In 1932, Nash occupied a distinctive place in the American market, building well-appointed cars that balanced engineering seriousness with upscale character during one of the industry's hardest years. A 1932 Nash lineup could range from smaller series cars to larger, more substantial models, and tire sizing followed those differences closely rather than staying uniform across the make. The four models for 1932 Nash use four different bias-ply sizes, with most riding on 18-inch rims and one stepping to a 17-inch fitment, so the real choice begins with identifying the exact model you own. Once that is confirmed, you can narrow the search to the proper size and the sidewall style that suits your restoration goals.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 1932 Nash
Four tire sizes are used across 1932 Nash vehicles, and they vary by model rather than being shared across the full range. Since most sizes use 18-inch rims while one uses a 17-inch rim, the first step is confirming your exact model and wheel diameter before comparing brands or sidewall styles. Understanding that distinction up front saves time and helps you match the right tire to the right Nash.
Year(s): 1932|Fit(s): 1060|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 18-in rim
A 5.25-18 tire is a numeric bias-ply size, with 5.25 indicating nominal section width and 18 indicating the wheel diameter in inches. This size is specific to the 1932 Nash 1060 rather than the full 1932 Nash line. Buyers choosing this size should confirm the 1060 model first, then move to the matching tire-size page for the available period-style fitment options.
Year(s): 1932|Fit(s): 1070|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 18 in
A 550-18 tire is a numeric bias-ply size in which the leading number represents nominal section width and the 18 identifies the rim diameter in inches. This size is offered in Excelsior, Firestone, and BFGoodrich lines, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall choices, and load ratings among listed products include 1000 pounds at 32 psi and 1125 pounds at 32 psi. Because it is specific to the 1932 Nash 1070, this is the size to choose when you are restoring that model and want a bias-ply tire with the sidewall look that matches your build.
Year(s): 1932|Fit(s): 1080|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 17-in rim
A 6.50-17 tire is a numeric bias-ply size, with 6.50 denoting nominal section width and 17 denoting wheel diameter in inches. This size is specific to the 1932 Nash 1080, and its 17-inch rim diameter sets it apart from the rest of the 1932 Nash range. Buyers should verify that they are working with an 1080 and the correct 17-inch wheels before comparing reproduction tire options.
Year(s): 1932|Fit(s): 1090|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 18 in
A 700-18 tire is a numeric bias-ply size, with 7.00 as the nominal section width and 18 as the wheel diameter in inches. This size appears in Firestone offerings with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles, and listed products carry a 1520-pound maximum load rating at 36 psi. Since it is reserved for the 1932 Nash 1090, it suits owners of the larger model who want the proper bias-ply fitment and can then choose the sidewall presentation that best fits the car's restoration character.
Four 1932 Nash models are covered here, and each one uses its own tire size rather than sharing a common fitment across the make. In practical terms, year and make alone are not enough for tire selection on a 1932 Nash, because the correct size changes from one series to the next. Select your model below to move into model-specific fitment history and the products that apply to it.
1932 Nash 1060
The 1932 Nash 1060 sits on the smaller end of the year's lineup, reflecting Nash's effort to offer refined transportation in a more compact package during the early Depression era. Its tires mount on 18-inch rims, so owners should start with the 5.25-18 fitment when researching correct replacement options for an authentic prewar presentation.
The 1932 Nash 1070 represents the middle of the range, where Nash blended traditional American styling with the marque's reputation for solid, comfortable road manners. It uses an 18-inch rim with the 550-18 tire size, making sidewall appearance a meaningful part of how the finished car reads visually at shows or on tours.
The 1932 Nash 1080 moves into the larger, more substantial part of the lineup, where wheel and tire proportions begin to shift with the car's added presence. Its fitment mounts on 17-inch rims rather than 18-inch wheels, so confirming the model is especially important before choosing a tire size.
The 1932 Nash 1090 stands among the bigger Nash offerings of the year, and its larger tire size suits the fuller-bodied, more senior look buyers often expect from upper-series prewar cars. It rides on 18-inch rims with the 700-18 size, giving restorers several period-style sidewall treatments to consider within the proper overall fitment family.
Fourteen products are available across four tire sizes for 1932 Nash vehicles. The 550-18 size includes seven bias-ply choices from Excelsior, Firestone, and BFGoodrich in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall form, while 700-18 includes seven Firestone bias-ply options in the same sidewall range.
These answers cover how 1932 Nash tire sizing changes from one model to another, what the numeric prewar size codes mean, how sidewall style affects restoration character, and what to inspect on a lightly driven collector car before it goes back on the road.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 1932 Nash vehicles?
