The 1931 Marmon 88 Series comes from a fascinating moment in American luxury-car history, when advanced engineering and refined coachwork still defined the upper end of the market despite the hard realities of the early Depression era. Marmon owners today often balance preservation, dependable touring, and authentic visual character. This car uses a 650-19 bias-ply tire on a 19-inch rim, which keeps the fitment conversation focused and traditional. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall presentations across Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior offerings. For a restoration-oriented car, the real decision is usually how closely the tire should match the vehicle’s intended appearance and road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1931 Marmon 88 Series
The 1931 Marmon 88 Series uses one primary tire size: 650-19, a bias-ply fitment for a 19-inch rim. Because the size stays consistent for the covered sub-model, the key decision is less about fitment variety and more about choosing the right tire series, sidewall style, and restoration-oriented presentation within that correct size.
A 650-19 size is a vintage numeric bias-ply designation in which the 6.50 refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches and the 19 refers to the rim diameter. For a 1931 Marmon 88 Series, that means a traditional bias-ply construction that suits the car’s period wheel and overall character. Within this size, choices include blackwall and wide whitewall styles from Firestone and Lester, along with Excelsior Comp H and Firestone Balloon series options. The practical choice comes down to matching the wheel, the desired appearance, and how the car will be driven and presented.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1931 Marmon 88 Series sub-model. The same primary size is used here, so the main task is confirming the car still has the correct 19-inch wheel setup and then choosing the tire style that best suits its restoration or touring role.
1
1931 Marmon 88 Series 8 Cyl.
The 1931 Marmon 88 Series 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-19 bias-ply fitment as the model core, keeping size selection simple. That makes the tire decision more about traditional blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, along with confirming the wheel and vehicle setup 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 Marmon 88 Series Tires for Sale
Available 650-19 choices span Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior, with differences in tire series, blackwall or wide whitewall appearance, and some rim-width specifications. Every option stays within a traditional bias-ply presentation suited to a restoration-minded Marmon.
These FAQs focus on the 1931 Marmon 88 Series tire size, 19-inch rim fitment, bias-ply construction, sidewall and brand choices, and the practical checks that matter before a collector car returns to road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1931 Marmon 88 Series?
The 1931 Marmon 88 Series uses a 650-19 tire size. That is a traditional numeric bias-ply size mounted on a 19-inch rim, and it is the primary fitment for this vehicle.
That makes size selection fairly straightforward, but the car should still be checked for wheel changes made over the years. On an older collector vehicle, it is worth confirming the actual rim diameter, the wheel’s condition, and whether the car still carries stock-style fitment before selecting among blackwall, wide whitewall, or different bias-ply series.
What size rim does a 1931 Marmon 88 Series use?
The 1931 Marmon 88 Series uses a 19-inch rim with its 650-19 tire fitment. That rim diameter is central to the correct tire choice, because the tire size is built around a 19-inch wheel.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before ordering tires, especially on a vehicle that may have seen wheel swaps or restoration work. Some 650-19 products also carry specific rim-width guidance, so a quick check of both diameter and wheel width helps avoid mismatches and keeps the tire choice aligned with the vehicle’s intended stance and use.
Does the 1931 Marmon 88 Series 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1931 Marmon 88 Series 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-19 bias-ply tire size as the model core. That consistency simplifies the fitment question and keeps the focus on selecting the right style and series within that size.
Even with shared fitment, an individual car may differ if it has been modified or restored with different wheels. A buyer comparing tires for an 8 Cyl. car should still confirm that the rims remain 19-inch units and then decide whether a blackwall or wide whitewall presentation better suits the car’s appearance and driving plans.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-19 tire for a 1931 Marmon 88 Series?
Start with the correct 650-19 size and a bias-ply construction, since that is the primary fitment for the 1931 Marmon 88 Series. From there, the important differences are visual style, tire series, brand, and any rim-width guidance tied to a particular product.
