1938 Pierce Arrow Tire Fitment Guide

1938 Pierce Arrow vehicles use two tire sizes: 700-17 and 750-17. The 1801 uses 700-17, while the 1802 and 1803 use 750-17. Both sizes mount on 17-inch rims, but the listed rim widths are not identical. For 700-17, listed rim widths include 3.5 to 4.0 inches and 4 inches. For 750-17, listed rim widths include 4 inches and 5.50 to 6.00 inches depending on the tire.

That means year and make alone are not enough to choose correctly for a 1938 Pierce Arrow. Start by confirming the model, then compare your actual wheel width to the tire you want to run. A car on replacement wheels or a long-restored chassis may not still be wearing its original rims, so matching the tire to both the model and the wheel is the safest way to narrow the choice.

On a 1938 Pierce Arrow tire, 700-17 is a traditional numeric bias-ply size. The 7.00 portion refers to the nominal section width in inches, and the 17 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On Pierce Arrow applications for 1938, that size belongs to the 1801. It is not a metric measurement, and it does not indicate a modern radial construction.

That older size code matters because modern buyers often expect a more detailed width-and-aspect-ratio format than prewar tires used. With 700-17, the key takeaway is that you are looking for a period-style bias-ply tire built for a 17-inch wheel. If your Pierce Arrow is an 1801, staying with that size preserves the model's intended fitment character and keeps you from accidentally stepping up to the larger size used on the senior models.

On a 1938 Pierce Arrow tire, 750-17 is also a numeric bias-ply size. The 7.50 portion refers to the nominal section width in inches, and the 17 is the wheel diameter in inches. For 1938 Pierce Arrow applications, 750-17 is used on the 1802 and 1803. Like 700-17, it is an era-correct prewar size format rather than a later radial or metric designation.

Understanding that code helps separate the bigger Pierce Arrow chassis from the smaller 1801. A 750-17 tire keeps the proper visual mass and scale expected on the 1802 and 1803, especially on large prewar luxury cars where sidewall height and overall stance make a noticeable difference. If your car has changed hands many times or wears older replacement tires, verify the model plate and wheel width before assuming all 1938 Pierce Arrow cars used the same size.

1938 Pierce Arrow tires are available with Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall styling depending on the size and product selected. Both 700-17 and 750-17 have Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall choices within the current offerings. That gives owners room to tailor the visual presentation while staying within the correct bias-ply construction family for a prewar luxury automobile.

For most restoration-minded 1938 Pierce Arrow owners, the sidewall decision is as much about presentation as fitment. A formal sedan restored to a high cosmetic standard may call for a wide whitewall look, while a more restrained touring or preservation-minded car may wear blackwalls more naturally. If the car will be judged, confirm the accepted sidewall treatment with a Pierce Arrow club or event rulebook, since market delivery, body style, and judging standards can affect what is considered most authentic.

Firestone, Ensign, and BFGoodrich all offer tires for 1938 Pierce Arrow applications, but not in the same size mix. The 700-17 size is available from Firestone and Ensign, while the 750-17 size is available from Firestone and BFGoodrich. All currently listed options for these applications are bias-ply tires, which is consistent with what a 1938 Pierce Arrow would have used in period.

Brand choice on a prewar luxury car often comes down to the look you want, the sidewall treatment you prefer, and the wheel width your car actually has. Firestone covers both Pierce Arrow sizes, while Ensign appears in the 1801 size and BFGoodrich appears in the larger 1802 and 1803 size. Once the model and size are confirmed, comparing the available sidewall styles and rim-width compatibility is the most useful next step.

For the 1938 Pierce Arrow 1801 in 700-17, Firestone Balloon and Ensign B5 differ in sidewall presentation, listed load figures, weight, and rim-width fitment. Firestone Balloon appears in Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall versions, typically on 4-inch rims, with listed load capacity of 1,480 pounds at 36 psi and weights from 28 to 35 pounds depending on version. Ensign B5 appears as a Blackwall tire with a listed rim-width range of 3.5 to 4.0 inches, a listed load capacity of 1,901 pounds at 36 psi, and a 30-pound weight.

