1926 Pierce Arrow Tire Fitment Guide

1926 Pierce Arrow vehicles use three sizes across two model lines: 33X6.75 and 700-21 on the 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series, and 600-22 on the 1926 Pierce Arrow 80 Series. The 700-21 tires mount on 21-inch rims, generally in a 3.00 to 4.00 inch width range depending on the product, while 600-22 mounts on 22-inch rims with a 3.00 to 3.75 inch range. The antique 33X6.75 fitment belongs only to the 33 Series and follows an earlier sizing convention.

That means year and make alone are not enough for tire selection on a 1926 Pierce Arrow. Start by identifying whether the car is a 33 Series or 80 Series, then confirm the wheel diameter actually on the car before moving to a specific tire. On a restored or long-owned car, wheels may not always match assumptions, especially when antique-format and later numeric-format sizes both appear within the same model line.

A 33X6.75 tire on a 1926 Pierce Arrow uses an antique diameter-by-section format rather than the later numeric system. The first number, 33, refers to the tire's overall outside diameter, while 6.75 refers to its nominal section width. That is different from a size like 700-21, where the second number is the wheel diameter. On 1926 Pierce Arrow applications, 33X6.75 belongs to the 33 Series and reflects an earlier style of tire sizing and wheel fitment.

Collectors usually encounter this format on older luxury and prestige automobiles where preservation of original wheel and tire character matters. If your 33 Series still uses antique-format wheels, 33X6.75 is the right place to begin your research. If the car has 21-inch wheels instead, the relevant fitment may be 700-21 instead, so the wheel itself should settle the question before any product choice is made.

No, 1926 Pierce Arrow models do not all use the same tire size. The 33 Series is associated with 33X6.75 and 700-21, while the 80 Series uses 600-22. Those sizes also involve different wheel diameters or sizing systems, so they are not casual substitutes across the model range. A 21-inch 700-21 fitment and a 22-inch 600-22 fitment are clearly separate applications.

That distinction matters because a Pierce Arrow owner often starts with a prestigious nameplate and broad year range, but these cars were not one-size-fits-all from a tire standpoint. Once you know the exact series, selection becomes much more straightforward. If the car has been restored over time, verify the wheels currently fitted before ordering, especially on a 33 Series where antique-format and numeric-format sizes both appear in the fitment path.

1926 Pierce Arrow tires are available in several sidewall styles depending on size. The 700-21 fitment for the 33 Series is offered in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall versions, while the 600-22 fitment for the 80 Series is available in blackwall and wide whitewall form. Those choices let an owner match the visual character of the car more closely, whether the goal is a restrained touring appearance or a more formal period luxury presentation.

On a car from 1926, sidewall treatment can noticeably change how the vehicle sits visually, especially on large-bodied luxury automobiles with prominent fenders and wheel openings. Buyers focused on authenticity should compare period photos, judging standards, and marque references for their specific body style and market. Buyers focused more on the car's finished look can choose the sidewall style that best complements the restoration without changing the underlying size fitment.

Three brands appear across the supported 1926 Pierce Arrow sizes: Firestone, Michelin, and BFGoodrich. Firestone and Michelin are offered in 700-21 for the 33 Series, while BFGoodrich appears in 600-22 for the 80 Series. The available products are all bias-ply constructions, which aligns with the period character of a 1926 luxury automobile.

Brand choice on a collector car like 1926 Pierce Arrow often comes down to the exact size you need first, then the sidewall look you want and the product family available in that fitment. A 33 Series owner using 700-21 has the broadest brand choice, while an 80 Series owner in 600-22 is choosing within a narrower range. Matching the correct size to the correct model should take priority over choosing a brand by name alone.

For 1926 Pierce Arrow 700-21 applications, Firestone Balloon and Michelin Double Rivet share the same nominal size and bias-ply construction, but they differ in available sidewall styles and listed rim-width ranges. Firestone Balloon appears in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall versions and is listed for 3.75 to 4.00 inch rims, while Michelin Double Rivet appears in blackwall and is listed for 3.00 to 3.75 inch rims. The listed weights also vary slightly between the products.

