1927 Marmon Tire Fitment Guide

1927 Marmon vehicles use four sizes across two model lines: the 75 Series uses 32X6.75 and 700-20, while the Little 8 uses 29X5.25 and 5.25-19. The 75 Series sizes mount on 20-inch rims, and the Little 8 sizes mount on 19-inch rims. For the available 700-20 products, rim-width ranges run from 3.75 to 4.00 inches in some Firestone applications and 5.00 to 5.50 inches in some BFGoodrich applications.

Model identification matters more than anything else on a 1927 Marmon because the two cars do not share a common tire size. Once you know whether you have a 75 Series or a Little 8, the next step is to confirm the wheel diameter actually on the car and compare it with the tire code. That approach keeps you from crossing over between the senior and junior Marmon fitments, which would lead you into the wrong size family entirely.

On a 1927 Marmon, 32X6.75 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The first number, 32, refers to the tire's overall diameter in inches, while 6.75 refers to nominal section width. It is a bias-ply size used on the 1927 Marmon 75 Series, and unlike later numeric or metric sizing, the code does not begin by naming the wheel diameter.

That older format can be confusing because modern buyers often expect the final number to indicate rim diameter. With antique balloon-era sizes, you want to confirm the actual wheel on the car before ordering and avoid assuming that another 1920s-looking size is interchangeable. If your 1927 Marmon is a 75 Series, 32X6.75 belongs in the larger-model fitment group rather than the Little 8's smaller 19-inch family.

No, 1927 Marmon models do not use the same tire size. The 75 Series uses 32X6.75 and 700-20, while the Little 8 uses 29X5.25 and 5.25-19. Those sizes also split by wheel diameter, with the 75 Series on 20-inch rims and the Little 8 on 19-inch rims, so the difference is not just a matter of sidewall appearance or brand preference.

That distinction is especially important on a make like Marmon, where surviving cars may have changed hands many times and may not always carry their original wheels. If you start with year and make alone, you can easily end up comparing senior-car tires to junior-car tires. Identify the model first, then verify the wheel diameter actually fitted to the car, and only then narrow the choice to the correct tire size.

For 1927 Marmon applications with available products in 700-20, sidewall styles include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. Firestone offers wide whitewall and double-whitewall versions in that size, while BFGoodrich offers wide whitewall and blackwall versions. All of those are bias-ply tires, so the styling choice is about presentation within the same general period construction rather than switching into a radial alternative.

Sidewall style changes the look of a late-1920s luxury car more than many owners expect, especially on a large-bodied Marmon where the tire is visually prominent. Blackwalls usually suit a more restrained or utilitarian period appearance, while whitewall treatments emphasize the formal, upscale character many restorers want from a premium marque of this era. If originality matters for judging, compare the sidewall treatment on your car with period photos, factory literature, and club guidance before finalizing the choice.

Firestone and BFGoodrich both offer tires for a 1927 Marmon in the available 700-20 fitment. Firestone's offerings in that size come from the Balloon line, while BFGoodrich's come from the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line. Both brands are long-established American names that make sense on a premium U.S. car from the late 1920s, and both stay within the bias-ply construction expected for the period.

Brand choice on a 1927 Marmon often comes down to the exact look you want and the wheel specification you are working with rather than a dramatic change in intended vehicle character. One owner may prioritize a certain whitewall presentation, while another may prefer a blackwall option or a different rim-width fitment range. Compare the available sidewall style and wheel requirements within your exact size before settling on a brand.

For a 1927 Marmon using 700-20 tires, the Firestone and BFGoodrich options differ in sidewall styling, weight, rim-width fitment range, and rated load-and-pressure figures. Firestone versions are listed with wide whitewall and double-whitewall styling, weights of 35 and 39 pounds, a 3.75 to 4.00 inch rim-width range, and a 1930-pound load rating at 40 psi. BFGoodrich versions include wide whitewall and blackwall styles, weights of 36 and 40 pounds, a 5.00 to 5.50 inch rim-width range, and load ratings of 1700 pounds at 36 psi or 1980 pounds at 42 psi depending on the tire.

