By 1927, Elcar occupied a distinctive corner of the American luxury field, building refined automobiles with the long-wheelbase presence and upscale character buyers expected in the late Classic era. A 1927 Elcar was not a one-size-fits-all tire application, because the 70 Series, 82 Series, and 90 Series each used their own pair of period-correct bias-ply sizes. The real choice usually comes down to confirming your exact series first, then deciding whether your car should wear the earlier diameter-by-section style tire or the later numeric size used on the same model line. Getting that distinction right up front makes it much easier to narrow the correct tire for your Elcar.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 1927 Elcar
Six tire sizes appear across the 1927 Elcar range, and they vary by model rather than being shared across every series. Because these sizes do not all use the same rim diameter, the first step is identifying whether you have a 70 Series, 82 Series, or 90 Series and then confirming the wheel diameter on the car. Understanding that distinction before choosing a product saves time and helps match the tire to the correct Elcar series.
Year(s): 1927|Fit(s): 70 Series|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 18-in rim
28X5.25 is an antique diameter-by-section size that identifies an overall tire diameter of about 28 inches with a nominal 5.25-inch section width, and it is a bias-ply fitment specific to the 1927 Elcar 70 Series rather than the full Elcar line. No current product range is listed here by brand or sidewall style for this size. It is the kind of fitment an owner would pursue when keeping a 70 Series aligned with earlier period sizing practice. Confirm the actual wheel and existing tire markings before moving from the antique-style size to any alternate notation.
Year(s): 1927|Fit(s): 70 Series|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 18-in rim
5.25-18 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 5.25 refers to nominal section width and 18 is the wheel diameter, and it is specific to the 1927 Elcar 70 Series rather than universal across all 1927 Elcar models. No current product range is listed here by brand or sidewall style for this size. This size suits owners who have confirmed their 70 Series uses the numeric 18-inch fitment and want to stay with an era-correct bias-ply construction. Check the wheel diameter and the markings on the tire now on the car before selecting between this size and the antique-style alternative.
Year(s): 1927|Fit(s): 82 Series|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 18-in rim
30X6.00 is an antique diameter-by-section size that denotes an overall diameter of about 30 inches with a nominal 6.00-inch section width, and it is a bias-ply application reserved for the 1927 Elcar 82 Series. No current product range is listed here by brand or sidewall style for this size. This is the more traditional early-style notation for an 82 Series and is best approached as a period-correct bias-ply choice after the wheel and existing fitment have been verified. On a car of this age, series identification matters as much as the tire code itself.
Year(s): 1927|Fit(s): 82 Series|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 18-in rim
6.00-18 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 6.00 indicating nominal section width and 18 indicating the wheel diameter, and it applies only to the 1927 Elcar 82 Series. No current product range is listed here by brand or sidewall style for this size. Owners typically choose this size when their 82 Series already carries the later numeric notation and they want to preserve the proper bias-ply character. Verifying the wheel and the tire currently fitted is the safest way to separate it from the 30X6.00 alternative.
Year(s): 1927|Fit(s): 90 Series|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 20-in rim
30X5.77 is an antique diameter-by-section bias-ply size that uses overall diameter first and section width second, and it is specific to the 1927 Elcar 90 Series rather than shared with the 70 or 82 Series. No current product range is listed here by brand or sidewall style for this size. It fits the sort of owner focused on preserving the 90 Series' earlier tire notation and period appearance. Because the 90 Series also appears with a 20-inch numeric size, checking the wheel diameter and current sidewall marking is especially important.
Year(s): 1927|Fit(s): 90 Series|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 20 in
650-20 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 6.50 is the nominal section width and 20 is the wheel diameter, and it is a 1927 Elcar 90 Series fitment rather than a size used across every Elcar model. Firestone, Denman, and Deka offer this size, with Blackwall and Wide Whitewall sidewall styles available; the listed products are bias-ply, and load figures are shown on some Firestone versions at 2120 pounds at 60 psi. This is the only 1927 Elcar size here with a current product spread, making it the practical path for many 90 Series owners once the 20-inch wheel is confirmed. Rim-width guidance in the available range runs from 3.00 to 5.00 inches on the listed fitments.
Three 1927 Elcar models are covered here: the 70 Series, 82 Series, and 90 Series. They do not all share the same tire sizes, so identifying your exact series matters before you narrow down a fitment. Select your model below to see the model-specific tire history, available sizes, and products that apply to that particular Elcar.
1927 Elcar 70 Series
The 1927 Elcar 70 Series sat at the entry point of the make's upscale lineup, but it still carried the handsome proportions and premium feel that defined Elcar in the late 1920s. Its tires mount on 18-inch wheels, and the main distinction is whether your car uses the earlier 28X5.25 notation or the later 5.25-18 numeric bias-ply size.
