The 1933 Buick 50 Series comes from an important prewar period when Buick balanced upscale presence with the strong, smooth character expected from an eight-cylinder American car. Owners restoring or touring one of these cars usually want a tire that looks right under the fenders and matches the vehicle’s original-era stance. For this model, the primary fitment is a 6.00-17 bias-ply tire on a 17-inch rim. That keeps the tire decision focused on period-style construction and the details of tread and sidewall presentation rather than sorting through multiple factory sizes. Before choosing a tire, it is worth confirming the wheel setup and overall restoration goals for appearance and road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1933 Buick 50 Series
The 1933 Buick 50 Series uses one primary tire size: 6.00-17. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 17-inch rim, and the covered 8 Cyl. sub-model shares that same size. That means the main decision is not which factory size applies, but which 6.00-17 bias-ply tire best suits the car’s restoration style, road use, and wheel condition.
A 6.00-17 size is a vintage numeric bias-ply designation in which the first number refers to nominal section width in inches and the final number identifies the wheel diameter. On the 1933 Buick 50 Series, this is the correct primary fitment format for a traditional prewar tire presentation. Numeric bias-ply sizing is especially relevant on cars of this era because it preserves the visual character that suits original-style wheels and body proportions. Choosing within this size is mainly about selecting a restoration-oriented tire that matches the car’s intended look and confirming that the existing 17-inch wheels are appropriate for service.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1933 Buick 50 Series sub-model. The 8 Cyl. version uses the same primary tire size, so the emphasis stays on selecting the right 6.00-17 bias-ply tire and confirming wheel condition before road use.
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1933 Buick 50 Series 8 Cyl.
The 1933 Buick 50 Series 8 Cyl. uses the same 6.00-17 bias-ply tire fitment as the model core. That keeps tire selection centered on maintaining a proper prewar appearance, checking the 17-inch wheel setup, and choosing a tire that suits the car’s restoration and driving plans.
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 1933 Buick 50 Series usually have questions about 6.00-17 fitment, 17-inch rims, period-style bias-ply construction, and the checks worth making before putting a restored or long-stored prewar Buick back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1933 Buick 50 Series?
The 1933 Buick 50 Series uses a 6.00-17 tire size. This is a bias-ply fitment and it mounts on a 17-inch rim, which is consistent with the prewar sizing conventions used on cars from this period.
That makes the first step fairly simple, because there is one primary size rather than several competing factory fitments. The practical work is confirming that the car still has the correct 17-inch wheels, that the wheels are serviceable, and that no later modifications changed the fitment. On an older restoration, checking the actual wheel and tire setup on the car is still worthwhile before selecting a replacement.
What size rim does a 1933 Buick 50 Series use?
The 1933 Buick 50 Series uses a 17-inch rim with its 6.00-17 tire size. The rim diameter is the key wheel measurement tied directly to this tire fitment, and it should be verified before ordering replacement tires.
Rim diameter matters because a 17-inch tire must be paired with a 17-inch wheel, but diameter alone is not the whole story on a prewar car. Wheel condition, bead-seat integrity, and overall width should also be checked, especially if the car has been stored for years or restored in stages. A careful wheel inspection helps avoid mounting a correct-size tire onto a wheel that is no longer ready for road service.
Does the 1933 Buick 50 Series 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1933 Buick 50 Series 8 Cyl. uses the same 6.00-17 bias-ply tire size as the model core. There is no separate primary size to sort through for that covered sub-model.
That consistency makes selection easier, since the question is less about sub-model differences and more about choosing the right tire style within the same fitment. It is still smart to inspect the wheels already on the car, since collector vehicles sometimes pick up later replacements over the decades. Matching the tire size to the actual wheel and the car’s intended restoration character is the next step after confirming sub-model fitment.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 6.00-17 tire for a 1933 Buick 50 Series?
Start with the confirmed primary fitment: 6.00-17 on a 17-inch wheel. Since this Buick uses a bias-ply tire format, the main considerations are keeping the proper vintage sizing style, selecting a tire that suits the car’s restoration direction, and making sure the wheel itself is appropriate for continued service.
Beyond size, think about how the car will be used. A show-focused restoration may prioritize a traditional prewar appearance, while a regularly driven collector car may place more emphasis on overall tire condition and wheel integrity. It also helps to inspect suspension wear, steering components, and clearances before installing new tires, because an older chassis can affect how even a correct-size tire behaves on the road.
