In 1928, Jordan remained one of the more distinctive American independent marques, known for style-conscious automobiles that stood apart from the larger mass-market makes of the era. A 1928 Jordan buyer today is usually balancing authenticity, drivability, and the realities of keeping a rare pre-war car on the road. Across the 1928 Jordan range, two models used four different tire sizes, and the key distinction is not radial versus bias-ply but whether your car carries an older diameter-by-section size or a later numeric size tied to an 18-inch rim. Before choosing a tire, confirm whether you have a JE or an R and verify the wheel diameter actually fitted to the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 1928 Jordan
Four tire sizes are used across 1928 Jordan vehicles, and they vary by model rather than being shared across the full lineup. The real decision starts with confirming whether your car is fitted with the antique diameter-by-section size or the later numeric bias-ply size, because those sizes do not share the same rim diameter. Sorting that out first makes it much easier to choose a tire that matches the correct wheel and the character of the car.
Year(s): 1928|Fit(s): JE|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 24 in. rim diameter
30X6.00 is an antique size where 30 inches is the overall tire diameter and 6.00 inches is the nominal section width, making it a bias-ply design for a 24-inch wheel. This size is specific to the 1928 Jordan JE rather than the full Jordan range for the year. It suits an owner who wants the earlier pre-war tire look and fitment style associated with large-diameter wooden or artillery-wheel-era applications.
Year(s): 1928|Fit(s): JE|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 18 in. rim diameter
6.00-18 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 6.00 refers to nominal section width in inches and 18 is the wheel diameter. This size is also specific to the 1928 Jordan JE, showing that the model can appear with a different wheel and tire standard than the antique 30X6.00 fitment. It is the right direction for a JE owner whose car is running 18-inch wheels and who wants a period-appropriate bias-ply tire rather than a modernized construction.
Year(s): 1928|Fit(s): R|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 18 in. rim diameter
28X5.25 is an antique size where 28 inches gives the overall tire diameter and 5.25 inches identifies the nominal section width, built as a bias-ply tire for an 18-inch rim. This size is specific to the 1928 Jordan R and is not used across the JE. It appeals to owners preserving the earlier naming convention and visual profile that looks at home on a late-1920s restoration.
Year(s): 1928|Fit(s): R|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 18 in. rim diameter
5.25-18 is a numeric bias-ply size with a nominal 5.25-inch section width and an 18-inch wheel diameter. This size belongs to the 1928 Jordan R rather than the entire 1928 Jordan lineup, and it represents the later inch-width-and-rim-diameter style of sizing. It is a sensible match for an R that already carries 18-inch wheels and for owners aiming to stay within period-correct pre-war bias-ply construction.
Two Jordan models are covered for 1928, and tire sizing varies by model instead of carrying across the whole make. That means year and make alone are not enough to choose correctly; you need to identify whether your car is a JE or an R, then match the wheel diameter and period size type fitted to that model. Select your model below to narrow the fitment history and tire choices.
1928 Jordan JE
The 1928 Jordan JE reflects the marque's upscale, style-forward identity in the late pre-war market, where distinctive body design mattered as much as pure transportation value. JE applications appear with both a larger antique size and an 18-inch fitment, so the first check is whether the car carries 24-inch wheels or 18-inch wheels before choosing tires.
The 1928 Jordan R sits in the same late-1920s Jordan world of elegant independent-car styling, but its tire fitments are its own. Both R sizes mount on 18-inch wheels, with one expressed in antique overall-diameter form and the other in the later numeric bias-ply format that became more familiar as the industry evolved.
These FAQs cover how 1928 Jordan tire sizes split between the JE and R models, what antique and numeric pre-war size codes mean, and what owners should check when setting up and caring for a rarely driven collector car.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 1928 Jordan vehicles?
1928 Jordan vehicles use four sizes across two models: the Jordan JE uses 30X6.00 and 6.00-18, while the Jordan R uses 28X5.25 and 5.25-18. The JE sizes do not share the same rim diameter, because 30X6.00 fits a 24-inch wheel and 6.00-18 fits an 18-inch wheel. The R sizes both fit 18-inch wheels, even though one is written in antique overall-diameter form and the other in later numeric form.
