1931 Nash Tire Fitment Guide

1931 Nash vehicles use four different tire sizes depending on the model series: 500-19 for the 60 Series, 5.25-19 for the 70 Series, 550-19 for the 80 Series, and 650-19 for the 90 Series. Every size in the lineup is a bias-ply fitment and mounts on a 19-inch rim, but the width and overall scale step up as you move from the smaller 60 Series to the larger 90 Series. Listed rim-width coverage appears on some available products, including 4 to 5.00 inches for certain 500-19 applications, 2.50 to 3.00 inches for 550-19, and 3.25 to 3.50 inches for certain 650-19 tires.

The practical takeaway is that year and make alone are not enough for a 1931 Nash tire purchase. You need to confirm whether your car is a 60, 70, 80, or 90 Series before settling on a size, then verify the actual wheel against the tire's approved rim-width range when that information is available. That extra step matters on prewar cars, where wheel changes, restoration history, and mixed parts can affect what is on the car today.

On a 1931 Nash tire, 500-19 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 500 portion indicates a nominal section width of about 5.00 inches, while the 19 indicates the tire fits a 19-inch wheel. On 1931 Nash vehicles, that size belongs to the 60 Series rather than to the entire Nash range, so it should be understood as a model-specific fitment, not a generic 1931 Nash tire size.

Reading the size correctly helps you avoid one of the most common prewar tire mistakes: choosing a tire only because it is 19-inch. A 500-19 tire may share rim diameter with the other Nash sizes, but it is still narrower and intended for a different series. If your car is a 60 Series, this is the place to start; if it is a larger Nash, move to the size assigned to that series instead of treating all 19-inch Nash tires as interchangeable.

No, 1931 Nash models do not all use the same tire size. The 60 Series uses 500-19, the 70 Series uses 5.25-19, the 80 Series uses 550-19, and the 90 Series uses 650-19. All of them are 19-inch bias-ply fitments, but each series has its own width class and visual scale, reflecting Nash's step-up model structure in 1931.

That means identifying the model series is the first fitment decision, not the last one. Once the series is confirmed, you can narrow down sidewall style and brand preferences within the proper size instead of comparing tires that were intended for different Nash models. If the car has been restored or assembled from long-stored parts, check the series identification carefully before relying on the wheels or old tires already fitted to the car.

1931 Nash tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles, but the exact choices depend on the model's size. The 500-19 options are blackwall, 550-19 is offered in both blackwall and wide whitewall, and 650-19 is also offered in both blackwall and wide whitewall. Those choices all remain within bias-ply construction, so the main visual difference is sidewall appearance rather than a change in tire type.

For a 1931 Nash restoration, sidewall selection should match the look you want the finished car to project. Blackwalls suit a plainer, more utilitarian or understated presentation, while wide whitewalls create a dressier prewar appearance that many restorers prefer on larger and more formal cars. If the car will be shown, confirm the expected sidewall style with a Nash club or event judge, because size, construction, and sidewall treatment all affect authenticity.

Several brands cover the available 1931 Nash sizes, including Excelsior, Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Lester. The 500-19 size includes Excelsior and Firestone offerings, 550-19 is offered by BFGoodrich, and 650-19 includes Firestone and Lester choices. All of the listed options remain bias-ply tires, so brand selection here is more about series style, sidewall presentation, and the specific size you need than about switching between bias-ply and radial construction.

Brand choice is easiest once the model series is settled, because each Nash size has its own brand mix. A 60 Series owner will compare a different group of tires than a 90 Series owner, and the sidewall choices broaden as the sizes get larger. If you are building a car for judged restoration, period look and brand heritage may matter alongside fitment; if the goal is a presentable driver, appearance and wheel compatibility usually lead the decision.

For 1931 Nash 650-19 fitments, Firestone and Lester both offer bias-ply choices, but their available presentations differ. Firestone appears in blackwall and wide whitewall forms, including Balloon-series versions with a listed rim-width range of 3.25 to 3.50 inches, and one whitewall option carries a 1430-pound maximum load at 36 psi. Lester appears here as a wide whitewall bias-ply choice, giving 90 Series owners another traditional prewar-style look in the same size.

