The 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series came from a period when American luxury cars still carried an unmistakable road presence, with long wheelbases, formal coachwork, and the kind of dignified engineering that made tire choice part of the car’s overall character. A proper tire on a Pierce-Arrow is as much about stance and presentation as it is basic fitment. This model uses a 750-18 bias-ply tire on an 18-inch rim, keeping the selection rooted in traditional construction. Available choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles, along with Firestone, Deka, and STA offerings. The right pick depends on whether the goal is formal restoration appearance, practical road use, or a more utilitarian setup.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series
The 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series uses one primary tire size: 750-18. That means the main fitment decision is not sorting through multiple original sizes, but choosing the right 18-inch bias-ply tire within that size, including sidewall style, tire series, and whether the car is being kept in a restoration-oriented presentation or prepared for more general road use.
In a numeric bias-ply size like 750-18, the 750 refers to a nominal section width of about 7.50 inches, while 18 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. For the 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series, this is a traditional bias-ply fitment that suits the car’s era, appearance, and original-style driving character. Within this size, there are distinct choices in Firestone Balloon, Deka Classic Truck, and STA Super Traxion lines, along with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall sidewall treatments. The practical question is which version best matches the vehicle’s wheels, intended use, and visual presentation.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series sub-model. The tire size remains consistent, so the main reason to verify the sub-model is to confirm that the car still retains the expected wheel and tire setup before choosing among the available bias-ply options.
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1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series 12 Cyl.
The 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series 12 Cyl. uses the same 750-18 bias-ply tire fitment as the model core. That keeps tire selection focused on sidewall appearance, tire series, and whether the car is being equipped for a formal period-style look or a more utility-oriented driving setup.
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 Pierce Arrow 51 Series Tires for Sale
Available 750-18 choices span Firestone, Deka, and STA, with Firestone Balloon options in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall form. The product range also includes more utility-focused blackwall tires with different rim-width and load-capacity specifications, making wheel compatibility and intended use important comparison points.
Owners of a 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series usually need clear answers on 750-18 fitment, 18-inch rims, sidewall appearance, and how to choose among traditional bias-ply options. The questions below focus on those decisions, along with practical inspection and road-use checks.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series?
The 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series uses a 750-18 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment, and it is the primary size associated with the model, including the covered 12 Cyl. sub-model.
That makes the buying decision more about selecting the right version of 750-18 than sorting through multiple original sizes. Before choosing a tire, confirm that the car still has the expected 18-inch wheels and has not been altered with different rims or a utility-style wheel setup that changes width requirements.
What size rim does a 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series use?
The 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series uses an 18-inch rim with its 750-18 tire size. Rim diameter is the critical point here, because the tire’s final number must match the wheel diameter.
Diameter alone is not the whole story, though. Some available 750-18 tires are built around a 4-inch rim, while others call for wider 6.00 to 6.50-inch rims, so the actual wheel on the car should be checked before selecting a tire, especially if the Pierce-Arrow has been restored, modified, or repurposed over time.
Does the 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series 12 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series 12 Cyl. uses the same 750-18 bias-ply tire size as the model core. That means sub-model fitment is consistent rather than split across several original sizes.
Consistency in size does not eliminate the need to inspect the actual wheel setup. A formal restoration may call for a whitewall-style tire on the original-style wheel, while a car with different wheels or a more utility-oriented setup may need a different 750-18 product configuration to match its rim width and intended use.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 750-18 tire for a 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series?
Start with the correct size and construction: 750-18 bias-ply on an 18-inch wheel. From there, the key differences are wheel-width compatibility, sidewall appearance, tire series, load capacity, and whether the car is being equipped for a restoration-oriented look or a more utility-minded driving role.
A Firestone Balloon tire gives a very traditional presentation, while Deka and STA offerings in the same size lean more toward truck-oriented character. Checking the wheel’s actual width matters because not every 750-18 option is built around the same rim specification, and that detail can narrow the right tire more quickly than appearance alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series tires?
The available 750-18 tires for a 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall sidewall styles. Those choices can change the car’s visual character significantly even when the size and basic construction stay the same.
A blackwall usually suits a more restrained or utility-oriented presentation, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall options create a more formal prewar look. Appearance should still be matched to the wheel setup and the purpose of the car, since a sidewall style alone does not determine whether a particular 750-18 tire is appropriate for the wheel on hand.
What brands offer tires for the 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series?
Tires for the 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series are available in 750-18 from Firestone, Deka, and STA. Those brands cover a mix of traditional passenger-style presentation and more truck-oriented bias-ply offerings within the same basic size.
Brand choice should be weighed alongside the tire series, sidewall treatment, and wheel requirements rather than treated as a simple name preference. Firestone Balloon options bring the broadest appearance variety here, while Deka and STA options introduce different load and rim-width considerations that may matter more on a car with nonstandard wheels or intended road use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series?
A 750-18 bias-ply tire is the period-style starting point for a 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series. Within that size, Firestone Balloon options are especially relevant for a traditional prewar presentation, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall treatments available.
The right appearance depends on how the car is being restored and what visual character is being preserved. Buyers pursuing strict historical accuracy should compare the tire choice against marque-club guidance, period photography, and vehicle-specific records, since a period-style tire can be appropriate in size and construction without proving an exact original sidewall treatment.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series?
On a restored 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series, tire construction has a strong visual effect because bias-ply tires carry the tall, traditional profile expected on a car from this era. The 750-18 fitment keeps the stance and sidewall presentation aligned with a genuine prewar look.
Appearance is also shaped by sidewall choice. A blackwall gives the car a more restrained finish, while wide whitewall or double-whitewall tires can make the Pierce-Arrow look more formal and show-oriented. For most restorations, construction and sidewall treatment should be considered together rather than treating the tire as a purely mechanical replacement.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series?
Yes. Even though the primary size is 750-18, modifications can affect whether a particular tire version is suitable for the car. Changes to wheel width, wheel type, suspension height, brake components, or body clearance can all alter the fitment picture.
That matters here because available 750-18 tires are not all built around the same rim-width specification. A Pierce-Arrow with replacement wheels or a more utility-oriented setup should be measured carefully before tire selection, with attention to steering clearance, fender space, and whether the wheel dimensions still suit a traditional passenger-car bias-ply tire.
What should I inspect before driving a 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for correct diameter, sound condition, and secure mounting, then confirm the tires are seated properly and inflated to the specification required for that exact tire. The sidewalls and tread should be free from cuts, bulges, or signs of shipping or installation damage.
A prewar collector car also deserves a broader mechanical check before regular driving. Brake function, steering play, suspension condition, and wheel-bearing health all influence how the tire performs on the road. A short, cautious test drive is a smart final step to confirm ride behavior, tracking, and clearance under real movement.
How should 750-18 tires on a collector 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series be maintained?
Collector-car tires in 750-18 should be checked regularly for inflation, visible cracking, flat spotting, air loss, and general aging, especially if the 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series spends long periods parked. Low annual mileage does not stop tire materials from aging, so condition matters as much as tread depth.
Storage habits make a real difference. Keeping the car away from prolonged sun, excessive heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the sidewalls, while moving the vehicle occasionally can reduce long-term flat spotting. Routine inspection is especially important on a large prewar car, where tire condition contributes directly to ride quality and road confidence.