That means the first fitment question on a 1928 Jordan is the model, followed by the actual wheel diameter on the car. Many pre-war cars have had wheels, lock rings, or complete assemblies changed over the decades, so the tire code in an old book should not be your only reference. Measure the wheel, inspect the sidewall marking on any existing tire, and match the car to the JE or R before choosing a replacement.
What does 30X6.00 mean on a 1928 Jordan tire?
On a 1928 Jordan, 30X6.00 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The first number, 30, is the approximate overall tire diameter in inches, while 6.00 is the nominal section width in inches. For this Jordan application, that size fits the JE model and mounts on a 24-inch rim, which is why it should not be confused with the later 6.00-18 style of sizing.
That older format matters because it points to an earlier way of sizing tires used through the brass and pre-war years. A JE owner looking at 30X6.00 should think in terms of preserving the car's early visual proportions and matching the wheel already on the car, not in terms of modern metric comparisons. If the vehicle has 18-inch wheels, 30X6.00 is not the correct path even though the section width sounds similar.
What does 5.25-18 mean on a 1928 Jordan tire?
On a 1928 Jordan, 5.25-18 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.25 figure refers to the nominal section width in inches, and the 18 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. For 1928 Jordan applications, this size belongs to the R model and shares its 18-inch rim diameter with the R's antique-format 28X5.25 size.
That makes 5.25-18 easier for many modern buyers to interpret than a diameter-by-section code, but it still needs to be matched to the right model and wheel. Numeric pre-war sizing does not automatically mean interchangeability with every 18-inch tire from the period. On a rare make like Jordan, staying with the exact size family used on the R is the safer way to preserve stance, steering feel, and authentic appearance.
Buying the Right Tire
What sidewall styles are available for 1928 Jordan tires?
1928 Jordan tire choices are centered on period-style pre-war bias-ply fitments, and sidewall appearance matters because it strongly affects how authentic the car looks. Late-1920s American luxury and near-luxury cars were typically judged by whether the tire's visual character matched the era, including the sidewall treatment and overall profile. On a Jordan, the right sidewall style should complement the car's pre-war proportions rather than mimic a later postwar look.
For a show-minded restoration, sidewall appearance is often as important as choosing the correct size code. For a touring car, the visual choice may be more flexible, but it should still suit a 1928 design. Compare the sidewall styling offered within the exact size that fits your JE or R, then decide whether your priority is period presentation, club-level authenticity, or a more general vintage look for casual driving.
What brands make tires for 1928 Jordan vehicles?
Tires for a 1928 Jordan are generally chosen from specialty vintage-tire brands that continue to support pre-war fitments in antique and numeric bias-ply sizes. Because Jordan was a low-production independent make, the key is less about a single marque-specific tire brand and more about finding a respected vintage supplier that offers the exact size your JE or R uses. The correct size family matters more than chasing a brand association that may have varied by dealer, market, or replacement history.
A buyer should start with the exact size code and wheel diameter, then compare the brands available in that size for sidewall appearance and intended use. That approach keeps the search grounded in fitment first, which is especially important on unusual late-1920s cars. If you are preparing a judged restoration, a Jordan or broader Classic Car Club-era specialist can help you decide whether one brand's visual details better match the period character you want.
How do I choose the right tire for a 1928 Jordan?
Choosing the right tire for a 1928 Jordan begins with identifying the model and the wheel diameter on the car. The JE can use either 30X6.00 or 6.00-18 depending on wheel fitment, while the R uses either 28X5.25 or 5.25-18 on 18-inch wheels. All of these are bias-ply applications, so the main choice is not between old and modern construction but between the correct pre-war size convention and rim diameter for your particular car.
Once the fitment is narrowed, decide how original you want the car to appear. Antique-form sizes and numeric sizes can both be era-appropriate, but they are not interchangeable unless the wheel and model call for them. A careful owner will compare the existing wheel, any surviving factory or restoration records, and the intended use of the car before settling on a tire that preserves both fit and appearance.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 1928 Jordan tires require?
A 1928 Jordan must be matched to the correct rim diameter first: 30X6.00 fits a 24-inch wheel on the JE, while 6.00-18, 28X5.25, and 5.25-18 fit 18-inch wheels on their respective applications. Rim width is also part of proper setup, but the most important first step on these cars is confirming that the wheel diameter aligns with the size code you are considering. That is especially important because the JE spans two different wheel diameters.
