The 1931 Kissel 75 comes from the closing years of an independent American automaker whose cars carried strong luxury and touring character into the early Depression era. For owners of a surviving Kissel, tire choice is less about chasing modern variety and more about preserving the proportions, stance, and road manners that suit a pre-war automobile. This model uses a 6.00-18 bias-ply tire on an 18-inch rim. That keeps the decision centered on selecting the right period-style construction for restoration presentation and careful road use. Before putting the car back into service, it also makes sense to confirm wheel condition, overall tire age, and basic chassis readiness.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1931 Kissel 75
The 1931 Kissel 75 uses one primary tire size: 6.00-18. It is a bias-ply fitment on an 18-inch rim, and the same size applies to the covered 6 Cyl. sub-model. That makes the main decision less about choosing between multiple fitments and more about staying with the proper period-style construction, confirming wheel compatibility, and selecting a tire that suits the car's restoration goals and intended road use.
In a numeric bias-ply size like 6.00-18, the first number refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches and the final number identifies the wheel diameter. For the 1931 Kissel 75, this is a traditional bias-ply fitment that matches the character and visual profile expected on a pre-war automobile. The format is especially familiar to restoration-minded owners because it preserves the period look that suits an early-1930s luxury and touring car. Choosing this size starts with confirming the 18-inch wheel setup and making sure the tire selected matches the vehicle's condition, use, and presentation goals.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1931 Kissel 75. The covered configuration uses the same primary tire size, so the key step is confirming that the car still retains the correct 18-inch wheel setup before selecting a replacement tire.
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1931 Kissel 75 6 Cyl.
The 1931 Kissel 75 6 Cyl. uses the same 6.00-18 bias-ply fitment as the model core. That keeps tire selection focused on proper period-style sizing, wheel confirmation, and choosing a replacement that suits restoration presentation and careful pre-war road use.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
These FAQs focus on the fitment details that matter most for a 1931 Kissel 75, including 6.00-18 sizing, 18-inch rim compatibility, period-style tire selection, restoration presentation, and the condition checks that should come before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1931 Kissel 75?
The 1931 Kissel 75 uses a 6.00-18 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment and it is used on an 18-inch rim, which is consistent with the type of tire sizing commonly found on pre-war American automobiles.
That means the first step is not comparing multiple primary sizes, but confirming that the car still has the correct wheel diameter and a stock-type wheel setup. On an older restoration or long-stored car, it is also smart to inspect the wheels themselves for age, damage, and proper bead-seat condition before mounting replacement tires.
What size rim does a 1931 Kissel 75 use?
The 1931 Kissel 75 uses an 18-inch rim with its 6.00-18 tire size. The rim diameter is the critical measurement because the tire's final number, 18, corresponds to the wheel diameter rather than an overall tire height.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed on the actual car before ordering, especially if the vehicle has been restored over many decades or passed through several owners. A pre-war car can also have wheel-condition issues that matter just as much as diameter, so checking for trueness, corrosion, and sound mounting surfaces is part of a careful fitment process.
Does the 1931 Kissel 75 6 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1931 Kissel 75 6 Cyl. uses the same 6.00-18 bias-ply tire size as the model core. There is no alternate primary tire size within the covered sub-model information for this year and model.
That simplifies the fitment question, but it does not remove the need to verify the actual wheel setup on the individual car. Pre-war vehicles are often restored, stored, or modified over long periods, so confirming the 18-inch wheels and checking overall tire and wheel condition remains important before putting the car back into regular road service.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 6.00-18 tire for a 1931 Kissel 75?
Start with the essentials: the 1931 Kissel 75 uses a 6.00-18 bias-ply tire on an 18-inch rim. For a car of this era, the choice is usually guided by correct period-style sizing, traditional construction, and whether the tire suits a restoration-focused vehicle or a car that will see occasional touring use.
Appearance and fitment both matter on a pre-war automobile. A tire that preserves the right proportions can help the car keep its intended stance, while the wheel itself still needs to be checked for condition and compatibility. It also helps to think about how the car will be used, since infrequent local driving and longer event use may shape priorities differently.
