1933 Pierce Arrow Tire Fitment Guide

1933 Pierce Arrow vehicles use two distinct tire sizes: 750-17 for the B12 and 700-17 for the S12. Both are bias-ply tires mounted on 17-inch wheels, but they are not interchangeable across the full 1933 Pierce Arrow range simply by year and make alone. Rim width guidance also differs by size. Available 750-17 products include fitments for 4-inch rims and some for 5.50- to 6.00-inch rims, while available 700-17 products cover 4-inch rims and 3.5- to 4.0-inch rims.

That means the correct starting point is the model identification plate, title, or other reliable chassis reference, followed by a check of the wheel actually on the car. Many prewar cars have had wheels or trim components changed over time, so confirming both model and rim width helps narrow the right tire without relying on assumptions carried over from another Pierce-Arrow model.

On a 1933 Pierce Arrow, 750-17 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 7.50 portion refers to the nominal section width in inches, and the 17 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. This size belongs to the 1933 Pierce Arrow B12 rather than the S12. It is a traditional prewar sizing convention, so the code is much more straightforward than a modern metric radial size with an aspect ratio and speed symbol built into the sidewall marking.

For a buyer, the practical value of that code is that it tells you both the general tire section and the required rim diameter at a glance. It does not replace checking the actual wheel width or the exact product's sidewall style, especially on a restored luxury car where appearance matters almost as much as fitment.

No. 1933 Pierce Arrow models do not all use the same tire size. The B12 uses 750-17, while the S12 uses 700-17. Both sizes are bias-ply and both fit 17-inch wheels, but the size itself changes with the model. That difference is important because prewar luxury cars often shared broad family styling while still carrying meaningful chassis and fitment distinctions underneath.

A buyer comparing tires across the year should treat the B12 and S12 as separate fitment paths rather than as a single Pierce-Arrow listing with cosmetic variations. Once the model is confirmed, the next comparison becomes sidewall styling and wheel-width compatibility rather than deciding between completely different construction types.

1933 Pierce Arrow tires are available in Blackwall, Double-Whitewall, and Wide Whitewall styles, depending on size and product line. The 750-17 B12 fitment includes all three styles through Firestone and BFGoodrich, and the 700-17 S12 fitment also includes all three through Firestone and Ensign. On a 1933 luxury car, sidewall style strongly affects visual character. Blackwalls read more restrained and formal, while whitewall variations bring out the full prewar luxury presentation many restorers prefer.

The best choice depends on how your Pierce-Arrow is being finished and shown. A car restored for broad period appearance may lean toward a whitewall treatment, while a more understated or market-specific presentation may point toward blackwalls. Before selecting by appearance alone, confirm the exact size for your model so the final decision stays within the correct fitment.

Three brands appear in the available 1933 Pierce Arrow tire range: Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Ensign. For 750-17 on the B12, the choices come from Firestone and BFGoodrich. For 700-17 on the S12, the choices come from Firestone and Ensign. All of the listed options are bias-ply tires, which suits the period of the car and keeps the construction in line with what buyers expect on a full classic from the early 1930s.

Brand choice matters most once size, sidewall style, and wheel compatibility are settled. Some owners focus on a familiar historic American name for a U.S. luxury car, while others concentrate on a particular tread and sidewall presentation. Comparing products within the correct size is the right next step, because the available brands are not identical across the two Pierce-Arrow models.

On the 1933 Pierce Arrow B12 in 750-17, Firestone Balloon and BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply differ in sidewall presentation, weight, and published wheel-width guidance. Firestone Balloon appears in Blackwall and Double-Whitewall versions with a 4-inch rim listing and a published load figure of 1870 pounds at 40 psi on the Firestone entries shown here. BFGoodrich appears in Blackwall and Wide Whitewall versions, with the Wide Whitewall entry carrying a 5.50- to 6.00-inch rim listing and a published load figure of 1646 pounds at 36 psi.

That comparison means a B12 owner should evaluate more than brand name alone. Sidewall look may steer the decision first, but wheel width and the exact product's published load-and-pressure pairing should also be matched carefully to the car and wheel on hand. On a prewar car, those details matter because two correct-size bias-ply tires can still differ in how they suit a particular restoration.

