1935 Graham Custom Tires

The 1935 Graham Custom uses a 700-16 tire size. This is a vintage numeric bias-ply size mounted on a 16-inch rim, and it is the primary fitment for the covered 1935 Graham Custom 8 Cyl. configuration.

That makes the size question relatively simple, but the buying decision still is not automatic. A 700-16 can appear in different tire series, sidewall treatments, and load-related specifications, so it is worth checking the wheel width on the car and deciding whether the goal is a more restoration-oriented wide whitewall look or a more understated blackwall presentation.

The 1935 Graham Custom uses a 16-inch rim with its 700-16 tire fitment. Product fitments in this size are built around that 16-inch wheel diameter, and several 700-16 options also note rim-width compatibility in the 4.50- to 5.50-inch range.

Rim diameter is the first thing to confirm before selecting any replacement tire, especially on a pre-war vehicle that may have changed wheels over time. Once the 16-inch diameter is verified, check the actual wheel width and the bead-seat condition so the chosen 700-16 tire matches both the wheel and the way the car is presently set up.

Yes. The 1935 Graham Custom 8 Cyl. uses the same 700-16 bias-ply tire size as the core fitment for this model page. There is no separate primary size shown for that covered sub-model.

That consistency helps narrow the decision quickly, but it does not remove the need to inspect the car itself. Older collector vehicles sometimes carry replacement wheels or mixed tire types from earlier work, so confirming the 16-inch wheel diameter, wheel width, and overall clearance remains a smart step before choosing among blackwall, wide whitewall, or specialty 700-16 offerings.

Start with the correct 700-16 size and the fact that the 1935 Graham Custom uses a bias-ply construction. From there, compare the tire's intended character, whether that means a traditional passenger-car presentation, a wide whitewall restoration look, or a more utility-oriented pattern within the same basic size.

The most useful comparisons usually involve sidewall style, tire series, rim-width compatibility, and load figures where they are stated. A car being judged or restored for period appearance may call for a different visual choice than one used for casual touring, so matching the tire to both the car's current wheels and its role is more important than choosing by brand name alone.

The 1935 Graham Custom's 700-16 tire choices include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That gives owners a clear visual choice between a plainer, more understated sidewall and a brighter pre-war look that can have a stronger presence on the car.

Sidewall style changes the appearance of a 1930s car dramatically even when the tire size stays the same. A wide whitewall often suits a formal restoration-oriented presentation, while a blackwall can feel more restrained or more utility-focused, so the best choice depends on how the Graham is being finished, shown, and driven rather than on fitment alone.

Available 700-16 tires for the 1935 Graham Custom include offerings from Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA. Those choices span several classic bias-ply series, with both passenger-style and more specialized military or truck-oriented patterns appearing in the same nominal size.

Brand alone should not be the only filter. It is more helpful to compare the tire's sidewall treatment, series, rim-width specification where shown, and whether the tread style matches the kind of use planned for the car, since a formal pre-war sedan presentation usually calls for different visual priorities than a more utilitarian setup.

The 1935 Graham Custom's 700-16 fitment appears in several series, including Lester Classic Bias Ply, Traction Mileage, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Military, Tornel Classic Truck, and Military NDT. Those series reflect different visual and use-oriented directions within the same basic size.

Comparing series helps separate a restoration-minded passenger-car tire from a more military or truck-style pattern that happens to share the 700-16 size. That distinction matters because a tire can match the wheel diameter and still create a very different finished look, so series choice should follow the car's appearance goals and present-day wheel setup.

A period-style 1935 Graham Custom starts with the correct 700-16 bias-ply size and construction. From there, the strongest appearance decisions usually involve whether the car should wear a blackwall tire for a more restrained look or a wide whitewall for a more formal, restoration-oriented presentation.

Because pre-war cars can vary by trim, surviving photographs, and restoration philosophy, exact originality should be checked against marque references or vehicle-specific documentation when that level of accuracy matters. For most owners, the practical goal is to keep the correct size and bias-ply character while choosing the sidewall and series that best suit the car's finished look.

On a restored 1935 Graham Custom, bias-ply construction plays a major role in the finished visual character because it preserves the period tire type associated with the car's era. The 700-16 fitment also allows sidewall choices that can either emphasize a classic luxury look or keep the car visually simpler.

Appearance is not only about whitewall versus blackwall. Tread style, sidewall profile, and the way the tire fills the wheel opening all influence whether the Graham looks convincingly pre-war, so construction and presentation should be considered together rather than separately when the goal is a cohesive restoration-minded result.

Yes. Even though the 1935 Graham Custom's primary tire size is 700-16, modifications can change whether a particular tire choice is suitable for the car as it sits today. Replacement wheels, altered wheel widths, brake work, suspension changes, or body and fender adjustments can all affect clearance and compatibility.

That is especially important on older vehicles that may have been rebuilt over many decades. A tire can be correct in nominal size and still deserve a closer look if the Graham has non-original wheels or chassis changes, so checking wheel dimensions, steering clearance, and the space inside the fenders should come before final tire selection.

Before road use, inspect the wheels for correct diameter, proper width, and sound bead-seat condition, then confirm that the new 700-16 tires seat and inflate properly. It is also smart to check valve stems or tubes as required, along with wheel hardware and general brake and steering condition on the car.

Pre-war collector vehicles benefit from a careful walk-around even after new tires are installed. Look for sidewall contact, uneven stance, air loss, or interference during full steering travel, and recheck tire pressure after the first short drive so the Graham is being evaluated as a complete wheel-and-tire system rather than just a new set of casings.

Maintain 700-16 tires on a collector 1935 Graham Custom with regular pressure checks, visual inspections for cracking, cuts, bulges, and tread wear, and periodic examination of how the tires are sitting after storage. A collector car that is driven infrequently should not be assumed road-ready just because the tread still looks deep.

Storage conditions matter as much as mileage on an older vehicle. Keeping the car away from prolonged heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and occasional movement can reduce flat spotting during long stationary periods, while any sign of age-related deterioration should be addressed before the next road outing.