1932 Nash vehicles use four different tire sizes, and each one is tied to a specific model. The 1932 Nash 1060 uses 5.25-18, the 1070 uses 550-18, the 1080 uses 6.50-17, and the 1090 uses 700-18. Three of those sizes mount on 18-inch rims, while the 6.50-17 for the 1080 mounts on a 17-inch rim. Listed rim-width guidance appears in the available products for 550-18 at 3 to 4 inches depending on product, and for 700-18 at 3.75 to 4.00 inches.
That means the first job on a 1932 Nash is identifying the exact model before choosing a tire. If you start with year and make alone, it is easy to land on a size that looks close but does not match the wheel diameter or intended fitment for your series car. Once the model is confirmed, you can narrow the choice further by sidewall style and brand preference without crossing into the wrong size family.
What does 550-18 mean on a 1932 Nash tire?
On a 1932 Nash, 550-18 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 550 refers to a nominal section width of roughly 5.50 inches, and the 18 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. On this year and make, that size belongs to the 1932 Nash 1070. Available tires in 550-18 are bias-ply constructions, which is consistent with the period and with how early 1930s American cars were originally equipped.
Understanding that code helps separate sizing from appearance. A 550-18 tire can be found in blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall form, but those style changes do not turn it into a different fitment. If your car is a 1070, the main task is staying with the correct 550-18 size and then choosing the sidewall look that best matches the car's restoration direction and era character.
Do all 1932 Nash models use the same tire size?
No, 1932 Nash models do not all use the same tire size. The 1060, 1070, 1080, and 1090 each have their own fitment, and one of those models also differs in rim diameter from the others. The 1080 uses a 17-inch fitment with 6.50-17, while the 1060, 1070, and 1090 use 18-inch sizes in different widths. That makes 1932 Nash a year where model identification matters just as much as recognizing the make.
For a buyer, that means visual similarity alone is not enough. Two 1932 Nash cars may both ride on tall prewar bias-ply tires and still need different sizes because they belong to different series. Check the model designation on the car's records, identification tags, or club references first, then match the tire size to the model before comparing specific products.
Buying the Right Tire
What sidewall styles are available for 1932 Nash tires?
1932 Nash tires are available with several period-style sidewall treatments in the sizes that currently have product offerings. The 550-18 size can be found as a blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall, and the 700-18 size is also offered in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall form. Those choices were important visually on early 1930s cars because sidewall treatment strongly affects how formal, sporty, or upscale the finished car appears from the curb.
Blackwalls generally suit a simpler, more restrained prewar presentation, while whitewall treatments create a dressier look often associated with more upscale restoration themes. Show standards can vary by body style, market, and event, so owners aiming for strict authenticity should compare the tire style to period photos and consult Nash club resources. If your goal is a handsome driver rather than concours judging, sidewall style becomes more of an appearance decision within the correct size.
What brands make tires for 1932 Nash vehicles?
Current 1932 Nash tire offerings include Excelsior, Firestone, and BFGoodrich, depending on the size. In 550-18, the available brands are Excelsior, Firestone, and BFGoodrich. In 700-18, the listed options are Firestone. All of the products shown for these 1932 Nash sizes are bias-ply tires, which aligns with the construction type expected for an American car from the early 1930s.
Brand choice on a 1932 Nash often comes down to how closely you want the tire's visual identity to support the rest of the restoration. Some owners prioritize a familiar American name with strong period recognition, while others focus first on sidewall style and size availability. The practical way to choose is to start with the correct model-specific size, then compare which brands offer the sidewall look and load rating that fit your intended use.
What is the difference between Firestone Balloon and Firestone Classic Bias Ply for the 1932 Nash?
For the 1932 Nash 1090 in size 700-18, Firestone offers both Balloon and Classic Bias Ply versions. The Balloon series appears in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles, carries a listed maximum load of 1520 pounds at 36 psi, fits 3.75 to 4.00-inch rims, and ranges from 26 to 35 pounds depending on the sidewall treatment. The Firestone Classic Bias Ply in the same 700-18 size also carries 1520 pounds at 36 psi, fits 3.75 to 4.00-inch rims, and is listed at 29 pounds in blackwall form.
That means the biggest practical differences are series identity, available sidewall presentations, and product weight rather than wheel diameter or broad fitment category. A 1932 Nash owner choosing between them should first decide whether the car needs the Balloon series look or a Classic Bias Ply presentation that better matches the restoration plan. Once that is settled, the sidewall style can refine the final appearance without changing the basic 700-18 fitment.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 1932 Nash tires require?
