The 1935 Auburn 53 Series came from the final years of Auburn production, when dramatic styling and upscale road manners helped the marque stand apart in the mid-1930s market. That makes tire choice more than a maintenance decision, because the right fitment affects both stance and the period character these cars carry so well. The 1935 Auburn 53 Series uses bias-ply tire sizes that vary between early and late 6-cylinder models, with both 16-inch and 17-inch rim applications. Available choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall presentations. The key is confirming the exact sub-model and wheel diameter first, then choosing the tire style that best matches restoration goals and driving use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1935 Auburn 53 Series
The 1935 Auburn 53 Series uses three primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Early 6-cylinder cars use a 17-inch bias-ply fitment, while late 6-cylinder cars move to 16-inch bias-ply sizes. Before choosing a tire, the first step is confirming whether the car is an early or late model and verifying the wheel diameter currently on the vehicle.
550-17 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size in which the leading number reflects an approximate 5.50-inch nominal section width and the final number identifies a 17-inch rim. On the 1935 Auburn 53 Series, this is the smaller-section bias-ply fitment used on early 6-cylinder models. It is available in BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply form with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall sidewall treatments. This size is the one to evaluate when preserving the early-model wheel setup and a distinctly mid-1930s tire profile.
6.25-16 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size that indicates an approximate 6.25-inch nominal section width on a 16-inch rim. On the 1935 Auburn 53 Series, it belongs to late 6-cylinder applications and should be considered only after the car's wheel diameter and exact sub-model are confirmed. Its role in the fitment range is to represent one of the larger-section 16-inch bias-ply choices used on later cars. This is an important size to verify carefully on vehicles that may have had wheel changes during earlier restoration or maintenance work.
600-16 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size with an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width and a 16-inch rim designation. For the 1935 Auburn 53 Series, it is one of the late 6-cylinder fitments and carries the broadest range of available tire choices. Options span brands such as BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Goodyear, Avon, Excelsior, Lester, Ford Script, STA, and Camac, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles across several tire series. This size gives the late-model owner the most room to balance appearance, tread character, and restoration intent.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1935 Auburn 53 Series because early and late 6-cylinder cars do not share the same tire setup. The first question is whether the car is an early or late model, since that determines both tire size and wheel diameter.
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1935 Auburn 53 Series 6 Cyl. (Early Models)
The early 6-cylinder Auburn 53 Series uses a single 550-17 bias-ply fitment on a 17-inch wheel. Tire selection here is mainly about choosing the sidewall presentation that suits the car's appearance while keeping the correct size and wheel diameter in place.
The late 6-cylinder Auburn 53 Series uses 16-inch bias-ply fitments, with 6.25-16 and 600-16 associated with this sub-model. That makes wheel confirmation especially important, and it also opens the door to a wider range of period-style product and sidewall choices when 600-16 is the target size.
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 53 Series Tires for Sale
Available tires for the 1935 Auburn 53 Series are centered on bias-ply construction, with the broadest selection in 600-16. Buyers can compare BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Goodyear, Avon, Excelsior, Lester, Ford Script, STA, and Camac options across blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles.
These FAQs focus on 1935 Auburn 53 Series tire size differences, 16-inch versus 17-inch wheel fitment, period-style bias-ply choices, appearance decisions, and the basic inspection points worth checking before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1935 Auburn 53 Series?
The 1935 Auburn 53 Series uses three primary bias-ply tire sizes: 550-17, 6.25-16, and 600-16. The correct size depends on the exact sub-model, with early 6-cylinder cars using 550-17 and late 6-cylinder cars using 16-inch sizes.
That means the first step is not choosing a brand or sidewall style, but confirming whether the car is an early or late 6-cylinder model and checking the actual wheel diameter on the vehicle. Many prewar cars have seen wheel swaps over time, so the tire should match the car's present wheel setup rather than assumption alone.
What size rim does a 1935 Auburn 53 Series use?
The 1935 Auburn 53 Series uses both 17-inch and 16-inch rims, depending on sub-model. The 550-17 fitment uses a 17-inch rim, while 6.25-16 and 600-16 use 16-inch rims.
Wheel diameter is the most important fitment check on this car because the Auburn does not use one rim size across all covered configurations. A tire marked for a 16-inch wheel cannot be mounted on a 17-inch rim, so measuring the current wheel and matching the tire code to that diameter should happen before comparing sidewalls, tread style, or brand.
Why does the 1935 Auburn 53 Series have more than one tire size?
More than one tire size appears because the 1935 Auburn 53 Series changed fitment across early and late 6-cylinder versions. Early cars use 550-17, while late cars move to 16-inch sizes, including 6.25-16 and 600-16.
