1938 Pierce Arrow 1801 Tires

The 1938 Pierce Arrow 1801 uses a 700-17 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply size, and it is the primary fitment for the covered vehicle configuration, including the 1938 Pierce Arrow 1801 8 Cyl.

That means the main fitment decision is not choosing between several primary sizes, but choosing the right 700-17 tire for the car's wheel setup and intended appearance. A buyer should still confirm that the car retains its proper 17-inch wheels and has not been altered with different rims or later chassis changes before selecting a tire.

The 1938 Pierce Arrow 1801 uses a 17-inch rim with its 700-17 tire size. Product offerings in this size also show rim-width specifications in the original-era range, including 4-inch wheels and a 3.5 to 4.0-inch range depending on the tire.

Rim diameter should be confirmed before anything else because a 700-17 tire belongs on a 17-inch wheel, not simply any wheel that looks similar in proportion. Wheel width matters too, especially on a large prewar car where proper bead seating, sidewall shape, and overall presentation all depend on matching the tire to the actual wheel.

Yes. The 1938 Pierce Arrow 1801 8 Cyl. uses the same 700-17 bias-ply tire size as the core 1938 Pierce Arrow 1801 fitment. There is no separate primary size listed for that covered sub-model.

That keeps fitment relatively simple, but it does not eliminate the need to inspect the wheels currently on the car. Many collector cars have seen decades of repairs, storage, and occasional wheel substitutions, so confirming the actual 17-inch rim and suitable width is still worthwhile before selecting among blackwall, whitewall, or double-whitewall 700-17 options.

Start with the correct size, which is 700-17, and make sure the tire remains true to the car's primary bias-ply fitment. From there, compare sidewall style, tire series, rim-width specification, and load figures so the tire suits both the wheel and the character of a large prewar luxury automobile.

A blackwall can give the car a more restrained presentation, while wide whitewall or double-whitewall options create a more formal restoration-oriented look. It also helps to consider how the car will be used, because occasional show and touring use may point a buyer toward a different visual choice than a more regularly exercised collector car.

700-17 tires for the 1938 Pierce Arrow 1801 are available in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. Those choices appear across the available Firestone Balloon and Ensign B5 offerings, giving the buyer more than one way to present the car while staying in the proper size.

Sidewall style makes a major visual difference on a prewar car because the tire occupies a large part of the overall profile. The best choice depends on whether the goal is a more understated road look or a stronger period-style luxury appearance, and that decision should be made alongside wheel condition and restoration objectives rather than by style alone.

Firestone and Ensign both offer 700-17 tires for the 1938 Pierce Arrow 1801. Within those brands, the available series include Firestone Balloon and Ensign B5, all in bias-ply construction and all sized for the car's primary 17-inch fitment.

Brand choice is only one part of the decision. It should be weighed together with sidewall treatment, rim-width compatibility, load specification, and the overall look the car needs. On a vehicle like the Pierce Arrow 1801, the difference between a blackwall and a whitewall presentation may matter just as much to the finished result as the name on the sidewall.

A period-style 1938 Pierce Arrow 1801 should start with the correct 700-17 bias-ply size. From there, the choice usually comes down to whether a Firestone Balloon or Ensign B5 presentation better matches the car's restoration direction and whether blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall best suits the finished look.

For many restorations, appearance carries almost as much weight as fitment because sidewall treatment strongly influences how a prewar luxury car sits visually. Exact originality questions should be checked against marque-specific historical references or restoration records, especially if the goal is a highly accurate car rather than a tasteful period-inspired presentation.

The 1938 Pierce Arrow 1801 uses a bias-ply tire, and that construction is part of the vehicle's original-era look. A 700-17 bias-ply tire gives the car the traditional sidewall shape and visual proportion expected on a large late-1930s American luxury automobile.

Construction affects more than looks, but on a restoration it also changes how the car reads from the curb. Keeping the proper bias-ply format helps preserve a more authentic prewar presentation, while sidewall choices such as blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall fine-tune the final appearance without moving away from the correct size family.

Yes. Even though the proper tire size is 700-17, wheel changes, suspension work, brake conversions, or altered ride height can all affect how that size fits a 1938 Pierce Arrow 1801. Collector cars often carry decades of repairs or updates that are not obvious at first glance.

The safest approach is to inspect the actual wheel diameter and width already on the car, then check clearance at the fenders and steering components before mounting new tires. A prewar chassis also deserves a close look at springs, steering condition, and wheel integrity so the tire is being installed on a sound foundation.

Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, tire pressures, and the surrounding suspension and steering components. On a 1938 Pierce Arrow 1801, it is also wise to look for rubbing points, uneven wheel condition, and any signs that the car has been sitting long enough for related chassis issues to develop.

A new set of tires cannot compensate for cracked wheels, worn steering parts, poor alignment, or brake problems. Since large collector cars are often driven infrequently, a careful pre-drive check should also include air retention, visible sidewall condition, and a short low-speed evaluation to make sure the car tracks and steers as expected.

700-17 tires on a collector 1938 Pierce Arrow 1801 should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, and tread issues, and protected from long exposure to heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources. Occasional-use cars benefit from routine visual checks even when mileage stays low.

Storage conditions matter because age and inactivity can affect collector tires long before tread wears out. It also helps to move the car periodically, monitor for slow air loss, and inspect the wheels at the same time. Any sign of unusual wear or handling change deserves attention before the next tour or event.