The real choice is less about changing fitment and more about matching the tire's presentation to the personality of the car. A blackwall Firestone keeps the look more restrained, while wide whitewall Firestone and Lester options bring more visual emphasis to a senior Nash restoration. If your wheels need to stay within a specific rim-width range, review that detail closely, since certain 650-19 products publish wheel-width guidance and others are selected more by appearance and series preference.

Rim-width guidance varies by size and by the specific tire selected for 1931 Nash vehicles. In 500-19, available products include fitments listed for a 4-inch wheel and for a 4.00 to 5.00 inch range. In 550-19, the listed range is 2.50 to 3.00 inches, and in certain 650-19 applications the listed range is 3.25 to 3.50 inches. All of the sizes mount on 19-inch rims, but width compatibility still needs to match the tire you choose.

That matters because many prewar wheels have been swapped, repaired, or reused over the decades, and a 19-inch diameter alone does not tell the whole story. Before committing to a tire, confirm the wheel width on the car and compare it with the approved range for the exact tire you want. Staying within that range helps preserve the intended tread shape, sidewall profile, and steering behavior of a bias-ply tire.

Original 1931 Nash wheels can only be used with all tire sizes if the wheels actually match the model series and the chosen tire's approved width. Every listed 1931 Nash tire size fits a 19-inch rim, so the diameter is shared across the lineup, but the cars do not all use the same width class. That means a 500-19 wheel setup from a 60 Series should not automatically be treated as suitable for a 90 Series using 650-19.

The right approach is to think of diameter compatibility and width compatibility as two separate checks. If your Nash still has its original series-correct wheels, the 19-inch diameter lines up with the proper tire family for that model, but wheel width should still be verified against the specific product selected. That is especially worthwhile on restored cars, where replacement wheels or later service changes may have altered what is fitted now.

A 1931 Nash should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires protected from sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone sources that can age rubber. Bias-ply tires also benefit from being kept on clean surfaces away from standing moisture and petroleum contamination. If the car will sit for long periods, moving it occasionally or supporting it to reduce prolonged flat-spotting can help preserve tire shape and ride quality.

Collector cars often age their tires more by time and storage conditions than by miles driven. A well-kept 1931 Nash that is rolled periodically and shielded from heat and ozone will usually keep its tires in better condition than a car stored on a damp floor beside running equipment. Storage habits matter even more with prewar bias-ply tires, because their construction is less tolerant of long static periods than a modern daily-driver tire.

Tires on a 1931 Nash should be judged primarily by age and condition rather than by tread depth alone. Collector-car tires are commonly evaluated closely once they reach about five to seven years of age, and many owners begin considering replacement at around ten years regardless of remaining tread. The manufacturing date can be confirmed from the tire's date code, and visible cracking, hardening, vibration, or repeated air-loss issues are all signs that service life may be nearing its end.

That timeline is especially important for a low-mileage prewar car, because a tire can look usable while still aging internally. A 1931 Nash that is driven only occasionally may never wear out a tread, but time, storage, and repeated heat cycles still affect the casing and sidewall. If the car is headed to tours or long-distance events, replacing aged tires before they become a problem is usually wiser than relying on old rubber that still looks presentable.

Tires on a 1931 Nash should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, loose or aging valve stems, and signs that the tire is no longer holding pressure consistently. On a prewar bias-ply car, steering feel and ride can also reveal trouble early, so any new pull, shake, or thump deserves attention before the car is driven farther.

Frequent inspection matters because these cars often see infrequent use, and problems can develop while sitting still rather than while accumulating miles. A brief walk-around before each drive helps catch aging, underinflation, or damage before it turns into a roadside issue. Include the spare in the routine as well, since many 1931 Nash cars still carry an original-style spare that may be the oldest tire on the car if it has been overlooked for years.

The 1931 Nash 60 Series uses 500-19 tires, and for a car of this era the original construction type would have been bias-ply rather than radial. That aligns with the available 1931 Nash offerings, which remain in bias-ply form and preserve the kind of profile and road feel expected on an early 1930s automobile. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and supply arrangement, so the most important points for authenticity are the correct size, the proper bias-ply construction, and the right overall visual presentation.

