1931 Chrysler Tire Fitment Guide

1931 Chrysler vehicles use four different tire sizes across five model lines. The 66 Series and 70 Series use 550-18, the CD8 uses 6.50-17, the CG8 Imperial uses 750-17, and the CM6 uses 5.25-19. That means 1931 Chrysler fitment is model-specific, not year-and-make universal, and the sizes span 17-, 18-, and 19-inch wheel diameters.

A buyer should identify the exact model before comparing tires, because moving from one 1931 Chrysler line to another can change both the size and the rim diameter. On available products, 550-18 appears on rims from 3 to 4 inches wide, while 750-17 appears on rims from 4 inches to 5.50-6.00 inches depending on the product. Matching the model first, then confirming the actual wheel, is the cleanest way to narrow the right tire.

On a 1931 Chrysler, 550-18 is a pre-war numeric bias-ply tire size. The 5.50 figure refers to nominal section width in inches, while 18 is the wheel diameter in inches. On this year and make, that size belongs to the 66 Series and 70 Series, not to the larger CD8 or CG8 Imperial and not to the CM6.

Modern buyers sometimes assume the code works like a current metric radial size, but it does not. A 550-18 tire should be matched with the proper 18-inch wheel and a product whose recommended rim width suits the wheel being used. Once the size is confirmed, sidewall style becomes the next decision, since blackwall, whitewall, and double-whitewall versions all create a different visual impression on an early 1930s Chrysler.

No, all 1931 Chrysler models do not use the same tire size. Only the 66 Series and 70 Series share a common fitment, which is 550-18. The CD8, CG8 Imperial, and CM6 each use their own individual size, so the Chrysler lineup for 1931 is divided by model rather than covered by one universal tire.

That distinction matters because a buyer who knows only the year and make can still end up looking at the wrong wheel diameter or the wrong overall tire proportion. The larger Chrysler eights and the Imperial were designed around different visual scale and chassis needs than the six-cylinder cars. If the model is still uncertain, checking the car's series designation and existing wheel diameter before selecting a size is the safest next move.

Available 1931 Chrysler tires include Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall sidewall styles in the sizes that currently have product coverage. The 550-18 offerings for the 66 Series and 70 Series are available in all three of those looks, and the 750-17 options for the CG8 Imperial also span blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall presentations.

For a 1931 Chrysler restoration, sidewall style changes the car's character almost as much as the size itself. Blackwalls tend to suit a more restrained or driver-oriented presentation, while whitewall and double-whitewall styles bring out the formal, upscale appearance many early 1930s Chryslers wore well. Event standards and period references can vary by body style and market, so owners building toward show judging should compare their intended sidewall treatment against marque-specific guidance.

1931 Chrysler tires are available from several established vintage tire brands, depending on the size. In 550-18, the choices include Excelsior, Firestone, and BFGoodrich. In 750-17, the available brands include Firestone and BFGoodrich, giving owners of the CG8 Imperial more than one traditional pre-war-style option as well.

Brand choice on a 1931 Chrysler often comes down to balancing visual preference, restoration goals, and the exact sidewall treatment you want to show on the car. Firestone and BFGoodrich each carry long historical associations with American motoring, which is part of why restorers often gravitate toward them for era-correct appearance. The practical step is to start with the correct size for the model, then narrow by sidewall style and the brand presentation that best fits the finished car.

For a 1931 Chrysler CG8 Imperial in 750-17, Firestone and BFGoodrich offerings differ in sidewall treatment, stated load figures, and rim-width coverage. Firestone Balloon versions appear in both Blackwall and Double-Whitewall form with a listed maximum load of 1870 pounds at 40 psi and a 4-inch rim recommendation. BFGoodrich appears in Blackwall and 4.50 Inch Whitewall form, with the whitewall version listed at 1646 pounds at 36 psi and a broader 5.50-6.00 inch rim range.

Those differences matter most when an owner is trying to match a specific wheel and a specific visual target on an Imperial. A narrower rim setup points the buyer toward the Firestone fitment range, while a wider wheel may align better with the BFGoodrich whitewall version. Rather than treating 750-17 as one interchangeable product family, it is smarter to compare the actual wheel width and desired period appearance before settling on a particular series.

Rim-width guidance is available for some 1931 Chrysler tire products and it varies by size and by product. In 550-18, listed fitments include 3-inch, 3.25-inch, and 4-inch rims depending on the tire chosen. In 750-17, some products are listed for 4-inch rims, while another 750-17 option is specified for a wider 5.50-6.00 inch rim range.

That means rim width should be confirmed before choosing a specific tire, even when the tire size itself is already correct for the model. Two products carrying the same nominal size can still target different wheel widths, especially on larger pre-war applications. Measuring the actual wheel and comparing it to the intended tire's stated rim-width range is the best way to avoid a mismatch in profile, seating, or overall appearance.

1931 Chrysler tires are offered in period-style bias-ply sizes, and buyers should confirm the specific tire's sidewall marking and intended wheel setup before deciding on tubes. Tube markings are not consistent across the currently listed products, so the correct answer can vary by product rather than staying identical across every tire in a given size.

That matters because early 1930s Chrysler wheels and reproduction bias-ply tires are often selected for authenticity as much as for simple fitment. Before installation, confirm whether the exact tire is tube-type or tubeless-designated and whether the wheel itself is suitable for that setup. If the car is being restored on original-style wheels, checking the wheel condition, valve area, and the product's intended tube arrangement is just as important as confirming the size.

A 1931 Chrysler should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can accelerate sidewall aging. Because these are bias-ply applications, long periods of static storage can also encourage flat-spotting more readily than many later radial designs. Keeping the car clean and the tires properly inflated helps reduce strain while it sits.