1933 Pierce Arrow tire rim-width requirements vary by size and by product. In 750-17 for the B12, available listings include 4-inch rims on Firestone products and 5.50- to 6.00-inch rims on a BFGoodrich Wide Whitewall product. In 700-17 for the S12, available products cover 4-inch rims and 3.5- to 4.0-inch rims. All of these fitments use a 17-inch wheel diameter, but width remains a separate and necessary check before final selection.

The practical takeaway is simple: measure or verify the actual wheel, not just the tire size written in a book or remembered from an earlier restoration. A 17-inch rim diameter alone does not guarantee every 17-inch product in the correct size will suit the wheel already on the car. Matching the product to the wheel width helps preserve fit, profile, and proper mounting practice.

The available 1933 Pierce Arrow tire listings do not carry tube-type or tubeless markings in the size line, so the final tube decision should be made around the wheel itself and the specific tire manufacturer's guidance. Because these are prewar 17-inch bias-ply applications on early luxury cars, tube use is commonly part of the conversation whenever original-style wheels are involved. The tire size alone does not settle the issue on its own.

A buyer should inspect whether the wheels are original or replacement, whether the rims are intended for tube use, and whether the valve-stem arrangement supports that setup. If your Pierce-Arrow still uses original-style artillery or disc wheels, confirming tube compatibility before mounting is more important than assuming modern practice applies.

Original 1933 Pierce Arrow wheels can only be used with both tire sizes in the broad sense that both 700-17 and 750-17 mount on 17-inch rims. That does not mean one wheel setup should automatically be treated as correct for both sizes or both models. The B12 and S12 use different tire sizes, and available products within those sizes show different rim-width ranges, so wheel diameter and wheel width both matter.

If a car has been restored, converted, or assembled from mixed parts over many decades, it is wise to confirm the wheel dimensions before treating another 1933 Pierce-Arrow wheel as interchangeable. Shared diameter is helpful, but the safest path is still to match the tire to the wheel actually fitted to your specific model.

A 1933 Pierce Arrow should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Because these are bias-ply tires on a heavy prewar luxury car, long static storage can also encourage flat-spotting more readily than many modern radials. Keeping the tires clean, properly inflated, and off wet concrete for extended periods is a sound baseline for collector use.

If the car will sit for long stretches, periodic rolling helps change the tire's contact patch, and some owners use stands to reduce sustained load. That is especially worthwhile on a large Pierce-Arrow that may only come out for tours, shows, or occasional drives. Good storage habits preserve both appearance and road manners when the car returns to service.

Tire life on a 1933 Pierce Arrow is usually judged more by age and condition than by mileage, because collector cars often see limited annual use. A good working rule is to evaluate tires closely once they reach the five- to seven-year range and to consider replacement around ten years regardless of remaining tread, using the date code and the tire's visible condition together. Sidewall checking, stiffness, and repeated pressure loss matter more than odometer totals on a low-use prewar car.

That approach helps owners avoid relying on a tire that still looks presentable at a glance but has aged internally. If your Pierce-Arrow spends more time displayed than driven, the calendar becomes more important than tread depth. Regularly reviewing age alongside condition keeps replacement timing realistic for a car used seasonally or ceremonially.

Tires on a 1933 Pierce Arrow should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing or tour. Look closely for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and any sign that the tire is not holding pressure consistently. A heavy prewar car can hide tire problems if it is only moved occasionally, so visual checks should be deliberate rather than casual. The spare deserves the same attention, since it may be decades old even when it appears unused.

A more thorough inspection at the start of each driving season is also worthwhile, especially if the car was stored for several months. If your wheel setup uses tubes, include the valve stems and any signs of chafing or leakage in that review. Catching age-related problems early is one of the simplest ways to avoid trouble on the road.