The 1927 Elcar 82 Series represented a step up in scale and presence, reflecting the way luxury and near-luxury makes expanded their offerings during the era. Its tire fitments also mount on 18-inch wheels, with the choice centered on whether the car is carrying the antique-style 30X6.00 size or the numeric 6.00-18 bias-ply equivalent format.
The 1927 Elcar 90 Series was the largest and most imposing of the group, aimed at buyers who wanted a true upper-class American motorcar with substantial road presence. Its tires mount on 20-inch wheels, and owners will want to confirm whether their car is set up for the antique-style 30X5.77 size or the more familiar 650-20 numeric bias-ply fitment.
Four products are available across one of the six tire sizes used on 1927 Elcar vehicles. In 650-20, there are four bias-ply choices from Firestone, Denman, and Deka with Blackwall and Wide Whitewall sidewall styles, so confirm your exact series and size before narrowing the right tire.
These FAQs focus on how 1927 Elcar tire sizing changes by series, how antique-style and numeric bias-ply sizes relate to one another, what sidewall choices exist in 650-20, and how to care for a low-use late-1920s collector car on vintage-type tires.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 1927 Elcar vehicles?
1927 Elcar vehicles used six sizes spread across three model lines. The 70 Series used 28X5.25 and 5.25-18 on 18-inch wheels, the 82 Series used 30X6.00 and 6.00-18 on 18-inch wheels, and the 90 Series used 30X5.77 and 650-20 on 20-inch wheels. Those sizes are not shared across the full 1927 Elcar range, so the first fitment question is always which series you own.
That matters because year and make alone are not enough for a correct selection on a 1927 Elcar. Once you identify the series, compare the wheel diameter on the car and the sidewall markings on the existing tire to determine whether it uses the earlier diameter-by-section notation or the later numeric format. On the currently listed product side, 650-20 has available tire choices, while the other Elcar sizes call for closer fitment confirmation before proceeding.
What does 28X5.25 mean on a 1927 Elcar tire?
On a 1927 Elcar, 28X5.25 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size. The first number refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter in inches, and the second number refers to nominal section width. That is different from later sizing systems that emphasize wheel diameter more directly in the code itself.
For a 1927 Elcar 70 Series owner, that older notation signals a period-correct bias-ply fitment style associated with late brass and early classic-era tire practice. It should not be treated as interchangeable with another size just because one of the dimensions looks close. If your car carries this marking now, use it as a reference point and confirm the wheel diameter before deciding whether to stay with the antique-style code or move to the corresponding numeric convention used on some cars in the same series.
What does 650-20 mean on a 1927 Elcar tire?
On a 1927 Elcar, 650-20 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 6.50 portion expresses nominal section width in inches, and the 20 indicates a 20-inch wheel diameter. Within the 1927 Elcar line, that size is associated with the 90 Series.
That code is easier for many modern buyers to read than the older 30X5.77 style, but it still belongs to the same general bias-ply era. For a 90 Series owner, 650-20 is also the size with currently listed Firestone, Denman, and Deka choices, including Blackwall and Wide Whitewall options. Use the 20-inch wheel diameter as the key checkpoint first, then compare sidewall style, load marking, and rim-width range to narrow the most suitable version for your car.
Buying the Right Tire
What sidewall styles are available for 1927 Elcar tires?
Current sidewall style variety appears in 650-20, the 1927 Elcar 90 Series size with active product choices. That size is available in both Blackwall and Wide Whitewall versions. The Firestone line includes both styles, while the listed Denman and Deka versions are Blackwall truck-oriented bias-ply offerings.
Sidewall appearance matters on a late-1920s car because it changes the visual character of the entire vehicle. A whitewall presentation can suit an upscale luxury car image, while a blackwall keeps the look more understated or commercial. If your 1927 Elcar is being restored toward show presentation, match the sidewall style to the era, body style, and judging expectations for your specific car. If your priority is simply keeping a roadworthy period look, choose the style that best complements the vehicle's intended appearance.
What brands make tires for 1927 Elcar vehicles?
For the currently listed 1927 Elcar fitments, the available brand coverage appears in 650-20. Firestone offers passenger-style bias-ply versions in Blackwall and Wide Whitewall form, while Denman and Deka offer Blackwall bias-ply options with classic truck-style character. Those three brands cover the active product selection shown for the Elcar 90 Series numeric size.
Brand choice on a 1927 Elcar is less about chasing a modern performance hierarchy and more about selecting the right visual style, construction character, and application type for the car. Firestone tends to be the path when a more formal whitewall or traditional passenger-car look is desired, while Denman and Deka can appeal to owners seeking a straightforward blackwall bias-ply presentation. Start with the correct series and size, then compare each brand's sidewall style and load marking rather than treating all 650-20 tires as identical.
