1929 Hudson Tire Fitment Guide

1929 Hudson vehicles in this guide use four sizes: 31X6.00, 600-19, 30X6.20, and 650-18, all for the Hudson Super 6. The two numeric sizes mount on different wheel diameters, with 600-19 for 19-inch rims and 650-18 for 18-inch rims. For 650-18, the listed rim width range is 3.25 to 3.50 inches. The diameter-based 31X6.00 and 30X6.20 fitments are separate applications and should be matched to the actual wheel and original setup on the car.

That means a 1929 Hudson owner cannot choose by year alone and assume any listed size will work. The safest approach is to confirm the existing wheel diameter, compare the sidewall marking on the current tire if present, and then match that to the correct size before narrowing the choice to a specific product or sidewall style.

On a 1929 Hudson, 31X6.00 is an antique diameter-by-section size rather than a modern metric or later alphanumeric code. The 31 refers to the approximate overall tire diameter in inches, while 6.00 refers to the nominal section width. That format was common in the brass and pre-war eras, when tire sizing often emphasized overall height as much as wheel diameter and width.

That older code matters because it should not be interpreted like a modern P-metric radial size or even like a later numeric bias-ply size such as 600-19. If your Hudson carries a tire marked 31X6.00, treat it as its own fitment family and verify the wheel and application carefully before substituting another size that may look close on paper but change diameter or stance.

On a 1929 Hudson, 600-19 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 6.00 indicates the nominal section width, and the 19 indicates the wheel diameter in inches. Unlike the older diameter-by-section style, this format centers the code around section width and rim diameter, which became a familiar convention on many American cars through the classic era.

That makes 600-19 easier for many owners to decode, but it still needs to be matched to the actual wheel on the car. A Hudson owner choosing 600-19 should confirm that the car uses a 19-inch rim and then decide whether the available sidewall look, in this case a wide whitewall bias-ply, suits the car's restoration style and intended use.

1929 Hudson tire offerings here include both wide whitewall and blackwall sidewall styles, depending on size. The 600-19 selection is offered as a wide whitewall, while 650-18 is available as either a wide whitewall or a blackwall. Both available sizes remain bias-ply in keeping with the period, so the visual choice is mainly about how formal or understated you want the finished car to appear.

For a late-1920s American car, sidewall style can significantly change the look even when the size is correct. Owners building a show-oriented car often choose the sidewall treatment that best matches factory presentation, body style, and regional delivery expectations, while drivers focused more on a restrained period look may prefer a blackwall where it is offered.

The available 1929 Hudson fitments here are supplied by Lester and Firestone. Lester appears in 600-19 as a wide whitewall bias-ply option, while Firestone appears in 650-18 with both blackwall and wide whitewall bias-ply versions. Each brand suits the same general pre-war restoration world, but they are tied to different listed sizes rather than being interchangeable across the entire Hudson range.

That means brand choice starts only after size has been settled. A Hudson owner with 19-inch wheels will be looking at a different brand-and-size combination than an owner with an 18-inch setup, so the most efficient path is to identify the correct fitment first and then choose the sidewall appearance that best complements the restoration.

The two Firestone 650-18 choices for 1929 Hudson vehicles share the same bias-ply construction, the same 18-inch rim diameter, and the same stated rim width range of 3.25 to 3.50 inches. The visible difference is sidewall treatment: one is a 3.50-inch wide whitewall and the other is a blackwall. The blackwall listing also carries a maximum load figure of 1205 pounds at 36 psi.

For most owners, that makes the decision largely visual rather than structural. If the goal is a brighter late-1920s luxury-car presentation, the wide whitewall changes the car's stance and period impression immediately, while the blackwall gives a more restrained look that may better suit certain restoration themes or owner preferences.

Rim width guidance is listed here for 1929 Hudson in size 650-18, which fits rims from 3.25 to 3.50 inches wide. The other listed Hudson sizes do not carry a rim width range in the available offerings shown here, so they should be matched by exact application and wheel identification rather than by assumption. Rim diameter remains the first check, especially because 1929 Hudson fitments span both 18-inch and 19-inch wheels as well as diameter-based antique sizing.

A proper rim match affects how the tire sits on the wheel, how the sidewall presents, and how authentic the finished car looks. Before mounting a replacement, measure the wheel if needed and compare the tire size marking to the existing setup so the new tire matches the intended Hudson application instead of simply appearing close in width.

The available 1929 Hudson products listed here do not carry TT or TL markings in the size field, so tube status is not called out in the same direct way used on later products. Because these are late-1920s bias-ply fitments for wood- or steel-artillery-era style wheels common to the period, many owners treat inner-tube use as part of the normal vintage setup and verify it against the wheel construction and the specific tire being installed.

The practical step is to inspect the wheel itself and confirm whether the rim design, condition, and intended use call for tubes and compatible flap hardware. On an older Hudson, tube choice is part of the whole wheel-and-tire system, so it is worth checking before mounting rather than after the tire is already selected.

Original 1929 Hudson wheels should only be used with the tire size that matches that wheel's actual diameter and application. The listed fitments include 18-inch and 19-inch rim sizes, plus two antique diameter-based sizes, so there is no single original Hudson wheel setup that should be assumed to work with every listed tire size. Even within the Super 6 line, wheel equipment could differ by body style or configuration.

That makes wheel verification one of the most important steps in the process. Before choosing a tire, confirm the wheel diameter and compare it to the tire code already on the car or to reliable marque references, so the finished combination preserves both proper mounting and the correct visual proportions for a pre-war Hudson.

