The 1931 Reo Flying Cloud comes from an era when American automakers still expressed identity through engineering detail, long-wheelbase comfort, and upright styling that today defines serious pre-war touring cars. For collectors, a Flying Cloud is as much about preserving that road feel and visual stance as keeping the car mechanically honest. The 1931 Reo Flying Cloud uses a 6.50-17 bias-ply tire on a 17-inch rim, which keeps the fitment story focused and traditional. Tire selection centers less on size variety and more on choosing the right period-style bias-ply presentation for restoration goals and road use. Before mounting new tires, confirm the car still retains the correct wheel setup and inspect overall chassis condition.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1931 Reo Flying Cloud
The 1931 Reo Flying Cloud uses one primary tire size: 6.50-17. This is a bias-ply fitment on a 17-inch rim, and the same size applies to the covered 6 Cyl. sub-model, so the real decision is preserving the original-style construction and selecting a tire that suits the car’s restoration character and intended driving use.
A 6.50-17 size uses the vintage numeric bias-ply system, where 6.50 refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches and 17 indicates the rim diameter. On a 1931 Reo Flying Cloud, this construction matches the period character of the car and maintains the tall, upright tire presentation associated with pre-war fitment. Buyers looking at this size are usually choosing for proper visual proportion, traditional driving feel, and compatibility with original-type wheel dimensions. It is the key size to evaluate when the goal is a restoration-oriented replacement rather than a modernized conversion.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1931 Reo Flying Cloud sub-model. The main point is confirming that the car is the 6 Cyl. version and that it still carries the expected 17-inch wheel setup before selecting tires.
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1931 Reo Flying Cloud 6 Cyl.
The 1931 Reo Flying Cloud 6 Cyl. uses the same 6.50-17 bias-ply fitment that defines this model’s tire selection. That keeps the focus on choosing a traditional pre-war tire presentation and verifying that the wheels on the car have not been changed over time.
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
Owners researching tires for a 1931 Reo Flying Cloud usually need clear guidance on 6.50-17 sizing, 17-inch rim fitment, period-style bias-ply selection, restoration appearance, and the inspections that matter before putting a pre-war car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1931 Reo Flying Cloud?
The 1931 Reo Flying Cloud uses a 6.50-17 tire. That is a vintage numeric bias-ply size, and it is the primary fitment for this model, including the covered 6 Cyl. sub-model. In plain terms, the size reflects a nominal 6.50-inch section width paired with a 17-inch rim diameter, using the older sizing convention common to pre-war American cars.
That makes the tire decision more about choosing the right style within 6.50-17 than sorting through multiple primary sizes. Confirm that the car still has 17-inch wheels and original-type wheel dimensions, especially if it has changed hands, been stored for years, or received replacement wheels at some point in its life.
What size rim does a 1931 Reo Flying Cloud use?
The 1931 Reo Flying Cloud uses a 17-inch rim with its 6.50-17 tire fitment. The final number in the tire size identifies rim diameter, so the 17 in 6.50-17 corresponds to a 17-inch wheel. That rim size is central to maintaining proper vintage fitment on this pre-war Reo.
Rim diameter should be verified on the actual car before purchasing tires, because collector vehicles are sometimes fitted with later replacement wheels. A tire marked 6.50-17 should only be evaluated with the correct 17-inch rim, and wheel condition also deserves attention on an older vehicle before any new tire is installed.
Does the 1931 Reo Flying Cloud 6 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1931 Reo Flying Cloud 6 Cyl. sub-model uses the same 6.50-17 bias-ply tire size as the model’s core fitment. There is no alternate primary tire size within the covered sub-model information, so the fitment remains consistent rather than branching into multiple diameter or width choices.
That consistency helps simplify shopping, but it does not eliminate the need to inspect the actual car. A Flying Cloud that has seen decades of repairs or restoration work may have different wheels than expected, so checking rim diameter, wheel condition, and general clearance remains worthwhile before mounting new tires.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 6.50-17 tire for a 1931 Reo Flying Cloud?
Start with the correct primary size and construction: 6.50-17 bias-ply on a 17-inch rim. For a 1931 Reo Flying Cloud, that means the first goal is preserving the tire’s period-style dimensions and overall look so the car keeps the stance and visual balance expected of a pre-war touring automobile.
