1928 Lincoln Tire Fitment Guide

1928 Lincoln vehicles in this guide use two tire sizes: 33X6.75 and 700-21, and both are associated with the 1928 Lincoln 8 Cyl. The available 700-21 products mount on 21-inch rims, with listed rim width ranges of 3.00 to 3.75 inches for Michelin Double Rivet and 3.75 to 4.00 inches for Firestone Balloon variants. Both sizes are bias-ply, which is consistent with the period and with the way late-1920s luxury cars were originally equipped.

That means the first step is not choosing between bias-ply and radial, but confirming which of the two original-style dimensions belongs on your particular 1928 Lincoln. Wheel changes over the last century are common on restoration projects, so it is worth checking the existing tire, measuring the wheel, and comparing the car with factory literature or marque-club references before settling on a size.

On a 1928 Lincoln, 33X6.75 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The first number, 33, refers to the tire's overall diameter in inches, while 6.75 refers to its nominal section width in inches. Unlike later numeric or metric sizing, this format centers on the tire's outside height and cross-section rather than the more modern width-plus-rim style most drivers know today.

That older format matters because it reflects how pre-war tires were identified when wheel and tire design conventions were very different from later decades. If your 1928 Lincoln is fitted or was originally specified for 33X6.75, treat it as its own period-correct size rather than assuming it can be substituted freely with 700-21 without first checking wheel dimensions, clearance, and restoration intent.

On a 1928 Lincoln, 700-21 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 7.00 indicates the nominal section width in inches, and the 21 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. That is why the available 700-21 tires for this application are built for 21-inch rims, with product-specific rim width ranges that run from 3.00 to 4.00 inches depending on the tire series.

This size is easier for modern buyers to interpret than an antique diameter-by-section size, but it still needs to be matched carefully to the wheel and the car's established fitment. On a 1928 Lincoln, 700-21 also brings a visible styling choice because it is offered in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall versions, so appearance can be tailored once the underlying size is confirmed.

A 1928 Lincoln can be associated with either 33X6.75 or 700-21, and both are bias-ply sizes. The choice is therefore not a radial-versus-bias decision, but a question of which original-type dimension matches your particular car and wheel setup. The 700-21 size has current product offerings shown here, while 33X6.75 remains important as a fitment reference for late-1920s Lincoln restoration work.

Owners restoring a car to a very specific period appearance usually start with whatever size their car was originally intended to use, then select the sidewall treatment that suits the restoration style. If your Lincoln has been apart for many years or has changed hands several times, compare the wheel, any surviving tire markings, and period reference material before choosing between the two dimensions.

1928 Lincoln tires in the available 700-21 fitment come in several sidewall styles: Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall. Firestone Balloon is offered in all three visual treatments, while Michelin Double Rivet appears in Blackwall form. All of these options stay within a period bias-ply presentation, but they create noticeably different visual character on a large late-1920s luxury car.

Blackwalls tend to suit understated restorations and commercial-period authenticity, while whitewall treatments create a more formal luxury look that many owners prefer on premium pre-war cars. If you are building toward judged authenticity, confirm what is accepted for your specific car, body style, and event standard, because sidewall appearance can affect how correct the finished car looks even when the tire size itself is right.

Two brands are represented for 1928 Lincoln in the available 700-21 size: Firestone and Michelin. Firestone appears in the Balloon series, including blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall versions, while Michelin is represented by the Double Rivet in blackwall form. All of the listed options are bias-ply tires intended for the pre-war driving character and visual style expected on a 1928 Lincoln.

That gives owners a choice between two historically familiar names while still keeping the car in an era-appropriate construction type. Once you have confirmed that your Lincoln uses 700-21, the brand decision often comes down to desired sidewall appearance, wheel-width compatibility, and whether you want the more understated look of a blackwall or the more formal presentation of a whitewall.

For 1928 Lincoln tires in the available 700-21 fitment, rim width depends on the specific product. Michelin Double Rivet fits rims from 3.00 to 3.75 inches wide, while Firestone Balloon versions fit rims from 3.75 to 4.00 inches wide. All of those products use a 21-inch rim diameter, but the acceptable wheel width range is not identical from one tire series to another.

That difference is important on a pre-war car because an original wheel, an older replacement wheel, and a restored reproduction wheel may not all measure the same. Before selecting a tire for your 1928 Lincoln, confirm the actual wheel width rather than assuming every 700-21 bias-ply tire will fit the same rim equally well.

The two listed 1928 Lincoln sizes are both tied to the same 8 Cyl. model, and the available 700-21 products are built for 21-inch rims. That supports the idea that original-style 21-inch Lincoln wheels can be compatible with the 700-21 fitment when the wheel width falls within the tire's required range. The second size, 33X6.75, should still be treated as a separate period dimension that needs to match the actual wheel and car setup.

In practical terms, shared wheel diameter does not automatically mean every surviving wheel is suitable for every tire choice. A wheel can have the right diameter but the wrong width, profile, or restoration history, so inspect the wheel itself and compare it with the selected tire's published rim-width requirements before mounting anything on a 1928 Lincoln.

A 1928 Lincoln should be stored in a cool, dry, dark environment away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to flat-spotting and sidewall aging when a car sits in one position for long periods. Clean, dry floors and stable temperatures help preserve both the tire casing and the finish on a pre-war car that is used infrequently.

