The 1933 Studebaker President came from a moment when independent American automakers were still competing on engineering, style, and prestige during a difficult market era. As Studebaker’s upscale line, the President carries strong appeal for collectors who value prewar design and the road manners of a large early-1930s automobile. The 1933 Studebaker President uses a 6.50-17 bias-ply tire on a 17-inch rim, which places tire selection squarely in the traditional prewar fitment category. That makes the main decision less about size and more about staying true to period-style construction and appearance. For restoration-minded owners, wheel condition, tube-type requirements, and overall tire presentation all deserve careful attention before road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1933 Studebaker President
The 1933 Studebaker President uses one primary tire size: 6.50-17. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 17-inch rim, and the same size is used on the covered President 8-82 sub-model. That means the real choice is not between multiple primary sizes, but between the available period-style tire options that suit the car’s appearance, wheel setup, and intended use.
The 6.50-17 size is a vintage numeric bias-ply designation, with 6.50 representing the nominal section width in inches and 17 identifying the rim diameter. On a 1933 Studebaker President, this format matches the prewar tire-sizing system owners expect to see on a restoration-oriented car of this era. Bias-ply construction is also an important part of the vehicle’s traditional stance and visual character, especially for buyers trying to preserve an authentic-looking presentation. Choosing this size starts with confirming the car still has the correct 17-inch wheels and then evaluating tire appearance, wheel condition, and service readiness.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1933 Studebaker President sub-models because the same primary size is used throughout. Even so, checking the exact sub-model helps confirm that the car still matches its intended wheel and tire setup before replacement.
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1933 Studebaker President 8-82
The 1933 Studebaker President 8-82 uses the same 6.50-17 bias-ply tire size as the broader model fitment. That keeps selection focused on maintaining the proper prewar tire format, confirming 17-inch wheel compatibility, and choosing a tire that suits the car’s restoration goals and road use.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common 1933 Studebaker President tire questions usually center on the 6.50-17 size, 17-inch rim fitment, period-style bias-ply selection, and the inspection steps that matter before putting a prewar car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1933 Studebaker President?
The 1933 Studebaker President uses a 6.50-17 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment and it mounts on a 17-inch rim, which places it firmly in the traditional prewar sizing system rather than a modern metric format.
That size is the starting point, but an older car should still be checked carefully before replacement. Confirm that the wheels on the car are still 17-inch originals or correct replacements, and look for any previous modifications that may have changed wheel width or overall tire clearance.
What size rim does a 1933 Studebaker President use?
The 1933 Studebaker President uses a 17-inch rim with its 6.50-17 tire fitment. The rim diameter is the key measurement here, because the tire’s final number, 17, must match the wheel diameter exactly.
On a collector car, it is wise to verify the actual wheels on the vehicle instead of assuming they are unchanged. A past owner may have substituted later wheels, and that can affect tire selection, mounting details, and the way the tire sits within the fender opening.
Does the 1933 Studebaker President 8-82 use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1933 Studebaker President 8-82 uses the same 6.50-17 bias-ply tire size as the core 1933 Studebaker President fitment. That keeps replacement sizing straightforward and avoids the need to sort through multiple primary sizes for this sub-model.
Even with shared fitment, the car should still be inspected as an individual vehicle. Wheel changes, brake work, or long-term storage can all affect service readiness, so it helps to confirm the wheel diameter, inspect the rims, and check for clearance issues before mounting new tires.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 6.50-17 tire for a 1933 Studebaker President?
Start with the correct 6.50-17 size and the proper bias-ply construction, since that matches the 1933 Studebaker President’s traditional fitment. For a prewar car, the decision usually centers on preserving the right overall look and maintaining a tire style that suits the vehicle’s era and character.
Selection also depends on how the car will be used. A show-focused restoration may prioritize period-style appearance, while a road-driven car may place more emphasis on wheel condition, mounting details, and careful inspection of the entire tire and wheel package before regular driving.
How do I choose between the available 6.50-17 tires for a 1933 Studebaker President?
The best way to compare 6.50-17 options for a 1933 Studebaker President is to stay focused on the correct size and then evaluate construction style, overall appearance, and compatibility with the car’s existing wheels. On a prewar vehicle, visual presentation often matters almost as much as the fitment itself.
It also helps to think about how original or restoration-oriented the finished car needs to look. Owners aiming for a traditional presentation usually want a tire that complements the car’s proportions, while any replacement should still be checked against the wheel condition and the car’s actual setup.
Why is the 6.50-17 size important for a 1933 Studebaker President?
The 6.50-17 designation is important because it reflects both the correct vintage sizing format and the correct 17-inch rim diameter for the 1933 Studebaker President. Using the proper size helps preserve the car’s intended stance and keeps the tire choice aligned with its prewar design.
Moving away from that size without careful comparison can introduce issues with wheel fit, visual proportion, and clearance. A collector vehicle should be measured and inspected before any change, especially if the wheels, suspension components, or body clearances may have been altered during earlier work.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1933 Studebaker President?
For a period-style 1933 Studebaker President, the right starting point is the correct 6.50-17 bias-ply size. That sizing format and construction are consistent with the kind of tire presentation buyers expect on a large prewar American car, especially when the goal is to preserve traditional proportions.
Appearance goals can vary from a dependable touring restoration to a highly detail-focused show car. If exact historical accuracy matters beyond size and construction, the final choice should be compared against marque references, restoration photos, and vehicle-specific documentation before settling on a particular tire presentation.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1933 Studebaker President restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1933 Studebaker President restoration. Tire size and construction have a strong effect on the car’s stance, side profile, and overall visual balance, and a prewar vehicle can look noticeably different when the wrong format is installed.
Fitment also affects practicality, since an incorrectly chosen tire may create issues with wheel compatibility or body clearance. Restorers should confirm the 17-inch wheel setup, inspect rim condition carefully, and make sure the finished tire choice supports both the car’s appearance goals and intended road use.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1933 Studebaker President?
Yes. A 1933 Studebaker President may use the correct 6.50-17 size on paper, but modifications can still change what works safely on the car. Wheel substitutions, suspension changes, brake conversions, or body alterations can all influence diameter match, tire clearance, and the way the tire sits on the wheel.
That is why the actual vehicle should be inspected before replacement. A buyer should verify the wheel diameter, confirm the wheels are appropriate for the intended tire, and check steering and fender clearance so the finished setup suits the car as it exists today, not just as originally configured.
What should I inspect before driving a 1933 Studebaker President on new tires?
Before driving a 1933 Studebaker President on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, and overall mounting condition along with the tires themselves. A prewar car should also be checked for sidewall clearance, proper seating on the rim, and any visible issues in the suspension or steering that could affect tire behavior.
Road readiness goes beyond the new tires alone. Tire pressure should be set correctly, wheel fasteners should be rechecked, and the car should be driven carefully at first while watching for vibration, pulling, or rubbing. Those early checks are especially important on older vehicles that may have sat unused for long periods.
How should 6.50-17 tires on a collector 1933 Studebaker President be maintained?
6.50-17 tires on a collector 1933 Studebaker President should be inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss. Collector cars often age their tires through time and storage rather than mileage, so condition matters just as much as tread depth.
Storage practices make a real difference on a low-use prewar car. Keeping the vehicle away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires, while periodic pressure checks and routine visual inspections help catch problems before the car is returned to regular road use.
