The 1933 Pierce Arrow B12 came from the final years of one of America’s most prestigious luxury marques, when twelve-cylinder power, formal coachwork, and imposing road presence defined the upper end of the market. Owners restoring or maintaining one today usually care as much about stance and presentation as basic drivability. This Pierce Arrow B12 uses a 750-17 bias-ply tire on a 17-inch rim, keeping the tire decision centered on traditional construction and proper vintage fitment. Within that size, choices include blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall treatments across several period-style series. The key is matching the tire to the car’s wheel setup, intended use, and restoration goals.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1933 Pierce Arrow B12
The 1933 Pierce Arrow B12 uses one primary tire size: 750-17. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 17-inch rim, and the covered 12 Cyl. - 1242 & 1247 sub-model uses that same size. That means the main decision is not choosing between multiple fitment sizes, but selecting the right 750-17 tire by sidewall style, tire series, rim-width suitability, and how closely the finished look should match the character of the car.
The 750-17 size uses the older numeric bias-ply format, where 7.50 refers to the nominal section width in inches and 17 identifies the wheel diameter. On a 1933 Pierce Arrow B12, that sizing keeps the tire in the traditional construction style expected for a large luxury car of the early 1930s. Available choices span Firestone, BFGoodrich, Tornel, and STA, with blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall appearances depending on the tire series. Choosing within 750-17 comes down to the car’s actual wheel width, the look you want, and whether the car will be shown, toured, or used in more specialized service.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered Pierce Arrow B12 configuration. The 12 Cyl. - 1242 & 1247 sub-model uses the same 750-17 bias-ply size, so the focus shifts from size identification to selecting the right tire style and wheel match.
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1933 Pierce Arrow B12 12 Cyl. - 1242 & 1247
The 1933 Pierce Arrow B12 12 Cyl. - 1242 & 1247 uses the 750-17 bias-ply size on a 17-inch rim. That keeps tire selection centered on traditional fitment, with the main choices being sidewall presentation, tire series, and confirming that the wheel width suits the particular 750-17 option under consideration.
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 Pierce Arrow B12 Tires for Sale
Available 750-17 choices for the 1933 Pierce Arrow B12 include Firestone, BFGoodrich, Tornel, and STA tires across Firestone Balloon, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Tornel Classic Truck, and Super Transport series. Sidewall treatments range from blackwall to double-whitewall and wide whitewall, with some options also differing in rim-width specification and load-focused design.
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Bias Ply
Firestone Balloon 4.75 Inch Double Whitewall | 750-17
These FAQs focus on 1933 Pierce Arrow B12 tire size, 17-inch rim fitment, bias-ply construction, sidewall appearance choices, and the practical checks that matter before a restored luxury car goes back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1933 Pierce Arrow B12?
The 1933 Pierce Arrow B12 uses a 750-17 tire size. That is a vintage numeric bias-ply size mounted on a 17-inch rim, and it is the primary fitment for the covered B12 application.
The important next step is making sure the car still has the correct wheel setup, especially on a vehicle that may have been restored or modified decades ago. Once the 750-17 size is confirmed, the real choice becomes sidewall style, tire series, and whether the wheel width matches the specific 750-17 tire being considered.
What size rim does a 1933 Pierce Arrow B12 use?
The 1933 Pierce Arrow B12 uses a 17-inch rim with its 750-17 tire size. The tire size itself confirms the wheel diameter, and the available products for this fitment are built around that 17-inch wheel requirement.
Wheel diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a car from this era. Before choosing a tire, it is wise to confirm the actual wheel width as well, because some 750-17 options are intended for different rim-width ranges and that can affect both tire selection and the finished stance of the car.
Does the 1933 Pierce Arrow B12 12 Cyl. - 1242 & 1247 use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1933 Pierce Arrow B12 12 Cyl. - 1242 & 1247 uses the same 750-17 bias-ply tire size as the covered B12 fitment. That keeps sub-model tire selection simple because there is no alternate primary size to sort through here.
Even with shared fitment, tire choice is not completely automatic. A restoration-minded owner may want a wide whitewall or double-whitewall presentation, while a more utilitarian setup may lean toward blackwall or heavier-duty designs, so wheel width and intended use still deserve a careful check before mounting.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 750-17 tire for a 1933 Pierce Arrow B12?