For a restoration, start by confirming the exact series and then choose a 500-19 tire that matches the appearance your car should carry. Event judging may place different emphasis on blackwall versus whitewall treatment depending on the car's configuration and how it is being presented. If originality is the goal, a Nash marque club, factory literature, or period photographs can help verify the finishing details that go beyond simple size and construction.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1931 Nash, because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts will often notice whether the size, construction, and sidewall style suit the model and the era. A 60 Series wearing 650-19 tires, or a senior Nash fitted with the wrong sidewall treatment, changes the car's stance and visual balance immediately. Since all 1931 Nash fitments here are bias-ply, staying within the proper model-specific size is the first step toward an authentic presentation.

Show standards can vary, so the exact threshold depends on whether the car is being judged for strict originality, touring presentation, or general display. A tasteful tire may still look appealing, but if it departs from the correct size or era-appropriate appearance, it can draw criticism in a concours setting. Before finalizing a restoration, compare your choice with period photography and consult Nash specialists who know what individual series are expected to wear in judged events.

For a 1931 Nash, blackwall and wide whitewall tires can both be authentic-looking choices depending on the model and the presentation you want, but they create very different visual effects. In the available range, 500-19 is blackwall, while 550-19 and 650-19 include both blackwall and wide whitewall offerings. The construction remains bias-ply either way, so the difference is largely one of period appearance rather than a change in fitment category.

Blackwalls tend to keep the car's look cleaner and more restrained, which can suit a simpler restoration theme or a more utilitarian presentation. Wide whitewalls add visual richness and are often favored on larger prewar cars where the extra sidewall detail complements the body and trim. If authenticity matters for a judged car, use period photos and club guidance to decide which sidewall style best matches the specific Nash series and the way it would have been presented when new.

1931 Nash tires can be used on the road when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and suited to the car's intended use, but they remain bias-ply tires built around prewar vehicle behavior rather than modern highway expectations. No speed ratings are shown for the available 1931 Nash fitments, so the emphasis should be on condition, inflation, wheel compatibility, and the broader mechanical condition of the car. On an automobile from 1931, braking, suspension, steering, and drivetrain limits are often just as important as tire construction when judging road use.

The practical approach is to treat a 1931 Nash like the vintage machine it is. A freshly inspected bias-ply tire on a well-sorted car can be enjoyable on secondary roads and touring use, but sustained high-speed driving should be considered carefully and approached conservatively. Before taking a prewar Nash onto faster roads, make sure the tires, wheels, alignment, and chassis are all working together the way they should.

Inflation pressure for 1931 Nash tires should follow the vehicle's factory guidance where available and the tire maker's published limits for the exact size and product. Among the available tires, some products include load-and-pressure information such as 500-19 at 895 pounds at 32 psi, 550-19 at 1040 pounds at 32 psi, and one 650-19 option at 1430 pounds at 36 psi. Those figures are tire ratings, not blanket inflation instructions for every 1931 Nash application or every tire within the same size.

The safest method is to match pressure to the actual tire and the car's intended loading rather than copying a number from a different series or product. A 60 Series and a 90 Series should not automatically be treated the same just because both use 19-inch wheels, and one 650-19 tire should not stand in for all others. Use the owner's literature as the starting point and confirm the selected tire's own published guidance before final inflation.

Before taking a 1931 Nash on a longer drive, inspect each tire for visible cracking, weathering, cuts, punctures, bulges, and uneven wear, then confirm that all four are holding the intended pressure. Check the spare as well, since a neglected spare can leave you stranded even when the road tires look acceptable. Because these are prewar bias-ply applications, it is also wise to look over the wheels themselves for looseness, damage, or signs of previous repairs before heading out.

A longer trip in a 1931 Nash should always be treated as more than a simple tire check. Tire condition is one part of a broader pre-drive routine that ought to include brakes, steering play, wheel bearings, fluid levels, and general chassis readiness. When the tire size is correct and the car has been inspected as a complete mechanical package, the drive is far more likely to be enjoyable and uneventful.