1928 Hupmobile Tire Fitment Guide

1928 Hupmobile vehicles use four sizes across two models. The Hupmobile A uses 29X5.50 and 550-19, while the Hupmobile M uses 31X6.00 and 600-19. Every listed size is a bias-ply fitment, and the available product listings for 550-19 and 600-19 both mount on 19-inch rims. For 550-19, the approved rim width range is 2.50 to 3.00 inches.

Model identification matters more than year and make alone on a 1928 Hupmobile because the A and M do not share the same tire sizes. If your car is already wearing older tires, compare the sidewall marking directly to the size on the wheel set now installed. That is especially useful on late-1920s cars, where one owner may encounter an antique diameter-by-section code and another may see a numeric size for what is essentially the same period of tire design.

On a 1928 Hupmobile, 29X5.50 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The 29 refers to the tire's overall diameter in inches, and 5.50 is the nominal section width in inches. That differs from later sizing systems that center the code around wheel diameter first. On this year Hupmobile, 29X5.50 is used on the A model.

That older size format is common on pre-war and late-brass-era vehicles, so it helps to read it as a period convention rather than trying to convert it casually into a modern metric size. If your 1928 Hupmobile A carries 29X5.50 markings, keep that exact format in mind when researching replacements and wheel compatibility. It points you toward an era-correct bias-ply path and helps separate A-model fitments from the larger M-model tire sizes.

On a 1928 Hupmobile, 550-19 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.50 indicates the nominal section width in inches, and the 19 indicates the wheel diameter in inches. That makes it easier for a modern buyer to identify the rim size than the older 29X5.50 format. Within the 1928 Hupmobile range, 550-19 applies to the A model.

Numeric bias-ply sizes like 550-19 became a familiar way to specify tires on many late-1920s and later collector cars. If your 1928 Hupmobile A is already fitted with 19-inch wheels and wears a 550-19 sidewall marking, staying with that size usually simplifies replacement selection. It also gives you access to currently available blackwall and wide whitewall options, which can affect the finished look of a restoration even when the tire construction stays period-correct.

Available sidewall styles for 1928 Hupmobile tires include Blackwall and Wide Whitewall, depending on size. In 550-19 for the Hupmobile A, BFGoodrich offers both a Blackwall and a Wide Whitewall. In 600-19 for the Hupmobile M, the listed option is a Wide Whitewall from Lester. All currently listed products are bias-ply tires, which keeps the overall look appropriate to the period.

The sidewall choice changes the visual character of a 1928 Hupmobile even when the size and construction stay the same. Blackwalls usually suit a more restrained or utilitarian presentation, while wide whitewalls create a more formal, upscale late-1920s appearance that many restorers prefer for show presentation. Before choosing strictly by style, confirm the tire size tied to your model, since the A and M do not share interchangeable fitments.

Two brands currently appear in 1928 Hupmobile fitments. BFGoodrich supplies 550-19 options for the Hupmobile A, and Lester supplies a 600-19 option for the Hupmobile M. Both are offered as bias-ply tires, which aligns with what buyers generally expect for a car from this period. Brand choice therefore depends first on which model and size your Hupmobile uses.

That means brand comparison on a 1928 Hupmobile is really size-by-size rather than across the whole make. An A owner looking at 550-19 can choose between different BFGoodrich sidewall presentations, while an M owner using 600-19 is looking at a Lester wide whitewall offering. If your priority is a historically sympathetic appearance, start with the correct model size and then compare brand and sidewall style within that specific fitment.

For the 1928 Hupmobile A, the two BFGoodrich 550-19 offerings share the same size, bias-ply construction, 19-inch rim diameter, 2.50 to 3.00 inch rim width range, and maximum load rating of 1040 pounds at 32 psi. The visible difference is sidewall style: one is a Blackwall and the other is a 3.25-inch Wide Whitewall. The listed weight also differs slightly, with the blackwall at 21 pounds and the whitewall at 23 pounds.

That makes the decision largely one of appearance rather than fitment. If your 1928 Hupmobile A is being finished in a more understated driver style, the blackwall keeps the look simple and period-appropriate. If the goal is a more formal late-1920s presentation, the wide whitewall gives the car a dressier stance without changing the underlying size or construction. Either way, the wheel still needs to fall within the stated rim width range.

