1936 Graham stood apart in the Depression-era market with boldly styled cars and, in the case of the Supercharger, one of the most distinctive performance-minded American offerings of its day. The lineup ranged from the more accessible 81 Standard to the better-trimmed 81 Deluxe and the headline-grabbing Supercharger, so tire sizing was not uniform across the range. Three Graham models used four different bias-ply sizes, split between 16-inch and 17-inch wheels, and the practical choice comes down first to identifying your exact model and wheel diameter rather than choosing between bias-ply and radial construction. Before narrowing down products, confirm whether you have an 81 Deluxe, 81 Standard, or Supercharger and verify the wheel size on the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 1936 Graham
Four tire sizes are used across 1936 Graham vehicles, and they vary by model rather than being shared across the full lineup. Because these sizes span both 16-inch and 17-inch wheels, the first step is confirming the correct model and rim diameter before comparing individual tire options. Understanding that distinction before choosing a product saves time and helps match the tire to the right Graham.
Year(s): 1936|Fit(s): 81 Deluxe|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 16 in
600-16 is a numeric bias-ply size in which the leading number represents nominal section width and the final number indicates a 16-inch rim. This size is offered in BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Avon versions, with blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles available, and one Avon example carries an H speed rating with a 130 mph ceiling while other listings do not show a speed letter. For a 1936 Graham 81 Deluxe, this is the model-specific size to choose when keeping the car on its proper 16-inch fitment while selecting the sidewall look that best suits the restoration.
Year(s): 1936|Fit(s): 81 Standard|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 17-in rim
5.25-17 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 5.25 identifying nominal section width and 17 identifying the wheel diameter in inches. No product options are listed here, so the key point is that this size belongs specifically to the 1936 Graham 81 Standard rather than to the full Graham range for the year. It is the size to research if your 81 Standard retains its original 17-inch wheel fitment and you are working toward an era-correct bias-ply setup.
Year(s): 1936|Fit(s): 81 Standard|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 17 in
550-17 is another numeric bias-ply size, with the first number denoting nominal section width and the 17 indicating a 17-inch rim. Available products come from BFGoodrich and include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. On a 1936 Graham 81 Standard, this model-specific 17-inch size gives buyers the clearest choice when appearance matters as much as fitment, especially for restorations that need the right prewar sidewall presentation.
Year(s): 1936|Fit(s): Supercharger|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 16-in rim
6.25-16 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 6.25 is the nominal section width and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. No listed products appear under this size here, so the important distinction is that it is specific to the 1936 Graham Supercharger and is not interchangeable across the rest of the Graham lineup by default. Supercharger owners should start with this size when preserving the model's original 16-inch fitment and prewar bias-ply character.
Three 1936 Graham models are covered here, and tire sizing changes by model rather than carrying across the entire make. That means year and make alone are not enough for fitment research: the 81 Deluxe, 81 Standard, and Supercharger each point you toward a different size path, with the Standard alone using two 17-inch options. Select your model below to continue into model-specific fitment history and available tires.
1936 Graham 81 Deluxe
The 1936 Graham 81 Deluxe sat on the more refined side of the Graham lineup, reflecting the brand's effort to offer upscale styling in a highly competitive prewar market. Its tires mount on 16-inch wheels, which separates it from the 17-inch fitments found on the 81 Standard and places it in its own size track within the Graham family.
The 1936 Graham 81 Standard was the more straightforward and accessible expression of Graham's design language, aimed at buyers who still wanted the marque's distinctive look without the extra flourish of higher trim levels. Its tires mount on 17-inch wheels, and it is the only 1936 Graham model here associated with two different 17-inch sizes, making accurate model identification especially important.
The 1936 Graham Supercharger remains the standout of the range thanks to its supercharged performance image and dramatic styling, making it one of the most memorable American specialty cars of the late prewar period. Its tires mount on 16-inch wheels, but unlike the 81 Deluxe it follows a wider 6.25-16 size, so Supercharger fitment should be treated as its own category.
Twenty-nine products are available across four tire sizes for 1936 Graham vehicles. The 600-16 size includes 26 bias-ply options from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Avon in blackwall and wide whitewall styles, while 550-17 includes 3 BFGoodrich bias-ply options in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles.
