1931 Peerless Custom Tires

The 1931 Peerless Custom uses a 650-19 tire size. This is a bias-ply fitment on a 19-inch rim, and the covered 8 Cyl. sub-model uses that same size, so there is no split in primary fitment within this application.

That means the main task is choosing the right 650-19 tire for the car’s current wheels and restoration goals rather than sorting through multiple factory sizes. It is still worth confirming actual wheel dimensions and overall vehicle setup, especially if the car has been restored long ago, re-wheeled, or stored with old tires that may not reflect the intended specification.

The 1931 Peerless Custom uses a 19-inch rim with its 650-19 tire size. Product offerings in this size are built for that 19-inch wheel diameter, and some 650-19 tires also include stated rim-width ranges that are worth comparing before making a final selection.

Rim diameter is the first thing to verify on an older collector car because a correct-looking tire will still be wrong if the wheel size has changed over time. Measure the wheel carefully and check width as well, since certain 650-19 products are intended for narrower or broader rim ranges than others.

On a 1931 Peerless Custom, 650-19 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size. The 650 represents a nominal section width of about 6.50 inches, and the 19 identifies the wheel diameter in inches rather than the tire’s outside diameter.

Understanding that format helps when comparing old-car tires because it differs from modern metric sizing. Once the size is confirmed, the next step is choosing the presentation and product character that best suits the car, such as a blackwall or wide whitewall bias-ply, while also checking wheel width and general clearance on the vehicle.

Start with the confirmed 650-19 size and 19-inch wheel diameter, then compare the available bias-ply options by brand, tire series, sidewall style, and any stated rim-width specification. On this application, the choice is less about alternate sizes and more about selecting the tire that matches the car’s wheels and visual direction.

A Peerless restored for formal pre-war presentation may call for a different look than a driver-focused car that still wants traditional proportions. Wide whitewall and blackwall choices create a noticeably different appearance, while differences in tire series and wheel-width suitability can influence which product makes the most sense for the car you actually have.

The 1931 Peerless Custom has 650-19 tire options in both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Those two presentations give the car either a more restrained touring look or a brighter, more formal restoration-oriented appearance without changing the primary tire size.

Sidewall choice should be guided by the way the car is being restored and presented rather than by size alone. A wide whitewall can dramatically change the character of the car at a glance, while a blackwall keeps the focus on the body and wheel design, so appearance is a meaningful part of choosing among correct-size tires.

Available 650-19 tires for the 1931 Peerless Custom include offerings from Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior. The selection spans series such as Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Balloon, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Comp H, all within the same primary size and bias-ply construction.

Brand choice should be approached as part of the overall tire package rather than as a shortcut to the right answer. Compare sidewall styling, wheel-width suitability where stated, and the visual character of each series, then match those details to the car’s wheels, restoration approach, and the kind of road use the vehicle is likely to see.

A period-style 1931 Peerless Custom starts with the correct 650-19 bias-ply format, because the tall narrow profile is central to the car’s pre-war stance. From there, the choice usually comes down to whether the car looks more appropriate with a formal wide whitewall presentation or a more restrained blackwall appearance.

Tire series and brand can also shape the finished look, especially on a car where wheel and tire proportions are highly visible. When exact originality matters beyond general period style, it is wise to compare the car against marque literature, restoration references, and surviving examples before settling on a particular sidewall treatment.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1931 Peerless Custom because tire height, width, and construction strongly influence how the car sits and how authentic it appears. Using the proper 650-19 bias-ply format helps preserve the upright pre-war proportion that defines the car visually.

Fitment also affects practical details beyond appearance. A tire chosen without checking wheel dimensions can create problems that distract from an otherwise careful restoration, so it pays to confirm rim diameter, compare wheel width with the intended product, and inspect clearance at the fender and steering positions before final installation.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1931 Peerless Custom even when the tire size remains 650-19. Changes to wheel width, wheel design, suspension height, brake components, or body clearances can alter how a correct-size bias-ply tire sits and moves through its steering and suspension travel.

That is especially important on older luxury cars that may have been restored over several decades. A car with replacement wheels or altered chassis components should be checked at full steering lock and normal ride height, because the tire must suit not only the nominal size requirement but also the vehicle’s actual mechanical setup.

Before driving a 1931 Peerless Custom on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the rim diameter and width, and make sure the tires seat properly and hold air consistently. It also helps to check valve hardware, wheel fasteners, and visible clearance around fenders, suspension parts, and steering components.

A collector car deserves a broader inspection before road use, especially if it has been parked for long periods. Look for steering looseness, worn suspension parts, brake condition, and any signs that old alignment or wheel issues could affect the new tires, then recheck tire pressure and general condition after the first few drives.

650-19 tires on a collector 1931 Peerless Custom should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and periodic review of how the car sits on the tires during storage. Bias-ply tires on low-use vehicles benefit from attention even when tread wear is minimal.

Storage conditions matter as much as mileage on a pre-war car. Keep the Peerless away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, excess moisture, and ozone-producing equipment, and inspect the tires before every outing rather than assuming they are ready simply because the car has not been driven much since the last use.