The 1935 Chrysler Airflow stands apart in the prewar era for its streamlined design and advanced engineering, making it one of the most distinctive American cars of its time. Owners today often approach an Airflow with the same mix of historical respect and practical caution that any important prewar Chrysler deserves. Tire fitment varies here, with 700-16, 750-17, and 750-16 bias-ply sizes used across different Airflow sub-models. That means the decision is not just about choosing a brand, but also about confirming the exact sub-model, wheel diameter, and sidewall presentation. Blackwall, wide whitewall, and even double-whitewall options can shape whether the car leans toward road use, preservation, or restoration-oriented appearance.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1935 Chrysler Airflow
The 1935 Chrysler Airflow uses three primary tire sizes, and they do not all share the same wheel diameter. Fitment changes by sub-model, with both 16-inch and 17-inch applications represented. Before choosing a tire, the first step is confirming the exact Airflow sub-model and the actual rim diameter on the car, especially if wheels may have been changed over the years.
A 700-16 size is a vintage numeric bias-ply designation in which the 7.00 indicates the tire's nominal section width in inches and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter. This is a true bias-ply fitment, which suits the driving character and visual stance expected on a prewar Chrysler application. Available choices include brands such as Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA, with blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments depending on the tire series. This size is worth choosing when it matches the specific Airflow configuration and the goal is to retain a traditional prewar tire profile.
A 750-17 tire uses the same vintage numeric bias-ply sizing system, with 7.50 referring to nominal section width and 17 indicating the rim diameter. For the 1935 Chrysler Airflow, this size matters because it is tied to a 17-inch wheel application, making wheel confirmation essential before any purchase. Product choices include BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall presentations appearing across different tire series. This size deserves careful evaluation on restoration-minded cars because wheel diameter and sidewall appearance can significantly affect the car's stance and overall period-style look.
The 750-16 code is another vintage numeric bias-ply size, with 7.50 as the nominal section width and 16 as the wheel diameter. On a 1935 Chrysler Airflow, it carries the same traditional bias-ply construction but on a 16-inch rim rather than a 17-inch application. Available options include Firestone, Lester, BFGoodrich, and STA, with blackwall and wide whitewall choices as well as several series that lean more toward passenger or truck-oriented use. This size should be evaluated with an eye toward the car's actual wheel setup, intended use, and whether appearance or utility is the higher priority.
Sub-model identification matters on the 1935 Chrysler Airflow because tire fitment is not the same across the range. Different Airflow versions use different primary sizes, and one of them also shifts to a different rim diameter, so the exact model designation should be confirmed before selecting tires.
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1935 Chrysler Airflow C-1 8 Cyl.
The 1935 Chrysler Airflow C-1 8 Cyl. uses a 700-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim. Tire selection here comes down to choosing the right period-style presentation, comparing blackwall versus wide whitewall options, and making sure the wheel itself still matches the original size range.
The 1935 Chrysler Airflow Custom 8 Cyl. uses the 750-17 bias-ply size, making it the Airflow sub-model here that requires a 17-inch wheel. That makes wheel confirmation especially important, and it also opens up meaningful sidewall choices for owners balancing restoration appearance with practical road use.
The 1935 Chrysler Airflow Imperial Custom 8 Cyl. uses a 750-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim. Choosing among the available tires means looking closely at sidewall style, passenger versus truck-oriented product character, and whether the car is being prepared for touring, display, or preservation.
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 Chrysler Airflow Tires for Sale
Available 1935 Chrysler Airflow tires span BFGoodrich, Firestone, Lester, Avon, Tornel, and STA, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and limited double-whitewall choices. The product grid also shows meaningful differences in tire series, intended character, and rim-width specifications across the three primary sizes.
Airflow owners usually need to sort out the exact tire size, wheel diameter, and sidewall style before comparing products. These FAQs focus on fitment by sub-model, bias-ply selection, restoration-oriented appearance, and the checks worth making before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1935 Chrysler Airflow?
The 1935 Chrysler Airflow uses three primary tire sizes: 700-16, 750-17, and 750-16. They are all bias-ply fitments, but they do not apply universally across the model range. The C-1 8 Cyl. uses 700-16, the Custom 8 Cyl. uses 750-17, and the Imperial Custom 8 Cyl. uses 750-16.
That means the right choice starts with the exact sub-model, not just the year and make. The next check is the wheel itself, since the Airflow uses both 16-inch and 17-inch rims across these applications. On a car that has been restored or modified, verifying the wheel diameter before ordering tires is especially important.
What size rim does a 1935 Chrysler Airflow use?
A 1935 Chrysler Airflow can use either a 16-inch or 17-inch rim, depending on the sub-model and tire size. The 700-16 and 750-16 applications use 16-inch wheels, while the 750-17 application uses a 17-inch wheel. Rim diameter is one of the most important fitment details on this car.
Checking the wheel on the car matters because vintage vehicles are often changed over time. A tire marked for a 16-inch rim should not be treated as interchangeable with one for a 17-inch rim, even if the section width looks similar. Confirm the wheel diameter and, where relevant, compare the wheel width against the tire's recommended range.
