1929 Kissel Tire Fitment Guide

1929 Kissel vehicles use four sizes across three models. The Kissel 126 uses 30X6.75 and 700-18, while the Kissel 73 and Kissel 95 use 30X6.00 and 6.00-18. The numeric sizes shown here mount on 18-inch rims, and the available 700-18 products call for rim widths in the 3.75- to 4.00-inch range.

That means year and make alone are not enough to choose a tire for a 1929 Kissel. You first need to confirm whether your car is a 73, 95, or 126, then confirm whether you are working from an antique size expression or an 18-inch wheel fitment. If the car has been restored or re-wheeled in the past, checking the actual wheel before ordering is the smart next step.

On a 1929 Kissel, 30X6.00 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The first number, 30, refers to the tire’s overall diameter in inches, while 6.00 is the nominal section width. It is a bias-ply style size used on the Kissel 73 and Kissel 95 rather than on the 126.

That style of marking predates the later sizing systems most modern drivers know. If you see 30X6.00 on an older wheel chart, chassis card, or restoration note for a 1929 Kissel 73 or 95, treat it as a period-correct identifier and compare it carefully against the actual wheel and intended appearance of the car. It is especially useful when authenticity matters as much as basic fit.

No, 1929 Kissel models do not all use the same tire size. The Kissel 73 and Kissel 95 share 30X6.00 and 6.00-18, while the larger Kissel 126 uses 30X6.75 and 700-18. Every size listed for the year is bias-ply, but the size groups are divided by model.

That split matters because a tire that belongs on a 73 or 95 should not be assumed correct for a 126, even though the cars are from the same make and year. Owners comparing cars at shows or in restoration records will also notice that the antique-coded and numeric-coded sizes track with specific model groups. Start with model identification before narrowing down appearance or product style.

1929 Kissel tire sidewall choices appear in the available 700-18 products for the Kissel 126. In that size, Firestone offers blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall versions. All of them are bias-ply tires, so the visual difference comes from sidewall presentation rather than a change in basic construction type.

For a late-1920s luxury-oriented make like Kissel, sidewall style can strongly influence the finished look of the car. Blackwalls tend to suit a more restrained period appearance, while whitewall variations can emphasize the upscale touring presence many owners want. If your goal is restoration accuracy, compare your car to period photos, surviving original examples, and marque-club guidance before settling on a sidewall treatment.

Firestone is the brand represented in the currently listed 1929 Kissel product range, specifically in the 700-18 size used on the Kissel 126. The available offerings include Firestone Balloon and Firestone Classic Bias Ply variations, all built as bias-ply tires. Those choices also span blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall appearances.

For an owner, that means brand choice is less of the decision here than size, sidewall style, and the look you want the car to present. Firestone is closely associated with American period-correct replacement tires, which makes it a familiar name in vintage restoration circles. Once the model and tire size are confirmed, the remaining comparison is mainly between the available visual styles within that Firestone range.

For the 1929 Kissel 126 in 700-18, Firestone Balloon and Firestone Classic Bias Ply share the same basic size, bias-ply construction, 18-inch rim diameter, 3.75- to 4.00-inch rim width range, and 1520-pound maximum load at 36 psi. The visible differences come from series styling and sidewall presentation, since Firestone Balloon appears in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall forms while Firestone Classic Bias Ply is also offered in blackwall.

That makes the choice primarily about the look you want on the car rather than a major change in fitment. Owners restoring a particular late-1920s visual theme may lean toward one series or sidewall treatment over another, especially on a prominent full-size car like the 126. Comparing the series name, sidewall appearance, and overall styling of the vehicle usually narrows the decision faster than comparing specifications alone.

The available rim-width figure in the 1929 Kissel range is attached to the 700-18 size used on the Kissel 126. That size calls for a rim width range of 3.75 to 4.00 inches and mounts on an 18-inch wheel. The other listed sizes belong to the same year and make but do not carry rim-width figures here.

That makes direct wheel measurement especially worthwhile before choosing a replacement tire for a restored or long-owned car. On a nearly century-old automobile, wheels may have been swapped, repaired, or refinished over time. Matching the tire to the actual rim width and wheel diameter helps the tire sit correctly and avoids making assumptions from model name alone.

The listed 1929 Kissel products do not carry tube-type or tubeless markings in the size field, so the practical approach is to verify the specific tire and wheel combination before final selection. That is especially important on late-1920s wheels, because original-style constructions and original rims often involve tube use even when the tire size itself looks straightforward.

Inner-tube decisions should be made with the actual wheel in mind, not by assumption. If your 1929 Kissel still runs original-style wheels, inspect the rim condition, valve-hole configuration, and any flap or tube requirements before mounting tires. A restoration shop or marque specialist can help confirm whether the wheel setup you have now matches the way the car was intended to be assembled.

A 1929 Kissel should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment. Bias-ply tires are particularly prone to flat-spotting during long stationary periods, and sidewalls on vintage-style tires benefit from staying out of heat and ultraviolet exposure. Clean floors and stable humidity also help preserve both the rubber and the wheels.

