1931 Kissel Tire Fitment Guide

1931 Kissel vehicles use two tire sizes: 700-18 and 6.00-18. The 700-18 size fits the 1931 Kissel 126, while 6.00-18 fits the 1931 Kissel 75 and 1931 Kissel 95. Both sizes mount on 18-inch rims, but they are not interchangeable across the full Kissel lineup simply because the wheel diameter matches. For the 700-18 size, available products are built for 3.75- to 4.00-inch rim widths.

The practical takeaway is that year and make alone are not enough for a 1931 Kissel. You need to identify whether your car is a 126, 75, or 95 before settling on a tire size, then confirm the actual wheel dimensions on the car. That matters especially on restored cars, where wheels may have been changed over the years. Starting with the model first prevents moving too far down the road with the wrong size family.

On a 1931 Kissel, 700-18 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 700 portion refers to the nominal section width class used in period tire sizing, and the 18 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1931 Kissel range, that size belongs to the 126 model rather than the 75 or 95. Modern readers sometimes mistake the first number for a direct modern width measurement, but it is an older sizing convention tied to bias-ply construction.

That older numeric code matters because replacement choices should stay within the proper period format for an authentic appearance and proper model matching. If you are working with a 1931 Kissel 126, the correct next step is to verify that the car still carries 18-inch wheels in the proper width range and then decide which sidewall presentation fits your restoration goals. The code itself tells you the era, construction style, and wheel diameter, even if it does not read like a modern metric tire.

No, 1931 Kissel models do not all use the same tire size. The 1931 Kissel 126 uses 700-18, while the 1931 Kissel 75 and 1931 Kissel 95 use 6.00-18. All three models share an 18-inch rim diameter, but the tire size still changes by model. That split is typical of early 1930s luxury and near-luxury cars, where chassis class and overall vehicle scale often influenced tire sizing.

For an owner or restorer, that means a quick visual comparison with another 1931 Kissel is not enough. A 75 or 95 owner should not assume the larger 126 tire is correct, and a 126 owner should not downsize just because another Kissel in the same year carries 18-inch wheels. When a car has changed hands many times or has older restoration work, cross-check the model identity, wheel, and existing fitment before choosing replacement tires.

1931 Kissel tires in 700-18 are available in Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall styles. Those choices all remain bias-ply and keep the period-correct construction expected for a pre-war American luxury automobile. On many early 1930s restorations, sidewall style affects the finished look nearly as much as the wheel itself, especially on open cars and formal sedans where the tire is visually prominent.

Choosing among those sidewall treatments comes down to the historical character you want the car to present. Blackwalls usually suit a more restrained or utilitarian appearance, while whitewall treatments create a more formal, upscale period look that many collectors associate with premium marques of the era. If your 1931 Kissel is being restored for judged events, compare your chosen sidewall style against marque references, period photos, and event standards before finalizing the tire.

Firestone is the brand represented for 1931 Kissel tire applications here, with multiple 700-18 bias-ply offerings for the Kissel 126. Those include products from the Firestone Balloon line as well as a Firestone Classic Bias Ply option. Firestone is an appropriate name in the period-tire world because its heritage aligns naturally with the era in which a 1931 Kissel was built, even though brand choice today should still begin with the correct size and construction.

For a collector, the brand question should come after the fitment question. Start by confirming whether your 1931 Kissel is a 126, 75, or 95, then narrow the tire by size, and only then compare sidewall treatment and series. That order keeps the project rooted in correct fitment instead of appearance alone. If you are aiming for a highly faithful restoration, period advertising, club resources, and surviving original cars can help refine the final presentation.

For the 1931 Kissel 126 in 700-18, Firestone Balloon and Firestone Classic Bias Ply share the same stated load rating of 1520 pounds at 36 psi and the same 18-inch rim diameter with a 3.75- to 4.00-inch rim-width range. The visible differences in the available 700-18 products center on series styling and sidewall presentation, with Firestone Balloon offered in Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall versions. Listed product weights also vary among the available versions.

That means the decision is less about basic fitment and more about how you want the finished car to look and which period Firestone presentation best suits your restoration. If your 1931 Kissel 126 is being built with visual authenticity in mind, compare the sidewall treatment against period photographs and the overall theme of the car. Keeping load rating, rim diameter, and rim-width suitability aligned allows you to focus on appearance without leaving the proper size family.