That makes the choice less about one being universally better and more about which wheel width and visual style match your particular 33 Series. If your car carries a narrower rim, the Michelin range may be the more natural place to start. If you want a whitewall presentation or have a rim width that aligns with Firestone's range, the Firestone Balloon line gives more appearance options within the same 700-21 fitment.

Rim width depends on the exact 1926 Pierce Arrow tire size. For 700-21, available products list fitment ranges from 3.00 to 3.75 inches for Michelin Double Rivet and 3.75 to 4.00 inches for Firestone Balloon. For 600-22, the listed rim-width range is 3.00 to 3.75 inches. Those ranges should be matched to the actual wheel on the car rather than assumed from the model name alone.

Rim width matters because tires of the same nominal size can be offered around slightly different wheel-width windows depending on brand and product family. Before selecting a tire for a 1926 Pierce Arrow, measure the wheel or confirm its specification during restoration. That is especially useful on a 33 Series, where product choice within 700-21 can hinge on whether the wheel falls in the narrower or wider end of the listed range.

Original 1926 Pierce Arrow wheels cannot be treated as universal across all listed tire sizes, because the sizes do not share a common wheel diameter. The 700-21 fitment uses a 21-inch rim, the 600-22 fitment uses a 22-inch rim, and the 33X6.75 fitment follows an antique diameter-by-section system associated with its own wheel type. A wheel set for one of those fitments is not automatically suitable for the others.

That makes wheel confirmation one of the first practical steps on any Pierce Arrow project. If the car has stayed intact for decades, the fitted wheels may already settle the tire question. If it has changed hands, undergone restoration, or been assembled from parts, check the actual wheel diameter and style before selecting tires, particularly on the 33 Series where two very different fitment paths appear within the same model family.

A 1926 Pierce Arrow should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Bias-ply tires, like the sizes used on 1926 Pierce Arrow, are especially prone to developing temporary flat-spotting during long static storage. Keeping the tires properly inflated and moving the car periodically helps reduce stress concentration in one contact patch.

Collectors who store a Pierce Arrow for extended periods often use tire cradles or support the car in a way that reduces continuous load, while still following safe lifting and chassis-support practices. Avoid parking on damp soil or surfaces that trap moisture around the rubber. A clean floor, stable temperature, and occasional repositioning do more for long-term tire condition than simply covering the car and leaving it untouched for months.

Tires on a 1926 Pierce Arrow should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage, because collector cars often accumulate very few miles while the rubber still ages. A practical rule is to evaluate tires closely once they reach about five to seven years of age and to treat ten years as a point where replacement deserves serious consideration regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code, when present on the tire, is the starting point for determining age.

Large luxury cars from the 1920s often appear lightly used, and that can make old tires look healthier than they really are. Sidewall cracking, hardening, separation risk, and long-term storage effects matter more than tread depth on a vehicle like 1926 Pierce Arrow. If the age of the tires is uncertain, inspection by an experienced vintage tire specialist is a sensible step before regular driving or any longer tour.

Tires on a 1926 Pierce Arrow should be inspected before every drive, and again before any extended outing or touring event. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, exposed cord, and pressure loss, and pay close attention to valve stems and the spare as well. On a collector car that may sit between drives, even a tire that looked fine last season can change noticeably after storage.

A pre-drive inspection only takes a few minutes and is especially worthwhile on a heavy, high-value automobile from the 1920s. Include a pressure check, a visual walkaround, and a brief look at how the tire is sitting on the wheel. Catching a problem in the garage is far better than discovering it after the car is loaded with passengers or luggage and already committed to a long rural or touring route.

A 1926 Pierce Arrow 33 Series would originally have been fitted with bias-ply tires, because that was the standard construction for the period. Within the 33 Series, both 33X6.75 and 700-21 appear as fitments, reflecting the fact that 1920s luxury cars can show more than one correct tire path depending on wheel type, body configuration, or restoration history. No single original-equipment brand should be assumed solely from the modern product range.