Those differences matter because two tires sharing the same size code do not necessarily target the same wheel or visual result. A Marmon owner should compare the actual wheel width on the car, then decide whether the sidewall appearance fits the restoration plan. That step is more useful than choosing by brand name alone, since the wheel and styling requirements can point you toward one 700-20 option over another.

For 1927 Marmon applications with available 700-20 products, rim-width requirements vary by tire. Firestone 700-20 tires fit 3.75 to 4.00 inch rims, while BFGoodrich 700-20 tires fit 5.00 to 5.50 inch rims. The size code alone does not make those wheel requirements identical, even though the tires share the same 20-inch rim diameter.

That is why measuring the wheel already on your Marmon matters before choosing a 700-20 tire. Owners sometimes assume any tire with the correct rim diameter will suit any original-style wheel, but the listed width range is just as important for proper fitment and appearance. Match the tire to the actual wheel first, then choose among the available sidewall styles and brands within that fitment range.

Original 1927 Marmon wheels cannot be treated as interchangeable across all four tire sizes because the model range uses two different rim diameters. The 75 Series uses 20-inch fitments, while the Little 8 uses 19-inch fitments. Within the 75 Series 700-20 size, wheel width still needs separate confirmation because available tires are built for different rim-width ranges.

That means wheel compatibility starts with model identity and then moves to actual wheel measurement. A 20-inch 75 Series wheel is not a substitute for a 19-inch Little 8 wheel, even though both belong to the same year and make. On a car that has been restored long ago or assembled from mixed parts, checking the wheel before selecting the tire is the most reliable way to avoid a costly mismatch.

A 1927 Marmon should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Because 1927 Marmon fitments are bias-ply, long static periods can encourage flat-spotting and sidewall stress more readily than a modern radial would. Clean floors, stable temperatures, and proper inflation help preserve both the tire casing and the car's ride quality.

If the car will sit for an extended season, roll it periodically or support it in a way that reduces continuous loading on one contact patch. Avoid parking for months on damp concrete with underinflated tires, especially on a heavier senior model like the 75 Series. Good storage habits matter on collector cars because age, not mileage, is usually what shortens tire life first.

Tires on a 1927 Marmon should be judged by age and condition far more than by tread wear. Collector-car tires often age out before they wear out, so a close evaluation around the five- to seven-year mark is wise, and many owners begin considering replacement as tires approach ten years from their date code. Cracking, persistent pressure loss, hardening rubber, or casing distortion can make a tire ready for replacement sooner.

That age-based approach is especially important on infrequently driven vintage cars, where mileage can seem reassuring even when the rubber itself has grown old. A Marmon that appears to have plenty of tread may still be riding on tires that no longer belong in regular road service. Check the date code, inspect the sidewalls and tread carefully, and treat age as a primary maintenance factor.

Tires on a 1927 Marmon should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, loose or damaged valve hardware, and any sign that the tire is losing pressure between uses. On a vintage bias-ply tire, small issues can affect ride quality and steering feel sooner than many drivers expect.

A quick pre-drive check is one of the simplest ways to protect both the car and the trip plan. If the Marmon has been sitting, drive-flat spots, aging valve components, or weather-related pressure changes can show up before the first mile. Include the spare in the inspection routine as well, since a decades-old spare is often forgotten until it is suddenly needed.

A 1927 Marmon 75 Series would have been fitted originally with bias-ply tires, because radial construction had not entered normal passenger-car use in the American market during that period. The 75 Series uses 32X6.75 and 700-20 fitments within its size family, both aligned with late-1920s balloon-era practice on larger, upscale cars. Original-equipment branding could vary by market, dealer, and replacement history, so construction type and correct size are more important starting points than chasing a single assumed brand.