1931 Kissel tires all mount on 18-inch rims, but the only published rim-width range here is for the 700-18 size used on the 1931 Kissel 126. That size is suited to rims measuring 3.75 to 4.00 inches wide. Early cars can accumulate replacement wheels over the decades, so it is important to measure the wheel that is actually on the car instead of relying on assumptions tied only to the model name.

Rim width affects how a bias-ply tire sits and supports the car, even when the wheel diameter is correct. A wheel that is too narrow or too wide for the tire can change the tire's profile and how it carries load. Before choosing a 700-18 for a 1931 Kissel 126, verify the wheel width and inspect the wheel condition at the same time. On 75 and 95 models, use the same approach and confirm the wheel before moving ahead with 6.00-18.

1931 Kissel applications use bias-ply sizes from the early 1930s, and inner-tube use is a normal part of pre-war tire setup unless a specific product and wheel combination is clearly marked otherwise. Tube requirements should always be matched to the exact tire and wheel being used, especially on original-style lock-ring or riveted-era wheels where air retention depends on the full assembly, not just the tire itself. That applies whether your 1931 Kissel is a 126, 75, or 95.

The best approach is to confirm tube compatibility before final assembly rather than treating it as an afterthought. Tube selection should match tire size, valve-stem configuration, and the wheel's actual design. On a collector car that sees light use, a correctly matched tube and flap setup can be just as important as the outer tire itself. If your 1931 Kissel still wears original-type wheels, have the wheel inspected for rust, burrs, and sealing issues during mounting.

Original 1931 Kissel wheels can use both listed tire sizes only in the limited sense that both sizes are built for 18-inch rims. That does not mean the 700-18 and 6.00-18 sizes should be swapped freely between models, because the 126 uses one size and the 75 and 95 use the other. The 700-18 size also carries a stated rim-width range of 3.75 to 4.00 inches, which should be respected on that application.

In practice, wheel diameter is only the first checkpoint. The better question is whether your specific 1931 Kissel still has the correct wheels for its model and whether those wheels match the width and condition required for the intended tire. If the car has had a long restoration history, measure the wheel and inspect it carefully before assuming compatibility. Matching the tire to the model and the actual wheel is more important than relying on the shared 18-inch diameter alone.

A 1931 Kissel 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 age rubber prematurely. Bias-ply tires, like the ones used on 1931 Kissel applications, are especially prone to flat spotting when they sit in one position for long periods. Keeping the tires clean and the car on a smooth, dry surface helps reduce casing stress during storage.

For seasonal storage, move the 1931 Kissel periodically so the tire contact patch changes, or use stands in a way that supports the car safely without leaving the suspension hanging improperly. Maintain reasonable inflation during storage rather than letting the tires soften under the car's full weight. If the car wears whitewalls, clean them gently and avoid petroleum-based dressings. Good storage habits matter as much as mileage on a collector car that may spend far more time parked than driving.

Tires on a 1931 Kissel should be judged more by age, condition, and storage history than by tread wear alone. A collector tire should be evaluated carefully once it reaches roughly five to seven years of age, and many owners begin considering replacement as it approaches ten years, even if it still looks usable. The DOT date code and the tire's visible condition together provide a better picture than mileage on a low-use pre-war car.

That age-based approach is important because a 1931 Kissel may accumulate very few miles while still exposing its tires to time, temperature swings, and prolonged static loading. Sidewall checking, stiffness, and repeated air-loss issues can all matter more than tread depth. If the car has been in long-term collection storage, inspect each tire carefully before returning it to regular road use. Replacement timing should reflect condition and age together, not appearance alone.

Tires on a 1931 Kissel should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing or tour. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and pressure loss. On a pre-war car using bias-ply construction and likely tube-based fitment, the condition of the valve stem and the wheel itself also matters, because the assembly is only as reliable as its weakest part.

That inspection routine does not need to be complicated, but it should be consistent. Roll the car slightly if it has been sitting so you can view more than one contact patch area, and pay attention to any vibration or pull the next time it is driven. A 1931 Kissel that is only exercised occasionally can develop tire issues quietly between outings. Frequent visual checks are one of the simplest ways to avoid being caught by age-related problems on the road.

A 1931 Kissel 126 would have been fitted in the bias-ply era, and the correct size family for the model is 700-18. That aligns with how American luxury and near-luxury cars of the early 1930s were equipped, before radial construction became part of mainstream passenger-car practice. Original-equipment branding could vary by market, dealer, or replacement history, so the strongest authenticity anchor is the correct size, period construction, and era-appropriate sidewall presentation.

