The 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802 comes from the final chapter of one of America's great luxury marques, a period when imposing design, twelve-cylinder prestige, and formal road manners still defined the upper end of the market. For a car of this stature, tire choice shapes both appearance and road presence as much as basic fitment. The 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802 uses a 750-17 bias-ply tire on a 17-inch rim, keeping the selection centered on proper vintage construction. Within that size, choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall presentations across several classic series. The key is matching the tire to the car's wheel setup, restoration goals, and intended touring use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802
The 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802 uses one primary tire size: 750-17. That fitment is a bias-ply tire for a 17-inch rim, and the same size carries across the covered 12 Cyl. sub-model, so the decision is less about choosing between sizes and more about selecting the right sidewall style, tire series, and intended use within the correct vintage format.
A 750-17 numeric bias-ply size uses the leading number to indicate an approximate 7.50-inch nominal section width, while the final number identifies a 17-inch rim. On the 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802, that keeps the tire presentation in the prewar luxury-car tradition with the tall, substantial look expected from bias-ply construction. Available choices include Firestone, BFGoodrich, Tornel, and STA options, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles depending on the tire series. This is the size to evaluate when the goal is preserving proper vintage character while matching the tire to the car's actual wheel and intended road use.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802. The covered 12 Cyl. configuration uses the same primary tire size, so the main job is confirming the wheel setup and then choosing the right bias-ply tire style for the car's appearance and use.
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1938 Pierce Arrow 1802 12 Cyl.
The 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802 12 Cyl. uses the same 750-17 bias-ply fitment as the model line overall. That keeps tire selection focused on vintage presentation, wheel compatibility, and whether a blackwall or whitewall treatment better suits the car's restoration approach.
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 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802 Tires for Sale
Available 750-17 choices span Firestone, BFGoodrich, Tornel, and STA, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. The product range also separates passenger-car vintage series from heavier-duty truck-oriented bias-ply designs, so construction details and rim-width compatibility are worth comparing closely.
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Bias Ply
Firestone Balloon 4.75 Inch Double Whitewall | 750-17
These FAQs focus on 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802 tire size, 17-inch rim fitment, bias-ply construction, sidewall presentation, and the practical checks that matter before road use on a collector car.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802?
The 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802 uses a 750-17 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment built for a 17-inch rim, and it is the primary size used on the covered 12-cylinder version as well.
Getting the size right is only the first step on a prewar luxury car. The next check is whether the wheels on the car still match the original type or whether later replacements changed width or application, since 750-17 is available in both passenger-car and heavier-duty truck-oriented bias-ply designs.
What size rim does a 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802 use?
A 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802 uses a 17-inch rim with its 750-17 tire size. The tire size itself confirms the rim diameter, and the available products for this fitment are all built around that 17-inch wheel dimension.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before ordering, especially on collector cars that may have seen wheel swaps over the years. Width matters too, because some 750-17 tires are built for narrower vintage passenger wheels while others are intended for wider truck-style applications in the same nominal size.
Does the 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802 12 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802 12 Cyl. uses the same 750-17 bias-ply tire size as the model covered here. That keeps sub-model fitment simple and avoids the need to sort between multiple primary sizes.
Even with shared size, tire choice can still vary by the car's purpose. A restoration-minded owner may focus on whitewall presentation and traditional styling, while a car set up for heavier service or non-passenger use may require closer attention to rim width and the intended design of the specific 750-17 tire.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 750-17 tire for a 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802?
Start with the correct 750-17 size, then narrow the choice by tire type, wheel setup, and the look the car should carry. For the 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802, available tires include traditional passenger-car bias-ply lines as well as heavier-duty truck-oriented bias-ply options in the same nominal size.
A formal prewar luxury presentation often points buyers toward whitewall or double-whitewall styles, while a more utilitarian setup may favor blackwalls. Comparing rim-width suitability, load figures where stated, and the intended use of each tire helps separate a restoration-oriented selection from one meant for heavier service.
What sidewall styles are available for 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802 tires?
The 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802 has 750-17 tire choices in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. Those sidewall treatments create very different visual results even though the underlying tire size remains the same.
Sidewall style is one of the biggest appearance decisions on a prewar car because it changes the car's stance and formality at a glance. A buyer choosing between them should balance restoration taste with the way the car will actually be used, since the available styles also appear across different tire series and wheel-width requirements.
What brands offer tires for the 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802?
Tires for the 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802 are available from Firestone, BFGoodrich, Tornel, and STA in the 750-17 size. Those offerings span classic passenger-car bias-ply designs as well as truck-oriented bias-ply constructions in the same size range.
Brand alone should not make the decision on a car like this. It helps to compare the tire series, sidewall presentation, stated rim-width suitability, and whether the tire is aimed at luxury-car appearance or heavier-duty service, since each of those factors changes how appropriate the tire may be for the car.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802?
A period-style 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802 starts with the correct 750-17 bias-ply size and then moves into appearance and use. Passenger-car bias-ply options in vintage series are the natural place to begin if the goal is preserving the car's prewar luxury character.
Whitewall and double-whitewall choices can create a more formal, restoration-oriented look, while blackwalls deliver a more restrained presentation. When exact originality matters, the final decision should be checked against marque references, photographs, and vehicle-specific history rather than assuming any currently available sidewall treatment is automatically authentic.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802?
Tire construction matters because a 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802 belongs to an era defined by tall bias-ply proportions and traditional sidewall styling. Using the correct 750-17 bias-ply format helps preserve the visual scale, stance, and overall character expected on a restored prewar Pierce Arrow.
Appearance is not only about whitewalls versus blackwalls; it also comes from the way the tire fills the wheel opening and complements the car's body lines. A restored car with non-original wheels or altered ride height can change that look quickly, so wheel dimensions and overall presentation deserve attention before choosing the final tire.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802?
Yes. A 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802 may use the correct 750-17 size on paper, but fitment can change if the car has replacement wheels, altered suspension, brake conversions, or body and fender changes made over time.
Prewar cars often pass through long restoration histories, so it helps to inspect what is actually on the vehicle before selecting a tire. Checking wheel diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and space at the fender and suspension points can prevent choosing a tire built for a wheel or use case the car no longer has.
What should I inspect before driving a 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheel condition, valve hardware, lug security, and basic alignment of the car with the new 750-17 tires mounted. Tire pressure, sidewall condition, tread seating, and any signs of rubbing should be checked before the first meaningful drive.
Collector cars benefit from a cautious first outing rather than immediate touring use. A short drive followed by another look at clearance, air retention, and wheel hardware can catch problems early, especially on a large prewar car where long storage, older rims, or suspension wear may affect how the new tires behave.
How should 750-17 tires on a collector 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802 be maintained?
Maintain 750-17 tires on a collector 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802 with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age as well as tread depth. Bias-ply tires on low-use cars should be examined for cracking, bulges, cuts, and gradual air loss even when the car is driven only occasionally.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a car of this era. Keeping the Pierce Arrow away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the tires, and routine inspection before each outing is wise because collector cars can sit long enough for age-related issues to appear between drives.
