The 1931 Stutz MA comes from the final years of one of America’s great prestige marques, a period when advanced engineering and custom-bodied luxury still defined the upper end of the market. Owners today often approach a Stutz with equal parts preservation and careful road readiness, because the car’s visual presence depends heavily on correct tire proportion. The 1931 Stutz MA uses a 650-20 bias-ply tire on a 20-inch rim, keeping the tall, formal stance expected of an early-1930s luxury automobile. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall presentations across classic bias-ply and truck-oriented series. The key is choosing a tire that matches the car’s intended appearance, wheel setup, and real driving use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1931 Stutz MA
The 1931 Stutz MA uses one primary tire size: 650-20. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 20-inch rim, and the covered sub-model uses the same size, so the main decision is not which primary size fits but which version of 650-20 best suits the car’s appearance, intended use, and wheel compatibility.
A 650-20 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size in which the 650 indicates an approximate 6.50-inch nominal section width and the 20 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1931 Stutz MA, that means a tall, narrow bias-ply tire that preserves the upright profile and visual character expected of an early luxury car from this era. Available options include Firestone, Denman, and Deka offerings, with blackwall and wide whitewall styles appearing across classic bias-ply and truck-oriented series. Choosing among them comes down to the look you want, the wheel width in use, and whether the car is being restored for presentation or prepared for regular touring.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1931 Stutz MA. The covered configuration uses the same 650-20 bias-ply tire, so confirming the exact sub-model mainly helps verify that the car still retains the expected wheel and tire setup.
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1931 Stutz MA 8 Cyl.
The 1931 Stutz MA 8 Cyl. uses the 650-20 bias-ply tire on a 20-inch rim. That keeps tire selection focused on sidewall appearance, series choice, and wheel compatibility rather than sorting through multiple primary fitments.
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 Stutz MA Tires for Sale
Available 650-20 tires include Firestone, Denman, and Deka options in blackwall and wide whitewall form. The product mix spans Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Truck, Highway Classic Truck, and Deka Classic Truck series, giving buyers a choice between a more formal restoration-oriented look and truck-style tread presentations.
Common 1931 Stutz MA tire questions usually center on the 650-20 size, 20-inch rim fitment, bias-ply construction, sidewall appearance, and what to inspect before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1931 Stutz MA?
The 1931 Stutz MA uses a 650-20 tire size. That is a vintage numeric bias-ply fitment, and it is the primary size associated with this model, including the covered 8 Cyl. sub-model.
Selecting the right tire still involves more than matching the size code on paper. A Stutz of this era may have seen wheel replacement or other changes over time, so it is smart to confirm the actual 20-inch wheel diameter and overall wheel condition before mounting new tires, especially on a restoration or long-stored car.
What size rim does a 1931 Stutz MA use?
The 1931 Stutz MA uses a 20-inch rim with its 650-20 tire size. Product options in this fitment are built for that 20-inch wheel diameter, which is a defining part of the car’s tall early-1930s tire profile.
Rim diameter is only the first checkpoint. Wheel width and bead condition also matter, particularly on an older collector car where wheels may have been repaired, replaced, or refinished over the decades. Confirming the actual wheel dimensions helps narrow the correct 650-20 tire choice and avoids problems with mounting, appearance, or clearance.
Does the 1931 Stutz MA 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1931 Stutz MA 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-20 bias-ply tire size as the model coverage here, so there is no separate primary tire size to sort through for that sub-model.
That consistency makes selection easier, because the decision shifts from fitment identification to tire style and purpose. The remaining questions are whether the car should wear a blackwall or wide whitewall presentation, whether a classic passenger-style look is preferred, and whether the existing wheels remain correct for the tire being considered.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-20 tire for a 1931 Stutz MA?
Start with the correct 650-20 size and the fact that this Stutz uses a bias-ply construction on a 20-inch rim. From there, the most useful distinctions are sidewall appearance, tire series, rim-width compatibility, weight, and whether the tire is aimed more at classic passenger presentation or truck-style service.
