1937 Pierce Arrow Tire Fitment Guide

1937 Pierce Arrow vehicles use two tire sizes: 700-17 and 750-17. The 434 and 444 Series use 700-17, while the 447 and 538 Series plus the 544 and 747 Series use 750-17. Both sizes mount on 17-inch rims. Rim-width guidance is available for some products, with 700-17 examples fitting 3.5- to 4-inch rims and 750-17 examples fitting either 4-inch rims or, on certain products, 5.50- to 6.00-inch rims.

That means the year alone does not determine the right tire for a 1937 Pierce Arrow. You need to identify the exact series first, then compare the rim-width requirement of the specific tire you want against the actual wheel on the car. Once the size is confirmed, the next choice is usually appearance, since both sizes are offered in traditional prewar bias-ply construction with blackwall and whitewall variations.

On a 1937 Pierce Arrow, 700-17 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 700 portion refers to the tire's nominal section width in the old numeric system, and the 17 indicates the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a modern metric size, and it does not describe the tire in the same way a current P-metric code would. For 1937 Pierce Arrow applications, 700-17 belongs to the 434 and 444 Series.

That older sizing format matters because modern-looking numbers cannot be cross-read casually into prewar fitment. A 700-17 tire should be chosen as a proper vintage-size replacement rather than by guessing from tread width alone. If you own a 434 or 444 Series car, staying with the correct numeric size preserves the intended stance and keeps your tire search focused on products built for period-correct prewar wheels.

No, 1937 Pierce Arrow models do not all use the same tire size. The 434 and 444 Series use 700-17, while the 447 and 538 Series and the 544 and 747 Series use 750-17. All of them use bias-ply construction and 17-inch rim diameter, but the section size changes by series.

That split is important because two Pierce-Arrow cars from the same year can look broadly similar while still requiring different tires. If your car is one of the larger senior series, moving down to the smaller size would not be the correct fitment path. A quick series identification before comparing tread and sidewall styles will prevent ordering a tire meant for a different 1937 Pierce-Arrow model group.

1937 Pierce Arrow tires are available in Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall styles, depending on size and brand. The 700-17 range includes Firestone and Ensign offerings in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double whitewall form. The 750-17 range also includes blackwall, wide whitewall, and double whitewall options from Firestone and BFGoodrich. All of these choices remain within bias-ply construction appropriate to the period.

For a formal prewar luxury automobile like a 1937 Pierce Arrow, sidewall style changes the look of the car almost as much as the wheel itself. Blackwalls create a more restrained appearance, while whitewall variants give the car a fuller, more ceremonial prewar presentation. If authenticity matters for show use, compare the sidewall style against period photos, surviving original cars, and marque-club guidance for your exact series and body style.

Firestone, Ensign, and BFGoodrich all offer tires for 1937 Pierce Arrow applications. In 700-17, the available brands are Firestone and Ensign. In 750-17, the available brands are Firestone and BFGoodrich. Each brand stays within vintage-style bias-ply construction, so the distinction is usually in sidewall presentation, series character, and the fitment details of the specific product rather than a change to a modern radial format.

That gives Pierce-Arrow owners a useful range of traditional choices without leaving the prewar sizing system. One owner may prefer a Firestone Balloon look, while another may want an Ensign or BFGoodrich option that better suits a particular restoration style. Narrowing the search by correct size first, then by brand and sidewall treatment, is the most sensible way to compare tires for a 1937 Pierce Arrow.

In 700-17 for 1937 Pierce Arrow, Firestone Balloon and Ensign B5 differ in sidewall offerings, rim-width listings, weight, and load figures. Firestone Balloon appears in blackwall, wide whitewall, and double whitewall versions, generally with a 4-inch rim listing and listed weights from 28 to 35 pounds, with 1480 pounds at 36 psi shown on Firestone examples. Ensign B5 appears as a blackwall tire with a 3.5- to 4.0-inch rim-width range, a 30-pound weight, and a listed maximum load of 1,901 pounds at 36 psi.

