1930 Jordan Tire Fitment Guide

1930 Jordan vehicles use six size designations across five models: 30X6.00 and 6.00-18 for the 80 Standard and G, 30X6.75 and 700-18 for the 90 and Z, and 28X5.50 and 550-18 for the T. All of those fitments are bias-ply and all mount on 18-inch wheels. Published rim-width guidance appears on available replacement products for 700-18 at 3.75 to 4.00 inches and for 550-18 at 3.00, 3.25, and 4.00 inches depending on the tire chosen.

That means year and make alone are not enough to select tires for a 1930 Jordan. Start by identifying whether you have an 80 Standard, 90, G, T, or Z, then match the correct size family to the wheel and the look you want. If your car is already fitted with older tires, compare both the size marking and the wheel diameter before moving ahead.

On a 1930 Jordan, 30X6.00 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The first number, 30, refers to the tire’s nominal overall diameter in inches, while 6.00 refers to nominal section width. That style of sizing was common in the late 1920s and early 1930s and appears on the Jordan 80 Standard and Jordan G rather than across the entire 1930 Jordan lineup.

A modern buyer will often see the same fitment family expressed in a later numeric form such as 6.00-18, which calls out the wheel diameter directly. For a Jordan owner, the practical point is that 30X6.00 is not a separate larger wheel size; it is part of the correct 18-inch fitment family for those specific models. Use the model identity first, then confirm which designation best matches the tire you want to run.

No, 1930 Jordan models are split into three fitment groups. The 80 Standard and G use 30X6.00 or 6.00-18, the 90 and Z use 30X6.75 or 700-18, and the T uses 28X5.50 or 550-18. All are 18-inch bias-ply applications, but the size families are not interchangeable across the full model range simply because the year and make match.

That distinction matters most when a car has been modified, partially restored, or separated from its original paperwork. A Jordan T owner who orders by year alone could easily land in the larger 700-18 group meant for a 90 or Z. Verifying the actual model badge, serial references, or trusted marque information before choosing a tire is the best way to avoid crossing into the wrong size family.

For a 1930 Jordan 90 or Z, 30X6.75 and 700-18 represent the same fitment family rather than two unrelated modern alternatives. Both are bias-ply sizes for 18-inch wheels, with 30X6.75 expressed in the earlier overall-diameter style and 700-18 expressed in the later numeric style. Available replacement products are concentrated under the 700-18 designation, including Firestone options in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles.

The decision usually comes down to how you want the tire identified for your restoration and which available product appearance suits the car. Owners focused on period presentation often think in the earlier 30X6.75 language, while buyers selecting from current offerings will usually work from 700-18. Matching the correct size family to the 90 or Z matters more than choosing between those two ways of expressing it.

1930 Jordan replacement tires currently span several sidewall styles in the supported sizes that have product coverage. In 700-18, Firestone offers blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall choices. In 550-18, Excelsior, Firestone, and BFGoodrich also cover blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles, giving Jordan T owners a similarly broad visual range.

For a 1930 American car, sidewall style can strongly affect the finished look even when the size itself is correct. Blackwalls usually suit a more restrained or utilitarian presentation, while wide whitewalls and double whitewalls create a more formal late-classic appearance. If the car is being judged, confirm what is expected for your exact body style, market, and event standard before choosing a sidewall treatment.

Available 1930 Jordan tire offerings include Firestone, Excelsior, and BFGoodrich, depending on size. Firestone appears in both 700-18 and 550-18, while Excelsior and BFGoodrich appear in 550-18. All of the listed products are bias-ply tires, which aligns with the period construction expected for a 1930 Jordan.

Brand choice for a collector car like a Jordan usually comes down to appearance details, series preference, and the exact size your model uses. A 90 or Z owner working in 700-18 will choose from Firestone offerings, while a T owner in 550-18 has a wider brand spread. Once the model and size family are confirmed, comparing sidewall style and wheel-width compatibility becomes the next useful step.

Rim-width guidance depends on the exact 1930 Jordan size you are fitting. In 700-18, available tires call for 3.75 to 4.00-inch rims. In 550-18, listed products span 3.00-inch, 3.25-inch, and 4.00-inch rim applications depending on brand and series, so there is not one single width that covers every tire in that size.

That variation is important because an 18-inch wheel can still be wrong for the chosen tire if the rim width falls outside the product’s intended range. Before committing to a replacement, measure the actual wheel or verify it with a wheel specialist familiar with early-1930s artillery and wire-wheel applications. Getting the rim width right helps preserve proper profile, bead seating, and visual proportion.

Original 1930 Jordan wheels can only be shared across all tire sizes in the broad sense that every listed fitment uses an 18-inch rim diameter. The 80 Standard and G belong to one size family, the 90 and Z to a larger one, and the T to a smaller one, so diameter compatibility does not mean every tire size belongs on every model. Rim width also changes by product, especially in the sizes with current replacement coverage.

For an owner evaluating existing wheels, the safest approach is to confirm both the model and the wheel dimensions before selecting a tire. A Jordan wheel that accepts an 18-inch bead may still be better suited to 550-18 or to 700-18 depending on its width. Treat wheel reuse as a fitment check, not as a given simply because the rims are original to some 1930 Jordan.

A stored 1930 Jordan should be kept away from direct sunlight, standing moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors, welders, or battery chargers. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to flat-spotting when they sit in one position for long periods, and the sidewalls can age more quickly if the car is parked on cold concrete or in a damp environment. Clean, dry storage with stable temperatures is kinder to both the rubber and the car itself.

