1927 Locomobile Tire Fitment Guide

1927 Locomobile vehicles use four sizes across three model lines. The Locomobile 48 and Locomobile 90 use 33X6.75 and 700-21, while the Locomobile 66 uses 30X5.77 and 30x5. Among the listed products, the 700-21 size mounts on 21-inch rims, with listed rim-width ranges from 3.00 to 4.00 inches depending on the tire series.

That means year and make alone are not enough for this page's fitment family. A 48 or 90 owner should focus on the 21-inch 700-21/33X6.75 group, while a 66 owner should stay within the 30-inch antique size family. If the car has been restored, re-bodied, or re-wheeled over the decades, confirm the actual wheel and the size already on the car before deciding which path is correct.

On a 1927 Locomobile, 33X6.75 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The first number refers to the tire's nominal overall diameter in inches, and the second number refers to the nominal section width in inches. It is a bias-ply sizing convention from the pre-war era, and on this year of Locomobile it applies to the 48 and 90.

That older code reads very differently from later numeric and modern metric sizing, so it should not be interpreted as a 33-inch wheel or as a direct cross-reference to a later radial code. Owners of a 48 or 90 should treat it as a period fitment reference and compare it carefully against the wheel diameter and existing tire markings on the car before moving to a replacement option.

No. The 1927 Locomobile lineup splits into two tire families. The 48 and 90 share 33X6.75 and 700-21, while the 66 uses 30X5.77 and 30x5. That makes the model name just as important as the year and make when narrowing the correct fitment.

This distinction matters because a buyer researching a Locomobile by year alone could easily land on the wrong size range. If the identification plate, title, or body style leaves any doubt about whether the car is a 48, 66, or 90, confirm that first. Once the model is settled, the correct tire family becomes much clearer and the search becomes much more efficient.

For 1927 Locomobile applications with currently listed products, the available sidewall styles appear in 700-21 and include Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall. All of those listed choices are bias-ply tires. No other sidewall style range is shown here for the other Locomobile sizes on this page.

Sidewall appearance can change the look of a pre-war luxury car substantially even when the tire size stays the same. Blackwalls generally suit a more restrained period presentation, while whitewall treatments create a more formal, high-style look that many collectors associate with luxury automobiles of the era. If authenticity for a particular body style or show field matters, compare the sidewall choice against period photos and marque-club guidance before making the final call.

The listed 1927 Locomobile products in 700-21 come from Firestone and Michelin. Firestone appears in multiple sidewall variations within its Balloon series, while Michelin appears here in its Double Rivet series. All of the listed products for this fitment are bias-ply tires intended to preserve a period-appropriate construction type.

Brand choice in a pre-war application often comes down to the visual character you want, the specific series available in your size, and the wheel-width range that matches your rims. Since current product availability on this page is concentrated in 700-21, owners of the 48 and 90 have the clearest brand comparison here. A Locomobile 66 owner should first confirm which of the two antique sizes is correct for the car before worrying about brand preferences.

For a 1927 Locomobile in 700-21, Firestone Balloon and Michelin Double Rivet differ most clearly in sidewall treatment and rim-width range. Firestone Balloon appears as Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall, with listed rim-width ranges of 3.75 to 4.00 inches and weights from 32 to 38 pounds depending on style. Michelin Double Rivet appears here as a Blackwall with a listed rim-width range of 3.00 to 3.75 inches and a 31-pound weight.

That comparison makes wheel fit and appearance the main decision points rather than a change in basic construction, because both are bias-ply products in the same size. If your wheels are narrower, the Michelin range may align differently than the Firestone range. If your restoration goal centers on a wider whitewall look, Firestone offers more visual options within the same 700-21 fitment.

Among the listed 1927 Locomobile products, rim-width guidance is available for 700-21. Firestone Balloon versions in that size fit rims from 3.75 to 4.00 inches wide, while the Michelin Double Rivet in 700-21 fits rims from 3.00 to 3.75 inches wide. All of those listed products use a 21-inch rim diameter.

That overlap shows why rim width matters even when the tire size code is the same. A 48 or 90 owner choosing a 700-21 tire should confirm the actual wheel width before settling on a specific series. If your Locomobile wears replacement wheels or has been restored long ago, measuring the wheel is a better guide than assuming every 700-21 tire fits every 21-inch rim in the same way.

The 1927 Locomobile 48 and 90 share two listed sizes, 33X6.75 and 700-21, and the available 700-21 products clearly mount on 21-inch rims. That confirms a common 21-inch wheel diameter within the currently listed replacement path for those two models. The shared model application means the 48 and 90 sit in the same fitment family, unlike the 66.

Wheel diameter compatibility is only the first step, though. Original wheels can often remain in service when the tire size family matches, but the specific wheel width still needs to align with the tire you choose. Before fitting a 700-21 replacement to an original wheel, verify the rim width against the individual tire's approved range rather than assuming any original 21-inch Locomobile rim automatically suits every available version.

A 1927 Locomobile 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. Bias-ply tires also benefit from being kept on clean surfaces and from having the car moved periodically so one section of the casing is not carrying the load in the same position for months at a time.

