The 1933 Cunningham 8 comes from an era when luxury American automobiles rode on tall, generous tires that played a major role in both stance and driving character. For owners of this pre-war car, tire selection is as much about preserving the right visual presence as it is about matching the correct wheel setup. The 1933 Cunningham 8 uses bias-ply tires, with fitment split between 700-20 and 700-19 depending on sub-model. Available choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles across classic Firestone, BFGoodrich, Lester, and truck-oriented offerings. The key first step is confirming whether the car is a Base or WI and verifying its wheel diameter before choosing a restoration-oriented replacement.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1933 Cunningham 8
The 1933 Cunningham 8 uses two primary tire sizes, and the difference comes down to sub-model and rim diameter. One version uses a 20-inch wheel and the other uses a 19-inch wheel, so the first thing to confirm is whether the car is a Base or WI and whether its wheels remain original. Once that is settled, the decision becomes choosing the right bias-ply tire style, series, and sidewall treatment for the car’s intended appearance and use.
A 700-20 size is a vintage numeric bias-ply designation in which the 7.00 figure refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches and the 20 identifies the rim diameter. On the 1933 Cunningham 8, this is a traditional bias-ply fitment that suits the tall-tire proportions expected on a pre-war luxury automobile. Available choices include Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Denman products with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall presentations across Firestone Balloon, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Highway Classic Truck, and Firestone Classic Truck lines. This size is the one to evaluate when the car has the 20-inch wheel setup and the buyer wants to match the vehicle’s original-era visual character.
A 700-19 size uses the same vintage numeric bias-ply format, with 7.00 indicating nominal section width and 19 identifying the wheel diameter in inches. For the 1933 Cunningham 8, this remains a bias-ply fitment and carries the upright, substantial look associated with early 1930s automobiles. Product choices include Firestone and Lester offerings, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall sidewall styles available in Firestone Balloon, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, and Lester Classic Bias Ply series. This is the correct size to consider when the car is equipped with the 19-inch wheel setup used on the WI sub-model.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1933 Cunningham 8 because tire size changes with the wheel diameter. The Base and WI do not share the same primary size, so identifying the exact sub-model is essential before selecting a tire.
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1933 Cunningham 8 Base
The 1933 Cunningham 8 Base uses the 700-20 bias-ply size. That points the buyer toward 20-inch-wheel tire choices and makes sidewall appearance, tire series, and rim compatibility the next considerations once the wheel setup has been confirmed.
The 1933 Cunningham 8 WI uses the 700-19 bias-ply size. Tire selection for this sub-model centers on confirming the 19-inch wheel arrangement and then choosing the right blackwall or whitewall presentation for the car’s restoration or touring goals.
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 Cunningham 8 Tires for Sale
Available 1933 Cunningham 8 tire options span 700-20 and 700-19 bias-ply fitments from Firestone, BFGoodrich, Lester, and Denman. Buyers can compare classic series, blackwall and whitewall presentations, and wheel-width compatibility depending on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter.
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Bias Ply
Firestone Balloon 4.25 Inch Double Whitewall | 700-20
Owners researching 1933 Cunningham 8 tires usually need to sort out the correct size by sub-model first, then compare rim fitment, sidewall style, and restoration-oriented bias-ply choices before putting the car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1933 Cunningham 8?
A 1933 Cunningham 8 uses one of two primary tire sizes: 700-20 or 700-19, and both are bias-ply fitments. The Base sub-model uses 700-20, while the WI uses 700-19, so the correct size depends on the exact version of the car and its wheel diameter.
That makes wheel verification especially important before purchasing tires. A car that has had wheel changes over the years may no longer match its original sub-model setup, so checking the actual rim diameter on the vehicle is just as important as knowing whether it is a Base or WI.
What size rim does a 1933 Cunningham 8 use?
The 1933 Cunningham 8 uses either a 20-inch rim or a 19-inch rim, depending on sub-model. The Base uses the 700-20 tire on a 20-inch wheel, while the WI uses the 700-19 tire on a 19-inch wheel.
That difference is too important to guess, because a 19-inch tire and a 20-inch tire are not interchangeable. A quick inspection of the actual wheels on the car helps avoid ordering the right section width in the wrong diameter, especially on a pre-war vehicle that may have been altered or rebuilt over time.
Do all 1933 Cunningham 8 sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1933 Cunningham 8 Base uses 700-20, while the 1933 Cunningham 8 WI uses 700-19. Both are bias-ply sizes, but they are tied to different wheel diameters and should be treated as separate fitments rather than slight variations of the same tire.
