1934 Reo Flying Cloud Tires

A 1934 Reo Flying Cloud uses either 650-16 or 700-16 tires, and both primary fitments are bias-ply sizes for 16-inch rims. The covered S4 sub-model appears with both sizes, so there is not a single one-size-fits-all answer for every car wearing the Flying Cloud name.

The practical next step is to confirm which size is already on the car and whether the wheels match that setup. On a collector car from this era, wheel changes, long-ago replacements, or restoration choices can affect what belongs there now, so checking the rim width and current tire clearance is wiser than choosing by model name alone.

The 1934 Reo Flying Cloud uses a 16-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes, 650-16 and 700-16. That means the rim diameter stays consistent even though the car may carry two different bias-ply size classes.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a prewar vehicle. It still helps to confirm wheel width before ordering tires, because some 650-16 and 700-16 products are intended for slightly different rim-width ranges, and that can influence the correct choice as much as the diameter stamped into the wheel.

The 1934 Reo Flying Cloud appears with two primary bias-ply sizes, 650-16 and 700-16, both on 16-inch rims. That usually means the buyer should treat the car’s actual wheel and tire setup as the deciding factor rather than assuming every surviving Flying Cloud uses the same size.

A larger size difference like this affects the overall look of the car, so it is worth checking more than just the sidewall markings. Looking at wheel width, fender clearance, and the existing stance will help narrow the choice and prevent ordering a period-style tire that does not suit the car’s present configuration.

Start with the correct primary size for the car, since a 1934 Reo Flying Cloud can use either 650-16 or 700-16 and both are bias-ply fitments. After size, compare the tire’s intended rim-width range, the sidewall style you want, and whether the series is aimed at traditional passenger-car presentation or a more utility-oriented tread style.

Appearance matters on a car of this era, but so does using a tire that suits the wheel already on the vehicle. A wide whitewall can change the character of the finished car dramatically, while blackwalls and truck-influenced patterns create a different look, so the best choice depends on restoration goals as much as fitment.

1934 Reo Flying Cloud tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles across the 650-16 and 700-16 fitments. Those two presentations give the car very different visual character even when the tire size and bias-ply construction remain the same.

Choosing between them depends on how the car is being finished and used. A wide whitewall leans toward a more formal, restoration-oriented appearance, while a blackwall keeps the presentation simpler and more restrained, so it helps to look at the car’s trim, paint, and wheel treatment before settling on a sidewall style.

Available brands for 1934 Reo Flying Cloud tire sizes include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, Tornel, and Avon. Brand availability varies by size, with 650-16 offering a broader spread of passenger, military-style, and truck-oriented choices than 700-16.

Brand selection is most useful when it helps narrow sidewall treatment, tread character, and series style within the correct size. The key is not choosing a name first, but confirming whether the car needs 650-16 or 700-16 and then comparing the options that match the wheel, the restoration direction, and the kind of road use planned.

A period-style 1934 Reo Flying Cloud starts with one of its correct primary bias-ply sizes, either 650-16 or 700-16, depending on the car’s actual setup. From there, the choice usually comes down to sidewall presentation, brand character, and whether the car is being restored as a restrained driver or a more formal show-oriented vehicle.

Wide whitewalls create a distinctly prewar look, while blackwalls keep the car visually simpler. When exact originality matters, it is smart to compare the tire choice against period photos, marque references, and restoration documentation so the final look reflects the way that specific car is being interpreted.

On a restored 1934 Reo Flying Cloud, tire construction strongly shapes the car’s visual stance because both primary fitments are bias-ply. Bias-ply tires carry the proportions and presentation most owners expect on an early-1930s automobile, especially when paired with the right blackwall or wide whitewall treatment.

Construction also influences how the tire fills the wheel opening and complements the car’s body lines. Even between two bias-ply sizes, the choice of 650-16 or 700-16 changes the visual scale, so it is worth considering the finished profile of the car rather than treating the tire as a purely mechanical replacement.

Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1934 Reo Flying Cloud even when the tire still carries one of the correct period sizes, such as 650-16 or 700-16. Wheel width changes, different wheel centers, brake conversions, suspension work, or body alterations can all affect how a bias-ply tire sits and clears.

That is especially important on a prewar car because many have been restored or updated over several decades. Checking the actual wheel dimensions, current clearance at full steering lock, and the space around fenders and suspension components helps prevent choosing a tire only by nominal size and discovering a mismatch later.

Before driving a 1934 Reo Flying Cloud on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or excessive rust, confirm the tire size matches the car’s setup, and make sure the beads seat properly on the 16-inch rims. It is also worth checking valve stems, wheel hardware, and the condition of the suspension and steering components.

A fresh set of bias-ply tires cannot compensate for worn mechanical parts or poor alignment. Looking over tread seating, sidewall condition after installation, and basic pressure retention before the first real outing gives the car a better chance of tracking properly and helps catch setup issues before a longer drive.

Collector-car tires on a 1934 Reo Flying Cloud should be checked regularly for pressure loss, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and any change in ride feel. That advice applies whether the car wears 650-16 or 700-16 bias-ply tires, since low annual mileage can hide age and storage-related deterioration.

Storage habits matter almost as much as mileage on a prewar car. Keeping the Flying Cloud away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and occasional inspections before and after road use are important because a car that looks fine in the garage may still have aging rubber.