The 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom comes from an era when American luxury and style were expressed through long hoods, flowing fenders, and richly detailed coachwork. Auburn remains especially admired for combining upscale presence with sporting character, so tire choice affects both appearance and the way the car presents itself on the road. This model uses a 650-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, keeping the fitment firmly in period. Within that size, there is meaningful choice in blackwall and wide whitewall styles, along with several classic bias-ply series. For a restoration-minded owner, the real task is matching the correct size to the wheel while choosing the sidewall look and tread character that suit the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom
The 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom uses one primary tire size: 650-16. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and the covered 8 Cyl. sub-model uses the same size. That means the main decision is not which primary size fits, but which 650-16 tire best matches the car's appearance, wheel specification, and intended road use.
The 650-16 size uses a vintage numeric bias-ply format, with 6.50 referring to the tire's nominal section width in inches and 16 identifying the rim diameter. On the 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom, this keeps the car in its proper prewar sizing language and preserves the tall, traditional stance associated with the period. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall versions from brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and Tornel across several bias-ply series. Choosing among them comes down to wheel-width compatibility, restoration appearance, and whether the car will be driven as a passenger-car presentation or with a more utility-oriented tread style.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom sub-models. The 8 Cyl. version uses the same primary tire size, so the main concern is confirming the wheel setup and then selecting the right 650-16 tire style for the car's look and use.
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1934 Auburn 50Y Custom 8 Cyl.
The 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom 8 Cyl. uses the 650-16 bias-ply tire size on a 16-inch rim. That keeps selection focused on period-style presentation, sidewall choice, and wheel-width compatibility rather than sorting through multiple primary fitments.
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 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom Tires for Sale
Available 650-16 choices span BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and Tornel. The product grid is most useful for comparing classic bias-ply series, blackwall versus wide whitewall presentation, and wheel-width or load-related specifications where they vary.
Owners of a 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom usually need clarity on 650-16 sizing, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply selection, sidewall style, and the checks that matter before putting a prewar collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom?
The 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom uses a 650-16 tire. This is a numeric bias-ply size fitted to a 16-inch rim, and the covered 8 Cyl. sub-model uses that same primary fitment.
That makes the buying decision more about choosing the right 650-16 tire than sorting through multiple factory-style sizes. Start by confirming the actual wheel diameter on the car, especially if it has been restored or modified in the past, then compare sidewall style, wheel-width suitability, and the overall look you want for touring, show presentation, or a period-style restoration.
What size rim does a 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom use?
The 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom uses a 16-inch rim with its 650-16 tire size. Product offerings in this fitment also show wheel-width compatibility that commonly falls in the traditional narrow range used with vintage bias-ply tires.
Confirming rim diameter is the first step, but width matters too before mounting a replacement tire. Many Auburns have lived through decades of restoration work, wheel replacement, or service changes, so it is worth measuring the wheel on the car rather than relying on assumption. A correct 16-inch diameter alone does not settle every fitment question.
Does the 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom 8 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire size as the model core. There is no separate primary size to sort out within that sub-model here.
That consistency helps narrow the decision quickly, but it does not eliminate the need to inspect the actual wheel and tire setup. A collector car may have replacement wheels, altered wheel widths, or non-matching tires installed over time. Once the 650-16 fitment is confirmed, the main choices become sidewall style, tire series, and whether the car's presentation calls for a blackwall or wide whitewall look.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-16 tire for a 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom?
Begin with the correct size and construction: the 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom uses a 650-16 bias-ply tire. From there, compare whether the tire suits the wheel width on the car, the appearance you want, and the type of driving the car will actually see.
Some 650-16 options emphasize classic passenger-car presentation, while others lean toward truck or utility tread character. Sidewall style also changes the car's visual balance considerably, especially on a prewar luxury car with full fenders and prominent wheel openings. Matching the tire to the vehicle's stance, restoration direction, and wheel specification usually matters more than choosing by brand alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom tires?
The available 650-16 tires for a 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom include blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That gives owners a clear choice between a more restrained traditional look and a brighter period-style presentation.
Sidewall treatment changes the car's character more than many buyers expect. A blackwall can suit a simpler or more understated restoration, while a wide whitewall often highlights the Auburn's elegant prewar proportions. Since whitewall width and branding style can vary by tire series, it helps to compare those details alongside wheel compatibility rather than choosing only by the size code.
What brands offer tires for the 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom?
650-16 tires for the 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom are available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. Those brands cover several classic bias-ply series and more than one visual style within the same primary size.
Brand selection is best treated as one part of a broader fitment decision. Compare the sidewall appearance, the tire series character, and any wheel-width or load-related details that apply to your intended use. On a prewar collector car, the right tire is usually the one that matches the car's configuration and presentation goals rather than simply the most familiar brand name.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom?
A period-style 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom starts with the correct 650-16 bias-ply size. From there, the most relevant choices are among classic bias-ply series and whether the car looks best with a blackwall or wide whitewall presentation.
Because prewar cars vary by restoration philosophy, no single brand or sidewall treatment should be assumed correct for every Auburn. Owners aiming for a historically faithful finish should compare the tire's visual character with period photos, marque-club references, and the specific way the car is being restored. The right selection supports both the car's stance and its overall presentation.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom. The 650-16 size affects the car's stance, the visual relationship between tire and fender, and the overall authenticity of a restoration-oriented presentation.
Even when the size is correct, details such as sidewall style and the character of the tire series influence how finished the car looks. A prewar Auburn carries a lot of visual weight in its wheel openings, so the wrong presentation can look noticeably out of place. Verifying wheel dimensions first helps ensure the chosen tire supports both appearance and proper mounting.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom?
Yes. A 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom may still call for a 650-16 tire, but aftermarket wheels, altered wheel widths, brake conversions, suspension work, or body changes can all affect how that size mounts and clears the car.
Even subtle changes on a collector vehicle can matter because prewar wheel wells, steering geometry, and wheel hardware leave less room for assumption than modern cars. Measure the actual wheel diameter and width, then check clearance at full steering lock and under suspension movement. That is especially important if the car has been rebuilt over many decades with mixed components.
What should I inspect before driving a 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom on new tires?
Start by checking that the tires are mounted on the correct 16-inch wheels and that inflation is appropriate for the tire being used. Then inspect valve stems, wheel condition, lug hardware, and basic running-gear items that could affect how the car tracks and rides.
A short test drive should be treated as a systems check, not just a tire check. Watch for rubbing, uneven steering effort, vibration, and any sign that the tire sits poorly on the rim. On an older collector car, worn suspension parts or wheel issues can mimic a tire problem, so a careful once-over before road use is time well spent.
How should 650-16 tires on a collector 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom be maintained?
Maintain 650-16 tires on a 1934 Auburn 50Y Custom by checking air pressure regularly, inspecting the sidewalls and tread for cracking or cuts, and watching for any persistent air loss. Collector cars often age tires by time and storage conditions more than by mileage alone.
Good storage habits matter almost as much as road maintenance. Keep the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources, and inspect the tires before each driving season rather than assuming low use means low risk. Bias-ply tires on a prewar car should also be checked for even wear and any change in ride or steering feel over time.
