The 1932 Auburn 160 Series comes from a period when American luxury cars balanced dramatic styling with increasingly powerful multi-cylinder engineering, and Auburn stood apart for offering prestige with real road presence. On a collector car like this, tire choice affects not just drivability, but the visual character that defines the car’s long, elegant pre-war stance. The 1932 Auburn 160 Series uses bias-ply tires in 6.00-17 and 6.50-17 sizes on 17-inch rims. That makes the decision less about modern sizing conventions and more about confirming which of the two period-style fitments suits the car’s wheel setup and restoration goals.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1932 Auburn 160 Series
The 1932 Auburn 160 Series uses two primary tire sizes, both in bias-ply construction and both built for 17-inch rims. Because the same sub-model can use either 6.00-17 or 6.50-17, the first step is confirming which size is on the car now or which wheel and body setup the vehicle is intended to run before choosing a replacement.
A 6.00-17 tire uses the older numeric bias-ply sizing system, where the first number represents the tire’s nominal section width in inches and the final number identifies the 17-inch rim diameter. On a 1932 Auburn 160 Series, this format preserves the traditional construction and period-style look associated with pre-war tire fitment. Buyers considering this size should think in terms of authentic visual proportion, wheel compatibility, and how closely the car’s current setup matches a narrower bias-ply presentation. It is especially important to confirm the existing wheel and fender relationship before settling on this size.
A 6.50-17 tire follows the same numeric bias-ply sizing convention, with a nominally wider section width than a 6.00-17 while still mounting on a 17-inch rim. For the 1932 Auburn 160 Series, it remains a traditional bias-ply fitment and suits owners who are matching an established pre-war wheel and tire setup rather than converting to a modern format. The practical difference is not just the number on the sidewall, but how the tire complements the car’s existing stance and clearance. Checking current wheel width and visible body clearance is the smart next step before choosing it.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here, but tire choice still requires attention because the covered configuration can use more than one primary size. Checking the exact sub-model helps confirm that the car falls within the 160 Series fitment range before selecting between the available bias-ply options.
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1932 Auburn 160 Series 12 Cyl.
The 1932 Auburn 160 Series 12 Cyl. uses bias-ply tires and can be fitted with either 6.00-17 or 6.50-17 on 17-inch rims. That means the key decision is confirming which size matches the car’s current wheel setup, visual stance, and restoration direction rather than assuming one number applies to every example.
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 of a 1932 Auburn 160 Series usually need clarity on the difference between 6.00-17 and 6.50-17 fitment, 17-inch rim compatibility, period-style bias-ply selection, restoration appearance, and the basic checks that matter before putting a pre-war car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1932 Auburn 160 Series?
The 1932 Auburn 160 Series uses two primary tire sizes: 6.00-17 and 6.50-17. Both are bias-ply sizes built for 17-inch rims, and both apply within this model range rather than representing a modern radial conversion or substitute size.
That means the first job is not choosing between bias-ply and radial, but confirming which of those two original-style sizes matches the car’s present wheel setup. Looking at the tires already on the vehicle, checking wheel width, and verifying fender and steering clearance can help narrow the correct choice before ordering replacement tires.
What size rim does a 1932 Auburn 160 Series use?
The 1932 Auburn 160 Series uses a 17-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes, 6.00-17 and 6.50-17. In this older numeric bias-ply format, the number after the dash identifies the rim diameter, so both fitments are tied to the same 17-inch wheel diameter.
Sharing the same rim diameter does not make the two tire sizes identical in fitment effect, so wheel diameter is only part of the picture. It still helps to verify the actual wheel on the car, especially if it has been restored over many decades, and then compare the wheel width and available clearance before selecting a replacement size.
What does 6.00-17 mean on a 1932 Auburn 160 Series?
A 6.00-17 tire is an older numeric bias-ply size. The 6.00 refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches, while 17 identifies the rim diameter. On a 1932 Auburn 160 Series, it represents a traditional pre-war tire format rather than a modern metric or P-metric size.
Understanding that format helps when comparing it with 6.50-17, which uses the same 17-inch rim but a wider nominal section width. For a collector car, that difference affects the tire’s visual proportion and the space it occupies within the wheel opening, so it is worth checking the car’s current setup before choosing between the two.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 6.00-17 tire for a 1932 Auburn 160 Series?
