1931 Auburn Tire Fitment Guide

1931 Auburn vehicles use three distinct tire sizes: 550-17 for the 98 Series, 6.50-17 for the 98WW Series, and 6.00-17 for the Custom. All three are bias-ply sizes and all three mount on 17-inch rims, but each size is tied to a specific model rather than shared across the full Auburn lineup.

That means a 1931 Auburn owner should begin with model identification before comparing products or sidewall styles. Rim diameter is consistent across the listed Auburn models, yet the size itself still affects the car's proportions and period-correct presentation, so it is worth verifying the actual wheel and the model designation before moving ahead.

On a 1931 Auburn, 550-17 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The first number refers to a nominal 5.50-inch section width, while the 17 indicates a 17-inch rim diameter. This is the older American sizing system commonly seen on pre-war vehicles, and it does not read like a modern metric radial size.

For a 1931 Auburn 98 Series owner, that code matters because it points you toward the correct era of tire construction and the proper wheel diameter at the same time. It also helps separate an authentic pre-war fitment from later radial-style sizing systems that may look familiar today but do not reflect the way Auburns were originally equipped.

No, 1931 Auburn models do not all use the same tire size. The 98 Series uses 550-17, the 98WW Series uses 6.50-17, and the Custom uses 6.00-17. Each of those is a 17-inch bias-ply fitment, but the section size changes from model to model.

That distinction is important because a buyer who knows only the year and make can still end up comparing the wrong tires. Auburn built visually distinctive cars in 1931, and the correct tire size is part of preserving the right stance and period appearance, especially if the car is being restored or shown.

For 1931 Auburn fitments, the available 550-17 options include Blackwall, Double-Whitewall, and Wide Whitewall styles. All of those are offered in bias-ply construction, so the decision within that size is largely about appearance rather than changing from one construction type to another. The 98 Series owner has the clearest sidewall-style spread to choose from.

On a pre-war Auburn, sidewall choice can meaningfully change the car's visual character. A Blackwall usually gives a more restrained and sporting look, while whitewall styles create a dressier presentation more in keeping with many formal or upscale restorations. Matching the sidewall to the way the car will be presented is often just as important as selecting the correct size.

BFGoodrich is represented in the available 1931 Auburn tire offerings, with 550-17 bias-ply options in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line. That gives 98 Series owners access to a recognized American vintage-tire brand with multiple sidewall appearances in the correct pre-war size format.

For an Auburn owner, the brand question often sits alongside restoration goals. A long-established American brand can make sense visually and historically on a 1931 luxury-performance car, but the first priority should still be choosing the size that matches the specific model. Once size is confirmed, brand and sidewall presentation become the next meaningful comparison points.

The available BFGoodrich 550-17 choices for a 1931 Auburn 98 Series share the same basic construction, size, rim diameter, and listed weight. Each is a bias-ply tire in 550-17 for a 17-inch rim, and the main distinction is sidewall presentation: Blackwall, 3.25-inch Double Whitewall, or 3.25-inch Wide Whitewall.

That means the real difference is visual character rather than fitment category. Owners aiming for a more understated sporting appearance may lean toward Blackwall, while those restoring a more formal or upscale look may prefer one of the whitewall treatments. Comparing period photos of the car's intended presentation can help narrow the choice without changing the tire's core size.

1931 Auburn tires in this year-make group all mount on 17-inch rims, but approved rim-width ranges are not identical assumptions across every vintage size and product. The key fitment constant across the 98 Series, 98WW Series, and Custom is rim diameter, while final compatibility should be checked against the actual wheel and the specific tire being considered.

That is especially important on pre-war cars, where wheel substitutions and restoration-era changes are common. If your Auburn still wears original-style wheels, confirming their dimensions before final selection helps prevent a mismatch in sidewall shape or overall presentation. Diameter gets you into the right category; wheel details finish the fitment decision.

1931 Auburn tires use bias-ply sizes from the pre-war era, and tube setup should be confirmed against the specific tire and wheel combination being used. Vintage 17-inch applications like these are commonly associated with tube-type service, especially when original-style wheels are involved, but the exact setup should always follow the tire's sidewall marking and the wheel's design.

For an Auburn owner, the practical point is to treat tubes as part of the full installation plan rather than an afterthought. If the car retains older wheels, checking valve-stem condition, wheel integrity, and whether the chosen tire is intended for tube use helps avoid problems later. That is also a good time to inspect the spare, not just the four road tires.

Original 1931 Auburn wheels can often share 17-inch diameter compatibility across the listed sizes because 550-17, 6.00-17, and 6.50-17 all use a 17-inch rim. That does not automatically make every wheel appropriate for every size, since wheel details and approved width relationships still need to align with the tire being fitted.

On a collector Auburn, many cars have seen wheel changes over the decades, so it is wise to verify the actual wheels on the car rather than rely on assumptions from year and make alone. If you are comparing tires across models, treat the common 17-inch diameter as a starting point and confirm the wheel before finalizing the size.

