The 1935 Hupmobile T comes from the final chapter of an independent American automaker that still carried a distinctly upscale, streamlined look in the mid-1930s. For collectors, that makes tire choice part of the car’s character as much as its road manners. This model uses a 700-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, keeping the fitment squarely in prewar territory. Available choices include traditional blackwall and wide whitewall presentations, along with several vintage-style bias-ply series from brands such as Firestone, BFGoodrich, Lester, Avon, Tornel, and STA. The right selection depends on whether the goal is restoration-oriented appearance, general touring use, or a more specialty truck-style tread look.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1935 Hupmobile T
The 1935 Hupmobile T uses one primary tire size: 700-16. That fitment is a bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, and the same size carries across the covered Base sub-model. Once size is confirmed, the real choice becomes sidewall style, tread character, brand, and whether the car is being finished for restoration-oriented presentation or regular collector-vehicle road use.
A 700-16 numeric bias-ply size uses the leading number to indicate nominal section width, with 7.00 inches represented without the decimal, while the final number identifies a 16-inch rim. On a 1935 Hupmobile T, this is a traditional prewar-style bias-ply fitment that suits the vehicle’s original-era tire construction and visual proportion. Product choices in this size include blackwall and wide whitewall versions, along with classic passenger-car and more utility-oriented military or truck-style series. That makes 700-16 the size to evaluate when balancing authentic period flavor, intended driving use, and wheel compatibility.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1935 Hupmobile T sub-models. The Base model stays with the same primary tire size and construction, so the main decision is not sub-model variation but choosing the right 700-16 bias-ply tire style and series for the car’s intended appearance and use.
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1935 Hupmobile T Base
The 1935 Hupmobile T Base uses the same 700-16 bias-ply fitment found across this application. That keeps selection focused on blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, classic passenger-car tread versus more utility-style options, and confirming that the wheel setup still matches the original 16-inch format.
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 Hupmobile T Tires for Sale
Available 700-16 choices span Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA, with both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. The product grid also includes several classic bias-ply series, plus military and truck-style tread patterns that make construction and appearance easy to compare.
Owners of a 1935 Hupmobile T usually need answers about the 700-16 tire size, 16-inch rim fitment, sidewall style choices, restoration-minded selection, and what to inspect before putting a prewar car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1935 Hupmobile T?
The 1935 Hupmobile T uses a 700-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment, which means the size follows a traditional older sizing convention rather than a modern metric radial format, and it is intended for a 16-inch rim.
That makes the first step fairly simple: confirm that the car still has 16-inch wheels and is set up for the original-style 700-16 fitment. After that, the choice usually comes down to sidewall appearance, tire series, and whether the car is being prepared for restoration display, local driving, or broader collector-car road use.
What size rim does a 1935 Hupmobile T use?
A 1935 Hupmobile T uses a 16-inch rim with its 700-16 tire fitment. Several available 700-16 tires also call for rim widths in the 4.50- to 5.50-inch range, which is useful when checking original wheels or verifying a replacement wheel setup.
Rim diameter needs to be confirmed before any tire purchase, especially on a prewar car that may have had wheel changes over the years. Wheel width matters as well, because even the correct nominal tire size should still be matched to a compatible rim and checked for overall clearance at steering lock and under suspension movement.
Does the 1935 Hupmobile T Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1935 Hupmobile T Base uses the same 700-16 bias-ply tire size as the main vehicle fitment. There is no separate covered sub-model tire size to sort through here, so the fitment question stays centered on that one traditional prewar size.
That consistency means the tire decision is more about product style than about different trim-level sizing. A Base owner can focus on blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, compare classic passenger-car and utility-style tread patterns, and verify that the car still retains the proper 16-inch wheel setup before making a final selection.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-16 tire for a 1935 Hupmobile T?
Start with the correct 700-16 size, bias-ply construction, and 16-inch rim fitment. From there, compare how the tire will be used: some options are traditional classic passenger-car bias-ply designs, while others carry military or truck-style tread and construction cues that create a very different visual and functional character.