That makes the comparison more about specification details and visual finish than construction type, since both are bias-ply tires in the same size. If your 1801 still wears narrower original-style wheels, the Ensign's stated rim-width range may be especially relevant. If you are chasing a particular prewar luxury look, Firestone's broader whitewall selection may be the deciding factor. Either way, match the tire to the wheel first and the appearance second.

1938 Pierce Arrow tire rim width depends on the size and the specific tire chosen. In 700-17, listed rim widths include 3.5 to 4.0 inches for the Ensign B5 and 4 inches for the Firestone Balloon line. In 750-17, listed rim widths include 4 inches on Firestone Balloon products and 5.50 to 6.00 inches on at least one BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply option. Both Pierce Arrow sizes use 17-inch rims, but width compatibility varies within that shared diameter.

That variation matters on cars that may have seen wheel swaps, body changes, or older restorations over the decades. Before fitting new tires, measure the wheel or verify its width from the wheel itself rather than assuming all 17-inch Pierce Arrow wheels are the same. A tire that mounts on the correct diameter wheel still needs to fall within its approved width range to maintain the intended profile and support.

Both 700-17 and 750-17 for 1938 Pierce Arrow vehicles are built for 17-inch rims, so the wheel diameter itself is shared across the range. That means an original Pierce Arrow wheel of the correct 17-inch diameter is at least in the right diameter family for either size. Rim width is the deciding factor beyond diameter, and the listed width ranges are not identical between the two sizes or between every product within a size.

In practical terms, a 17-inch wheel does not automatically make both sizes interchangeable on every 1938 Pierce Arrow. The 1801's 700-17 products include narrower rim-width listings than some 750-17 offerings. If you are evaluating wheels from another car, a mixed set, or an older restoration, confirm the actual width before assuming the larger 750-17 will sit correctly. Diameter compatibility is only the first checkpoint.

A 1938 Pierce Arrow should be stored away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone-producing sources that can age sidewalls prematurely. Keep the car on a dry surface, maintain proper inflation, and move it periodically so one section of the bias-ply tire is not carrying the same load for months at a time. On a heavy prewar car, long static storage can encourage flat-spotting and stress the casing more quickly than many owners expect.

If the car will sit for an extended period, occasional rolling or using stands under the chassis can help reduce prolonged load on the tires. Bias-ply tires especially benefit from thoughtful storage because they can take a temporary set after long parking intervals. A clean, cool storage environment does as much for the life of a collector tire as low mileage, particularly on a substantial luxury car like a 1938 Pierce Arrow.

Tire life on a 1938 Pierce Arrow is usually governed more by age than by mileage. Collector cars often cover relatively few miles, so rubber aging, casing condition, and storage history become the real factors. A good rule is to begin evaluating tires closely at about five to seven years of age and to treat around ten years as a point where replacement deserves serious consideration, even if tread depth still looks acceptable.

The date code on the tire is a better guide than odometer readings on a low-use prewar car. A Pierce Arrow that appears to wear nearly new tires can still be riding on rubber that has hardened with time or developed internal age-related weakness. Age-based replacement planning is especially important for large, heavy vehicles, where old tires may look presentable at rest but be far less trustworthy once fully loaded and driven at road speed.

Tires on a 1938 Pierce Arrow should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Check for visible sidewall cracking, tread damage, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and signs that the tire is losing pressure between uses. Because these cars are often driven infrequently, damage can develop quietly in storage and only become obvious when the car is put back into service.

A quick walkaround is not enough for a heavy prewar car. Put a gauge on each tire, inspect the spare, and look closely at the valve area as part of the routine. If the car has been parked for weeks or months, the first few miles should be treated as a warm-up period while you pay attention to vibration, pull, or unusual feel. Early checks are much easier than roadside corrections on a full-size 1938 Pierce Arrow.

A 1938 Pierce Arrow 1801 would originally have been fitted with bias-ply tires, because radial passenger-car fitments were not part of normal American luxury-car practice in that era. The listed fitment for the 1801 is 700-17, which aligns with that prewar bias-ply pattern. No specific original equipment brand should be assumed solely from modern reproduction choices, since surviving factory, dealer, and market-specific details can vary.