After size is confirmed, think about how the car will be used. A restoration-oriented Flying Cloud may call for a tire chosen mainly for traditional appearance, while a car that sees regular touring still needs the right vintage fitment but also benefits from careful attention to wheel condition, inflation, and overall chassis health.
How do I choose between available 6.50-17 tires for a 1931 Reo Flying Cloud?
The main comparison point is not a change in primary size, since 6.50-17 remains the fitment to stay with. Instead, selection comes down to the tire’s period-style presentation, how closely it suits the car’s restoration direction, and whether the construction matches the traditional bias-ply setup expected for this Reo.
A buyer should also consider the condition and purpose of the vehicle. A Flying Cloud built for judged presentation may call for one visual approach, while a car intended for occasional tours may prioritize a tire that still looks right on the vehicle while supporting dependable service when paired with sound wheels and suspension.
Why is staying with the correct 6.50-17 size important on a 1931 Reo Flying Cloud?
Keeping the 1931 Reo Flying Cloud in its proper 6.50-17 size helps preserve the car’s intended proportions, wheel fitment, and traditional pre-war appearance. On vehicles from this period, tire size plays a major role in stance and visual character, so a departure from the correct vintage size can quickly change how the car sits and presents.
Correct sizing also supports better fitment planning. Even when a different tire might seem close at a glance, wheel diameter, section width, and clearance all matter on an older chassis. Matching the established 6.50-17 fitment gives the owner a sound starting point before addressing wheel condition, brake work, and suspension inspection.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1931 Reo Flying Cloud?
A period-style 1931 Reo Flying Cloud should start with the correct 6.50-17 bias-ply fitment. That sizing and construction align with the car’s pre-war character and preserve the tall-sidewall, upright presentation that suits a 1931 American automobile far better than a modern-looking substitute built around a different format or profile.
Appearance decisions should follow the intended level of restoration. A touring restoration may simply need a traditional-looking tire in the correct size, while a detail-focused project may deserve additional historical research through marque references, period photos, or restoration records before settling on the final visual treatment.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1931 Reo Flying Cloud restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1931 Reo Flying Cloud restoration. Pre-war cars depend heavily on tire height, sidewall shape, and wheel proportion to look right, and the proper 6.50-17 bias-ply size helps maintain the vehicle’s authentic stance and visual balance in a way modern substitutes often do not.
Correct fitment also affects how the restoration comes together mechanically. Even a beautifully finished car can look unsettled if the tire diameter or profile appears off. Verifying the wheel setup, checking body and steering clearance, and matching the tire choice to the restoration goal all help avoid costly do-overs later.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1931 Reo Flying Cloud?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1931 Reo Flying Cloud even when the intended tire size remains 6.50-17. Changes to wheels, suspension parts, ride height, brake components, or bodywork can alter clearance and how the tire sits in the fender opening, which matters on a pre-war chassis with limited tolerance for mismatch.
A car that has been restored over many decades should never be assumed to retain its original wheel setup. Measuring actual rim diameter, checking wheel condition, and turning the steering through its full range before road use helps confirm that the selected tire works with the vehicle as it exists today, not just as it left the factory era.
What should I inspect before driving a 1931 Reo Flying Cloud on new tires?
Before driving a 1931 Reo Flying Cloud on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the 17-inch rim size, and look over the suspension and steering for looseness or wear. On any pre-war car, tire installation should be paired with a close check of wheel mounting surfaces, brake condition, and visible clearance around the fenders and chassis.
New tires cannot compensate for old mechanical problems. It also helps to verify inflation, recheck lug security after initial installation, and watch for any signs of rubbing or uneven stance once the car is back on the ground. A slow, careful test drive is a smart final step before regular road use.
How should 6.50-17 tires on a collector 1931 Reo Flying Cloud be maintained?
Collector-car tires in 6.50-17 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection, and careful storage habits. A 1931 Reo Flying Cloud may spend long periods parked, so sidewall cracking, flat spotting, age-related deterioration, and slow air loss deserve more attention than they might on a frequently driven modern vehicle.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excessive heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the tires between drives. It is also wise to inspect tread and sidewalls before each outing, because an older collector car can accumulate tire age long before it accumulates much road wear.
