The 1935 Auburn 51 Series came from an era when American automobiles blended streamlined styling, straight-eight smoothness, and a strong emphasis on road presence. For owners preserving one today, tire choice affects not only drivability but the stance and visual character that make a mid-1930s Auburn so distinctive. The 1935 Auburn 51 Series uses 650-16 and 700-16 bias-ply tire fitments on 16-inch rims, so the first step is confirming which size suits the car’s actual setup. Available choices include traditional blackwall and wide whitewall treatments across several vintage-style tire series. That makes fitment, appearance, and intended road use equally important when selecting tires for restoration or touring.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1935 Auburn 51 Series
The 1935 Auburn 51 Series uses two primary tire sizes: 650-16 and 700-16. Both are bias-ply sizes built for 16-inch rims, and both appear on the 51 Series 8 Cyl., so the key decision is not just the sub-model name but confirming the wheel setup and the size already on the car. Once that is settled, the choice usually comes down to period-style appearance, tire series, and whether a blackwall or wide whitewall presentation best suits the vehicle.
A 650-16 numeric bias-ply size uses a nominal section width of about 6.50 inches, while the 16 identifies the rim diameter in inches. On a 1935 Auburn 51 Series, this is a traditional bias-ply fitment that preserves the look and construction style associated with the period. In this size, available choices include brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and Tornel, with both blackwall and wide whitewall options across several tire series. It is a useful size to evaluate carefully when maintaining a restoration-oriented appearance and matching the car’s actual wheel dimensions.
A 700-16 numeric bias-ply size indicates a nominal section width of about 7.00 inches and a 16-inch rim diameter. For the 1935 Auburn 51 Series, it remains a traditional bias-ply fitment and gives owners another correct-era sizing option within the same wheel diameter. Product choices in this size include blackwall and wide whitewall versions from brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Lester, Avon, STA, and Tornel, spanning passenger-style and some truck- or military-pattern offerings. This size deserves a close look when the car’s existing wheels, visual stance, or intended use point toward the wider of the two primary fitments.
Sub-model fitment for the 1935 Auburn 51 Series is straightforward in one sense, but still requires attention because the covered 8 Cyl. configuration uses two primary tire sizes. Checking the exact wheel and tire setup on the car matters before choosing between period-style replacement options.
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1935 Auburn 51 Series 8 Cyl.
The 1935 Auburn 51 Series 8 Cyl. uses 16-inch bias-ply tire fitments and can be found with either 650-16 or 700-16 sizing. That means tire selection should start with confirming the wheels already on the car, then narrowing the choice by appearance, tire series, and whether a blackwall or wide whitewall presentation best matches the build.
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 1935 Auburn 51 Series Tires for Sale
Available 1935 Auburn 51 Series tires center on 650-16 and 700-16 bias-ply options from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Lester, Garfield, Excelsior, STA, Tornel, and Avon. Buyers can compare blackwall and wide whitewall styles, along with classic passenger, truck, and military-style tread series.
Common 1935 Auburn 51 Series tire questions usually come down to choosing between 650-16 and 700-16, understanding 16-inch rim fitment, and deciding how sidewall style, construction, and road-use plans should shape the final choice.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1935 Auburn 51 Series?
The 1935 Auburn 51 Series uses two primary tire sizes: 650-16 and 700-16. Both are bias-ply fitments built for 16-inch rims, and both appear on the 1935 Auburn 51 Series 8 Cyl., so either size may be relevant depending on the car’s wheel and tire setup.
That makes the first task a physical check of the tires and wheels already on the car rather than assuming one size applies to every example. Many collector cars have been restored, re-wheeled, or refitted over time, so confirming the mounted size and wheel dimensions helps avoid choosing a tire that changes the car’s stance or clearance unexpectedly.
What size rim does a 1935 Auburn 51 Series use?
The 1935 Auburn 51 Series uses a 16-inch rim with its primary tire fitments. Both 650-16 and 700-16 are built around that same rim diameter, so the difference between the two sizes is not the wheel diameter but the tire’s nominal section width and the overall fitment choice on the car.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture on a prewar vehicle. Wheel width should also be checked, especially when comparing available products, because some 650-16 and 700-16 tires are paired with different rim-width specifications. That extra step helps keep the tire choice aligned with the actual wheel hardware already fitted to the Auburn.
Why does the 1935 Auburn 51 Series have more than one tire size?
The 1935 Auburn 51 Series appears with both 650-16 and 700-16 bias-ply tire sizes, even within the covered 8 Cyl. configuration. That means the model cannot be treated as a single-size application, and owners need to verify which of the two primary fitments matches their specific car and wheel setup.