Available 1932 Nash products include rim-width guidance for some sizes. In 550-18, listed fitments range from 3 inches for one BFGoodrich product to 3.25 inches for Firestone and 4 inches for an Excelsior offering. In 700-18, Firestone products call for 3.75 to 4.00-inch rims. Those ranges apply to the specific tire products in those sizes, not automatically to every wheel that might physically measure 17 or 18 inches in diameter.
Before mounting a new tire on a 1932 Nash wheel, measure the actual rim and compare it to the product you plan to use. That step matters on prewar cars because wheels may have been changed during earlier restorations, and older rims can vary in condition as well as dimension. If your car falls near the edge of a listed range, it is wise to verify the wheel carefully before committing to a particular tire.
Do 1932 Nash tires require inner tubes?
The available 1932 Nash product information does not show tubeless markings on the listed 550-18 or 700-18 bias-ply tires. That fits the era, since early 1930s cars like a 1932 Nash were built in a tube-type world with steel wheels designed around traditional multi-piece tire service practices. For a prewar fitment such as this, tube use is commonly part of the complete installation rather than an unusual add-on.
A 1932 Nash owner should treat tube selection as part of the fitment plan, not as an afterthought. Tube condition, valve-stem condition, and wheel-surface condition all matter because an otherwise sound-looking tire can still be compromised by old tube hardware or a rough rim interior. Match the tube to the exact size and wheel setup being used, especially if the car has gone through past restoration work.
Can the original 1932 Nash wheels be used with all tire sizes?
Original 1932 Nash wheels cannot be treated as interchangeable across all four sizes simply because several of the tires use 18-inch rims. The 1060, 1070, and 1090 all use different 18-inch sizes, and the 1080 uses a 17-inch size, so wheel diameter alone does not make every tire suitable for every model. Product guidance also shows different rim-width needs between the available 550-18 and 700-18 offerings.
If your 1932 Nash still has its original wheels, start by confirming the model and then measuring the wheel before assuming another size will mount correctly. That is especially important with unrestored or long-restored cars, where parts may have been swapped decades ago. Staying within the correct model-specific size keeps the car closer to its intended proportions and reduces the risk of mounting a tire on an unsuitable rim.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 1932 Nash when the tires are fitted?
A stored 1932 Nash 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. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to flat-spotting when they sit in one position for long periods, and early-style sidewalls can also show age cracking sooner if the car lives in heat or near ozone sources. Clean floors, stable temperatures, and proper inflation all help preserve the tires during inactive periods.
For a collector car like a 1932 Nash, periodic movement is helpful if the car is stored on its tires, and some owners prefer stands for very long storage intervals to reduce static loading. If you use stands, support the car correctly and avoid leaving suspension or chassis components in a strained position. A breathable cover and occasional pressure checks will do more for tire life than frequent cosmetic cleaning products.
How long do tires on a 1932 Nash typically last?
Tire life on a 1932 Nash is usually governed more by age than by mileage. Collector-car tires often retain tread because the car is driven sparingly, but rubber still hardens and ages over time. A good rule is to evaluate tires carefully once they reach the five- to seven-year range and to give serious replacement consideration as they approach about ten years, even if they still look presentable. The DOT date code on the tire is the best starting point for judging true age.
That matters on a lightly used 1932 Nash because a tire can seem fine during garage storage and still become less trustworthy on the road. Sidewall cracks, hardening, repeated loss of pressure, or vibration that grows worse over time can all signal an aging tire even before tread wear becomes obvious. Regular age-based review is smarter than waiting for visible wear alone on a prewar collector car.
How often should tires on a 1932 Nash be inspected?
Tires on a 1932 Nash should be inspected before every drive, with a more careful review before any longer outing or tour. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, and signs that the tire is losing pressure between drives. Because this is a prewar bias-ply application, it is also wise to pay attention to valve stems and tube-related service items as part of the inspection routine rather than focusing only on the tread surface.
That quick habit is especially useful on an older collector car because driving intervals may be separated by weeks or months. A tire problem that starts small in storage can become a road trip interruption once the car is back at speed. Check the spare at the same time, since many vintage cars still carry an old but visually acceptable spare that would be a poor emergency substitute on the road.
Restoration & Authenticity
What tires were originally fitted to the 1932 Nash 1060?