The 1933 Pierce Arrow B12 used a 750-17 bias-ply tire, which fits what buyers would expect for an American luxury car of this prewar period. Bias-ply construction was the standard type in 1933, so staying with a bias-ply 750-17 is the proper starting point for an authenticity-minded restoration. Original-equipment branding could vary by market, coachwork, and delivery history, so size and construction are the more dependable first benchmarks than assuming one universal original brand.

If your goal is restoration accuracy, confirm the car's surviving evidence and compare it with Pierce-Arrow club resources or period literature tied to your exact body style. Sidewall appearance also matters on a show car, since a blackwall, double whitewall, or wide whitewall can change the presentation substantially even when the size itself is correct.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1933 Pierce Arrow because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction, and sidewall style quickly on a prewar luxury automobile. A B12 shown on 700-17 tires or an S12 shown on 750-17 tires would raise fitment concerns immediately, even before details of finish and trim are discussed. Construction matters as well, since a bias-ply presentation aligns with the era in a way a visibly modern radial conversion would not on an originality-focused car.

That does not mean every event uses identical standards, but it does mean tires should be chosen as part of the restoration plan, not as an afterthought. If the car is headed for judged competition, confirm the accepted sidewall look and any market-specific expectations with the hosting organization or Pierce-Arrow specialists before mounting the final set.

On the 1933 Pierce Arrow S12 in 700-17, Firestone Balloon and Ensign B5 differ in sidewall availability, wheel-width guidance, weight, and published load figures. Firestone Balloon appears in Blackwall, Double-Whitewall, and Wide Whitewall versions, generally with a 4-inch rim listing and a published load figure of 1480 pounds at 36 psi. Ensign B5 appears here as a Blackwall tire with a 3.5- to 4.0-inch rim listing and a published load figure of 1,901 pounds at 36 psi.

That makes the decision more nuanced than choosing any 700-17 bias-ply tire at random. An S12 owner may prioritize sidewall appearance for restoration presentation, but wheel width and the exact tire's published characteristics still deserve equal attention. On a prewar Pierce-Arrow, those details can influence both authenticity and how naturally the tire suits the wheel already on the car.

1933 Pierce Arrow tires can be used for normal road driving when they are the correct size, in sound condition, properly mounted, and inflated appropriately for the wheel and vehicle. The available 700-17 and 750-17 products shown here are bias-ply collector tires, and no speed-rating letters are listed in the size markings for these applications. On a car from 1933, the vehicle's own braking, steering, suspension, and overall mechanical condition are often a greater real-world limit than the tire itself at modest highway speeds.

The key is to match expectations to the era of the car. A Pierce-Arrow should be driven with generous following distance, steady inputs, and close attention to road surface and weather, especially if the car is freshly awakened from storage. Safe highway use begins with a full pre-drive inspection rather than with speed capability alone.

Inflation pressure on 1933 Pierce Arrow tires should be guided first by the car's original recommendations and then checked against the specific tire's published load-and-pressure information. Among the available products, 750-17 listings include figures such as 1870 pounds at 40 psi and 1646 pounds at 36 psi, while 700-17 listings include figures such as 1480 pounds at 36 psi and 1,901 pounds at 36 psi. Those figures describe the tire's rated capability and should not be transferred casually from one size or product to another.

The practical approach is to begin with the pressure guidance intended for your Pierce-Arrow model and wheel setup, then confirm that it remains appropriate for the exact reproduction tire chosen. Because two tires in the same nominal size can carry different published pairings, using one blanket pressure across every product is not the right method on a prewar application.

Before taking a 1933 Pierce Arrow on a longer drive, inspect each tire for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, and do not forget to inspect the spare. Look closely at valve stems and the wheel area as well, especially if the car still uses original-style wheels or a tube-based setup. A long-wheelbase, heavy prewar luxury car places meaningful demand on every chassis system, so tire condition should be reviewed as part of a broader mechanical check rather than in isolation.

After the tires, continue with wheel fastener security, steering play, brake operation, fluid levels, and lighting before setting out. Even a correct-size bias-ply tire cannot compensate for a car that has been sitting or one with overdue chassis service. Treat the tires as the first checkpoint in a full pre-tour inspection routine.