1931 Jordan Tire Fitment Guide

1931 Jordan vehicles use four distinct tire sizes, and each size belongs to a specific model. The Jordan 6 uses 650-18, the Jordan 66 uses 6.00-18, the Jordan 80 uses 550-18, and the Jordan Z uses 700-18. Every one of those tires mounts on an 18-inch rim, but the tire width and required rim-width range differ by size. Where published product specifications are available, 650-18 fits 3.25 to 3.50-inch rims, 550-18 fits 3 to 4-inch rims depending on the tire, and 700-18 fits 3.75 to 4.00-inch rims.

That means a 1931 Jordan owner should identify the model before doing anything else. The cars share wheel diameter, but they do not share a universal tire size across the lineup. If your Jordan has had wheels changed over the years, confirm the actual rim width against the tire you plan to run rather than assuming every 18-inch wheel accepts every 18-inch Jordan tire.

On a 1931 Jordan, 650-18 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 650 portion is the nominal section-width designation used in period American sizing, while the 18 identifies the rim diameter in inches. On the 1931 Jordan range, this size belongs to the Jordan 6 and appears in Firestone Balloon offerings. It is a true prewar-style bias-ply fitment rather than a later metric or radial format.

For an owner, the practical takeaway is that 650-18 is not simply another way of writing a modern tire size. It is part of an older sizing system and should be matched by its original numeric designation, correct construction type, and proper rim-width range. If your Jordan 6 is being restored for authenticity, staying with the 650-18 numeric format preserves the right visual proportions and period look.

No, 1931 Jordan models do not all use the same tire size. The Jordan 6 uses 650-18, the Jordan 66 uses 6.00-18, the Jordan 80 uses 550-18, and the Jordan Z uses 700-18. All four are 18-inch bias-ply tires, but the size itself changes from one model to another. That model-specific sizing is typical of many prewar cars, where wheel diameter could remain the same while tire width varied with chassis and body style.

That distinction matters because ordering by year and make alone can point you to the wrong width even when the rim diameter sounds correct. A Jordan Z owner, for example, should not assume a Jordan 80 tire will interchange just because both are 18-inch applications. Confirm the model identification first, then compare the actual tire size and wheel width before choosing a replacement.

1931 Jordan tires are available in several period-style sidewall treatments, depending on size. The 650-18 size is offered in blackwall and wide whitewall, 550-18 is offered in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall, and 700-18 is offered in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. All of these are bias-ply tires, so the sidewall decision is largely about presentation rather than changing the construction type.

Blackwalls usually suit a more restrained or driver-oriented prewar look, while whitewall and double-whitewall versions create a more formal, high-style appearance that many owners want on show cars. Since Jordan was known for style-conscious automobiles, sidewall choice can noticeably change the car's visual character. Match that decision to your restoration goal, period photos when available, and any judging standards that apply to your particular event.

Three brands appear in 1931 Jordan fitments: Firestone, Excelsior, and BFGoodrich. Firestone covers 650-18 and 700-18, while 550-18 is available from Excelsior, Firestone, and BFGoodrich. All of these offerings are bias-ply tires in period-appropriate numeric sizes, which is exactly what most owners of a 1931 Jordan expect when preserving the car's prewar character.

Brand choice often comes down to the size your model requires and the sidewall appearance you want rather than one brand covering the entire Jordan lineup. A Jordan 80 owner has the widest brand selection because 550-18 includes all three names, while owners of the other models may be choosing mainly among Firestone sidewall treatments. Confirm size first, then compare the available brand and sidewall combination for that exact application.

On 1931 Jordan fitments where both appear, Firestone Balloon and Firestone Classic Bias Ply are separate bias-ply series offered in the same period size. In 700-18, Firestone Balloon is available in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall versions at 1520 pounds maximum load at 36 psi, with listed weights ranging from 26 to 35 pounds. Firestone Classic Bias Ply in 700-18 also carries a 1520-pound maximum load at 36 psi and fits the same 3.75 to 4.00-inch rim range, but it appears here as a blackwall version at 29 pounds.