Choosing a 6.00-17 tire for a 1932 Auburn 160 Series starts with confirming that 6.00-17 is the size already suited to the car’s wheel and body setup. Since this is a bias-ply fitment, the decision usually centers on maintaining a traditional pre-war appearance and preserving the kind of stance associated with an earlier numeric tire size.
A buyer should also look at how the car will be used. A restoration-focused Auburn may prioritize period-style proportions, while a regularly driven car still needs careful attention to wheel compatibility, clearance, and tire condition. Even within the correct size, the best choice is the one that matches the vehicle’s actual setup and intended use.
What should I consider when choosing a 6.50-17 tire for a 1932 Auburn 160 Series?
A 6.50-17 tire is appropriate for a 1932 Auburn 160 Series when that size matches the car’s existing wheel fitment or the proportions the owner is trying to maintain. It remains a bias-ply choice on a 17-inch rim, so the focus stays on correct vintage sizing rather than adapting the car to a newer tire format.
Because 6.50-17 is nominally wider than 6.00-17, the practical question is whether the car’s current wheel and surrounding space suit it properly. The right approach is to check the wheel dimensions, look at clearances at full steering travel, and make sure the selected size supports the Auburn’s intended stance and driving use.
How do I choose between the available 6.00-17 and 6.50-17 tires for a 1932 Auburn 160 Series?
The main difference between 6.00-17 and 6.50-17 on a 1932 Auburn 160 Series is the tire’s nominal section width, with both sizes using bias-ply construction and a 17-inch rim. The correct choice depends on which size the car is already set up to use rather than treating the two as automatically interchangeable.
A practical comparison starts with the wheels already on the car and the look the owner wants to preserve. On a pre-war automobile, tire size influences stance as much as fitment, so it is wise to verify wheel width, inspect body and steering clearance, and avoid changing size casually just because both numbers appear under the same model range.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1932 Auburn 160 Series?
For a period-style 1932 Auburn 160 Series, the proper starting point is one of the original-style bias-ply sizes used on the car: 6.00-17 or 6.50-17. Both preserve the older numeric sizing format and the traditional construction associated with a pre-war luxury automobile.
The better choice depends on which size suits the car’s existing wheels and the proportions the restoration is trying to maintain. When exact originality matters, it helps to compare the vehicle against marque references, period photos, or restoration records. That way, the tire supports both the Auburn’s appearance and its actual mechanical setup.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1932 Auburn 160 Series restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1932 Auburn 160 Series because tire size strongly affects the car’s visual balance, ride height impression, and overall period presentation. On a pre-war car, moving from the intended bias-ply fitment can change how the vehicle sits and how convincingly the restoration reads.
Fitment also matters mechanically. Even when both 6.00-17 and 6.50-17 are associated with the model, the car still needs the size that matches its wheels and available clearance. A restoration-minded owner should confirm the existing setup carefully rather than assuming any 17-inch vintage tire will create the right result.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1932 Auburn 160 Series?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1932 Auburn 160 Series, even when the car still uses one of its proper 17-inch bias-ply sizes. Changes to wheel width, wheel offset, suspension height, steering components, or body clearance can alter whether 6.00-17 or 6.50-17 remains the better match.
That is especially important on an older collector vehicle that may have gone through several restoration phases over the years. A car with replacement wheels or suspension work should be measured rather than assumed stock. Checking turning clearance, fender space, and wheel dimensions before choosing a tire can prevent an otherwise correct vintage size from creating avoidable problems.
What should I inspect before driving a 1932 Auburn 160 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1932 Auburn 160 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, and the general condition of the suspension and steering components. It also helps to confirm that all four tires match the intended size and that there is no interference at rest or while turning the front wheels lock to lock.
A pre-war car should also be checked for the issues that come with long storage, including cracked rubber parts, loose fasteners, uneven ride height, and air loss after installation. Tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, and secure wheel attachment deserve attention before any meaningful road use, especially if the Auburn has been parked for extended periods.
How should 6.00-17 or 6.50-17 tires on a collector 1932 Auburn 160 Series be maintained?
Bias-ply 6.00-17 or 6.50-17 tires on a collector 1932 Auburn 160 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage practices. Because collector cars often spend long periods parked, tread wear alone does not tell the full story of tire condition.
Routine checks should include looking for cracking, bulges, cuts, flat-spotting, and gradual air loss. Storage away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve older-style tires, and occasional inspection of wheel and suspension condition is just as important. On a low-mileage Auburn, age and storage environment can matter as much as mileage.