Appearance matters just as much on a prewar car, so sidewall style is a major part of the decision. A wide whitewall can support a more formal restoration-oriented presentation, while a blackwall creates a plainer period look. Wheel width, load capacity markings, and the car’s intended driving pattern should all be checked before settling on one 700-16 option.
What sidewall styles are available for 1935 Hupmobile T tires?
The available 700-16 tires for a 1935 Hupmobile T include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That gives the car owner two distinctly different period-style presentations without changing the underlying primary size or moving away from the traditional bias-ply construction used on this application.
Choosing between them depends on how the car is being finished and shown. Wide whitewalls tend to emphasize the elegant prewar look, while blackwalls feel more restrained and utilitarian. Sidewall style should also be considered alongside tread pattern, brand, and wheel condition so the finished tire choice matches both the car’s appearance goals and its intended use.
What brands offer tires for the 1935 Hupmobile T?
The 1935 Hupmobile T has 700-16 tire options from Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA. Those choices span classic passenger-car bias-ply products as well as more specialized military or truck-style offerings, all within the same basic 16-inch fitment family used by this vehicle.
Brand choice should be evaluated alongside the tire series and sidewall treatment, not in isolation. One brand may offer a wide whitewall presentation, another may focus on blackwall utility styling, and some series are oriented more toward traditional passenger-car appearance than truck-style tread. Matching the tire to the car’s visual goal matters more than simply picking a brand name.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1935 Hupmobile T?
A period-style 1935 Hupmobile T should start with the correct 700-16 bias-ply size on a 16-inch rim. Within that fitment, the best choice depends on the presentation you want, since available options include classic blackwall and wide whitewall versions as well as different vintage-style tire series.
For a formal restoration-oriented look, many owners lean toward a wide whitewall, while a blackwall can suit a more understated prewar presentation. Exact originality can vary by body style, market, and historical documentation, so anyone pursuing a highly exact restoration should compare tire appearance against marque-club guidance, period photography, or other vehicle-specific references.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1935 Hupmobile T restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1935 Hupmobile T because the tire’s diameter, sidewall profile, and overall look strongly influence how a prewar car sits and presents. Staying with the proper 700-16 bias-ply format helps preserve the proportions and visual character expected from a mid-1930s American automobile.
Fitment also affects more than appearance. The wheel must still be the right 16-inch diameter, and its width should remain compatible with the tire being considered. Even on a restoration-focused car, it is worth checking wheel condition, steering clearance, and suspension condition so the finished result looks right and remains practical for occasional collector-vehicle use.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1935 Hupmobile T?
Yes. A 1935 Hupmobile T may no longer be on its original wheel and suspension setup, and that can change how a 700-16 tire works on the car. Different wheel widths, altered offsets, brake updates, suspension work, or body changes can all affect clearance even when the nominal tire size remains the same.
A modified car should be checked at the wheel, not just by size code alone. Confirm rim diameter and width, inspect clearance to fenders and steering components, and look at how the tire sits through full steering travel and suspension movement. That is especially important on older collector cars where decades of changes may not be obvious at first glance.
What should I inspect before driving a 1935 Hupmobile T on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the 16-inch rim size, and make sure the tires seat correctly and hold pressure. The rest of the car deserves equal attention, including steering components, suspension condition, brake operation, and any signs that the tire may contact a fender, frame member, or chassis part.
A prewar car often spends long periods parked, so age-related issues can matter as much as tread depth. Look for cracking, bulges, cuts, irregular wear, and valve-stem condition, then recheck pressure after the first short drive. A careful shakedown run is a smart way to catch rubbing, pull, or vibration before heading onto faster roads.
How should 700-16 tires on a collector 1935 Hupmobile T be maintained?
Collector-car 700-16 tires should be kept clean, properly inflated, and inspected regularly even if the 1935 Hupmobile T is driven only occasionally. Bias-ply tires on a low-use vehicle can age out long before they wear out, so sidewall condition, tread condition, and any signs of air loss deserve routine attention.
Storage conditions matter too. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, standing moisture, and ozone sources can help protect the rubber during long idle periods. It also helps to move the car periodically or adjust storage practices so the tires are not left under the same load point for months at a time.