1935 Pierce Arrow Tire Fitment Guide

1935 Pierce Arrow vehicles use two tire sizes: 700-17 and 750-17. The 1935 Pierce Arrow 8 Cyl. uses 700-17, the Custom uses 750-17, the Salon uses 750-17, and the Deluxe appears with either 700-17 or 750-17. Both sizes mount on 17-inch rims. Where rim-width guidance is listed, 700-17 appears on 3.5 to 4.0-inch or 4-inch rims depending on the tire, while 750-17 appears on 4-inch rims or, in some BFGoodrich applications, 5.50 to 6.00-inch rims.

That means the first step with any 1935 Pierce Arrow is identifying the exact model, and for a Deluxe, confirming which size belongs on the specific car before narrowing down brand or sidewall style. Since both sizes share the same rim diameter but not always the same listed rim-width range, wheel verification matters as much as the sidewall code. Once the size is confirmed, the remaining choice is largely visual, because both available sizes are bias-ply tires suited to prewar restoration use.

A 700-17 tire for a 1935 Pierce Arrow uses the older numeric bias-ply sizing system. The 7.00 portion refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches, and the 17 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a modern metric size, and it does not describe the tire in the same way that later radial sizing does. On 1935 Pierce Arrow applications, 700-17 belongs to the 8 Cyl. and some Deluxe cars.

Understanding that code helps prevent a common mistake: assuming any 17-inch prewar tire is interchangeable. The wheel diameter may be the same across the lineup, but the numeric width code still matters for fitment, stance, and correctness. If your 1935 Pierce Arrow is an 8 Cyl. or a Deluxe known to use 700-17, focus on that size and then decide between blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall styling to match the car’s intended finish.

No, 1935 Pierce Arrow models do not all use the same tire size. The lineup is split between 700-17 and 750-17, with the 8 Cyl. tied to 700-17, the Custom and Salon tied to 750-17, and the Deluxe appearing with either size. All of them use 17-inch rims, but the tire size itself still changes by model. That makes 1935 Pierce Arrow a year-make combination where model identification genuinely matters.

The practical effect is that year and make alone are not enough when you are choosing tires for a 1935 Pierce Arrow. A buyer comparing the range may see similar overall style and identical wheel diameter, but the correct width code depends on the model and, in the case of the Deluxe, the exact configuration of the car. If originality matters, it is wise to verify the existing wheel and consult marque references before treating one Deluxe fitment as correct for every Deluxe.

1935 Pierce Arrow tires are available in Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall styles across the two listed sizes. In 700-17, Firestone and Ensign offerings include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall versions. In 750-17, Firestone and BFGoodrich also cover blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall presentations. Since all of the listed products are bias-ply, the biggest visible difference for many buyers is the sidewall treatment rather than the construction type.

Sidewall choice can significantly change how a 1935 Pierce Arrow reads visually, especially on a formal prewar luxury car where the tire is part of the car’s overall presence. Blackwalls tend to suit a more restrained or utilitarian look, while whitewall treatments create a more dressed, high-style presentation consistent with many period restorations. If the car is being judged, confirm the preferred sidewall look with period photos, marque references, or event-specific guidance rather than choosing purely by taste.

Two sizes are used on 1935 Pierce Arrow vehicles, and the brand mix changes by size. The 700-17 size is available from Firestone and Ensign, while 750-17 is available from Firestone and BFGoodrich. All of the listed offerings are bias-ply tires, which keeps the construction era-appropriate across the range even as brand and sidewall style vary. That gives buyers a meaningful choice in presentation and product family without moving away from prewar tire construction.

Brand choice on a 1935 Pierce Arrow usually comes down to which line offers the size, sidewall style, and visual personality you want for the car. Firestone appears in both sizes, which can help if you are trying to keep a consistent brand look across different applications, while Ensign and BFGoodrich add alternatives within their respective sizes. Once the correct size is established, compare the available sidewall options and the individual tire’s listed rim-width fitment instead of assuming every brand within the same size behaves identically.

Within the 700-17 fitment for 1935 Pierce Arrow, Firestone Balloon and Ensign B5 differ in sidewall offerings, listed rim-width fitment, weight, and load figure. Firestone Balloon appears in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall versions, generally with a 4-inch rim listing, weights from 28 to 35 pounds, and a stated 1480-pound maximum load at 36 psi. Ensign B5 is listed as a blackwall tire with a 3.5 to 4.0-inch rim range, a 30-pound weight, and a stated 1,901-pound maximum load at 36 psi.

