The 1932 Auburn 100 Series came from an era when styling, proportion, and road presence mattered as much as mechanical specification, and Auburn remains closely associated with that distinctly pre-war American character. For owners of a 1932 Auburn 100 Series, tire choice is part fitment decision and part visual decision because this car uses 17-inch bias-ply sizes in 550-17, 6.00-17, and 6.50-17. Within that fitment, the available choices center on traditional bias-ply construction and sidewall presentation, including blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall versions. The right selection depends on confirming the exact wheel setup and choosing the look that best suits the car's restoration direction and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1932 Auburn 100 Series
The 1932 Auburn 100 Series uses three primary tire sizes, all in bias-ply construction on 17-inch rims. Since the same 8 Cyl. sub-model is associated with 550-17, 6.00-17, and 6.50-17, the first step is confirming which wheel and tire size your car is actually set up for before choosing by sidewall style and overall presentation.
The 550-17 size uses a vintage numeric bias-ply format in which the leading number refers to the tire's nominal section width, here approximately 5.50 inches, while 17 identifies the rim diameter. This is a traditional bias-ply fitment that suits the driving character and visual stance expected on a 1932 Auburn 100 Series. In this size, BFGoodrich offers the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. It is the right size to consider only after confirming that your Auburn is set up for the narrower 550-17 fitment on its existing wheels.
The 6.00-17 code is another vintage numeric bias-ply size, with the first number indicating an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width and the final number identifying a 17-inch rim. On a pre-war car such as the 1932 Auburn 100 Series, that format reflects the tire sizing language of the period and keeps the selection focused on authentic construction type rather than modern radial substitution. Choosing this size starts with verifying that your wheels and current vehicle setup correspond to 6.00-17. That matters especially on an older restoration, where wheel changes or prior replacement choices may have altered the car from its present-day tire setup.
The 6.50-17 designation follows the same vintage numeric bias-ply system, with a nominal section width of about 6.50 inches and a 17-inch rim diameter. As one of the larger primary sizes used on the 1932 Auburn 100 Series, it remains part of the same traditional bias-ply fitment family rather than a modern radial format. The practical question with 6.50-17 is not just appearance, but confirming that the car's wheels, clearances, and existing setup match this size. That is especially important on collector vehicles that may have seen wheel swaps, mixed replacements, or older restoration work over the years.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered 8 Cyl. configuration is associated with the same group of 17-inch bias-ply tire sizes. Even so, checking the exact setup on the car still matters, since older vehicles are often restored or maintained with wheel and tire combinations chosen long after original production.
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1932 Auburn 100 Series 8 Cyl.
The 1932 Auburn 100 Series 8 Cyl. is associated with 17-inch bias-ply fitment and may be found with more than one primary size within that family. Tire selection therefore starts with confirming which size the car currently uses, then choosing the sidewall style and restoration look that best suits the vehicle.
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 1932 Auburn 100 Series Tires for Sale
Current 550-17 choices center on BFGoodrich's Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall versions available. That gives 1932 Auburn 100 Series owners a clear appearance choice while staying within the proper bias-ply construction and 17-inch fitment family.
Owners researching 1932 Auburn 100 Series tires usually need to sort out the correct 17-inch bias-ply size, understand what those vintage size markings mean, and decide how sidewall style, restoration goals, and wheel setup affect the final choice.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1932 Auburn 100 Series?
The 1932 Auburn 100 Series uses 17-inch bias-ply tire sizes 550-17, 6.00-17, and 6.50-17. Those are all primary fitments for this model, and the covered 8 Cyl. configuration is associated with that full group of sizes rather than one single modern-size replacement.
The practical step is confirming which of those sizes is actually on your car or intended for its present wheel setup. On a pre-war Auburn, earlier restoration work, wheel replacement, or long-term service changes can affect what is mounted today, so checking the wheel and current tire markings before ordering is important.
What size rim does a 1932 Auburn 100 Series use?
The primary tire sizes used on the 1932 Auburn 100 Series all mount on a 17-inch rim. That includes 550-17, 6.00-17, and 6.50-17, so the rim diameter stays consistent even though the tire width designation changes across the available sizes.
Rim diameter is only one part of fitment, especially on an older collector car. It still helps to confirm the actual wheel width and to make sure the tire size on the car matches the wheel and body clearance available, rather than assuming any 17-inch tire is suitable.
