1926 Studebaker Tire Fitment Guide

1926 Studebaker vehicles use six listed tire sizes across three models. The Big 6 uses 32X6.75 and 700-20, the Special uses 32X6.20 and 650-20, and the Standard uses 31X5.25 and 525-21. The Big 6 and Special sizes mount on 20-inch rims, while the Standard sizes mount on 21-inch rims. Where product fitment is offered, approved rim-width ranges include 3.75 to 5.50 inches for 700-20 products depending on brand, 3.00 to 5.00 inches for 650-20 Firestone products, and 2.50 to 4.00 inches for 525-21 products depending on product line.

That spread means a 1926 Studebaker owner should identify the exact model before moving any further. Year and make alone are not enough here, because the Standard is on a different rim diameter from the Special and Big 6. Once the model is confirmed, compare the tire code on the car, the wheel diameter, and the rim-width recommendation for the specific tire you are considering. That keeps a restoration or touring car aligned with the right size family from the start.

On a 1926 Studebaker, 32X6.75 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The first number refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter in inches, and the second refers to the approximate section width. It is a bias-ply size used on the 1926 Studebaker Big 6, and that antique format reflects the sizing language commonly seen before later numeric designations became more familiar to modern hobbyists.

A buyer usually treats 32X6.75 as part of a model-specific Big 6 fitment path rather than a general Studebaker size. If your car carries 20-inch wheels and falls into the Big 6 family, this antique code points you toward the correct larger tire class for that car. It is wise to compare the wheel actually on the car with the alternative Big 6 size marking, 700-20, especially if the vehicle has been restored, updated, or converted during its life.

On a 1926 Studebaker, 700-20 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 7.00 portion identifies the nominal section width in inches, while 20 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. This size belongs to the Big 6 and sits in the later numeric sizing convention that overlaps with older antique-style designations such as 32X6.75. Available products in 700-20 are all bias-ply and are offered with multiple sidewall presentations, including blackwall, wide whitewall, and double whitewall.

That makes 700-20 a practical search point for Big 6 owners who want a clearly merchandised modern reproduction size code instead of starting from the older diameter-by-section notation. It still needs to be matched to the wheel on the car, because some 700-20 products are built for narrower rims and others for wider ones. Matching the rim width and the sidewall style to the car's configuration will do more for fit and appearance than choosing by the number alone.

1926 Studebaker tires are offered in several sidewall styles depending on size. The 700-20 selection includes Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall options. The 650-20 and 525-21 selections include Blackwall and Wide Whitewall options. All of the listed products are bias-ply, so the main visible differences are the sidewall treatment and the brand or series within the correct size.

For a mid-1920s Studebaker, sidewall choice strongly affects the car's visual character. Blackwalls generally deliver a simpler, more workmanlike look, while whitewall treatments add a more formal touring appearance that many restorers associate with upscale presentation from the period. The right choice depends on how your particular car is being restored and shown, not just on model name alone. Compare the sidewall style to period photos, club guidance, and the trim level or body style of your own car before settling on a final look.

Several brands cover the listed 1926 Studebaker sizes that currently have product availability. Firestone and BFGoodrich appear in 700-20 for the Big 6. Firestone, Denman, and Deka appear in 650-20 for the Special. Firestone and Excelsior appear in 525-21 for the Standard. Each brand remains within a period-style bias-ply construction for these applications, but the sidewall styling and load figures can differ by product line and size.

That brand spread gives Studebaker owners some room to tailor the tire to the car's intended presentation. A whitewall Firestone may suit one restoration direction, while a blackwall BFGoodrich, Denman, Deka, or Excelsior may suit another. The best way to narrow the field is to start with the correct model and size, then compare the sidewall style, rim-width fitment, and rated load information within that size. Once those basics line up, brand preference becomes a much more meaningful final decision.

For 1926 Studebaker Big 6 applications in 700-20, Firestone and BFGoodrich differ in sidewall choices, rim-width recommendations, weight, and listed load figures. Firestone offers wide whitewall and double-whitewall versions with a 3.75 to 4.00 inch rim-width range and a listed load capacity of 1930 pounds at 40 psi. BFGoodrich offers blackwall and wide whitewall versions with a 5.00 to 5.50 inch rim-width range, with listed capacities of 1700 pounds at 36 psi for one product and 1980 pounds at 42 psi for another.

