1934 Pierce Arrow Tire Fitment Guide

1934 Pierce Arrow vehicles use two tire sizes: 750-17 and 700-17. The 750-17 size fits the 1934 Pierce Arrow 40 Series and 48 Series, while the 700-17 size fits the 1934 Pierce Arrow 40A. Both sizes mount on 17-inch rims. Rim-width guidance varies by tire choice, with 750-17 products listed for 4-inch rims and also 5.50- to 6.00-inch rims, while 700-17 products are listed for 3.5- to 4.0-inch rims and 4-inch rims.

That means year and make alone are not enough to choose a tire for a 1934 Pierce Arrow. The practical first step is confirming the model, then matching the tire to the actual wheel on the car. Because sidewall styling also varies within each size, buyers restoring a formal sedan or show car should confirm both the correct size and the visual treatment they want before moving on to a specific tire.

On a 1934 Pierce Arrow, 750-17 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 7.50 figure is the nominal section width in inches, and the 17 is the rim diameter in inches. For this year and make, 750-17 belongs to the 40 Series and 48 Series. Available versions include Firestone and BFGoodrich offerings with Blackwall, Double-Whitewall, and Wide Whitewall sidewalls.

A 750-17 tire gives those larger 1934 Pierce Arrow models the fuller pre-war stance expected of a senior luxury car. Since products in this size are all bias-ply, the real decision is less about construction type and more about matching the correct model, wheel width, and sidewall appearance. If the car is being restored for judged presentation, confirm whether a blackwall or whitewall treatment best suits its body style and the standards of the event.

No. The 1934 Pierce Arrow 40 Series and 48 Series use 750-17, while the 1934 Pierce Arrow 40A uses 700-17. All three models use bias-ply tires on 17-inch rims, but the size itself changes by model. That makes the model designation an important part of tire selection on this year and make.

For a buyer, that means a quick visual assumption is not enough, especially on cars that may have changed wheels or tires over the decades. Check the model identification first, then compare the wheel on the car with the rim-width range listed for the tire you are considering. That extra step helps avoid choosing a size that looks close on paper but is not the correct fitment for the specific Pierce Arrow model.

1934 Pierce Arrow tires are available in Blackwall, Double-Whitewall, and Wide Whitewall styles, depending on size and brand. Both 700-17 and 750-17 have Blackwall choices, and both sizes also have whitewall options. Firestone offers blackwall and whitewall variations in both sizes, while BFGoodrich appears in 750-17 and Ensign appears in 700-17 blackwall form.

That variety matters because sidewall style changes the entire personality of a pre-war luxury car. A blackwall usually suits a more restrained or utilitarian presentation, while whitewall treatments create the more formal, upscale visual character many collectors expect on a 1934 Pierce Arrow. If authenticity is the goal, compare the sidewall style to period photos of your body style and consult a marque specialist for market- and event-specific expectations.

Three brands cover 1934 Pierce Arrow fitments: Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Ensign. In 750-17, available brands are Firestone and BFGoodrich. In 700-17, available brands are Firestone and Ensign. All currently listed choices for this year and make are bias-ply tires, which suits the pre-war construction style of the cars themselves.

Brand choice on a 1934 Pierce Arrow usually comes down to the combination of size, sidewall look, and the series that best matches the character of the restoration. Buyers comparing brands should look closely at the sidewall treatment and wheel-width compatibility of the specific tire rather than assuming every product in a given size is interchangeable in appearance. That approach keeps the selection focused on the needs of the actual car rather than the brand name alone.

For the 1934 Pierce Arrow in 750-17, Firestone Balloon and BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply differ in sidewall options, listed weights, and some published load and rim-width details. Firestone appears in blackwall and double-whitewall versions with a listed 4-inch rim fitment and a published load figure of 1870 pounds at 40 psi on some products. BFGoodrich appears in blackwall and wide whitewall form, with one listed wide-whitewall version showing a 5.50- to 6.00-inch rim range and 1646 pounds at 36 psi.

