The 1931 Essex Super 6 comes from the closing years of the independent Essex line, a period when practical six-cylinder cars helped broaden everyday motoring during the early Depression era. Today, these cars appeal to owners who value authentic prewar character, upright proportions, and traditional road manners. Tire fitment for the 1931 Essex Super 6 centers on one primary size, 500-19, in bias-ply construction on a 19-inch rim. Within that size, available choices lean toward blackwall presentation, with series differences that range from traditional road use to a more competition-oriented look. For a restoration-minded car, the key decision is choosing a tire that suits both appearance goals and the car's actual wheel setup.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1931 Essex Super 6
The 1931 Essex Super 6 uses one primary tire size: 500-19. That means the main fitment question is less about choosing between sizes and more about selecting the right bias-ply tire for a 19-inch rim, especially if the car is being restored, driven occasionally, or equipped with wheels that may have been changed over time.
The 500-19 size uses a vintage numeric bias-ply format in which the first number refers to the tire's nominal section width, about 5.00 inches, and the second number identifies the 19-inch rim diameter. On a 1931 Essex Super 6, that sizing keeps the car in its proper prewar tire format and preserves the look associated with tall, narrow bias-ply fitment. Available 500-19 choices include blackwall tires from Excelsior and Firestone in series such as Comp H and Dirt Track. This size is the right starting point when the goal is maintaining the car's traditional proportions while confirming wheel width and intended use.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1931 Essex Super 6. The covered sub-model uses the same 500-19 bias-ply size, so the main task is confirming the car still has the proper 19-inch wheel setup before choosing among the available tire styles and series.
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1931 Essex Super 6 Base
The 1931 Essex Super 6 Base uses the same 500-19 bias-ply tire size as the core vehicle fitment. That keeps tire selection focused on choosing the right blackwall tire series for the car's restoration direction, driving plans, and actual wheel width.
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 Essex Super 6 Tires for Sale
Available 500-19 tires for the 1931 Essex Super 6 include Excelsior and Firestone blackwall bias-ply options. The product grid is where to compare series character, rim-width compatibility, weight, and whether a more traditional road-going tire or a performance-oriented design better matches the car's intended use.
Owners of a 1931 Essex Super 6 usually need answers that go beyond the size itself, including 19-inch rim fitment, bias-ply selection, period-style appearance, and the inspection checks that matter before putting a prewar car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1931 Essex Super 6?
The 1931 Essex Super 6 uses a 500-19 tire size in bias-ply construction. That size appears across the covered fitment for this model and matches a 19-inch rim, which is the key wheel diameter to confirm before choosing a replacement tire.
A car of this age may no longer be on its original wheels, so the smartest next step is to verify the actual rim diameter and width on the vehicle before mounting new tires. Once the wheel setup checks out, the choice becomes which 500-19 tire series and product style best suits the car's appearance and driving plans.
What size rim does a 1931 Essex Super 6 use?
The primary tire fitment for a 1931 Essex Super 6 is built around a 19-inch rim. The 500-19 tire size uses that 19-inch wheel diameter, so rim diameter confirmation is straightforward even though product choices within the size can differ in their wheel-width compatibility.
The rim diameter must match exactly, but wheel width still matters when comparing individual 500-19 tires. On an older vehicle, it is also worth checking that the wheels are sound, properly seated, and free from damage or distortion before road use, especially if the car has been stored or driven only occasionally.
Does the 1931 Essex Super 6 Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1931 Essex Super 6 Base uses the same 500-19 bias-ply tire size as the core fitment for the model. That keeps sizing simple and allows the buyer to focus on product selection rather than sorting through multiple primary tire sizes.
Even with shared fitment, it still helps to inspect the actual wheels on the car before buying tires. Older collector cars are often restored over many decades, and wheel changes are not unusual. Verifying the 19-inch rim diameter and appropriate wheel width helps ensure the selected 500-19 tire suits the car's present setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 500-19 tire for a 1931 Essex Super 6?
Start with the correct 500-19 size and a bias-ply construction that matches the original style of fitment used on the 1931 Essex Super 6. From there, compare the tire series, blackwall presentation, rim-width specifications, and any intended-use differences between the available products.
