1928 Pierce Arrow Tire Fitment Guide

1928 Pierce Arrow vehicles use four sizes across two model series. The 36 Series uses 33X6.75 and 700-21, while the 81 Series uses 30X5.77 and 30x5. The only listed rim diameter in the available product range is 21 inches for 700-21, with supported rim widths of 3.00 to 4.00 inches depending on the tire chosen. All listed fitments for the year are bias-ply.

That means a year-and-make match alone is not enough on a 1928 Pierce Arrow. A 36 Series owner should stay within the 36 Series sizes, and an 81 Series owner should stay within the 81 Series sizes, since the two lines do not share the same fitment family. If you are comparing tires on an existing car, check the sidewall marking now on the vehicle and confirm it agrees with the series before moving on to wheel and product selection.

On a 1928 Pierce Arrow, 33X6.75 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The first number refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter in inches, and the second number refers to nominal section width in inches. That is different from later numeric sizing, where the final number usually gives the wheel diameter directly in the size code. On this year Pierce Arrow, 33X6.75 is associated with the 36 Series and remains a bias-ply fitment.

Collectors run into this format on pre-war and transitional-era cars because tire sizing had not yet standardized into the later systems most modern buyers recognize. The practical takeaway is that a 33X6.75 tire should not be treated as interchangeable with a later-looking size just because the numbers seem close. If your 36 Series carries this antique-style marking, keep your search centered on that specific format or on a known accepted equivalent for the model.

On a 1928 Pierce Arrow, 700-21 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 7.00 indicates nominal section width in inches, while 21 is the wheel diameter in inches. That format became very common on American cars as the industry moved away from the earlier diameter-by-section convention. For 1928 Pierce Arrow applications here, 700-21 belongs to the 36 Series and is offered in several bias-ply product variations.

The reason this matters is that a numeric size gives you a direct wheel-diameter check before you go any farther. If your car is a 36 Series on 21-inch wheels, 700-21 is the clearer modern shopping starting point because current offerings are available in that size. After confirming the wheel, the next choice becomes appearance, since blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall versions all change the finished look of a late-1920s luxury car.

For 1928 Pierce Arrow fitments, the listed sidewall style variety appears in 700-21. That size is available as Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall depending on the tire chosen. Blackwalls give the most restrained period look, while whitewall treatments add a more formal luxury-car presentation that many late-1920s owners prefer. The other listed Pierce Arrow sizes do not show sidewall alternatives in the current range here.

Sidewall style is more than decoration on a car like a Pierce-Arrow because it changes the visual balance of the wheel opening and the car's overall stance. A restorer aiming for event judging should compare the chosen sidewall treatment with period photos, factory literature, and model-specific club guidance. A driver who wants the car to look right on the road may simply choose the sidewall style that best matches the body style and trim character of the car.

The current listed brands for 1928 Pierce Arrow fitments are Firestone and Michelin, both in the 700-21 size used on the 36 Series. Firestone appears in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall forms within its Balloon line, while Michelin appears in blackwall through the Double Rivet series. All of those listed options remain bias-ply constructions appropriate to a pre-war luxury automobile.

Brand choice on a car of this era usually comes down to the visual character and exact product presentation you want, not just the name on the sidewall. Firestone gives the broader sidewall-style spread in this fitment, while Michelin offers another period-flavored blackwall option. Once the correct size is confirmed for your series, compare the brand and sidewall combination against your restoration goal, whether that is formal show appearance or a simpler road-going look.

For the 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series in 700-21, Firestone Balloon and Michelin Double Rivet are both bias-ply offerings, but they differ in available presentation and wheel-range detail. Firestone Balloon is offered in blackwall, 4.25-inch whitewall, and 4.25-inch double-whitewall versions, with listed rim widths of 3.75 to 4.00 inches and a stated max load of 1930 pounds at 40 psi on the Firestone versions shown. Michelin Double Rivet is listed as a blackwall with a 3.00 to 3.75 inch rim-width range.

