1926 Chandler Tire Fitment Guide

1926 Chandler vehicles in this guide use two sizes: 33X6.50 and 600-21, both for the Chandler 35 Series. Those sizes are not interchangeable codes for the same wheel. The 600-21 products mount on 21-inch rims, with listed rim width support of 3.00 to 3.75 inches on the BFGoodrich offerings, while 33X6.50 is an older diameter-by-section size with a different rim diameter.

That means a 1926 Chandler owner should confirm the actual wheel diameter and the size currently fitted before choosing a replacement. If your car has 21-inch wheels, 600-21 is the direct path to currently available products in this guide. If your car is fitted for 33X6.50, treat that as a separate fitment family and verify the wheel and restoration goal before moving forward.

On a 1926 Chandler, 33X6.50 is an antique diameter-by-section code. The first number, 33, refers to the tire's overall outside diameter in inches, while 6.50 refers to its nominal section width. That is different from later numeric sizing, where the last number usually tells you the rim diameter. It is a bias-ply size used on the Chandler 35 Series.

Modern buyers often mistake 33X6.50 for a simple width-and-rim code, but it belongs to an earlier sizing system. That matters because you should not assume it crosses directly to 600-21 without checking the wheel actually on the car. For a 1926 Chandler restoration, that older code can also influence the car's visual stance and period appearance in a way judges and marque enthusiasts will notice.

On a 1926 Chandler, 600-21 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 6.00 indicates nominal section width, written without the decimal in the size code, and the 21 identifies the rim diameter in inches. Current 600-21 options for the Chandler 35 Series are all bias-ply and include both Blackwall and Wide Whitewall styles from Lester and BFGoodrich.

That makes 600-21 the more familiar of the two Chandler size codes on this page, but it still needs to match the actual wheel on the car. If your 1926 Chandler already carries 21-inch wheels, 600-21 gives you clear product choices and a known rim width range on the BFGoodrich offerings. It is still wise to inspect the wheel and compare the existing tire markings before committing to a replacement.

A 1926 Chandler owner should choose between 33X6.50 and 600-21 by matching the tire to the wheel and fitment already on the car, not by treating them as two optional versions of the same size. Both are bias-ply constructions, but they belong to different sizing systems and do not share the same rim diameter. On the 35 Series, 600-21 is the size with currently listed product options here.

The practical takeaway is simple: check the wheel diameter and the sidewall markings on the tire you are replacing before deciding anything else. If your Chandler uses 21-inch rims, 600-21 is the path with available blackwall and whitewall choices. If your car is fitted for 33X6.50, keep the search focused on that antique format so the tire matches the wheel and preserves the car's intended proportions.

For 1926 Chandler tires in 600-21, the available sidewall styles are Blackwall and Wide Whitewall. Lester offers a blackwall version, while BFGoodrich offers both blackwall and a 3.50-inch whitewall in the same size. All of those listed options are bias-ply, which fits the period construction expected on a car from the mid-1920s.

Sidewall choice changes the look of a 1926 Chandler more than many owners expect. A blackwall usually gives the car a plainer, more utilitarian appearance, while a wide whitewall creates a brighter show-field presentation. If authenticity matters for a specific body style, market, or judging standard, use period photos and Chandler club guidance to decide which sidewall treatment best matches your particular restoration.

Two brands appear in current 1926 Chandler coverage for the 600-21 size: Lester and BFGoodrich. Both are offered as bias-ply tires, which is the correct construction family for a Chandler of this era. BFGoodrich appears in both blackwall and wide whitewall form, while Lester appears here in blackwall form.

Brand choice on a 1926 Chandler usually comes down to the look you want and the exact product specifications available in your size. If you want to compare appearance and setup details closely, look at sidewall style first, then confirm load and rim-width information where it is listed. Keeping the comparison inside the correct size is more important than choosing a brand name in the abstract.

For the 1926 Chandler in 600-21, Lester appears as a blackwall bias-ply tire weighing 20 pounds. BFGoodrich appears as a blackwall and as a 3.50-inch whitewall, both bias-ply, with listed maximum load of 1350 pounds at 36 psi, supported rim widths of 3.00 to 3.75 inches, and weights of 31 pounds for the blackwall and 34 pounds for the whitewall.

That makes the comparison less about fitment category and more about presentation and the amount of published specification detail. Owners who want a wide whitewall look have that option only in the BFGoodrich range shown here, while blackwall buyers can choose between both brands. Before making the final call, confirm the wheel width on the car and decide whether a whitewall or blackwall better suits your Chandler's finish and restoration direction.

For 1926 Chandler tires in 600-21, the listed rim width range is 3.00 to 3.75 inches on the BFGoodrich products. That gives a useful setup reference for Chandler 35 Series cars running that 21-inch numeric size. The page does not treat that rim-width figure as a blanket rule for 33X6.50, which belongs to a different sizing system and should be matched to the proper wheel for that fitment.

Rim width matters because it affects section shape, how the sidewall sits, and whether the tire looks right on the car. A 1926 Chandler owner running 600-21 should measure the wheel before choosing among products, especially on an older restoration where wheels may have been changed at some point. If your car carries 33X6.50, keep that evaluation separate instead of borrowing the 600-21 rim-width range.

A 1926 Chandler from this era should be approached as a tube-type application unless the specific tire and wheel combination clearly indicates otherwise. The listed 600-21 products do not carry a TT or TL marker in the size field here, and all are period-style bias-ply tires intended for vintage fitments. On a car built in 1926, wheel design and condition are just as important as the tire itself when deciding tube use.

The safest practical step is to inspect the wheel and verify the specific tire's sidewall marking before finalizing your setup. Many collector-car owners also replace tubes, flaps where applicable, and valve components at the same time so the whole assembly starts fresh. On a 1926 Chandler that sees occasional use, that extra attention helps avoid slow leaks and old-hardware failures that can spoil an otherwise sound tire installation.

