlying size and bias-ply construction remain the same.
Sidewall choice is largely an appearance decision, but it should still be made with the whole car in mind. Paint color, trim level, restoration theme, and how formal or restrained the Buick is meant to look all influence whether a blackwall or wide whitewall tire gives the more convincing period-style presentation.
What brands offer tires for the 1931 Buick 80 Series?
Tires for the 1931 Buick 80 Series are available from Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior in the 650-19 size. Those choices include multiple classic bias-ply series, giving the buyer more than one period-style path within the same fitment.
Brand alone should not decide the purchase. It helps to compare the sidewall treatment you want, the tire series that best suits the Buick’s look, and any rim-width details attached to a specific 650-19 option so the final selection works visually and mechanically with the car.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1931 Buick 80 Series?
A period-style 1931 Buick 80 Series starts with the correct 650-19 bias-ply size on a 19-inch rim. From there, the choice usually comes down to whether the car looks more appropriate with a blackwall or wide whitewall treatment and which classic tire series best matches the restoration’s overall character.
Exact originality can depend on the specific body, trim, and historical reference material tied to the individual car. If the goal is a highly exacting restoration, compare the tire choice against marque literature, period photos, and trusted Buick club guidance rather than relying on size alone to settle the appearance question.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1931 Buick 80 Series restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1931 Buick 80 Series because the tire has a strong effect on stance, side profile, and overall period presence. Using the proper 650-19 bias-ply size keeps the car visually grounded in its pre-war design language.
Fitment also affects practical details beyond appearance. A tire that matches the Buick’s intended wheel diameter and appropriate wheel width helps avoid needless clearance or mounting issues, and it preserves the proportions that make an early 1930s luxury car look settled and convincing rather than slightly off-scale.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1931 Buick 80 Series?
Yes. Even though the primary fitment is 650-19, modifications can change what actually works on an individual 1931 Buick 80 Series. Replacement wheels, altered ride height, brake conversions, or body and fender changes can all influence tire clearance and wheel compatibility.
A pre-war car should always be measured as it sits today, not assumed to remain exactly stock after decades of ownership. Checking actual wheel diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and space around the fenders helps prevent problems before a new set of tires is mounted and put into use.
What should I inspect before driving a 1931 Buick 80 Series on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm proper mounting, and make sure the tires are inflated appropriately for the application. It is also smart to look over the car’s steering and suspension condition, since wear in those systems can affect how a large pre-war Buick tracks and responds.
A short shake-down drive is a good next step before any longer outing. Pay attention to air retention, vibration, rubbing, and general straight-line behavior, and recheck the tires afterward for any sign of contact or uneven settling so small issues can be corrected before they become bigger ones.
How should 650-19 tires on a collector 1931 Buick 80 Series be maintained?
Collector-car tires like 650-19 bias-ply fitments deserve regular visual checks even when the Buick is driven infrequently. Watch for cracking, cuts, bulges, unusual wear, and gradual air loss, because age and storage conditions can matter as much as mileage on a low-use pre-war vehicle.
Good storage habits help preserve both appearance and service life. Keeping the Buick away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, excess heat, and ozone sources such as running electric motors can reduce deterioration, and routine pressure checks make it easier to catch a problem before the car heads out on the road.
