1931 Reo Royale Tires

The 1931 Reo Royale uses a 700-18 tire size. This is a vintage numeric bias-ply fitment used on an 18-inch rim, and the covered Royale 145 sub-model uses the same primary size.

Getting the size right is only the first step on a car of this age. It also helps to confirm the actual wheel diameter and width on the vehicle, especially if it has been restored, modified, or fitted with replacement wheels at some point in its life.

The 1931 Reo Royale uses an 18-inch rim with its 700-18 tire size. Product fitments in this size are built around that 18-inch wheel diameter, which is the critical measurement to confirm before selecting a tire.

Wheel width matters too, because available 700-18 tires do not all share the same rim-width specification. A restoration-oriented whitewall tire, a classic blackwall, and a more utility-focused option can differ in wheel compatibility, so the actual wheel on the car should be measured before purchase.

Yes. The 1931 Reo Royale 145 uses the same 700-18 bias-ply tire size as the main 1931 Reo Royale fitment. That keeps tire selection straightforward at the size level, without a separate primary fitment for that sub-model.

Even with shared size, the buyer still has meaningful choices within 700-18. Sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width suitability can all influence the final decision, especially on a formal pre-war car where overall stance and appearance matter almost as much as basic fitment.

Start with the correct 700-18 size and confirm that the tire matches the car’s 18-inch wheel setup. From there, the main factors are bias-ply construction, sidewall presentation, rim-width compatibility, and whether the car is being restored for show, occasional touring, or more specialized use.

The available 700-18 choices span formal whitewall styles, traditional blackwalls, and a heavier-duty truck-oriented option. Looking at load specification, wheel width, and the visual effect of the sidewall helps narrow the field without treating every tire in this size as the same kind of fitment.

The 1931 Reo Royale’s 700-18 tire options include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. Those choices can change the car’s overall visual character quite a bit, especially on a large pre-war automobile where the tire and wheel combination is highly visible.

A blackwall usually gives a more restrained, utility-minded presentation, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall treatments create a more formal restoration-oriented look. The right choice depends on how the car is being finished and driven, not on a one-style-fits-all rule for every Royale.

Brands available in 700-18 for the 1931 Reo Royale include Firestone, Lester, Excelsior, and STA. They appear across different tire series and use cases, from traditional classic car applications to a more truck-oriented bias-ply option.

Brand alone should not be the only selection factor. It helps to compare the sidewall treatment, tire series, rim-width specification, and any stated load figure that fits the way the car will be used, especially if the wheels or intended driving conditions differ from a standard restoration setup.

A period-style 1931 Reo Royale should begin with the correct 700-18 bias-ply size. From there, the choice usually comes down to whether the car calls for a formal whitewall presentation or a more restrained blackwall look within the available vintage-style tire series.

Because pre-war luxury and near-luxury cars can vary in restoration goals, exact originality should be checked against marque references, historical photos, or other vehicle-specific documentation. The safest approach is to use the correct size and construction first, then refine the appearance choice to suit the car.

Tire construction has a strong effect on how a restored 1931 Reo Royale looks because the car uses a traditional 700-18 bias-ply fitment. Bias-ply tires preserve the vintage sizing format and visual character associated with large pre-war American automobiles.

Appearance is also shaped by sidewall treatment and tire series, not just by size alone. A wide whitewall or double-whitewall can emphasize the car’s formal styling, while a blackwall gives a simpler presentation, so the final look should match the restoration’s overall intent.

Yes. Even though the 1931 Reo Royale uses a 700-18 tire on an 18-inch rim, fitment can change if the car has replacement wheels, altered suspension height, brake conversions, or body and fender adjustments made during restoration or long-term ownership.

A vintage car should be measured as it sits today rather than assumed to match original wheel specifications. Checking wheel width, clearance at full steering lock, and the tire’s intended use helps prevent surprises, especially when comparing a formal passenger-car whitewall tire with a more utility-focused option.

Before road use, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, verify that the tires seat properly, and confirm that valve stems, tubes if used, and mounting hardware are in sound shape. The car should also be checked for adequate clearance at the front suspension and fenders.

A pre-war car benefits from a full basic road-readiness review at the same time. Steering play, brake function, wheel bearing condition, and inflation pressure all matter, because a newly mounted set of tires cannot compensate for worn chassis parts or an improperly prepared wheel assembly.

Collector-car 700-18 tires should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and air loss, and stored away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources. Low annual mileage does not stop tires from aging.

A car like the 1931 Reo Royale also benefits from routine movement and periodic inspection even when it is not driven often. Looking over the tread and sidewalls before each outing, and especially before a longer drive, helps catch age-related issues that may not show up on a rarely used vehicle.