1932 Pierce Arrow Tire Fitment Guide

1932 Pierce Arrow vehicles use three different tire sizes across four series: 750-18 fits the 51 Series, 700-18 fits the 52 Series and 53 Series, and 650-18 fits the 54 Series. All three sizes are bias-ply and all mount on 18-inch wheels. Rim width recommendations vary by size and product, with 650-18 shown on 3.25 to 3.50-inch rims, 700-18 on 3.75 to 4.00-inch rims, and 750-18 appearing on either 4-inch rims or wider 6.00 to 6.50-inch rims depending on the tire selected.

That means a 1932 Pierce Arrow owner should identify the exact series before going any farther, because year and make alone will not narrow the fitment correctly. Once the series is confirmed, the next check is the wheel itself, since the tires share an 18-inch diameter but do not all call for the same rim width range. On a prewar car, that extra step helps avoid choosing a tire that is correct in size code but mismatched to the actual wheel or the intended restoration look.

On a 1932 Pierce Arrow, 700-18 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 7.00 figure refers to the nominal section width in inches, and the 18 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a modern metric size, and it does not include a separate aspect ratio in the way later radial tire markings do. For 1932 Pierce Arrow fitment, 700-18 applies specifically to the 52 Series and 53 Series.

That older numeric format is typical of prewar American fitment and should be read as part of the car’s original-era sizing system rather than translated loosely into a later radial equivalent. If your Pierce Arrow is a 52 or 53 Series, 700-18 is the proper starting point, then the decision shifts to sidewall appearance and exact product line. If your car is a 51 or 54 Series, the correct size code changes even though the wheels are still 18-inch.

No, 1932 Pierce Arrow models do not all use the same tire size. The 51 Series uses 750-18, the 52 Series and 53 Series use 700-18, and the 54 Series uses 650-18. All are 18-inch bias-ply fitments, but the section width changes by series. That makes the model identification step essential before selecting any tire for a 1932 Pierce Arrow.

This matters especially on a luxury make like Pierce Arrow, where outwardly similar cars can still require different tire proportions to look and sit correctly. If you are working from an older car with mixed parts, restored wheels, or incomplete paperwork, verify the series designation on the car before choosing a tire. A 1932 Pierce Arrow owner who starts with the exact series will avoid the most common fitment mistake on this year-and-make grouping.

1932 Pierce Arrow tires are available in several period-appropriate sidewall styles depending on size. The 750-18 range includes blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall choices. The 700-18 range also includes blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall options. The 650-18 size appears in blackwall and wide whitewall form.

Sidewall style changes the look of a prewar luxury car as much as the tire size itself. A blackwall tends to suit a more restrained or utility-oriented presentation, while a whitewall or double-whitewall gives a more formal and upscale appearance that many owners associate with prestige automobiles of the era. For a 1932 Pierce Arrow being judged or restored closely to period taste, sidewall choice is worth treating as part of the car’s visual authenticity rather than as a minor cosmetic detail.

Firestone and Deka both appear in 1932 Pierce Arrow fitments, but they are not spread evenly across every size. Firestone covers 650-18, 700-18, and 750-18, while Deka appears in 750-18. Within the Firestone range, 700-18 includes both Balloon and Classic Bias Ply lines, while 650-18 and 750-18 center mainly on Balloon-style offerings. The Deka 750-18 option is a truck-pattern bias-ply tire.

Brand choice on a 1932 Pierce Arrow usually comes down to the character of the tire you want, not just the size code alone. Owners seeking a more traditional luxury-car presentation will often gravitate toward the Firestone offerings, especially when sidewall style is part of the restoration goal. The Deka option becomes relevant for buyers working specifically in 750-18 who want to compare a more utilitarian blackwall alternative against the passenger-car-oriented Firestone choices.

On 1932 Pierce Arrow fitments, the clearest direct comparison appears in 700-18. Firestone Balloon is offered in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall versions, while Firestone Classic Bias Ply appears as a blackwall option in the same size. Both are bias-ply tires for 18-inch wheels and share the same 1520-pound maximum load at 36 psi in the listed 700-18 examples. The listed weights differ, with the Balloon versions ranging from 26 to 35 pounds depending on sidewall treatment and the Classic Bias Ply example at 29 pounds.

For a 1932 Pierce Arrow owner, that comparison is mostly about visual presentation and product line character rather than a change in basic fitment. If you want whitewall styling in 700-18, the Balloon range gives that path; if you want a blackwall in a different Firestone bias-ply line, the Classic Bias Ply option is the alternative. Checking the exact sidewall style first helps narrow the field faster than treating all 700-18 choices as interchangeable.