Owners who store a 1931 Chrysler for extended stretches should either roll the car periodically or support it in a way that reduces continuous load on one contact patch. That approach is especially helpful on collector cars that are driven infrequently but expected to run smoothly on the first outing of the season. A storage plan that protects the tires from heat, ozone, and prolonged deformation usually pays off in both appearance and road manners.

Tires on a 1931 Chrysler should be judged by age and condition more than by mileage. On a collector vehicle, many tires age out long before the tread is worn down, so it is wise to begin evaluating them closely once they reach roughly five to seven years old and to give serious replacement consideration as they approach ten years. The DOT date code, where present, helps establish the tire's actual age.

That timeline is important because a lightly driven pre-war car can appear to have excellent tread while still carrying rubber that has hardened or begun to crack. A 1931 Chrysler used only for local shows may mask age-related deterioration until a longer road trip exposes it. Looking at calendar age alongside sidewall condition, ride quality, and pressure retention gives a much more realistic picture than mileage alone.

Tires on a 1931 Chrysler should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing. The check should include visible cracking, tread wear, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, and air-pressure stability, with extra attention to valve stems and any tube-related hardware when the tire setup calls for tubes.

Frequent inspection matters more on an early 1930s car because long idle periods, lower annual mileage, and older wheel hardware can hide problems until the car is back in motion. A short neighborhood run may not reveal the same issues that a sustained road trip will. Building a simple pre-drive routine around the tires helps catch age, storage, and installation issues early, before they affect drivability or confidence on the road.

A 1931 Chrysler 66 Series would have been fitted in the bias-ply tradition of its era, and the size used on that model is 550-18. That same size also applies to the 1931 Chrysler 70 Series, while the larger CD8 and CG8 Imperial and the CM6 move to other sizes. The important historical point is that a 1931 Chrysler from this period belongs in a bias-ply format rather than a later radial convention if originality is the goal.

Owners aiming for exact factory-style authenticity should still verify body-style, market, and judging expectations with Chrysler marque specialists or club resources, especially when choosing between blackwall and whitewall presentations. Original-equipment branding could vary in period, so the key restoration decisions are usually the correct size, the proper bias-ply construction, and the sidewall look that best matches how the car would have been delivered or later presented.

Correct tire fitment matters greatly when showing a 1931 Chrysler, especially in restoration-focused or judged settings. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the size matches the model, whether the construction is appropriate to the era, and whether the sidewall style suits the car's period appearance. A CG8 Imperial wearing the wrong size, or a 66 Series wearing a later-looking tire treatment, can stand out immediately.

That does not mean every event applies the same standards, but size accuracy, proper bias-ply construction, and sidewall presentation are common points of attention on pre-war cars. A buyer preparing a show car should treat the model-specific size as the foundation, then refine the look with the sidewall style that best fits the class and restoration objective. Marque clubs and event rule books remain the best final reference for class-specific expectations.

For a 1931 Chrysler 66 Series or 70 Series in 550-18, Firestone and BFGoodrich differ in appearance details, load figures where stated, and recommended rim width. Firestone offerings include Blackwall and 3.25 Inch Double Whitewall versions, both listed at 1125 pounds maximum load at 32 psi on a 3.25-inch rim. BFGoodrich offers a 3.00 Inch Whitewall with a listed maximum load of 1000 pounds at 32 psi on a 3-inch rim.

That comparison matters most for an owner balancing wheel compatibility with the visual theme of the finished car. A Firestone double-whitewall creates a more formal pre-war presentation, while the BFGoodrich whitewall uses a different whitewall width and a different wheel-width target. On a show-oriented Chrysler, those small distinctions can noticeably affect the stance and the authenticity of the finished restoration.

1931 Chrysler tires can be suitable for normal road use when they are the correct size, properly mounted, correctly inflated, and in sound condition, but they remain bias-ply tires intended for vehicles from a very different motoring era. No modern speed rating letters are shown on the currently covered 1931 Chrysler sizes, so the better guide is to drive within the limits of the tire, the road, and the vehicle's own braking, suspension, and chassis design.

A well-prepared 1931 Chrysler usually reaches its practical comfort and mechanical limits before asking extraordinary speed of its tires. The safer approach is steady, conservative touring rather than sustained high-speed operation, especially on a car that may still be using original-style wheels and period-correct chassis geometry. Tire condition, inflation, alignment, and overall vehicle readiness matter more than chasing modern highway expectations in a pre-war Chrysler.

Inflation pressure on 1931 Chrysler tires should be set with the exact tire size and product in mind rather than borrowed from another model or another size. Among currently covered products, 550-18 tires appear with maximum load figures of 1125 pounds at 32 psi and 1000 pounds at 32 psi, while 750-17 tires appear with maximum load figures of 1870 pounds at 40 psi and 1646 pounds at 36 psi.

Those figures are load-and-pressure ratings for specific tires, not blanket recommendations for every 1931 Chrysler application. The right working pressure should be checked against the vehicle's factory guidance where available and then reconciled with the tire manufacturer's specifications for the exact reproduction tire being used. Keeping the pressure tied to the correct size and product is especially important when one 1931 Chrysler model differs so much from another in both tire scale and wheel setup.

Before a longer drive in a 1931 Chrysler, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and proper air pressure, and examine the valve stems and any tube-related hardware if the setup uses tubes. The spare should get the same inspection, since pre-war touring often depends on having a usable backup tire rather than assuming roadside help or modern parts availability.

Tires are only one part of the pre-drive checklist on a car of this age, so it also makes sense to review wheel fasteners, steering feel, brake response, and general chassis condition before setting out. A 1931 Chrysler that feels fine on a short local drive may reveal balance, heat, or pressure-retention issues once the trip length increases. A careful inspection routine helps the car stay enjoyable and predictable on the road.