1926 Chrysler Tire Fitment Guide

1926 Chrysler vehicles use six sizes across three model groups. The 1926 Chrysler 4 Cyl. uses 30X5.25 and 5.25-20, the 1926 Chrysler 6 Cyl. uses 30X5.77 and 30x5, and the 1926 Chrysler Imperial uses 32X6.20 and 650-20. A confirmed 20-inch rim application appears for 5.25-20 and 650-20, while the antique diameter-by-section sizes use an earlier naming system where the first number is overall tire diameter rather than wheel diameter.

That means 1926 Chrysler fitment is driven by model identification first, not just year and make. If your car is already wearing older tires, compare the sidewall marking exactly and inspect the wheel before choosing a replacement. On a car that has been restored more than once, it is smart to verify the actual wheel diameter and the existing size convention instead of assuming every 1926 Chrysler used the same tire.

On a 1926 Chrysler, 30X5.25 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The 30 refers to the tire's overall diameter in inches, while 5.25 refers to nominal section width. It is a bias-ply fitment used on the 1926 Chrysler 4 Cyl., and unlike a later numeric size, the first number is not the wheel diameter.

That difference matters because modern buyers often read any two-number tire size as width and rim diameter, which would be incorrect here. If your four-cylinder Chrysler carries this marking, match it as an antique-format bias-ply tire rather than trying to interpret it as a 30-inch wheel tire. That approach keeps the fitment search centered on the right family of products and avoids confusion with later 20-inch numeric alternatives.

On a 1926 Chrysler, 650-20 is a numeric bias-ply size used on the Imperial. The 6.50 indicates nominal section width, and the 20 indicates a 20-inch wheel diameter. In the currently available Imperial fitment range, this size appears in bias-ply construction from Firestone, Denman, and Deka, with blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles available.

That makes 650-20 one of the more straightforward 1926 Chrysler sizes for a modern buyer to read. If your Imperial is on 20-inch wheels, this is the size family to confirm first, then narrow the choice by sidewall appearance and the product's intended character. A formal restoration may favor a period-style whitewall look, while another Imperial may call for a blackwall presentation that better matches its current finish and use.

For 1926 Chrysler applications with currently listed products, sidewall style choice is confirmed in 650-20 for the Imperial. That size is available in both blackwall and wide whitewall form, while all of the listed products remain bias-ply. The wide whitewall option appears under Firestone, and blackwall choices appear under Firestone, Denman, and Deka.

On a pre-war luxury model such as the 1926 Chrysler Imperial, sidewall style changes the car's visual character almost as much as the wheel itself. Buyers focused on a more formal show presentation often lean toward period-appropriate whitewall styling, while blackwalls can suit a plainer or more utilitarian appearance. Once the correct size is confirmed, sidewall treatment becomes one of the main finishing decisions in the tire selection process.

The currently listed 1926 Chrysler products appear in 650-20 for the Imperial, and the available brands in that size are Firestone, Denman, and Deka. Firestone offers both blackwall and wide whitewall bias-ply versions, while Denman and Deka appear in blackwall bias-ply form. All of those listed options stay within the period-correct bias-ply construction family rather than switching to a radial format.

Brand choice on a 1926 Chrysler usually comes after the larger fitment questions are settled. First confirm whether your car is a 4 Cyl., 6 Cyl., or Imperial, then verify the exact sidewall size on the car or wheel. For Imperial owners working within the 650-20 range, the brand decision can then be guided by visual preference, sidewall style, and how closely the tire's overall character matches the kind of restoration or driving you have in mind.

For a 1926 Chrysler Imperial in 650-20, Firestone and Denman differ most clearly in presentation and the amount of published specification detail. Firestone appears in both a 3.75-inch wide whitewall and a blackwall version, and the listed Firestone products show a 2120-pound maximum load at 60 psi with a 20-inch rim diameter and a 3.00-to-5.00-inch rim width range. Denman appears as a blackwall bias-ply 650-20 in the Highway Classic Truck series with a listed 20-inch rim diameter.

That means the Firestone range gives an Imperial owner a stronger cosmetic choice if the goal is to influence the car's period look, especially with the available whitewall treatment. Denman presents a blackwall alternative with a more truck-oriented series name, which may appeal to buyers seeking a different visual or usage character. The key is to keep the comparison within the confirmed 650-20 Imperial fitment instead of treating brand differences as a substitute for size verification.

