1932 Reo Tire Fitment Guide

1932 Reo vehicles do not share one universal tire size across the full lineup. The 25 Series uses 6.50-17, the 31 & 35 Series uses 650-18, the 52 Series uses 700-18, the Deluxe uses 6.00-17, and the S uses 550-17. The 17-inch fitments are 6.50-17, 6.00-17, and 550-17, while the 18-inch fitments are 650-18 and 700-18. Where listed products exist, 650-18 uses a 3.25 to 3.50 inch rim-width range and 700-18 uses a 3.75 to 4.00 inch rim-width range.

That means year and make alone are not enough for a confident tire choice on a 1932 Reo. You need to identify the exact model or series first, then confirm whether the car carries 17-inch or 18-inch wheels before narrowing down sidewall style or tire series. If your car has been restored long ago or has had wheels swapped during its life, verify the actual wheel diameter on the car rather than relying only on memory or paperwork.

On a 1932 Reo, 650-18 is a period numeric bias-ply tire size. The 650 identifies the tire's nominal section-width class in early shorthand, and the 18 indicates that it fits an 18-inch wheel. In the 1932 Reo range, that size belongs to the 31 & 35 Series rather than every model built that year.

Modern buyers often expect a size code to reveal more detail than these prewar numeric markings actually do. On an early-1930s Reo, the important takeaway is that 650-18 defines both the visual proportion and the wheel diameter, while construction remains bias-ply in the current offerings. If your car is a 31 or 35 Series, use that size as your baseline and then choose blackwall or whitewall appearance to match the way you want the car presented.

No, 1932 Reo models use different tire sizes by series and model. The S, Deluxe, and 25 Series all mount on 17-inch wheels, but they still use different sizes from one another. The 31 & 35 Series and the 52 Series both use 18-inch wheels, yet they also differ in tire size. Reo's 1932 lineup reflects the common prewar practice of matching tire dimensions to the scale and position of each series.

That model-by-model variation matters because a tire that looks broadly similar can still be wrong for your car's proportions, wheel diameter, or restoration goals. If you are unsure which Reo model you have, start with the series identification and wheel measurement before choosing any product. That extra step helps prevent the most common mistake on year-make searches: selecting a tire that fits some 1932 Reo models, but not yours.

1932 Reo tire options include multiple sidewall styles where products are available. The 650-18 fitment is offered in blackwall and wide whitewall, the 700-18 fitment appears in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall, and the 550-17 fitment is also available in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. All of these current offerings are bias-ply, which suits the prewar character of a 1932 Reo.

Sidewall style changes the visual impression of the car more than the basic fitment itself. Blackwalls usually look more understated and work well for utility-minded or less ornamented presentations, while whitewall treatments add a dressier period look that many restorers prefer on higher-trim or show-oriented cars. If authenticity matters for an event or judged display, match the sidewall style to the era and the way your particular Reo would have been equipped or presented.

Two brands appear in current 1932 Reo fitments. Firestone covers the listed 18-inch sizes, including 650-18 and 700-18, while BFGoodrich appears in the listed 17-inch 550-17 fitment. Each brand is offering bias-ply construction in keeping with the period, with sidewall options that range from blackwall to whitewall treatments depending on the size.

Brand choice on a prewar Reo often comes down to which size your model requires first, then which sidewall presentation best suits the car. Since not every 1932 Reo size has products shown here, it is smart to begin with your model's exact fitment rather than shopping by brand alone. Once the size is confirmed, compare the available series within that size for the right visual balance and wheel compatibility.

Within the 700-18 fitment for 1932 Reo, Firestone Balloon and Firestone Classic Bias Ply are both bias-ply offerings on 18-inch rims with the same listed load figure of 1520 pounds at 36 psi and the same 3.75 to 4.00 inch rim-width range. The practical differences shown here are product series, sidewall presentation, and weight. Firestone Balloon appears in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall versions, while Firestone Classic Bias Ply appears here in blackwall, with listed weights that vary by product.

