1931 Studebaker Tire Fitment Guide

1931 Studebaker vehicles use three different tire sizes, and each one is tied to a specific model. The 1931 Studebaker 6 Cyl. uses 5.25-19, the 1931 Studebaker Commander uses 600-19, and the 1931 Studebaker President uses 650-19. All three are bias-ply sizes built for 19-inch wheels, so the wheel diameter is shared even though the tire widths step up across the lineup.

That model-by-model split means the first fitment question is not construction type or sidewall style, but which Studebaker you actually own. Once the model is confirmed, you can focus on the correct size and then compare available whitewall or blackwall choices within that size. On the larger 650-19 fitment, some products also specify a 3.25- to 3.50-inch rim-width range, which is worth checking against the wheel before making a final decision.

On a 1931 Studebaker, 600-19 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 6.00 portion refers to the nominal section width in inches, and the 19 refers to the rim diameter in inches. It is not a modern metric size, and it does not describe the tire the way a later radial code would. Within the 1931 Studebaker range, 600-19 is the size used on the Commander.

Understanding that code helps prevent a common mistake with pre-war cars: assuming any 19-inch tire will do. Wheel diameter is only one part of the fitment, and Studebaker used a progression of sizes across the 6 Cyl., Commander, and President. If you have a Commander, 600-19 is the place to start, then you can choose among the available period-style sidewall treatments that suit your restoration or driving goals.

No, 1931 Studebaker models do not all use the same tire size. The 6 Cyl. uses 5.25-19, the Commander uses 600-19, and the President uses 650-19. Every one of those sizes fits a 19-inch wheel, but the tire itself changes from model to model. That makes the exact model name an essential part of fitment on 1931 Studebaker vehicles.

The practical takeaway is simple: if you only know that your car is a 1931 Studebaker, you are only partway to the correct tire. A restorer working on a President should not assume the Commander size is close enough, and a 6 Cyl. owner should not move up by guesswork. Confirm the model identification first, then verify the wheel and compare the available products within that specific size.

Sidewall style availability depends on the tire size used by your 1931 Studebaker. In 600-19 for the Commander, the listed option is a Wide Whitewall. In 650-19 for the President, both Blackwall and Wide Whitewall versions are offered through Firestone and Lester lines. That gives the senior Studebaker fitment the broadest appearance choice among the sizes shown here.

For a pre-war American car, sidewall style is more than decoration because it changes the visual character of the whole vehicle. Wide whitewalls are often the look buyers want for formal restoration presentation, while blackwalls can suit a more restrained or driver-oriented appearance. The right choice depends on how you want the car to present, but it should still stay within the correct tire size for the model before appearance enters the decision.

The available brands for 1931 Studebaker vehicles are Lester and Firestone, depending on size. The 600-19 Commander fitment is represented by Lester, while the 650-19 President fitment includes both Firestone and Lester choices. All listed options are bias-ply tires, keeping them in step with the construction style expected for a 1931 automobile.

Brand comparison on a car of this age usually comes down to the combination of size availability, sidewall appearance, and the specific series offered in that fitment. A President owner has the widest brand spread to compare, while a Commander owner is working within a narrower set of choices. Once the correct size is identified, looking at brand and sidewall together is the most useful next step.

In 650-19 for the 1931 Studebaker President, Firestone and Lester differ primarily in sidewall presentation and the way the individual products are specified. Firestone offerings include Blackwall and Wide Whitewall versions, and some Firestone Balloon listings call for a 3.25- to 3.50-inch rim-width range. One Firestone 650-19 whitewall also lists a maximum load of 1430 pounds at 36 psi. Lester appears in a Wide Whitewall version in the same size.

That means the comparison is less about changing the fundamental fitment and more about narrowing the look and setup details you want on the President. A buyer focused on a darker, more understated sidewall can stay with Firestone blackwall options, while someone after a stronger pre-war whitewall presence can compare Firestone and Lester offerings. Checking the specific wheel against any listed rim-width guidance is the smart final step.