For a restoration, the most useful path is to confirm the car's model identity, wheel diameter, and period appearance before narrowing the exact tire choice. Sidewall treatment can also matter if the car is being prepared for formal judging or a faithful visual restoration. Marque clubs, factory literature, and period photographs are the best tools for settling model-specific or coachwork-specific originality questions.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1927 Marmon because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the size family, construction type, and sidewall treatment fit the era and the model. A late-1920s Marmon should present with appropriate bias-ply sizing, and a mismatch between a 75 Series and Little 8 fitment would stand out immediately. Even when the tire physically mounts, a visibly incorrect size or sidewall style can weaken the historical impression of the restoration.

That does not mean every event applies the same standard, but originality-focused shows usually reward the right overall look as much as the right brand family or tread era. If your Marmon is being prepared for concours judging, compare your intended tire with period images and seek event-specific guidance before finalizing. Doing that research early helps avoid rework after the car is already trimmed and detailed.

A 1927 Marmon Little 8 would also have been fitted originally with bias-ply tires, consistent with the period and with the smaller Marmon model's own fitment family. The Little 8 uses 29X5.25 and 5.25-19 sizes, which are distinct from the 75 Series and reflect the junior model's 19-inch wheel setup. The important authenticity point is choosing from the correct Little 8 size family rather than assuming all 1927 Marmons shared the same tire.

That distinction matters because a junior Marmon can lose some of its proper stance and character when fitted with senior-car sizing logic. For a historically accurate result, confirm which wheel and size convention your car is built around, especially if it has had wheels changed during an older restoration. Marque specialists and original sales literature can help sort out which of the two Little 8 sizes best matches your specific car.

1927 Marmon tires in the sizes covered here are bias-ply vintage-style tires, and the available products shown for 700-20 do not list speed ratings in the modern letter format. That means safety on modern roads depends heavily on overall condition, correct inflation, proper fitment to the wheel, and the mechanical state of the car itself. On a late-1920s luxury car, braking, steering, suspension, and road-surface sensitivity often become just as important as the tire when considering sustained highway use.

For practical use, a well-prepared Marmon can certainly be driven on public roads, but it should be treated like a prewar automobile rather than a modern high-speed touring car. Keep speeds appropriate to the car's age and setup, and make sure the tires are fresh, correctly mounted, and free of age-related damage. The goal is confident vintage motoring, not asking ninety-year-old design assumptions to behave like a modern sedan.

Inflation pressure on a 1927 Marmon should follow the tire and vehicle combination you are actually using rather than a one-pressure-fits-all rule. For available 700-20 products, listed maximum load-and-pressure figures include 1930 pounds at 40 psi, 1980 pounds at 42 psi, and 1700 pounds at 36 psi depending on the specific tire. Those figures are tire ratings, not a universal recommendation for every 1927 Marmon application or every tire size used by the make that year.

The best approach is to start with the vehicle manufacturer's period guidance for the car, then compare it with the reproduction tire's own rated limits and operating recommendations. Do not transfer a pressure figure from one 700-20 product to another without checking, and do not apply 75 Series numbers to a Little 8. Correct inflation affects wear, steering effort, and ride quality on a bias-ply vintage car more than many owners realize.

Before a longer drive in a 1927 Marmon, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, uneven wear, and proper inflation. Check the valve hardware carefully, confirm the spare is serviceable, and make sure the tires match the model and wheel size fitted to the car. On a prewar automobile, tires are only one part of the readiness picture, so brakes, steering linkage, wheel bearings, cooling, and fuel-system condition also deserve attention.

That full check matters because a long outing exposes a vintage car to heat cycles, road crown, and sustained speeds that may not show up on a short neighborhood drive. Give the Marmon a deliberate walk-around before departure and again after the first few miles if the car has been sitting. Catching a pressure loss or age-related sidewall issue early is far easier than dealing with it on the roadside.