For restoration work, the most important authenticity markers are the correct size, the proper bias-ply construction, and a sidewall style that suits the car's intended presentation. If the car is headed for judged events, confirm details with a Pierce Arrow club, period literature, or a recognized marque specialist. That extra step matters because body style, market delivery, and prior restoration history can all influence what is considered most faithful on an individual 1801.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1938 Pierce Arrow because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction, and sidewall appearance quickly. A prewar luxury car wearing the wrong size or a visibly mismatched sidewall treatment can look out of proportion even to casual observers. For formal judging, the expected standard usually favors era-appropriate bias-ply construction and a sidewall style that suits the car's market and restoration goal.

That does not mean every show demands the same exact presentation, but it does mean tires are part of the car's visual and historical story. An otherwise excellent Pierce Arrow can lose some authenticity if the tires do not match the period character of the chassis. Before finalizing a concours restoration, compare your planned tire size and sidewall treatment with event rules and marque-club guidance rather than relying only on what looks right in isolation.

For the 1938 Pierce Arrow 1802 and 1803 in 750-17, Firestone Balloon and BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply differ in sidewall offerings, listed rim-width fitment, load figures where shown, and weight. Firestone Balloon appears in Blackwall and Double-Whitewall versions with a listed 4-inch rim width and a stated load capacity of 1,870 pounds at 40 psi on the products shown. BFGoodrich appears in Blackwall and Wide Whitewall versions, with one listed Wide Whitewall tire showing a 5.50 to 6.00 inch rim-width range, 1,646 pounds at 36 psi, and a heavier listed weight than the comparable Firestone offerings shown.

For a restoration, that means the choice is not simply brand preference. Wheel width, desired sidewall appearance, and the visual character you want on the car all come into play. A Pierce Arrow owner trying to preserve a broad whitewall look may lean one way, while someone matching a 4-inch wheel may find the Firestone specification more directly aligned. On a high-end prewar car, those small specification differences can meaningfully affect both stance and presentation.

1938 Pierce Arrow tires can be suitable for normal road use when they are the correct size, in good condition, properly inflated, and matched to sound wheels. The currently listed sizes for these cars are bias-ply tires, and no speed-rating letters are shown in the available size markings for these products. On a prewar luxury car, practical road safety is often shaped as much by the age of the vehicle's brakes, steering, suspension, and overall mechanical condition as by the tire itself.

That means highway use should be approached with the realities of a 1938 automobile in mind. A Pierce Arrow in proper mechanical condition on fresh, correctly fitted tires can be driven confidently within the car's natural operating envelope, but sustained speed should reflect the vehicle's vintage design and handling characteristics. If the car has been dormant, begin with shorter outings and let the whole chassis prove itself before planning long-distance or higher-speed touring.

Inflation pressure on 1938 Pierce Arrow tires should be matched to the specific tire size and the manufacturer's rated figures, then cross-checked against the original vehicle guidance when available. In the listed products, 700-17 tires show load figures at 36 psi, including 1,480 pounds at 36 psi on Firestone Balloon products and 1,901 pounds at 36 psi on the Ensign B5. In 750-17, listed examples include 1,870 pounds at 40 psi for Firestone Balloon and 1,646 pounds at 36 psi for one BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply product.

Those figures should not be treated as one universal setting for every 1938 Pierce Arrow tire. Pressure choice depends on the exact tire, the wheel, the load carried, and the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation for the chassis. Use the original owner's literature or marque guidance as the starting point for the car, then confirm the tire's own pressure limits and rating information before final inflation. Do not transfer one product's pressure figure to a different size or brand.

Before a longer drive in a 1938 Pierce Arrow, inspect each tire for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and signs of prior impact damage. Confirm inflation with a gauge, check that the spare is serviceable, and make sure every wheel is secure and free of obvious damage. Because a prewar luxury car is large and heavy, small tire issues can become much more noticeable once the car is fully loaded and moving at touring speed.

Tires are only one part of the pre-drive checklist on a 1938 Pierce Arrow. Brake function, steering play, wheel bearing condition, fluid levels, and cooling-system readiness all matter just as much on an older touring car. A careful inspection before departure reduces the chance that a minor storage-related issue turns into a roadside problem. On collector cars that are driven infrequently, that habit is more valuable than relying on how the car performed months earlier.