A 1932 Nash 1060 was originally a bias-ply car, as were virtually all American passenger cars of its era. The 1060 uses the 5.25-18 size within the 1932 Nash range, which places it squarely in the tall, narrow prewar bias-ply tradition. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and supply arrangement, so the essential authenticity points are the correct size, the correct bias-ply construction, and a sidewall style that matches the way the car is being restored.
For most restorers, getting the construction and size right matters more than chasing a brand assumption that may not apply to every surviving car. If your goal is high-level judging, period photography, factory literature, and Nash club expertise are worth consulting to confirm whether the car should wear a blackwall or a whitewall treatment. That extra research helps align the tires with the car's exact body style and presentation standard.
Does correct tire fitment matter for showing a 1932 Nash?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1932 Nash, especially in events that judge authenticity. Judges and experienced enthusiasts notice whether the size matches the model, whether the construction is period-appropriate, and whether the sidewall treatment looks right for the restoration style. On a prewar car, a wrong wheel diameter or an obviously mismatched sidewall treatment can stand out quickly even to casual observers because the tires are such a visible part of the car's stance.
That does not mean every 1932 Nash has to be restored to one identical standard, because event expectations vary. A touring car, a local show car, and a concours restoration may all make different choices about sidewall appearance while still staying within believable period practice. If points matter, compare your intended tire to event rules and marque-club guidance before finalizing the car rather than after the judging season begins.
What is the difference between the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Firestone Classic Bias Ply for the 1932 Nash?
In 550-18 for the 1932 Nash 1070, the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply is listed as a 3.00-inch wide whitewall tire with a maximum load of 1000 pounds at 32 psi, a 3-inch rim width, and a 23-pound weight. Firestone Classic Bias Ply in the same size appears as a blackwall or a 3.25-inch double-whitewall, with a listed maximum load of 1125 pounds at 32 psi, a 3.25-inch rim width, and weights of 19 and 23 pounds depending on version. Both are bias-ply, but they present different visual and setup details.
For a 1932 Nash owner, that means the decision is not only about brand name. The whitewall width, the listed rim-width requirement, and the load figure can all influence which product makes the most sense for the wheel and for the intended look of the car. If the goal is strict visual period flavor, compare the tire's sidewall treatment to the rest of the restoration before settling on one series over the other.
Safety & Road Use
Are 1932 Nash tires safe for highway driving?
1932 Nash tires can be suitable for normal road use when they are the correct size, in good condition, properly inflated, and mounted on sound wheels. The listed 550-18 and 700-18 offerings are bias-ply tires, which deliver the period construction expected for a prewar car. A 1932 Nash itself is likely to reach the practical limits of its brakes, suspension design, steering feel, and general age-related mechanical condition before a reproduction tire's basic road capability becomes the only factor at ordinary highway speeds.
The real safety question is whether the entire car is ready for the trip, not just whether the tires are new. A bias-ply equipped prewar car will not feel like a modern sedan at speed, and the driver should expect era-correct behavior in tracking, response, and braking. If the tires are fresh and properly matched, the wiser next step is a full mechanical check and a realistic driving plan suited to a 1932 automobile.
What inflation pressure should I use for 1932 Nash tires?
Inflation pressure for 1932 Nash tires should be matched to the exact size and tire being used rather than borrowed from another model in the range. Available 550-18 products list maximum loads at 32 psi, including 1000 pounds at 32 psi and 1125 pounds at 32 psi depending on product. Available 700-18 products list 1520 pounds at 36 psi. Those are tire ratings, not a universal instruction to run every 1932 Nash at the same pressure.
The best approach is to start with the vehicle's factory guidance if you have it, then compare that recommendation to the tire maker's rating for the exact reproduction tire on the car. Pressure that is sensible for one 1932 Nash model may be wrong for another because the cars use different sizes and carry weight differently. Staying size-specific avoids overinflating a smaller tire or under-supporting a larger one.
What should I check before taking a 1932 Nash on a longer drive?
Before a longer drive in a 1932 Nash, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and pressure loss, and make sure the valve stems and spare are in serviceable condition. On a prewar bias-ply setup, it also pays to look at the wheel itself for rust, bead-seat problems, or signs of old repair work. Tire readiness should be part of a larger walk-around that includes brakes, steering, wheel bearings, cooling, and fuel system reliability.
A 1932 Nash rewards preparation because a small issue that might be minor around town can become a trip-ending problem once the car is miles from home. Take a close look after the first few local drives of the season, since stored collector cars often reveal weak points only after they are used again. A careful pre-drive routine builds confidence and helps keep the outing focused on enjoying the car rather than troubleshooting it roadside.