Rim width guidance is listed for 1928 Hupmobile 550-19 tires at 2.50 to 3.00 inches. That applies to the BFGoodrich bias-ply options available for the Hupmobile A. The 600-19 listing for the Hupmobile M confirms a 19-inch rim diameter, but no rim width range is stated alongside that product. All listed fitments remain within traditional 19-inch wheel use for this year and make.

Before mounting new tires on a 1928 Hupmobile, measure the wheel you actually plan to use rather than assuming all 19-inch rims are the same width. Late-1920s cars often stay with their original wheels for decades, and wheel swaps can happen over a car's life. If your Hupmobile A uses 550-19, keeping the wheel within the 2.50 to 3.00 inch range helps preserve proper profile and fit. For M-model fitments, comparing the wheel to the chosen tire's manufacturer guidance is the safest next step.

All currently listed 1928 Hupmobile products are bias-ply tires, but the available product markings do not assign a universal tube-type or tubeless designation across every listed size. On a car from 1928, many owners and restorers still approach tire setup with period wheel design in mind, especially when original-style rims are retained. That makes the wheel itself just as important as the tire when deciding on tube use.

The practical move is to inspect the exact wheel construction on your 1928 Hupmobile before finalizing tubes, flaps, or valve hardware. Original riveted or lock-ring-era wheel designs often call for a more traditional setup than later wheels, even when the tire size looks straightforward. If the car is being restored to factory-style practice, it is wise to confirm the intended assembly method with the tire manufacturer and a pre-war wheel specialist before mounting.

Original 1928 Hupmobile wheels can only be matched to the tire sizes intended for the correct model. The A uses 29X5.50 or 550-19, while the M uses 31X6.00 or 600-19. The available product listings confirm 19-inch rim diameter for the numeric A and M fitments, but that does not make every 19-inch tire interchangeable across the full Hupmobile lineup.

A and M owners should think of wheel compatibility in two steps: model family first, then exact tire size. Even when the wheel diameter is the same, section width and overall tire proportions differ enough that the wrong size can change stance, clearance, and visual accuracy. If your 1928 Hupmobile still has its original wheels, compare both the wheel and the tire markings already on the car before assuming an A-size and M-size tire can swap freely.

A stored 1928 Hupmobile should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment. Bias-ply tires, like the sizes used on 1928 Hupmobile models, are more prone to flat-spotting during long static storage than many later radials. Clean floors, stable temperature, and protection from moisture all help preserve both the rubber and the wheels.

If the car will sit for extended periods, slightly increasing attention to tire support pays off. Rolling the 1928 Hupmobile periodically or using stands to remove some load can reduce temporary flat spots and sidewall stress. Keep inflation checked even when the car is parked, because a low bias-ply tire can distort more quickly under weight. A tire cover or enclosed storage also helps protect whitewalls from staining and blackwalls from premature surface aging.

Tires on a 1928 Hupmobile should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. Collector-car tires often age out before the tread is worn, so a careful inspection around the five- to seven-year mark is sensible, and replacement becomes a serious consideration as a tire approaches ten years from its manufacturing date. The DOT-style date code on newer reproduction tires is the most practical reference point for timing.

That approach matters because many 1928 Hupmobile cars are driven occasionally, making old-looking tread seem deceptively usable. Sidewall cracking, hardening rubber, recurring air loss, or persistent vibration can all mean the tire has aged beyond comfortable road use even if the tread still appears deep. A low-mileage collector car should still have its tires aged out on schedule, particularly before touring, parade use, or any regular highway driving.

Tires on a 1928 Hupmobile should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, tread separation, bulges, uneven wear, and signs that the tire is losing pressure between uses. On a pre-war collector car, the inspection should also include valve stems and the condition of the spare, since infrequent use can hide age-related problems until the car is back on the road.

A quick walkaround is not enough when a 1928 Hupmobile has been sitting for weeks or months. Put a gauge on each tire, look closely at both outer sidewalls, and check that the spare is usable if the car still carries one for touring. Early intervention is especially important on older bias-ply fitments because they can reveal storage damage through cracking or flat-spot behavior before the tread itself looks worn out.