A restoration-minded owner may focus on maintaining a traditional prewar look, while another buyer may care more about how the car will be driven at events or on occasional road outings. Wheel width should be checked carefully, since two tires in the same size can still differ in the wheel range they are built to accommodate.
What brands offer tires for the 1931 Essex Super 6?
The 1931 Essex Super 6 has 500-19 tire options from Excelsior and Firestone. Both are bias-ply blackwall offerings, but they are presented through different tire series, which gives the buyer a meaningful way to compare the look and character of the available replacements.
Brand choice should come after the basics are settled: correct size, correct rim diameter, and appropriate wheel-width compatibility. Once those points are confirmed, comparing the individual series becomes more useful, especially for an owner balancing traditional appearance, occasional driving needs, and the specific wheel setup on the car.
What tire series are available for the 1931 Essex Super 6?
Two tire series are available in 500-19 for the 1931 Essex Super 6: Excelsior Comp H and Firestone Dirt Track. Both are bias-ply blackwall tires, but the series names signal different product character, which can matter when the goal is matching the tire choice to the car's use and presentation.
A series comparison is most useful after confirming that the tire works with the wheel width on the car. Owners restoring a prewar vehicle often care about visual stance as much as specifications, so the best choice is usually the one that respects the car's traditional look while still suiting how often and how far it will be driven.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1931 Essex Super 6?
A 500-19 bias-ply tire is the right period-style starting point for a 1931 Essex Super 6 because it preserves the tall, narrow proportions associated with early 1930s passenger-car fitment. Available options in this size use a blackwall presentation, which suits the restrained look many owners want on a prewar restoration.
The next decision is less about size and more about how the chosen series aligns with the car's restoration direction and road use. For buyers pursuing exact historical accuracy, marque-specific references and period photographs can help narrow the most appropriate tread and visual presentation without assuming every tire in the size is identical in appearance.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1931 Essex Super 6 restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters greatly on a 1931 Essex Super 6 restoration because the tire's diameter, width, and construction strongly influence the car's stance and overall visual balance. A proper 500-19 bias-ply fitment helps the car retain the proportions expected of a prewar six-cylinder sedan or coupe from this period.
Fitment also affects more than appearance. The wheel diameter must be right, the wheel width must suit the tire, and the car needs enough clearance at the fenders and steering components. On a restoration, those details help the finished vehicle look cohesive and reduce the chance of discovering avoidable compatibility issues after installation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1931 Essex Super 6?
Yes. A 1931 Essex Super 6 may have had wheel changes, brake work, suspension repairs, or other alterations over the years, and any of those can affect tire fitment even when 500-19 is the intended size. The fact that the original-style fitment is straightforward does not mean every surviving car is still configured the same way.
It is wise to inspect actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at the fenders and steering components before ordering tires. A car that has been lowered, re-sprung, or fitted with non-original wheels can need closer checking, especially on a tall, narrow bias-ply setup where visual stance and clearance are both important.
What should I inspect before driving a 1931 Essex Super 6 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage, make sure the tires are mounted on the correct 19-inch rims, and confirm proper inflation for the tires being used. It also helps to look over valve stems, lug security, tread condition, and sidewalls for any cuts, bulges, or signs of mounting damage.
A short initial drive is a sensible way to check for rubbing, vibration, or steering issues after installation. On a prewar car, overall chassis condition matters too, so suspension wear, loose steering parts, and alignment problems should not be ignored simply because the tires are new. The tire can only perform as well as the surrounding setup allows.
How should 500-19 tires on a collector 1931 Essex Super 6 be maintained?
500-19 tires on a collector 1931 Essex Super 6 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Bias-ply tires on low-use vehicles still age even when tread wear is minimal, so sidewall condition, cracking, air retention, and overall tire shape deserve routine attention.
Storage conditions matter as much as mileage on many antique cars. Keeping the vehicle away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can help protect the tires between drives. It also pays to inspect the tires before each outing rather than assuming they are fine because the car was parked recently or driven only a short distance last time.