A stored 1931 Auburn should be kept away from direct sunlight, ozone-producing equipment, standing moisture, and prolonged contact with contaminated concrete or solvents. Bias-ply tires can develop flat-spotting more readily during long stationary periods, so maintaining proper inflation and moving the car periodically is helpful for preserving shape and ride quality.

Owners who store a 1931 Auburn for a season often benefit from a clean, dry garage and regular visual checks rather than simply parking the car and forgetting it. If the car will sit for an extended stretch, repositioning it occasionally or supporting it appropriately can reduce stress on the tires while also protecting the suspension and wheel bearings.

Tires on a 1931 Auburn should usually be judged more by age and condition than by mileage, since many collector cars cover relatively few miles each year. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating them closely around five to seven years of service and to consider replacement around the ten-year mark, even if tread wear still looks modest. The DOT date code is the starting point for that age check.

That approach matters because a lightly driven pre-war car can still have tires that look presentable while rubber compounds have aged internally. Sidewall cracking, hardening, or a history of long static storage can shorten confidence well before the tread is gone. For a 1931 Auburn, age-based inspection is far more useful than waiting for mileage alone to tell the story.

Tires on a 1931 Auburn should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer tour or event. Look for cracking, weathering, irregular wear, embedded debris, pressure loss, and any signs of bulging or impact damage. On vintage-style fitments, it is also smart to pay close attention to valve stems and the spare tire's condition.

Pre-war cars reward routine inspection because they are often driven less frequently, which makes slow changes easier to miss. A quick walk-around before leaving the garage can catch a soft tire, a sidewall issue, or aging rubber before the car reaches road speed. That habit is especially valuable on a 1931 Auburn that may spend long stretches between outings.

A 1931 Auburn 98 Series would have been fitted in the bias-ply era, and the correct size for the model is 550-17. That places it squarely within the pre-war American numeric tire system, with a 17-inch rim diameter and the kind of tall-profile construction Auburn owners expect to see on an original-style restoration.

For authenticity, the most important points are matching the model-specific size, retaining bias-ply construction, and choosing a sidewall style that suits the car's intended presentation. If the car is being restored for marque judging or a highly exact historical standard, a knowledgeable Auburn club or period factory literature can help confirm market-specific appearance details before the final decision is made.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1931 Auburn because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, and sidewall presentation immediately. A pre-war Auburn looks visibly different on the wrong section size, and a modern-looking construction or sidewall treatment can change the stance and character in ways that stand out on the show field.

That does not mean every event uses the same judging standards, but matching the proper model-specific size is the safest foundation for an authentic presentation. Owners pursuing higher-level originality should also think about whether Blackwall or whitewall styling better suits their particular car and venue, then verify those expectations with the event's own judging guidelines or a marque specialist.

On a 1931 Auburn, the currently available 550-17 BFGoodrich choices differ mainly in sidewall appearance rather than core size or construction. Blackwall gives a cleaner, more restrained look, while Double-Whitewall and Wide Whitewall versions add a more formal and visually prominent sidewall treatment, all within the same bias-ply 17-inch fitment category.

That choice can shape the finished personality of the car as much as paint or trim accents. A sporting Auburn restoration may look more natural on Blackwalls, while a car restored for elegance and display may suit whitewalls better. Studying period photography of comparable Auburns is often the best way to decide which look belongs on your specific car.

1931 Auburn tires can be suitable for road use when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and matched to a properly maintained car, but they remain pre-war bias-ply fitments with handling behavior different from later radial designs. On vehicles of this age, braking, steering, suspension condition, and overall mechanical health often matter just as much as the tires themselves when planning highway travel.

The practical takeaway is to treat tire choice as one part of the whole roadworthiness picture. A freshly restored or carefully maintained Auburn can be enjoyed responsibly, but the driver should still expect period-correct response and plan speeds accordingly. Before any sustained highway trip, it is wise to think in terms of the complete vehicle rather than tire selection in isolation.

Inflation pressure for 1931 Auburn tires should be matched to the specific size on the car and guided by the vehicle's original recommendations together with the tire manufacturer's limits for the exact product being used. The 98 Series, 98WW Series, and Custom do not all share the same tire size, so pressure should never be transferred casually from one model's fitment to another.

Using the correct pressure affects wear, steering feel, ride quality, and how the car carries its weight. If you are fitting a reproduction bias-ply tire, confirm the tire's own rated parameters first and then compare them with period Auburn guidance. Keeping a written record of cold pressures is a good habit on collector cars that are driven irregularly.

Before a longer drive in a 1931 Auburn, inspect all four road tires and the spare for cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, and proper cold inflation. Check valve stems, wheel fasteners, and any tube-related service points that apply to the setup. Tire inspection should be part of a larger pre-drive check that also includes brakes, steering, fluids, cooling, and lights.

That broader approach is especially important on a pre-war car because one weak component can limit the whole outing. Even if the tires look excellent cosmetically, a long tour asks more of them than a short local drive. A careful inspection before departure helps preserve both safety and enjoyment, which is exactly what a properly sorted Auburn should deliver.