The 1932 Cunningham 8 comes from the final years of one of America’s most exclusive luxury marques, a period when long-wheelbase prestige cars still relied on tall bias-ply tires as part of their stance and ride character. For an owner sorting out fitment today, the tire decision is refreshingly focused. This Cunningham 8 uses a 750-18 bias-ply tire on an 18-inch rim. Within that size, the choice shifts to presentation and intended use, including blackwall, wide whitewall, double-whitewall, and heavier-duty truck-style offerings. The right selection depends on whether the goal is restoration-oriented appearance, road use, or confirming wheel compatibility on a car that may have changed over time.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1932 Cunningham 8
The 1932 Cunningham 8 uses one primary tire size: 750-18 in bias-ply construction on an 18-inch rim. The Base model shares that same fitment, so the main decision is not size selection but choosing the right style of 750-18 tire for the car’s appearance, wheel setup, and intended driving use.
A 750-18 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size, with the 7.50 designation referring to the tire’s nominal section width in inches and the 18 indicating the rim diameter. On a 1932 Cunningham 8, that means a tall, traditional bias-ply tire that suits the proportions and driving character of a full classic luxury car. Available choices include Firestone Balloon blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall versions, along with Deka Classic Truck and STA Super Traxion blackwall options. Choosing among them comes down to the visual treatment you want and whether the car remains on passenger-car wheels or has a more utility-oriented setup to verify first.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1932 Cunningham 8 lineup. The Base model uses the same primary tire size, so the focus stays on selecting the right 750-18 tire style and confirming that the wheels on the car still match the intended tire type.
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1932 Cunningham 8 Base
The 1932 Cunningham 8 Base uses the 750-18 bias-ply size on an 18-inch rim. That keeps tire selection centered on appearance and wheel type, whether the goal is a traditional Firestone Balloon look or a more truck-oriented blackwall option on the proper rim.
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 Cunningham 8 Tires for Sale
Available 750-18 choices for the 1932 Cunningham 8 include Firestone, Deka, and STA products, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall sidewall treatments. The product grid is also worth comparing by tire series and intended wheel application, since some 750-18 offerings are built around much wider rims.
Owners of a 1932 Cunningham 8 usually need clear answers on 750-18 fitment, 18-inch rim compatibility, sidewall appearance, and what to inspect before putting a low-use pre-war car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1932 Cunningham 8?
The 1932 Cunningham 8 uses a 750-18 bias-ply tire. That is the primary fitment for the model, and the 1932 Cunningham 8 Base uses the same size, so the size question is fairly direct on this application.
The important next step is confirming that the car still has the correct 18-inch wheels for that size and that the wheel width matches the type of 750-18 tire being considered. On a pre-war car, wheels may have been changed long ago, so checking the actual wheel before purchase matters as much as knowing the nominal tire size.
What size rim does a 1932 Cunningham 8 use?
A 1932 Cunningham 8 uses an 18-inch rim with its 750-18 tire size. The size code itself ends in 18, and the applicable products for this fitment are built around that same rim diameter.
Rim diameter is only part of the picture on a car of this age. Some 750-18 tires in this size are intended for narrow 4-inch rims, while others are meant for much wider 6.00 to 6.50-inch rims. Measuring the wheel on the car helps prevent choosing a 750-18 that is correct in diameter but wrong for the actual rim width.
Does the 1932 Cunningham 8 Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1932 Cunningham 8 Base uses the same 750-18 bias-ply tire size as the core 1932 Cunningham 8 fitment, so there is no separate primary size to sort through for that sub-model.
That consistency makes selection easier, but it does not make every 750-18 product the same. Sidewall style, tire series, load specification, and rim-width suitability still vary. Once the Base model is confirmed, the real decision becomes choosing a tire that matches the car’s appearance goals and the wheel setup actually on the vehicle.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 750-18 tire for a 1932 Cunningham 8?
Start with the basics: the 1932 Cunningham 8 uses a 750-18 bias-ply tire on an 18-inch rim. From there, the key differences are sidewall treatment, tire series, and whether the tire is intended for a narrower passenger-car rim or a wider truck-style rim.