A restoration-focused car may call for a more traditional sidewall presentation, while a touring car may lead the owner to compare product specifications more closely. Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior all appear in this size, so the best choice depends on the wheel setup, the look you want, and how closely the tire should support the car’s period character.
What sidewall styles are available for 1931 Marmon 88 Series tires?
The 1931 Marmon 88 Series has 650-19 tire choices in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. That gives owners a meaningful appearance decision even when the underlying tire size stays the same.
Blackwall tires tend to deliver a more restrained, utilitarian presentation, while wide whitewalls create a brighter and more formal period-style look. Since sidewall style can change the visual balance of a pre-war car dramatically, many buyers choose this detail after considering the vehicle’s restoration theme, wheel finish, and whether the car is meant for judged display or regular enjoyment.
What brands offer tires for the 1931 Marmon 88 Series?
Tires for the 1931 Marmon 88 Series in 650-19 are available from Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior. Those brands appear across several bias-ply offerings, including traditional classic lines and Firestone Balloon or Excelsior Comp H options.
Brand selection is only part of the decision, because the real comparison usually involves sidewall style, series character, and wheel compatibility. Looking at those details side by side helps narrow the field more effectively than choosing by brand name alone, especially on a collector car where appearance and correct overall fitment matter as much as the size itself.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1931 Marmon 88 Series?
A period-style 1931 Marmon 88 Series should start with the correct 650-19 bias-ply size. That preserves the traditional tire profile and visual character expected on an early-1930s luxury automobile, while still leaving room to choose among available brands and tire series.
The next decision is usually sidewall treatment. A blackwall can give the car a more understated, roadgoing look, while a wide whitewall creates a more formal restoration-oriented presentation. If exact originality is important, the final choice should also be checked against marque references, period photos, or other vehicle-specific historical material rather than relying on size alone.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1931 Marmon 88 Series?
On a restored 1931 Marmon 88 Series, bias-ply construction plays a major role in preserving the car’s traditional visual stance. The 650-19 fitment uses a classic bias-ply form that looks appropriate with the wheel size and overall proportions of the vehicle.
Construction influences more than the sidewall label; it affects how the tire sits on the wheel and complements the car’s pre-war design. Since the available 650-19 choices stay within bias-ply construction, the appearance decision shifts toward blackwall versus wide whitewall and the character of each tire series rather than debating between vintage and modern-looking construction types.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1931 Marmon 88 Series?
Yes. Even though the primary fitment is 650-19, modifications can change what works safely and cleanly on a 1931 Marmon 88 Series. Wheel swaps, altered wheel widths, brake changes, suspension work, or body alterations can all affect tire choice and clearance.
A collector car should be checked as it actually sits today, not only as it left the factory decades ago. Measuring rim diameter and width, checking steering travel, and looking at fender and suspension clearance helps confirm whether the selected 650-19 tire remains appropriate for the current setup before the car returns to regular road use.
What should I inspect before driving a 1931 Marmon 88 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1931 Marmon 88 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and the general condition of the suspension and steering components. The tires themselves should also be checked for proper inflation, even seating on the rim, and any signs of shipping or mounting damage.
A short, careful initial drive is a smart next step on an older vehicle. Pay attention to vibration, rubbing, unusual steering feel, and any sign of air loss after the first miles. Rechecking inflation and wheel fasteners after that early drive helps confirm that the 650-19 tires and the car’s wheel setup are working together as intended.
How should 650-19 tires on a collector 1931 Marmon 88 Series be maintained?
650-19 tires on a collector 1931 Marmon 88 Series should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly, and protected from long periods of harsh sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone exposure. Since collector cars are often driven less, condition and age matter just as much as visible tread.
Routine checks should include sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss. It also helps to inspect the wheels and confirm the car is not sitting for extended periods on underinflated tires. Good storage habits and periodic road checks go a long way toward preserving both the tire investment and the drivability of a pre-war automobile.