Rolling the car periodically or supporting it correctly during long-term storage can reduce stress on the tire carcass and minimize temporary flat spots. Keep the tires properly inflated during storage, and if the car is displayed for extended periods, move it occasionally so the same section of each tire is not carrying the load month after month.

Tires on a 1928 Lincoln usually age out before they wear out, especially on collector cars that see occasional use. A sensible rule is to inspect them closely after about five to seven years of service and to treat roughly ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration, regardless of remaining tread. Age, storage conditions, and exposure to heat and ozone matter more than mileage on most cars from this era.

Use the tire's manufacturing date information and the tire's overall condition together, not tread depth alone, when deciding whether to continue driving on it. A handsome pre-war bias-ply tire can still look presentable while the casing has grown old, so replacement timing on a 1928 Lincoln should always be driven by age and condition rather than appearance only.

Tires on a 1928 Lincoln should be checked before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, low pressure, and any sign that the tire has shifted or deteriorated while the car was parked. On a collector car that spends much of its life stored, a quick walk-around inspection is one of the most valuable habits you can build.

A more thorough inspection at regular intervals should include checking tread condition across the full width, confirming that the valves and wheel hardware are sound, and making sure the spare is still serviceable. Pre-war cars often go from sitting quietly in a garage to running at touring speed with little warning, so the tire inspection routine should be part of every outing plan.

A 1928 Lincoln 8 Cyl. would originally have been fitted with bias-ply tires, which aligns with the two period-style sizes associated with this year and model: 33X6.75 and 700-21. Bias-ply construction was the industry standard in the late 1920s, especially on large American luxury cars. The exact tire size and sidewall treatment could vary with body style, market, and how the car was originally specified.

For an authenticity-minded restoration, construction type, size, and sidewall appearance all matter more than simply finding a tire that clears the fenders. Start with bias-ply as the correct construction family for a 1928 Lincoln, then use factory literature, period photography, and Lincoln marque specialists to narrow the correct size and visual treatment for your individual car.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1928 Lincoln because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice tire size, construction, and sidewall presentation immediately. A late-1920s Lincoln is expected to wear a period-appropriate bias-ply tire, and an incorrect visual profile or sidewall treatment can stand out even to casual observers. On a formal luxury car, tires contribute heavily to stance and overall authenticity.

That does not mean every event applies identical standards, but it does mean a restoration should treat the tires as part of the car's historical presentation rather than as a generic maintenance item. If your 1928 Lincoln will be judged, verify the acceptable size and sidewall style with the hosting organization or a Lincoln club before finalizing the car.

For a 1928 Lincoln in 700-21, Firestone Balloon and Michelin Double Rivet differ in wheel-width fitment, appearance options, and listed weight. Michelin Double Rivet fits 3.00 to 3.75-inch rims and is offered here in Blackwall at 31 pounds, while Firestone Balloon fits 3.75 to 4.00-inch rims and appears in Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall versions ranging from 32 to 38 pounds. Firestone also carries a listed load figure of 1930 pounds at 40 psi on the shown variants.

That makes the choice about more than brand name alone. On a 1928 Lincoln, Michelin may suit narrower 21-inch wheels, while Firestone opens up more visual options if your restoration calls for a broader whitewall treatment and the wheel width is appropriate. Matching the tire to the wheel should come before choosing the sidewall style you prefer.

A properly selected and well-maintained tire can make a 1928 Lincoln suitable for normal road touring, but the tire is only one part of the equation. The listed 1928 Lincoln products shown here are bias-ply tires, and no explicit speed ratings are given for them in the available fitments. On a late-1920s luxury car, braking, steering, suspension condition, wheel integrity, and the car's general mechanical state often matter as much as the tire itself for highway confidence.

That means a tire should be chosen as part of a whole-vehicle assessment, not as a substitute for broader mechanical preparation. Keep speeds sensible for the age and design of the car, confirm that the tires are fresh and correctly mounted, and treat modern freeway traffic as a different environment than the roads a 1928 Lincoln was originally built to travel.

Inflation pressure on a 1928 Lincoln should follow the needs of the exact tire size and product you are using rather than a one-pressure-fits-all approach. Among the available 700-21 products, Firestone Balloon variants carry a listed maximum load of 1930 pounds at 40 psi. That figure is a tire rating reference, not automatically the everyday running pressure for every 1928 Lincoln in every body style and operating condition.

Use the original owner's literature or period factory guidance for the car's intended operating pressure, then compare that with the selected tire maker's current recommendations. Do not transfer one tire's listed pressure figure to another size or series without checking, because casing design, wheel width, and vehicle loading can change what is appropriate.

Before taking a 1928 Lincoln on a longer drive, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and pressure loss, and make sure the spare is usable as well. Confirm that the wheel hardware is secure, the valve stems are in good condition, and the tires have not developed flat spots or sidewall distress while the car was stored. On a pre-war car, tire condition should be reviewed alongside brakes, fluids, steering, and cooling system checks.

That broader preparation matters because long-distance confidence in a 1928 Lincoln comes from the whole package working together. Even if the tires look presentable in the garage, a fresh inspection before departure can catch age-related issues that only become obvious when you are about to put sustained miles on the car.