These answers focus on how 1936 Graham tire sizing changes between the 81 Deluxe, 81 Standard, and Supercharger, along with prewar bias-ply sizing conventions, sidewall choices, setup details, and the care collector cars need when they spend long periods parked.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 1936 Graham vehicles?
1936 Graham vehicles use four tire sizes across three models. The 81 Deluxe uses 600-16, the 81 Standard uses 5.25-17 and 550-17, and the Supercharger uses 6.25-16. Those sizes are not shared across the full 1936 Graham lineup, and they also span two wheel diameters: 16-inch and 17-inch. Where listed products are available, 600-16 fits 16-inch rims in the 4.00 to 4.50-inch width range, while the 550-17 products shown mount on 17-inch rims.
The practical takeaway is that a 1936 Graham owner should confirm the exact model before choosing a tire size. An 81 Standard owner also has an extra step, since that model appears with two different 17-inch sizes. If the car has been restored, re-wheeled, or mixed from parts over the years, it is wise to verify the wheel diameter on the car itself before moving from year-and-make research into a specific product choice.
What does 600-16 mean on a 1936 Graham tire?
On a 1936 Graham, 600-16 is a traditional numeric bias-ply size. The 600 portion refers to a nominal section width of about 6.00 inches in period sizing language, and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On this Graham application, 600-16 belongs to the 81 Deluxe and is offered in several bias-ply versions, including blackwall and whitewall styles.
That code matters because it ties the tire to both the construction era and the wheel diameter. A modern buyer can easily mistake the first number for wheel size, but on prewar numeric tires the last number is the key rim dimension. If your 1936 Graham is an 81 Deluxe, 600-16 is the correct size family to research next, and then the choice becomes sidewall appearance and brand character rather than changing to another wheel diameter.
Do all 1936 Graham models use the same tire size?
No, 1936 Graham models do not all use the same tire size. The 81 Deluxe uses 600-16, the 81 Standard uses either 5.25-17 or 550-17, and the Supercharger uses 6.25-16. Even though all of them are bias-ply sizes appropriate to the period, the fitment split between 16-inch and 17-inch wheels means there is no single year-wide Graham tire size.
That difference is especially important when a car is newly acquired or incompletely identified. A Graham owner who orders by year alone could end up with the wrong rim diameter before ever reaching questions of appearance or restoration style. Identifying the exact model first narrows the search quickly, and on an 81 Standard it is worth checking the current wheel and any surviving paperwork to decide between the two 17-inch size paths.
Buying the Right Tire
What sidewall styles are available for 1936 Graham tires?
1936 Graham tire choices include several sidewall presentations, but they vary by size. In 600-16 for the 81 Deluxe, available styles include blackwall and wide whitewall. In 550-17 for the 81 Standard, available styles include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. All of these are bias-ply tires, so the sidewall decision is primarily about visual authenticity and the way you want the car to present.
For a prewar American car like a 1936 Graham, sidewall style can noticeably change the look of the vehicle even when the size stays the same. Many restorers prefer blackwalls for a more restrained appearance, while whitewall treatments emphasize period styling and show-field presence. The right choice depends on how your particular Graham is restored, the look you are chasing, and whether you are matching the car's current trim and presentation rather than simply choosing the most decorative option.
What brands make tires for 1936 Graham vehicles?
Several brands appear in 1936 Graham fitments, though they are concentrated in specific sizes. The 600-16 size is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Avon, while the 550-17 size shown here is represented by BFGoodrich. All listed products are bias-ply tires, which matches what buyers expect in a 1936 prewar application even though the brand mix differs by size.
Brand choice on a 1936 Graham usually comes after you settle the correct size and sidewall style. A Deluxe owner shopping 600-16 has the broadest spread of brand options, while a Standard owner working with 550-17 has a narrower lane but still gets meaningful appearance choices. Comparing brands within the right size can help refine the look of the restoration without drifting away from the basic period-correct construction the car was built around.
What is the difference between Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Classic Bias Ply options for the 1936 Graham?
On 1936 Graham fitments, the listed Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and other classic bias-ply series differ mainly by brand family, sidewall treatment, and some published dimensions such as weight and rim-width guidance. In 600-16, BFGoodrich Silvertown, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, and Coker Classic Bias Ply are all represented, with blackwall and wide whitewall variants available. In 550-17, the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply options are offered in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall forms.
