1933 Nash 1170 Tires

The 1933 Nash 1170 uses a 550-18 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment on an 18-inch rim, and it is the primary size used for the covered model and sub-model.

That makes the next decision less about size and more about choosing the right tire within the 550-18 range. Sidewall style, brand, rim-width compatibility, and the overall look you want on the car all matter, especially if the Nash has been restored, stored for long periods, or fitted with replacement wheels at some point in its life.

The 1933 Nash 1170 uses an 18-inch rim with its 550-18 tire size. The tire size itself confirms the wheel diameter, and available products in this fitment are built for 18-inch applications.

Wheel diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a pre-war car. It is also worth checking the actual wheel width and condition before mounting new tires, since 550-18 products can carry different rim-width specifications. A car that has had wheels swapped over the decades should be measured rather than assumed to still have its original wheel setup.

Yes. The 1933 Nash 1170 Base uses the same 550-18 bias-ply tire size as the model's primary fitment. That keeps tire selection simple at the sub-model level.

Because the size does not change across the covered fitment, the real choice becomes how you want the car to look and how closely you want to stay with a traditional pre-war presentation. Blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall options all create a different visual effect, so it helps to match the tire style to the car's restoration direction and wheel dimensions.

Start with the correct 550-18 size and confirm that the tire's bias-ply construction suits the car's intended use and appearance. Then compare sidewall style, tire series, rim-width requirements, and any stated load-capacity details that apply to the specific tire you are considering.

A pre-war Nash can look very different depending on whether it wears blackwalls, wide whitewalls, or a double-whitewall treatment. Wheel width matters too, since some 550-18 tires are built around narrower rims while others allow a broader range. Matching the tire to the actual wheel on the car helps avoid buying purely on looks without checking practical fitment.

The 1933 Nash 1170's 550-18 tire selection includes blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall sidewall styles. Those choices give the car noticeably different visual character even though the tire size remains the same.

Blackwalls tend to deliver a restrained, utilitarian look, while wide whitewalls and double-whitewalls create a more formal restoration-oriented presentation. Since sidewall style does not change the vehicle's basic size requirement, the better approach is to choose the look that fits the car's finish, wheel treatment, and intended era impression while still confirming the tire matches the wheel dimensions on the car.

The 1933 Nash 1170's 550-18 fitment is available from Excelsior, Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Michelin. Those brands appear across several bias-ply series, including Comp H, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, and Double Rivet.

Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor on a car of this age. It is more useful to compare each tire's sidewall style, rim-width specification, load figure where stated, and the visual character of the tire series. That approach helps narrow the selection to a tire that matches both the car's wheel setup and the kind of period-style presentation you want.

A period-style 1933 Nash 1170 starts with the correct 550-18 bias-ply size. From there, the best choice depends on the appearance you want to present, with available options spanning blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall versions in several traditional tire series.

For many pre-war restorations, the tire's visual treatment matters almost as much as the size itself because it shapes the car's stance and era impression. If exact originality matters, compare your choice against marque references, period photos, or restoration records for your specific car. That keeps the tire aligned with the vehicle's historical character without assuming every 550-18 style was used the same way.

Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1933 Nash 1170 because the tire's height, width, and construction strongly influence the car's visual balance. Staying with the proper 550-18 bias-ply format preserves the tall, narrow pre-war presentation the car was designed around.

Restoration accuracy also extends beyond size alone. Wheel diameter, wheel width, sidewall style, and the overall profile of the tire all affect how authentic the finished car looks. Even on a driver-quality restoration, using the proper format helps avoid a noticeably modern appearance that can make the car look out of proportion or visually disconnected from its era.

Yes. Any 1933 Nash 1170 that has had wheel changes, suspension work, brake conversions, or body alterations can require closer fitment checks even when using the correct 550-18 size. Pre-war cars often pass through many owners, and changes made decades later can affect clearance and wheel compatibility.

The safest approach is to confirm actual wheel diameter and width, then inspect steering clearance and fender space at rest and through movement. A tire that is correct in size format still needs to suit the wheel and the car's current setup. That is especially important if the Nash has non-original wheels or components that changed its stance.

Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage, verify proper mounting, and confirm that the new 550-18 tires clear fenders, suspension parts, and steering components. It is also wise to check valve stems, inflation, and whether the car tracks evenly once the tires are installed.

On a collector vehicle, tire installation should be paired with a broader inspection of age-related issues. Look over the car's wheel hardware, brake operation, front-end condition, and any signs of rubbing after a short test drive. A 1933 Nash that has spent long periods parked can reveal problems only after it returns to regular movement.

Collector-car 550-18 tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and clean storage conditions. Watch for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, or slow air loss, especially on a 1933 Nash 1170 that may spend long stretches off the road.

Storage habits matter as much as mileage on an older vehicle. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, heat, and ozone sources helps protect the tire casing and sidewall finish. It also helps to inspect the tires before every outing rather than relying on tread appearance alone, since age and inactivity can affect collector-car tires differently than daily-driver tires.