A confirmed rim width range is available for the 1926 Chrysler Imperial's 650-20 tire size. The listed 650-20 Firestone products fit a 20-inch rim and call for a 3.00-to-5.00-inch rim width range. Other 1926 Chrysler sizes on the 4 Cyl. and 6 Cyl. use earlier antique-format markings, so the best approach with those applications is to verify the actual wheel before choosing a tire.

Rim width matters because it affects section shape, tread profile, and how naturally the tire seats on the wheel. Even on a collector car that sees light use, a mismatch can alter stance and road manners. If you are working with a 1926 Chrysler that has changed hands or wheels over the decades, measuring the rim and matching it to the tire's approved range is a better practice than relying only on the badge on the radiator shell.

1926 Chrysler applications are all bias-ply and belong to a pre-war era when tube-type fitments were common, but the currently listed 650-20 product entries do not all carry a tube-specific sidewall marker. That means tube use should be confirmed against the exact product sidewall marking and the wheel construction on the car. With antique and early numeric sizes on original-style wheels, tube fitment is often part of the complete setup rather than an afterthought.

The practical step is to inspect the wheel itself and determine whether it is an original-style rim intended for tube use or a later replacement. If your 1926 Chrysler uses lock-ring, demountable, or otherwise early wheel hardware, tube compatibility deserves extra attention before installation. Matching the tire, tube, flap if needed, and wheel design as a system helps avoid mounting issues and keeps the car closer to correct pre-war practice.

Original 1926 Chrysler wheels should not be assumed to work with every size across the full model range. The four-cylinder, six-cylinder, and Imperial models use different size families, and the confirmed numeric applications include 20-inch fitments on the 4 Cyl. and Imperial. The antique diameter-by-section sizes also point to different wheel requirements depending on the exact sidewall marking used on the car.

That makes wheel confirmation just as important as tire-size confirmation on a 1926 Chrysler. A car that has been restored, upgraded, or pieced together over many years may no longer carry the exact wheels it left the factory with. Before reusing original wheels with any replacement tire, inspect the wheel condition, verify diameter, and make sure the intended tire size belongs to your specific model rather than another Chrysler in the same year.

A 1926 Chrysler should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, heaters, electric motors, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to flat-spotting during long stationary periods, and old-style sidewalls also suffer when left exposed to moisture swings or ultraviolet light. Keeping the tires clean and properly inflated before storage helps preserve shape and reduces stress on the casing.

For longer layups, move the 1926 Chrysler periodically so the tires do not sit on the same contact patch for months at a time. Some owners also use stands to reduce static load during extended storage, though the suspension should still be supported carefully and sensibly. A breathable indoor cover and routine visual checks do more for tire preservation than aggressive dressings, which can hide cracks instead of helping you catch them early.

Tire life on a 1926 Chrysler is usually judged by age and condition more than mileage. Collector cars often cover too few miles for tread wear to be the deciding factor, so a good rule is to begin evaluating older tires closely around the five-to-seven-year range and to treat around ten years as a point where replacement deserves serious consideration. The DOT date code on newer reproduction tires helps establish age even when the tread still looks healthy.

A pre-war Chrysler can spend long periods parked, and that sort of use pattern is harder on tire age than many owners expect. Sidewall cracking, casing stiffness, and recurring air loss matter more than whether the tread blocks still appear full. If the car's history is unclear, replacing aged tires can be a smarter decision than trying to stretch service life simply because the vehicle is driven only occasionally.

Tires on a 1926 Chrysler should be checked before every drive and inspected more carefully before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, embedded debris, uneven wear, cuts, bulges, and any sign that the tire is losing pressure. On early wheels and possible tube-type setups, valve stems deserve special attention because stem condition can reveal age and movement issues that are easy to miss at a glance.

A short pre-drive walk-around is one of the simplest ways to protect a pre-war car and the people in it. Collector vehicles often sit long enough for pressure loss or weather checking to develop between outings, even when the previous drive was uneventful. If anything looks questionable on the tires, postpone the drive until the wheel and tire assembly can be inspected more thoroughly rather than hoping the issue stays cosmetic.

