By 1934, Lincoln stood for large-displacement American luxury with formal styling, long wheelbases, and the kind of road presence expected from a premium prewar marque. The 1934 Lincoln lineup was aimed at buyers who wanted prestige and refinement, and tire choice remains an important part of preserving that character today. For 1934 Lincoln, the decision is unusually straightforward because the model range covered here uses one tire size, 700-18, on an 18-inch wheel, so the main choice is not between fitments but between sidewall appearance and restoration intent. Before choosing a tire, confirm that your car is a 1934 Lincoln 136 and verify the wheel's actual dimensions against the tire you plan to run.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 1934 Lincoln
One tire size is available for 1934 Lincoln vehicles covered here, and it is used by the full model range listed for the year and make. Because there is no model-to-model size split, the real decision comes down to selecting the right bias-ply tire style and sidewall look for your restoration or driving goals. Understanding that distinction before choosing a product saves time and helps ensure the right match.
Year(s): 1934|Fit(s): 136|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 18 in
A 700-18 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 7.00 represents the nominal section width and 18 is the wheel diameter in inches. Firestone offers this size in Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall versions, all as bias-ply tires, with a 1520-pound maximum load rating at 36 psi and fitment on 18-inch wheels. This is the correct year-make size for the 1934 Lincoln 136, so the choice is mainly about the visual character you want and how closely you want the tire's appearance to support a prewar luxury restoration.
One model is covered for 1934 Lincoln. That makes fitment simple, since the model listed here uses the same 700-18 size throughout rather than splitting into multiple year-make tire options. Select the model below for more model-specific fitment history and products.
1934 Lincoln 136
The 1934 Lincoln 136 represented Lincoln's full-classic luxury character in the middle of the prewar era, with the long, formal proportions and substantial presence collectors still value today. Its tires mount on 18-inch wheels, and the available fitment centers on the traditional 700-18 bias-ply size that suits an authentic period presentation.
Four products are available across one tire size for 1934 Lincoln vehicles. The 700-18 size includes four Firestone bias-ply options with Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall sidewall styles, giving you a choice driven primarily by restoration appearance.
Bias Ply
Firestone Balloon 4.25 Inch Double Whitewall | 700-18
These FAQs focus on 1934 Lincoln tire sizing, 700-18 bias-ply fitment for the Lincoln 136, sidewall style choices for a prewar luxury car, and the storage and inspection habits that matter on a collector vehicle.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 1934 Lincoln vehicles?
1934 Lincoln vehicles covered here use one tire size: 700-18. That size applies to the 1934 Lincoln 136, and the available tires are bias-ply designs built for an 18-inch rim. The listed rim width range for 700-18 is 3.75 to 4.00 inches, which is the wheel-width window to confirm before choosing a tire.
Because there is only one size at the year-and-make level, the main question is not which diameter fits, but which version of the 700-18 best matches your car's presentation. On a 1934 Lincoln, that usually means choosing between blackwall and whitewall styling while staying within the correct 18-inch fitment and confirming the actual wheel dimensions on the car.
What does 700-18 mean on a 1934 Lincoln tire?
A 700-18 on a 1934 Lincoln is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 7.00 figure refers to the nominal section width, and the 18 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is an older sizing system commonly used on prewar American cars, so it does not read like a modern metric radial size.
That matters because a modern buyer may be tempted to compare 700-18 directly to newer size codes, but the more useful approach is to stay within the original numeric format when preserving period fit and appearance. If your goal is a correct prewar look on a 1934 Lincoln 136, the code points you toward the proper wheel diameter and era-appropriate bias-ply construction.
Do all 1934 Lincoln models use the same tire size?
Within the 1934 Lincoln model coverage here, yes. The Lincoln 136 uses 700-18 tires, so there is no split between multiple year-make sizes at this level. All available products for this fitment are bias-ply tires intended for 18-inch wheels.
That simplifies the search process because you do not need to sort between different diameter packages for the listed 1934 Lincoln model. Even so, it is still worth checking the actual wheel on the car, especially on an older restoration where wheel substitutions may have happened over the decades.
Buying the Right Tire
What sidewall styles are available for 1934 Lincoln tires?
1934 Lincoln tires in 700-18 are available with Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall sidewall styling. All of the listed options are Firestone bias-ply tires, so the major visual difference is the sidewall treatment rather than a change in size or basic construction. That gives a 1934 Lincoln owner several ways to tune the final look while remaining in the proper numeric bias-ply format.
