By 1926, Peerless still carried the reputation of a premium American make, building substantial six-cylinder automobiles aimed at buyers who expected refinement, presence, and advanced engineering for the era. The 1926 Peerless range was not a one-size-fits-all lineup, and its tire choices reflect that. Across three model series, six different bias-ply sizes appear, with each series using its own pair of era-correct fitments rather than sharing one universal size across the full make. That makes the first step simple but important: identify whether you have a 67 Series, 72 Series, or 80 Series, then confirm which of that model's two accepted period-style sizes matches your wheels and restoration goals.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 1926 Peerless
Six tire sizes are used across 1926 Peerless vehicles, and they vary by model rather than being shared across the full range. Because these sizes span different rim diameters and include both antique diameter-by-section and later numeric bias-ply conventions, the real decision starts with confirming your exact series and wheel size before comparing products. Understanding that distinction first saves time and helps you narrow in on the right period-style fitment.
Year(s): 1926|Fit(s): 67 Series|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 21-in rim
33X6.75 is an antique size that expresses an overall tire diameter of 33 inches with a nominal 6.75-inch section, and on the 1926 Peerless line it is specific to the 67 Series rather than universal across every model. It is a bias-ply fitment, but no current product range is listed here with brand or sidewall variations to compare. This is the kind of size a buyer would typically choose when preserving an early, large-format period presentation tied to the 67 Series and its original style of wheel and tire fitment.
Year(s): 1926|Fit(s): 67 Series|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 21 in
700-21 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 7.00 representing the nominal section width and 21 indicating the wheel diameter in inches, and on 1926 Peerless it is specific to the 67 Series. Available choices include Firestone and Michelin, with Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall sidewall styles. Load figures reach 1930 pounds at 40 psi on the Firestone Balloon offerings, and listed rim-width ranges span from 3.00 to 4.00 inches depending on the product. Buyers who want a 21-inch era-correct bias-ply tire with a choice of visual presentation have the most flexibility in this size.
Year(s): 1926|Fit(s): 72 Series|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 21-in rim
33X6.00 is an antique size that uses overall diameter and nominal section width in the code, identifying a 33-inch tire with a 6.00-inch section, and it is specific to the 72 Series within the 1926 Peerless lineup. It is a bias-ply fitment, but there are no listed product variations here for brand, sidewall treatment, or load details. This size suits a buyer focused on maintaining the larger pre-war sizing convention associated with the 72 Series rather than switching to a later numeric-style presentation.
Year(s): 1926|Fit(s): 72 Series|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 21 in
600-21 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 6.00 denotes the nominal section width and 21 is the wheel diameter, and on 1926 Peerless it is specific to the 72 Series. Current offerings include Lester and BFGoodrich in Blackwall and Wide Whitewall styles, with BFGoodrich versions carrying a 1350-pound maximum load at 36 psi and a listed 3.00 to 3.75-inch rim-width range. Buyers looking for a 21-inch replacement on a 72 Series can use this size when they want a period-correct bias-ply tire with a modest choice of appearance.
30X5.77 is an antique diameter-by-section size, identifying a 30-inch overall tire diameter and a nominal 5.77-inch section, and it is reserved for the 80 Series rather than shared across the rest of 1926 Peerless production. It is a bias-ply fitment with no listed brand, sidewall, or load variations in the current product range. This size is most relevant to buyers keeping an 80 Series close to its earlier tire-format appearance and confirming fitment directly against the wheel already on the car.
30x5 is another antique diameter-by-section code, calling out a 30-inch overall tire diameter with a nominal 5-inch section, and it is specific to the 80 Series within the 1926 Peerless range. It is a bias-ply application, though no currently listed product set appears here to compare by brand, sidewall style, or load rating. Buyers should treat this as a model-specific vintage fitment and confirm the exact wheel and existing tire convention on their 80 Series before choosing between its two accepted sizes.
Three Peerless model series are covered for 1926, and they do not all use the same tire sizes. Each series carries its own pair of accepted period-style fitments, so identifying the model matters before choosing a tire. Select your series below to narrow fitment history, size choices, and available products.
1926 Peerless 67 Series
The 67 Series sat in Peerless's upper-tier luxury territory, the kind of large, prestige American automobile that emphasized smooth touring and formal presence. Its tires mount on 21-inch wheels in the numeric fitment shown here, while its alternate antique-size convention reflects the transitional tire language common in the 1920s.
