The 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series came from the final years of America’s great prestige-car era, when size, presence, and refined coachwork mattered as much as mechanical capability. Owners of these large pre-war automobiles usually care as much about stance and period appearance as roadworthiness. The 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series uses a 650-19 bias-ply tire on a 19-inch rim, so the main decision is less about size and more about choosing the right presentation within that fitment. Blackwall and wide whitewall options are both available, along with Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior offerings. That makes wheel confirmation, restoration goals, and intended driving use the key considerations before selecting a tire.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series
The 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series uses one primary tire size: 650-19. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 19-inch rim, and the covered 8 Cyl. sub-model uses the same size. With the size already established, the real choice becomes selecting the right brand, tire series, and sidewall style for the car’s appearance and intended use.
A 650-19 numeric bias-ply size uses the leading number to indicate an approximate nominal section width of 6.50 inches, while the final number identifies a 19-inch rim. On a 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series, this is the traditional construction and sizing style that matches the vehicle’s pre-war tire character. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall versions from Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior across series such as Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Balloon, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Comp H. This size is the starting point for preserving proper visual proportion while still checking wheel width and overall vehicle condition before road use.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series sub-models. The shared size keeps selection focused on construction style, sidewall appearance, and wheel confirmation rather than sorting through multiple fitment paths.
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1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series 8 Cyl.
The 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-19 bias-ply fitment as the model core. That keeps the decision centered on whether the car is being equipped for a more traditional blackwall look, a wide whitewall presentation, or a particular vintage tire series.
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 43 Series Tires for Sale
Available 650-19 tires for the 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series include Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior choices in blackwall and wide whitewall styles. The product range also spans series such as Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Balloon, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Comp H, with some variation in rim-width compatibility.
These FAQs focus on 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series tire size, 19-inch rim fitment, bias-ply selection, sidewall appearance, restoration-minded choices, and the inspections worth making before putting a large pre-war car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series?
The 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series uses a 650-19 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment for a 19-inch rim, and the covered 8 Cyl. sub-model uses the same primary size.
That means the first step is confirming that the car still has the correct 19-inch wheels in place, especially on an older vehicle that may have seen restoration work or wheel changes over time. Once the wheel size is confirmed, the main choice is between available 650-19 tires with different series and sidewall presentations rather than choosing between multiple primary fitment sizes.
What size rim does a 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series use?
The 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series uses a 19-inch rim with its 650-19 tire size. Product offerings in this fitment also show rim-width compatibility details on certain tires, including examples suited to 3.25-3.50 inch or 3.25-4.25 inch wheel widths.
Rim diameter is the non-negotiable measurement, but wheel width still matters when comparing individual tires in this size. On a pre-war car, it is smart to measure the actual wheels on the vehicle before mounting new tires, since old rims may have been replaced, repaired, or mixed over the years. That extra check helps narrow the right 650-19 option.
Does the 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-19 bias-ply tire size as the model core. There is no alternate primary tire size shown for that covered sub-model.
That simplifies fitment, but it does not eliminate the need to verify the wheels actually on the car today. Many collector vehicles have lived long lives, and tire selection can still vary by sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width suitability. After confirming the 19-inch wheel setup, the decision becomes how closely the tire’s appearance and construction match the car’s restoration or touring goals.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-19 tire for a 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series?
Start with the correct 650-19 size and confirm that the tire matches the car’s 19-inch wheel setup. From there, compare construction style, rim-width suitability where stated, and the visual character of the tire, including blackwall versus wide whitewall offerings.
A large pre-war car often calls for a decision between authenticity of appearance and the exact look desired for the finished vehicle. Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior options are available in this size, along with series such as Firestone Balloon, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Comp H. The best choice depends on wheel compatibility, restoration direction, and how the car will actually be driven.
What sidewall styles are available for 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series tires?
The 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series has 650-19 tire options in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Those two sidewall treatments create noticeably different visual presentations, even while staying within the same primary fitment size.
Blackwalls tend to suit a more restrained, traditional look, while wide whitewalls create a more formal pre-war appearance that many restored luxury cars wear well. Neither style should be assumed to be exact for every surviving car, so buyers focused on strict originality should compare the tire appearance with period references specific to their vehicle. For many owners, the sidewall choice is just as important as the brand or series.
What brands offer tires for the 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series?
Tires for the 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series are available from Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior in the 650-19 size. Those offerings include different series and sidewall treatments rather than a single uniform type of bias-ply tire.
Brand choice should be evaluated alongside the tire’s series, sidewall style, and any stated rim-width specification. In this fitment, options include Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Balloon, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Comp H. Rather than chasing a name alone, it is more useful to compare how each tire aligns with the car’s wheel setup, intended look, and the kind of touring or show use the vehicle will see.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series?
A period-style starting point for a 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series is the correct 650-19 bias-ply size on the proper 19-inch rim. Staying with the original sizing format preserves the tall, formal stance and visual proportion that suit a large early-1930s luxury automobile.
From there, the decision usually comes down to sidewall treatment and tire series. Blackwall and wide whitewall options are both available, and each changes the car’s presentation in a noticeable way. Buyers pursuing strict historical accuracy should compare their choice against marque-specific references, old photographs, or restoration documentation, while drivers aiming for a broadly authentic pre-war look can focus on size, construction, and visual balance.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series?
On a restored 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series, tire construction has a strong effect on how the car sits and reads visually. The 650-19 fitment is a bias-ply construction, which matches the vintage sizing style and supports the traditional look expected on a substantial pre-war Pierce-Arrow.
Appearance is shaped not only by construction but also by sidewall treatment, tread style, and overall tire profile. A wide whitewall can make the car look more formal and dressy, while a blackwall keeps the presentation more understated. For restoration-minded owners, getting the size and construction right usually matters first, then choosing the sidewall style that best suits the character of the completed vehicle.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series?
Yes. Even though the 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series uses a 650-19 tire size, modifications can affect whether a particular tire setup remains appropriate. Wheel replacements, rim-width changes, brake work, suspension alterations, or body and fender adjustments can all influence final fitment.
That is especially important on collector cars that may have been restored over several decades. A tire can be the correct nominal size and still need closer checking if the wheels are not original in dimension or if the car’s ride height has changed. Verifying wheel diameter, actual wheel width, and running clearance at full steering lock is a smart step before mounting new tires.
What should I inspect before driving a 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, mounting surfaces, and overall tire condition after installation. The 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series is a large pre-war car, so proper inflation, secure mounting, and clean seating on the 19-inch rims all deserve close attention.
It also helps to look beyond the tires themselves. Check steering response, brake operation, suspension condition, and any signs of rubbing once the car is rolling and turning. A cautious first drive can reveal issues that are not obvious in the garage, especially on a vehicle that has been stored for long periods or recently returned to service after restoration work.
How should 650-19 tires on a collector 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series be maintained?
650-19 tires on a collector 1931 Pierce Arrow 43 Series should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and air loss, and protected from long stretches of heat, sunlight, and moisture. Low annual mileage does not eliminate the need for routine tire checks.
Storage habits matter just as much as road miles on an older collector vehicle. Keeping the car in a clean, dry space and checking the tires before each outing helps catch age-related problems early. It is also wise to recheck the tires after the first few drives of the season, since a car that sits for long periods can reveal pressure loss or wheel issues once it is back in use.
