1928 Stutz Tire Fitment Guide

1928 Stutz vehicles in this guide use four sizes, all tied to the Stutz BB: 32X6.20, 650-20, 32X6.75, and 700-20. The currently listed product range appears under the 20-inch numeric sizes, with 650-20 using rims from 3.00 to 5.00 inches wide and 700-20 using rims from 3.75 to 4.00 inches on some Firestone versions and 5.00 to 5.50 inches on some BFGoodrich versions.

That means a 1928 Stutz owner should confirm more than just the year and make before choosing a tire. Check the tire size already on the car, measure the wheel width if needed, and match the tire to the wheel you actually have, especially on a restored BB where wheels may have been changed over the years.

On a 1928 Stutz, 32X6.20 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The 32 refers to the tire’s overall diameter in inches, while 6.20 refers to its nominal section width in inches, and the construction is bias-ply as expected for the period. It is different from later numeric sizing because the code leads with overall diameter rather than wheel diameter.

That older style of marking matters when comparing replacement options, because a modern buyer may assume the first number is rim size when it is not. If your BB carries a diameter-by-section marking, use that as the starting point and compare carefully against the actual wheel and the car’s present fitment before moving to a product selection.

On a 1928 Stutz, 650-20 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 6.50 indicates nominal section width in inches and the 20 indicates the wheel diameter in inches, which is why this code reads differently from 32X6.20 or 32X6.75. Firestone, Denman, and Deka offerings are available in this size, with blackwall and wide whitewall styles represented.

That makes 650-20 one of the more straightforward Stutz sizes to shop for, but it still needs to match the wheel width on the car. A BB owner choosing 650-20 should confirm the rim falls within the listed 3.00 to 5.00 inch width range and then decide whether a blackwall or whitewall presentation better suits the car’s restoration style.

1928 Stutz tires in the listed product range appear with several sidewall styles, depending on size. The 650-20 options include blackwall and wide whitewall versions, while 700-20 adds blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall choices. All of those offerings are bias-ply, which keeps the overall construction in line with the era of the Stutz BB.

Sidewall style has a major effect on how a late-1920s luxury-performance car presents visually. Blackwalls usually suit a more restrained or utilitarian look, while whitewalls and double whitewalls emphasize the formal, upscale appearance many restorers want on prestige American cars of the period. Choose the sidewall look after confirming the correct size and wheel width.

Three brands appear in the current 1928 Stutz range: Firestone, Denman, and Deka. Firestone appears in both 650-20 and 700-20, Denman and Deka appear in 650-20, and BFGoodrich appears in 700-20. All listed options are bias-ply products, but the sidewall styling and load figures vary by brand and by individual tire line.

That brand spread gives a Stutz owner different ways to prioritize appearance and fitment details within an authentic period construction. If your goal is a particular whitewall presentation or a certain wheel-width compatibility range, compare the brand options within the exact size your BB uses rather than assuming every 20-inch tire in the range is interchangeable.

For a 1928 Stutz in 700-20, Firestone and BFGoodrich differ in sidewall offerings, wheel-width ranges, and listed load figures. Firestone appears with wide whitewall and double-whitewall styles, a 3.75 to 4.00 inch rim-width range, and a 1930-pound load rating at 40 psi on the examples shown. BFGoodrich appears with wide whitewall and blackwall styles, a 5.00 to 5.50 inch rim-width range, and load ratings listed at 1980 pounds at 42 psi or 1700 pounds at 36 psi depending on the tire.

That means the right 700-20 choice is not only about brand preference. A BB owner should first match the tire to the actual wheel width on the car, then decide which sidewall appearance fits the restoration or touring look being pursued. On an older car like a Stutz, wheel compatibility should drive the comparison before cosmetic preference does.

Rim-width guidance is available for the listed numeric 1928 Stutz sizes. The 650-20 products shown fit rims from 3.00 to 5.00 inches wide. The 700-20 products vary more: some Firestone versions fit 3.75 to 4.00 inch rims, while some BFGoodrich versions fit 5.00 to 5.50 inch rims.

That spread is why measuring the wheel matters before selecting a replacement tire for a Stutz BB. Two tires can share the same 20-inch rim diameter and still be intended for different wheel widths. If the car has been restored, custom-bodied, or updated at any point in its life, verify the actual wheel dimensions rather than relying only on the size stamped on an old tire.

A 1928 Stutz wheel can use either 650-20 or 700-20 only if the wheel is the correct 20-inch diameter and falls within the approved rim-width range for the specific tire chosen. The two sizes do share 20-inch rim diameter in the current product range, but they do not share one universal wheel-width requirement across every brand and series.

That makes wheel width the deciding factor, not just wheel diameter. A BB owner comparing 650-20 and 700-20 should inspect the actual wheel before assuming both sizes are suitable. This is especially important on surviving prewar cars, where replacement wheels or mixed sets can complicate what looks like a simple same-diameter tire choice.

A 1928 Stutz should be stored in a cool, dry, dark environment away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment. Because the listed tires are bias-ply, long periods of standing can encourage temporary flat-spotting and place more stress on the casing than regular use does. Keep the tires properly inflated and roll the car periodically if it is stored on the ground.