For restoration work, that means the first goal is keeping the 1931 Kissel 126 on the proper 700-18 bias-ply size rather than drifting into a later format that changes the car's visual stance. If you want to refine the tire choice beyond size and construction, compare period photos, factory literature, and club expertise. Marque specialists and pre-war judging groups can help settle details that varied when these cars were new or were serviced during their early lives.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1931 Kissel because judged pre-war cars are often evaluated on overall authenticity, and tires play a visible role in that impression. Size, construction type, and sidewall style can all influence whether the car presents as faithful to its era. A 1931 Kissel wearing the wrong size for its model, or a sidewall treatment that clashes with the car's period character, can stand out even to casual observers.

Showing standards vary by event, but the safest path is to match the proper model-specific size first and then choose a sidewall style that suits the restoration's historical aim. A 126 should stay in the 700-18 family, while a 75 or 95 should remain with 6.00-18. If the car is being prepared for concours-level judging, verify details against event rules and marque-club guidance rather than assuming any period-looking tire will be accepted as equally correct.

On the 1931 Kissel 126 in 700-18, Firestone Balloon Blackwall and Firestone Balloon Wide Whitewall share the same basic size, the same 18-inch rim diameter, the same 3.75- to 4.00-inch rim-width range, and the same stated load rating of 1520 pounds at 36 psi. The visible distinction is the sidewall treatment, with one presenting a plain black sidewall and the other a broader whitewall appearance more associated with formal period styling. Listed product weights also differ between versions.

That makes the choice largely one of presentation within the correct size and construction. A blackwall can suit a restrained, workmanlike, or sporting restoration theme, while a wide whitewall can better complement a more elegant or upscale early-1930s look. Because both remain within the right 700-18 bias-ply family for the 1931 Kissel 126, the restoration question becomes how the tire supports the car's visual story. Period photography is often the best guide when deciding between those two appearances.

1931 Kissel tires can be suitable for road use when they are the correct size, in sound condition, properly mounted, and inflated appropriately for the car and tire. The listed 700-18 products are bias-ply designs, which deliver authentic period behavior rather than the feel of a modern radial. On a pre-war automobile such as a 1931 Kissel, overall roadworthiness depends not only on the tires but also on brakes, steering, suspension, wheel condition, and the general state of the car.

Highway use should be approached with the mindset appropriate to a 1931 automobile. Even when the tire itself is suitable, the car's age and design usually call for conservative speed, longer following distances, and close attention to road surfaces. Before sustained driving, make sure the tires are fresh enough for service and that the rest of the chassis is equally ready. A well-sorted 1931 Kissel is more enjoyable when the whole car, not just the tires, is prepared for the trip.

Inflation pressure on a 1931 Kissel should follow the vehicle's original guidance where available, while also respecting the tire maker's stated limits for the specific reproduction tire in use. For the 700-18 size offered for the 1931 Kissel 126, the available products carry a maximum load of 1520 pounds at 36 psi. That figure is a load-and-pressure rating for the tire itself, not a blanket instruction to inflate every 1931 Kissel tire to that pressure in all conditions.

The right way to use pressure information is to begin with the car's intended setup, then confirm that the tire's rating supports it. A 1931 Kissel used for touring, solo driving, or display may respond differently depending on weight distribution and use. Avoid transferring a pressure figure from one size to another or assuming the same pressure applies across the 126, 75, and 95. If original literature is available, compare it against the tire manufacturer's rating and keep the setup consistent side to side.

Before taking a 1931 Kissel on a longer drive, inspect each tire for sidewall cracking, tread damage, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and proper inflation. Check valve stems, and if the car uses tube-based assemblies, make sure the tires are holding pressure consistently over time. The spare deserves the same attention as the road tires, because a usable spare is a real part of trip readiness on a pre-war automobile.

A longer-drive inspection should also extend beyond the tires to the rest of the car. Wheel hardware, brake function, steering play, suspension condition, and wheel-bearing health all deserve a look on a 1931 Kissel before touring. Tire readiness is only one part of reliable road use, but it is one of the easiest parts to verify in advance. A careful pre-drive walkaround can catch small age-related issues before they interrupt an otherwise enjoyable run.