1932 Pierce Arrow 52 Series Tires

The 1932 Pierce Arrow 52 Series uses a 700-18 tire. This is a vintage numeric bias-ply size and it remains the primary fitment for the covered vehicle, including the 12 Cyl. sub-model. For most owners, the size question is fairly straightforward because there is only one primary fitment rather than multiple size choices.

The next step is confirming that the car is still on the expected 18-inch wheel setup and has not been altered over the years. Once that is verified, selection usually comes down to sidewall appearance, tire series, and whether the vehicle is being finished for a more formal restoration look or prepared for regular touring on traditional bias-ply tires.

The 1932 Pierce Arrow 52 Series uses an 18-inch rim with its 700-18 tire size. That 18-inch dimension is the wheel diameter the tire is built around, and it needs to match the wheel on the car before any further tire selection is made.

Wheel width matters too, especially on older vehicles that may have had wheel changes during restoration or long-term ownership. Several 700-18 products share the same rim diameter but differ in their wheel-width requirements, so the safest approach is to confirm both wheel diameter and actual wheel width before choosing between standard passenger-style and heavier-duty bias-ply offerings.

Yes. The 1932 Pierce Arrow 52 Series 12 Cyl. uses the same 700-18 bias-ply tire size as the core vehicle fitment. That keeps sub-model selection simple, because the main fitment does not change between the covered 52 Series listing and the named 12-cylinder version.

Even with shared sizing, it is still worth checking the actual wheels on the car before ordering tires. Prewar cars sometimes receive replacement rims, altered wheel sets, or restoration-era changes, and those details can affect wheel-width compatibility and appearance choices. After that, the decision becomes which sidewall style and tire series best match the car's intended look and use.

Start with the correct 700-18 size and confirm that the tire's bias-ply construction suits the way the car is being restored or driven. From there, compare brand, tire series, sidewall style, and wheel-width compatibility. On a prewar luxury car like the 1932 Pierce Arrow 52 Series, visual presentation is often just as important as the basic fitment.

A blackwall can give the car a more restrained look, while double-whitewall or wide whitewall options create a more formal, show-oriented appearance. Product specifications can also vary in areas such as load capacity and wheel-width range, so the best comparison is not just style alone. Matching the tire to the actual wheel and the vehicle's planned use leads to a more sensible choice.

The 700-18 tires available for a 1932 Pierce Arrow 52 Series include blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Those options all stay within the same primary tire size, but they change the visual character of the car quite a bit, especially on a large prewar luxury automobile.

Choosing between them depends on how formal or understated the finished vehicle should appear. A blackwall tends to keep the presentation simpler, while double-whitewall and wide whitewall styles create a stronger period-style statement. For a restoration-focused car, sidewall treatment should be considered alongside wheel finish, trim level, and the overall look you want the Pierce-Arrow to project.

Tires in 700-18 for the 1932 Pierce Arrow 52 Series are available from Firestone, Lester, Excelsior, and STA. Those brands appear across several tire series, including Firestone Balloon, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Lester Classic Bias Ply, Comp H, and Transport Highway, giving the buyer more than one approach within the same vintage size.

Brand choice should be used as one part of the decision rather than the only factor. It helps to compare the sidewall style you want, the wheel-width range the tire expects, and whether the tire is aimed more at traditional passenger presentation or a heavier-duty application. That approach keeps the final choice centered on fitment and appearance, not just the name on the sidewall.

A period-style starting point for the 1932 Pierce Arrow 52 Series is the correct 700-18 bias-ply size, since that preserves the vehicle's prewar fitment character. From there, the choice usually narrows to the visual treatment and tire series that best suit the car's restoration direction rather than searching for a different primary size.

A formal restoration may lean toward a whitewall presentation, while a more restrained touring car may suit a blackwall. Exact originality can vary by body, coachbuilder influence, and owner preference over the car's life, so buyers pursuing highly exact historical presentation should compare their tire choice with marque references, restoration photos, and other vehicle-specific documentation.

On a restored 1932 Pierce Arrow 52 Series, bias-ply construction plays a major role in maintaining an authentic prewar visual impression. The tire shape, stance, and sidewall presentation all contribute to how the car sits and reads visually, especially on a large luxury chassis where the tires are a visible part of the overall design.

Appearance is not just about whitewall versus blackwall. The chosen tire series and sidewall width can alter the car's character from understated to highly formal, even within the same 700-18 size. Buyers focused on show presentation should think about the full exterior composition so the tire complements the body, wheel treatment, and trim rather than looking stylistically out of place.

Yes. Even though the 1932 Pierce Arrow 52 Series uses a 700-18 tire on an 18-inch rim, modifications can still affect fitment. Changes such as replacement wheels, altered wheel widths, brake conversions, suspension work, or body and fender adjustments may change which 700-18 product is appropriate for the car.

That matters because several available tires share the same basic size but expect different wheel widths or reflect different use cases. A restored Pierce-Arrow that still has its original-style wheel setup may accept one group of tires, while a modified car may need a narrower comparison focused on wheel compatibility and clearance. Measuring the actual wheel and checking turning clearance is time well spent.

Before driving a 1932 Pierce Arrow 52 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter, proper width, damage, and secure mounting surfaces. The suspension, steering, and brake system should also be checked so the new 700-18 tires are not being paired with worn components that can affect tracking, ride behavior, or clearance.

Tire inspection should include pressure, bead seating, sidewall condition after installation, and clearance at full steering lock. On a collector car that may spend long periods parked, it also helps to watch for air loss and recheck the tires after the first few outings. A prewar luxury car carries substantial weight, so careful setup matters before any meaningful road use.

700-18 tires on a collector 1932 Pierce Arrow 52 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and proper storage habits. Look for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, or signs of long-term underinflation, especially if the car is driven only occasionally and spends much of its life parked indoors.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on an older collector vehicle. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the sidewalls, and periodic movement can reduce flat-spotting from long static periods. Before any longer drive, it is smart to inspect each tire closely and confirm that the wheels and valve hardware remain in sound condition.