The 1931 Studebaker President came from an era when upper-end American cars balanced prestige, long-wheelbase comfort, and substantial straight-eight power with the road manners expected of a serious touring automobile. Tires are a visible part of that period character, and this President uses a 650-19 bias-ply tire on a 19-inch rim. Within that size, the choice is less about fitment and more about presentation, with blackwall and wide whitewall options as well as several vintage-style tire series from Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior. For a restoration-minded car or a roadgoing preserved example, the important step is matching the tire's look and wheel compatibility to the way the car is actually used.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1931 Studebaker President
The 1931 Studebaker President uses one primary tire size: 650-19, a bias-ply fitment for a 19-inch rim. The covered President sub-model shares that same size, so the main decision is choosing the right version within 650-19, including sidewall style, tire series, and the wheel-width compatibility that best suits the car's current setup.
A 650-19 numeric bias-ply size uses the first number to indicate a nominal section width of about 6.50 inches, while the final number identifies a 19-inch rim. This is a traditional bias-ply construction that suits the period character and wheel format of the 1931 Studebaker President. In this size, available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall versions across Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Balloon, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Excelsior Comp H series. The real choice is selecting the presentation and wheel-width compatibility that match the car's restoration direction and actual wheel setup.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1931 Studebaker President sub-model. The key is still confirming that the car retains the expected 19-inch wheel setup before choosing among the available 650-19 bias-ply tire styles and series.
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1931 Studebaker President 8 Cyl.
The 1931 Studebaker President 8 Cyl. uses the 650-19 bias-ply tire size. That keeps the fitment decision simple, so attention can shift to blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, tire-series preference, and checking wheel width before making a final selection.
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 Studebaker President Tires for Sale
Available 650-19 choices span Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior, with blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments across several vintage-style bias-ply series. Product differences are most meaningful in appearance, series style, and wheel-width compatibility on 19-inch rims.
These 1931 Studebaker President tire FAQs focus on 650-19 fitment, 19-inch rims, bias-ply selection, sidewall appearance, and the checks that matter before putting a collector-era car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1931 Studebaker President?
The 1931 Studebaker President uses a 650-19 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment used on a 19-inch rim, and the covered President 8 Cyl. sub-model uses that same size.
That makes the fitment question simpler than on vehicles with multiple size options. The next step is confirming that the car still has the expected 19-inch wheels and then choosing among the available 650-19 versions based on sidewall appearance, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility rather than searching for a different primary size.
What size rim does a 1931 Studebaker President use?
The 1931 Studebaker President uses a 19-inch rim with its 650-19 tire size. That rim diameter is part of the size designation, and it is the wheel diameter the tire is built around.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before ordering any collector-car tire, especially on an older vehicle that may have had wheels changed decades ago. Wheel width matters too, since some 650-19 products include specific rim-width ranges, so checking the actual wheel setup helps narrow the best tire choice within the correct size.
Does the 1931 Studebaker President 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1931 Studebaker President 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-19 bias-ply tire size as the core 1931 Studebaker President fitment. There is no alternate primary size shown for that sub-model.
Even with shared fitment, the buying decision is not completely identical from car to car. A restored President may call for a different sidewall presentation than a preservation car, and wheel-width differences or replacement wheels can still affect which 650-19 product is the better match within the correct size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-19 tire for a 1931 Studebaker President?
Start with the confirmed primary fitment: 650-19 bias-ply on a 19-inch rim. From there, the important differences are sidewall style, tire series, and any rim-width specification tied to the individual product, especially on a pre-war style wheel setup.
A blackwall tire gives a more restrained traditional look, while a wide whitewall changes the car's visual character immediately. It also helps to compare wheel-width compatibility and, where stated, details such as load figures or tire weight so the chosen tire suits the car's actual wheels and intended road use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1931 Studebaker President tires?
The 1931 Studebaker President has 650-19 tire options in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Those choices appear across several available bias-ply products, so the size stays the same while the appearance changes significantly.
Sidewall style is one of the biggest visual decisions on an early 1930s car. A blackwall tire keeps a more understated presentation, while a wide whitewall gives the car a more formal restoration-oriented look, so the right choice depends on the finish, trim, and period-style direction of the individual President.
What brands offer tires for the 1931 Studebaker President?
650-19 tires for the 1931 Studebaker President are available from Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior. Those brands appear across multiple vintage-style bias-ply offerings, including Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Balloon, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Excelsior Comp H series.
Brand selection is only part of the decision. It still makes sense to compare sidewall treatment, wheel-width suitability, and the overall look of each tire series so the finished result matches the character of the car rather than choosing strictly by brand name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1931 Studebaker President?
A period-style 1931 Studebaker President starts with the correct 650-19 bias-ply size on a 19-inch rim. Within that fitment, the choice usually comes down to whether the car looks best with a blackwall or wide whitewall presentation and which vintage-style tire series suits the restoration approach.
Some restorations aim for a formal show presentation, while others preserve a more restrained roadgoing appearance. When exact originality matters, it is worth checking marque references, period photographs, or restoration records for the individual car, since the right visual treatment is not always defined by size alone.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1931 Studebaker President restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1931 Studebaker President because the tire's size, construction, and sidewall style strongly influence the car's stance and overall presentation. A 650-19 bias-ply tire keeps the proportions and visual character associated with this early 1930s luxury-era Studebaker.
Restoration quality is not only about paint, trim, and interior details. Wheels and tires are immediately visible, so using the proper rim diameter and a suitable 650-19 design helps the car look coherent, while checking wheel width and overall condition keeps the restoration practical for actual road use.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1931 Studebaker President?
Yes. Even though the primary fitment is 650-19, modifications can change how that tire works on a 1931 Studebaker President. Replacement wheels, altered wheel width, brake changes, suspension work, or body and fender adjustments can all affect practical tire selection.
A collector car that appears stock may still have non-original wheels or long-ago mechanical changes. Checking actual wheel diameter, measuring wheel width, and looking at steering and fender clearance helps confirm that the selected 650-19 tire matches the car as it sits now, not just the way it left the factory era.
What should I inspect before driving a 1931 Studebaker President on new tires?
Before driving a 1931 Studebaker President on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, and overall wheel condition along with the tire installation itself. Tire pressure, bead seating, visible clearance, and any signs of interference during steering should all be checked before regular road use.
An older car also benefits from a broader pre-drive inspection. Brake condition, steering play, suspension wear, and wheel-bearing health all influence how the car feels on fresh tires, so a careful once-over helps the new 650-19 tires perform as intended and reduces surprises on the first longer drive.
How should 650-19 tires on a collector 1931 Studebaker President be maintained?
650-19 tires on a collector 1931 Studebaker President should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly, and protected from long periods of heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone exposure. Sidewalls and tread should be checked for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, or gradual air loss.
Low annual mileage does not eliminate tire aging, especially on a car that spends much of its time stored. Routine visual checks, periodic pressure correction, and attention to how the car tracks and rides can catch issues early, making the tires safer to use and helping preserve both appearance and drivability.
