1935 Reo Tire Fitment Guide

1935 Reo vehicles use three sizes across two models: 6.25-16 for the Flying Cloud, and 650-16 or 700-16 for the Royale. All three sizes mount on 16-inch wheels, but they are not universal across the full 1935 Reo range. Where rim width details are available, 650-16 fits rims from 4.50 to 5.00 inches, while 700-16 fits rims from 4.50 to 5.50 inches on listed products.

That means a 1935 Reo owner should identify the model first, then confirm the size actually used on the car before moving on to sidewall style or brand choice. Sharing a 16-inch wheel diameter does not make the sizes interchangeable in practice, especially on a restoration where stance and period proportions matter.

On a 1935 Reo, 650-16 is a period numeric bias-ply size. The 650 portion refers to the nominal section width in the naming style common to the era, and the 16 indicates the wheel diameter in inches. On 1935 Reo applications, this size belongs to the Royale rather than the Flying Cloud.

That code matters because it reflects more than just wheel diameter; it also places the tire in the prewar bias-ply sizing system used on American cars of the mid-1930s. If your Royale currently wears a 16-inch tire but the sidewall number is different, compare the existing size carefully before choosing a replacement.

No. The 1935 Reo Flying Cloud uses 6.25-16, while the 1935 Reo Royale uses 650-16 or 700-16. Even though all of those tires mount on 16-inch wheels, the size selection changes with the model and is not shared across the full line.

That difference is important because many buyers know the year and make before they know the exact model. On a 1935 Reo, moving from Flying Cloud to Royale changes the tire size conversation immediately, so the identification plate, body style, and existing wheel setup are worth checking before selecting a reproduction tire.

1935 Reo tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles within the listed Royale sizes. The 650-16 offerings include blackwall and wide whitewall versions, and the 700-16 range does as well. Sidewall style can change the car's visual character significantly even when the size stays the same.

For a mid-1930s American car like a 1935 Reo, sidewall appearance is often a restoration decision as much as a fitment one. Owners pursuing a factory-style or show-oriented look usually compare period-correct presentation closely, while drivers more focused on a restrained appearance may prefer blackwalls if that better suits the car's trim and overall finish.

Several brands cover the listed 1935 Reo sizes. In 650-16, available brands include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Garfield. In 700-16, available brands include Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. All listed products for these sizes are bias-ply tires.

Brand selection on a 1935 Reo often comes down to the combination of size availability, sidewall style, and the visual character you want on the car. A buyer comparing options should also pay attention to the exact product series within each brand, because construction may be the same while details like sidewall treatment, rim-width fit range, and load figures differ.

For the 1935 Reo in 700-16, BFGoodrich and Firestone share the same basic bias-ply size and both fit 16-inch rims with listed width ranges of 4.50 to 5.50 inches. The BFGoodrich version is offered as a blackwall with a listed maximum load of 1900 pounds at 36 psi, while the Firestone version is a wide whitewall with a listed maximum load of 1800 pounds at 36 psi.

That makes the comparison less about fitment format and more about presentation and product detail. A Royale owner deciding between them should think about whether the car needs a blackwall or whitewall look first, then weigh the published load figures and the visual style that best matches the restoration.

Rim width guidance is available for the listed Royale sizes. The 650-16 tires shown fit rims from 4.50 to 5.00 inches, while the 700-16 tires shown fit rims from 4.50 to 5.50 inches on applicable products. All of the listed 1935 Reo sizes mount on 16-inch wheels.

That gives a useful starting point when evaluating original wheels or replacement rims for a 1935 Reo Royale. Before choosing a tire, compare the actual wheel width on the car to the range published for the specific product you are considering, since the larger 700-16 size allows a slightly broader rim-width window than 650-16.

All listed 1935 Reo tire sizes use a 16-inch wheel diameter, so the wheel diameter remains consistent across the Flying Cloud and Royale range. That means the original 16-inch wheels align with the tire bead diameter requirement. Rim width still matters, especially on Royale applications where published fit ranges differ between 650-16 and 700-16 products.

A shared wheel diameter should be treated as a compatibility checkpoint, not as permission to swap sizes freely between models. The practical next step is measuring the wheel width already on the car and matching it to the specific tire's accepted range before assuming that every 16-inch Reo wheel suits every 1935 Reo tire option.

A 1935 Reo 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 1935 Reo fitments are bias-ply, long static storage can encourage flat-spotting more readily than many modern radial applications. Clean floors, proper inflation, and protection from standing moisture all help preserve the tire casing and sidewalls.

Owners who store a 1935 Reo for extended periods often benefit from moving the car occasionally to change the tire contact patch or placing it on stands if the storage plan and chassis condition allow. Checking inflation before and after storage also helps the tires keep their shape and reduces stress on aging sidewalls.