What is the difference between Firestone, Denman, and Deka 650-20 tires for the 1927 Elcar?
The listed 650-20 tires for a 1927 Elcar 90 Series are all bias-ply, but they differ in sidewall presentation and supporting specs. Firestone offers both a 3.75-inch Wide Whitewall and a Blackwall version, and both carry a listed maximum load of 2120 pounds at 60 psi, with a rim-width range of 3.00 to 5.00 inches. The Denman Highway and Deka versions are Blackwall bias-ply tires with a more truck-oriented classic profile in the available lineup.
That makes the choice partly visual and partly application-driven. If the car's look is the main concern, the Firestone whitewall changes the entire personality of the 90 Series, while the Firestone blackwall keeps the same basic spec package in a plainer style. Denman and Deka are worth considering when a simpler blackwall bias-ply presentation is the goal. Compare your wheel width, desired sidewall appearance, and how the car will be presented before narrowing to one 650-20 option.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 1927 Elcar tires require?
The currently listed rim-width guidance for 1927 Elcar tires appears in size 650-20. The available 650-20 products are shown for a rim-width range of 3.00 to 5.00 inches, and they mount on 20-inch wheels. That applies to the 1927 Elcar 90 Series size with current product coverage.
Rim width matters because a bias-ply tire's shape and footprint can change noticeably when fitted to a wheel outside its intended range. On a 1927 Elcar 90 Series, verify both the wheel diameter and the wheel width before selecting among 650-20 products, especially if the car has been restored long ago or has mixed components. For the 18-inch 70 and 82 Series sizes, use the actual wheel and current tire markings as your primary fitment checkpoints when comparing options.
Can the original 1927 Elcar wheels be used with both or all tire sizes?
Original 1927 Elcar wheels can only be used with tire sizes that match the wheel diameter for the correct series. The 70 Series and 82 Series use 18-inch wheel fitments within their own pairings, while the 90 Series uses 20-inch wheel fitments. That means the antique-style and numeric sizes within a given series may relate to the same wheel diameter, but sizes from different series do not.
In practice, that means a 70 Series owner may be comparing 28X5.25 with 5.25-18 on the same basic wheel diameter, while a 90 Series owner may be comparing 30X5.77 with 650-20 on 20-inch wheels. It does not mean you can freely swap among all six sizes across the full 1927 Elcar range. Treat the original wheel as a critical part of the fitment puzzle and verify its actual diameter before choosing any replacement tire.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 1927 Elcar when the tires are fitted?
A 1927 Elcar 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 accelerate rubber cracking. Because every listed 1927 Elcar fitment here is bias-ply, long static storage can also encourage temporary flat-spotting and added casing stress compared with later radial designs.
Keep the tires properly inflated, move the car periodically if practical, and avoid letting it sit for months on one contact patch on a damp floor. If the vehicle will be stored for an extended period, clean the tires gently, keep petroleum products away from the sidewalls, and consider using stands only when appropriate for the car and storage plan. A little preventive care goes a long way on a heavy, late-1920s luxury car.
How long do tires on a 1927 Elcar typically last?
Tires on a 1927 Elcar are usually judged by age and condition more than by mileage, because collector cars often accumulate very few miles each year. A good rule is to evaluate them carefully once they reach roughly five to seven years of age and to treat about ten years as a serious replacement point regardless of remaining tread depth. The tire's manufacturing date code is the key age reference on newer production tires.
That approach matters on a 1927 Elcar because a tire can look usable while the rubber and casing have already aged beyond comfortable road service. Climate, storage conditions, inflation habits, and sunlight exposure can shorten life significantly. If a car has been sitting for long periods, an inspection should focus on sidewall cracking, hardening, out-of-round behavior, and any signs of separation before assuming the tires are still suitable for regular driving or touring.
How often should tires on a 1927 Elcar be inspected?
Tires on a 1927 Elcar should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracks, tread damage, bulges, uneven wear, embedded debris, and signs that the tire is not holding pressure consistently. On a low-use collector car, that simple walkaround is one of the most valuable routine checks you can make.
A longer inspection interval between drives is common with antique cars, which is exactly why quick pre-drive checks matter so much. If the car has sidemounts or a rear-mounted spare, inspect those tires too, since emergency use can put an old spare back into service unexpectedly. Also pay attention to valve-stem condition and wheel hardware while you are there, because a 1927 Elcar asks for a broader pre-drive mindset than a modern daily driver.
Restoration & Authenticity
What tires were originally fitted to the 1927 Elcar 70 Series?