Those differences matter most if you are matching a specific restoration style or working with a wheel that falls near the edge of the listed rim-width range. A buyer focused on classic sidewall presentation may be drawn to the Firestone choices, while someone comparing blackwall alternatives may look more closely at the Ensign specifications. The right comparison is not just brand against brand, but product against wheel and project goal, especially on a prewar luxury car where appearance and setup both matter.

1935 Pierce Arrow tires all mount on 17-inch rims, but the listed rim-width guidance varies by size and product. In 700-17, Firestone examples are listed for 4-inch rims, while the Ensign B5 is listed for 3.5 to 4.0-inch rims. In 750-17, Firestone examples are listed for 4-inch rims, while one BFGoodrich wide whitewall example is listed for 5.50 to 6.00-inch rims. The wheel diameter is consistent across the lineup, but the approved rim-width range is not identical from one tire to another.

That is why wheel confirmation should happen before settling on a specific 1935 Pierce Arrow tire, even after the correct size code is known. A tire that shares the right 17-inch diameter with another option may still be intended for a different rim-width window. On a car such as a Pierce Arrow, where heavy body styles and restoration expectations can both influence setup decisions, matching the tire to the actual wheel is more useful than assuming all 700-17 or all 750-17 products are interchangeable.

Both tire sizes used on 1935 Pierce Arrow vehicles, 700-17 and 750-17, are built for 17-inch wheels, so the rim diameter itself is shared across the year-make range. That means the original wheel diameter is not the dividing line between the two sizes. The fitment question is narrower than that: which model uses which size, and whether the wheel’s actual width falls within the range listed for the specific tire you are considering.

A 1935 Pierce Arrow owner should treat diameter compatibility as only the first checkpoint. The safer approach is to confirm the wheel width on the car and compare it with the individual tire’s listed rim-width requirement before assuming the same wheel can support any 17-inch option in the lineup. That matters most on Deluxe models, where both year-make sizes appear, because a shared wheel diameter does not automatically make both tire sizes equally appropriate on every surviving car.

A 1935 Pierce Arrow should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment. Bias-ply tires, like the 700-17 and 750-17 sizes used here, are especially worth protecting from long static loading and environmental exposure because they can develop flat-spotting and age-related sidewall deterioration when left in one position for extended periods. Clean floors, stable temperatures, and proper inflation all help preserve the tires while the car is parked.

For longer storage, move the 1935 Pierce Arrow periodically or place it on stands if the car will sit for a season or more, taking care to support it properly. Keep the tires inflated to a suitable storage pressure and avoid letting them rest under load while partially deflated. If the car wears whitewalls, regular gentle cleaning also helps prevent discoloration from becoming permanent. Good storage habits matter as much as tread depth on collector tires, because age and environment usually affect them before mileage does.

Tire life on a 1935 Pierce Arrow is usually better judged by age and condition than by mileage. Collector vehicles often cover few miles, so a tire can still look usable in tread depth while already aging out in the sidewall and internal structure. A sensible rule is to begin close evaluation around five to seven years of age and to treat about ten years as a strong point for replacement consideration, regardless of how little the car has been driven.

Check the manufacturing date code on the tire and inspect the full casing for cracking, hardening, bulges, unusual wear, or persistent loss of pressure. Prewar luxury cars like a 1935 Pierce Arrow place real demands on their tires because of vehicle weight and infrequent use patterns, so aging matters. If the car has been stored for long periods or used only for occasional events, plan replacements by time and condition rather than waiting for the tread to wear out naturally.

Tires on a 1935 Pierce Arrow should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, bulges, cuts, embedded debris, and uneven wear, and confirm that all four tires are holding pressure consistently. Because these are prewar-style bias-ply applications, it is also wise to pay attention to any vibration or flat-spot feel during the first miles after the car has been sitting for a while.

A quick visual walk-around catches many problems before they become roadside issues, especially on a collector car that may not be driven every week. Add a closer hands-on inspection at regular intervals, including the spare, and examine valve stems whenever the wheels are off the car. On a 1935 Pierce Arrow, tire condition should be part of a broader pre-drive routine that also covers brakes, steering, and wheel hardware, since tire health is only one part of safe operation on a car of this era.

A 1935 Pierce Arrow 8 Cyl. belongs to a period when bias-ply construction was the standard original fitment type, and the listed size for that model is 700-17. That makes a bias-ply 700-17 the correct starting point for an authenticity-minded restoration. Sidewall treatment and exact appearance could vary by market, coachwork, or owner preference in period, so the basic goal is to match the correct size and era-appropriate construction first rather than chasing an assumed single universal presentation.