Rim width depends on the size and, in one case, the specific product chosen for a 1932 Pierce Arrow. The 650-18 options call for 3.25 to 3.50-inch rims, while 700-18 fits 3.75 to 4.00-inch rims. In 750-18, Firestone Balloon tires are shown on 4-inch rims, while the Deka truck-pattern 750-18 uses a wider 6.00 to 6.50-inch rim range. All of these tires mount on 18-inch wheels, but width still has to match the tire selected.

That variation is why wheel inspection matters before any restoration or road-use decision. A 1932 Pierce Arrow owner should verify the actual rim dimensions on the car, especially if the car has changed hands, seen older repairs, or uses mixed spare-wheel equipment. The size code alone does not settle rim compatibility in every case, and 750-18 is the clearest example where two products in the same nominal size can call for very different wheel widths.

The available 1932 Pierce Arrow listings do not show tubeless markings, and these fitments are all prewar-style bias-ply tires used on 18-inch wheels. On cars of this era, tube use is commonly part of the setup, especially when original-style wheels are retained. The practical requirement should be confirmed against the exact tire selected and the wheel condition, including whether the rim is being used in original form or after restoration.

A 1932 Pierce Arrow owner should treat tube selection as part of the full installation plan rather than as an afterthought. If the car still runs original-style wheels, the condition of the rim well, valve hole, and bead seat matters just as much as the tire itself. Matching the tube, flap if required, and valve arrangement to the wheel helps prevent avoidable issues on a heavy prewar car that may spend long periods in storage between drives.

All listed 1932 Pierce Arrow tire sizes use 18-inch wheels, so the wheel diameter remains consistent across the year. That does not mean every original wheel can be used with every tire size interchangeably, because the correct series-specific size still matters and the rim width requirements differ by tire. A 650-18 setup does not share the same width range as a 700-18, and 750-18 can vary even within that size depending on product choice.

For an owner or restorer, the takeaway is to confirm both the series and the wheel dimensions before assuming broad interchangeability. A car that has had wheels swapped over the decades may still wear 18-inch rims while being wrong in width for the intended tire. Keeping the original 1932 Pierce Arrow wheels can work very well, but they should be matched to the correct size family and inspected for straightness, corrosion, and overall serviceability before mounting new tires.

A 1932 Pierce Arrow should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Because these cars use bias-ply tires, long static periods can encourage flat-spotting more readily than many later radial applications. Keeping the car clean, the tires properly inflated, and the floor surface dry helps reduce stress on both the casing and the sidewalls during storage.

If the car will sit for extended periods, moving it slightly from time to time or using stands appropriately can help reduce prolonged loading in one spot. Owners of large prewar cars often overlook the spare, but that tire should be protected and inspected as carefully as the four on the ground. Good storage habits preserve appearance as well as function, which matters on a 1932 Pierce Arrow where sidewall presentation is part of the car’s overall visual impact.

On a 1932 Pierce Arrow, tire age usually matters more than mileage because collector cars often accumulate limited road use. A sound rule is to begin evaluating the tires closely once they reach roughly five to seven years of age and to consider replacement as they approach about ten years, regardless of remaining tread depth. The DOT date code and the tire’s overall condition, including cracking, hardening, and casing shape, are more meaningful than odometer figures on a low-use prewar car.

That approach helps owners avoid keeping old-looking-but-little-used tires in service simply because the tread still appears deep. A 1932 Pierce Arrow places substantial weight on its tires, and age-related rubber changes can matter even if the car only sees occasional touring or show duty. If the tires came with the car and their age is uncertain, establishing a fresh baseline is often wiser than trying to stretch service life from an unknown starting point.

Tires on a 1932 Pierce Arrow should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing or tour. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, embedded debris, and signs that a tire is not holding inflation consistently. On a prewar setup, valve stems, tube-related leakage concerns, and the condition of the spare also deserve attention, especially if the car has been sitting for any length of time.

Frequent inspection is especially important on collector cars because they often alternate between long storage periods and occasional road use. A problem that develops quietly in the garage can become a roadside issue the first time the car is driven at speed after sitting. Giving a 1932 Pierce Arrow a careful walkaround and pressure check before each outing is one of the simplest ways to protect both the tires and the broader driving experience.

