The 1932 Studebaker President came from a period when American luxury and engineering ambition still showed through in the details, even as buyers demanded durability and road manners for increasingly capable cars. On a full-size early-1930s Studebaker, tire choice affects both stance and character as much as basic fitment. The 1932 Studebaker President uses a 650-18 bias-ply tire on an 18-inch rim, keeping it firmly in the pre-war sizing and construction tradition. Available choices center on Firestone Balloon styling, with blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments offering different visual directions. For restoration-minded owners, the real question is how closely the tire's look and presentation should match the car's intended era and use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1932 Studebaker President
The 1932 Studebaker President uses one primary tire size: 650-18. That means the fitment question is straightforward, with a bias-ply tire built for an 18-inch rim, and the 1932 Studebaker President 8 Cyl. follows that same sizing pattern. From there, the decision shifts to period-style presentation, sidewall appearance, and choosing a tire that suits the car's restoration goals and road use.
A 650-18 numeric bias-ply size uses the leading number to indicate nominal section width, or about 6.50 inches, while the final number identifies an 18-inch wheel diameter. On a 1932 Studebaker President, that keeps the tire in the traditional pre-war bias-ply format that matches the car's era and visual character. Available choices in this size include Firestone Balloon tires in blackwall and 3.50-inch wide whitewall form. This size is the starting point for buyers who want to preserve proper proportions and then decide how formal or understated the finished car should look.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1932 Studebaker President sub-models. The main reason to confirm the sub-model is to make sure the car still carries its expected wheel setup before choosing between available period-style tire presentations.
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1932 Studebaker President 8 Cyl.
The 1932 Studebaker President 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-18 bias-ply tire size on an 18-inch rim. That keeps selection focused less on sizing differences and more on whether the car calls for a blackwall look or a more formal wide whitewall presentation.
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 Studebaker President Tires for Sale
Available 650-18 choices center on the Firestone Balloon series in bias-ply construction. The main comparison points are sidewall style, with blackwall and wide whitewall options, along with rim-width compatibility and other period-style details visible in the product grid.
Owners researching 1932 Studebaker President tires usually need answers on 650-18 sizing, 18-inch rim fitment, period-style bias-ply choices, restoration appearance, and the checks worth making before putting a pre-war car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1932 Studebaker President?
The 1932 Studebaker President uses a 650-18 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply size mounted on an 18-inch rim, and the covered 1932 Studebaker President 8 Cyl. uses that same fitment. For most owners, the size question is simpler than on later cars with multiple wheel packages or optional low-profile sizing.
Once 650-18 is confirmed, the next step is checking that the wheels on the car are still 18-inch originals or match that specification. A President that has been modified, re-wheeled, or restored many years ago may need a quick wheel-diameter and rim-width check before a new set of tires is chosen.
What size rim does a 1932 Studebaker President use?
The 1932 Studebaker President uses an 18-inch rim with its 650-18 tire size. Among the available tires in this fitment, the rim-width range is 3.25 to 3.50 inches, which helps keep the tire's shape and seating in line with its intended design for this pre-war application.
Rim diameter should be confirmed on the car before ordering, especially if the vehicle has been through an older restoration or wheel swap. Measuring the wheel and checking its width matters just as much as reading the sidewall, because a matching tire size still needs the correct wheel dimensions to be mounted properly.
Does the 1932 Studebaker President 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1932 Studebaker President 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-18 bias-ply tire size as the covered President fitment. That means the sub-model does not introduce a separate tire-size decision, so selection stays centered on the correct pre-war size and the appearance of the tire itself.
Even with shared sizing, it is still worth confirming the actual wheels on the car before purchase. Collector vehicles sometimes carry replacement rims from earlier repairs or long-ago restorations, and a quick check of wheel diameter and width helps prevent choosing a tire that matches the nameplate but not the current hardware.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-18 tire for a 1932 Studebaker President?
Start with the core fitment details: 650-18 size, bias-ply construction, and an 18-inch rim. From there, the meaningful choices are the tire's visual presentation, its rim-width compatibility, and whether the car is being kept as a formal restoration piece or driven regularly for tours and local events.