For a buyer, that means the first decision is identifying the exact sub-model and confirming the wheels currently on the car. Once that is established, the focus can shift to sidewall style, brand, and tire series instead of trying to sort out whether more than one primary size might apply.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-20 tire for a 1933 Cunningham 8?
Start with the basics: the 700-20 size must match a Base-model 1933 Cunningham 8 or any car that is actually equipped with 20-inch wheels. From there, compare the available bias-ply choices by brand, sidewall style, tire series, rim-width specification, and whether the tire has a passenger-car or truck-oriented character.
A restoration-minded owner may focus on the traditional look of blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall options, while another owner may be more concerned with wheel compatibility and load specification. Checking the wheel width already on the car is especially important because 700-20 products do not all share the same rim-width range.
What sidewall styles are available for 1933 Cunningham 8 tires?
1933 Cunningham 8 tires are available in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles, depending on the exact size and product selected. Those choices appear across both 700-20 and 700-19 fitments, giving owners a meaningful visual decision in addition to the basic size and wheel-diameter requirements.
Sidewall style has a major effect on how a pre-war automobile presents itself, especially on a car with tall tires and open fender lines. The right choice depends on the appearance you want and how closely the car is being restored, but it still has to be made within the correct size for the sub-model.
What brands offer tires for the 1933 Cunningham 8?
Tires for the 1933 Cunningham 8 are available from Firestone, BFGoodrich, Lester, and Denman, depending on whether the car uses 700-20 or 700-19. Firestone appears across both sizes, while BFGoodrich and Denman are part of the 700-20 range and Lester appears in 700-19.
Brand is only one part of the decision on a car like this. It still makes sense to compare sidewall style, tire series, wheel-width compatibility, and the intended use of the vehicle, since some products lean more toward traditional passenger-car presentation while others have a more truck-oriented specification.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1933 Cunningham 8?
A period-style 1933 Cunningham 8 tire choice starts with the correct primary size for the sub-model: 700-20 for the Base or 700-19 for the WI, both in bias-ply construction. From there, the most visually important differences are usually sidewall treatment and tire series rather than a change in basic sizing format.
Owners pursuing a historically appropriate look often choose among blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall options based on the car’s restoration direction. When exact originality matters, it is wise to compare those choices against marque-club guidance, period photos, and other vehicle-specific references before settling on a final presentation.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1933 Cunningham 8?
On a restored 1933 Cunningham 8, bias-ply construction plays a visible role in the overall presentation because these tires carry the tall, traditional proportions associated with early 1930s luxury cars. Since the primary fitments here are bias-ply, the tire’s sidewall style and series work within that same period-style visual framework.
That matters because tires are highly visible on a full-fender pre-war car, and a change in construction or profile can alter the vehicle’s stance and character. Even within bias-ply choices, whitewall treatment, tread style, and wheel fitment should be considered carefully so the finished car looks cohesive from curbside and on tour.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1933 Cunningham 8?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1933 Cunningham 8, especially if the car has had wheel changes, brake conversions, suspension work, or body repairs that alter clearance. Because this model already uses two different rim diameters across its sub-models, any deviation from stock wheel equipment deserves careful checking.
A buyer should confirm the actual wheel diameter and width on the car before choosing 700-20 or 700-19 tires. It also helps to inspect steering clearance, fender clearance, and how the tire sits on the rim, particularly on a restored vehicle that may have components from different periods of its life.
What should I inspect before driving a 1933 Cunningham 8 on new tires?
Before driving a 1933 Cunningham 8 on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall wheel condition, then make sure the tires are seated correctly and inflated appropriately for the application. It is also smart to confirm basic clearance at the fenders and steering components once the car is back on the ground.
A pre-war car deserves a broader mechanical check before road use, not just a tire change. Looking at suspension wear, brake condition, and any signs of rubbing during low-speed movement can prevent trouble later, especially on a vehicle that may spend long periods parked between short runs or show appearances.
How should 700-20 or 700-19 tires on a collector 1933 Cunningham 8 be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1933 Cunningham 8 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even when tread wear is minimal, bias-ply tires should be watched for cracking, bulges, cuts, or persistent air loss, since age and long periods of inactivity can matter as much as mileage.
Storage conditions make a real difference on a low-use pre-war car. Keeping the Cunningham away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, while periodic inspections before local drives or touring events give the owner a chance to catch problems before they become road-use issues.
