1929 Durant Tire Fitment Guide

1929 Durant vehicles use six sizes across four model lines. The 4-40 uses 28X4.75 and 475-19, the 60 Series uses 29X5.00 and 500-19, the 66 Series also uses 29X5.00 and 500-19, and the 70 Series uses 29X5.50 and 550-19. Where listed products are available, they are all 19-inch applications, with rim width guidance varying by size: 475-19 uses a 3-inch rim, 500-19 appears on 4-inch or 4.00-5.00-inch rims depending on product, and 550-19 uses a 2.50-3.00-inch rim range.

The practical takeaway is that a 1929 Durant owner needs to identify the exact model series before choosing a tire size. The 60 Series and 66 Series share the same size pair, but the 4-40 and 70 Series each use their own model-specific dimensions. Once the model is confirmed, the next step is deciding whether you want the older diameter-style sidewall marking or the numeric sidewall marking that corresponds to that series.

On a 1929 Durant, 28X4.75 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The first number refers to an overall tire diameter of 28 inches, while the second number refers to an approximate section width of 4.75 inches. It is a bias-ply format associated here with the 1929 Durant 4-40, and it represents an earlier style of sidewall marking than the later numeric convention also seen in the Durant range.

That matters because an antique-marked tire and a numeric-marked tire can both be correct-era ways to express size, but they should still be matched to the right model series. If your 1929 Durant is a 4-40 and you want the sidewall to read in a period antique format, 28X4.75 is the size family to research further. It is especially relevant to restorers who care about how the tire itself looks and reads at a glance.

On a 1929 Durant, 475-19 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 475 indicates a nominal 4.75-inch section width, and the 19 indicates the wheel diameter in inches. Within the 1929 Durant range, that size belongs to the 4-40 and appears as a more modern-looking numeric sidewall designation than the 28X4.75 antique format used for the same model family.

A buyer comparing 475-19 to 28X4.75 on a 1929 Durant 4-40 is usually deciding between two period-style ways of representing the correct fitment rather than trying to move between unrelated wheel diameters. The listed 475-19 products also make sidewall appearance a real choice, since both Blackwall and Wide Whitewall versions are available. That gives 4-40 owners some freedom in restoration style while staying within the proper model-specific size path.

1929 Durant tire offerings include both Blackwall and Wide Whitewall styles, but the choices depend on size. The listed 475-19 products from Goodyear come in Blackwall and Wide Whitewall versions, 500-19 products from Excelsior and Firestone are Blackwall, and 550-19 products from BFGoodrich come in Blackwall and Wide Whitewall versions. That means sidewall appearance varies not only by personal taste, but also by which model series and size your Durant uses.

For a 1929 Durant restoration, sidewall style affects the car's visual character as much as the size itself. Blackwalls usually present a more restrained, utilitarian look, while wide whites give the car a dressier late-1920s appearance. The right choice depends on your model, the style you are recreating, and how strictly you want the finished car judged. Owners aiming for event-level authenticity should compare their chosen sidewall style against period photos and model-specific marque guidance.

Several period-appropriate brands appear in the available 1929 Durant tire sizes. Goodyear is listed in 475-19, Excelsior and Firestone appear in 500-19, and BFGoodrich appears in 550-19. All of those listed products are bias-ply tires, which matches the construction type expected for a 1929 American car and keeps the fitment in line with the era of the Durant brand.

Brand choice on a 1929 Durant often comes down to which model series you own and which size that series uses, since not every brand is represented in every size. It can also come down to visual preference, especially where one size offers both blackwall and whitewall versions. If you are comparing brands, look beyond the name alone and review the exact size, sidewall style, rim-width guidance, and load figure associated with the specific product in your model's fitment.

For a 1929 Durant in size 500-19, the Excelsior Comp H and the Firestone Dirt Track are both bias-ply Blackwall tires, but they differ in character and fitment details. The Excelsior uses a 4-inch rim and weighs 20 pounds, while the Firestone Dirt Track is a ribbed-front design with a 4.00-5.00-inch rim width range, a listed maximum load of 895 pounds at 32 psi, and a weight of 19 pounds. They are not interchangeable simply by name; the product details shape the decision.