Rim width guidance appears within the 650-19 fitment used on the 1931 Studebaker President. Certain Firestone Balloon 650-19 products specify a 3.25- to 3.50-inch rim-width range on a 19-inch wheel. The 600-19 products shown for the Commander confirm the 19-inch rim diameter, but no rim-width range is listed alongside that size here. The 5.25-19 6 Cyl. fitment is identified by size and 19-inch wheel use, without an added rim-width figure in this set.

That makes wheel inspection especially important when working with an original pre-war car that may have changed hands, wheels, or restoration approaches over the decades. If you are shopping for 650-19, compare the wheel against the listed range before finalizing the tire choice. On the other Studebaker sizes, use the correct model-specific tire size first, then verify the wheel directly so the tire and wheel remain properly matched.

The 1931 Studebaker tire sizes shown here are all pre-war bias-ply fitments, but tube markings are not called out within the listed products. On automobiles from this era, tube use is commonly tied to the wheel design and to the specific tire's sidewall instructions rather than being assumed from size alone. That is especially important on 19-inch original-style wheels, where the wheel itself often determines whether tube-type service is appropriate.

The safest approach is to inspect the wheel and then confirm the exact tire's sidewall marking before installation. If the wheel is an original-style rim intended for tube service, the valve-stem condition and flap or tube compatibility deserve the same attention as the tire itself. Treat tube choice as part of the overall wheel-and-tire setup, not an afterthought once the tire size has already been selected.

All three 1931 Studebaker tire sizes in this range mount on 19-inch wheels, so there is shared wheel diameter across the 6 Cyl., Commander, and President. That does not automatically mean every original Studebaker wheel is interchangeable across every model, because tire size and wheel width still matter within the same nominal diameter. The 650-19 President fitment is the one with explicit rim-width guidance in the available offerings.

For a restorer or owner, that means wheel diameter is only the starting point. If your car still carries original wheels, confirm that the wheel belongs to the model and is appropriate for the specific tire you intend to run. A 19-inch wheel may physically match the diameter requirement, but the correct size for the car and the wheel's actual width should still be verified before mounting.

A 1931 Studebaker should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to flat-spotting during long static periods, so maintaining proper inflation and moving the car periodically helps reduce shape memory in the carcass. Clean floors and stable temperature matter more than decorative covers or cosmetic dressings.

If the car will sit for an extended season, many collector owners either roll it slightly from time to time or support the vehicle in a way that reduces sustained load on one section of the tire. The goal is preserving casing shape and sidewall condition, not just keeping the tread clean. Good storage habits make a noticeable difference on pre-war tires that may see low annual mileage but long idle periods.

Tire life on a 1931 Studebaker is usually judged more by age and condition than by miles traveled. Collector cars often cover very limited annual mileage, so sidewall aging, internal degradation, and long-term storage effects become the real concerns. A practical rule is to evaluate the tires closely once they reach roughly five to seven years of service and to treat around ten years as a point where replacement deserves serious consideration, regardless of tread depth.

That approach is more useful than waiting for visible wear alone, especially on a car that is taken out only for shows, tours, or occasional weekend drives. Check the DOT or manufacturing date information on the tire itself and consider how the Studebaker has been stored over time. Age, heat cycles, and environment usually tell you more about remaining serviceability than mileage on a pre-war collector vehicle.

Tires on a 1931 Studebaker should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing or tour. Look for sidewall cracking, exposed fabric, irregular wear, cuts, bulges, and any sign that a tire has been run soft. Pressure retention matters as much as visual condition on an older car, because a slow leak can change how a bias-ply tire carries the car long before tread wear becomes obvious.

A careful inspection routine is especially worthwhile on a vehicle that may sit for long periods between drives. Include the spare in the same check, and if the wheel-and-tire setup uses tubes, pay close attention to valve stems and any signs of age around the stem base. Catching small issues in the garage is far easier than dealing with a failure on the shoulder in a nearly century-old automobile.

