The 1931 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series comes from an era when American luxury cars were engineered with imposing road presence, long-distance comfort, and unmistakably formal styling. Buyers drawn to one today are usually balancing preservation, road readiness, and the visual authority that a full-size early-1930s car should carry. This Pierce Arrow uses a 700-18 bias-ply tire on an 18-inch rim, keeping tire selection firmly rooted in traditional construction. Within that size, there is still meaningful choice in brand, tire series, and sidewall presentation, including blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall options. The key is choosing a tire that matches the car’s intended appearance, wheel setup, and driving use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1931 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series
The 1931 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series uses one primary tire size: 700-18, a bias-ply fitment for an 18-inch rim. The covered 8 Cyl. sub-model uses that same size, so the main decision is not which primary size fits, but which 700-18 tire best suits the car’s appearance, wheel configuration, and intended road use.
A 700-18 size uses the vintage numeric bias-ply system, where the leading number refers to a nominal section width of about 7.00 inches and the final number identifies an 18-inch rim. For the 1931 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series, that keeps the tire choice in a traditional bias-ply construction that suits the character and proportions of a large early-1930s luxury automobile. Available 700-18 options include Firestone, Lester, Excelsior, and STA, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall presentations across several tire series. The right selection depends on whether the priority is restoration-minded appearance, specialty-use character, or compatibility with the actual wheel width on the car.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1931 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series sub-models. The listed 8 Cyl. configuration uses the same primary tire size, so the focus shifts from size differences to choosing the right 700-18 tire style and specification.
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1931 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series 8 Cyl.
The 1931 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series 8 Cyl. uses the 700-18 bias-ply size on an 18-inch rim. That makes tire selection more about period-style presentation, brand and series choice, and confirming that the wheel setup on the car still matches the intended tire.
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 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series Tires for Sale
Available 700-18 choices span Firestone, Lester, Excelsior, and STA, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styling across several bias-ply series. The product grid is most useful for comparing appearance, construction intent, load specification where stated, and wheel-width compatibility.
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Bias Ply
Firestone Balloon 4.25 Inch Double Whitewall | 700-18
These FAQs for the 1931 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series focus on the 700-18 tire size, 18-inch rim fitment, bias-ply construction, appearance choices, and the practical checks that matter before putting a collector-era car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1931 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series?
The 1931 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series uses a 700-18 tire size. That is a vintage numeric bias-ply size mounted on an 18-inch rim, and the covered 8 Cyl. sub-model uses the same primary fitment.
That means the first step is usually confirming that the car still has the correct wheel diameter and a wheel width appropriate for the tire being considered. Once that is established, the real choice becomes which 700-18 tire best matches the car’s intended look and use, whether that means a blackwall touring appearance or a more formal whitewall presentation.
What size rim does a 1931 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series use?
The primary tire fitment for the 1931 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series is built around an 18-inch rim. The 700-18 size itself confirms that rim diameter, and the available products in this fitment are all designed for 18-inch wheels.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a collector vehicle of this age. Wheel width still matters, especially because some 700-18 products are intended for narrower passenger-car rims while others are built around wider specialty or truck-type wheel ranges, so the actual wheel on the car should be checked before choosing among available options.
Does the 1931 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1931 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series 8 Cyl. uses the same 700-18 bias-ply tire size as the main fitment for this vehicle family. There is no separate primary tire size listed for that sub-model.
That simplifies size selection, but it does not eliminate the need to verify the wheel setup on the individual car. Many long-owned collector cars have seen wheel changes, specialty-use conversions, or replacement parts over the years, so the better question after confirming 700-18 is which sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width specification make the most sense for the way the car will be shown or driven.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-18 tire for a 1931 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series?
Start with the correct primary size, which is 700-18, and then compare the tire’s intended character. In this fitment, choices vary by brand, tire series, sidewall treatment, stated load specification on some models, and the wheel-width range associated with each tire.
A restoration-oriented Pierce Arrow may call for a different visual presentation than a car intended for general touring or specialty use. Looking closely at blackwall versus whitewall styling, along with the actual rim width on the car, helps narrow the field without treating every 700-18 tire as the same simply because the size code matches.
What sidewall styles are available for 1931 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series tires?
The 700-18 fitment for the 1931 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series is available in several sidewall styles, including blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. Those choices can change the car’s overall presentation as much as the brand or tire series does.
Blackwall tires tend to deliver a more restrained, utilitarian look, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall versions create a more formal period-style appearance that many luxury cars of the era wear well. The right choice depends on the car’s restoration direction, surviving trim and finish details, and whether the goal is understated authenticity or a stronger visual statement.
What brands offer tires for the 1931 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series?
The 700-18 size for the 1931 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series is available from Firestone, Lester, Excelsior, and STA. Those brands appear across several tire series, including Firestone Balloon, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Lester Classic Bias Ply, Comp H, and Transport Highway.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor on a vehicle like this. It is more useful to compare the tire’s series, sidewall style, wheel-width compatibility, and whether its overall look matches the character of a 1931 Pierce Arrow, especially when the car is being finished with a specific restoration or road-use purpose in mind.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1931 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series?
A period-style starting point for a 1931 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series is the correct 700-18 bias-ply size. Staying with the proper vintage size and construction preserves the tall, formal look that suits a large luxury car from the early 1930s.
The finer decision is usually visual rather than dimensional. Firestone Balloon and other classic bias-ply offerings in blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall form can give the car very different character, so owners pursuing exact historical accuracy should compare the tire choice against marque references, period photography, and restoration documentation for their specific automobile.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1931 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because tire size and construction have a strong effect on stance, proportion, and overall visual balance. On a 1931 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series, the proper 700-18 bias-ply fitment is part of what gives the car its authentic early-classic road presence.
Appearance is only one reason to pay attention. The actual wheel width, the sidewall treatment, and the tire series all influence how convincing the finished car looks, especially on a full-size luxury model. Even when the car is not being restored for judging, a mismatched tire can make the chassis and body proportions look noticeably off.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1931 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series?
Yes. Even though the correct primary size is 700-18, modifications can change what works on the individual car. Wheel replacements, different rim widths, brake updates, suspension work, or body and fender repairs can all influence clearance and compatibility.
That is especially important on a collector vehicle that may have been altered decades ago. Measuring the actual wheel diameter and width, checking turning clearance, and inspecting the space around fenders and suspension components will help prevent choosing a tire simply by size code when the present-day setup may no longer match original assumptions.
What should I inspect before driving a 1931 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, and the tire installation itself, then confirm inflation, bead seating, and basic clearance at straight-ahead and full steering lock. It also makes sense to check for looseness or wear in steering and suspension parts that can affect how a large prewar-style car tracks on the road.
A fresh set of tires cannot compensate for neglected chassis condition. Looking over wheel fasteners, brake function, alignment behavior, and any signs of rubbing after a short test drive is a practical final step, especially on a Pierce Arrow that may spend long periods parked and only occasional time at sustained road speed.
How should 700-18 tires on a collector 1931 Pierce Arrow 41 & 42 Series be maintained?
Collector-car tires in 700-18 size should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and air loss, and protected from long exposure to sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources. A car that sits often still needs periodic tire checks because age and storage conditions matter as much as mileage.
Routine maintenance also includes watching for signs that the wheel setup or chassis condition is affecting the tire. Flat spotting from extended storage, edge wear from alignment issues, or rubbing marks from clearance problems are all worth catching early, since this type of large vintage automobile places considerable visual and mechanical importance on its tire condition.