A 1929 Durant owner choosing between those two 500-19 options should first confirm which wheel width is on the car. After that, the appearance and intended use matter, because the Firestone's ribbed-front design gives it a more specialized visual identity than the Excelsior. If your goal is a straightforward traditional presentation, one product may suit the car better visually; if you are matching a particular build style, the other may make more sense.

Rim width requirements for 1929 Durant tires depend on the specific size and product. In 475-19, the listed Goodyear tires use a 3-inch rim. In 500-19, the Excelsior Comp H uses a 4-inch rim, while the Firestone Dirt Track allows a 4.00-5.00-inch rim width range. In 550-19, the listed BFGoodrich tires use a 2.50-3.00-inch rim width range.

That variation is exactly why wheel measurement matters before choosing a tire for a 1929 Durant. Two tires may share the same 19-inch rim diameter and still expect different wheel widths. On a restored car, that becomes especially important if the wheels have been changed over the decades or if more than one wheel set accompanies the car. Match the actual wheel width on your Durant to the tire's stated range rather than assuming all 19-inch tires fit the same rim.

Original 1929 Durant wheels can only be shared across tire sizes when the wheel diameter and width line up with the size used by that model. The available 475-19, 500-19, and 550-19 products all mount on 19-inch rims, so the diameter is consistent across the listed product fitments. Rim width is where the differences appear, with 3-inch, 4-inch, 4.00-5.00-inch, and 2.50-3.00-inch requirements depending on the specific tire.

That means a 19-inch Durant wheel is only part of the answer. A 1929 Durant owner still needs to confirm whether the wheel width matches the intended tire, especially when moving between model-series size groups or replacing only one axle's tires. It is wise to measure the wheel itself and compare it with the chosen tire's approved width before fitting, rather than relying on appearance or on the fact that the wheel diameter happens to match.

A stored 1929 Durant should be kept in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, furnaces, or other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Bias-ply tires also appreciate periodic movement so the same footprint is not carrying the car's weight for months at a time. If the car will sit for an extended period, clean the tires, keep them properly inflated, and consider repositioning the vehicle or supporting it in a way that reduces prolonged static loading.

Those steps matter because collector cars like a 1929 Durant often age their tires by time and environment more than by mileage. Flat-spotting, sidewall weathering, and storage-related cracking usually start long before the tread looks worn out. A simple storage routine can preserve both ride quality and appearance, which is especially important on an early car where the tire sidewall is a major part of the finished look.

Tires on a 1929 Durant should be judged more by age and condition than by miles traveled. A sensible collector-car rule is to begin evaluating them closely once they are in the five-to-seven-year range and to consider replacement as they approach roughly ten years, even if tread remains deep. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age, and visible cracking, hardening, vibration, or loss of air retention can move that timeline forward.

That approach suits a 1929 Durant because many surviving examples see seasonal or occasional use rather than daily service. A low-mileage tire can still be too old for comfortable road use, especially if it has spent years exposed to sunlight or poor storage conditions. When assessing an older set, think in terms of rubber age, storage history, and how you actually use the car, not just how much tread appears to be left.

Tires on a 1929 Durant deserve a quick inspection before every drive and a more careful inspection before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, and signs that the tire is losing pressure. Because these are early-style bias-ply fitments, it is also worth checking valve stems carefully and watching for changes in ride feel or steering behavior that could suggest a tire issue.

Frequent inspection is especially important on a car of this age because the tire is only one part of an older rolling system that may include original-style wheels, aged hardware, and long periods of inactivity. Catching a small problem in the garage is far easier than dealing with it on the roadside. A few minutes before each drive can tell you whether the Durant is ready for a local cruise or whether a closer look is needed first.

A 1929 Durant 4-40 would have originally used bias-ply tires, and the size family associated with that model is 28X4.75 or 475-19. Those two markings reflect period sizing conventions rather than a modern radial replacement scheme. The important historical point is the construction type: a late-1920s Durant was built for bias-ply tires, and a restorer trying to stay faithful to the era should begin with that assumption.