How do I choose between the available 6.00-18 tires for a 1931 Kissel 75?
The most important thing is staying with the correct 6.00-18 size and a suitable bias-ply construction for the car. Once that is established, the choice comes down to the tire's overall presentation, how closely it matches the look you want for the vehicle, and whether it fits the car's intended use.
A restoration-oriented owner may place more emphasis on traditional appearance, while a driver focused on occasional road use may prioritize consistent condition and careful compatibility checks. Since pre-war vehicles can vary from one surviving example to another, the smartest comparison is not just tire-to-tire, but tire-to-wheel and tire-to-vehicle in its current state.
What rim-fitment details should I compare when choosing tires for a 1931 Kissel 75?
The most important rim-fitment detail is wheel diameter, because the 1931 Kissel 75 uses a 6.00-18 tire on an 18-inch rim. Beyond diameter, the wheel's physical condition matters on a car of this age, including whether it remains straight, sound, and appropriate for the tire being installed.
A careful check should include the actual wheel setup on the car, especially if it has been restored or stored for a long time. It also helps to inspect bead areas, mounting surfaces, and any signs of age-related deterioration before mounting fresh tires. Those basic checks can prevent fitment surprises on a collector vehicle that may not be driven often.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1931 Kissel 75?
A period-style starting point for a 1931 Kissel 75 is the correct 6.00-18 bias-ply size. That sizing and construction match the pre-war character of the car and help preserve the overall proportions and visual impression expected from an early-1930s luxury and touring automobile.
For many restorations, the goal is not simply finding a tire that mounts, but finding one that looks appropriate on the car and supports its intended presentation. If exact historical originality matters beyond basic size and construction, marque-specific references, period photography, and restoration documentation are useful next steps before making a final appearance-driven choice.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1931 Kissel 75 restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1931 Kissel 75 restoration. On a pre-war car, tire size and construction have a strong effect on stance, visual balance, and whether the finished vehicle looks coherent with its era.
Using the proper 6.00-18 bias-ply format helps keep the car aligned with its period character, while an incorrect size can change the overall presentation even before the vehicle moves. Fitment also matters mechanically, since wheel compatibility and safe mounting condition need attention on older cars whose wheels and chassis components may have seen many decades of use.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1931 Kissel 75?
Yes. Any change to wheels, suspension height, brake components, or body clearance can affect tire fitment on a 1931 Kissel 75, even when the intended replacement size remains 6.00-18. That matters especially on pre-war cars, where surviving examples may differ from one another after decades of restoration or mechanical updates.
A sensible check includes wheel diameter, overall wheel condition, and clearance through the full steering range. It is also worth looking at spring condition and ride height, since sagging or altered suspension can change how the tire sits in the fender opening. Small differences on an older chassis can create real fitment issues.
What should I inspect before driving a 1931 Kissel 75 on new tires?
Before driving a 1931 Kissel 75 on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, and the tire installation itself. The car should also be checked for obvious steering or suspension looseness, since a fresh set of tires cannot compensate for worn mechanical components on a pre-war chassis.
Collector vehicles deserve a slower, more careful return to service. Look over the tires for proper seating, confirm stable air retention, and watch for rubbing during low-speed steering movement. It also helps to inspect the old brake, suspension, and wheel components nearby, because safe road use depends on the surrounding hardware just as much as the new tires.
How should 6.00-18 tires on a collector 1931 Kissel 75 be maintained?
6.00-18 tires on a collector 1931 Kissel 75 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Even when tread wear is minimal, age, long stationary periods, and environmental exposure can affect a collector tire's condition before miles alone would suggest replacement.
Watch for cracking, bulges, cuts, irregular air loss, and any sign that the tire has been stressed while the car sat unused. Storage away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve older collector vehicles. It is also wise to inspect the tires before each driving season rather than assuming they are road-ready because the car was used only lightly.
