The 1934 Franklin Olympic came from a brief but distinctive period in American motoring, when advanced engineering and light, air-cooled design still set Franklin apart from many of its contemporaries. For owners today, that character makes tire choice more than a routine replacement decision, because the tire has a major effect on stance, ride presentation, and restoration credibility. The 1934 Franklin Olympic uses a 6.00-17 bias-ply tire on a 17-inch rim. That keeps the focus on selecting the right period-style bias-ply within the proper size rather than sorting through multiple factory fitments. For a car like this, wheel condition, appearance goals, and cautious road-use preparation all matter before the next drive.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1934 Franklin Olympic
The 1934 Franklin Olympic uses one primary tire size: 6.00-17. It is a bias-ply fitment for a 17-inch rim, and the covered 6 Cyl. sub-model uses that same size. That means the main decision is not which factory size applies, but which 6.00-17 bias-ply tire best suits the car's appearance, intended road use, and overall restoration direction.
In a numeric bias-ply size such as 6.00-17, the first number refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches, while the final number identifies the wheel diameter. On the 1934 Franklin Olympic, this size preserves the bias-ply construction style associated with the car's era and overall visual character. Numeric bias-ply sizing is familiar territory for pre-war restorations, where the tire's profile and presentation matter almost as much as basic fitment. Choosing within 6.00-17 starts with confirming the 17-inch wheel and then matching the tire to the car's intended use, whether that is display, touring, or a more authenticity-focused restoration.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1934 Franklin Olympic sub-models. The 6 Cyl. version uses the same primary size, so the focus stays on selecting the right 6.00-17 bias-ply tire and confirming the car's actual wheel setup before replacement.
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1934 Franklin Olympic 6 Cyl.
The 1934 Franklin Olympic 6 Cyl. uses the same 6.00-17 bias-ply fitment as the model core. That keeps tire selection centered on period-style bias-ply replacement, wheel-condition checks, and choosing a tire that suits the car's restoration goals and planned 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
These 1934 Franklin Olympic tire FAQs focus on the 6.00-17 bias-ply fitment, 17-inch wheel compatibility, restoration-oriented selection, and the inspection steps that matter before putting a pre-war car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1934 Franklin Olympic?
The 1934 Franklin Olympic uses a 6.00-17 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment, and it is the primary size associated with the model covered here, including the 1934 Franklin Olympic 6 Cyl.
That makes sizing fairly straightforward, but the tire should still be matched to an actual 17-inch wheel in sound condition. On an older collector car, it is wise to verify the wheels have not been changed over the years and to inspect rims for damage, corrosion, or previous repairs before mounting new tires.
What size rim does a 1934 Franklin Olympic use?
The 1934 Franklin Olympic uses a 17-inch rim with its 6.00-17 tire size. The size code itself ends in 17, which corresponds to the wheel diameter used with this fitment.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed before replacement, especially on a pre-war vehicle that may have seen restoration work or parts changes over time. Measuring the wheel and checking its condition helps avoid ordering the right tire size for the wrong wheel, which is a common issue on collector cars with a long service history.
Does the 1934 Franklin Olympic 6 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1934 Franklin Olympic 6 Cyl. uses the same 6.00-17 bias-ply tire size. There is no separate primary tire size for that covered sub-model, so the basic fitment remains consistent.
Even with shared sizing, tire selection still involves more than reading the sidewall code. The car's wheels should be checked for true 17-inch diameter, acceptable width for the tire being considered, and overall condition, particularly if the vehicle has been stored for years or restored with replacement wheels at some point.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 6.00-17 tire for a 1934 Franklin Olympic?
Start with the correct size and construction. The 1934 Franklin Olympic uses a 6.00-17 bias-ply tire, so the first priority is staying with the proper numeric bias-ply fitment and confirming that the car still has the correct 17-inch wheels.
After that, think about how the car will be used. A display-focused restoration may place more emphasis on period-style appearance, while a regularly driven collector car may put more weight on casing condition, wheel integrity, and consistent setup across all four corners. Matching all tires in size and construction is especially important on a pre-war car.
How do I choose between the available 6.00-17 tires for a 1934 Franklin Olympic?
The best way to compare 6.00-17 options for a 1934 Franklin Olympic is to stay focused on fitment first, then appearance and intended use. Since the size itself is fixed, the real comparison is whether a given tire suits the car's restoration character and how the vehicle will be driven.
A pre-war Franklin often benefits from a tire that preserves a traditional profile and presentation. Wheel condition, mounting requirements, and the age and condition of any remaining companion tires should also be part of the decision, because mixing fresh tires with old, questionable ones can undermine both appearance and road confidence.
What rim-fitment details matter when choosing 1934 Franklin Olympic tires?
The most important rim-fitment detail is confirming that the car actually has 17-inch wheels for its 6.00-17 tires. The wheels should also be inspected for structural soundness, roundness, and any signs of damage from age, corrosion, or earlier repairs.
Pre-war vehicles are often decades removed from their original service life, so wheel history matters. A tire in the correct size can still present problems if the rim is bent, weakened, or not suited to the tire being mounted. Careful inspection before installation helps protect both fitment quality and the car's road manners.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1934 Franklin Olympic?
For a period-style 1934 Franklin Olympic, the proper starting point is the original fitment type and size: a 6.00-17 bias-ply tire. That keeps the car within the right visual and dimensional tradition for a pre-war American automobile of this era.
Appearance-minded owners usually want the tire to support the car's overall stance rather than look overly modern. When exact historical originality is a major goal, it is smart to compare the tire choice against marque-club guidance, restoration photos, and other Franklin-specific references so the finished car reflects the presentation being targeted.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1934 Franklin Olympic restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1934 Franklin Olympic restoration. The right 6.00-17 bias-ply size affects not only whether the tire mounts properly, but also how the car sits, how the wheel openings look, and how authentic the finished presentation feels.
Incorrect sizing can make a carefully restored car look off even before it leaves the garage. It can also complicate clearance, steering feel, and overall balance. For a restoration-focused Franklin, tires should be treated as a visible chassis component rather than an afterthought, especially when the goal is a coherent pre-war appearance.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1934 Franklin Olympic?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1934 Franklin Olympic, even when the intended tire size remains 6.00-17. Replacement wheels, altered suspension height, brake updates, or body and fender work can all change how much space the tire has and how it sits on the car.
A collector vehicle with decades of ownership history may not still match its original configuration. That is why wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at full steering lock deserve a careful look before new tires are mounted. Small changes made long ago can have a real effect on present-day fitment.
What should I inspect before driving a 1934 Franklin Olympic on new tires?
Before driving a 1934 Franklin Olympic on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, and overall mounting condition, then check the rest of the car for roadworthiness. Tires are only one part of the equation on a pre-war vehicle that may have spent long periods in storage.
A sensible pre-drive check includes tire pressure, lug security, visible clearance, and any signs of rubbing once the car is on the ground. It also helps to look over steering, suspension, and brake condition before taking the car out. A fresh set of tires deserves an equally careful look at the chassis underneath them.
How should 6.00-17 tires on a collector 1934 Franklin Olympic be maintained?
6.00-17 tires on a collector 1934 Franklin Olympic should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and thoughtful storage habits. Bias-ply tires on low-mileage antique cars can age out long before they wear out, so condition matters more than tread depth alone.
Keep the car away from prolonged sun, heat, moisture, and ozone sources when possible, and inspect the sidewalls for cracking, bulges, cuts, or unusual flat spotting. Periodic checks after storage are especially important before road use, since collector cars often sit longer than modern vehicles and can develop age-related tire issues quietly.