Start with the correct 750-17 size and the car’s 17-inch wheel diameter, then narrow the choice by construction style, intended use, and appearance. On a 1933 Pierce Arrow B12, that usually means selecting among traditional bias-ply options that suit a luxury pre-war car rather than treating every 750-17 tire as the same.
Some 750-17 tires are styled for passenger-car presentation, while others are heavier-duty truck-oriented designs with different rim-width needs and load-focused specifications. Matching the tire to the actual wheel, the look of the restoration, and whether the car is driven occasionally or used more seriously will lead to a better decision than choosing by size alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1933 Pierce Arrow B12 tires?
The 1933 Pierce Arrow B12 has 750-17 tire options in blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. Those sidewall treatments can change the car’s visual character dramatically, especially on a large early-1930s luxury automobile where tire appearance is a major part of the overall presentation.
A blackwall usually gives the most restrained look, while double-whitewall and wide whitewall options create a more formal, restoration-oriented appearance. Sidewall style should still be chosen alongside the tire series and wheel-width compatibility, since the right visual treatment is only useful if the tire also suits the car’s wheel setup and intended road use.
What brands offer tires for the 1933 Pierce Arrow B12?
Available 750-17 tires for the 1933 Pierce Arrow B12 come from Firestone, BFGoodrich, Tornel, and STA. Those brands cover several different series, including Firestone Balloon, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Tornel Classic Truck, and Super Transport.
Brand alone should not make the decision on a vehicle like this. It makes more sense to compare the tire’s sidewall style, whether it is oriented toward passenger-car presentation or truck-duty use, and whether its rim-width and load specification align with the actual wheel and intended service of the Pierce Arrow.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1933 Pierce Arrow B12?
A period-style 1933 Pierce Arrow B12 usually starts with the correct 750-17 bias-ply size and then narrows the choice by visual treatment and tire character. Firestone Balloon and Silvertown Classic Bias Ply options are especially relevant when the goal is a traditional pre-war luxury-car presentation rather than a more utilitarian truck-style setup.
Whitewall treatment has a strong effect on how formal or understated the finished car looks, so that choice deserves as much attention as the brand. When exact originality matters, compare the intended tire against marque references, period photos, and restoration documentation instead of assuming that any tire sold in the correct size matches the car’s original delivery appearance.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1933 Pierce Arrow B12?
On a restored 1933 Pierce Arrow B12, staying with the proper 750-17 bias-ply construction preserves the traditional proportions and visual character associated with an early-1930s luxury car. Construction influences more than driving feel; it also shapes how naturally the tire looks with the body, wheel openings, and overall stance.
Appearance also changes with sidewall treatment, because blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall versions can give the same car a very different personality. For a restoration-oriented result, tire construction and sidewall style should be chosen together so the finished presentation supports the era of the car instead of pulling it toward a later look.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1933 Pierce Arrow B12?
Yes. Even though the primary size is 750-17, modifications can change whether a particular tire is appropriate for a 1933 Pierce Arrow B12. Replacement wheels, altered wheel widths, brake conversions, suspension work, or body changes can all affect how a tire sits and clears the car.
A vintage luxury car that has passed through several owners may not still be on its original wheel setup, so measuring the actual rims is worthwhile before selecting a tire. Clearance at the fenders and steering components should also be checked carefully, especially if the car uses a tire with a different profile or service orientation than the previous set.
What should I inspect before driving a 1933 Pierce Arrow B12 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheel condition, valve hardware, mounting surfaces, and the overall condition of the suspension and steering components. On a substantial pre-war car like the 1933 Pierce Arrow B12, tire pressure and wheel security deserve close attention from the first installation onward.
A short, careful test drive is a smart way to confirm that the tires clear properly and that the car tracks as expected. It also helps to recheck inflation, look for any signs of rubbing, and make sure the tires are wearing evenly, particularly if the car has spent long periods in storage or has recently returned to service.
How should 750-17 tires on a collector 1933 Pierce Arrow B12 be maintained?
Maintain 750-17 tires on a collector 1933 Pierce Arrow B12 with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and clean storage habits. Tires on collector cars often age out from time and environment before they wear out from mileage, so sidewall condition matters just as much as tread depth.
Look for cracking, bulges, cuts, flat-spotting, and slow air loss, especially after the car has been parked for long stretches. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires, and any sign of age-related deterioration should be evaluated before the Pierce Arrow is taken on a longer drive.