1926 Davis Tire Fitment Guide

1926 Davis vehicles use two tire sizes: 30X5.77 and 30x5. Both sizes apply to the full model range, including the 1926 Davis 92 Series and 1926 Davis 93 Series, so there is no split where one series uses one size and the other series uses another. The two sizes do not share the same rim diameter, because 30X5.77 mounts on a 20-inch rim while 30x5 mounts on a 25-inch rim.

That difference makes wheel confirmation the first step before choosing a tire for any 1926 Davis. If your car already has mounted tires, sidewall markings and actual wheel measurements can help confirm which fitment belongs on it. On a restoration, the safest approach is to compare the wheel itself, any surviving fitment references for the car, and the overall look you are trying to preserve.

On a 1926 Davis, 30X5.77 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size. The first number, 30, refers to the tire's overall diameter in inches, while 5.77 refers to the nominal section width in inches. It is a bias-ply construction and mounts on a 20-inch rim, which reflects the older sizing system used before later alphanumeric and metric conventions became standard.

That matters because modern buyers often expect the last number in a size to be the wheel diameter, but antique formats work differently. If your 1926 Davis carries this size, you should match it as an antique-style fitment rather than trying to translate it loosely into a later numeric or metric equivalent. Keeping the original format helps preserve both appearance and intended wheel compatibility.

Yes, both 1926 Davis models listed here use the same two tire sizes. The 92 Series and 93 Series both appear with 30X5.77 and 30x5, so tire choice is not divided by model line in the way it often is on later cars with larger and smaller body styles. Both available sizes are bias-ply, in keeping with the period.

Even with that shared fitment range, it is still worth identifying your exact model and checking the actual wheels on the car. Vintage vehicles can pass through many decades of repairs and replacements, and wheel changes are not unusual. Once the wheel diameter is confirmed, you can narrow the choice much more confidently without assuming one size automatically belongs on every surviving example.

The right choice for a 1926 Davis comes down first to wheel compatibility, because 30X5.77 and 30x5 mount on different rim diameters. The 30X5.77 size fits a 20-inch rim, while the 30x5 size fits a 25-inch rim, and both are bias-ply antique-era constructions rather than a bias-versus-radial choice. Since both sizes were used across the 92 Series and 93 Series, model name alone does not settle the question.

That means the most practical path is to verify the wheel on the car and compare it against the size you intend to run. If you are restoring for historical correctness, keep the car in the antique sizing format it was meant to use rather than substituting a later-style equivalent. If the existing wheels and old tire markings disagree, a marque specialist or period service reference can help resolve the fitment before you commit.

Sidewall appearance matters on a 1926 Davis because tire profile and visual character are a large part of how a mid-1920s car sits and presents. Antique-era Davis fitments are typically chosen with an eye toward period-correct styling rather than modern visual trends, and the sidewall look should match the restoration's intended era character. On a car from this period, buyers generally want the tire to look appropriate to open-fender, tall-wheel proportions.

The best approach is to compare available sidewall treatments within the exact size you need and choose the one that fits the car's restoration goal. A formal show restoration may call for a stricter period look, while a touring-oriented car can still benefit from staying visually sympathetic to the decade. Sidewall style should never be chosen in isolation from the correct size, since overall proportions are what make the finished car look right.

Brand choice for a 1926 Davis is usually considered after the correct size has been confirmed, because antique fitments are far less interchangeable than later collector-car sizes. The primary decision on a mid-1920s Davis is staying within the proper antique-size format and matching the wheel diameter correctly. Once that is settled, buyers can compare available manufacturers within the size they need and weigh construction details, appearance, and intended use.

That order matters because a respected vintage-tire brand still has to be matched to the correct fitment for the car. A tire that looks right in catalog terms can still be the wrong choice if it belongs to the other Davis wheel diameter. On a prewar independent make like Davis, accuracy in size selection usually has a bigger effect on the result than brand preference alone.

The key wheel measurement established for 1926 Davis tires here is rim diameter rather than a published rim-width range. The 30X5.77 size mounts on a 20-inch rim, and the 30x5 size mounts on a 25-inch rim. Both sizes are antique bias-ply fitments, so they should be matched to wheels that are correct in type and dimensions for the tire being used.

Because early wheels and rims can vary by design, restoration history, and service replacements, it is smart to measure the wheel directly before selecting a tire. Antique tire sizing is not as forgiving of assumptions as later standardized fitments. If the car has non-original wheels, or if the rim profile looks different from period practice, have the wheel assessed before mounting a new tire.

A 1926 Davis uses antique-era bias-ply tire sizes, and cars of this period are commonly set up in ways where tube use is part of normal vintage fitment practice. The need for an inner tube should be matched to the specific tire and wheel combination being used, because the wheel construction on a mid-1920s car matters just as much as the tire itself. Early rims and lock-ring or clincher-style arrangements require special attention compared with later one-piece drop-center wheels.

Before finalizing a setup, confirm the exact wheel type on the car and the requirements of the specific tire being considered. Tube selection, flap requirements where applicable, and valve-stem compatibility should all be checked together rather than treated as separate decisions. Getting that part right helps prevent mounting issues and supports reliable air retention on a vehicle that may spend long periods parked between drives.

A 1926 Davis should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, generators, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber prematurely. Because 1926 Davis tires are bias-ply antique-style fitments, they are more prone to taking a temporary flat spot when left in one position for long periods. Keeping the tires clean and the car out of standing moisture is just as important as protecting the paint and interior.