How do I choose between the available 6.00-17 tires for a 1933 Buick 50 Series?
When several 6.00-17 options are available, the best approach is to compare them within the same fitment rather than searching for a different size. Focus on whether the tire maintains the traditional bias-ply construction and whether its tread and sidewall presentation suit the way the Buick is being restored or displayed.
A careful buyer should also look at the car itself, not just the tire description. Wheel condition, how original the chassis remains, and whether the Buick will spend most of its time at shows or on touring events all shape the decision. Staying within the correct size keeps the fitment grounded, while the final choice comes down to appearance, intended use, and the condition of the wheels receiving the tires.
What rim-fitment details matter when choosing tires for a 1933 Buick 50 Series?
The most important rim-fitment detail is the 17-inch wheel diameter required by the 6.00-17 tire size. On a prewar Buick, it is equally important to confirm that the wheels on the car are the wheels intended for service, especially if the vehicle has been restored, stored long term, or changed over the decades.
Look beyond diameter and inspect the wheels for damage, corrosion, distortion, or other age-related issues before mounting new tires. Collector cars can carry old rims that appear usable but need closer evaluation. Tire fitment also deserves a quick clearance check at full steering lock and under load, particularly if the car has had suspension work or wheel substitutions sometime in its life.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1933 Buick 50 Series?
A period-style 1933 Buick 50 Series starts with the correct primary fitment: a 6.00-17 bias-ply tire on a 17-inch rim. That sizing and construction align naturally with the prewar character of the car and help preserve the visual proportions expected on a Buick from this era.
The final choice depends on how strictly the restoration is being interpreted. Some owners want a traditional touring presentation, while others are aiming for a more exact historical appearance. When originality matters at a high level, it helps to compare the tire’s visual details against marque-club references, period photos, or restoration documentation. Even then, staying with the proper size and bias-ply format remains the right starting point.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1933 Buick 50 Series restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1933 Buick 50 Series because tire size and construction have a strong effect on the car’s stance, visual balance, and overall period presentation. Using the proper 6.00-17 bias-ply format keeps the restoration grounded in the dimensions and appearance associated with a prewar Buick.
Fitment also matters mechanically. An incorrect size can alter how the tire sits in the fender opening, how it clears suspension and steering components, and how the car looks from every angle. Even on a show car, tire choice is more than a finishing touch. It is one of the details that ties the restoration together and supports the car’s intended character on display and on the road.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1933 Buick 50 Series?
Yes. A 1933 Buick 50 Series may have the correct original tire size of 6.00-17, but later wheel changes, suspension work, brake conversions, or body alterations can still affect practical fitment. Even when the tire size itself is right, the actual wheel and chassis setup may no longer match original-era conditions.
That is why the car should be inspected as it sits today. A different wheel width, altered ride height, or changed steering geometry can influence clearance and overall behavior. On an older collector vehicle, assuming every part remains stock can lead to mistakes. A quick hands-on check of wheel dimensions, turning clearance, and fender space helps confirm that the chosen tire suits the Buick’s current configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1933 Buick 50 Series on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, and the surrounding steering and suspension components as carefully as the new tires themselves. On a 1933 Buick 50 Series, the tire size may be settled at 6.00-17, but safe operation still depends on the condition of the rims and the chassis supporting them.
It also helps to check inflation, look for any signs of rubbing after installation, and make sure the tires seat properly on the 17-inch wheels. Since many prewar cars see only occasional use, a short initial drive followed by a reinspection is a sensible step. Watching for air loss, unusual wear, or steering irregularities can catch setup issues before the Buick goes on a longer outing.
How should 6.00-17 tires on a collector 1933 Buick 50 Series be maintained?
Collector-car tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits, even if the Buick is driven only occasionally. A 6.00-17 tire can look fine at a glance while still developing age-related issues such as cracking, flat spotting, or slow air loss from long periods of inactivity.
Keeping the car out of prolonged sunlight, excess heat, and moisture helps preserve tire condition. It is also smart to inspect the sidewalls and tread before every meaningful drive, especially after storage. Gentle use does not eliminate the effects of age on a prewar vehicle’s tires, so condition-based inspection is more important than mileage alone when maintaining a 1933 Buick 50 Series.
