1933 Vehicle Tire Fitment Guide

1933 vehicles used a wide range of numeric bias-ply tire sizes, including 3.75-18, 4.00-18, 5.25-17, 5.25-18, 5.75-16, 500-17, 550-17, 550-18, 600-16, 600-19, 6.00-17, 6.50-17, 650-16, 650-19, 700-15, 700-17, 700-18, 700-19, 700-20, 750-17, and 750-18. The spread is much broader than many later years because 1933 fitment covered everything from compact cars to prestige luxury automobiles.

That variety reflects the prewar market itself. A small car such as the 1933 Austin 4 Cyl. used narrow 18-inch sizes, while large cars such as the 1933 Lincoln V12 and 1933 Cunningham 8 required much larger tires. Several mainstream models clustered around common sizes like 550-17, 5.25-17, 6.00-17, and 600-16, but large senior cars often stepped up to 700-17, 700-18, or 750-series fitments.

No, 1933 vehicles do not use one universal tire size. Fitment varies significantly by make, model, and series, with some cars using modest passenger-car sizes such as 5.25-17 or 550-17 and others using much larger sizes such as 700-18, 750-17, or 750-18. Even within the same make, different models can require different tires.

That is easy to see in lineups such as Buick, Chrysler, Nash, Studebaker, and Willys. A 1933 Buick 50 Series uses 6.00-17, while a 1933 Buick 80 Series uses 700-15 and a 1933 Buick 90 Series uses 700-17. Because prewar sizing is closely tied to wheel diameter and vehicle class, selecting by year alone is not enough for accurate 1933 vehicle tire fitment.

The best way to find the right tire size for a 1933 vehicle is to match the exact year, make, and full model name, then confirm the wheel size and current vehicle configuration before ordering. For this year, many makes used several different sizes across their model ranges, and some individual models are linked to more than one listed size.

This matters especially on restored or modified vehicles. A 1933 Plymouth PC or 1933 Plymouth PD may be associated with either 5.25-17 or 600-16, and the 1933 Hudson 33E is also linked to two sizes. Checking the existing wheel diameter, measuring wheel width when needed, and reviewing clearance around fenders, steering, and suspension helps narrow the correct product once the size is identified.

The 1933 fitment guide covers a broad mix of American and imported marques, including Auburn, Austin, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Continental, Cord, Cunningham, De Soto, Dodge, Duesenberg, Essex, Ford, Franklin, Graham, Hudson, Hupmobile, La Salle, Lincoln, Marmon, Nash, Oldsmobile, Packard, Pierce Arrow, Plymouth, Pontiac, Reo, Rockne, Studebaker, Stutz, Terraplane, and Willys.

That range is one reason 1933 tire research requires close attention. The page includes everything from compact four-cylinder cars to large twelve-cylinder luxury machines. As a result, the listed tire sizes and wheel diameters vary widely, and the brands and sidewall styles available for one make may differ completely from what is offered for another make using a different size.

The year includes a wide variety of model applications, from cars such as the 1933 Chevrolet Standard, 1933 Ford V8, 1933 Plymouth PC, and 1933 Willys 77 Series to larger and more specialized vehicles such as the 1933 Cadillac 452C Series, 1933 Packard 12 Cyl., 1933 Pierce Arrow B12, 1933 Duesenberg J, and 1933 Lincoln V12. Many makes include several distinct series with separate tire requirements.

Rather than treating 1933 as one fitment group, it helps to think in layers. Some sizes are shared across many middle-market cars, while others are tied to single models or premium chassis. The same year can include compact sizes for Austin, common passenger-car sizes for Chevrolet or Ford, and very large luxury-car sizes for Lincoln or Cunningham.

Yes, different models from the same 1933 model year often use different tire sizes, and in some makes the change is substantial. A single make may span multiple wheel diameters and section widths depending on the series, engine class, or chassis. That is common throughout this year and is one of the main reasons model identification is so important.

Studebaker is a good example, moving from 550-17 on the 1933 Studebaker 6 Cyl. to 700-17 on the 1933 Studebaker SPD President. Willys also varies widely, with 500-17, 5.75-16, 550-17, and 6.00-17 all appearing in the same make. In practical terms, that means two 1933 cars from the same manufacturer may need very different tires and product selections.

For the listed 1933 applications, the available products are bias-ply tires. Depending on size, the selection may include classic passenger-car lines such as Firestone Balloon, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic, Garfield Classic Bias Ply, Lester Classic Bias Ply, or Excelsior Comp H. A few sizes also include specialized products with military-and-truck or racing-oriented attributes.

The exact product mix depends heavily on tire size. A common size such as 600-16 offers several brand and sidewall options, while a more specialized fitment may have only one or a few products. That size-specific variation is typical for prewar tire shopping, where product breadth often follows how common the original fitment was across the market.