On a 1935 Reo, tire age usually matters more than mileage because collector cars often spend long periods parked. A sound rule is to begin evaluating the tires carefully once they reach about five to seven years of age and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement consideration, even if the tread still looks usable. The manufacturing date should be confirmed from the tire's date code.

That timeline is especially important on a low-use prewar car because rubber can harden and sidewalls can deteriorate long before the tread wears out. A 1935 Reo that only goes to shows or weekend drives still needs age-based tire planning, not just occasional pressure checks and visual cleaning.

Tires on a 1935 Reo should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing or tour. Look closely for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and signs of air loss, and make sure inflation stays consistent from one drive to the next. A prewar car that spends much of its life parked can develop issues that are easy to miss if checks are only seasonal.

Frequent inspection helps catch age-related problems early, which is especially valuable on a 1935 Reo that may be driven at modest annual mileage but still expected to perform reliably on event days. Make those checks part of a broader walk-around that includes the spare, the wheel hardware, and the condition of the valve stems.

A 1935 Reo Flying Cloud would have originally used bias-ply tires, which was the standard construction of the period, and the listed Flying Cloud fitment is 6.25-16. That construction type aligns with what buyers would expect on a mid-1930s American passenger car. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and delivery history, so the safest authenticity baseline is to start with the correct size and era-correct bias-ply construction.

For a restoration, that means the first authenticity questions are construction, size, and sidewall presentation rather than chasing a modern substitute. If the car is being prepared for marque judging, a Reo club or prewar judging authority can help confirm whether a particular sidewall style best matches the car's body style, trim level, and market history.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1935 Reo because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction, and sidewall style immediately. A Flying Cloud wearing Royale sizing, or a Royale wearing a visibly incorrect sidewall treatment for the presentation being attempted, can disrupt the car's period stance and authenticity. On a prewar car, bias-ply construction is usually part of that expected appearance.

That does not mean every show follows identical standards, but it does mean tire choice should be made deliberately rather than treated as a minor finishing detail. Owners planning concours or high-level marque events should compare their intended tire to the event's judging philosophy and consult Reo specialists when originality is the goal.

For the 1935 Reo in 650-16, both BFGoodrich and Garfield are bias-ply tires built for 16-inch rims with listed rim-width ranges of 4.50 to 5.00 inches. Each also carries a listed maximum load of 1580 pounds at 32 psi. The visible difference in the listed examples is sidewall presentation, with BFGoodrich offered as a 3.75-inch whitewall and Garfield as a Zig Zag Tread wide whitewall.

That makes the choice primarily a matter of period look rather than a major fitment difference. A Royale owner deciding between them should compare the tread and whitewall styling to the character of the restoration, especially if the goal is to match the visual language of a mid-1930s American luxury car.

1935 Reo tires can be suitable for normal road use when they are the correct size, properly inflated, and in sound age and condition. The listed 700-16 Avon tire carries an L speed rating, which corresponds to a 75 mph ceiling, while the other listed products do not all show a speed symbol in the available specifications. On a mid-1930s Reo, the vehicle's own braking, steering, and suspension condition often matters as much as the tire itself during highway use.

That means a safe highway plan for a 1935 Reo starts with realistic speeds, a thorough pre-drive inspection, and a mechanically healthy car. Tire age, sidewall condition, wheel integrity, and alignment should all be part of the conversation before any extended road run, especially on a prewar car that may sit for long stretches between drives.

Inflation pressure on a 1935 Reo should be matched to the specific tire size and product rather than copied from another size in the range. Among the listed examples, 650-16 products show a maximum load of 1580 pounds at 32 psi, while 700-16 products show figures including 1800 pounds at 36 psi and 1900 pounds at 36 psi. Those are product ratings, not a blanket factory setting for every 1935 Reo tire.

The practical approach is to use the original vehicle literature as the reference for the car's intended operating pressure, then compare that with the tire manufacturer's published rating for the exact reproduction tire being used. Avoid carrying a pressure number from a Royale tire over to a Flying Cloud or from one Royale size to the other without confirming the product details.

Before taking a 1935 Reo on a longer drive, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and stable inflation, and do the same for the spare. Confirm that the tires seat correctly on the wheels and that the wheel hardware is secure. A longer outing in a prewar car also calls for a quick look at brake function, steering play, and suspension condition so the tires are working with a mechanically sound chassis.

That inspection is especially worthwhile on a car that has been displayed more than driven. A 1935 Reo can feel fine on a short local loop yet reveal age-related tire or chassis issues once speeds rise and miles accumulate, so a careful check beforehand is part of preserving both safety and the car itself.