1933 Marmon Tire Fitment Guide

In its final years, 1933 Marmon stood apart as an American luxury make with a strong engineering reputation and a distinctly upscale presence. Even as the company neared the end of production, Marmon still appealed to buyers who wanted advanced design and prestige in a refined, high-end automobile. For 1933 Marmon, the tire question is refreshingly straightforward: the model range shown here centers on one size, 700-18, used across the listed model, so the main choice is less about fitment and more about sidewall appearance within a period-correct bias-ply construction. Before choosing a tire, confirm that your car is a 16 Series and verify the actual wheel dimensions on the vehicle.

Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 1933 Marmon

One tire size appears for 1933 Marmon, and it is shared by the listed model rather than split across multiple fitments. That means the real decision is not between different diameters or constructions, but between period-appropriate bias-ply tire styles on the correct 18-inch wheel. Understanding that distinction first helps narrow the search and match the tire to the car's intended presentation and use.

700-18Numeric bias-ply

Year(s): 1933Fit(s): 16 SeriesConstruction: Bias PlyRim: 18 in

700-18 is a numeric bias-ply size in which the leading number identifies the tire's nominal section width designation and the final number identifies an 18-inch rim. Firestone offers this size with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall sidewall styles, and the available products share a bias-ply construction with a 1520-pound load rating at 36 psi. For a 1933 Marmon 16 Series, this is the correct fitment path to follow, with the choice coming down largely to the visual finish and the kind of restoration character you want the car to present.

Explore 700-18 Tires

1933 Marmon Models

One model is covered for 1933 Marmon, and it uses a single tire size rather than a model-by-model spread of different fitments. That simplifies sizing, but it still leaves room to choose the sidewall style that best suits a formal restoration, a restrained touring look, or a more authentic period presentation. Select the model below for model-specific fitment history and products.

1933 Marmon 16 Series

The 1933 Marmon 16 Series represents the final chapter of one of America's most respected luxury marques, known for engineering sophistication and a strong reputation among pre-war enthusiasts. Its tires mount on 18-inch rims, and the fitment shown here stays focused on the classic large-diameter bias-ply look that suits a premium early-1930s American car.

Associated Tire Sizes:

  • 700-18 — bias-ply, period-correct restoration
Explore 1933 Marmon 16 Series Tires →

Best 1933 Marmon Tires for Sale

Four products are available across one tire size for 1933 Marmon vehicles. In 700-18, Firestone offers bias-ply tires in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles, so the key step is confirming the visual treatment that best matches your car before selecting.

Bias Ply

Firestone Balloon 4.25 Inch Double Whitewall | 700-18

Firestone - Firestone Balloon

SIDEWALLDouble-Whitewall
RIM DIAMETER18 in
RIM WIDTH3.75 - 4.00 in
WEIGHT35 lb
MAX LOAD1520@36 psi
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Bias Ply

Firestone Balloon | 700-18

Firestone - Firestone Balloon

SIDEWALLBlackwall
RIM DIAMETER18 in
RIM WIDTH3.75 - 4.00 in
WEIGHT26 lb
MAX LOAD1520@36 psi
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Bias Ply

Firestone Balloon 4.25 Inch Whitewall | 700-18

Firestone - Firestone Balloon

SIDEWALLWide Whitewall
RIM DIAMETER18 in
RIM WIDTH3.75 - 4.00 in
WEIGHT30 lb
MAX LOAD1520@36 psi
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Bias Ply

Firestone | 700-18

Firestone - Firestone Classic Bias Ply

SIDEWALLBlackwall
RIM DIAMETER18 in
RIM WIDTH3.75 - 4.00 in
WEIGHT29 lb
MAX LOAD1520@36 psi
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Bias Ply

Lester | 700-18

Lester - Lester Classic Bias Ply

SIDEWALLBlackwall
RIM DIAMETER18 in
RIM WIDTH—
WEIGHT28 lb
MAX LOAD—
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Bias Ply

Excelsior Comp H | 700-18

Excelsior - Comp H

SIDEWALLBlackwall
RIM DIAMETER18 in
RIM WIDTH5 in
WEIGHT25 lb
MAX LOAD—
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Military & Truck

STA Transport Highway | 700-18

STA - Transport Highway

SIDEWALLBlackwall
RIM DIAMETER18 in
RIM WIDTH6.00 - 6.50 in
WEIGHT37 lb
MAX LOAD2350@65 psi
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Frequently Asked Questions

These answers focus on what matters most for 1933 Marmon fitment: the 700-18 size, period-correct bias-ply construction, available sidewall treatments, wheel compatibility, and the storage and inspection habits that help preserve a pre-war collector car.