A 1929 Hudson should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone sources that can accelerate rubber aging. Because all listed Hudson sizes are bias-ply, long static periods can also encourage flat-spotting more readily than many radial designs. Clean floors, stable temperatures, and avoiding prolonged contact with standing moisture help protect both the tread and the casing.

If the car will sit for an extended period, move it periodically or support it in a way that reduces sustained load on one patch of the tire, while still following safe storage practices. Keeping the tires properly inflated during storage also helps the carcass retain shape and reduces the chance that the Hudson will feel rough or lumpy when it returns to the road.

Tires on a 1929 Hudson usually age out before they wear out, especially on collector cars driven only seasonally. A good rule is to begin evaluating them closely once they are around five to seven years old and to consider replacement as they approach ten years, even if tread depth still looks healthy. The DOT date code on modern reproduction tires helps establish age, and visible cracking or hardening can shorten that timeline.

Mileage alone rarely tells the whole story on a pre-war car. A Hudson that spends most of its life indoors can still need replacement because rubber compounds change over time, so periodic age checks are just as important as visual tread checks when deciding whether the tires remain suitable for touring or local event use.

Tires on a 1929 Hudson should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look closely for sidewall cracking, irregular wear, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, and any sign that the tire is losing pressure. On an older collector car, the spare deserves the same attention because it may be decades old even if it looks unused.

Regular inspection is especially important on a bias-ply pre-war car because steering feel, ride quality, and tracking can change quickly if a tire starts to deteriorate. If your Hudson uses tube-type wheel hardware, include the valve stems and related components in that routine so the entire assembly is checked rather than only the visible tread and sidewall.

A 1929 Hudson Super 6 would have been equipped in the bias-ply era, and the listed Hudson fitments here reflect that with four bias-ply sizes: 31X6.00, 600-19, 30X6.20, and 650-18. Which one belongs on a specific car depends on the exact wheel and application rather than on the Hudson name alone. No original-equipment brand should be assumed from modern replacement offerings alone.

For an accurate restoration, start with the size that matches the wheel on the car and then verify the body-style or market-specific details through Hudson club literature, factory references, or marque specialists. That extra step is worthwhile because correct tire height, width, and sidewall appearance all contribute to how convincingly a late-1920s Hudson presents.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1929 Hudson because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction type, and sidewall presentation very quickly on a pre-war car. A wrong overall diameter, the wrong wheel diameter match, or a sidewall style that clashes with the car's restoration theme can stand out even if the tire is otherwise new and well made. Bias-ply construction is also part of the period look for this era.

Owners pursuing judged authenticity should treat the tire as a styling and historical component, not just a consumable. Event standards vary, so once the correct size is identified, it is wise to compare your planned blackwall or whitewall choice against photos, marque guidance, and the expectations of the specific Hudson or AACA-style event where the car will be shown.

For 1929 Hudson vehicles, the Firestone and Lester offerings are separated first by size rather than by direct one-for-one substitution. Lester appears in 600-19 as a wide whitewall bias-ply tire, while Firestone appears in 650-18 as bias-ply tires in blackwall and wide whitewall form. The Firestone 650-18 listings also include an 18-inch rim diameter and a 3.25 to 3.50 inch rim width range, which are specific to that size.

That means the real comparison is less about choosing between brands on the same wheel and more about matching the correct Hudson fitment first. Once the proper size is confirmed, the remaining decision comes down to which brand and sidewall treatment best align with the way you want the Super 6 to look in a restoration or touring setting.

1929 Hudson tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, properly mounted, in sound condition, and used within the limits of a late-1920s bias-ply design. No speed rating letters are listed for the available Hudson products here, so the emphasis belongs on condition, inflation, age, and the broader mechanical capability of the car itself. On a car of this era, brakes, steering, suspension, and road-surface sensitivity often become the limiting factors before a reproduction tire does.

Safe road use starts with realistic expectations and a complete pre-drive inspection. A well-sorted Hudson can be an enjoyable touring car, but it should be driven with the manners appropriate to a pre-war vehicle, with extra following distance and attention to heat, pressure retention, and how the bias-ply tires are tracking as speeds rise.

Inflation pressure for 1929 Hudson tires should be matched to the exact size and the specific tire's published limits rather than borrowed from another Hudson fitment. Among the listed offerings, one Firestone 650-18 carries a maximum load figure of 1205 pounds at 36 psi, which is a rated tire limit rather than a universal operating recommendation for every 1929 Hudson size. The other listed sizes should be inflated according to the tire maker's guidance and the vehicle's original specifications where available.

That distinction matters because ride, wear, steering response, and authenticity can all suffer when pre-war tires are over- or under-inflated. The best practice is to start with the size-specific recommendation for the tire on the car, compare it with period Hudson guidance when available, and then fine-tune only within the bounds appropriate to that exact fitment.

Before taking a 1929 Hudson on a longer drive, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and secure valve stems, and make sure pressures are even and holding. Check the spare as carefully as the road tires, since a little-used spare on a collector car may be older than the set in service. On a bias-ply Hudson, it is also worth paying attention to any change in tracking or vibration during the first miles.

Tires are only one part of the readiness check on a car of this age, so fold them into a broader inspection of wheels, brakes, steering, and wheel-bearing condition before a tour. If anything about the tire age, mounting, or condition gives pause, address it before the trip instead of treating the drive itself as the test.