For a 1932 Reo 52 Series owner, that means the decision is less about basic fitment and more about visual preference within the correct size. A whitewall or double-whitewall version changes the car's appearance substantially, while the underlying size and construction remain appropriate to the era. If you are comparing products in the same 700-18 size, treat wheel compatibility and the sidewall look as the first two filters before considering smaller spec differences.

Rim-width guidance is available for some 1932 Reo tire sizes. The 650-18 fitment is listed for 3.25 to 3.50 inch rims, while the 700-18 fitment is listed for 3.75 to 4.00 inch rims. Those ranges apply to the products offered in those exact sizes and should not be assumed to transfer to the 17-inch Reo sizes automatically.

Rim width matters because a prewar bias-ply tire is designed to take its intended shape on a certain wheel profile. If the wheel is too narrow or too wide for the tire, the tread and sidewall can sit differently than intended, which affects both appearance and behavior. Before choosing a 650-18 or 700-18 product for a 1932 Reo, verify the actual wheel dimensions on the car, especially if it has had decades of prior restoration work.

Original 1932 Reo wheels cannot be treated as universal across all five tire sizes because the lineup includes both 17-inch and 18-inch fitments. A 17-inch wheel cannot accept an 18-inch tire, and even among the 17-inch or 18-inch groups, the intended tire size still changes by model. Reo separated its series by proportions, so wheel and tire selection followed the model rather than the make as a whole.

That means original wheels are only useful if they match the exact model's required diameter and are appropriate for the tire size you intend to run. On 650-18 and 700-18 fitments, rim width should also be checked against the listed range before moving ahead. If your 1932 Reo has mixed parts from an old repair or restoration, verify each wheel individually instead of assuming the set is original to the car.

A stored 1932 Reo should be kept away from direct sunlight, standing moisture, and ozone-producing sources such as electric motors, battery chargers, or welding equipment. Bias-ply tires, like the sizes used across the 1932 Reo lineup, can develop flat spotting more readily during long static periods than a modern radial. Clean, dry storage and stable inflation pressure go a long way toward preserving both the tire casing and sidewall finish.

If the car will sit for an extended period, roll it occasionally to change the tire contact patch or support it in a way that reduces sustained load if that suits your storage plan. Avoid parking for months on contaminated concrete, oil-soaked floors, or surfaces that trap moisture at the sidewall. Whitewall-equipped tires also benefit from extra care during storage because cosmetic staining is often easier to prevent than to reverse.

Tire life on a 1932 Reo is usually judged more by age and condition than by mileage. Collector vehicles often accumulate very few miles, so a tire can look usable long after the rubber has begun to harden, crack, or age internally. As a general rule, start evaluating older tires closely once they are about five to seven years old, and treat ten years as a serious point for replacement consideration regardless of tread depth.

The smartest way to track that timeline is by checking the date code on the tire and keeping a simple service record for the car. A lightly driven prewar Reo can give a false sense of security because the tread may still appear substantial even when the tire is aging out. If the car sees regular road use, have the tires inspected with age in mind rather than waiting for obvious wear alone.

Tires on a 1932 Reo should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, exposed cords, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and signs that the tire is not holding pressure evenly. On a collector car, visual condition matters just as much as tread depth because age-related deterioration often appears long before the tread is worn out.

A longer drive deserves a slightly deeper inspection because an older car places more importance on preventive checks. Confirm pressure when the tires are cold, look at the spare as well as the four road tires, and pay attention to valve stems and wheel condition during routine maintenance. A five-minute walkaround before driving a 1932 Reo is one of the simplest ways to avoid turning a small issue into a roadside problem.