Size Basics & Fitment

What tire sizes fit 1933 Marmon vehicles?

1933 Marmon vehicles in the model range shown here use one tire size: 700-18. That size applies to the 1933 Marmon 16 Series and mounts on an 18-inch rim. The available products for 700-18 are built for rim widths from 3.75 to 4.00 inches, which gives you a concrete wheel-width range to confirm against the wheels actually on the car.

Because there is only one listed size for 1933 Marmon, the fitment question is more straightforward than it is on many other pre-war makes. The important next step is verifying that your wheels match the correct rim diameter and width range, especially on a car that may have been restored or altered decades ago. Once the wheel is confirmed, your choice usually comes down to sidewall appearance rather than choosing between multiple tire sizes.

What does 700-18 mean on a 1933 Marmon tire?

On a 1933 Marmon, 700-18 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 18 identifies the rim diameter in inches, while the 700 is the traditional size designation used for the tire's section-width class in period fitment language. It is not a modern metric size, and it does not follow the later alphanumeric or radial naming systems collectors may know from postwar cars.

That matters because a 700-18 tire should be matched with wheels and fitment expectations appropriate to an early-1930s luxury car, not cross-referenced casually to a modern passenger-car size. If you are restoring a 1933 Marmon for a historically correct look and stance, keeping the proper numeric bias-ply format is part of getting the car visually right. It also helps you stay within the wheel-width range intended for the products offered in this size.

Do all 1933 Marmon models use the same tire size?

Within the 1933 Marmon range covered here, the listed model uses the same tire size: 700-18. The 16 Series does not split into multiple tire sizes in this fitment grouping, so there is no year-and-make-level size variation to sort through before narrowing down product choices.

That gives owners of a 1933 Marmon a simpler starting point than buyers researching makes with several body lines and several wheel diameters in the same year. Even so, pre-war cars are old enough that replacement wheels, custom coachwork details, or past restoration choices can affect what is actually on the car today. Confirming the wheel before selecting a tire is still worthwhile, especially if the car has a long restoration history.

Buying the Right Tire

What sidewall styles are available for 1933 Marmon tires?

1933 Marmon tires in 700-18 are available in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. All of them keep the same basic bias-ply construction and fitment size, but they create very different visual effects on the car. Blackwalls give the most restrained and understated appearance, while wide whitewalls and double whitewalls add more visual formality and period flair.

For a pre-war luxury make like 1933 Marmon, sidewall choice can influence the car's overall character almost as much as the wheel itself. Owners building a formal show presentation often lean toward a whitewall treatment, while a more conservative touring or preservation look may point toward blackwalls. The best approach is to choose the sidewall style that matches the era impression and restoration goal you want the car to convey.

What brands make tires for 1933 Marmon vehicles?

Firestone makes the listed tires for 1933 Marmon in the 700-18 size. Within that size, the available offerings include products from the Firestone Balloon line as well as a Firestone classic bias-ply option, all centered on period-style bias-ply construction for pre-war applications.

For a buyer, that means the brand decision is already fairly focused, and the comparison shifts toward the specific Firestone series and the sidewall treatment that best fits the car. That can actually simplify the selection process on a specialty vehicle like a 1933 Marmon. Instead of sorting through many competing fitments, you can concentrate on appearance, wheel compatibility, and the kind of historical presentation you want to preserve.

What is the difference between Firestone Balloon and Firestone Classic Bias Ply tires for the 1933 Marmon?