Do all 1935 Chrysler Airflow sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the 1935 Chrysler Airflow sub-models covered here do not all use the same tire size. The C-1 8 Cyl. uses 700-16, the Custom 8 Cyl. uses 750-17, and the Imperial Custom 8 Cyl. uses 750-16. All three are bias-ply sizes, but they differ in both width designation and, in one case, rim diameter.
This affects more than the number molded into the sidewall. It changes which product families are relevant, which whitewall treatments are available, and whether the car needs a 16-inch or 17-inch tire. Confirming the exact sub-model keeps the search focused and helps avoid comparing tires meant for a different Airflow configuration.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1935 Chrysler Airflow tire?
Start with the exact tire size and wheel diameter that belong on the specific 1935 Chrysler Airflow sub-model. This car uses 700-16, 750-17, and 750-16 bias-ply sizes, so the first decision is fitment rather than brand preference. After that, compare sidewall style, tire series, rim-width requirements where stated, and whether the tire is passenger-oriented or truck-oriented.
The best choice depends on how the Airflow will be used and presented. A restoration-minded car may lean toward a traditional wide whitewall or period-style blackwall, while a more utilitarian setup may point toward a different series altogether. Matching the tire's character to the wheel, the vehicle's use, and the desired appearance usually leads to a better outcome.
What sidewall styles are available for 1935 Chrysler Airflow tires?
1935 Chrysler Airflow tires are available in several sidewall styles, including blackwall and wide whitewall. The 750-17 size also includes a double-whitewall option in the Firestone Balloon line. Sidewall treatment is one of the biggest visual differences among otherwise similar bias-ply tires for this car.
That choice affects how formal, understated, or dramatic the car looks once mounted. A blackwall tends to give a more restrained presentation, while a wide whitewall or double-whitewall creates a stronger prewar visual statement. Since sidewall style does not override fitment, select it only after confirming the correct size and wheel diameter for the specific Airflow sub-model.
What brands offer tires for the 1935 Chrysler Airflow?
Tires for the 1935 Chrysler Airflow are available from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Lester, Avon, Tornel, and STA, depending on the size. Brand availability changes across 700-16, 750-17, and 750-16, and some offerings are traditional passenger-car bias-ply designs while others lean toward military or truck-style construction.
Brand should be compared alongside the actual product character rather than treated as the only deciding factor. Two tires in the same size can differ by sidewall presentation, tire series, load specification, or intended use. Once the correct size is confirmed, those details usually do more to narrow the field than the brand name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1935 Chrysler Airflow?
A period-style 1935 Chrysler Airflow usually starts with the correct bias-ply size for the exact sub-model: 700-16, 750-17, or 750-16. From there, the main decisions are sidewall style and tire series. Wide whitewall options are available in several sizes, and 750-17 also includes Firestone Balloon choices that suit a distinctly prewar presentation.
Appearance should still follow fitment, not the other way around. The car's wheel diameter must match the tire, and the visual effect can change noticeably between blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall designs. For buyers pursuing strict originality, marque references and vehicle-specific restoration history remain the best guide for narrowing the final look.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1935 Chrysler Airflow restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1935 Chrysler Airflow restoration because the car's proportions, ride height impression, and overall stance are strongly influenced by tire size and wheel diameter. Using 700-16, 750-17, or 750-16 in the wrong application can alter the visual balance even before the car leaves the garage.
Fitment also shapes the authenticity of the finished presentation. A well-chosen sidewall style can support the restoration theme, but it cannot correct an incorrect rim diameter or sub-model mismatch. Confirm the exact Airflow version first, then compare tire style and construction so the finished car looks coherent rather than merely close.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1935 Chrysler Airflow?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1935 Chrysler Airflow, especially because this model already spans more than one primary tire size and more than one rim diameter. If the car has replacement wheels, altered suspension, brake conversions, or body changes, the tire originally associated with that sub-model may no longer be the only factor.
A changed wheel diameter or width can redirect the tire search immediately, and clearance should be checked at the fenders and during steering movement. Vintage cars also sometimes carry later service wheels that look similar at a glance. Measuring the actual rim and comparing it carefully before mounting tires helps avoid an expensive mismatch.
What should I inspect before driving a 1935 Chrysler Airflow on new tires?
Before driving a 1935 Chrysler Airflow on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm proper mounting, and check that the tires clear the body and suspension through their operating range. It is also wise to verify inflation, lug security, and general steering and brake condition before putting road miles on a prewar car.
The tire itself should also be examined after installation for any signs of uneven seating, rubbing, or air loss. A short, careful initial drive can reveal vibration, pull, or interference that is easier to correct early. On an older restoration, that first road check matters just as much as choosing the right tire in the first place.
How should 1935 Chrysler Airflow tires be maintained?
1935 Chrysler Airflow tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection, and careful storage habits. On a collector car, long periods of inactivity can be as hard on tires as road use, so sidewall condition, tread surface, and any signs of cracking, bulges, cuts, or air loss deserve routine attention.
Storage environment also matters on a prewar vehicle. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tire over time. Even a lightly driven Airflow benefits from periodic inspection before each driving season, since age and storage conditions can affect tire condition long before the tread appears worn.