If the Jordan will sit for months at a time, keep the tires properly inflated, move the car periodically, or support it in a way that reduces constant load on one contact patch. Tire covers and a well-ventilated garage also help. The goal is to preserve casing shape and sidewall condition so the car drives smoothly when it goes back on the road.

On a collector car like a 1930 Jordan, tire life is governed more by age and storage than by mileage. A sound rule is to inspect tires closely once they are about five to seven years old and to treat around ten years as a point where replacement deserves serious consideration even if tread depth still looks good. The DOT date code, when present on modern reproduction tires, is the best way to determine actual age.

Low annual use can make old tires seem serviceable longer than they really are, especially on cars that only attend shows or occasional tours. Sidewall checking, internal degradation, and long-term hardening can all appear before the tread is worn out. For a Jordan that sees intermittent use, age and condition should carry more weight than miles driven.

Tires on a 1930 Jordan should be checked before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, embedded debris, and any sign that a tire is losing pressure between uses. On an early car that may sit for long periods, visual inspection is especially important because age-related issues often appear before the car accumulates enough miles to create obvious tread wear.

A touring inspection should also include the spare, the valve stems, and the wheel hardware, since an older collector car asks more of the owner than a modern daily driver. Catching a crack or pressure loss in the garage is far better than discovering it roadside. Consistent pre-drive checks are one of the simplest ways to protect both the car and its occupants.

A 1930 Jordan 80 Standard belongs in the 30X6.00 and 6.00-18 bias-ply fitment family. That matches what would be expected for an American passenger car of 1930, when bias-ply construction was standard and antique diameter-by-section and numeric designations could describe the same basic fitment family. The same size pair also applies to the 1930 Jordan G, while other Jordan models that year use different families.

For a restoration, the most useful takeaway is that the 80 Standard should stay within its own 18-inch bias-ply size group rather than borrowing from the 90, Z, or T. If you are verifying a car for formal judging or researching a body-style-specific presentation, compare surviving factory literature and consult Jordan marque specialists. That extra step helps settle market-specific and coachwork-specific details that can matter in serious restoration work.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when a 1930 Jordan is judged for authenticity. Size family, construction type, and sidewall appearance all affect whether the car looks and presents as an accurate early-1930s American automobile. A Jordan 90 or Z shown on the smaller T-size family, or an 80 Standard shown on the larger 700-18 family, would stand out as incorrect even before finer details were considered.

Sidewall style can also influence how authentic the finished car appears in a concours setting. Some events are tolerant of tasteful reproduction choices, while others are more exacting about period-appropriate proportions and presentation. Before finalizing tires for a judged Jordan, review the standards of the event and ask a marque club or experienced judge what they expect to see on your specific model.

In 550-18 for the 1930 Jordan T, Firestone and BFGoodrich differ in sidewall style, stated load rating, weight, and rim-width fitment. The Firestone offerings include blackwall and double-whitewall versions, list 1125 pounds at 32 psi, and fit 3.25-inch rims, while the BFGoodrich wide whitewall lists 1000 pounds at 32 psi and fits a 3.00-inch rim. Weight also differs, with the Firestone examples shown at 19 and 23 pounds and the BFGoodrich at 23 pounds.

Those differences mean the choice is not only cosmetic. A Jordan T owner should compare the wheel’s actual rim width, the visual style desired, and how closely the product’s proportions match the restoration plan. When more than one tire fits the same nominal size, the finer setup details often determine which one belongs on the car most comfortably and convincingly.

1930 Jordan tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, in sound condition, properly inflated, and matched to wheels in good order. The available 550-18 and 700-18 products shown here are traditional bias-ply tires, and no speed-rating letters are listed for them. On a car of this age, safe road use usually depends as much on the Jordan’s brakes, steering, suspension, wheel condition, and overall mechanical state as it does on the tire itself.

That makes preparation more important than chasing modern expectations. A well-sorted Jordan driven at sensible speeds within its era and condition can tour enjoyably, but long high-speed interstate use is a different question from occasional collector driving. Treat the tires as one part of a complete roadworthiness check and drive with the limits of a 1930 automobile in mind.

Inflation pressure on a 1930 Jordan depends on the exact size and tire selected. Available 700-18 products list a maximum load of 1520 pounds at 36 psi, while 550-18 products shown here list either 1125 pounds at 32 psi or 1000 pounds at 32 psi depending on brand and series. Those figures are tire ratings, not universal operating instructions for every Jordan model or every tire family in the lineup.

Use the vehicle’s factory literature as the starting point for running pressure, then confirm it against the tire maker’s guidance for the specific reproduction tire you are using. Do not move a pressure figure from 700-18 to 550-18 or vice versa simply because both fit 18-inch wheels. Correct inflation is size-specific and has a direct effect on wear, ride, and casing life.

Before a longer drive, inspect each tire on the 1930 Jordan for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and stable air pressure. Check the spare as carefully as the four road tires, and make sure the wheel hardware, valve stems, and tread surfaces are all in sound condition. A collector car that sits between outings can develop age-related tire issues even when it has seen very few miles.

That tire check should be part of a broader pre-tour routine that includes brakes, steering play, wheel bearings, fluids, lighting, and tools appropriate to an early car. The goal is not only to avoid a flat but to make sure the entire chassis is ready for sustained use. On a 1930 Jordan, confidence on the road comes from the whole system being prepared, not from any single component alone.