The 1926 Chrysler 4 Cyl. uses bias-ply sizes in keeping with normal mid-1920s practice, and the listed fitments for that model are 30X5.25 and 5.25-20. That means a period-correct restoration should stay within bias-ply construction and match the exact size family that belongs to the car. Original equipment branding can vary by market and surviving records, so the most important first step is getting the correct size and construction for the model.

For a serious restoration, compare the existing wheel and any surviving sidewall evidence against marque references before settling on a final specification. Cars from this era were often repaired, re-bodied, or updated over the years, so it is wise to confirm that your four-cylinder Chrysler still carries the wheel setup appropriate to its original application. A Chrysler club or experienced pre-war specialist can help refine the final choice if the car's history is especially complex.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when a 1926 Chrysler is judged for authenticity. On a car of this age, judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the tire has the right size convention, the right bias-ply construction, and a sidewall treatment that suits the period character of the vehicle. A mismatch between model and tire size can stand out just as quickly as an obviously modern-looking tread or sidewall profile.

That does not mean every event applies the same standard, but it does mean tire choice should be part of the restoration plan rather than a last-minute purchase. A formal Imperial may call for a different visual presentation than a more modest Chrysler model, even when both are fitted correctly. If showing is a priority, use the event's judging guidelines and marque-club knowledge to confirm whether your chosen size and sidewall style support the level of originality you want.

For the 1926 Chrysler Imperial, 32X6.20 and 650-20 are both bias-ply fitments, but they represent two different size conventions. The 32X6.20 marking is an antique diameter-by-section format in which overall tire diameter appears first, while 650-20 is a numeric size that clearly identifies a 20-inch rim. The currently listed product range is centered on 650-20, including blackwall and wide whitewall options from multiple brands.

From a restoration standpoint, the decision starts with the actual wheel and the tire size family appropriate to the individual car, not with cosmetics alone. The antique-format size may be especially important on a car being restored to an earlier presentation standard, while 650-20 gives the Imperial owner a broader currently listed product choice. Before deciding, inspect the wheel and confirm which sidewall marking belongs to your Imperial rather than treating the two sizes as universal substitutes.

1926 Chrysler tires can be suitable for road use when they are the correct size, properly mounted, and in sound condition, but they remain bias-ply tires designed around pre-war vehicle behavior. No speed ratings are shown in the currently listed 1926 Chrysler products, so the practical limit on a 1926 Chrysler is usually shaped more by the car's own brakes, steering, suspension, and age than by any modern high-speed expectation. Tire condition and correct inflation matter more than trying to treat the car like a later highway cruiser.

For real-world driving, think in terms of conservative speeds, extra following distance, and a chassis that was engineered for 1920s roads rather than modern interstate traffic. A well-sorted Chrysler can still be enjoyable on secondary roads and moderate cruising routes, but long high-speed runs demand realism. If the tires are old, weather-checked, or improperly matched to the wheel, correct that first before asking the car to cover sustained road miles.

Inflation pressure on a 1926 Chrysler depends on the exact tire size and the product you choose. In the currently listed Imperial 650-20 range, Firestone shows a maximum load of 2120 pounds at 60 psi, which is a tire rating rather than a blanket operating recommendation for every 1926 Chrysler application. Other sizes on the 4 Cyl. and 6 Cyl. should be matched to their own tire specification and the vehicle's original guidance rather than borrowing the Imperial figure.

The safest approach is to use the factory vehicle guidance as your starting point and then compare it with the reproduction tire maker's published rating for that specific size. Pressure affects ride, casing shape, and tread contact, especially on bias-ply tires. Treat maximum pressure as a limit tied to load capacity, not as an automatic setting, and keep your 1926 Chrysler's actual model and tire size at the center of the decision.

Before a longer drive in a 1926 Chrysler, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, uneven wear, and proper inflation. Check the valve stems carefully, and if the car uses a tube-type wheel and tire setup, make sure the assembly is holding air consistently before leaving. The spare should be inspected too, because on a pre-war car it may be as old as the road tires even if it has never been used.

Tires are only one part of the pre-drive routine on a car this old, but they are the part touching the road all the time. A smart owner also checks wheel hardware, brakes, steering feel, fluids, and basic ignition readiness before committing to distance. If the car has been sitting, a short local shakedown after inspection is wiser than heading straight onto a long route and discovering a preventable tire or wheel issue far from home.