Because pre-war collector cars often sit longer than modern drivers, tire care during storage matters almost as much as mileage. If the car will be parked for an extended season, maintain inflation and either roll it occasionally or use appropriate support methods to reduce prolonged flat spotting. Good storage habits help preserve both the sidewalls and the ride quality of a heavy luxury car like a Locomobile.

Tires on a 1927 Locomobile should be judged more by age and condition than by miles traveled. A sensible collector-car rule is to begin evaluating them closely once they are around five to seven years old and to treat about ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration, even if tread remains. The DOT date code on the tire is the starting point for that age check.

Low annual mileage can make old tires look serviceable long after the rubber has begun to harden. A pre-war luxury car may spend much of its life indoors, but age, ozone, and long static storage still take a toll. If your Locomobile sees touring use, replacing aged tires before visible failure is usually a better decision than waiting for tread wear alone to tell the story.

Tires on a 1927 Locomobile deserve a quick inspection before every drive and a more thorough one before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, and any pressure loss since the last drive. On a car of this age, the valve stems and the condition of the spare tire also deserve attention because they tend to be forgotten until they are needed.

Frequent inspection is especially important on collector cars that alternate between long periods of storage and occasional road use. A short local drive may hide problems that become much more serious at touring speeds or under a full day's heat cycle. Building a consistent pre-drive routine is one of the simplest ways to protect both the tires and the car's road manners.

A 1927 Locomobile 48 would have been built in the bias-ply era, so bias-ply construction is the correct historical starting point. The sizes associated with the 48 here are 33X6.75 and 700-21, which place it in the same fitment family as the 1927 Locomobile 90 rather than the 66. No specific original-equipment brand should be assumed from that alone.

For restoration work, that means the first authenticity decision is choosing the correct size family for the exact car and wheel setup, then selecting a sidewall treatment that suits the car's period presentation. If the Locomobile has coachbuilt or unusual bodywork, marque specialists and period literature are still the best final reference for market-specific or body-specific confirmation beyond the baseline bias-ply sizing convention.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1927 Locomobile because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice tire size, construction type, and sidewall appearance immediately. On a pre-war luxury car, an obviously incorrect size family or a sidewall treatment that looks out of period can distract from an otherwise careful restoration. Even when the wheel diameter is correct, the overall visual stance still matters.

That does not mean every event applies the same standard, but authenticity expectations are usually higher for a car as prestigious as a Locomobile. If the car is intended for concours use, compare your chosen size and sidewall style against period photos, club guidance, and the judging philosophy of the event. Touring-focused owners may make a different choice than show-focused owners, and that is worth deciding early.

For the 1927 Locomobile fitments with current product choices, the visible difference is straightforward: blackwalls present a more restrained side profile, while wide whitewalls and double-whitewalls create a brighter, more formal luxury look. In 700-21, Firestone offers all three appearances, while Michelin is listed here as a blackwall. The basic construction remains bias-ply across those options.

Aesthetic choice can affect how convincingly the finished car reflects its era. Many collectors associate whitewall treatments with higher-style pre-war presentation, but the right answer depends on the body style, the exact restoration goal, and the visual evidence tied to the car. If authenticity is important, choose the sidewall style with the same care you would give paint, trim, or interior materials.

A 1927 Locomobile can be driven safely on properly selected, correctly fitted tires in sound condition, but the context matters. The listed options here are bias-ply tires, and no speed-rating markings are shown for the current products on this page. On a car from 1927, the broader mechanical condition of the braking system, steering, suspension, and wheel integrity is often just as important as the tire itself for real-world road use.

That means highway use should be approached with the whole vehicle in mind rather than as a tire-only question. A freshly restored or well-maintained Locomobile used for measured touring is a different case than a car returning to the road after long storage. Before sustained road speeds, confirm tire age, inflation, wheel condition, and the car's overall readiness instead of assuming modern driving expectations apply unchanged to a pre-war chassis.

Inflation pressure on a 1927 Locomobile should follow the vehicle's original guidance first and the individual tire's rated information second. Within the currently listed 700-21 options, Firestone Balloon products show a maximum load of 1930 pounds at 40 psi. That figure is a tire rating, not an automatic operating pressure for every Locomobile application or every tire size in the lineup.

Use the original owner's literature or trusted marque references to establish the vehicle's intended operating pressure, then confirm that your selected reproduction tire's limits comfortably support that use. Do not transfer a pressure figure from 700-21 to 33X6.75, 30X5.77, or 30x5 without direct confirmation. A pre-war car's ride, steering feel, and tread wear can all change noticeably when inflation is even modestly off target.

Before a longer drive in a 1927 Locomobile, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, uneven wear, and proper cold inflation. Check that the valve stems are sound, the spare is usable, and the wheels themselves are clean and free of visible damage. On a heavy pre-war automobile, those basics are essential because minor tire issues can become major ones over a full day's run.

Tire preparation should be part of a broader pre-drive mechanical review that also includes brakes, wheel bearings, steering play, fluid levels, and lighting if the drive extends late into the day. Older luxury cars are happiest when they are exercised thoughtfully rather than hurried onto the road. A careful inspection routine before departure does more for confidence and reliability than carrying extra speed once underway.