For a Jordan owner, that means the choice is less about basic fitment and more about the look and series character you prefer within the correct size. If your goal is a specific whitewall treatment, the Balloon line offers more visual options in 700-18. If you are comparing a straightforward blackwall against another blackwall in the same size, reviewing the listed weight, series name, and sidewall presentation will help narrow the right match for your car.

Rim width depends on the exact tire size used on the 1931 Jordan model. For 650-18, published fitments call for 3.25 to 3.50-inch rims. For 550-18, listed products span 3-inch, 3.25-inch, and 4-inch rim applications depending on the tire selected. For 700-18, the specified rim range is 3.75 to 4.00 inches. All of these remain 18-inch rim-diameter tires, but the width requirement changes by size.

That makes rim-width confirmation especially important on cars that may have had wheel swaps during decades of ownership. A tire can share the same 18-inch diameter and still call for a different wheel width than another Jordan application. Before choosing a tire, compare the actual wheel on the car with the stated rim-width requirement for the exact size and product you intend to run.

Original 1931 Jordan wheels can only be shared across all listed tire sizes if the wheel matches both the 18-inch rim diameter and the correct rim width for the specific tire. Every 1931 Jordan size in this range uses an 18-inch rim, so diameter compatibility is consistent across the lineup. The limiting factor is width: 650-18 calls for 3.25 to 3.50-inch rims, 550-18 varies by product from 3 to 4 inches, and 700-18 requires 3.75 to 4.00-inch rims.

In practical terms, that means wheel diameter alone does not make every 1931 Jordan wheel interchangeable with every 1931 Jordan tire. If your car still has its original wheels, use the model-correct size as the starting point rather than trying to adapt another Jordan fitment. If the car has replacement rims, measure them carefully before selecting a tire from a different width class.

A stored 1931 Jordan should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Because 1931 Jordan tires are bias-ply, they are more prone to temporary flat-spotting during long static periods than later radial designs. Keeping the tires properly inflated, moving the car occasionally, or resting the vehicle on stands for very long storage can help reduce stress on the casing.

Collector cars often spend more time parked than driven, so storage habits affect tire life as much as road miles. If your Jordan sits through an off-season, inspect the sidewalls before the next drive and allow the tires to warm up gently if they have taken a set. Good storage conditions preserve both appearance and serviceability, especially on prewar-style whitewall tires where aging is easy to spot.

Tires on a 1931 Jordan should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. Many collector cars cover very few miles each year, so the rubber can age out long before the tread is worn. A sound rule is to begin evaluating collector-car tires closely once they reach about five to seven years of age and to consider replacement by around ten years, even if they still look usable. The DOT date code on the tire is the best reference point for age.

That approach is especially important on a prewar car because long periods of indoor storage can make a tire appear healthy while the rubber has already hardened. If your Jordan sees only occasional touring or local show use, make age checks part of your routine rather than waiting for visible tread wear. Sidewall cracking, repeated air loss, or vibration are signs to replace sooner.

Tires on a 1931 Jordan should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, low pressure, and any sign that the bead area or valve stem has begun to age. On a collector car, that quick inspection matters more than annual mileage because the car may sit for extended periods between drives.

A pre-drive walkaround is one of the easiest ways to avoid spoiling an otherwise enjoyable day with a roadside tire problem. If your Jordan wears whitewalls, clean sidewalls also make cracks and weathering easier to catch early. Any tire that suddenly will not hold pressure, begins to shake at speed, or shows visible structural change deserves closer inspection before the car goes back on the road.

A 1931 Jordan 6 would originally have used a bias-ply tire in its correct numeric size class, which for this model is 650-18. That matches the construction and sizing system expected on an American passenger car from 1931, well before radial tires became mainstream. Original-equipment branding could vary by market, dealer, or period replacement history, so the most dependable authenticity markers are the correct size, bias-ply construction, and an era-appropriate sidewall style.

