1928 Star Tire Fitment Guide

1928 Star vehicles in this range use two tire sizes: 28X4.75 and 475-19, and both apply to the 1928 Star 4 Cyl. rather than being divided among multiple model lines. The 28X4.75 size is an antique diameter-by-section bias-ply format, while 475-19 is a numeric bias-ply size that mounts on a 19-inch rim. For 475-19, the listed rim width is 3 inches.

The practical difference is that these are not simply two ways of writing the same thing. One is an older style of sizing and the other is tied to a 19-inch wheel, so the right starting point is checking the actual wheel diameter on your car before choosing a tire. If you are restoring a car with mixed parts history, that inspection matters more than assuming every 1928 Star 4 Cyl. was equipped the same way.

On a 1928 Star, 28X4.75 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The first number, 28, refers to the tire's overall outside diameter, and the second number, 4.75, refers to nominal section width. That format predates the more familiar modern style of tire labeling and is associated here with a bias-ply construction appropriate to the period.

That matters because a 28X4.75 tire should be treated as its own fitment path, not as a casual substitute for a later numeric code without checking the wheel it is meant to fit. Owners usually encounter this kind of marking when preserving early tire appearance on prewar cars. If your goal is authenticity, the code itself is part of the period character, not just a measurement.

On a 1928 Star, 475-19 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 4.75 portion identifies nominal section width, with the decimal traditionally omitted in the molded size marking, and 19 is the wheel diameter in inches. In the available products for 1928 Star, this size is paired with a 19-inch rim and a listed 3-inch rim width.

That makes 475-19 easier for many buyers to interpret because the wheel diameter is plainly stated in the size code. It is also the size in this range with available Blackwall and Wide Whitewall product choices, so once your wheel diameter is confirmed, appearance becomes the next decision. A numeric late-1920s bias-ply can be a very sensible route for a car meant to look right and remain true to the era.

A 1928 Star owner should choose between 28X4.75 and 475-19 only after confirming the wheel the car actually uses. Both are bias-ply sizes, so this is not a bias-versus-radial decision; it is a matter of matching the proper vintage size format and wheel diameter. The 28X4.75 size follows an earlier diameter-based convention, while 475-19 is a numeric bias-ply size for a 19-inch rim.

In practice, the choice usually comes down to restoration direction and existing hardware on the car. If your Star is being preserved with an earlier-style fitment, 28X4.75 may align better with that presentation. If your car is set up for 19-inch wheels and you want one of the available Goodyear options in this range, 475-19 is the relevant path. Verifying the wheel first avoids costly mistakes and keeps the tire choice true to the car's configuration.

1928 Star tires in the available 475-19 range come in both Blackwall and Wide Whitewall form, both from Goodyear's Deluxe All-Weather line. Those choices keep the same basic size, load capacity, and bias-ply construction while changing the visual presentation of the car. That gives owners a meaningful styling decision even when fitment remains the same.

For a late-1920s American car like the 1928 Star, sidewall style has a strong effect on authenticity and personality. A Blackwall generally delivers a plainer, more workmanlike appearance, while a wide whitewall leans into the upscale decorative look many collectors prefer on restored period cars. If the car will be judged, the right answer depends on how closely you are matching the car's original market presentation and the standards of the club or event involved.

Goodyear is the listed brand offering tires for 1928 Star vehicles in the available 475-19 range. The products shown are from the Deluxe All-Weather series, offered as a Blackwall and as a 2.875-inch Wide Whitewall. Both are bias-ply tires sized for the period and aimed at preserving the visual and driving character expected from a late-1920s application.

Goodyear is a natural fit for many American prewar restorations because the brand carries strong period recognition and helps keep the finished car from looking visually out of era. Brand choice still does not override size choice, though, especially on a car that may have changed wheels over the decades. Once you confirm whether your Star requires 28X4.75 or 475-19, then it makes sense to narrow the selection by sidewall style and presentation.

For 1928 Star vehicles using the 475-19 size, the listed rim width is 3 inches on a 19-inch rim. That specification applies to the available Goodyear bias-ply offerings in this size and should be treated as part of the tire-and-wheel match, not just a detail in the catalog. Rim width has a direct effect on how the tire seats and presents on the wheel.

When working with a nearly century-old car, it is worth checking the actual wheel rather than assuming every surviving wheelset remains original. Cars from this period were often repaired, swapped, or updated over time, and wheel changes can outlast the paperwork. If your 1928 Star is running 475-19 tires, confirm that the wheel matches the 19-inch diameter and 3-inch width requirement before mounting a new set.

1928 Star tire products in the available 475-19 range are not marked here with a tube-type or tubeless designation, so the right tube decision should follow the specific tire's sidewall marking and the wheel design being used. On late-1920s applications, many original-style wheels and bias-ply setups are commonly associated with tube use, but the final call should come from the actual product and wheel combination.

That means tube selection is part of the setup, not an afterthought. If your Star still uses original-style wheels, inspect the wheel condition, valve area, and bead surfaces at the same time you evaluate the tire size. Matching the tire correctly but overlooking tube compatibility or wheel condition can undo the benefit of choosing the proper period-correct size in the first place.

A 1928 Star should be stored in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber prematurely. Bias-ply tires, like the sizes used on 1928 Star vehicles, are more prone to temporary flat-spotting during long static periods than modern radials, especially when left under full vehicle weight for months at a time.