If the car sits for extended stretches, move it periodically to change the tire contact patch or support it in a way that relieves constant load. Keep the tires inflated to the appropriate operating range for storage, and avoid leaving the car parked on damp ground or bare earth. For a collector car that may spend months between outings, thoughtful storage matters as much as tread depth.

Tire life on a 1929 Kissel is usually governed more by age than by mileage. Collector-car tires should be evaluated closely once they reach roughly five to seven years of service, and replacement deserves serious consideration as they approach about ten years from the DOT date code, even if tread wear looks light. Bias-ply tires on seldom-driven cars often age out before they wear out.

That is why a low-mileage 1929 Kissel should not automatically be treated as a low-risk car. Sidewall cracking, hardening rubber, separation signs, and long-term storage damage can all appear before the tread is gone. When assessing an older set, use the tire’s age, visual condition, and the kind of driving you expect to do as your real guide rather than relying on miles alone.

Tires on a 1929 Kissel should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer tour or club event. Look closely for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, embedded debris, and pressure loss. Because many vintage wheel-and-tire combinations also depend on tube and valve-stem integrity, those areas deserve the same attention as the tread itself.

Frequent inspection is especially important on a car from 1929 because the tire is only one part of an older running system that may sit for long periods between uses. A quick visual walkaround catches many problems before they become roadside issues. Include the spare in the same routine, since a spare that has aged in the trunk for years may not be a dependable backup.

A 1929 Kissel 126 would have been fitted in bias-ply construction, because that was the standard tire type for American passenger cars of the period. Within the 1929 Kissel range, the 126 is associated with 30X6.75 and 700-18. No original-equipment brand should be assumed from modern replacement offerings alone.

For restoration work, that means the safest path is to treat size and construction type as the first authenticity markers, then verify market- or body-specific details through period literature and marque-club resources. The 126’s place near the senior end of the lineup also makes sidewall presentation more visible in the finished look of the car. If judging accuracy matters, confirm the exact size expression your particular car would have carried.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1929 Kissel because show judging for pre-war cars often considers size, construction type, and sidewall appearance as part of overall authenticity. A bias-ply tire in the right family of size is typically expected for a car of this era. A visibly incorrect size group or a sidewall treatment that clashes with the car’s restoration theme can stand out quickly.

That does not mean every event judges to the same standard, but it does mean tires should be part of the restoration plan rather than an afterthought. Owners preparing a 73, 95, or 126 for judged events should compare their chosen size against period references and ask the relevant marque community what is accepted in that setting. Small appearance details often matter more than newcomers expect.

The 1929 Kissel 73 and 1929 Kissel 95 are associated with 30X6.00 and 6.00-18, and both belong to the bias-ply world of the late 1920s. That means either way of expressing the fitment points back to period-correct construction rather than a modern radial substitute. Original-equipment branding should be verified separately if your restoration requires that level of detail.

For most owners, the important takeaway is that the 73 and 95 share a common tire group, while the 126 does not. That makes those two models easier to compare against one another during restoration research, but you still want to confirm the wheel actually on the car before choosing a tire. Cars this old often carry changes from earlier restorations, especially in wheels and trim-related presentation details.

1929 Kissel tires can be suitable for normal road use when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and matched to a well-maintained vehicle, but they are period-style bias-ply tires rather than modern touring radials. The listed 700-18 products do not show speed-rating letters, so the tire should be treated in the broader context of a 1929 automobile’s braking, steering, and suspension limitations rather than judged by modern highway expectations.

In practical terms, a well-prepared 1929 Kissel should be driven with sensible speed, generous following distance, and close attention to road crown, grooves, and crosswinds. Bias-ply behavior is part of the vintage driving experience, especially on a pre-war chassis. Before sustained road use, make sure the tires, wheels, brakes, steering linkage, and wheel bearings are all inspected as one system.

For the listed 1929 Kissel 700-18 products, the available load-and-pressure figure is 1520 pounds at 36 psi. That number is the tire’s rated load pressure, not automatically the same thing as the factory operating recommendation for every 1929 Kissel application. The other sizes shown for the year should not be assigned that figure by assumption.

The best practice is to begin with the original owner’s manual, factory literature, or trusted marque guidance for the vehicle’s intended operating pressure, then compare that with the tire maker’s specifications for the exact tire you are using. Pressure choice affects ride, handling feel, and tread behavior on a bias-ply car. Keeping all four tires evenly checked matters as much as the starting number itself.

Before a longer drive in a 1929 Kissel, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, tread separation signs, and correct inflation, then check valve stems and the spare with the same care. Also verify that the wheels are secure and that the car tracks properly at low speed before committing to a longer route. On a car of this age, tire condition is only one part of road readiness.

A proper pre-drive routine should also include brakes, steering play, wheel bearings, fluid levels, lights, and the basic ignition and fuel systems. If the car has been sitting, take a short local test drive first to catch heat-related or vibration-related issues. A 1929 Kissel rewards deliberate preparation, and a careful inspection can prevent a small garage problem from becoming a roadside interruption.