The 1933 Continental Ace comes from an early-1930s motoring era when tire choice was still closely tied to body style, trim level, and the visual character of the car itself. On a vehicle like this, the tire is part of the stance as much as the road manners, so size and sidewall treatment matter more than they do on many later cars. The 1933 Continental Ace uses two primary bias-ply sizes, with 550-17 and 650-16 tied to different sub-models. That opens the door to choices in blackwall, whitewall, and classic tread presentation. The key is confirming the exact sub-model and wheel diameter before choosing a restoration-oriented replacement.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1933 Continental Ace
The 1933 Continental Ace uses two different tire sizes, and the correct choice depends first on identifying the exact sub-model. Those sizes are both bias-ply, but they use different rim diameters, so confirming whether the car has 17-inch or 16-inch wheels is the first step before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or tread character.
The 550-17 size uses an older numeric bias-ply format in which 5.50 refers to the nominal section width in inches and 17 identifies the wheel diameter. On the 1933 Continental Ace, this size is a traditional bias-ply fitment that supports an authentic prewar look and driving presentation. Available choices include BFGoodrich in Silvertown Classic Bias Ply form, with blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall treatments. This size is the one to evaluate when matching a Base model's original visual balance and confirming that the car still carries the correct 17-inch wheels.
The 650-16 size is another vintage numeric bias-ply designation, with 6.50 indicating nominal section width and 16 identifying the wheel diameter. For the 1933 Continental Ace, it is the larger of the two primary fitments and appears on a 16-inch wheel, making wheel confirmation especially important before purchase. This size has a much broader selection across BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel, with blackwall and wide whitewall options as well as passenger and truck-style tread series. It is the size to focus on when the car is a Deluxe model or when appearance and usage priorities need to be balanced carefully.
Tire fitment on the 1933 Continental Ace changes by sub-model rather than staying uniform across the range. Checking whether the car is a Base or Deluxe matters immediately, because the two versions use different sizes and different wheel diameters.
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1933 Continental Ace Base
The 1933 Continental Ace Base uses the 550-17 bias-ply size. That makes the tire decision more about choosing the right sidewall presentation and confirming that the car still carries its 17-inch wheel setup rather than sorting through multiple primary fitments.
The 1933 Continental Ace Deluxe uses the 650-16 bias-ply size. This opens up a wider range of brand, tread, and sidewall choices, but it also makes 16-inch wheel confirmation essential before narrowing the selection.
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 1933 Continental Ace Tires for Sale
Available 1933 Continental Ace tires center on bias-ply construction, with BFGoodrich options in 550-17 and a much wider 650-16 selection from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. Sidewall choices include blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall across several classic tire series.
Owners of a 1933 Continental Ace usually need to sort out sub-model-specific tire size, wheel diameter, bias-ply selection, sidewall appearance, and road-use checks before putting the car back into service.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1933 Continental Ace?
A 1933 Continental Ace uses one of two primary tire sizes: 550-17 or 650-16. The Base sub-model uses 550-17, while the Deluxe sub-model uses 650-16, and both are bias-ply fitments rather than modern radial primary sizes.
The first job is identifying the exact sub-model and then confirming the wheel diameter on the car. Since these sizes mount on different rims, a buyer should not choose by appearance alone. A car that has been modified over the years may no longer carry its original wheels, so the actual wheel setup should be checked before selecting a tire.
What size rim does a 1933 Continental Ace use?
The 1933 Continental Ace uses either a 17-inch or 16-inch rim, depending on sub-model. The Base uses the 550-17 size on a 17-inch rim, while the Deluxe uses the 650-16 size on a 16-inch rim.
That rim difference is important because the tire sizes are not simply alternate versions of the same fitment. Measure the wheel diameter directly and confirm the car's sub-model before ordering. On an older collector car, it is also worth checking whether replacement wheels were installed at some point, since that can change what tire size is appropriate today.
Why does the 1933 Continental Ace have more than one tire size?
The 1933 Continental Ace has more than one tire size because fitment changes by sub-model. The Base uses 550-17, while the Deluxe uses 650-16, so the size difference is tied to configuration rather than to interchangeable choices for the same setup.