Those differences matter when you are balancing appearance with wheel compatibility and the character you want from the finished restoration. A Firestone Balloon may appeal to owners seeking period visual identity and whitewall choices, while the Ensign B5 can be attractive if your wheel falls within its broader listed rim-width range. The right comparison is not simply brand against brand, but the exact product against your wheel, style goal, and intended use.

Rim-width requirements for 1937 Pierce Arrow tires depend on the exact size and product. In 700-17, listed examples include 4-inch rims and a 3.5- to 4.0-inch range. In 750-17, some products are listed for 4-inch rims, while others are listed for 5.50- to 6.00-inch rims. All of the tires use a 17-inch rim diameter, but the acceptable rim width is not identical across every product.

That is why measuring the wheel on the car matters before choosing a tire, especially on a prewar automobile that may have had wheels changed during a long restoration life. Two tires with the same nominal size can still call for different rim widths. Matching the tire to the actual wheel helps preserve proper profile and fit, and it is more reliable than assuming every 17-inch Pierce-Arrow wheel is the same.

Original 1937 Pierce Arrow wheels can only be used with the tire size that matches the car's series, even though both sizes use 17-inch rim diameter. The 434 and 444 Series use 700-17, while the 447 and 538 Series and the 544 and 747 Series use 750-17. Rim diameter compatibility is shared across the range, but product listings show that rim-width requirements can differ within and between sizes.

That means a 17-inch wheel does not automatically make every 1937 Pierce Arrow tire interchangeable. Before reusing original wheels, verify the wheel width and compare it against the specific tire under consideration. If your Pierce-Arrow has gone through restoration work over the decades, checking the actual wheel is especially important, since the car may no longer be wearing the same rims it left the factory with.

A 1937 Pierce Arrow should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment. Keep the tires clean, maintain proper inflation, and move the car periodically if possible. Because 1937 Pierce Arrow tires are bias-ply, they are more prone than modern radials to temporary flat-spotting after long periods of sitting.

If the car will sit for an extended season, many collectors reduce stress on the tires by rolling the car occasionally or supporting the vehicle in a way that follows safe shop practice. Bias-ply sidewalls reward careful storage, especially on a heavy prewar luxury car. Good storage habits help preserve the tire's shape, sidewall finish, and ride quality when the car returns to the road.

Tires on a 1937 Pierce Arrow should be judged more by age and condition than by miles traveled. Collector-car tires are often evaluated closely once they reach roughly five to seven years of age, and replacement is commonly considered by around ten years regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age, but appearance and service history matter too, especially on a heavy prewar car.

A Pierce-Arrow that sees only occasional parade, show, or fair-weather use can still age its tires out long before the tread is worn. Sidewall cracking, hardening, vibration, or repeated air loss are all stronger replacement signals than mileage on a low-use collector vehicle. Keeping a simple record of installation date, storage conditions, and inspection results makes it easier to decide when aging tires deserve retirement.

Tires on a 1937 Pierce Arrow should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, embedded debris, and pressure loss. On a prewar car, it is also wise to check the valve stems carefully and make sure the spare is usable, since roadside support for a vintage-size tire can be limited compared with modern passenger-car sizes.

Frequent inspections matter because a collector car can spend long periods parked and then be asked to run at sustained road speed with little warning. Catching a problem in the garage is far easier than discovering it on the shoulder. A few minutes with a pressure gauge and a visual walkaround should be part of every 1937 Pierce Arrow departure routine, not just an annual maintenance task.

The 1937 Pierce Arrow 434 and 444 Series use 700-17 tires, and the era itself points clearly to bias-ply construction as the original type. That aligns with the available replacement format for the size today. Original-equipment branding could vary by market, dealer practice, and surviving car history, so the most defensible restoration focus is correct size, correct construction type, and an era-appropriate sidewall appearance rather than assuming one universal factory brand.