A 1927 Elcar 70 Series would have originally used bias-ply tires, because that was standard practice in the late 1920s. Within the 1927 Elcar range, the 70 Series is associated with 28X5.25 and 5.25-18, both bias-ply fitments mounted on 18-inch wheels. Those two notations reflect the kind of period sizing conventions owners and restorers encounter on cars of this era.
For restoration work, the important point is matching the exact tire size notation and overall look expected for your specific car rather than assuming every 1927 Elcar used the same sidewall marking. Factory literature, surviving originals, and marque specialists can help confirm whether your car should present with the antique diameter-by-section size or the numeric equivalent style. Unless a period source confirms otherwise, keep the focus on correct bias-ply construction rather than chasing a specific original brand name.
Does correct tire fitment matter for showing a 1927 Elcar?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1927 Elcar because show judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, and sidewall presentation immediately. On a car from 1927, a mismatch in size notation, a visibly incorrect sidewall style, or a tire that does not suit the proper wheel diameter can stand out even to casual observers. Bias-ply construction is also part of the visual authenticity of a late-1920s American luxury car.
For a judged car, tire choice is part of the restoration story rather than an afterthought. A whitewall may look right on one presentation and out of place on another, while a blackwall can be more restrained and era-appropriate depending on how the car is being restored. Event standards are not always identical, so if your 1927 Elcar is being prepared for concours work, compare the tire choice against club guidance, period photos, and the expectations of the specific judging venue.
What is the difference between antique-style and numeric tire sizes on a 1927 Elcar?
A 1927 Elcar uses both antique-style diameter-by-section sizes and numeric bias-ply sizes, depending on the series. The antique-style format, such as 28X5.25 or 30X6.00, emphasizes overall tire diameter first and section width second. The numeric format, such as 5.25-18, 6.00-18, or 650-20, emphasizes section width and wheel diameter in a way that is more familiar to later tire buyers.
For restoration purposes, that difference is more than a technicality. The sidewall marking itself can affect authenticity, especially on an antique car where judges and marque experts may expect a particular notation for a particular model or production period. If your goal is historical accuracy, use the tire currently on the car only as a clue and then cross-check with period references or Elcar specialists. A correct-looking tire code can contribute as much to authenticity as the construction and sidewall style.
Safety & Road Use
Are 1927 Elcar tires safe for highway driving?
1927 Elcar tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, in sound condition, properly inflated, and used within the limits of their construction. The currently listed 650-20 products are all bias-ply, and no speed letters are shown for them here. On a car of this age, tire condition is only one part of the picture, because brakes, steering, suspension, and general mechanical health usually limit comfortable road speed before the tire itself becomes the only concern.
Highway driving in a 1927 Elcar should be approached with antique-car judgment rather than modern-car expectations. Smooth steering response, braking distance, lane stability, and crosswind sensitivity all deserve attention on a large late-1920s automobile. Before any sustained road use, inspect the tires closely, road-test the car at moderate speed, and make sure the chassis feels settled and predictable. A well-prepared bias-ply car can be enjoyable on the road, but it rewards patience and realistic speeds.
What inflation pressure should I use for 1927 Elcar tires?
Inflation pressure on a 1927 Elcar should follow the tire maker's rated pressure for the exact tire you choose and the vehicle guidance appropriate to your series and weight. In the currently listed 650-20 offerings, Firestone shows a maximum load capacity of 2120 pounds at 60 psi. That figure is a tire rating reference, not a universal instruction to run every 1927 Elcar tire at the same pressure.
Pressure should always be matched to the exact size, construction, and vehicle application rather than copied from another Elcar series or another tire size. A 70 Series on 18-inch fitments should not inherit a 650-20 pressure just because both are bias-ply. Start with the recommendations supplied for the chosen tire and compare them with factory-era guidance when available. Then evaluate ride, tread wear, and handling behavior carefully instead of assuming one number suits the entire 1927 Elcar range.
What should I check before taking a 1927 Elcar on a longer drive?
Before a longer drive in a 1927 Elcar, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, and make sure the spare is serviceable as well. Check that the valve stems are sound, the wheels are secure, and the tire size on the car matches the series you believe you own. On a bias-ply antique, a short visual inspection can catch problems that are easy to miss when the car is used only occasionally.
The tire check should be part of a broader readiness review that includes brakes, wheel bearings, steering play, fluids, lighting, and fuel-system condition. A 1927 Elcar is a substantial prewar automobile, and confidence on a longer drive comes from the whole car working together, not from fresh-looking tires alone. If the car has been sitting, take a shorter local drive first and pay attention to vibration, pull, pressure retention, and heat buildup before committing to a longer outing.