That means the decision is not simply cosmetic. A Big 6 owner should first match the wheel width on the car to the tire's approved rim range, because the Firestone and BFGoodrich products are intended for different wheel widths within the same nominal tire size. After that, sidewall appearance and the specific load-and-pressure listing help refine the choice. This is especially important on older cars that may no longer wear their original wheels after many decades of repairs, restorations, or chassis swaps.

Rim-width requirements for 1926 Studebaker tires vary by size and by product. In 700-20, Firestone products fit 3.75 to 4.00 inch rims, while BFGoodrich products fit 5.00 to 5.50 inch rims. In 650-20, Firestone products fit 3.00 to 5.00 inch rims. In 525-21, Firestone products fit 2.50 to 3.00 inch rims, while the Excelsior Comp H version fits 3.50 to 4.00 inch rims. The approved range belongs to the specific tire you choose, not just to the size code.

That is why measuring the actual wheel matters before ordering a prewar tire. Two products with the same size marking can be built around very different wheel-width expectations, particularly in reproduction and specialty fitments. If your Studebaker has had wheel changes over the years, the tire code alone may not protect you from a mismatch. Confirm wheel diameter first, then wheel width, and only then compare sidewall style or brand.

The listed 1926 Studebaker products do not carry a tube-type or tubeless marking in the size field, so the practical setup question centers on the wheel design and the specific tire construction rather than a single universal rule stated on every product. All of the available fitments are bias-ply tires intended for prewar-style applications, and many 1920s wheels were originally used with tube-type service. Tube decisions should be matched to the wheel and the tire's sidewall instructions.

For a 1926 Studebaker, the safest approach is to inspect the wheels already on the car and confirm whether they are original-style demountable or otherwise built around tube use. A restorer should also check the product's own sidewall markings and any manufacturer guidance before final assembly. Tubes, flaps, and valve stems should be treated as part of the complete setup, not as afterthoughts, especially on a car that may spend long periods parked between drives.

Original 1926 Studebaker wheels cannot be treated as interchangeable across all listed tire sizes because the lineup uses two different rim diameters. The Big 6 and Special fitments are built around 20-inch rims, while the Standard fitments are built around 21-inch rims. Even within a single rim diameter, individual products in the same size may call for different rim-width ranges, so wheel diameter alone does not complete the fitment picture.

A Big 6 or Special owner may be comparing two alternate size designations within the same model, but that does not mean a Standard wheel can enter the conversation at all. The first check is always the wheel diameter currently on the car. After that, verify the width of that wheel against the specific tire being considered. On a nearly century-old Studebaker, assuming the wheels are original without measuring them can lead to the wrong tire choice faster than almost any other mistake.

A 1926 Studebaker should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Keep the tires clean, maintain inflation, and avoid parking for long periods on wet concrete or oil-stained surfaces. Because these are bias-ply collector-car tires, they are more prone to temporary flat-spotting during long static storage than a modern radial would be.

If the car will sit for months, move it periodically or support it in a way that reduces prolonged concentrated load on one contact patch. Owners who drive only occasionally should make tire care part of overall preservation, not just something checked before events. Good storage habits help protect sidewalls, preserve ride quality, and reduce the chance that a beautifully restored Studebaker is undermined by tires that aged prematurely while the car was parked.

Tires on a 1926 Studebaker are usually judged by age and condition more than by tread wear, because collector cars often accumulate little mileage. A sensible rule is to begin close inspection and professional evaluation as tires move into the five- to seven-year range, and to treat around ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration even if the tread still looks usable. The DOT date code, along with visible condition, is the key reference.

That matters on prewar cars because a lightly used tire can still become old, hard, or cracked while appearing outwardly decent at a glance. Heat cycles, storage conditions, and inflation history all influence usable life. A Studebaker that goes from garage display to occasional tours should have age tracked just as carefully as a regularly driven collector car. Waiting for obvious tread wear is rarely the right standard for a vehicle of this era.

Tires on a 1926 Studebaker should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing or tour. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, exposed fabric, and signs that the tire is losing pressure between uses. Because many 1920s wheel and tire setups may involve tubes and older valve hardware, valve stem condition and air retention deserve special attention along with the tire itself.

Frequent inspection is especially important on a collector car that may sit for weeks between drives and then be asked to run steadily for an event. A quick walkaround is not enough if the car has been stored all season or moved infrequently. Put hands and eyes on each tire, including the spare, and use a gauge instead of relying on appearance alone. That small routine catches age-related issues well before they become roadside problems.