The 1932 Pierce Arrow 51 Series uses 750-18, and a bias-ply construction is correct to the period for a prewar luxury automobile of this type. That aligns with the broader reality of early-1930s American fitment, when bias-ply construction was standard practice rather than an alternative to radial. Original-equipment brand confirmation can vary by market, coachwork, and historical source, so the safest period-correct baseline is the proper size, bias-ply construction, and an era-appropriate sidewall treatment.

For a restoration, that means getting the size and general tire character right before narrowing the cosmetic details. Whitewall treatment, blackwall appearance, and the exact look expected for a given body style can differ depending on how the car is being restored or judged. Owners pursuing strict authenticity on a 1932 Pierce Arrow should compare the car against period photos, factory literature, and marque-club guidance before finalizing the sidewall style.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1932 Pierce Arrow because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice tire size, construction type, and sidewall appearance immediately. A series-correct 18-inch bias-ply tire is in keeping with the period, while the wrong size code or a sidewall look that does not suit the restoration can stand out against an otherwise accurate car. On a prestige prewar automobile, tires are part of the overall stance and visual authority of the vehicle.

That does not mean every event applies the same standard, but authenticity-minded judging generally rewards getting the basics right. A 51 Series wearing 700-18 or a 54 Series wearing 750-18 would look wrong before anyone even discusses finer details. If your 1932 Pierce Arrow is being prepared for marque judging or high-level concours use, event rules and club expertise should guide the final decision on sidewall style and presentation.

On a 1932 Pierce Arrow, the functional fitment can remain the same while the sidewall style changes the car’s visual character significantly. Blackwall, wide whitewall, and in some sizes double-whitewall options are available, depending on the size selected. A blackwall gives a more restrained period look, while whitewall treatments create a more formal and upscale presentation that many owners associate with senior luxury cars of the early 1930s.

Choosing between them comes down to the story you want the car to tell. Some restorations aim for understated correctness, while others seek the richer visual presence that whitewalls bring to large fenders, long wheelbases, and bright trim. On a 1932 Pierce Arrow, sidewall style is not just decoration; it materially affects whether the finished car reads as conservative, formal, or especially show-oriented.

1932 Pierce Arrow tires can be suitable for normal road use when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and fitted to proper wheels, but they are prewar-style bias-ply tires and should be driven with period-appropriate expectations. No speed ratings are shown in the available 650-18, 700-18, or 750-18 offerings, so the practical limit is not expressed through modern speed-letter markings. On a car from this era, braking, steering, suspension condition, and overall mechanical health are often more influential to safe highway use than tire capability alone.

That means a 1932 Pierce Arrow owner should think in terms of smooth, conservative touring rather than modern interstate behavior. A well-sorted car on fresh tires can be very enjoyable on secondary roads and moderate-speed highway stretches, but it still deserves more margin than a later car on radial tires. Before any sustained road trip, make sure the tire condition, inflation, wheel integrity, and broader chassis condition are all up to the task.

Inflation pressure on a 1932 Pierce Arrow depends on the exact tire size and product selected. Among the listed examples, 650-18 appears with a maximum load of 1205 pounds at 36 psi, 700-18 appears with 1520 pounds at 36 psi, Firestone 750-18 appears with 1930 pounds at 40 psi, and the Deka 750-18 listing shows 2540 pounds at 65 psi. Those figures are tire ratings, not universal vehicle settings, and they should not be transferred from one size or product to another.

The right practice is to use the vehicle’s original guidance as the starting point for operating pressure and then confirm that the chosen reproduction tire’s limits are respected. A heavy prewar luxury car can be sensitive to inflation in both appearance and road manners, so avoid assuming one 18-inch tire behaves like another just because the wheel diameter matches. Keeping the pressure matched to the specific size and product helps preserve both drivability and casing life.

Before a longer drive in a 1932 Pierce Arrow, inspect each tire for visible cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and proper inflation, then check the spare as carefully as the four in service. Make sure the valve stems are sound and that the wheels themselves are clean and serviceable at the bead and mounting surfaces. A tire check should be part of a broader pre-drive inspection that also includes brakes, steering, wheel bearings, fluids, and the cooling system on a car of this age.

Longer drives put steady heat and load into a prewar car’s tires, so problems that seem minor in the garage can become much more serious on the road. It is wise to confirm that the tires fitted to the car match the correct series-specific size and that pressures are set consistently before departure. Giving a 1932 Pierce Arrow a deliberate pre-tour inspection is less about formality and more about making the trip enjoyable, predictable, and mechanically kind to the car.