Many collectors also use tire cradles or support stands during long storage intervals to reduce strain on the contact patch. If the car is parked for a season, make tire condition part of your storage routine rather than an afterthought. Prewar cars are heavy, and careful storage protects both the tires and the way the car feels when it returns to the road.

Tires on a 1928 Stutz should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage, because collector cars often cover very little distance each year. A practical rule is to begin close evaluation around five to seven years of service and to treat the ten-year point as a serious replacement consideration even if tread remains deep. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the benchmark for determining age.

That approach matters on a Stutz BB because a prewar car may appear road-ready while the rubber has quietly aged out. Sidewall cracking, persistent air loss, hardening, vibration, or visible casing changes all deserve attention sooner than a mileage estimate would suggest. Tire age should be reviewed as part of every major recommissioning or spring road-prep routine.

Tires on a 1928 Stutz should be inspected before every drive, and again before any longer outing or tour. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, and signs that pressure has dropped since the last drive. On an older collector car, the spare should be checked along with the four road tires because it may be the oldest tire on the car.

Frequent inspection is especially valuable on a heavy late-1920s car because small problems can become much more noticeable once the car is at speed or carrying passengers. Build tire checks into the same routine as fluid, brake, and lighting checks. A few minutes in the garage can reveal aging rubber or wheel-related issues before they interrupt a drive.

A 1928 Stutz BB would have been fitted with bias-ply tires, and the size family for this year includes 32X6.20, 650-20, 32X6.75, and 700-20. That aligns with the period, when American luxury and sporting cars used large-diameter bias-ply balloon-type tire constructions rather than modern radial designs. Original-equipment branding could vary by market, body style, and delivery details, so construction type and size are usually the first authenticity points to confirm.

For an accurate restoration, start with the specific size your car was built or long associated with, then refine the choice through period photos, surviving paperwork, and marque-club guidance. A Stutz specialist can help sort out whether your BB should wear the narrower or wider period fitment, particularly if the car has changed wheels or bodywork during its lifetime.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1928 Stutz because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the size, construction, and sidewall style suit the period and the character of the car. A bias-ply tire in the proper size family supports the right profile and stance, while an incorrect sidewall treatment or a visibly modern construction can stand out immediately on a high-end prewar automobile.

That does not mean every event scores tires the same way, but authenticity standards are usually stricter on formal concours fields than on touring events. If the car is being judged, confirm the accepted size and whitewall treatment with the hosting organization or a Stutz marque expert. For many restorers, tire appearance is one of the final details that makes the whole car look right.

For a 1928 Stutz, 650-20 and 700-20 are both numeric bias-ply sizes for 20-inch wheels, but they represent different nominal section widths. The 650-20 product range includes Firestone, Denman, and Deka options in blackwall and wide whitewall styles with a 3.00 to 5.00 inch rim-width range. The 700-20 range includes Firestone and BFGoodrich options, adds double-whitewall choices, and spans different wheel-width ranges depending on brand.

That difference affects both visual proportion and wheel compatibility on a Stutz BB. A car restored for authenticity should be matched to the exact size family it was meant to use, while a driver-oriented restoration still needs to respect the actual wheel dimensions in place. Moving between the two sizes should be a deliberate fitment choice, not a cosmetic guess.

1928 Stutz tires can be suitable for road use when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and used within the limits of their construction and the vehicle itself. The listed range here is entirely bias-ply, which delivers authentic prewar behavior but does not feel the same as a modern radial. No speed ratings are shown in the available 650-20 or 700-20 product markings, so highway use should be approached with the expectations appropriate to a late-1920s collector car.

On a Stutz BB, brakes, steering, suspension condition, and overall mechanical readiness often matter as much as the tire itself once normal road speeds are involved. A well-sorted car on fresh, properly fitted tires can tour confidently, but the tire choice should be treated as one part of a whole-vehicle safety picture rather than the only factor in roadworthiness.

Inflation pressure on a 1928 Stutz should follow the tire maker’s rated limits and the vehicle’s original guidance rather than a one-number rule for every size. In the listed range, some 650-20 Firestone products carry a maximum load of 2120 pounds at 60 psi. In 700-20, examples shown include 1930 pounds at 40 psi, 1980 pounds at 42 psi, and 1700 pounds at 36 psi depending on the product.

Those figures are not interchangeable operating pressures for every Stutz tire; they are load-and-pressure ratings for specific tires. Use the car’s factory recommendation as the starting point for normal service, then confirm the chosen tire’s sidewall information and manufacturer guidance. Prewar cars can respond noticeably to pressure changes, so accuracy matters for ride, steering feel, and tread life.

Before a longer drive in a 1928 Stutz, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, and make sure the spare is serviceable as well. Check valve stems carefully, confirm the wheels are secure, and look for any sign that a tire has shifted, weathered, or been damaged during storage. Because these are bias-ply applications, vibration or pull that seemed minor on a short trip deserves attention before a full-day drive.

Tire checks should be part of a broader pre-drive inspection that includes brakes, steering, fluids, cooling, and ignition, especially on a car from 1928. The Stutz BB was a serious road car in its day, but age changes the preparation standard. A careful once-over before departure greatly reduces the chance that an avoidable tire or wheel issue cuts the trip short.