The 1931 Chrysler 66 Series came from an era when Chrysler was building well-engineered, roadworthy cars for drivers who expected durability as much as style. Its long-wheelbase pre-war character and upright proportions make tire choice especially important, because the tire has a major effect on both stance and period presentation. The 1931 Chrysler 66 Series uses a 550-18 bias-ply tire on an 18-inch rim. Within that size, buyers can choose among blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall options from brands such as Firestone, BFGoodrich, Excelsior, and Michelin. The real decision is whether the goal is authentic-era appearance, restoration-minded detail, or dependable road use with the correct vintage size and construction.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1931 Chrysler 66 Series
The 1931 Chrysler 66 Series uses one primary tire size: 550-18. That fitment is a bias-ply tire for an 18-inch rim, and it carries across the covered 6 Cyl. sub-model, so the main choice is not between multiple primary sizes but between sidewall style, tire series, brand, and how closely the finished look should match a restoration-oriented or road-use goal.
A 550-18 is a numeric bias-ply size in which the 550 refers to an approximate 5.50-inch nominal section width and the 18 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1931 Chrysler 66 Series, this is a traditional bias-ply fitment that preserves the tall, narrow pre-war tire profile these cars were built around. Available choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall treatments across series such as Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Comp H, and Michelin Double Rivet. Choosing within 550-18 usually comes down to appearance, rim-width compatibility, and how the car will be used and presented.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1931 Chrysler 66 Series sub-models. The tire size remains consistent, so checking the sub-model mainly confirms that the car still uses its expected 18-inch wheel setup and stock-style vintage tire dimensions.
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1931 Chrysler 66 Series 6 Cyl.
The 1931 Chrysler 66 Series 6 Cyl. uses the same 550-18 bias-ply fitment as the model core. That keeps tire selection focused on period-style appearance choices such as blackwall or whitewall treatment, along with verifying wheel width and overall condition before putting the car back on the road.
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 Chrysler 66 Series Tires for Sale
Available 550-18 tires for the 1931 Chrysler 66 Series span Excelsior, Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Michelin, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall presentations. The product grid is where to compare series character and rim-width specifications within the same vintage bias-ply size.
These FAQs focus on 1931 Chrysler 66 Series tire size, 18-inch rim fitment, bias-ply construction, sidewall choices, restoration-minded selection, and the inspection steps worth taking before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1931 Chrysler 66 Series?
The 1931 Chrysler 66 Series uses a 550-18 tire size. That is a vintage numeric bias-ply fitment, and it is the primary size associated with this vehicle, including the covered 6 Cyl. sub-model.
A 550-18 should be treated as a vintage fitment rather than compared loosely to modern sizing by appearance alone. Before choosing a tire, confirm that the car still has 18-inch wheels and that previous owners have not changed the wheel setup, since older collector cars are sometimes altered over time.
What size rim does a 1931 Chrysler 66 Series use?
The 1931 Chrysler 66 Series uses an 18-inch rim with its 550-18 tire size. Product options in this size appear with rim-width specifications that vary by tire, including fitments around 3 inches, 3.25 inches, 4 inches, and one range of 3.00 to 4.50 inches.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a pre-war car. It is worth checking the actual wheel width and bead condition before mounting new tires, especially if the wheels are original, restored, or sourced from another vehicle with a similar bolt pattern but different proportions.
Does the 1931 Chrysler 66 Series 6 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1931 Chrysler 66 Series 6 Cyl. uses the same 550-18 bias-ply tire size as the model core. That makes fitment more straightforward than on vehicles where trim or body style changes the tire specification.
Even with shared fitment, the actual buying decision still matters because 550-18 is offered in more than one visual style and tire series. Once the sub-model is confirmed, attention can shift to sidewall appearance, wheel-width compatibility, and whether the car is being finished for touring, local driving, or restoration display.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 550-18 tire for a 1931 Chrysler 66 Series?
Start with the correct 550-18 size and bias-ply construction, then compare the tire's intended presentation and wheel compatibility. Options in this size include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles, along with several series from Excelsior, Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Michelin.
A restoration-focused Chrysler may call for a different visual treatment than a driver that simply needs a traditional blackwall look. It also helps to compare the rim-width specification of the specific tire against the wheel on the car, since older wheels and later replacements do not always match exactly.
What sidewall styles are available for 1931 Chrysler 66 Series tires?
The 1931 Chrysler 66 Series has 550-18 tire options in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall form. Those choices can change the car's overall character significantly, even when the size and basic bias-ply construction stay the same.
Blackwall tires tend to give a more restrained, utilitarian presentation, while whitewall treatments bring more visual emphasis to the wheel opening and body lines. For a restoration-minded car, sidewall style should be chosen carefully and compared against period photos, marque references, or the exact look being recreated.
What brands offer tires for the 1931 Chrysler 66 Series?
Available 550-18 tires for the 1931 Chrysler 66 Series include offerings from Excelsior, Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Michelin. Those brands appear across several vintage-style series, including Comp H, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, and Michelin Double Rivet.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor on a pre-war fitment. Compare the sidewall style, rim-width specification, and overall presentation of each tire, then match those details to how the Chrysler is used, whether that means restoration display, occasional road use, or a more understated touring look.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1931 Chrysler 66 Series?
A period-style starting point for a 1931 Chrysler 66 Series is the original-format 550-18 bias-ply size. Staying with the correct vintage size and construction helps preserve the tall, narrow pre-war look that has a strong effect on the car's stance and overall visual balance.
The finer choice usually comes down to sidewall presentation and the specific tire series. Blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall options are all available, so buyers seeking exact historical accuracy should compare those choices with period photos, marque-club guidance, or other vehicle-specific restoration references.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1931 Chrysler 66 Series?
On a restored 1931 Chrysler 66 Series, tire construction affects appearance as much as function because the car was built around a narrow, upright bias-ply profile. Using the correct 550-18 bias-ply format maintains the visual proportions commonly associated with pre-war Chrysler styling.
Construction also influences how the sidewall sits and how the tire fills the wheel opening. For a car where presentation matters, tire choice should support the intended restoration theme rather than simply matching rim diameter, since a visually different tire can change the whole impression of the vehicle.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1931 Chrysler 66 Series?
Yes. Even though the 1931 Chrysler 66 Series uses a straightforward 550-18 fitment, modifications can still affect whether a tire is appropriate for the car as it currently sits. Wheel substitutions, brake work, suspension changes, or body alterations can all change the available space and wheel compatibility.
A collector vehicle should be checked as an actual physical setup, not just by year and model name. Verifying wheel diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and fender clearance is especially important when the car has had restoration work or parts replacement at any point in its long life.
What should I inspect before driving a 1931 Chrysler 66 Series on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, mounting surfaces, and overall condition of the suspension and steering components. New tires can only perform as intended when they are installed on sound wheels and paired with a chassis that is not introducing wobble, looseness, or irregular movement.
It is also wise to confirm tire pressure, look for any signs of rubbing after installation, and recheck fasteners and clearances after the first short drive. On a pre-war car, attention to wheel integrity and chassis condition matters just as much as choosing the correct 550-18 size.
How should 550-18 tires on a collector 1931 Chrysler 66 Series be maintained?
Collector-car tires in 550-18 should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cuts, bulges, and sidewall cracking, and monitored for any loss of air between drives. A low-use pre-war Chrysler can spend long periods parked, which makes routine condition checks especially important.
Storage conditions also matter. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment helps protect tire condition over time, and moving the vehicle periodically can help avoid long-term stress in one contact patch area during extended storage.