For most restorers, getting the tire format right is what preserves the proper prewar profile and visual balance. If you are preparing a high-level judged car, compare your target sidewall treatment against period photography, factory literature, and advice from Pierce-Arrow specialists. That extra step is worthwhile because whitewall treatment, blackwall presentation, and even visual proportions can influence how authentic the finished car appears.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1937 Pierce Arrow. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts will notice whether the car carries the right size for its series, whether the tire uses period-correct bias-ply construction, and whether the sidewall treatment suits the era and the specific style of restoration. A visibly incorrect size or an obviously out-of-period construction can disrupt the car's stance and weaken the authenticity of an otherwise careful restoration.

That does not mean every show expects exactly the same thing, since standards vary between marque clubs, concours events, and touring-focused gatherings. Still, a 1937 Pierce Arrow shown for originality should start with the proper numeric size and a sidewall style that looks believable on a senior prewar luxury automobile. Event-specific rules are best confirmed with the hosting organization before final tire selection.

In 750-17 for 1937 Pierce Arrow, Firestone Balloon and BFGoodrich differ in sidewall offerings, weight, rim-width listings, and the load-and-pressure figures shown on certain products. Firestone Balloon appears in blackwall and double whitewall forms, with 4-inch rim listings, weights around 30 to 41 pounds, and examples listed at 1870 pounds at 40 psi. BFGoodrich appears in blackwall and wide whitewall form, with one listed whitewall example showing a 5.50- to 6.00-inch rim-width range, 45-pound weight, and 1646 pounds at 36 psi.

Those distinctions can shape both the look of the car and the practical fitment conversation around the wheel already on it. A Firestone Balloon may align with one restoration vision, while a BFGoodrich option may better suit another, especially if sidewall appearance is driving the choice. Comparing the specific tire's rim-width listing and visual presentation is more useful than choosing solely by brand name for a 1937 Pierce Arrow.

1937 Pierce Arrow tires in these applications are bias-ply reproductions, and no speed ratings are shown for the available 700-17 or 750-17 products. That means highway use should be approached with the expectations appropriate to a large prewar luxury automobile rather than a modern high-speed touring car. On a well-sorted Pierce-Arrow, the practical limits of brakes, steering, suspension design, and overall age are often more important than raw engine ability when planning sustained road speed.

Safe highway use depends on condition, inflation, wheel compatibility, and realistic driving habits more than on chasing modern-car cruising expectations. Keep speeds appropriate to the car, road, and weather, and avoid treating a bias-ply prewar setup like a contemporary radial package. A thorough inspection before road travel matters just as much as choosing the right size, especially on a vehicle as substantial and historically significant as a 1937 Pierce Arrow.

Inflation pressure for 1937 Pierce Arrow tires should begin with the vehicle's factory guidance, then be cross-checked against the rated pressure associated with the specific reproduction tire. Among available examples, 700-17 products show maximum load figures at 36 psi, while 750-17 examples show figures at 36 psi on some products and 40 psi on others. Those are tire ratings tied to specific products, not a blanket instruction to use the same pressure on every 1937 Pierce Arrow.

The practical takeaway is to match pressure to the exact size and tire chosen, then fine-tune within the manufacturer's guidance and the car's intended use. A pressure suitable for one 750-17 product should not automatically be transferred to another. For a heavy prewar automobile, correct inflation affects steering feel, ride quality, and wear pattern, so this is one of the most important setup checks to make after installation.

Before a longer drive in a 1937 Pierce Arrow, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, tread separation, punctures, and uneven wear, then verify cold inflation pressure and look over the valve stems carefully. Check the spare as well, since vintage-size roadside replacements are far less common than modern tires. Because the car is a heavy prewar machine, you should also confirm that the wheels are secure and that the tires are seated and wearing evenly.

That tire inspection should be part of a broader pre-drive routine that includes brakes, steering, cooling system, and lighting, but the tires deserve special attention because they carry the entire car and influence every steering and braking input. A 1937 Pierce Arrow in good tune can be a satisfying road car within its natural limits. Taking a few extra minutes before departure helps keep a long drive enjoyable rather than eventful.