The 72 Series represents another substantial Peerless offering from a time when the marque was known for premium engineering and road-going dignity. Its listed tires fit 21-inch wheels in the numeric format, with an alternate antique-style size convention that belongs specifically to this series.
The 80 Series belongs to the same upscale Peerless world but uses its own distinct tire sizing, which sets it apart from the 21-inch fitments used by the other two series. Both accepted sizes for the 80 Series are earlier diameter-by-section bias-ply conventions, so careful wheel confirmation is especially important before moving ahead.
Seven products are available across two tire sizes for 1926 Peerless vehicles. The 700-21 range includes four Firestone and Michelin bias-ply choices in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles, while 600-21 includes three Lester and BFGoodrich bias-ply options in blackwall and wide whitewall form. Confirm your series and size first before narrowing by appearance.
These FAQs sort out the model-by-model size differences found across 1926 Peerless automobiles, along with antique versus numeric sizing, sidewall style choices, 21-inch wheel details, and the storage habits that matter for low-use pre-war bias-ply tires.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 1926 Peerless vehicles?
1926 Peerless vehicles use six sizes across three model series. The 67 Series uses 33X6.75 and 700-21, the 72 Series uses 33X6.00 and 600-21, and the 80 Series uses 30X5.77 and 30x5. The 700-21 and 600-21 sizes both mount on 21-inch rims, with listed rim-width ranges of 3.00 to 4.00 inches on available products depending on size and brand.
That means year and make alone are not enough to choose a tire for a 1926 Peerless. You need to identify whether your car is a 67 Series, 72 Series, or 80 Series first, then confirm whether your car is staying with its antique diameter-by-section size or its numeric 21-inch equivalent where both conventions appear. On surviving pre-war cars, wheel swaps over the decades are common enough that checking the actual rim before ordering is worthwhile.
What does 33X6.75 mean on a 1926 Peerless tire?
On a 1926 Peerless, 33X6.75 is an antique tire code rather than a modern width-and-aspect format. The first number refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter in inches, and the second number refers to its nominal section width. It is a bias-ply size used on the 67 Series, and it belongs to the older sizing language common in premium American cars of the 1920s.
That older code matters because it is not directly read the same way as a later numeric size such as 700-21. A buyer comparing the two should focus first on the wheel already on the car and the style of restoration being pursued, rather than assuming the codes are interchangeable at a glance. If your Peerless still wears older-style wheels or has long-standing antique-format tires on it, preserving that convention may be the cleanest path.
Do all 1926 Peerless models use the same tire size?
No, 1926 Peerless models do not share one universal tire size. The 67 Series, 72 Series, and 80 Series each have their own pair of listed sizes, and no single size is used across the full model range. The 67 and 72 Series both include a 21-inch numeric option, while the 80 Series stays in smaller antique-format sizing.
That separation is important because the right tire choice starts with model identification, not simply the year on the title. Peerless built large, upscale automobiles in several series, and even within one model year the wheel and tire conventions could differ meaningfully. If you are sorting out a recently acquired car, checking the series plate, existing wheel diameter, and any surviving old tire markings will usually resolve the question faster than comparing body style alone.
Buying the Right Tire
What sidewall styles are available for 1926 Peerless tires?
Sidewall style options for 1926 Peerless tires depend on the size. In 700-21, available choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. In 600-21, the available range includes blackwall and wide whitewall. The remaining Peerless sizes listed for 1926 do not have a current sidewall-style range shown here.
For a 1926 Peerless, sidewall appearance has a strong effect on the car's final look, especially on large open-wheel and formal-bodied pre-war automobiles. Blackwalls generally suit a restrained touring presentation, while whitewall treatments deliver a more dressed-up period appearance that many owners prefer on luxury marques from the later 1920s. If show authenticity is the priority, it is smart to compare your target style with period photos and the expectations of the specific event or marque community.
What brands make tires for 1926 Peerless vehicles?
Current brand coverage for 1926 Peerless centers on the two 21-inch numeric sizes. The 700-21 size is available from Firestone and Michelin, while 600-21 is available from Lester and BFGoodrich. All of those listed choices are bias-ply tires, which is consistent with the period construction expected for a 1926 luxury automobile.
Brand choice on a pre-war car often comes down to the look you want as much as the name on the sidewall. Some owners prioritize a specific tread or sidewall presentation, while others focus on matching the character of a large American luxury car from the middle 1920s. Once the correct size is established for your Peerless series, comparing the available brands within that size is the right next step rather than trying to choose a brand first.