The 1928 Hupmobile A would have been fitted in the bias-ply era, and the A model's listed sizes are 29X5.50 and 550-19. Those two markings reflect period sizing conventions used on late-1920s automobiles rather than a modern radial format. Original-equipment brand could vary by market, dealer, or surviving car history, so the most reliable restoration focus is correct size, correct construction type, and an era-appropriate sidewall presentation.

For a restoration, that means starting with bias-ply construction and confirming whether your particular 1928 Hupmobile A is best represented by the antique diameter-by-section code or the numeric size already associated with the model. Surviving manuals, factory literature, and Hupmobile marque clubs are the right places to verify market-specific details if you are pursuing judging-level accuracy. A visually correct sidewall can matter just as much as the size itself on a late-1920s car.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1928 Hupmobile because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts look at size, construction, and sidewall appearance as part of the car's overall authenticity. A late-1920s Hupmobile should present with period-style bias-ply tires, and using the wrong model's size can affect both visual stance and historical accuracy. Whitewall versus blackwall presentation can also influence how authentic the car appears for its intended restoration theme.

That does not mean every event uses identical standards, but it does mean tire choice is visible and often discussed. If your 1928 Hupmobile is being prepared for concours or marque judging, verify the exact model first and then match the tire size and sidewall style to the period look you are trying to achieve. Hupmobile club resources and event rulebooks are the best way to confirm whether a particular whitewall treatment or size convention would be accepted.

For the 1928 Hupmobile A, 29X5.50 and 550-19 are two different period sizing conventions associated with the same model family, and both are bias-ply. The first uses overall diameter and nominal section width, while the second uses nominal section width and wheel diameter. They should not be treated as casual modern equivalents without checking the actual wheel and the tire markings already on the car.

From a restoration standpoint, the distinction matters because the sidewall code itself contributes to authenticity on an early car. A 1928 Hupmobile A restored around antique-style markings may look more faithful with 29X5.50, while a car already set up around the numeric 550-19 format may be easier to maintain with that size. Confirming the wheel, the car's present setup, and your judging goals will point you toward the more appropriate direction.

1928 Hupmobile tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, in good condition, properly inflated, and driven within the limits of their construction and the vehicle itself. The currently listed 550-19 and 600-19 products do not show separate modern speed-letter ratings in their size markings, so a buyer should treat them as traditional bias-ply collector-car tires rather than modern high-speed radials. On a 1928 automobile, brakes, steering, suspension design, and road manners usually set the practical limit well before outright tire capability becomes the only concern.

That means a well-prepared 1928 Hupmobile can be enjoyed on modern roads, but it should be driven with period-aware expectations. Leave more stopping distance, avoid sustained high-speed running, and pay attention to how the car feels after long storage or recent mounting. Highway safety depends on the whole car being ready, not just the tires. If you plan to tour regularly, inspect the tires closely before departure and keep speeds in line with the vehicle's age and design.

Inflation pressure on a 1928 Hupmobile should follow the tire manufacturer's rating and the vehicle's original guidance rather than copying numbers from a different size. For the available 550-19 BFGoodrich products, the listed maximum load is 1040 pounds at 32 psi. That figure is tied specifically to that size and product family, so it should not be transferred automatically to 29X5.50, 31X6.00, or 600-19 without confirming the tire's own specification.

The best approach is to start with the pressure guidance supplied for the exact tire you are using and then compare it with the period recommendation for your specific 1928 Hupmobile model. Running too much or too little air can affect steering feel, ride harshness, tread wear, and casing stress on an older car. A careful pressure check before each outing is especially important on collector vehicles that may sit long enough for a few pounds of loss to change how they drive.

Before a longer drive in a 1928 Hupmobile, inspect all tires for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and any sign of separation, then confirm cold inflation pressure with a gauge. Check valve stems, wheel hardware, and the spare if the car carries one. Because these are bias-ply period-style fitments, also pay attention to any vibration or temporary flat-spot sensation during the first few miles after storage, since that can reveal age or support issues.

A longer tour in a 1928 Hupmobile should always begin with a broader mechanical review as well, including brakes, steering, cooling, and fuel system condition. Tires are only one part of road readiness, but they are the part most likely to show age even on an otherwise nicely restored car. If anything about the tire condition looks questionable, address it before the trip rather than assuming low annual mileage makes the set safe for another season.