If the car will sit for weeks or months, move it slightly from time to time or support it appropriately to reduce long-term strain on one contact patch. Maintaining proper inflation during storage helps preserve shape and reduces stress on the casing. Collector owners who prepare the car this way usually see fewer startup surprises when it is time to return the Davis to regular show or touring use.

Tire life on a 1926 Davis is usually judged more by age than mileage, because collector cars often accumulate limited annual use. A good rule is to start evaluating tires closely once they are about five to seven years old and to give serious replacement consideration as they approach ten years, even if the tread still looks substantial. The manufacturing date code and the tire's physical condition matter more than odometer figures on a car of this age.

That is especially true for a vehicle that may spend much of its life indoors and appear outwardly well preserved. Sidewall cracking, hardening, repeated flat-spotting, and changes in ride feel can all signal age-related decline before the tread is actually worn out. On a 1926 Davis, replacing aged tires on time is part of preserving drivability and avoiding unnecessary strain on fragile vintage wheels and suspension components.

Tires on a 1926 Davis should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing, parade route, or touring event. Look for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, tread separation, and signs that the tire is not holding pressure evenly. On an early collector car, it is also wise to inspect valve stems and the condition of any tube-related components whenever the wheel is serviced.

Regular inspection is more important on a low-use vintage car than many owners expect, because age and storage conditions can change a tire without many miles being added. A quick pre-drive walkaround often catches problems before they become roadside issues. If the steering suddenly feels different or the car develops a new vibration, stop and recheck the tires rather than assuming it is only normal old-car behavior.

A 1926 Davis 92 Series belongs to an era when bias-ply construction was the standard practice, and the listed fitments for 1926 Davis are 30X5.77 and 30x5. Those are both antique-style sizes, consistent with how American cars of the mid-1920s were equipped before later sizing systems became common. Original-equipment brand choice could vary by market and service history, so the most important authenticity point is staying with the correct construction type and size format.

If you are aiming for an especially accurate restoration, verify the tire size against the car's wheels and any surviving period references tied to your particular example. Club resources, factory literature, and long-time Davis specialists can help sort out whether one of the two listed sizes is more appropriate for your car as restored. Getting the sizing format right usually has the greatest visual and historical impact.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1926 Davis, because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice tire size, construction type, overall profile, and sidewall appearance almost immediately. A mid-1920s car looks visibly different when the tire is too modern in style or wrong in proportion, even if it technically rolls and steers. For a period Davis, bias-ply antique sizing is central to an authentic presentation.

That does not mean every event follows the same judging standard, but a car prepared for originality is always better served by matching the era's tire conventions as closely as possible. If you are building for marque-level judging, confirm what the event expects before making a final choice. A tire that seems close enough on paper can still stand out visually once mounted on a tall-wheel prewar car.

Tire proportions matter on a 1926 Davis because the car's visual stance depends heavily on tall, narrow tires and large-diameter wheels, which were part of normal design language in the 1920s. The difference between an antique-size tire and a later-looking substitute is easy to see in fender gap, wheel opening fill, and overall silhouette. On early cars, tires are not just functional parts; they are a major styling element.

That is why restorers usually start with the correct period size instead of trying to back into the look after the fact. If the tire diameter or section width is off, the car can sit awkwardly even when the paint and trim are excellent. Matching the proper Davis fitment helps preserve the way the chassis, body lines, and wheel arches were meant to work together.

A 1926 Davis can be driven on properly maintained vintage-style tires, but safety depends on much more than whether the rubber is new. These are bias-ply antique-era fitments, so they should be used with the understanding that steering feel, braking behavior, and road manners will reflect 1920s vehicle design rather than modern-car expectations. On a car of this age, the condition of the wheels, brakes, steering, bearings, and suspension can be just as important as the tires themselves.

For real-world road use, the smartest approach is to treat the entire car as a vintage system and drive within its mechanical limits. Start with a thorough inspection, confirm inflation and wheel condition, and avoid assuming that fresh tires alone make a prewar car ready for sustained modern traffic speeds. A well-sorted Davis is much more enjoyable and confidence-inspiring than one relying on the tires to compensate for other age-related issues.

Inflation pressure for a 1926 Davis should follow the guidance appropriate to the exact tire size, the wheel setup, and the vehicle's original service recommendations. Since 30X5.77 and 30x5 are different fitments on different rim diameters, pressure should never be transferred casually from one size to the other. On a collector car from this era, the owner's literature and the tire manufacturer's rated guidance should be considered together.

That matters because pressure affects not only ride and wear, but also how an early car steers and tracks on narrow bias-ply tires. If the Davis has been restored with wheels different from what it originally used, verify the complete setup before settling on a routine pressure. A careful baseline check after mounting and a short road evaluation usually tell you far more than relying on a generic old-car number.

Before taking a 1926 Davis on a longer drive, inspect each tire for visible cracking, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, uneven wear, and proper inflation. Check the valve stems, confirm the spare is serviceable, and make sure the wheels and fasteners are secure. Because a 1926 Davis is an early collector car, tire condition should be reviewed as one part of a broader inspection that also includes brakes, steering, cooling, and fuel-system readiness.

That routine becomes especially important if the car has been sitting or if it is being asked to do more than short local use. Vintage bias-ply tires can look acceptable at a glance while still revealing age or storage-related issues under closer examination. Spending a few extra minutes before departure usually prevents the kind of avoidable interruption that turns a pleasant tour into a recovery exercise.