For restoration work, that means the first goal is getting the size and construction right before debating visual details such as blackwall or whitewall treatment. If your Jordan 6 is being prepared for serious judging, period photos, factory literature, and Jordan marque specialists are the right next steps for confirming what sidewall appearance best suits your car. The closer the tire looks to a true 1931 fitment, the more convincing the restoration will appear.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1931 Jordan because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction, and sidewall style immediately. A prewar American car should wear a period-appropriate bias-ply tire in the proper numeric size for its model, and an obviously incorrect width or a later-style construction can distract from an otherwise accurate restoration. Sidewall treatment also changes the visual impression of the car, especially on a make as style-conscious as Jordan.

The practical point is that authenticity begins with matching the model-specific size before you worry about finer cosmetic choices. A Jordan 80 wearing a Jordan Z size, or a car shown with a sidewall style that clashes with its presentation, can look out of step even to casual viewers. If you plan to compete, check event rules and consult Jordan or broader prewar marque clubs for the standards used in your judging class.

For the 1931 Jordan 80, both Excelsior Comp H and Firestone Classic Bias Ply are offered in 550-18, but they differ in published details. The Excelsior Comp H is a blackwall bias-ply tire listed for a 4-inch rim and weighs 18 pounds. Firestone Classic Bias Ply in 550-18 is offered as a blackwall and as a 3.25-inch double whitewall, with a 3.25-inch rim specification and a stated maximum load of 1125 pounds at 32 psi. That gives the Firestone line more variation in sidewall presentation, while the Excelsior entry is a straightforward blackwall option.

A Jordan 80 owner comparing the two should begin with the wheel actually on the car, since rim-width compatibility comes before brand preference. After that, the choice becomes one of appearance and series character within the same period-correct bias-ply format. If your restoration calls for a whitewall look, the Firestone offerings open that path, while the Excelsior blackwall may suit a simpler prewar presentation.

1931 Jordan tires can be used for normal road driving when they are the correct size, properly mounted, correctly inflated, and in sound condition, but they remain prewar-style bias-ply tires. Bias-ply construction behaves differently from modern radials, with more wandering, more sensitivity to road crown, and a different feel during braking and cornering. A 1931 Jordan itself also has era-specific chassis, brake, and suspension characteristics that usually define comfortable cruising limits before the tire becomes the only concern.

For a buyer, that means safety is as much about using the car realistically as it is about selecting the right tire. Fresh, correctly sized bias-ply tires are entirely appropriate for touring and hobby use, but they should be driven with the expectations of a 1931 automobile rather than a modern sedan. Before any sustained highway trip, make sure the tires, steering, brakes, and wheel bearings are all in equally sound condition.

Inflation pressure on a 1931 Jordan should follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation when available, while also respecting the tire's own rated maximum figures. Published product details show 550-18 tires with load ratings such as 1125 pounds at 32 psi and 1000 pounds at 32 psi, 650-18 at 1205 pounds at 36 psi, and 700-18 at 1520 pounds at 36 psi. Those figures are load-and-pressure capacities for the tire itself, not a universal instruction to inflate every Jordan tire to the same number.

The right approach is to start with the model-specific size on your car, consult the original owner's literature or a trusted marque source for factory guidance, and then make sure your chosen tire is operated within its rated limits. Do not transfer a 700-18 pressure assumption to a 550-18 tire, and do not assume a maximum sidewall figure is the same thing as the best running pressure for your Jordan.

Before a longer drive in a 1931 Jordan, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, exposed fabric, uneven wear, and signs of age hardening. Check inflation pressure cold, look over the valve stems, and make sure the spare is usable and inflated as well. Because these are prewar bias-ply tires, a road test at local speed before setting out can also reveal pull, shimmy, or flat-spotting that is worth addressing first.

Tire inspection should be part of a broader pre-trip review that includes brakes, steering play, wheel bearings, fluids, and lighting. A Jordan that feels fine on short local drives may still reveal a weak spare, an aging sidewall, or a pressure loss issue only when you prepare for a longer outing. Catching those details beforehand is one of the simplest ways to make an old-car trip more enjoyable and less stressful.