That makes the decision less about construction and more about wheel compatibility and appearance. If your 36 Series has wheels that fall toward the narrower end of the range, the Michelin dimensions may be especially relevant; if your goal is a whitewall presentation, the Firestone line provides those options. Owners should confirm their actual wheel width before selecting between them, because both the visual result and the approved rim range matter on a large pre-war car.

For 1928 Pierce Arrow applications with the listed 700-21 products, approved rim widths vary by tire. Michelin Double Rivet in 700-21 is listed for 3.00 to 3.75 inch rims, while the Firestone Balloon versions in 700-21 are listed for 3.75 to 4.00 inch rims. The wheel diameter for those 700-21 products is 21 inches. No separate rim-width range is listed here for the other Pierce Arrow sizes.

Rim width matters because two tires with the same overall size designation may still be intended for slightly different wheel widths. On a 1928 luxury car, that can affect both the shape of the mounted tire and whether the fit stays within the maker's intended range. Before final selection, measure the wheel itself rather than relying only on what is currently mounted, especially if the car has had wheels or tires changed during earlier restoration work.

The listed 1928 Pierce Arrow fitments are all bias-ply tires, but the available size markings shown here do not carry a tube-type or tubeless notation within the product entries. On a car from 1928, inner tubes are commonly part of the normal setup, especially with original-style wire or demountable rims and pre-war wheel construction. Tube use should therefore be confirmed against the wheel design and the exact tire's sidewall marking before installation.

That check is important because the wheel itself often drives the tube decision as much as the tire does on a pre-war application. If your Pierce-Arrow still uses original-style wheels, inspect the rim condition, flap requirements if applicable, and valve-stem fit at the same time. A marque specialist or experienced pre-war tire installer can usually spot whether your wheel assembly calls for tube hardware before the tire is mounted.

A 1928 Pierce Arrow should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone sources that age rubber. Because all listed fitments are bias-ply, long static storage can encourage flat-spotting more readily than many later radial applications. Keep the tires properly inflated, roll the car periodically if practical, and avoid letting moisture stay trapped around the tire contact patch for long periods.

Large pre-war luxury cars also place substantial load on the tires simply by sitting still. If the car will be stored for an extended period, some owners use tire cradles or take weight partially off the tires with stands placed correctly under the chassis, while avoiding suspension damage. When the car returns to use, inspect the sidewalls carefully before driving and give the tires a few miles to round out rather than demanding immediate high-speed service.

Tires on a 1928 Pierce Arrow should be judged by age and condition more than by mileage, because collector cars often cover very few miles while the rubber continues to age. A sensible practice is to begin closer evaluation once tires reach the five- to seven-year range and to treat around ten years as a point where replacement deserves serious consideration even if tread depth still looks good. The DOT-style date-code habit from modern tire ownership remains useful on newer reproduction products where present.

A pre-war car can look perfectly serviceable while the tire carcass and sidewalls have already aged past their comfortable window for road use. Heat cycles, storage conditions, inflation history, and long stationary periods matter at least as much as miles traveled. If the Pierce-Arrow is used only for tours and events, a fresh-looking tread pattern should never outweigh visible cracking, recurring pressure loss, or a tire age that no longer inspires confidence.

Tires on a 1928 Pierce Arrow deserve a quick inspection before every drive and a more thorough inspection before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, and any signs that the tire is losing pressure. On pre-war cars, valve stems and tube-related sealing points also deserve extra attention because age and storage can affect them even when the car is driven only occasionally.

That routine matters especially on a heavy luxury car where problems can develop slowly and still become serious once the vehicle is moving at road speed. A short pre-drive walkaround takes only a few minutes and often catches the issues that strand collector cars: low pressure, weather-checking, or damage picked up during the last outing. Before a tour, inspect the spare as carefully as the tires on the ground so it is actually usable if needed.

A 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series would have been fitted in the bias-ply era, and the listed sizes tied to that series are 33X6.75 and 700-21. That aligns with normal late-1920s practice, when bias-ply construction was standard and antique or numeric sizing systems were both still in use depending on the application. No original equipment brand should be assumed from that alone, since luxury cars could vary by market, body style, and period replacement history.