A Firestone Balloon blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall may suit a restoration-oriented luxury-car presentation, while Deka Classic Truck or STA Super Traxion products suggest a more utility-focused tire style. Matching the tire to the actual wheel width on the car is essential, since 750-18 options in this application are not all built around the same rim specification.
What sidewall styles are available for 1932 Cunningham 8 tires?
The 1932 Cunningham 8 has 750-18 tire options with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall sidewall styles. Firestone Balloon offerings cover the traditional blackwall and whitewall presentations, while the truck-style 750-18 options in this fitment are blackwall.
The right look depends on how the car is being presented. A whitewall treatment often gives a more formal pre-war luxury appearance, while blackwall can feel more restrained or more utility-oriented depending on the tire series. Sidewall style should be chosen alongside wheel compatibility, not separately, because the visual choice still has to match the wheel the tire is designed to fit.
What brands offer tires for the 1932 Cunningham 8?
750-18 tires for the 1932 Cunningham 8 are available from Firestone, Deka, and STA. Those brands cover different product character within the same size, from Firestone Balloon passenger-car styling to heavier-duty blackwall truck-oriented offerings.
Brand choice should be evaluated together with tire series, sidewall appearance, and wheel specification rather than as a standalone decision. A Firestone Balloon may make the most visual sense for a formal restoration-minded presentation, while Deka Classic Truck and STA Super Traxion require a closer look at the wheel setup and intended use before selecting one for the car.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1932 Cunningham 8?
For a period-style 1932 Cunningham 8, the right starting point is the original-size 750-18 bias-ply format. Within that size, Firestone Balloon options align naturally with the tall, formal look many owners want on a pre-war American luxury car.
Appearance details still deserve careful thought. Blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall versions create very different visual impressions, and none should be assumed to match a specific factory delivery without further historical confirmation. When originality matters at a higher level, compare the tire choice against marque references, period photographs, and surviving-car evidence before settling on the final sidewall treatment.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1932 Cunningham 8?
On a restored 1932 Cunningham 8, tire construction has a major effect on the way the car sits and presents. The proper primary format here is a 750-18 bias-ply, which preserves the tall profile and traditional look associated with large pre-war automobiles.
Construction also influences sidewall shape and overall visual character, even before sidewall styling is considered. Keeping the car in the correct bias-ply size helps maintain a restoration-oriented stance, while mixing in more utilitarian truck-style versions can change the presentation substantially. That makes the tire choice part of the car’s finished appearance, not just a maintenance item.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1932 Cunningham 8?
Yes. Even though the 1932 Cunningham 8 uses a 750-18 tire, modifications can still affect whether a particular 750-18 product is appropriate. Wheel changes are especially important here because the available tires in this size are designed for notably different rim widths.
A car that has received replacement wheels, brake work, suspension alterations, or body adjustments should be checked carefully before selecting a tire. Measuring rim width and confirming clearance at the fender, steering, and suspension points helps avoid choosing a tire that matches the size code but does not suit the actual configuration now on the vehicle.
What should I inspect before driving a 1932 Cunningham 8 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, and overall condition of the mounting surfaces, then confirm that the new 750-18 tires are matched to the actual rim diameter and width on the car. The tire itself should also be checked for proper inflation and any issues that may have developed after mounting.
A pre-war car deserves a broader once-over before a meaningful drive. Look at steering play, brake function, suspension condition, and whether the tire clears cleanly through the full steering range. After the first miles, recheck pressure and give the tires another visual inspection so any seating or clearance concern is caught early.
How should 750-18 tires on a collector 1932 Cunningham 8 be maintained?
750-18 tires on a collector 1932 Cunningham 8 should be inspected regularly for pressure loss, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, especially if the car spends long periods parked. Collector cars often age tires by time and storage conditions more than by mileage.
Storage habits matter just as much as periodic inspection. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excessive heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and moving the vehicle occasionally can reduce stress from one prolonged contact point. Any tire that shows visible deterioration should be evaluated before the car is returned to normal road use.