After diameter is confirmed, check the actual wheel against the requirements of the specific tire you are considering. Pre-war cars often pick up replacement wheels or rebuilt rims over the course of many decades, and visual similarity can be misleading. Matching the tire to the real wheel on the car helps avoid mounting problems, distorted sidewall shape, and an incorrect stance that can spoil both drivability and appearance.
Do 1928 Jordan tires require inner tubes?
A 1928 Jordan sits firmly in the pre-war collector category, and many tires in these antique and numeric bias-ply sizes are commonly run in tube-type applications depending on wheel design and the tire's own sidewall marking. The correct tube decision is tied to the exact tire and the exact wheel, especially on split-rim or demountable-rim-era hardware. Tube use should always follow the construction of the tire you choose and the type of rim actually fitted to the car.
That is why tube fitment should be treated as a setup question rather than a blanket assumption for every 1928 Jordan. Before finalizing a tire choice, inspect whether the wheel is suitable for tubeless use, if that is even relevant to the tire selected, and match any tube to the exact size range. A fresh valve stem and careful flap or liner inspection are also wise on a collector car that may sit for long intervals.
Can the original 1928 Jordan wheels be used with both or all tire sizes?
Original 1928 Jordan wheels can only be used with the tire sizes that match their actual diameter and model application. On the JE, 30X6.00 and 6.00-18 do not share the same wheel diameter, so one original wheel assembly cannot accept both sizes. On the R, 28X5.25 and 5.25-18 both correspond to 18-inch wheels, but they still need to be matched to the proper wheel condition and width for the chosen tire.
For owners sorting out an older restoration, that means the wheel itself is often the deciding factor. Do not assume that because two size codes appear under the same model they are both suitable for the same rim. Measure the wheel, verify what is stamped or fitted, and inspect for repairs, cracks, or distortion before mounting a fresh set on a 1928 car that may still be using very old hardware.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 1928 Jordan when the tires are fitted?
A 1928 Jordan stores best in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that can accelerate rubber cracking. Because these are bias-ply pre-war fitments, long static storage can encourage flat-spotting more readily than many later radial applications. Clean floors, stable temperature, and tires kept off wet concrete all help preserve both the rubber and the wheel finish.
For a car that rests for months at a time, increase attention to inflation pressure, move the car periodically, or support it in a way that reduces constant load on one footprint if appropriate for the suspension and storage plan. A fitted cover is fine if the area stays dry and ventilated. Before returning the Jordan to road use, let the tires warm gradually and recheck pressure rather than driving off after a long sit.
How long do tires on a 1928 Jordan typically last?
Tires on a 1928 Jordan should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage, because collector cars often accumulate very few miles but still experience rubber aging. A practical rule is to evaluate tires closely once they reach roughly five to seven years of age and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement point regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code, when present on the tire, is the quickest way to establish age.
That age-first approach is especially important on a pre-war Jordan because the car may spend long periods parked and then be expected to perform on a tour or club event. Sidewall cracking, hardening, loss of flexibility, and recurring air loss matter more than tread depth alone. Even a handsome-looking tire can be past its serviceable window if age and storage history have worked against it.
How often should tires on a 1928 Jordan be inspected?
Tires on a 1928 Jordan should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing. A proper check includes inflation, visible cuts, sidewall cracking, tread separation, bulges, and signs that the car has developed an alignment or suspension issue that is wearing one edge unusually. On tube-type or likely tube-type setups, valve stems and any evidence of slow leakage deserve the same attention as the tread and sidewall.
Frequent inspection matters because a low-use collector car can develop age-related tire problems long before the owner notices a handling change. A car that has been sitting since the last event should never be assumed ready for a highway run without a fresh check. Taking a few extra minutes with a gauge and a close visual inspection is one of the simplest ways to protect a rare Jordan and avoid roadside problems.
Restoration & Authenticity
What tires were originally fitted to the 1928 Jordan JE?
A 1928 Jordan JE would have been fitted originally with bias-ply tires, because bias construction was standard for American passenger cars in the late 1920s. For the JE, the relevant size families are 30X6.00 and 6.00-18, depending on the wheel setup used on the car. The correct original fitment path is therefore tied to the wheel diameter and the car's specific configuration rather than to a single modern one-size-fits-all answer.