A 1926 Chandler should be stored away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment that can dry and crack vintage tire rubber. Keep the floor dry, maintain reasonable inflation, and move the car periodically so the same section of the tire is not carrying the load for months at a time. With bias-ply construction, temporary flat-spotting after storage is more common than many modern drivers expect.

If your Chandler will sit for an extended season, many collectors either roll it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces static load, depending on how the car is stored. Clean tires with mild soap and water rather than harsh dressings, especially anything petroleum-based. Good storage habits preserve both the tire's service life and the crisp sidewall appearance that matters on a pre-war restoration.

Tires on a 1926 Chandler should be judged more by age and condition than by miles traveled. On a collector car, it is sensible to begin careful evaluation around five to seven years of service and to treat roughly ten years as a point where replacement deserves serious consideration, even if the tread still looks good. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age for modern reproductions and specialty tires.

A lightly driven Chandler can fool owners because the tread may remain deep while the sidewalls and internal materials age quietly. Heat cycles, storage conditions, and inflation habits usually matter more than annual mileage on a car like this. If the tire shows sidewall checking, recurring pressure loss, distortion, or impact damage, condition should override calendar optimism and the tire should be reassessed promptly.

Tires on a 1926 Chandler should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, and any sign that the tire is not holding pressure evenly. Because many cars of this age use vintage-style wheel hardware and may run tube-type assemblies, the valve stems and related components deserve the same attention as the tire casing itself.

That routine matters even more on a car that spends long periods parked between drives. A quick inspection catches age-related issues before they become a roadside problem, and it also gives you a chance to confirm that all four tires and the spare remain in comparable condition. On a 1926 Chandler, the spare should be treated as a working tire, not just a decorative period accessory.

A 1926 Chandler 35 Series would have originally used bias-ply tires, because radial construction had not yet become the standard passenger-car practice in this era. The sizes associated here with the 35 Series are 33X6.50 and 600-21, both of which are bias-ply fitments. Original-equipment brand choice could vary by market, dealer, and period practice, so the construction type and correct size matter more than assuming one universal brand.

For an authenticity-minded restoration, start by confirming the wheel diameter on your actual Chandler and checking period photos, factory literature, or marque-club guidance for the body style you own. That helps you sort out whether the car should wear the antique-formatted size or the numeric 21-inch size. Once the size is settled, sidewall style becomes the next visual decision that can shape how correct the car looks.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1926 Chandler, especially in judged classes that emphasize period accuracy. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the car wears the correct size family, correct bias-ply construction, and a sidewall treatment that suits the era. A mismatch in size system or a visibly modern-looking alternative can distract from an otherwise careful restoration.

That does not mean every event uses the same standard, but it does mean the tire should support the story your Chandler is telling. A preservation-class car, a club tour car, and a formal concours entry may each be evaluated a little differently. Before preparing for a show, compare your chosen tire against period imagery and ask a Chandler or broader pre-war club what details tend to draw scrutiny.

For the 1926 Chandler in 600-21, both BFGoodrich options are bias-ply tires in the same series and share the same listed maximum load of 1350 pounds at 36 psi and the same rim-width range of 3.00 to 3.75 inches. The main visible difference is sidewall style: one is blackwall and the other uses a 3.50-inch wide whitewall. The listed weight also differs, with the whitewall version heavier than the blackwall.

That makes this choice primarily about presentation rather than about changing the tire's basic fitment category. A blackwall usually supports a more restrained period appearance, while the 3.50-inch whitewall creates a more formal and visually prominent look on the car. For a show-focused 1926 Chandler, compare the choice against period photographs and the event's judging culture before deciding which better reflects your restoration target.

1926 Chandler tires can be suitable for road use when they are the correct size, in sound condition, properly inflated, and fitted to wheels in equally sound condition. The listed 600-21 products here are period-style bias-ply tires, and no speed-rating letters are shown for them in the size markings provided. On a car from 1926, the broader roadworthiness picture usually depends as much on brakes, steering, suspension, and wheel condition as on the tire itself.

That means highway use should be approached with mechanical sympathy rather than with modern-car assumptions. A well-prepared Chandler driven within the limits of its design is very different from an old car that has sat unused and then heads straight for sustained speed. Before any extended highway outing, evaluate the full chassis and decide whether the route, pace, and traffic conditions truly suit the car.

Inflation pressure on a 1926 Chandler should be matched to the exact tire size and the manufacturer's guidance for the specific product you are using. For the listed BFGoodrich 600-21 tires, the published load figure is 1350 pounds at 36 psi, which is a rating point rather than a universal instruction to use that pressure in every circumstance. Pressure should never be copied from one size family to another without confirming the actual tire and application.

The best approach is to start with the vehicle's original recommendations if you have reliable factory literature, then compare that with the reproduction tire maker's current guidance for the size you are fitting. A 1926 Chandler used for touring, show display, or occasional local driving may also feel different as pressure changes within the acceptable range. Consistency across the axle and regular cold-pressure checks matter more than chasing a single magic number.

Before a longer drive in a 1926 Chandler, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and signs of age-related separation. Confirm cold inflation, examine valve stems and tube-related hardware if fitted, and make sure the spare is usable rather than simply present. On a car of this age, wheel security, brake function, steering play, and wheel-bearing condition deserve equal attention.

A longer outing in a pre-war car goes best when tires are treated as one part of a complete readiness check. Bring the tools and inflation equipment that match the car, and revisit the tires after the first few miles if the Chandler has been stored for a while. Catching a pressure issue or vibration early is far easier than dealing with it on the roadside in a nearly century-old automobile.