What is the difference between Firestone Balloon and Michelin Double Rivet for the 1926 Peerless?
For the 1926 Peerless in size 700-21, Firestone Balloon and Michelin Double Rivet differ in both presentation and wheel-range details. Firestone Balloon is offered in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall forms, carries a listed maximum load of 1930 pounds at 40 psi, and fits 3.75 to 4.00-inch rims. Michelin Double Rivet is offered here in blackwall form and fits 3.00 to 3.75-inch rims.
That makes the choice less about raw compatibility with every 700-21 wheel and more about matching the tire to your particular rim and visual goal. A 67 Series owner wanting more whitewall variation will naturally gravitate toward the Firestone range, while a car wearing a narrower 21-inch rim may steer the comparison differently. Confirm the actual rim width on your Peerless before choosing between them, especially if the car has had decades of restoration history.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 1926 Peerless tires require?
Published rim-width guidance is available for the 21-inch numeric sizes used on 1926 Peerless vehicles. In 700-21, listed fitments span from 3.00 to 4.00 inches depending on the product, with Michelin covering 3.00 to 3.75 inches and Firestone Balloon covering 3.75 to 4.00 inches. In 600-21, BFGoodrich is listed for 3.00 to 3.75-inch rims.
Rim width matters because two tires with the same nominal size can still be intended for slightly different wheel widths. On a pre-war Peerless, that becomes especially important if wheels have been replaced, relaced, or exchanged during an older restoration. Measure the actual inside bead-seat width of the wheel before finalizing a tire, and compare it to the range given for the exact product you are considering rather than assuming every 21-inch tire fits every 21-inch rim.
Can the original 1926 Peerless wheels be used with all tire sizes?
Original 1926 Peerless wheels cannot be treated as universal across all six listed tire sizes, because the model range itself does not use one common fitment. The 67 Series and 72 Series each include a 21-inch numeric size, while the 80 Series uses different antique-format sizes and does not share those 21-inch fitments. Wheel diameter is the first compatibility checkpoint before any product comparison begins.
On a nearly century-old car, originality and present-day configuration are not always the same thing. A Peerless may have received replacement wheels, alternate lock-ring equipment, or a restorer's preferred tire convention long after it left the factory. Treat the wheel on the car as the deciding reference, then match the correct size family to that wheel and to the proper series identification. That approach avoids forcing a 21-inch assumption onto an 80 Series or an antique-size assumption onto a 67 or 72.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 1926 Peerless when the tires are fitted?
A stored 1926 Peerless should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment that accelerates rubber aging. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to flat-spotting during long static periods, and prolonged contact with damp floors can also work against the tire and wheel assembly over time.
For a large pre-war car, the best routine is to keep inflation pressures consistent, move the car periodically so one patch of tread is not carrying the same load for months, and use clean barriers or stands if the car will sit for a very long time. If your Peerless is stored through an entire season, a brief visual inspection before moving it again helps catch sidewall weathering or bead-area issues before they turn into a roadside problem.
How long do tires on a 1926 Peerless typically last?
Tire life on a 1926 Peerless should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. Collector cars often accumulate very few miles, yet the rubber, casing, and valve components continue to age. A sound rule is to begin close evaluation around five to seven years of service and to treat roughly ten years as a point where replacement deserves serious consideration, even if tread wear still looks light.
That age-based approach is especially important on a car that may spend most of its life parked, trailered, or driven only to events. Check the DOT date code where applicable on the tire, inspect for cracking and casing distortion, and consider how the car has been stored over its life. A handsome-looking bias-ply tire on a seldom-driven Peerless can still be overdue by age, which is why appearance alone should never be the only test.
How often should tires on a 1926 Peerless be inspected?
Tires on a 1926 Peerless should be inspected before every drive, and they deserve a more thorough check before any longer outing or tour. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and any sign that the tire has been run underinflated. On a pre-war car, the spare should be included in the same routine because it may be just as old as the tires on the ground.
A careful walk-around takes only a few minutes and fits the way an older luxury car should be prepared for road use anyway. Check inflation, examine the valve area, and watch for signs that a tire has begun losing pressure between drives. If your Peerless has been sitting for weeks or months, let the first inspection happen before the car rolls under load. Catching a problem in the garage is far better than discovering it on a narrow shoulder.
Restoration & Authenticity
What tires were originally fitted to the 1926 Peerless 67 Series?