A buyer usually narrows the decision by the car's visual goal first and then checks the details that affect installation. For example, 600-16 products shown here include 4.00 to 4.50-inch rim-width guidance on several offerings, while sidewall choice can make one tire better suited to a conservative restoration and another better suited to a more formal prewar look. Comparing those differences within the correct size is more useful than comparing across different Graham model fitments.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 1936 Graham tires require?
Published rim-width guidance appears for some 1936 Graham sizes rather than across the full lineup. In 600-16, listed products call for 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims, and those tires mount on 16-inch wheels. The 550-17 products shown mount on 17-inch rims, though a rim-width range is not listed alongside those specific entries. The remaining Graham sizes should be matched carefully to the actual wheels on the car before moving ahead.
Rim width matters because two tires with the same wheel diameter can still behave differently on too narrow or too wide a wheel. On a prewar Graham, that affects both appearance and how naturally the tire sits on the rim. If your car has replacement wheels, artillery-style restorations, or older service parts, measure the wheel and compare it against the tire's published range instead of assuming that every 16-inch or 17-inch wheel used on a 1936 Graham is interchangeable.
Do 1936 Graham tires require inner tubes?
The listed 1936 Graham products do not carry TT or TL markings in the size field, so the size listings themselves do not sort neatly into a single tube-type or tubeless label. That is typical of many prewar-style bias-ply applications, where tube use often depends on the wheel design and the exact tire specification rather than a broad year-and-make rule. The safest way to approach a 1936 Graham is to treat tube requirement as something that must be confirmed with the exact tire and wheel combination.
On an original-style prewar wheel, inner-tube decisions are just as much about the wheel as the tire. A restorer should inspect the wheel condition, valve-stem opening, and any rim-strip needs before finalizing the setup. It also helps to verify whether the tire chosen is intended for tube use on your wheel style, especially on a car that has been apart for restoration or one that may have had wheels swapped during its life.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 1936 Graham when the tires are fitted?
A 1936 Graham should be stored clean, dry, and away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, furnaces, and other ozone sources that accelerate sidewall aging. Because these are prewar-style bias-ply tires, long static storage can promote flat-spotting more readily than many modern radial designs. Keeping the car on a cool floor, maintaining pressure, and moving it periodically helps reduce stress concentration in one section of the casing.
Collectors who store a 1936 Graham for months at a time often benefit from rolling the car occasionally or supporting it in a way that reduces constant load on one patch of tire. The goal is not just preserving tread, but preserving the tire's shape and sidewall condition. If the car will remain parked for an extended season, inspect the sidewalls before the next drive rather than assuming a tire that looked fine when parked is still ready for road use.
How long do tires on a 1936 Graham typically last?
Tires on a 1936 Graham should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage, because collector cars often travel very little while their tires continue to age. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating them closely around the five- to seven-year mark and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement threshold, even if tread remains. The DOT date code and the tire's actual condition matter more than how many miles the car has covered.
That approach is especially important on a prewar Graham that may spend much of its life in a garage, at shows, or on short local drives. Tread can look healthy while the casing, sidewalls, and rubber compounds have already aged beyond their comfortable service life. When the tires are several years old, replacement decisions should be made with the car's intended use in mind, especially if longer drives or higher sustained road speeds are part of the plan.
How often should tires on a 1936 Graham be inspected?
Tires on a 1936 Graham should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. The inspection should include pressure retention, visible cracking, weather checking, bulges, irregular wear, embedded debris, and the condition of the tread-to-sidewall transition. On a prewar application where tube use may be part of the final setup, valve stems and any signs of tube-related leakage deserve special attention as well.
A short pre-drive walkaround often catches issues before they become roadside problems. Collector cars can sit long enough for pressure loss, sidewall stress, or age-related cracking to appear even when the car drove normally the last time out. Longer drives deserve a more careful check, including the spare if the car carries one, because an old spare on a 1936 Graham may be just as aged as the four tires already on the ground.
Restoration & Authenticity
What tires were originally fitted to the 1936 Graham 81 Deluxe?
The 1936 Graham 81 Deluxe uses 600-16, and for a car from this period the original-style construction expectation is bias-ply rather than radial. That matches the available 600-16 offerings here, which are all bias-ply tires and include both blackwall and whitewall presentations. Graham owners seeking absolute market- and trim-specific accuracy should still confirm details against period sales literature and marque-club knowledge for their exact car.
