The 1931 Gardner 136 comes from the final years of an independent American luxury-leaning automobile maker that built its reputation on engineering quality and road manners rather than mass-market volume. For collectors, that makes the car especially sensitive to getting the tire stance and wheel fitment right. Tire selection on the 1931 Gardner 136 centers on bias-ply fitments in 29X5.50 or 550-19 form for the 6 Cyl. model, and 28X5.50 or 550-18 for the 6 Cyl. w/Disc Wheels version. Available choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall presentations across several vintage tire series. The key is matching the exact sub-model and wheel setup before choosing for restoration appearance or careful road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1931 Gardner 136
The 1931 Gardner 136 uses four primary tire sizes, and the right one depends first on identifying the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. The 6 Cyl. model uses 19-inch fitments, while the 6 Cyl. w/Disc Wheels version uses 18-inch fitments. Once that is confirmed, the decision shifts to choosing between diameter-by-section and numeric bias-ply sizing and then selecting the sidewall style and tire series that best suit the car.
29X5.50 is an antique diameter-by-section size, meaning the first number refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter in inches and the second refers to its nominal section width. It is a bias-ply fitment that suits the early-1930s character of the Gardner 136 and reflects the sizing language many cars of this period used. This format is most useful for buyers trying to preserve the visual proportions and traditional tire presentation associated with pre-war automobiles. It should be matched carefully to the correct wheel setup, especially on a car where wheel type changes the applicable fitment.
550-19 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 550 represents an approximate 5.50-inch nominal section width and 19 identifies the rim diameter. On the 1931 Gardner 136, this is one of the 19-inch bias-ply fitments tied to the standard 6 Cyl. configuration. Available choices include BFGoodrich options in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series with either blackwall or wide whitewall styling. This size makes sense for an owner who has confirmed a 19-inch wheel and wants a traditional replacement with some flexibility in sidewall appearance.
28X5.50 follows the antique diameter-by-section system, with 28 indicating approximate overall tire diameter and 5.50 indicating nominal section width. It is a bias-ply fitment associated with the 1931 Gardner 136 6 Cyl. w/Disc Wheels, where the wheel setup differs from the standard car. For buyers restoring a disc-wheel car, this size helps maintain the proper early-1930s look and overall tire proportion rather than shifting into a later sizing convention. The important step is confirming the disc-wheel configuration before treating this as the correct starting point.
550-18 is a numeric bias-ply size that denotes a nominal 5.50-inch section width on an 18-inch rim. On the 1931 Gardner 136, it belongs with the 6 Cyl. w/Disc Wheels configuration and offers the broadest visible choice in available products. Buyers can compare Excelsior, Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Michelin offerings, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall treatments across series such as Comp H, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, and Double Rivet. That makes this size especially relevant when both fitment and period-style presentation matter.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1931 Gardner 136 because the covered configurations do not share the same wheel diameter or tire sizes. The first step is confirming whether the car is the 6 Cyl. model or the 6 Cyl. w/Disc Wheels version before narrowing the tire choice.
1
1931 Gardner 136 6 Cyl.
The 1931 Gardner 136 6 Cyl. uses the 19-inch fitment family, with 29X5.50 and 550-19 both associated with this configuration. That makes wheel confirmation especially important, after which the decision becomes whether to stay with a traditional numeric bias-ply presentation and which sidewall style best suits the car.
The 1931 Gardner 136 6 Cyl. w/Disc Wheels uses the 18-inch fitment family, with 28X5.50 and 550-18 tied to this version. Once the disc-wheel setup is confirmed, tire selection opens into a wider range of brands, series, and sidewall treatments while staying within the proper bias-ply style.
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 Gardner 136 Tires for Sale
Available 1931 Gardner 136 tire choices center on 550-19 and 550-18 bias-ply fitments from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Excelsior, and Michelin. Buyers can compare blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles along with differences in tire series and rim-width specifications.
Owners shopping for 1931 Gardner 136 tires usually need to sort out sub-model fitment first, then compare 18-inch versus 19-inch wheel setups, bias-ply sizing formats, sidewall appearance, and basic road-use checks before putting the car back into service.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1931 Gardner 136?
The 1931 Gardner 136 uses four primary tire sizes: 29X5.50, 550-19, 28X5.50, and 550-18. The 6 Cyl. model uses the 19-inch fitment family with 29X5.50 and 550-19, while the 6 Cyl. w/Disc Wheels version uses the 18-inch fitment family with 28X5.50 and 550-18.
That means tire selection starts with identifying the exact sub-model and confirming the wheel diameter already on the car. A Gardner that has had wheels changed over the years may not still match its original configuration, so checking the actual rim before choosing a tire is just as important as knowing the model designation.
What size rim does a 1931 Gardner 136 use?
A 1931 Gardner 136 uses either an 18-inch or 19-inch rim, depending on sub-model. The 6 Cyl. version is tied to 19-inch tire sizing, while the 6 Cyl. w/Disc Wheels version uses 18-inch tire sizing. Both arrangements use bias-ply tires, but the wheel diameter changes the correct size family.
That wheel-diameter difference is the first fitment detail to verify before comparing tires. On a pre-war car, wheel changes made during restoration or long-term ownership are not unusual, so the actual rim measurement should match the intended tire size before looking at sidewall style, series, or other selection details.