A 1931 Studebaker President would have been fitted in period with bias-ply tires, not modern radial construction. Within the 1931 Studebaker range, the President uses the 650-19 size, which places it above the Commander's 600-19 and the 6 Cyl.'s 5.25-19. That size and construction combination is the right starting point for anyone trying to keep a President visually and mechanically in line with pre-war practice.

Original-equipment details could still vary by body style, market, or restoration history, so it is wise to compare the car against factory literature, surviving examples, and Studebaker marque specialists. The important first principle is that a 1931 President should remain in its correct bias-ply size family before you refine the sidewall treatment. Once size and construction are right, you can decide whether blackwall or whitewall best suits your restoration target.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1931 Studebaker because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice tire size, construction type, and sidewall appearance immediately. A 6 Cyl., Commander, or President wearing the wrong size can alter the car's stance and proportions, while a construction or sidewall style outside the period can distract from an otherwise accurate restoration. Pre-war cars are especially sensitive to those visual cues.

For most show purposes, the safest path is to match the model to its proper 19-inch bias-ply size first, then choose the sidewall presentation that suits the standard you are restoring toward. Event rules and judging philosophy can differ, so marque clubs and Studebaker specialists remain the best resource for class-specific expectations. Getting the tire right supports the whole car's authenticity in a way many owners underestimate.

Within the 650-19 size for the 1931 Studebaker President, Firestone appears in both Classic Bias Ply and Balloon series offerings. The Balloon versions include Blackwall and a 3.50-inch Whitewall option, and some of those products specify a 3.25- to 3.50-inch rim-width range. One Firestone Balloon whitewall in 650-19 also lists a maximum load of 1430 pounds at 36 psi. The Classic Bias Ply listing is presented as a Blackwall in the same overall size.

For restoration-minded buyers, that comparison is useful because the difference is not about switching away from period-correct bias-ply construction, but about narrowing the exact presentation and setup details. A buyer can stay within the proper President size while choosing the sidewall and series that best suits the car's intended appearance. Checking the wheel against any stated rim-width guidance helps keep an authentic-looking choice properly supported in service.

1931 Studebaker tires can be used on public roads when they are in sound condition, correctly mounted, and inflated appropriately for the application, but they remain bias-ply tires designed around pre-war vehicle behavior. No speed-rating markings are listed within these Studebaker fitments, so the realistic road-use question is usually governed more by the age of the car, tire condition, braking capability, steering feel, and suspension design than by any modern high-speed expectation.

That means a carefully maintained Studebaker can be driven responsibly at ordinary road speeds, but it should not be approached like a later high-speed touring car. Before longer highway use, inspect the tires thoroughly and make sure the rest of the chassis is equally ready for the trip. On a 1931 automobile, overall mechanical condition and conservative driving habits matter just as much as the tire choice itself.

Inflation pressure for a 1931 Studebaker should be set by the vehicle's original guidance and then checked against the specific tire's own service information where that is provided. Within the listed 650-19 President fitment, one Firestone product carries a maximum load of 1430 pounds at 36 psi. That figure belongs to that specific product and should not be transferred automatically to 600-19 or 5.25-19 tires, or even to every 650-19 tire in the category.

The practical approach is to begin with factory-era recommendations for the correct model, then confirm that the tire you choose is being used within its own rating and intended service range. Pressure changes how a bias-ply tire rides, wears, and steers, so guessing can noticeably affect the car. Matching pressure to both the Studebaker model and the exact tire is more important than chasing a one-number answer.

Before a longer drive in a 1931 Studebaker, inspect every tire for cracking, tread separation, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, and do not forget the spare. On a pre-war bias-ply setup, a tire that looks usable at a glance can still have age-related issues that show up only under sustained heat and distance. Wheel security, valve-stem condition, and basic brake and steering readiness deserve equal attention.

A longer outing is where small storage-related problems become real roadside problems, so the pre-drive check should be deliberate rather than casual. If your Studebaker has been sitting, take a short shakedown drive first and recheck pressures afterward. Treat the tires as one part of the car's overall readiness, because on a 1931 machine, dependable road use always depends on the whole vehicle working together.