For a restoration, the best approach is to confirm the wheel actually on the car and compare that against factory literature, period photographs, and Pierce Arrow club references. That is especially important on a car as prestigious and body-style-sensitive as a 33 Series. Once the wheel and size family are confirmed, choosing a matching bias-ply construction and era-appropriate sidewall style will keep the tire selection aligned with the car's original character.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1926 Pierce Arrow because judged cars are often evaluated not just on general appearance, but on whether the size, construction type, and sidewall treatment suit the era and the vehicle itself. A radial-style modernization would look out of place on a 1926 Pierce Arrow, and using the wrong size family for the series or wheel could also draw attention. On luxury cars of this period, the tire's visual presence is significant.

Owners preparing for concours or marque events should confirm whether their event emphasizes factory accuracy, period-accessory correctness, or simply era-consistent presentation. Whitewall width, blackwall versus whitewall choice, and antique-format versus numeric-format fitment can all influence how authentic the finished car appears. Pierce Arrow club resources and event judging guidelines are the right final check when the goal is show-field correctness rather than general road use.

A 1926 Pierce Arrow 80 Series would have originally used bias-ply tires, and the fitment here centers on 600-22. That size mounts on a 22-inch rim and reflects the large-diameter wheel and period-correct construction expected on an upper-tier American luxury car of the mid-1920s. Modern offerings in this size remain true to that construction style rather than shifting the car into a later radial format.

For an 80 Series restoration, the main authenticity questions usually become sidewall treatment and overall presentation rather than construction type, since the available fitment stays within the proper bias-ply character. A blackwall can preserve a more restrained look, while a wide whitewall can emphasize the formal luxury image many owners prefer. Period photos and marque-specific references can help settle which appearance is the better match for your particular car.

1926 Pierce Arrow tires can be suitable for normal road use when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and fitted to a mechanically healthy car, but they are bias-ply tires intended for an early luxury automobile with period handling and braking expectations. No explicit speed ratings appear within these listed fitments, so tire choice should be paired with conservative operation and respect for the vehicle's age. On a car from 1926, chassis condition and braking performance often matter just as much as tire selection at ordinary touring speeds.

Highway use is less about asking a Pierce Arrow to behave like a modern sedan and more about ensuring the entire car is ready for sustained road speeds. Confirm age, inflation, condition, wheel security, and steering health before longer drives. If the car tracks, stops, and rides as it should, the right bias-ply tire can support enjoyable touring, but generous following distance and moderate pace remain wise habits in a large pre-war luxury car.

Inflation pressure on 1926 Pierce Arrow tires depends on the exact size and product. For 700-21, listed products include a maximum load of 1930 pounds at 40 psi. For 600-22, listed products include a maximum load of 1350 pounds at 36 psi. Those figures are tire ratings, not blanket instructions to inflate every Pierce Arrow tire to the same pressure in service.

Use the vehicle's original literature as the first guide for running pressure, then compare that against the tire manufacturer's stated limits for the specific reproduction tire you are using. Pressure should never be copied from one size to another, especially when 1926 Pierce Arrow fitments span different wheel diameters and vehicle series. Correct pressure affects ride, steering feel, tread wear, and the car's ability to carry its weight evenly and safely.

Before taking a 1926 Pierce Arrow on a longer drive, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, tread separation signs, and any pressure loss since the last outing. Check that the spare is usable, the valve stems are sound, and the tires are evenly seated on their wheels. Because Pierce Arrow is a heavy prestige car from the 1920s, the condition of the tire matters in direct proportion to the stress placed on it during touring.

Tires are only one part of the pre-drive routine on a car of this age, so pair the tire inspection with a broader check of brakes, steering, wheel bearings, fluids, and basic road tools. A short test drive around home before a full outing can reveal pull, vibration, or pressure-related behavior early. That kind of methodical preparation is part of owning and enjoying a 1926 Pierce Arrow responsibly, not an extra step reserved only for major events.