For a 1935 Pierce Arrow 8 Cyl. being restored for shows or serious historical accuracy, confirm details against factory literature, period photographs, and marque-club knowledge before finalizing the sidewall look. A blackwall may suit one presentation, while a whitewall treatment may better match another. What matters most is avoiding a construction or size that clearly falls outside period norms, since judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts will notice size code, overall profile, and sidewall character before they worry about finer distinctions.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1935 Pierce Arrow. Judges and experienced enthusiasts typically notice whether the tire size matches the model, whether the construction is appropriate to the era, and whether the sidewall style suits the way the car would have been presented historically. On a prewar luxury car, the tires are visually prominent, so an incorrect width code or an obviously modern-looking approach can distract from an otherwise faithful restoration.

For that reason, a show-oriented 1935 Pierce Arrow should be matched first to the right size, 700-17 or 750-17 depending on the model, and then to a sidewall style that aligns with the car’s intended standard. Event rules vary, so marque clubs and specific judging handbooks are the right places to confirm how strict the standards are. Even outside formal concours settings, correct tire fitment helps preserve the elegant stance and proportion that define a Pierce Arrow of this period.

Within the 750-17 fitment for 1935 Pierce Arrow, Firestone Balloon and BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply differ in sidewall offerings, listed weight, stated load figures where provided, and rim-width guidance on specific products. Firestone Balloon appears in blackwall and double-whitewall versions with listed 4-inch rim fitment, weights around 30 to 41 pounds, and a stated 1,870-pound maximum load at 40 psi. BFGoodrich appears in blackwall and wide whitewall versions, with one listed wide whitewall showing 5.50 to 6.00-inch rim fitment, a 45-pound weight, and a stated 1,646-pound maximum load at 36 psi.

That comparison is useful for restoration work because it shows that two tires sharing the same 750-17 size code can still differ in visual presentation and wheel-fitment detail. A Pierce Arrow owner comparing these lines should look beyond brand familiarity and check which product best suits the wheel on the car and the restoration style being pursued. On a formal prewar automobile, the final choice often comes down to the combination of correct size, proper rim match, and the sidewall look that completes the car convincingly.

The listed tires for 1935 Pierce Arrow applications are bias-ply designs, and no explicit speed-rating letters are shown for the available products. That means they should be treated as period-style collector tires intended to be used within the broader mechanical limits of a 1935 luxury automobile rather than judged by modern high-speed radial standards. On a car of this age, braking capability, suspension condition, steering accuracy, and overall chassis health are usually as important as the tire itself when considering sustained road use.

A well-maintained 1935 Pierce Arrow can certainly be driven on public roads, but realistic speed expectations and thorough pre-drive checks matter. Bias-ply tires track and respond differently than modern radials, and they should be driven with that character in mind. Before any highway outing, confirm condition, pressure, age, and wheel fitment, then match your pace to the car’s age and condition. Collector-tire safety is less about chasing modern limits and more about using an era-correct setup responsibly.

Listed load-and-pressure figures for 1935 Pierce Arrow tires vary by product and size, so one pressure should not be carried across the whole lineup. In 700-17, examples include 1480 pounds at 36 psi and 1,901 pounds at 36 psi depending on the tire. In 750-17, examples include 1,870 pounds at 40 psi and 1,646 pounds at 36 psi depending on the tire. Those figures are product ratings, not a blanket vehicle recommendation for every 1935 Pierce Arrow.

Start with the vehicle’s factory guidance when available, then compare that with the rated pressure information for the specific reproduction tire you are using. The goal is to support the car correctly without assuming that a pressure suitable for one 700-17 or 750-17 tire is ideal for another. On a prewar car, inflation affects not only wear and durability but also steering feel and ride character, so checking the exact tire on the exact wheel is more valuable than relying on a generic number.

Before a longer drive in a 1935 Pierce Arrow, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, tread damage, abnormal wear, and stable inflation pressure, and make sure the spare is in equally usable condition. Since the car uses prewar-style bias-ply tires, pay attention to any signs of age hardening or casing fatigue even if the tread still looks healthy. A close look at the valve stems and wheel condition is also worthwhile before putting extra miles on the car.

Tire readiness should be part of a wider trip-prep routine that also includes brakes, steering linkage, wheel bearings, fluids, cooling system, and basic electrical reliability. A 1935 Pierce Arrow is a substantial automobile, and long-drive confidence comes from the whole system working together rather than from tire condition alone. If the car has been sitting, give it a short local shakedown run first to feel for pull, vibration, or settling issues before committing to a more ambitious outing.