The listed 1933 vehicle tire applications and available products are bias-ply. That includes mainstream sizes such as 550-17 and 600-16 as well as larger premium sizes such as 700-17, 700-18, 750-17, and 750-18. No radial fitments are represented in the current 1933 year grouping, so construction is consistent even though the sizes themselves vary widely.

That consistency makes construction easier to understand than size. The main decision points for most 1933 shoppers are the exact numeric size, the wheel diameter, and the preferred sidewall treatment. Because these are prewar applications, preserving the intended profile and stance of the vehicle usually starts with selecting the correct bias-ply size rather than trying to generalize across later tire formats.

Tire sizes vary across 1933 vehicles because the market itself ranged from light compact cars to large luxury automobiles, each with different wheel diameters, body sizes, weights, and chassis needs. In this year, construction does not vary because the listed applications are all bias-ply, but the size spread is still extensive and reflects the design differences between economy, mainstream, and prestige models.

A 1933 Austin 4 Cyl. and a 1933 Cadillac 452C Series were built for entirely different purposes, so their tire dimensions are naturally very different. The same pattern appears within individual makes, where senior or premium models step into larger sizes. This is why 1933 tire fitment is best understood as a model-specific selection process, not a one-size prewar formula.

Start with the exact tire size listed for the vehicle, then compare construction, sidewall style, rim requirements, and the intended use of the car. For 1933 applications, all listed products are bias-ply, so the most important variables are usually the correct numeric size, wheel diameter, and whether the chosen tire's sidewall look matches the vehicle's restoration goals.

It also helps to look at product-level details where they are available. Some sizes list specific rim-width ranges, and some products show load capacities that can matter on larger cars such as 1933 Packard, Cadillac, Lincoln, or Pierce Arrow applications. On modified vehicles, wheel changes, brake conversions, or body and suspension alterations can affect clearance even when the nominal tire size appears correct.

Available brands for 1933 vehicle tires include Firestone, BFGoodrich, Ensign, Coker Classic, Garfield, Lester, Excelsior, Avon, STA, and Deka. Brand availability depends on the exact tire size, so one application may offer several choices while another may only show one. Firestone and BFGoodrich appear across a number of the more common prewar sizes, while other brands are concentrated in specific fitments.

For example, 700-17 includes Firestone and Ensign choices, 650-16 includes BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Garfield, and 600-16 includes BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone. Specialty products also appear in selected sizes, such as STA in 700-15, Deka in 750-18, and a Firestone Dirt Track application in 500-17.

Sidewall styles available for 1933 vehicle tires include Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and Double-Whitewall, depending on tire size and product line. Not every size offers all three. Some fitments have a broad visual range, while others are limited to one treatment. Sidewall appearance can dramatically change the look of a prewar car, especially on larger luxury or formal body styles.

Examples include 550-17, 700-17, 700-18, 750-17, and 750-18, all of which have more than one sidewall treatment represented. Other sizes, such as 600-19 or 500-17, are much more limited. For restoration-minded owners, the best approach is to first confirm the correct size and wheel details, then compare the sidewall options that exist within that exact fitment.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1933 vehicle even when the nominal tire size matches a listed application. Changes to wheels, brake components, ride height, steering geometry, suspension parts, or bodywork can alter the available clearance and the rim dimensions needed for a given tire. This is especially important on restored or custom-built prewar cars that may no longer match their original configuration.

The issue becomes more noticeable on cars with multiple possible listed sizes or unusual fitments. A vehicle such as a 1933 Plymouth or 1933 Hudson may already require size confirmation before purchase, and any later modification adds another variable. Before installing new tires, check wheel diameter, wheel width, backspacing if relevant, and clearance at full steering lock and suspension movement.

Before installing tires on a 1933 vehicle, confirm the exact year, make, and full model, then verify the tire size stamped on the current tire or otherwise documented for the car. It is also wise to inspect the wheels for diameter and width, review the condition of the rims, and make sure the chosen tire's listed specifications match the wheel where those dimensions are provided.

For larger sizes such as 700-17, 700-18, 750-17, or 750-18, product listings may include specific rim widths or load capacities that deserve attention. On any prewar car, installation is also a good time to inspect steering and suspension clearance, fender space, and the spare-tire mount. Those details help prevent surprises after mounting, especially on older vehicles that may have accumulated non-original parts.

Tires on a 1933 vehicle should be inspected regularly for visible cracking, sidewall damage, tread wear, irregular wear patterns, and signs of age-related deterioration. Air pressure should be checked consistently and kept in line with the tire's requirements and the vehicle's setup. Because these are bias-ply applications, maintaining even inflation and watching for changes in steering feel or ride behavior is especially helpful.

Prewar cars also benefit from periodic wheel and chassis checks. If a tire begins wearing unevenly, the cause may be alignment, wheel condition, worn suspension parts, or a mismatch between tire and wheel dimensions. On collector vehicles that are driven infrequently, storage conditions matter as well. Clean, dry storage, movement from time to time, and routine visual inspection all help extend service life.