1931 Lincoln Tire Fitment Guide

1931 Lincoln vehicles covered here use one tire size: 700-19. That size applies to the 1931 Lincoln 8 Cyl., and all listed products mount on 19-inch rims. Where rim-width guidance is supplied, 700-19 products are specified for 3.75- to 4.00-inch rims, which gives an important reference point when checking original wheels or restoration replacements.

Because there is only one listed fitment, the main job is confirming that your car is the 8 Cyl. model and that it still carries the correct 19-inch wheels. Once that is settled, your choice shifts from fitment to presentation, such as blackwall versus double-whitewall, along with brand preference and any load information you want to compare before committing to a specific tire.

On a 1931 Lincoln, 700-19 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 7.00 portion refers to the tire's nominal section width, while 19 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. Unlike a modern metric radial size, it does not spell out an aspect ratio, and the construction is bias-ply rather than radial.

That matters because a 700-19 tire is read in the language of the pre-war tire era, not by modern passenger-car sizing conventions. If you are cross-checking an old sidewall, owner's literature, or restoration notes, staying with the 700-19 format keeps the car aligned with the way Lincoln tires were specified in 1931 and avoids confusion with later replacement sizing systems.

Yes. The 1931 Lincoln model covered here, the 8 Cyl., uses the same 700-19 tire size throughout the year and make range represented on this page. There is no split here between one model using a smaller wheel and another using a larger one, so the fitment question is straightforward.

That simplicity helps when you are starting with only the year and make, but it does not make every tire choice identical. Owners still need to decide how closely they want to follow a factory-era appearance, whether a blackwall or whitewall better suits the body style and restoration theme, and whether their existing wheels match the rim-width guidance attached to certain 700-19 products.

1931 Lincoln tires in 700-19 are available in both Blackwall and Double-Whitewall form. Blackwall choices appear in Firestone and Lester offerings, while a Firestone Balloon version is also offered with a 4.25-inch double whitewall. All of these are bias-ply tires in the correct pre-war sizing format.

The sidewall decision has a strong visual effect on a 1931 Lincoln because the tire occupies so much of the car's overall stance. Blackwalls usually suit a more restrained or formal presentation, while a broad double whitewall creates a distinctly upscale period look. If the car is being restored for event judging or historical presentation, it is wise to compare the sidewall treatment against period photos and marque-specific guidance.

Firestone and Lester both offer 700-19 tires for 1931 Lincoln vehicles. Firestone appears in classic bias-ply and Balloon-style offerings, including both blackwall and double-whitewall versions, while Lester is available in a blackwall bias-ply format. All listed choices stay within the period-appropriate bias-ply construction family for this application.

For many owners, the brand decision comes down to the look they want and the particular product details attached to each version, not to a change in basic fitment. It helps to compare the tire series name, sidewall style, listed weight, and any available load information so the tire you choose supports the visual character and intended use of your 1931 Lincoln.

For the 1931 Lincoln, Firestone Balloon and Firestone Classic Bias Ply are both offered in 700-19 bias-ply construction, but they are not identical in presentation and published specifications. Firestone Balloon appears in blackwall and double-whitewall versions, lists a 3.75- to 4.00-inch rim-width range, and shows a 1,570-pound load rating at 36 psi. Firestone Classic Bias Ply is also blackwall, with a listed max load of 1,585 pounds at 36 psi.

That makes the choice less about whether one fits and the other does not, and more about which series aligns with your restoration and wheel setup. If you are weighing the two, compare sidewall appearance first, then confirm your wheel width against the products that publish rim guidance. Small spec differences can matter when you are chasing a particular look or matching an existing set.

1931 Lincoln vehicles use 700-19 tires on 19-inch rims, and where rim-width guidance is published for that size, it is 3.75 to 4.00 inches. That range appears on Firestone Balloon versions in 700-19, giving a useful benchmark when checking original wheels. Matching the rim diameter alone is not enough if the wheel is outside the intended width range.

Pre-war wheels are often reused across decades of service, restoration, and repair, so verifying the actual wheel before fitting new tires is worthwhile. Measure the wheel correctly, inspect it for condition and trueness, and compare the reading against the tire you are considering. If your Lincoln has had wheel changes in its past, that check can prevent an otherwise avoidable fitment problem.

The listed 700-19 products for 1931 Lincoln do not carry tube-type or tubeless markings in the size notation shown here. On a car of this era, wheel design and restoration practice often make tube use part of the overall setup, especially with original-style rims and pre-war service methods. That means tube choice should be confirmed against the exact tire and wheel combination you plan to run.

The practical step is to inspect the wheel construction and match the tire to the proper tube and flap requirements if your setup calls for them. Even when the tire size is straightforward, the supporting hardware matters on a 1931 Lincoln because these cars use early wheel and rim designs that deserve more careful setup than a modern one-piece passenger wheel.

A stored 1931 Lincoln should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, furnaces, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age the rubber. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to developing temporary flat spotting when a heavy car sits in one position for long periods. Clean floors, stable temperatures, and proper inflation all help preserve the tire casing and sidewall appearance.

