The 1931 Durant 12 Series comes from the closing chapter of Durant Motors, a period when independent automakers still offered distinct styling and value in a crowded market. For owners today, that makes tire choice part of preserving both drivability and the car’s unmistakably early-1930s character. This model uses a 475-19 bias-ply tire on a 19-inch rim, keeping the fitment firmly in traditional prewar territory. Available choices stay within that correct size while giving you a traditional Blackwall or a more formal Wide Whitewall presentation in the Goodyear Deluxe All-Weather series. The real decision is how closely you want to balance restoration appearance, wheel compatibility, and cautious road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1931 Durant 12 Series
The 1931 Durant 12 Series uses one primary tire size: 475-19, a bias-ply fitment for a 19-inch rim. That same size applies to the covered 6 Cyl. sub-model, so the main decision is not between multiple factory-style sizes, but between sidewall presentation and choosing a tire that matches your wheel setup and restoration goals.
The 475-19 size is a numeric bias-ply format in which 4.75 refers to the nominal section width in inches and 19 identifies the wheel diameter. On a 1931 Durant 12 Series, that keeps the tire in the proper prewar sizing system and preserves the traditional stance and visual character expected from an early-1930s passenger car. In this size, the Goodyear Deluxe All-Weather series is available in both Blackwall and Wide Whitewall form. Choosing 475-19 means staying with the correct primary fitment while confirming that the wheel diameter and rim width remain appropriate for the tire.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1931 Durant 12 Series. The covered sub-model uses the same 475-19 bias-ply size, so the focus stays on wheel confirmation, sidewall appearance, and the type of replacement that best suits the car’s intended use.
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1931 Durant 12 Series 6 Cyl.
The 1931 Durant 12 Series 6 Cyl. uses the same 475-19 bias-ply tire as the core fitment. That keeps selection relatively simple, with the main choice centered on traditional Blackwall versus Wide Whitewall appearance and making sure the existing 19-inch wheels are still correct for the car.
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 Durant 12 Series Tires for Sale
Available 475-19 tires for the 1931 Durant 12 Series center on Goodyear’s Deluxe All-Weather series in bias-ply construction. The key comparison points in the product grid are sidewall style, with both Blackwall and Wide Whitewall choices, along with matching the tire to a 19-inch wheel and appropriate rim width.
Owners researching 1931 Durant 12 Series tires usually want clear answers on 475-19 sizing, 19-inch rim fitment, bias-ply construction, sidewall appearance, and the checks worth making before putting a prewar car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1931 Durant 12 Series?
The 1931 Durant 12 Series uses a 475-19 tire size. This is a traditional numeric bias-ply size used on a 19-inch rim, and the covered 6 Cyl. sub-model uses that same fitment.
That makes the first step fairly straightforward: confirm that the car still has its correct 19-inch wheels before selecting tires. On an older restoration or long-stored car, it is also smart to inspect the wheels themselves for condition, verify rim width, and make sure no later wheel change has altered what the car now requires.
What size rim does a 1931 Durant 12 Series use?
The 1931 Durant 12 Series uses a 19-inch rim with its 475-19 tire size. Available tires in this fitment are built around that wheel diameter, so confirming the rim itself is just as important as confirming the tire size.
On a prewar car, wheel details matter because decades of repairs or parts substitution can leave a car wearing something other than its expected setup. Measure the wheel diameter carefully, inspect the rim condition, and compare the wheel width to the tire requirement before mounting a new set.
Does the 1931 Durant 12 Series 6 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1931 Durant 12 Series 6 Cyl. uses the same 475-19 bias-ply tire size as the core fitment for this model. There is no alternate primary size within the covered sub-model information.
That consistency simplifies shopping, since the main choice becomes the type of tire presentation you want rather than sorting through multiple fitments. Even so, a surviving car should still be checked for replacement wheels, old restoration work, or rim damage before new tires are installed and driven on the road.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 475-19 tire for a 1931 Durant 12 Series?