A wide whitewall can suit a formal restoration-oriented look, while blackwall options give a more restrained presentation. It also helps to think honestly about how the car will be used. A Stutz shown occasionally has different priorities than one driven more regularly, and that can affect which 650-20 option feels most appropriate.
What sidewall styles are available for 1931 Stutz MA tires?
The 1931 Stutz MA has 650-20 tire options in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Those two sidewall treatments create very different visual results on a large pre-war automobile, even when the underlying tire size remains the same.
Choosing between them depends largely on the car’s presentation goal. A wide whitewall often emphasizes the formal luxury-car character of the period, while blackwall keeps the look simpler and more understated. Owners focused on restoration accuracy should compare the tire choice with period photos, marque expertise, and the exact way the car is being finished.
What brands offer tires for the 1931 Stutz MA?
The 1931 Stutz MA has 650-20 tire options from Firestone, Denman, and Deka. Those choices appear across classic bias-ply and truck-oriented series, giving owners several ways to approach the same primary size.
Brand alone should not drive the decision. Compare the sidewall style, intended character of the tire series, any stated rim-width range, and whether the tire’s visual profile suits a luxury pre-war Stutz. That approach keeps the choice centered on fitment and appearance rather than assuming every 650-20 product serves the same purpose.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1931 Stutz MA?
A period-style 1931 Stutz MA starts with the correct 650-20 bias-ply size on a 20-inch rim. Within that fitment, the main visual decision is whether the car should wear a wide whitewall or blackwall, along with whether a classic passenger-style series or a truck-style presentation better suits the vehicle.
The right answer depends on how the specific car is being restored and presented. Some owners want a formal luxury-car appearance, while others prioritize durability or a more understated look. If exact historical presentation matters, compare the tire choice against period photography, marque references, and the body’s overall finish before making the final call.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1931 Stutz MA restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters greatly on a 1931 Stutz MA restoration. The 650-20 size and its tall bias-ply profile influence the car’s stance, wheel opening fill, and overall visual balance in a way that is easy to notice on a large pre-war automobile.
A tire that departs from the intended size or construction can change both appearance and how the car sits on its wheels. Even when staying with 650-20, sidewall style still affects presentation. Careful restorations benefit from treating tires as part of the car’s finished design rather than as a purely functional replacement item.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1931 Stutz MA?
Yes. Any change to wheel width, wheel construction, brake hardware, suspension height, or body clearance can affect tire fitment on a 1931 Stutz MA, even when the tire size remains 650-20. Older collector cars sometimes carry decades of repairs or alterations that are not obvious at first glance.
A modified or non-original setup should be measured before choosing a new tire. Check actual rim diameter, wheel width, and clearance at the fender, steering, and suspension points. That is especially important on a pre-war car, where replacement parts and prior restoration work may have changed the original relationship between wheel and tire.
What should I inspect before driving a 1931 Stutz MA on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, lug seating surfaces, and overall tire installation, then confirm that the tires are holding air properly and seated correctly. On a 1931 Stutz MA, it also makes sense to examine steering and suspension condition, because tire behavior is closely tied to the health of the chassis.
A short, careful test drive is wise before any longer outing. Listen for rubbing, feel for pull or vibration, and recheck pressures once the car has settled after installation. Collector vehicles that have spent long periods parked deserve extra attention, since storage-related issues elsewhere on the car can show up as tire or handling concerns.
How should 650-20 tires on a collector 1931 Stutz MA be maintained?
Maintain 650-20 tires on a collector 1931 Stutz MA with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and clean storage conditions. Watch for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, or slow air loss, especially on a car that is driven infrequently and may spend long periods parked indoors.
Storage habits matter almost as much as mileage on a low-use pre-war car. Keeping the vehicle away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and periodic inspection catches age-related issues before a drive. A Stutz prepared for touring should have its tires and wheels reviewed more closely than one used only for display.