A 1926 Peerless 67 Series would have been fitted with bias-ply tires, because radial construction had not yet become standard passenger-car practice in this era. The listed fitments tied to the 67 Series are 33X6.75 and 700-21, reflecting the period overlap between antique diameter-by-section sizing and numeric 21-inch sizing. No specific original-equipment brand should be assumed from that alone.
For restoration work, that means the important authenticity markers are the correct size family, the correct bias-ply construction, and a sidewall treatment that suits the car's intended presentation. If you are preparing a car for formal judging, compare the tire choice with factory literature, period photographs, and Peerless marque resources to confirm what was typical for your body style and market. That extra step matters more than choosing a name on the sidewall first.
Does correct tire fitment matter for showing a 1926 Peerless?
Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1926 Peerless, especially in preservation or concours environments where period accuracy is part of the judging standard. On a car of this age, judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the size is appropriate for the series, whether the construction remains bias-ply, and whether the sidewall look supports the car's era and intended presentation.
A visibly incorrect size, a construction type from the wrong era, or a sidewall style that clashes with the class of the car can distract from an otherwise strong restoration. That does not mean every event uses the same standards, but it does mean tire choice should be treated as a design and authenticity decision rather than a finishing detail. Before a major event, check the club or concours rulebook and compare your Peerless to accepted examples from the same period.
What is the difference between BFGoodrich and Lester for the 1926 Peerless?
Within the 1926 Peerless 600-21 size, BFGoodrich and Lester offer different levels of published specification detail and appearance choice. BFGoodrich is available in blackwall and wide whitewall forms, carries a listed maximum load of 1350 pounds at 36 psi, and fits 3.00 to 3.75-inch rims. Lester is listed in blackwall form in the same size, with no additional load or rim-width figures shown here.
For a 72 Series owner, that means the comparison often comes down to whether you want a broader period appearance choice or a simpler blackwall presentation. It also means you should verify your wheel before choosing the exact BFGoodrich product if rim-width matching is part of the decision. On a restoration-minded Peerless, details like whitewall presence and wheel compatibility can influence the final result as much as the brand itself.
Safety & Road Use
Are 1926 Peerless tires safe for highway driving?
1926 Peerless tires can be suitable for normal road use when they are the correct size, properly mounted, correctly inflated, and in sound condition. The listed available 21-inch products are all bias-ply tires, and no speed-rating letters are shown for the current ranges here. On a 1926 luxury automobile, the tire is only one part of the equation; braking, steering, suspension condition, and wheel integrity are just as important to safe touring speeds.
In practical terms, a well-sorted Peerless should be driven with the manners appropriate to a large pre-war car rather than treated like a modern highway machine. Before any sustained road use, make sure the tires are fresh enough by age, free of damage, and matched to the wheel. If the car has not been driven regularly, a conservative shakedown run is a wiser first step than heading straight into a long, fast trip.
What inflation pressure should I use for 1926 Peerless tires?
Inflation pressure for 1926 Peerless tires should follow the specific size and product you are using rather than a single number applied across the whole make. Among the listed products, 700-21 Firestone Balloon tires show a maximum load of 1930 pounds at 40 psi, while 600-21 BFGoodrich tires show 1350 pounds at 36 psi. Those figures describe the tire's rated load-and-pressure pairing, not a universal operating recommendation for every Peerless model.
The best practice is to start with the original vehicle literature or trusted marque guidance for the car's intended operating pressure, then compare that with the rating information for the exact reproduction tire fitted. A pressure that suits one 21-inch size should not automatically be transferred to another, and it certainly should not be assumed for the antique-format sizes on the 80 Series. Keep all four tires even side to side and recheck them after the car has sat.
What should I check before taking a 1926 Peerless on a longer drive?
Before a longer drive in a 1926 Peerless, inspect each tire for sidewall cracking, tread damage, cuts, bulges, age-related hardening, and steady pressure retention. Check the spare as carefully as the four road tires, because a spare on a pre-war car is often older than expected. If your Peerless uses one of the 21-inch sizes with available product choices, make sure the tire fitted matches the wheel diameter and intended rim-width range.
That tire inspection should happen alongside the broader pre-drive routine any 1920s car deserves: wheels tight, brakes functioning evenly, steering free of excess play, and wheel bearings and suspension components in sound order. A vintage luxury car can cover distance gracefully when prepared well, but problems compound quickly when old mechanical systems and old tires are both neglected. Starting with a careful tire review is one of the simplest ways to avoid cutting a tour short.