A 1932 Reo 25 Series uses the 6.50-17 size, and bias-ply construction is the era-correct type for a 1932 American passenger car. That construction aligns with what buyers would expect on a prewar Reo, even though individual market preferences, trim differences, and optional equipment could influence appearance details. The key point for authenticity is matching the correct size and period construction before worrying about decorative sidewall treatment.

If you are restoring a 25 Series for show or historical accuracy, use 6.50-17 as the foundation and then verify sidewall style against factory literature, period photos, or marque specialists familiar with early Reo practice. Avoid assuming that a tire from another 1932 Reo series is close enough just because it shares the same general era. On prewar cars, proportion and stance are central to an authentic finished look.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1932 Reo because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction type, and sidewall appearance very quickly. A tire that is too large, too small, on the wrong wheel diameter, or styled in a way that clashes with the period can alter the whole car's stance. Since every 1932 Reo model in this lineup has its own specific size, accuracy starts with identifying the exact model and matching that fitment.

For event preparation, think of the tire as both a functional part and a visible design element. The right fitment helps the car sit with the proportions Reo intended, while the wrong one can undermine an otherwise careful restoration. If your goal is judged authenticity, compare your chosen size and sidewall style with period references and check with a Reo club or event organizers for any class-specific expectations.

On a 1932 Reo, blackwall, wide whitewall, and in some sizes double-whitewall options change appearance more than they change fundamental fitment. The 650-18, 700-18, and 550-17 offerings show that the same basic size can be presented in multiple period-looking sidewall styles while remaining bias-ply. Blackwalls give a plainer, more utilitarian look, while whitewall treatments make the car appear more formal and dressed.

For authenticity, the best choice depends on how your specific Reo model was equipped, how it is being restored, and what historical references support. A Deluxe or larger series car may look especially at home with a whitewall treatment, but that should still be checked against period evidence rather than selected by taste alone. If your car is being judged, sidewall style can matter nearly as much as the basic tire size.

1932 Reo tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and used within the limits of their construction and any stated load rating. The listed 700-18 products carry a maximum load of 1520 pounds at 36 psi, while 650-18 includes a listed load figure of 1205 pounds at 36 psi on one offering. These are bias-ply tires, so their road feel and response will remain true to an early-1930s vehicle rather than a modern passenger car.

On a 1932 Reo, the broader safety picture often depends as much on the car itself as on the tire. Braking systems, steering components, suspension wear, and overall mechanical condition deserve just as much attention before sustained road use. If the car is being returned to service after long storage, treat the first longer drives as a systems check and keep speeds appropriate to the vehicle, the road, and the condition of the entire chassis.

Inflation pressure for a 1932 Reo should begin with the vehicle's factory guidance for the exact model and size, then be checked against the tire's own rated specifications. The listed 650-18 and 700-18 products include maximum load figures at 36 psi, with 650-18 showing 1205 pounds at 36 psi and 700-18 showing 1520 pounds at 36 psi. Those figures are not a blanket operating-pressure recommendation for every 1932 Reo tire size in the lineup.

Use the correct size-specific information instead of carrying one pressure number across different Reo models. A smaller 17-inch fitment and a larger 18-inch fitment do not necessarily want the same inflation setting in service, even if they share the same era and construction type. For the best result, confirm your exact tire size, consult the owner's literature or period service information for the car, and then verify the tire manufacturer's guidance for the reproduction tire you are using.

Before a longer drive in a 1932 Reo, inspect all five tires for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and correct cold inflation pressure. Pay close attention to sidewalls on any whitewall-equipped tire, and make sure the spare is usable rather than just present. Since every 1932 Reo model uses a specific size, confirm that all tires on the car actually match the proper fitment for the model and are mounted on the correct wheel diameter.

That tire inspection should be part of a larger pre-drive routine on any prewar car. Check wheel fasteners, brakes, steering play, fluid levels, and the condition of belts, hoses, and electrical connections before setting out. A 1932 Reo rewards careful preparation, and tires are one of the easiest areas to assess thoroughly before the trip begins.