Good storage practice includes maintaining inflation, moving the car occasionally, and keeping the tires off damp surfaces whenever possible. For longer inactive periods, some owners use stands or cradles to reduce stress on the carcass, though the suspension should still be supported appropriately. A simple storage routine does more to preserve the ride and appearance of an infrequently driven prewar tire than trying to make up for neglect later.

Tires on a 1928 Star should be judged more by age and condition than by miles traveled. Collector vehicles often see limited use, so tread depth can look healthy long after the rubber itself has begun to age. A sensible rule is to start evaluating tires closely once they are about five to seven years old and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement consideration regardless of mileage, using the date code and overall condition as guides.

That approach is especially important on a prewar car because slow accumulation of age damage can go unnoticed between occasional outings. Sidewall cracking, stiffness, repeated air loss, and changes in ride feel matter more than odometer readings on a low-use 1928 Star. If the car is maintained for touring rather than display only, age-based tire planning is one of the simplest ways to reduce avoidable roadside problems.

Tires on a 1928 Star should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look closely for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, embedded debris, and signs that the tire is no longer holding pressure consistently. Because this is a late-1920s application, it is also wise to inspect valve stems and, where applicable, tube-related hardware at the same time.

A pre-drive inspection on a collector car takes only a few minutes and often catches issues that would be easy to miss in casual use. The spare should be checked as well, since it may be the only practical backup if a problem appears far from home. On an older chassis, tire condition is closely tied to confidence behind the wheel, so frequent inspection is part of the car's normal operating routine rather than an occasional maintenance task.

A 1928 Star 4 Cyl. would have been fitted in the bias-ply era, and the sizes associated with this application are 28X4.75 and 475-19. That means a correct restoration should begin from the understanding that bias-ply construction is historically appropriate for the period, while the exact size should match the wheel and surviving configuration of the individual car. Original-equipment brand should not be assumed without period factory literature or marque-specific confirmation.

For most restorers, the most important authenticity checkpoints are the proper size format, the correct wheel relationship, and a sidewall treatment that looks right for a 1928 American car. If your Star has had wheels changed over the decades, the present setup may not reflect how it left the factory. Marque clubs, factory sales material, and original photos are the right places to confirm whether your car should wear the antique-style marking or the numeric 19-inch fitment.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1928 Star, especially in preservation or judged restoration settings. Size, construction type, and sidewall appearance all affect whether the car reads as authentically late 1920s. On a car from this era, a tire that is technically mountable but visually or historically out of character can stand out immediately to knowledgeable judges and enthusiasts.

That does not always mean every event expects the same thing, which is why owners should match the tire choice to the standard of the club or show they care about most. A black sidewall and a wide whitewall can create very different impressions even within the same size. If your 1928 Star is being prepared for competition rather than casual display, tire appearance deserves the same attention as paint, upholstery, and hardware finish.

For the 1928 Star in 475-19, the Goodyear Deluxe All-Weather Blackwall and the Goodyear Deluxe All-Weather 2.875 inch Wide Whitewall share the same core specifications. Both are bias-ply tires from the same series, both fit a 19-inch rim with a listed 3-inch width, both carry a maximum load of 900 pounds at 32 psi, and both are listed at 15 pounds. The functional distinction here is sidewall presentation rather than size or construction.

That makes the choice largely one of finish and restoration character. A Blackwall usually supports a simpler, more understated look, while the 2.875-inch Wide Whitewall gives the car a richer and more formal visual presence associated with many premium prewar restorations. If your goal is event accuracy, period photos and marque references should guide which sidewall style belongs on your particular 1928 Star.

1928 Star tires can be suitable for road use when they are the correct size, in good condition, properly inflated, and matched to sound wheels, but they remain bias-ply tires on a late-1920s vehicle. No speed ratings are listed here for the available 1928 Star products, so the practical limit is shaped as much by the car's own age, braking ability, steering design, suspension condition, and overall mechanical health as by the tire itself.

On a prewar car, highway use should be approached with realistic expectations rather than modern-traffic assumptions. A well-sorted 1928 Star can be enjoyable on secondary roads and moderate touring speeds, but sustained high-speed driving asks more of the whole vehicle system than of the tire alone. Before extended road use, treat the tires as one part of a broader safety check that also includes wheels, brakes, front-end play, and chassis condition.

For 1928 Star vehicles using the available 475-19 products, the listed maximum load figure is 900 pounds at 32 psi. That number is a tire rating, not automatically the same thing as the ideal running pressure for every 1928 Star in service. Pressure choice should balance the tire maker's rating with the car's original recommendations and the way the car is actually equipped and loaded.

The safest approach is to start with the vehicle's original literature or trusted marque guidance, then confirm that your chosen tire's rated pressure and load limits are being respected. Avoid borrowing a pressure figure from another size just because it is also listed for a 1928 Star application. Older cars can feel dramatically different with only a small pressure change, so confirming the right number for the exact size on the car is worth the effort.

Before a longer drive in a 1928 Star, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, abnormal wear, embedded objects, and stable inflation, and do not forget the spare. Check the valve stems, wheel condition, and the seating of the tire on the rim, especially on an older car that may have sat for extended periods. A tire that looks acceptable in the garage can reveal problems quickly once heat and distance build on the road.

That tire inspection should be part of a larger pre-drive routine suited to a 1928 automobile. Wheels should be secure, brakes should be adjusted and responsive, steering free play should be reasonable, and basic fluid and ignition checks should already be done before the trip starts. A 1928 Star rewards careful preparation, and tire condition is one of the easiest indicators of whether the car is truly ready for a longer outing.