Start with the correct 475-19 size, bias-ply construction, and 19-inch wheel diameter. From there, the main factors are sidewall appearance, rim compatibility, and whether the car is being kept as a restoration-oriented driver, a show vehicle, or a lightly used collector car.
The available choices in this size stay within the same Goodyear Deluxe All-Weather series, so the decision is more about presentation than changing the fitment itself. A Blackwall gives a restrained traditional look, while a Wide Whitewall creates a more formal prewar appearance that can shift the car’s overall visual character.
What sidewall styles are available for 1931 Durant 12 Series tires?
The available 475-19 tires for the 1931 Durant 12 Series come in Blackwall and Wide Whitewall sidewall styles. Both are bias-ply tires in the Goodyear Deluxe All-Weather series, so the fitment remains the same while the appearance changes.
That choice matters most for owners trying to match the personality of an existing restoration. Blackwall tends to deliver a simpler, more understated presentation, while Wide Whitewall draws more visual attention to the wheel opening and gives the car a more dressed-up period-style look.
How do I choose between the available 475-19 tires for a 1931 Durant 12 Series?
The available 475-19 options are closely related, so the deciding factors are sidewall style and how the tire complements the car’s overall presentation. Both choices share the same Goodyear Deluxe All-Weather series, bias-ply construction, 19-inch rim diameter, and 900 lbs. maximum load capacity at 32 psi.
Since the core specifications are the same, look at the condition and style of the vehicle itself. A more formal restoration may call for the Wide Whitewall look, while a simpler touring presentation may lean toward Blackwall. Wheel condition and intended road use should still be checked before making the final selection.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1931 Durant 12 Series?
A period-style 1931 Durant 12 Series starts with the correct 475-19 bias-ply size on a 19-inch rim. That preserves the prewar sizing format and the traditional tire profile that suits the car’s age, proportions, and restoration character.
From there, the main appearance decision is Blackwall versus Wide Whitewall within the same Goodyear Deluxe All-Weather series. If exact historical presentation matters beyond general period style, compare the car against period photos, marque-club guidance, and restoration records so the sidewall treatment matches the look you want to preserve.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1931 Durant 12 Series restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1931 Durant 12 Series restoration because tire size strongly affects the car’s stance, visual balance, and overall period character. Staying with the primary 475-19 bias-ply fitment keeps the restoration grounded in the proper prewar format.
Appearance is only part of the equation. Correct fitment also helps avoid problems created by mismatched wheel diameter or an unsuitable rim setup on an older chassis. Even a well-restored car should have its wheels inspected carefully before new tires go on, especially if the restoration work was completed years ago.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1931 Durant 12 Series?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1931 Durant 12 Series even when the intended tire size remains 475-19. Replacement wheels, brake conversions, suspension changes, or body work can alter clearance and change what the car will safely accept.
That is especially important on an older collector vehicle, where parts may have been changed decades ago. Check actual wheel diameter and width, inspect steering and fender clearance at full lock, and make sure the tire does not contact suspension or body components before regular road use.
What should I inspect before driving a 1931 Durant 12 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1931 Durant 12 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall mounting condition along with the tires themselves. The car should also be checked for proper inflation, secure lug hardware, visible sidewall damage, and any signs of rubbing once the tires are installed.
A prewar car deserves extra attention because long periods of storage can hide problems beyond the tire itself. Look at wheel integrity, brake function, steering play, and suspension condition before venturing onto the road. A short local test drive is a better first step than immediately taking the car on a longer trip.
How should 475-19 tires on a collector 1931 Durant 12 Series be maintained?
475-19 tires on a collector 1931 Durant 12 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even on a car that sees limited mileage, age, cracking, flat spotting, and slow air loss can become more important than tread wear.
Collector cars benefit from being stored away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment such as electric motors or compressors. It also helps to move the car periodically, inspect the sidewalls and tread before each outing, and watch for vibration or pull that could point to a wheel or tire issue.