A President with a more understated look may suit a blackwall tire, while a car restored with brighter trim and a more formal period presentation may call for a wide whitewall. It also helps to compare product weight, load information where stated, and the wheel dimensions already on the vehicle before making a final selection.
What sidewall styles are available for 1932 Studebaker President tires?
The available 650-18 tires for the 1932 Studebaker President come in blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Both are offered within the Firestone Balloon series, so the main visual difference is the sidewall treatment rather than a change in basic size, construction, or wheel diameter for this application.
That makes sidewall choice an appearance decision tied closely to the way the car is being presented. A blackwall keeps the look restrained and utilitarian, while a 3.50-inch wide whitewall adds a more formal pre-war presence. Owners focused on historical accuracy should compare the finished look against marque references and restoration photos.
How do I choose between the available 650-18 tires for a 1932 Studebaker President?
The available 650-18 choices are both Firestone Balloon bias-ply tires, so the decision is less about changing size and more about comparing sidewall style and supporting specifications. One version uses a blackwall presentation, while another uses a 3.50-inch wide whitewall for a more dress-oriented period look.
It helps to match the tire to the way the Studebaker is finished and used. A touring car driven to events may favor a traditional look with practical simplicity, while a restoration emphasizing pre-war visual detail may lean toward the wide whitewall. Wheel width should still be checked before any final commitment.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1932 Studebaker President?
A period-style 1932 Studebaker President should begin with the correct 650-18 bias-ply sizing and 18-inch rim fitment. That preserves the tall pre-war tire profile and traditional construction associated with the car's era. Within that fitment, the visual choice comes down to a Firestone Balloon blackwall or a 3.50-inch wide whitewall.
The right choice depends on how the car is being restored and presented rather than on size alone. A more restrained touring look may suit blackwalls, while a more formal restoration may look better on wide whitewalls. When exact originality matters, compare the finished appearance against period photos or marque-specific restoration references.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1932 Studebaker President restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1932 Studebaker President because tire height, width, construction, and sidewall treatment all influence the car's stance and visual balance. Using the proper 650-18 bias-ply format keeps the wheel opening, body proportions, and overall pre-war presentation closer to what enthusiasts expect to see.
Restoration-minded buyers should think beyond simple mountability. A tire can share the same wheel diameter and still change the car's character if the profile or sidewall style looks out of place. Verifying wheel dimensions and choosing between blackwall and wide whitewall finishes helps keep the restoration visually coherent from curbside to concours lawn.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1932 Studebaker President?
Yes. Even though the 1932 Studebaker President uses a straightforward 650-18 bias-ply fitment, changes to wheels, suspension, ride height, brakes, or bodywork can alter the space available around the tire. A car restored decades ago may also have replacement wheels that differ in width or construction from what the tire expects.
Checking the actual wheel diameter and width on the vehicle is the best starting point. Steering clearance, fender clearance, and the overall condition of springs and suspension should also be reviewed, especially if the Studebaker has sat for long periods or has been updated over the years with non-original running gear.
What should I inspect before driving a 1932 Studebaker President on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage or distortion, confirm the tires are properly seated, and make sure inflation is set appropriately for the tire being used. It is also wise to look over brake function, steering play, wheel bearings, and suspension condition, since a pre-war car's road manners depend on the whole chassis working together.
A short, careful test drive is a smart next step after installation. Pay attention to vibration, pull, rubbing, or unusual steering response, then recheck pressure and fastener security once the car has rolled a few miles. On collector vehicles, tire fitment is only one part of making the car genuinely ready for road use.
How should 650-18 tires on a collector 1932 Studebaker President be maintained?
Collector-car 650-18 tires should be inspected regularly for air loss, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven tread wear. Because many 1932 Studebaker Presidents are driven infrequently, age and storage conditions matter just as much as mileage. Keeping the tires clean, properly inflated, and protected from long exposure to heat and sunlight helps preserve them.
It also helps to move the car periodically and avoid letting it sit in one position for extended stretches. A President that is stored indoors should still be checked before each outing, since old roads, old chassis parts, and long storage intervals can all magnify small tire issues once the car is back in motion.