Why does the 1931 Gardner 136 have more than one tire size?
The 1931 Gardner 136 has more than one tire size because its covered sub-models use different wheel setups. The standard 6 Cyl. model is associated with 29X5.50 and 550-19, while the 6 Cyl. w/Disc Wheels version is associated with 28X5.50 and 550-18. Those pairings reflect different 19-inch and 18-inch fitment families.
For the buyer, that means the question is not simply which tire looks right, but which wheel and sub-model combination the car actually has today. Once that is settled, the remaining choice becomes much easier: selecting a properly sized bias-ply tire with the appearance and product characteristics that suit the vehicle's restoration and road-use goals.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 550-18 tire for a 1931 Gardner 136?
A 550-18 tire for a 1931 Gardner 136 should first match the 6 Cyl. w/Disc Wheels configuration and the car's actual 18-inch wheel. After confirming that, the main comparison points are brand, tire series, sidewall style, and wheel-width compatibility. Available 550-18 products also vary in listed load capacity and weight.
That makes 550-18 less about finding a size that exists and more about choosing the presentation and specification that suit the car. A blackwall can keep the look understated, while wide whitewall or double-whitewall options shift the visual character. Rim width should be checked carefully so the selected tire matches the wheel already on the vehicle.
What sidewall styles are available for 1931 Gardner 136 tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1931 Gardner 136 include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall, depending on the tire size selected. The 550-19 offerings include blackwall and wide whitewall options, while 550-18 opens up blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall choices across several brands and tire series.
That sidewall decision has a major effect on how the car presents without changing the basic fitment. Buyers focused on a restrained touring appearance may lean toward blackwall, while whitewall treatments create a more formal pre-war look. The right choice depends on the wheel size, the specific sub-model, and the overall restoration direction of the car.
What brands offer tires for the 1931 Gardner 136?
Tires for the 1931 Gardner 136 are available from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Excelsior, and Michelin within the applicable 550-19 and 550-18 bias-ply sizes. BFGoodrich appears in both 19-inch and 18-inch fitments, while Firestone, Excelsior, and Michelin are represented in the 550-18 size family.
Brand choice should still come after confirming the correct size and wheel diameter for the car. Once fitment is settled, comparing brands is useful for narrowing down tire series, sidewall appearance, and wheel-width specification. That approach keeps the decision grounded in what belongs on the Gardner rather than treating brand alone as the deciding factor.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1931 Gardner 136?
A period-style 1931 Gardner 136 tire choice starts with the correct bias-ply size for the exact sub-model and wheel setup. The 6 Cyl. model belongs with the 19-inch fitment family, while the 6 Cyl. w/Disc Wheels version uses the 18-inch family. Staying within those original-style sizing conventions preserves the car's early-1930s visual character.
After size is confirmed, appearance becomes the next decision. Blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall presentations can each suit a restoration differently, but none should be assumed to match original delivery without marque-specific historical confirmation. For buyers chasing a highly exact restoration, period photos and Gardner-focused reference material are worth consulting.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1931 Gardner 136?
Tire construction affects a restored 1931 Gardner 136 mainly through shape, stance, and sidewall presentation. This car's applicable fitments are bias-ply, which aligns with the visual language of early-1930s automobiles. Using the correct bias-ply size helps maintain the tall, narrow proportions and traditional look expected on a pre-war American car.
Appearance is not only about whitewalls versus blackwalls, but also about using the construction type that matches the vehicle's era. On a Gardner, the wrong overall tire impression can change how the wheels, fenders, and body proportions read. That is why fitment accuracy matters even before finer restoration details are considered.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1931 Gardner 136?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1931 Gardner 136, especially if the car has different wheels than its original sub-model used. A change from 18-inch to 19-inch rims, altered wheel width, brake conversions, or suspension work can all change which tire size is appropriate and how much clearance is available.
That is why the actual wheel on the car matters more than assumptions based only on model name. A careful check should include rim diameter, wheel width, and visible clearance around the fender and steering components. On an older restoration, it also helps to inspect whether left and right wheels match before ordering a full set.
What should I inspect before driving a 1931 Gardner 136 on new tires?
Before driving a 1931 Gardner 136 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tires match the correct 18-inch or 19-inch setup, and make sure each tire is seated properly and holding pressure. The car's suspension, steering, and brake components also deserve attention because pre-war handling and braking depend heavily on overall chassis condition.
A short, cautious road test is a smart next step after installation. Listen for rubbing, feel for unusual steering pull, and recheck air pressure once the tires have settled. On collector vehicles that sit often, it also pays to inspect the older spare and verify that the valve stems and wheel hardware are in equally sound condition.
How should 550-18 tires on a collector 1931 Gardner 136 be maintained?
550-18 tires on a collector 1931 Gardner 136 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and storage practices that limit age-related deterioration. Even on a low-mileage car, sidewalls should be watched for cracking, cuts, bulges, or signs of weathering. Tread condition alone does not tell the whole story on seldom-driven bias-ply tires.
Good collector-car tire care also includes keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, and ozone-producing equipment when stored. Occasional movement helps avoid long-term flat spotting, and periodic inspection of wheel condition remains important. A pre-drive walkaround is especially worthwhile before tours or events where the Gardner will spend more time at road speed.