On collector vehicles from this era, more than one size can reflect differences in setup over time as well as how a car was restored or maintained. Instead of choosing by model name alone, compare the existing tire size, the wheel dimensions, and the visual stance you want to preserve before selecting a replacement.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-16 or 700-16 tire for a 1935 Auburn 51 Series?
Start with the correct primary size for the car, since the 1935 Auburn 51 Series uses either 650-16 or 700-16 bias-ply tires on 16-inch rims. After size is confirmed, the main selection factors are construction consistency, rim-width compatibility, sidewall style, tire series, and whether the car is being presented as a formal restoration or a regular road-going collector vehicle.
Appearance matters as much as fitment on a prewar Auburn, because a blackwall and a wide whitewall create very different visual results. It also helps to compare product details such as load figures where shown, weight, and tread style, especially if the car will see more road use than occasional event driving.
What sidewall styles are available for 1935 Auburn 51 Series tires?
The 1935 Auburn 51 Series has both blackwall and wide whitewall tire choices in its applicable 650-16 and 700-16 sizes. That gives owners a meaningful appearance decision within the correct period-style sizing, especially because sidewall treatment has a major effect on how a mid-1930s car sits visually.
A blackwall usually creates a more restrained and utilitarian presentation, while a wide whitewall gives the car a more formal, upscale period look. The right choice depends on how the Auburn is being restored, the wheel and trim combination on the car, and whether the goal is authenticity research, show presentation, or enjoyable road use.
What brands offer tires for the 1935 Auburn 51 Series?
Tires for the 1935 Auburn 51 Series are available from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, STA, Tornel, and Avon across the applicable 650-16 and 700-16 sizes. Those offerings include traditional bias-ply passenger styles along with some truck- and military-pattern options in the same size range.
Brand is only one part of the decision on a car like this. It helps to compare the specific tire series, sidewall treatment, and rim-width details within the correct size, because two tires from different brands may create a noticeably different visual character even when both fall within the proper Auburn fitment range.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1935 Auburn 51 Series?
A period-style 1935 Auburn 51 Series tire choice starts with the correct primary fitment: 650-16 or 700-16 in bias-ply construction on a 16-inch rim. From there, the decision usually shifts to the tire series and sidewall presentation that best match the car’s restoration direction and the visual character the owner wants to preserve.
For many prewar cars, the right tire is the one that supports the vehicle’s proportions and era without overstating the look. If exact historical originality matters, it is smart to compare the Auburn against marque references, restoration photos, and period documentation before settling on a particular whitewall treatment or tread style.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1935 Auburn 51 Series?
On a restored 1935 Auburn 51 Series, bias-ply construction is a major part of the vehicle’s period presentation because both primary fitments, 650-16 and 700-16, are bias-ply sizes. The shape, sidewall posture, and overall visual impression of a bias-ply tire tend to support the traditional look owners usually want on a mid-1930s automobile.
Construction also influences how the car sits visually alongside its wheels, hubcaps, fenders, and trim. Even within bias-ply offerings, sidewall style still changes the finished result significantly, so blackwall versus wide whitewall deserves as much attention as the size itself when the goal is a balanced, restoration-oriented appearance.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1935 Auburn 51 Series?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1935 Auburn 51 Series even when the tire size appears correct on paper. Wheel changes, different rim widths, altered ride height, brake conversions, or body and fender adjustments can all change how a 650-16 or 700-16 tire sits and clears under the car.
That is especially important on a prewar vehicle, where replacement wheels or restoration work may have changed the setup long ago. A careful check of wheel diameter, wheel width, side clearance, steering travel, and fender space helps confirm that the tire selected matches the Auburn as it exists today, not just as it may have left the era.
What should I inspect before driving a 1935 Auburn 51 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1935 Auburn 51 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition and correct size, verify proper mounting, and make sure the tires clear the fenders and steering components through the full range of motion. Tire pressure, valve condition, and even bead seating are also worth checking before the first road miles.
A broader inspection is smart on any collector car that has been parked or driven only occasionally. Look over suspension and steering wear, wheel fastener security, brake function, and any signs of rubbing once the car is rolling. Catching those issues early helps the new tires work as intended and protects the rest of the vehicle.
How should 650-16 or 700-16 tires on a collector 1935 Auburn 51 Series be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1935 Auburn 51 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Whether the car wears 650-16 or 700-16 bias-ply tires, owners should watch for cracking, cuts, bulges, flat spotting, tread wear, and slow air loss, especially after long periods of inactivity.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on an infrequently driven Auburn. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires between drives. Periodic inspection before road use is still essential, since age and storage history can matter more than tread depth on a prewar car.