What does 550-17 mean on a 1932 Auburn 100 Series?
A 550-17 size is a vintage numeric bias-ply designation. The 550 refers to an approximate 5.50-inch nominal section width, and the 17 identifies the wheel diameter in inches, so it is a narrower 17-inch bias-ply tire within the Auburn's overall fitment range.
That older size format matters because it does not read like a modern radial code. On a 1932 Auburn 100 Series, understanding the difference helps keep the decision focused on the car's actual wheel setup, the desired period-style look, and whether the mounted tire size matches the car's present configuration.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 550-17 tire for a 1932 Auburn 100 Series?
Choosing a 550-17 tire for a 1932 Auburn 100 Series starts with confirming that 550-17 is the size your car is actually set up to use. In this fitment, the available BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply options share the same traditional construction but differ in sidewall treatment, including blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall.
That makes the decision partly visual as well as functional. A buyer should compare the tire's appearance to the car's restoration style, then make sure the wheel and current setup match the narrower 550-17 size before moving forward with a replacement set.
What sidewall styles are available for 1932 Auburn 100 Series tires?
For the 1932 Auburn 100 Series in 550-17, available sidewall styles include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. All of those choices remain within bias-ply construction, so the difference is primarily in appearance rather than a change from one construction type to another.
Sidewall style can significantly change how a pre-war Auburn presents visually. A blackwall gives a more restrained look, while whitewall and double-whitewall versions create a more formal, restoration-oriented presentation, so the best choice depends on how the car is being finished and shown.
What tire series are available for the 1932 Auburn 100 Series?
The available 550-17 products for the 1932 Auburn 100 Series fall within the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. That keeps the choice centered on a traditional bias-ply design appropriate to the car's era while allowing some variation in sidewall appearance.
Since the series itself stays consistent, the buyer's comparison is less about switching between fundamentally different product families and more about selecting the right size and visual treatment. Confirming the car's actual fitment still comes first, especially when more than one primary 17-inch size may be used.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1932 Auburn 100 Series?
A period-style 1932 Auburn 100 Series tire choice begins with staying in the proper 17-inch bias-ply fitment family, which includes 550-17, 6.00-17, and 6.50-17. That keeps the construction and overall presentation aligned with the car's pre-war character rather than shifting immediately to a visibly modern tire format.
After size is confirmed, appearance becomes the next major decision. A restoration-oriented buyer should compare the mounted size already on the car, the wheel setup, and the sidewall look desired, then use marque references or period photos if exact visual authenticity matters.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1932 Auburn 100 Series restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1932 Auburn 100 Series because tire width, sidewall profile, and construction strongly affect the car's stance and overall presentation. Even within the correct 17-inch family, moving between 550-17, 6.00-17, and 6.50-17 can change the visual impression of the finished restoration.
Fitment also matters mechanically, since an older restoration may be using wheels or prior replacement choices that differ from earlier setups. Verifying the wheel size already on the car and comparing that to the intended restoration look helps avoid a result that appears out of proportion.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1932 Auburn 100 Series?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1932 Auburn 100 Series even when the tire size is one of the correct 17-inch primary options. Wheel replacements, brake updates, suspension changes, or body and fender adjustments can alter the space available for a given bias-ply size.
That is why it helps to inspect the actual vehicle rather than relying only on model-year fitment. A car with later wheels or chassis changes may need closer checking for diameter, width, and clearance before moving from one primary size to another within the Auburn's fitment range.
What should I inspect before driving a 1932 Auburn 100 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1932 Auburn 100 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition, confirm the mounted tire size matches the intended setup, and check that each tire seats properly and holds air. It also makes sense to look over valve stems, wheel hardware, and visible clearance at the fenders and steering components.
A short, careful road test is a sensible next step on any collector car. During that first drive, pay attention to steering feel, any rubbing, and air retention, then recheck pressure and general condition after the car has been moved and settled on the new tires.
How should 550-17 tires on a collector 1932 Auburn 100 Series be maintained?
550-17 bias-ply tires on a collector 1932 Auburn 100 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and periodic review of how the car sits after storage. Collector vehicles often accumulate little mileage, so condition and age matter as much as tread depth.
Storage habits also influence tire life. Keeping the car away from prolonged sun, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and rolling or driving the vehicle occasionally can help avoid long-term flat spotting from sitting in one position.