For restoration purposes, the important point is that a 1936 Graham 81 Deluxe belongs in the 600-16 bias-ply family, not in a later radial conversion mindset. After the basic size and construction are settled, visual authenticity usually comes down to sidewall style and the way the finished car is being presented. A touring restoration, a formal show car, and a preserved original can all make slightly different choices while still staying within the correct prewar tire vocabulary.
Does correct tire fitment matter for showing a 1936 Graham?
Correct tire fitment does matter when showing a 1936 Graham, especially at events that judge authenticity closely. Size, construction type, and sidewall appearance all affect whether the car looks and reads as a proper prewar restoration. A wrong wheel diameter, an incorrect size family for the model, or an overly modern-looking tire style can distract from otherwise accurate work even before finer details are considered.
For a 1936 Graham, the first authenticity checkpoint is making sure the model is wearing its proper size family: 600-16 for the 81 Deluxe, 5.25-17 or 550-17 for the 81 Standard, and 6.25-16 for the Supercharger. From there, the whitewall or blackwall decision should match the restoration's intended presentation. Event-specific standards vary, so owners pursuing formal judging should compare their choices with the expectations of Graham enthusiasts, judges, and marque-oriented clubs.
What is the difference between blackwall and whitewall tires for the 1936 Graham?
For a 1936 Graham, blackwall and whitewall tires can share the same basic size and bias-ply construction while creating a very different finished appearance. In 600-16, blackwall and wide whitewall options are available, and in 550-17 the choice expands to blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. The difference is visual rather than structural in the examples shown here, so the decision centers on period presentation rather than changing the fitment category.
That matters in restoration because prewar American cars can swing from understated to highly formal depending on sidewall treatment. A blackwall tends to keep the look more restrained, while a whitewall emphasizes styling and gives the car more presence. Owners restoring a 1936 Graham for authenticity should compare the tire appearance with period photos, surviving cars, and club guidance so the finished combination suits the body style and the way the car is being presented.
Safety & Road Use
Are 1936 Graham tires safe for highway driving?
1936 Graham tires can be suitable for highway use when the tire is in sound condition, correctly inflated, and matched to a mechanically healthy car. The listed fitments are bias-ply tires, and one 600-16 Avon option carries an H speed rating, which corresponds to a 130 mph ceiling. Other entries do not show speed letters, so the exact tire selected matters. On a prewar Graham, the car's own brakes, steering, suspension, and general condition are often more limiting than an era-style tire at normal road speeds.
Safe highway use depends on treating the car as a 1930s automobile, not as a modern platform. That means verifying the exact tire's rating, condition, and setup, then pairing that with conservative driving expectations appropriate to the vehicle. A well-sorted Graham on fresh, properly matched tires can be enjoyable on modern roads, but owners should build speed gradually and judge the whole vehicle's readiness rather than focusing on the tire alone.
What inflation pressure should I use for 1936 Graham tires?
Inflation pressure for a 1936 Graham should follow the factory recommendation for the car and the rating guidance for the exact reproduction tire being used. In the 600-16 size, several listed products show a maximum load of 1400 pounds at 32 psi, while one Avon 600H16 lists 1,433 pounds. Those figures describe the tire's published capacity point, not automatically the pressure every 1936 Graham should be driven at under all conditions.
The best approach is to start with the original vehicle guidance for your specific model, then confirm that the chosen tire's published limits are respected. Pressure should not be transferred casually from one size to another, especially across the 16-inch and 17-inch Graham fitments. A Deluxe owner using 600-16 has more published figures to compare, while owners of other sizes should match the tire maker's information to the vehicle's intended use and loading.
What should I check before taking a 1936 Graham on a longer drive?
Before a longer drive in a 1936 Graham, inspect each tire for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, and proper inflation, then check the valve stems and spare as part of the same routine. On a prewar car, tire condition should be considered alongside the age of the rubber, not just how much tread remains. Wheels should also be looked over for signs of damage, looseness, or restoration issues that could affect how the tire seats and runs.
That tire inspection is only one part of a broader pre-drive check on a car of this age. A 1936 Graham heading out for distance should also have its brakes, steering, cooling, fluids, and electrical system reviewed so the whole car is ready for sustained running. When the tire side of the equation is sound and the car itself is equally well prepared, longer drives become much more predictable and much less stressful.