On a prewar luxury car like a 1934 Lincoln, whitewall treatment often has a strong effect on the car's overall character. A blackwall leans more restrained, while wide whitewall or double-whitewall styling creates a more formal, show-oriented presentation. If originality matters for a judged event, compare the sidewall treatment on the car to period photos, marque references, and event rules before making a final decision.
What brands make tires for 1934 Lincoln vehicles?
Firestone is the brand represented for 1934 Lincoln fitment in 700-18. The available offerings include Firestone Balloon and Firestone Classic Bias Ply lines, all in bias-ply construction and all built around the same 18-inch fitment. That keeps the brand choice simple while still allowing variation in sidewall appearance.
For most 1934 Lincoln buyers, that means the decision is less about changing manufacturers and more about choosing the Firestone version that best fits the car's intended look and use. If you are restoring a formal prewar car for display, the visual details of the specific Firestone line may matter as much as the size itself.
What is the difference between Firestone Balloon and Firestone Classic Bias Ply tires for the 1934 Lincoln?
For the 1934 Lincoln in 700-18, both Firestone Balloon and Firestone Classic Bias Ply options share the same basic fitment dimensions, bias-ply construction, 18-inch rim diameter, 3.75 to 4.00 inch rim width range, and 1520-pound load capacity at 36 psi. The practical differences here are the series styling and available sidewall treatments. Firestone Balloon versions include Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall choices, while the listed Firestone Classic Bias Ply option appears in Blackwall form.
That means the selection is largely visual rather than structural for a 1934 Lincoln 136 owner staying within the correct size. If your goal is a particular prewar sidewall appearance, the Balloon line offers more variety, while the Classic Bias Ply option keeps the same fundamental fitment with a simpler blackwall presentation.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 1934 Lincoln tires require?
The 700-18 tires used on 1934 Lincoln vehicles fit 18-inch rims with a listed width range of 3.75 to 4.00 inches. That range applies across the available 700-18 products here, so the width requirement is consistent within the size. Matching both diameter and width is important on an older bias-ply fitment.
Before mounting new tires on a 1934 Lincoln, measure the wheel that is actually on the car instead of assuming it is original. Prewar cars can pass through many owners and restoration phases, and confirming the rim width first helps avoid fitment issues, sidewall distortion, or an appearance that looks wrong for the car.
Do 1934 Lincoln tires require inner tubes?
The available 700-18 product information for 1934 Lincoln does not carry a tube-type or tubeless marking in the size description. On a prewar luxury car using numeric bias-ply tires and original-style wheels, tube use is commonly part of the setup, especially if the wheel was designed for tube-type service rather than modern sealed tubeless operation.
The right approach is to inspect the wheel itself and match the tire setup to the wheel's design and condition. If your 1934 Lincoln still uses original-style rims, have a qualified vintage tire installer or marque specialist confirm whether tubes, flaps, valve hardware, or other period-correct components should be used before the tires are mounted.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 1934 Lincoln when the tires are fitted?
A 1934 Lincoln should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Bias-ply tires also benefit from being kept on a clean surface and from periodic movement so the same section of the tread is not bearing weight for months at a time.
Collectors who store a 1934 Lincoln for long periods often roll the car slightly every few weeks or support it in a way that reduces prolonged static loading. Good storage habits help preserve sidewall appearance, reduce flat-spotting, and keep a prewar luxury car ready for the next outing without avoidable tire stress.
How long do tires on a 1934 Lincoln typically last?
Tire life on a 1934 Lincoln is usually governed more by age than by mileage. Collector cars often accumulate relatively few miles, so rubber aging, sidewall condition, and overall structural health matter more than tread wear alone. A sound rule is to begin regular age-based evaluation around five to seven years and to treat the ten-year point as a serious replacement consideration regardless of miles driven.
Check the tire's manufacturing date code and inspect the casing carefully as the tire ages. Even a lightly driven 1934 Lincoln can outlive a set of tires simply because time, storage conditions, and heat cycles gradually affect the rubber. That makes calendar age one of the most important maintenance factors on a prewar car.
How often should tires on a 1934 Lincoln be inspected?
Tires on a 1934 Lincoln should be inspected before every drive, and they deserve a more careful once-over before any longer outing or event. Look for sidewall cracking, weathering, tread irregularities, cuts, bulges, and pressure loss. On an older wheel-and-tire system, the valve area also deserves attention because slow leaks can begin there.