For restoration purposes, the safest approach is to begin with the correct size and construction family first, then refine sidewall style and brand presentation from period photographs, factory literature, and Pierce-Arrow club guidance. Cars that have lived long restoration lives sometimes wear a later replacement size that became common simply because it was easier to source. If authenticity matters, treat the current tires on the car as a clue rather than the final authority.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1928 Pierce Arrow because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size family, construction type, and sidewall presentation immediately. On a pre-war luxury automobile, a tire that looks too modern, uses the wrong size convention, or carries a sidewall style that does not suit the era can distract from an otherwise careful restoration. Since all listed 1928 Pierce Arrow fitments are bias-ply, staying within that construction family supports period authenticity.

The exact standard depends on the event. Some shows reward tasteful road-ready presentation, while stricter concours settings may scrutinize whether the size format and sidewall treatment fit the specific series and body style. Before finalizing a show car, compare your tire choice with event rules and Pierce-Arrow club resources. That small step can keep a beautifully restored car from losing points over a detail that is visually obvious once the car is on the field.

For the 1928 Pierce Arrow 36 Series in 700-21, Firestone Balloon appears in blackwall, 4.25-inch whitewall, and 4.25-inch double-whitewall forms. The whitewall and double-whitewall versions share the same listed 1930-pound-at-40-psi load figure and the same 3.75 to 4.00 inch rim-width range as the blackwall Firestone version shown. Their main difference is visual treatment, with the double-whitewall adding a second white accent ring for a more formal, decorative period appearance.

That distinction matters most on a show-focused car, because sidewall treatment changes the entire character of the wheel and fender opening. A blackwall keeps the look restrained and often suits more conservative restorations, while the single and double whitewall styles push the car toward the richer visual presentation associated with high-end late-1920s motoring. If authenticity is your goal, compare the chosen treatment against period imagery of your specific body style before committing.

1928 Pierce Arrow tires can be used for road driving when they are the correct size, in sound condition, properly mounted, and inflated appropriately for the tire and wheel. The listed products here are bias-ply pre-war style tires, and no speed-rating markings are shown in the available fitments. On a car of this age, the tire is only one part of the equation, because braking performance, steering condition, suspension wear, and the general character of a 1928 chassis matter just as much at highway pace.

That usually means driving a Pierce-Arrow with mechanical sympathy rather than assuming modern-car behavior from any reproduction tire. A sound bias-ply setup can be very satisfying for touring, but it rewards moderate speeds, smooth inputs, and extra stopping distance. Before taking a long highway run, consider the entire car's readiness, not only the tires. Freshly inspected tires help, but they do not erase the normal limits of a large luxury automobile built in the late 1920s.

Inflation pressure on a 1928 Pierce Arrow should follow the original vehicle guidance where available and the specific tire maker's rating for the exact size and product you are using. In the listed 700-21 Firestone Balloon versions, the tire carries a maximum load figure of 1930 pounds at 40 psi. That is a load-and-pressure reference for that tire, not a universal instruction that should be transferred to every Pierce Arrow size or every 700-21 product.

Owners should treat pressure as a fitment-specific setting, especially on pre-war cars where wheel design, body style, and front-to-rear weight distribution can vary. Starting with the manufacturer's recommendation for the exact tire and then checking the owner's manual or period service literature is the safest route. Once the car is in service, monitor how evenly the tires wear and how the car feels on the road, but avoid guessing from another size's published number.

Before a longer drive in a 1928 Pierce Arrow, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, and make sure the valve stems are sound. If the car uses tube-based wheel hardware, include that in the inspection plan and verify the spare is inflated and ready. Tire condition should be part of a broader pre-drive check that also covers brakes, steering, wheel bearings, fluids, lights, and the basic health of the cooling and fuel systems.

A pre-war touring car asks for preparation rather than spontaneity. Even if the Pierce-Arrow has been reliable on short local runs, distance and heat expose weaknesses that casual use may not reveal. Give the tires a close look the day before the trip, then recheck inflation again before departure. That habit reduces the odds that a preventable tire issue becomes the reason a well-sorted vintage car ends up on the side of the road.