The 1926 Studebaker Big 6 Cyl. would have been a bias-ply car when new, and its listed fitments remain in that pre-radial tradition. The size family for the Big 6 is 32X6.75 and 700-20, both tied to 20-inch wheels. Those codes reflect the kind of sizing language buyers encounter on mid-1920s American cars, when antique diameter-by-section and numeric designations often overlap in modern restoration discussions.

For a historically minded restoration, the important point is to stay within the correct Big 6 size family and maintain an era-appropriate bias-ply construction. Sidewall color and exact presentation can vary depending on body style, market expectations, and the standard applied by a specific show. Marque clubs, surviving factory literature, and period photographs are the best next step if you are trying to pin down the most authentic visual treatment for a particular Big 6 rather than simply getting into the correct tire size range.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1926 Studebaker because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the size family, wheel diameter, construction type, and sidewall style suit the model and era. A Standard on a 21-inch fitment should not be wearing a Big 6 or Special 20-inch size, and a prewar car presented for authenticity is generally expected to remain in bias-ply form. Even when the tire physically mounts, a visibly incorrect size or style can undermine the restoration.

That does not mean every event applies identical standards, but it does mean tire choice should be part of the restoration plan rather than a last-minute cosmetic decision. If your goal is concours-level accuracy, compare your intended tire against club guidance and period references before mounting a full set. If your goal is local showing and touring, getting the correct model-specific size and an era-appropriate sidewall appearance will usually matter more than chasing tiny differences without confirming the car's original configuration.

For 1926 Studebaker Standard applications in 525-21, Firestone and Excelsior differ in sidewall style availability, rim-width recommendation, weight, and listed load information. Firestone offers both wide whitewall and blackwall versions with a 2.50 to 3.00 inch rim-width range and a listed load capacity of 1120 pounds at 36 psi. The Excelsior Comp H version is a blackwall product with a 3.50 to 4.00 inch rim-width range and a listed weight of 20 pounds.

That comparison matters because the right 525-21 tire for a Standard depends on more than the number molded into the sidewall. A narrow original-style wheel may point toward one product family, while a wider wheel may point toward another. The visual effect also differs, since a whitewall changes the car's presentation more than many owners expect. Measure the wheel on the car and decide whether the restoration needs a blackwall or whitewall look before selecting between those two product directions.

The listed 1926 Studebaker tire options are bias-ply collector and period-style tires, and no speed ratings are shown for these sizes here. That means the practical highway question is less about a published modern speed symbol and more about the total condition of the tire, the wheel, and the nearly century-old vehicle carrying it. On a 1926 Studebaker, braking, steering, suspension, and road-crown behavior often shape the real-world comfort and confidence of highway use at least as much as the tire itself.

A sound set of properly fitted tires can be appropriate for touring use, but the car should be driven within the limits of its era and mechanical condition. Bias-ply tires do not behave like modern radials, and a prewar chassis rewards smooth inputs and conservative speeds. Before planning regular highway use, confirm the tires are the correct size for the model, inspect them thoroughly, and make sure the rest of the car is equally ready for sustained road speeds.

Inflation pressure on 1926 Studebaker tires should be tied to the exact tire size and product, not borrowed from another size in the lineup. Listed examples include 700-20 products rated at 1930 pounds at 40 psi, 1980 pounds at 42 psi, and 1700 pounds at 36 psi depending on the tire; 650-20 Firestone products rated at 2120 pounds at 60 psi; and 525-21 Firestone products rated at 1120 pounds at 36 psi. Those figures are product ratings, not blanket vehicle settings.

The best practice is to start with the factory vehicle guidance for your exact model if you have it, then compare that with the tire maker's specifications for the reproduction tire being used. A Big 6, Special, and Standard do not carry the same size or wheel, so they should never be inflated by guesswork from one another. Pressure should support the vehicle correctly while staying within the tire's own published limits and the car's real operating weight.

Before a longer drive in a 1926 Studebaker, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, and make sure the spare is usable as well. Pay attention to valve stems and any tube-related hardware if your wheel and tire setup uses them. Confirm that the tire size on the car matches the model's proper fitment family, since a Standard, Special, and Big 6 do not all share the same wheel diameter or tire dimensions.

Tires are only one part of the readiness check on a car from this period, so treat them as part of a broader tour-prep routine that also includes brakes, steering, wheel bearings, and basic fluid and ignition checks. A prewar Studebaker rewards deliberate preparation more than last-minute improvisation. If the tires have been sitting through a long storage cycle, add a careful road test at modest speed before committing the car to an extended run.