Moving the car periodically, rolling it a short distance, or supporting it appropriately during extended storage can reduce stress concentration in one section of the tire. Owners who value show-quality sidewalls should also avoid dressing products that leave residue or attract dust. A 1931 Lincoln places substantial static weight on its tires, so storage habits have a visible effect over time.

On a collector car such as a 1931 Lincoln, tire age matters more than tread wear in most cases. A sensible rule is to evaluate the tires closely once they are about five to seven years old and to treat roughly ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration, even if the car has been driven sparingly. The DOT date code is the starting point for judging age on modern reproduction tires.

Low mileage can be misleading on a pre-war luxury car because the rubber may still harden, crack, or lose resilience while the tread appears barely used. If the car spends long periods indoors and only comes out for events, that can preserve appearance but does not stop aging entirely. Tie replacement decisions to age, visible condition, and how confidently the tire holds pressure and carries the car.

Tires on a 1931 Lincoln should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing or touring event. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, and signs that the tire is losing pressure between uses. On an older wheel-and-tire setup, valve stems and any tube-related components also deserve close attention because age in those parts can create trouble even when the tread looks sound.

Frequent inspection is especially important on a pre-war car because the tire is only one part of a much older running system. A Lincoln that feels stable at neighborhood speed can still reveal a weak tire once load, heat, and road time build up. Making inspection routine gives you a chance to catch issues early, before they affect ride quality or confidence on the road.

A 1931 Lincoln 8 Cyl. would have been fitted in the bias-ply era, and the listed size for the model is 700-19. That means a reproduction bias-ply tire in the same size is the appropriate starting point for an owner seeking period-correct fitment. No original-equipment brand should be assumed without market- and coachwork-specific confirmation.

For most restorations, getting the size, construction type, and sidewall presentation right matters more than chasing a brand name without proof. Blackwall and double-whitewall choices create different visual results, and either may be more appropriate depending on body style, delivery history, and the restoration standard you are following. Marque clubs and period photos remain the best final check for car-specific authenticity.

Correct tire fitment does matter when showing a 1931 Lincoln, especially in classes that judge authenticity closely. Size, construction type, and sidewall style all influence whether the car presents as true to its period. A modern-looking replacement size or an obviously mismatched sidewall treatment can stand out quickly on a full-classic luxury automobile.

Even when a tire physically fits the wheel, that does not automatically make it the right choice for judged presentation. A 700-19 bias-ply format keeps the car in line with pre-war practice, while the decision between blackwall and whitewall should reflect the way you want the Lincoln represented. Event-specific standards vary, so a marque specialist or judging manual is worth consulting before a major show.

For the 1931 Lincoln, both Firestone and Lester offer 700-19 bias-ply tires, but the available product range differs. Firestone includes multiple 700-19 entries, including classic bias-ply and Balloon series versions, with both blackwall and double-whitewall sidewall choices. Lester appears as a blackwall classic bias-ply option in the same size.

That means the comparison is often about style range and series character rather than a change in core fitment. If your goal is a more formal understated look, a blackwall option from either brand may suit the car, while owners seeking a more prominent luxury-era visual statement may gravitate toward Firestone's double-whitewall offering. Matching all five tires, including the spare, is also worth considering on a show-focused Lincoln.

1931 Lincoln tires in the listed 700-19 size are offered in bias-ply construction, and no separate speed-rating letters are shown in the size markings here. For a pre-war luxury car, the broader safety picture usually depends as much on the vehicle's mechanical condition, braking system, steering, suspension, and wheel integrity as it does on the tire itself. A fresh, properly fitted bias-ply tire is appropriate to the car's era, but it should be used with period-appropriate expectations.

Highway use should be approached with an honest view of what a 1931 automobile was designed to do. Keep speeds conservative, make sure the tires are in excellent condition, and verify pressures, wheel condition, and alignment before longer travel. The car can be enjoyable on modern roads, but its age and design call for more mechanical sympathy than a later collector car with modern radial specifications.

Published figures for 1931 Lincoln 700-19 tires include load ratings of 1,570 pounds at 36 psi on Firestone Balloon versions and 1,585 pounds at 36 psi on a Firestone Classic Bias Ply version. Those figures describe the tire's rated load-and-pressure relationship, not necessarily the exact pressure your car should always be run at in service. Pressure should be set with the vehicle's factory recommendations and the selected tire's published limits in mind.

The key is not to transfer one pressure assumption casually from another car or another size. A heavy pre-war Lincoln may respond noticeably to small pressure changes in ride and steering feel, so start with the vehicle literature when available and verify that your chosen tire's rated pressure range supports that setting. Recheck pressure regularly, especially if the car sits between outings.

Before a longer drive in a 1931 Lincoln, inspect each tire for visible cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and stable inflation. Check the valve stems, confirm the spare is usable, and make sure every wheel is secure and in sound condition. On a pre-war car, tire readiness should be considered alongside a broader inspection of brakes, steering, cooling, and fuel delivery.

That extra diligence matters because long-distance driving adds heat, speed, and sustained load to a vehicle that may spend most of its life on short outings. A tire that looks acceptable in the garage can reveal problems once road time builds. Giving the Lincoln a careful pre-trip walkaround improves confidence and helps preserve both the car and the driving experience.