For a careful restoration, size, construction, and visual profile should all line up with the era. If your goal is factory-level accuracy, compare the wheels on the car against period literature, surviving unrestored examples, and Jordan or broader Full Classic-era club guidance. Dealer substitutions and later service replacements were common enough that marque-specific confirmation is worthwhile before finalizing a show-focused tire choice.
Does correct tire fitment matter for showing a 1928 Jordan?
Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1928 Jordan, especially in concours or authenticity-focused judging. Judges and experienced enthusiasts look at whether the tire size, construction type, and sidewall appearance suit the period and the model. On a late-1920s car, an obviously later-looking tire profile or an incorrect size family can stand out immediately even to someone who never measures the tire.
That does not mean every club applies the same standard, but authenticity expectations are usually strongest on rare pre-war cars. A Jordan prepared for formal judging should have its model-specific size verified and its sidewall style chosen to match late-1920s presentation. Event rules, marque clubs, and period photos are the best final references when the goal is more than simply making the car roadworthy.
Why do some 1928 Jordan tires use antique size codes while others use numeric size codes?
A 1928 Jordan sits in a transitional period when the tire industry used more than one sizing convention. Antique diameter-by-section codes such as 30X6.00 and 28X5.25 describe overall diameter and nominal section width, while numeric sizes such as 6.00-18 and 5.25-18 identify nominal width and rim diameter in a format that became easier to standardize. Both systems are historically appropriate to the era, but they point to different fitment logic.
For restorers, that transition is important because it explains why two Jordan models from the same year can appear similar yet require different tire language and sometimes different wheel diameters. The antique code preserves an earlier visual and engineering convention, while the numeric code reflects the industry's movement toward clearer wheel-based sizing. Treat the code as part of the car's restoration story, not just as a modern ordering reference.
Safety & Road Use
Are 1928 Jordan tires safe for highway driving?
A properly chosen and properly maintained set of tires can make a 1928 Jordan suitable for normal road use within the limits of the car and the tire, but safety depends on much more than simply having new rubber. These are pre-war bias-ply applications, so driving feel, braking distances, road wander, and response to ruts will differ from a modern car. On a late-1920s automobile, the condition of the steering, brakes, suspension, and wheels is often as important as the tire itself.
That means highway use should be approached with realistic expectations and a well-sorted car. Bias-ply tires are entirely appropriate on a Jordan, but they reward conservative speeds, proper inflation, and an attentive driver. Before any sustained road trip, make sure the tires are age-sound, evenly inflated, and matched to wheels in good condition, then drive the car in a way that respects 1928 engineering rather than modern traffic pace.
What inflation pressure should I use for 1928 Jordan tires?
Inflation pressure for a 1928 Jordan should be set by the specific tire you are using and the vehicle's original guidance, not by copying a pressure from another vintage size or another owner's car. The JE and R do not all use the same size, and the JE in particular spans both 24-inch and 18-inch fitments. Pressure should therefore be matched to the exact size on the car and the manufacturer's recommendations for that reproduction tire.
A practical approach is to start with the vehicle literature or trusted marque guidance, then compare that with the tire maker's rated pressure information for the chosen size and construction. Do not assume that two tires with similar section widths should carry the same pressure. On a pre-war Jordan, correct inflation affects steering effort, ride, tread wear, and the way the car tracks on crowned or uneven roads.
What should I check before taking a 1928 Jordan on a longer drive?
Before a longer drive in a 1928 Jordan, inspect all tires for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, and make sure the spare is equally serviceable. Pay close attention to valve stems, especially if the car is running a tube-type setup, and confirm that wheel fasteners and rims are in sound condition. The tires are only one part of the readiness check, but they are the one part that carries every braking, steering, and road load the car sees.
A sensible tour checklist also includes brakes, steering play, wheel bearings, coolant, fuel delivery, and lighting, because a 1928 Jordan asks more of its mechanical systems than a modern driver may expect. For the tires specifically, any fresh vibration, persistent air loss, or visible age cracking is a reason to stop and sort the issue before committing to distance. Rare cars are most enjoyable when the pre-drive inspection is thorough rather than rushed.
