The 1933 Nash 1130 comes from an era when independent automakers competed on engineering character, comfort, and road manners rather than sheer size alone. For collectors today, that makes a prewar Nash especially appealing to restore and preserve with the right stance and tire presentation. The 1933 Nash 1130 uses a 550-17 bias-ply tire on a 17-inch rim, so the main fitment decision is less about size variation and more about selecting the right look within that traditional construction. Available choices include Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall versions in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line. That makes it important to balance period-style appearance, wheel compatibility, and the way the car will actually be used.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1933 Nash 1130
The 1933 Nash 1130 uses one primary tire size: 550-17 in bias-ply construction on a 17-inch rim. Since the covered sub-model shares that same fitment, the real choice is selecting the sidewall style and period-style presentation that best matches the car while keeping the wheel setup and intended road use in mind.
A 550-17 size uses the vintage numeric bias-ply system, where the 5.50 designation represents the tire's nominal section width in inches and 17 identifies the rim diameter. On a 1933 Nash 1130, this is a traditional bias-ply fitment that preserves the car's prewar tire profile and visual character. Within this size, BFGoodrich offers the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series with Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall sidewall treatments. That gives owners a way to stay with the proper size while tailoring the finished look to a straightforward driver, a restoration-oriented build, or a more formal period-style presentation.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1933 Nash 1130 sub-model. The main value in checking the sub-model is simply confirming that the car still matches the original wheel and tire configuration before choosing among the available sidewall styles.
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1933 Nash 1130 Base
The 1933 Nash 1130 Base uses the same 550-17 bias-ply fitment on a 17-inch rim as the core model listing. That keeps tire selection focused on appearance and restoration goals, with Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall options available in the correct size.
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 Nash 1130 Tires for Sale
Available 550-17 options center on BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires, with the main differences coming from sidewall presentation. Buyers can compare Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall versions while staying with the same traditional bias-ply construction and 17-inch fitment.
These 1933 Nash 1130 tire FAQs focus on the 550-17 fitment, 17-inch rim compatibility, bias-ply construction, sidewall appearance choices, and the practical checks that matter before putting a prewar Nash back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1933 Nash 1130?
The 1933 Nash 1130 uses a 550-17 tire size in bias-ply construction. That size is built for a 17-inch rim and is the primary fitment for the covered vehicle and its Base sub-model.
Using the correct size matters because prewar cars depend heavily on the proper tire proportions for stance, clearance, and overall presentation. Before choosing a replacement, confirm that the car still has 17-inch wheels and has not been changed to a different wheel or brake setup over the years.
What size rim does a 1933 Nash 1130 use?
The 1933 Nash 1130 uses a 17-inch rim with its 550-17 tire size. That rim diameter is the key wheel measurement to confirm before selecting replacement tires.
A 17-inch tire must go on a 17-inch wheel, but rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture. It is also worth checking the wheel's overall condition, width, and whether the car still wears its original-style wheels, especially on an older restoration or a car that has seen long-term storage.
Does the 1933 Nash 1130 Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1933 Nash 1130 Base uses the same 550-17 bias-ply tire size as the main 1933 Nash 1130 fitment. That keeps the basic sizing question simple for owners of the Base sub-model.
Even with shared fitment, there is still room to choose the tire's appearance. Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall versions are available in this size, so the next step is deciding whether the car is being kept as a modest driver, a formal prewar restoration, or something in between.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 550-17 tire for a 1933 Nash 1130?
Start with the correct size and construction: the 1933 Nash 1130 uses a 550-17 bias-ply tire on a 17-inch rim. From there, the main choices are sidewall appearance and how closely the tire suits the car's intended character.
A Blackwall gives a simpler, understated look, while Wide Whitewall and Double-Whitewall versions create a more formal prewar presentation. It also makes sense to inspect the wheels themselves before mounting new tires, since an older collector car may have worn rims, prior repairs, or changes made during earlier restoration work.
What sidewall styles are available for 1933 Nash 1130 tires?
The 1933 Nash 1130 has 550-17 tire options in Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall sidewall styles. Each one stays within the same basic size and bias-ply construction while changing the car's visual presentation.
That choice is often driven by the direction of the build rather than fitment alone. A simpler touring appearance may point toward Blackwall, while a restoration-oriented car may benefit from one of the whitewall treatments. When originality matters at a very detailed level, compare the tire look against period photos or marque-specific references.
What tire series are available for the 1933 Nash 1130?
The available 550-17 tires for the 1933 Nash 1130 are in the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. That keeps construction and basic sizing consistent while allowing variation in sidewall style.
Since the series is the same across the available choices, the decision becomes more about appearance and condition of the car's wheel setup than about comparing different tire families. Owners can focus on selecting the visual style that suits the Nash without moving away from the traditional bias-ply format it was designed around.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1933 Nash 1130?
A period-style 1933 Nash 1130 starts with the correct 550-17 bias-ply size. That preserves the traditional prewar tire format and keeps the car aligned with the proportions and visual character expected from an early 1930s Nash.
The final look depends on sidewall treatment. Blackwall offers a more restrained presentation, while Wide Whitewall and Double-Whitewall versions create a more formal appearance often associated with upscale prewar cars. For a highly exact restoration, compare those visual choices with period photos, club guidance, and other Nash-specific reference material.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1933 Nash 1130?
Tire construction has a strong effect on the look of a restored 1933 Nash 1130 because the car was designed around a bias-ply tire profile. Keeping the 550-17 bias-ply format helps maintain the upright, narrow-treaded visual balance typical of prewar automobiles.
Appearance is not only about size, though. Sidewall treatment changes the car's personality just as much, especially on a vehicle with tall wheels and prominent fenders. Matching construction and sidewall style carefully helps the Nash look cohesive rather than simply wearing a tire that happens to share the correct rim diameter.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1933 Nash 1130?
Yes. Even though the standard fitment is 550-17 on a 17-inch rim, modifications can change what works on a 1933 Nash 1130. Wheel swaps, brake conversions, suspension changes, or body and fender repairs can all influence tire clearance and wheel compatibility.
That is why an older collector car should be inspected as it sits today rather than assumed to be unchanged. Checking wheel diameter, wheel condition, steering clearance, and the relationship between the tire and the fenders helps prevent fitment surprises, especially on a car that may have been altered decades ago.
What should I inspect before driving a 1933 Nash 1130 on new tires?
Before driving a 1933 Nash 1130 on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and the general condition of the suspension and steering components. On a prewar car, the tire itself is only one part of a safe and usable road setup.
It also helps to verify tire pressure, look for any signs of rubbing at full steering lock, and make sure the car tracks evenly once the new tires are mounted. A short initial test drive can reveal vibration, clearance issues, or wheel problems that may not be obvious while the car is standing still.
How should 550-17 tires on a collector 1933 Nash 1130 be maintained?
550-17 tires on a collector 1933 Nash 1130 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Collector cars often accumulate fewer miles, so age, sitting time, and environmental exposure can matter as much as tread wear.
Watch for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss, especially after long storage periods. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and occasional movement can reduce flat spotting that sometimes develops when a vintage car sits in one place too long.