For the 1933 Marmon in 700-18, Firestone Balloon and Firestone Classic Bias Ply options share the same basic size, bias-ply construction, 18-inch rim diameter, 3.75 to 4.00-inch rim-width range, and 1520-pound load rating at 36 psi. The visible difference within the available range comes largely through sidewall presentation, with Firestone Balloon versions offered in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall forms, while the Firestone Classic Bias Ply listing shown here is blackwall.

That makes the comparison less about fundamental fitment and more about styling and series preference within a correct pre-war format. If your goal is to emphasize luxury-era visual character, the whitewall Balloon options bring that forward more strongly. If you want a cleaner, simpler look, the blackwall choices keep the car visually disciplined while staying within the proper size and construction family for 1933 Marmon use.

Fitting & Setup

What rim width do 1933 Marmon tires require?

The available 700-18 tires for 1933 Marmon are built for rims measuring 3.75 to 4.00 inches in width, with an 18-inch rim diameter. That width range applies across the listed products in this fitment, so it provides a useful benchmark when you inspect original wheels or replacement rims on a 16 Series car.

Wheel width is worth checking carefully on a pre-war car because wheels may have been swapped, widened, or replaced during earlier restorations. Even when the diameter is correct, an unsuitable rim width can change how the tire sits and behaves. Measuring the actual wheel before selecting a tire helps keep the fit visually proper and avoids forcing a correct 700-18 tire onto a rim outside its intended range.

Can the original 1933 Marmon wheels be used with all tire sizes?

For the 1933 Marmon fitment shown here, there is only one tire size rather than several alternatives, so the wheel question centers on whether the original wheels match 700-18 dimensions. The available products are all intended for 18-inch rims and a 3.75 to 4.00-inch rim-width range, which is the key compatibility point to confirm on original or restored wheels.

On a car of this age, original wheels can usually remain part of the package if they are structurally sound and sized correctly, but they should be inspected closely before mounting fresh tires. Rust, prior repairs, out-of-round conditions, and bead-seat damage are all worth checking. A wheel that is historically correct still needs to be physically suitable for service if the car is going back on the road.

Maintenance, Storage & Longevity

How should I store a 1933 Marmon when the tires are fitted?

A 1933 Marmon should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Proper inflation matters even while the car is parked, and bias-ply tires are especially prone to flat-spotting if a heavy pre-war car sits in one position for long periods.

Moving the car periodically or placing it on properly positioned stands can reduce stress on the tires during long storage intervals. Clean, dry floors are better than damp surfaces, and tire dressing products that leave a glossy coating are usually less helpful than simply keeping the rubber clean and protected. If the car is part of a long-term collection, regular visual checks during storage are just as important as checks before driving season.

How long do tires on a 1933 Marmon typically last?

On a 1933 Marmon, tire age usually matters more than mileage because most surviving examples are driven relatively little. A good rule is to begin evaluating collector-car tires closely once they reach the five- to seven-year range and to treat around ten years as a serious point for replacement consideration, regardless of remaining tread depth. The DOT date code, when present, helps establish the tire's actual age.

That timeline is especially important on a large pre-war luxury car because weight, infrequent use, and long storage periods can age the casing even when the tread still looks presentable. Sidewall cracking, hardening, recurring pressure loss, and ride changes often tell the real story sooner than tread wear does. If a 1933 Marmon is being returned to regular road use after years in a collection, tire age should be one of the first items reviewed.

How often should tires on a 1933 Marmon be inspected?

Tires on a 1933 Marmon should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing or tour. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, and any sign that the tire is losing pressure between uses. On a collector car that may spend weeks or months parked, a brief inspection before moving the car is more valuable than waiting for a seasonal service interval.

A pre-drive inspection is also a chance to look at the condition of the spare and to make sure the car is riding level on all four corners. Older cars often telegraph tire issues through steering feel, tramlining, or visible sidewall fatigue before a problem becomes severe. Building a habit of checking the tires every time the 1933 Marmon leaves the garage is one of the simplest ways to protect both the car and its occupants.

Restoration & Authenticity

What tires were originally fitted to the 1933 Marmon 16 Series?