That means the buyer should not treat both sizes as equally correct for every Ace. The practical decision is to match the tire to the specific version of the car and the wheels actually installed on it. Once that is settled, the remaining choice becomes sidewall style, tread presentation, and brand rather than which primary size should go on the vehicle.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1933 Continental Ace tire?
Start with the correct primary size for the car's sub-model: 550-17 for the Base or 650-16 for the Deluxe. Both are bias-ply fitments, so the next considerations are wheel diameter, sidewall style, and the kind of visual presentation you want for a prewar vehicle.
After confirming size, compare the available tire series and the way the car will be used. Some owners want a clean blackwall touring look, while others want a more formal wide whitewall appearance. It also helps to review rim-width details where they are given and to make sure the final choice suits the car's wheel setup and intended road use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1933 Continental Ace tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1933 Continental Ace include blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall, depending on tire size and series. The 550-17 range includes blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall, while 650-16 offerings include blackwall and wide whitewall options.
That sidewall choice has a strong effect on the car's finished appearance, especially on a 1930s vehicle where the tire occupies a large visual area. Buyers usually choose between a more restrained blackwall look and a brighter restoration-oriented whitewall presentation. The best approach is to match the sidewall style to the car's trim level, overall build direction, and wheel size.
What brands offer tires for the 1933 Continental Ace?
Tires for the 1933 Continental Ace are available from BFGoodrich in 550-17, while 650-16 opens up options from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. All of the primary fitment choices are bias-ply tires.
Brand choice matters less as a status question than as a way to sort through tread style, sidewall treatment, and series character. Some 650-16 options lean toward traditional passenger-car presentation, while others have truck or military-style emphasis. Once the correct size is confirmed, compare the brand's available series and sidewall combinations against the look and use you want from the car.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1933 Continental Ace?
A period-style 1933 Continental Ace should stay with its correct primary bias-ply size for the exact sub-model: 550-17 for the Base or 650-16 for the Deluxe. From there, the most useful restoration decisions are sidewall treatment, tread character, and whether the car should present as restrained or more formal.
For many owners, blackwall gives a simpler, workmanlike look, while whitewall treatments create a more dressed appearance associated with upscale prewar presentation. Exact originality can vary by how an individual car was delivered or restored, so buyers chasing strict historical accuracy should compare the final tire choice with marque references or period vehicle documentation.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1933 Continental Ace restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1933 Continental Ace restoration because the tire size helps define both stance and proportion. Using the proper bias-ply size for the Base or Deluxe model keeps the wheel opening, sidewall presence, and overall visual balance closer to the way the car was intended to appear.
Fitment also affects practical details beyond appearance. A mismatch in wheel diameter or an incorrect size can create unnecessary mounting problems and alter how the car sits. On a restoration-focused project, it makes sense to confirm sub-model, wheel diameter, and desired sidewall style together so the finished car looks coherent rather than merely wearing a tire that happens to mount.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1933 Continental Ace?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1933 Continental Ace. Wheel changes, brake conversions, suspension work, altered ride height, or body repairs can all influence which tire size clears properly, even when the car originally used 550-17 or 650-16 bias-ply tires.
That matters especially on a prewar car, where decades of repairs or parts substitutions are common. A buyer should verify wheel diameter first and then look at wheel width, steering clearance, and space inside the fenders before finalizing a tire. The presence of the correct sub-model size does not override changes that may have been made to the vehicle over time.
What should I inspect before driving a 1933 Continental Ace on new tires?
Before driving a 1933 Continental Ace on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, and overall condition of the mounting surfaces. It also makes sense to check steering and suspension components, because loose or worn parts can affect how a freshly mounted bias-ply tire tracks and wears.
A short road test should begin with proper inflation and a close look at clearance during turning and suspension movement. After the first miles, recheck for air loss and confirm that the tire is wearing evenly. On a collector car that has spent long periods parked, this basic inspection is just as important as choosing the correct tire size.
How should 1933 Continental Ace tires be maintained on a collector car?
Tires on a collector 1933 Continental Ace should be inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and air loss, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Bias-ply tires on low-mileage vintage vehicles can age out long before the tread looks worn, so visual condition matters as much as mileage.
Storage habits also make a difference. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the sidewalls, while maintaining proper inflation reduces stress on the casing during long periods of parking. Before any longer drive, confirm tire pressure and give the tires a careful walk-around rather than assuming they are ready because they still look presentable.