Those differences make the choice more about wheel compatibility and presentation than about chasing a universal winner. A Pierce Arrow owner should compare the actual wheel on the car with the rim-width recommendation on the specific tire being considered, then decide whether a blackwall, double-whitewall, or wide whitewall better suits the restoration. The product series can shape both the appearance and the setup requirements, even within the same nominal size.

Rim-width requirements for 1934 Pierce Arrow tires depend on the size and the specific product. In 750-17, listed fitments include a 4-inch rim and also a 5.50- to 6.00-inch range on certain products. In 700-17, listed fitments include 4-inch rims as well as a 3.5- to 4.0-inch range. All of these tires are built for 17-inch rim diameter, but the acceptable wheel width is not identical across every offering.

That makes wheel measurement an important part of the process, especially on a pre-war car that may have had wheels changed during past restoration work. Before settling on a tire, verify the actual rim width on the car and match it to the recommendation for the exact product, not just the size category. Doing so helps preserve correct tread profile and sidewall shape while avoiding an unnecessarily difficult mounting or mismatched visual stance.

Original 1934 Pierce Arrow wheels can only be shared across both listed tire sizes if the wheels are 17-inch rims and the wheel width matches the requirement of the chosen tire. Both 700-17 and 750-17 use 17-inch rim diameter, so diameter compatibility is common across the year and make. The remaining question is whether the wheel width on the car falls within the published range of the exact tire being considered.

That means a 17-inch wheel is necessary but not the whole answer. A 1934 Pierce Arrow owner comparing sizes should confirm the model first, then verify the wheel width before assuming one original wheel setup can support any tire offered on the year-make page. On restored cars with older wheels, it is wise to inspect the rim condition at the same time, since a structurally sound wheel is just as important as choosing the proper tire size.

A 1934 Pierce Arrow should be stored in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Because all listed 1934 Pierce Arrow fitments are bias-ply tires, long static storage can encourage flat-spotting more readily than many modern radials. Keeping the tires clean, maintaining proper inflation, and moving the car periodically all help protect the casing and sidewalls.

Collectors who store a 1934 Pierce Arrow for long stretches often benefit from rolling the car occasionally or supporting it in a way that reduces prolonged load on one contact patch. Moisture under the tires and exposure to heat also work against longevity. If the car is a seldom-driven show vehicle, make tire condition part of the storage routine rather than waiting until the first drive of the season to inspect it.

Tires on a 1934 Pierce Arrow should be judged by age and condition more than mileage, because collector cars often accumulate very few miles while the rubber continues to age. A good rule is to inspect them closely once they reach the five- to seven-year range and to treat the ten-year mark as a strong point for replacement consideration, even if tread remains. The manufacturing date code on the tire is the reference point for age.

That timeline matters on a pre-war Pierce Arrow because long periods of inactivity can hide deterioration that is not obvious from tread depth alone. Sidewall weathering, internal aging, and changes in ride quality can all appear before the tire looks badly worn. Owners planning touring events or regular road use should think in terms of calendar age and overall condition, not simply how many miles the tires have covered since installation.

Tires on a 1934 Pierce Arrow should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread damage, punctures, bulges, irregular wear, and pressure loss. Since these are bias-ply applications on a heavy pre-war car, it is also smart to watch for signs that the tire has been sitting under load too long and has developed a noticeable flat spot or changed shape.

A brief pre-drive inspection can prevent a small issue from becoming a roadside problem, especially on collector vehicles that are used intermittently. Check the spare as well, since it is part of the car's travel readiness. If the car has been stored for a while, drive the first few miles conservatively and pay attention to vibration, pull, or unusual ride behavior that might point to age, pressure, or casing issues needing attention.

A 1934 Pierce Arrow 40 Series would originally have been fitted with bias-ply tires, because that was the standard construction for American luxury cars of the period. Within the current 1934 Pierce Arrow fitments, the 40 Series uses 750-17, which is shared with the 48 Series. Available reproductions in that size preserve the era-correct bias-ply format and include multiple period-appropriate sidewall presentations.