That variation makes sub-model identification part of the tire decision, not just a historical detail. It is also wise to inspect the wheels already on the car, especially on a restored or long-owned collector vehicle. Confirming both the sub-model and the present rim diameter helps narrow the search to the correct size before appearance preferences come into play.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1935 Auburn 53 Series tire?
Start with the exact fitment: 550-17 for early 6-cylinder cars, or the correct 16-inch size for late 6-cylinder cars. After size is confirmed, the next considerations are bias-ply construction, wheel diameter, sidewall style, and whether the tire's overall look suits a prewar Auburn restoration or regular touring use.
Selection becomes broader in 600-16, where choices extend across several brands and series. That is the point to compare features such as blackwall versus whitewall presentation, stated rim-width compatibility where given, and load figures where they are shown. The best choice is the one that matches the car's wheel setup, intended use, and visual direction.
What sidewall styles are available for 1935 Auburn 53 Series tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1935 Auburn 53 Series include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall depending on tire size and product line. The 550-17 fitment includes all three looks in BFGoodrich offerings, while 600-16 also opens up blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall options across multiple brands.
That sidewall choice affects the car's presentation almost as much as the wheel itself. Blackwall usually gives a more restrained look, while wide whitewall and double-whitewall options lean further into formal prewar styling. The right choice depends on how the Auburn is being finished and driven, not on a one-style-fits-all rule.
What brands offer tires for the 1935 Auburn 53 Series?
Available brands for 1935 Auburn 53 Series tire sizes include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Goodyear, Avon, Excelsior, Lester, Ford Script, STA, and Camac. Brand choice is especially broad in 600-16, while 550-17 is represented by BFGoodrich options in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line.
Brand alone should not decide the tire. It makes more sense to narrow the field by correct size first, then compare sidewall treatment, tire series, rim-width details where available, and the kind of tread or appearance the car needs. That approach keeps the focus on fitment and period-style presentation rather than name recognition by itself.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1935 Auburn 53 Series?
A period-style 1935 Auburn 53 Series usually starts with the correct bias-ply size for the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Early 6-cylinder cars point to 550-17, while late 6-cylinder cars require the correct 16-inch fitment before any appearance decision is made.
Once the size is settled, the visual choice shifts to sidewall style and tire series. Blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall options can all create different prewar presentations. When exact restoration authenticity matters, the smartest next step is to compare the tire choice against marque literature, period photos, or Auburn-specific restoration references before finalizing the look.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1935 Auburn 53 Series?
On the 1935 Auburn 53 Series, the available primary fitments are bias-ply tires, and that construction contributes strongly to the car's prewar stance and visual character. The sidewall shape and overall presentation of a bias-ply tire are part of what makes a restored Auburn look appropriately of its era.
Appearance is not only about whitewalls versus blackwalls; construction influences the visual impression too. Keeping the proper bias-ply format helps the car retain a traditional profile, especially on open-wheel or fender-defined prewar body lines. Even so, the construction choice still needs to follow the correct size and wheel diameter for the exact early or late model.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1935 Auburn 53 Series?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1935 Auburn 53 Series. Wheel changes, altered suspension height, brake conversions, or body and fender work can change the amount of clearance available and may also affect whether the car still carries its original 16-inch or 17-inch wheel setup.
A modified car should be checked as it sits today rather than assumed to match original dimensions. Measuring wheel diameter and width, then checking steering clearance and fender space, helps avoid choosing a tire that suits the model on paper but not the actual vehicle. That is especially important on prewar cars with long restoration histories.
What should I inspect before driving a 1935 Auburn 53 Series on new tires?
Before road use, inspect wheel condition, lug hardware, valve stems or tubes as applicable, and make sure the new tires match the wheel diameter and the car's correct size. It is also wise to check that the tires seat properly and that there is no rubbing at full steering lock or during suspension movement.
A collector car that has been parked for long periods deserves a wider look beyond the tires themselves. Brakes, steering play, wheel bearings, and alignment condition can all affect how the Auburn feels on fresh rubber. A short local test drive followed by a second inspection for air loss or contact marks is a sensible final check.
How should 1935 Auburn 53 Series tires be maintained?
Tires on a 1935 Auburn 53 Series should be inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and air loss, especially because collector vehicles often spend long periods parked. Clean storage conditions and routine pressure checks help preserve both blackwall and whitewall bias-ply tires over time.
Maintenance also means watching the car's underlying condition. Misalignment, weak suspension parts, or worn steering components can shorten tire life even when the tread still looks usable. A prewar Auburn benefits from periodic visual inspections before and after drives, along with storage away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, and ozone-producing equipment.