A 1933 Marmon 16 Series would have been fitted in the bias-ply era, and the listed fitment here centers on the period-correct 700-18 numeric bias-ply size. That aligns with what enthusiasts expect on an American luxury car from the early 1930s, when radial construction had not yet entered normal passenger-car practice. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and delivery history, so size and construction are the first authenticity points to confirm.

For a restoration, preserving the proper numeric bias-ply format usually matters more than chasing a specific brand name unless you have unusually strong provenance for the individual car. Sidewall treatment can also affect how authentic the finished car looks, especially on a formal pre-war model. If your 1933 Marmon is headed for judged events, a marque club or period sales literature can help refine the final cosmetic choice.

Does correct tire fitment matter for showing a 1933 Marmon?

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1933 Marmon because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction type, and sidewall appearance very quickly on a pre-war car. A 700-18 numeric bias-ply tire keeps the car in the right visual and historical family, while a visibly modern construction or a sidewall treatment that looks out of period can distract from an otherwise accurate restoration.

That does not mean every event applies the same standards, but tire details are often part of the overall impression the car makes on the field. On a luxury make like Marmon, the relationship between wheel, sidewall, and body style is especially important to the finished look. If competitive judging is your goal, confirm event standards and consult marque-specific resources before making the final sidewall choice.

What is the difference between blackwall and whitewall tires for the 1933 Marmon?

On a 1933 Marmon, blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall tires all keep the same 700-18 size and bias-ply construction, so the difference is primarily visual rather than dimensional. Blackwalls deliver a more restrained period appearance, while wide whitewalls and double whitewalls add more formal contrast and draw greater attention to the wheel opening and body line of the car.

That visual choice can significantly change how a finished restoration reads, especially on a premium early-1930s automobile. Owners pursuing a stately concours presentation often prefer a prominent whitewall treatment, while others favor blackwalls for a simpler, more understated look. The right answer depends on the body style, restoration philosophy, and the exact historical impression you want your 1933 Marmon to present.

Safety & Road Use

Are 1933 Marmon tires safe for highway driving?

A properly sized, properly mounted 700-18 bias-ply tire can be suitable for normal road use on a 1933 Marmon when it is in sound condition and used within its intended limits. The available products shown here center on traditional bias-ply construction rather than modern radial design, so the driving feel will remain consistent with an early-1930s car. On a pre-war luxury automobile, the tire is only one part of the highway equation.

Brakes, steering, suspension condition, wheel integrity, and the car's overall mechanical health often matter just as much as the tire itself when planning sustained road use. A well-prepared 1933 Marmon can be enjoyed on public roads, but it should be driven with the manners and caution appropriate to its age and design. Tire condition, inflation, and wheel inspection should be part of that preparation every time the car goes out.

What inflation pressure should I use for 1933 Marmon tires?

The available 700-18 tires for 1933 Marmon carry a load rating of 1520 pounds at 36 psi, which gives you the tire's rated pressure point for that product family. That figure is useful, but it is not the same thing as the vehicle manufacturer's recommended operating pressure for every loading condition. A pre-war car's original manual or marque reference remains the right place to confirm the vehicle-side target.

Use the tire maker's rated pressure information as a ceiling tied to load capacity, and use the vehicle's own recommendations to establish the actual running pressure when those references are available. Avoid assuming that a pressure suitable for one old-car tire automatically applies to every vintage fitment. When a 1933 Marmon has been restored, weighed differently, or equipped for touring, it is wise to confirm pressures carefully rather than relying on guesswork.

What should I check before taking a 1933 Marmon on a longer drive?

Before a longer drive in a 1933 Marmon, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, and uneven wear, then confirm that all four are holding pressure consistently. The spare should be checked as carefully as the road tires, since a neglected spare on a collector car is common and often discovered only when needed. Wheels, valve areas, and overall bead seating deserve a close look as well.

That tire inspection should be part of a broader pre-drive routine on any pre-war car, including brakes, steering play, fluid levels, cooling condition, and lights. A 1933 Marmon may cover significant miles comfortably when prepared properly, but old-car touring rewards prevention more than reaction. Spending a few extra minutes in the garage before departure is far easier than sorting out a tire or wheel issue on the side of the road.