For a restoration, that means the main authenticity questions are usually the size, the bias-ply construction, and whether the sidewall should be blackwall or whitewall for the body style and market presentation you want to recreate. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and delivery history, so owners chasing highly exact factory-correct presentation should compare surviving photos, factory literature, and marque-club guidance before finalizing the tire appearance.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1934 Pierce Arrow because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction type, and sidewall appearance quickly on a pre-war luxury car. A 40 Series or 48 Series wearing 700-17 instead of 750-17, or a 40A wearing the larger size, changes the stance and can stand out as incorrect. Sidewall treatment also affects whether the car reads as authentically formal, restrained, or out of period.

That does not mean every event applies the same standards, but serious authenticity-minded presentation usually rewards getting the basics right. Owners preparing a show car should confirm the model-specific size first, then choose the sidewall style that best matches period photos and event expectations. Marque clubs and event rule books are the best places to verify whether a particular whitewall treatment or visual detail would be accepted in your judging class.

For the 1934 Pierce Arrow in 700-17, Firestone Balloon and Ensign B5 differ in brand, sidewall offerings, listed rim-width compatibility, weight, and published load figures. Firestone Balloon appears in blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall forms, generally with a listed 4-inch rim and a published load figure of 1480 pounds at 36 psi. Ensign B5 appears as a blackwall with a 3.5- to 4.0-inch rim range and a listed load of 1,901 pounds at 36 psi.

For a restoration-minded 40A owner, those differences shape both the appearance and the setup. Firestone gives more sidewall-style flexibility if the goal is to fine-tune the visual presentation, while Ensign may appeal where a blackwall look and its published wheel-width range better suit the existing wheel. Comparing the actual rim width on the car with the exact product recommendation is the right way to narrow the choice without compromising authenticity or installation suitability.

1934 Pierce Arrow tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, properly fitted to the wheel, in sound condition, and inflated appropriately for the application. The currently listed 700-17 and 750-17 options are all bias-ply tires, which deliver an authentic driving feel but also behave differently from modern radials in tracking, response, and ride character. On a pre-war luxury car, the condition of the steering, brakes, suspension, and wheels is just as important as the tire itself.

That means highway confidence comes from the whole vehicle being ready, not from the tire alone. A well-sorted 1934 Pierce Arrow on fresh, correctly selected bias-ply tires can be driven enjoyably, but it should be operated with respect for pre-war dynamics and stopping distances. Before regular road use, make sure the tires are not aged out, the wheel setup matches the tire, and the rest of the chassis is prepared for sustained driving rather than occasional parade use.

Inflation pressure for 1934 Pierce Arrow tires should follow the vehicle manufacturer's guidance where available and the specific tire manufacturer's published load-and-pressure information for the exact tire selected. Among current fitments, 700-17 products show load figures including 1480 pounds at 36 psi and 1,901 pounds at 36 psi, while 750-17 products show 1646 pounds at 36 psi and 1870 pounds at 40 psi on certain tires. Those figures are product-specific and should not be transferred casually from one tire to another.

The practical takeaway is to avoid guessing from appearance alone, especially on a heavy pre-war car. Start with the factory recommendation for the car if you have it, then compare that with the tire maker's information for the exact tire on the wheel. If the car has a mix of reproduction tires, restored wheels, or a non-original loading pattern, confirm the pressure strategy before road use rather than treating all 17-inch Pierce Arrow tires as interchangeable.

Before taking a 1934 Pierce Arrow on a longer drive, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, and pressure retention, and make sure the spare is roadworthy as well. Confirm that the tire size matches the model, since the 40A uses 700-17 and the 40 Series and 48 Series use 750-17. Also look over the wheels, valve stems, and general chassis condition, because tire readiness is only one part of preparing a pre-war car for distance driving.

A longer drive puts more heat and sustained load into the tire than short local trips, so small problems become more important. It also gives the rest of the car less margin for deferred maintenance. Along with the tire inspection, check steering feel, brake performance, wheel security, and whether the car tracks consistently at speed. Treat the pre-drive inspection as a touring ritual, not a formality, especially if the Pierce Arrow has spent much of its life in low-use collector service.