Frequent inspection matters on a 1934 Lincoln because a collector car may sit for long periods and then be asked to perform without much warning. A brief walkaround before each drive helps catch age-related issues early and is far easier than discovering a problem on the road in a heavy prewar automobile.
Restoration & Authenticity
What tires were originally fitted to the 1934 Lincoln 136?
A 1934 Lincoln 136 would have been delivered in the bias-ply era, and the correct year-make fitment here is 700-18. That aligns with the construction and sizing conventions expected on an American luxury car of the mid-1930s. No original-equipment brand should be assumed without vehicle-specific historical confirmation, but the size and bias-ply format are consistent with what a prewar Lincoln owner should expect.
If you are restoring a 1934 Lincoln 136 for high-level authenticity, use the 700-18 size as your baseline and then verify sidewall treatment against period literature, surviving original cars, or marque-club guidance. That extra step is worthwhile because luxury cars of the era could vary in presentation, especially by body style, market, or restoration philosophy.
Does correct tire fitment matter for showing a 1934 Lincoln?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1934 Lincoln. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice tire size, construction type, and sidewall appearance quickly, especially on a formal prewar car where the tire is a major visual element. A modern-looking size format or an obviously incorrect sidewall treatment can distract from an otherwise accurate restoration.
Using the proper 700-18 bias-ply fitment keeps the car in the right visual and historical lane, but event standards can differ. Before showing a 1934 Lincoln, compare your planned tire choice with the expectations of the club or judging body involved so you can decide whether blackwall, wide whitewall, or another period-style presentation is most appropriate.
What is the difference between blackwall and whitewall 1934 Lincoln tires for authenticity?
For a 1934 Lincoln, blackwall and whitewall versions in 700-18 share the same basic fitment but create very different visual results. The available choices include Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall executions, all in bias-ply construction. On a prewar luxury automobile, sidewall styling is part of the overall design statement, not just a cosmetic afterthought.
Authenticity depends on how your individual 1934 Lincoln was originally presented and how strict your restoration target is. A whitewall treatment may suit a more formal, upscale appearance, while blackwall can be appropriate for a more restrained look. Period photography, factory literature, and marque-club research are the best ways to confirm which sidewall style fits your specific restoration goal.
Safety & Road Use
Are 1934 Lincoln tires safe for highway driving?
Properly maintained 1934 Lincoln tires in the correct 700-18 bias-ply size can be used for normal road driving when they are in sound condition and matched to a mechanically healthy car. The available fitment here is a traditional bias-ply design, so its road manners will feel different from a modern radial, with more period-correct steering and tracking characteristics. On a car from 1934, the condition of the brakes, steering, suspension, and wheel hardware is every bit as important as the tire itself.
The practical takeaway is to treat highway use as a whole-vehicle question, not just a tire question. If your 1934 Lincoln is freshly inspected, properly aligned, and fitted with age-sound tires at the right pressure, occasional highway travel can be realistic. Build speed gradually and drive within the limits of a heavy prewar automobile rather than expecting modern-car behavior.
What inflation pressure should I use for 1934 Lincoln tires?
The listed 700-18 tires for 1934 Lincoln carry a maximum load capacity of 1520 pounds at 36 psi. That figure is the tire's rated load-and-pressure point, not automatically the pressure every car should run in every condition. Inflation on a collector car should also reflect the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations, the car's operating weight, and how the vehicle is actually being driven.
For a 1934 Lincoln, start by checking the original owner's literature or trusted marque references for vehicle-specific guidance, then compare that with the tire's rated pressure information. Do not transfer a pressure assumption from a different size or different vehicle just because it looks similar. Proper inflation affects ride quality, tread wear, steering feel, and overall stability.
What should I check before taking a 1934 Lincoln on a longer drive?
Before a longer drive in a 1934 Lincoln, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, unusual tread wear, and stable inflation pressure. Also check the valve stems and make sure the spare is usable and inflated, since a spare on a collector car may be old even when it looks clean. Tire condition should be part of a larger review that includes brakes, wheel fasteners, steering response, and fluid levels.
A prewar car rewards a slower, more thorough pre-drive routine than a modern daily driver. Spending a few extra minutes on the tires and related running gear helps prevent roadside trouble and gives you a clearer sense of how the 1934 Lincoln will behave once it is fully warmed up and covering distance.