Owners pursuing factory-style authenticity should verify the exact sidewall marking and presentation they want against period sales literature, surviving cars, and Durant marque resources. Market, body style, and restoration goals can influence whether an antique-style or numeric sidewall marking makes the most sense visually. The broader rule is simple: keep the 1929 Durant 4-40 in the correct bias-ply family first, then refine the choice for judging or historical accuracy.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1929 Durant because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction, and sidewall style immediately. A 1929 car belongs in bias-ply territory, and the model series determines whether the proper family is 28X4.75 and 475-19, 29X5.00 and 500-19, or 29X5.50 and 550-19. An obviously wrong size, the wrong sidewall treatment, or a size tied to another Durant series can distract from an otherwise careful restoration.

That does not mean every event uses the same judging standards, but it does mean tire choice should be treated as part of the restoration, not as an afterthought. Sidewall appearance can influence the whole stance and personality of the car, especially on a late-1920s vehicle with tall, visible tires. Before a judged event, compare your chosen tires with period photography and consult event-specific or club-specific standards for the level of authenticity expected.

For a 1929 Durant, the difference between Blackwall and Wide Whitewall tires is primarily visual, though it can strongly affect the finished presentation of the car. In the listed fitments, 475-19 is available from Goodyear in both Blackwall and Wide Whitewall, and 550-19 is available from BFGoodrich in both Blackwall and Wide Whitewall. Both remain bias-ply tires of the correct general construction type for the era, but the sidewall treatment changes the look dramatically.

A Blackwall usually feels more restrained and workmanlike, while a Wide Whitewall gives a 1929 Durant a more formal, upscale appearance that many restorers associate with the late 1920s. The right answer depends on the model, the body style, and the historical presentation you are trying to recreate. If the car is headed for judged showing, compare the chosen sidewall style with period references rather than assuming any whitewall width is equally appropriate.

1929 Durant tires can be suitable for normal road use when they are the correct size, in sound condition, properly inflated, and fitted to suitable wheels. The listed products for this year and make are all bias-ply tires, and none of the available size listings here include a modern speed-rating letter. On a car as old as a 1929 Durant, the tire is only one part of the equation; braking, steering, suspension condition, and the car's overall mechanical health matter at least as much as the tire itself.

For real-world driving, treat a 1929 Durant as a vintage automobile with vintage operating limits rather than as a modern freeway machine. Even with fresh tires, lane changes, braking distances, and steering response will reflect the car's era. The safest approach is to keep speeds reasonable, inspect the tires before use, and make sure the rest of the chassis is ready for the kind of roads and distances you plan to cover.

Inflation pressure on a 1929 Durant should follow the original vehicle recommendation first, then be checked against the tire maker's specifications for the exact product you are using. The listed load figures here are tied to specific sizes and products: 475-19 carries 900 pounds at 32 psi, the Firestone 500-19 carries 895 pounds at 32 psi, and 550-19 carries 1040 pounds at 32 psi. Those numbers describe the tire's rated load relationship and should not automatically be transferred from one size to another.

In practice, the best routine is to identify the exact size on your 1929 Durant, confirm the product's own guidance, and compare it with the vehicle's period pressure recommendation. Early cars can react noticeably to overinflation or underinflation in ride quality and steering feel, so pressure should be set deliberately rather than by guesswork. Recheck pressures regularly, especially after seasonal temperature changes or long storage periods.

Before a longer drive in a 1929 Durant, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, then check the valve stems and the condition of the spare. Make sure the wheel hardware is secure and that the tires match the size intended for your specific Durant model series. Because these are bias-ply fitments on a pre-war car, it also helps to confirm that the tires have not developed storage flat spots if the vehicle has been sitting.

The tire check should be part of a broader vintage-car inspection that also includes brakes, steering play, wheel bearings, fluids, and the basic reliability items you would review on any nearly century-old automobile. A 1929 Durant rewards careful preparation more than it rewards rushed departures. If the car passes that once-over and the tires look healthy, you can head out with much more confidence in how the car will behave over distance.