proper tires 1933/34 fords

[FrankWest]

Trying to obtain New proper tires for a 1933 ford.
Many restorations use tires that look far too wide.

[TonyM]

I purchased the correct tires for my pre War Ford at Coker Tires. Good selection and service.

[john in illinois]

A note about Coker tires. Summit Racing handles Coker and offers free shipping which saves a lot.

John

[bobH]

Got mine from Lester. Couldn't be more pleased, and would do the same again.

[Lawrie]

Got my firestones(coker) 550x17 from summit,
Lawrie

[Mart]

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Frank, if the tyres look "fatter" than stock, the car has probably been fitted with 35 style 16" wheels and tyres.

As stated above, the stock size for your car is 5.50-17. All tyres that are sized as such should be the right size, regardless of make.

Mart.

[koates]

Frank. FIRESTONE 5.50 X 17" is the original size and style for your 1933 Ford. Use tubes with them. They look great and run very nicely. Maybe sandblast your wheels and repaint or powder coat them if they are crappy looking whilst the old tires are off. I have my spoke wheels powder coated and clear coated and it is a very tough finish and does not chip easily. Have the wheels balanced before refitting them. Check your front wheel toe in setting ( 1/16") before doing much driving. This will ensure your new tires will last well. When storing/parking your car cover up the wheels/tires with some sort of cover material to keep light off them. This will extend the life of the rubber tire. Regards, Kevin.

[DavidG]

Frank is seeking a tire that is close to the original in terms of tread and sidewall graphics. The currently available Firestone 17" tire is nowhere close to meeting those criteria. It's tread is post WWII and is poor on wet surfaces (there's no provision for water to exit to the sides). The sidewall does have the Firestone script, but it is tiny compared to the original. The Lester tire mentioned above is very plain and therefore escapes notice one way or the other, but it has two virtues, those being a much safer tread design and it is considerably less expensive than the Firestone tire.

[al's28/33]

David I did not know those points about the FIRESTONE and LESTER tires, but when it comes time to get new tires for my '33 pickup I will research all availabilities......

[Lawrie]

David, I can agree with you regarding the firestones in the wet,my 33 is just floats around the roundabouts here in the rain , if you even looked at the gas pedal you would not know where you would end up,BUT it doesn't rain much here and I ,m used to it.
Lawrie

[jimTN]

I believe all tires made today are larger than the originals. I have a set of BF Goodrich 19's on my 32 that are definately larger than the originals.

[FrankWest]

This is a true story...

Several years ago We needed tires on our family car...
I asked my wife..what kind should I get
She hesitated AND ANSWERED "Radio"
I didn't smile but looked right at her and asked, "AM or FM"

[2ndgeer]

I have always liked Goodyear diamond-tread tires. Back in 1969 I went into a Goodyear tire store and ordered a set of five 5.25--5.50 X 17 inch Goodyear diamond-tread tires. They were made in Canada. I still have them. Of course, since I "updated" my pickup I went to 16" Kelsey Hayes wheels and now I have brand new Goodyear diamond treads. I'm puzzled about why it is that so few folks choose this style of tire. Apologies is this is "off topic."

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by 2ndgeer

I have always liked Goodyear diamond-tread tires. Back in 1969 I went into a Goodyear tire store and ordered a set of five 5.25--5.50 X 17 inch Goodyear diamond-tread tires. They were made in Canada. I still have them. Of course, since I "updated" my pickup I went to 16" Kelsey Hayes wheels and now I have brand new Goodyear diamond treads. I'm puzzled about why it is that so few folks choose this style of tire. Apologies is this is "off topic."

Beautiful tire!

where Can we see what the original tires looked like when new?
Thread and side wall. Thickness should be similar tom original but I wouldn't care if it was 3/4 in thicker or so as long as it is not as thick as a modern tire.
The wheel on the 1933/34 fords are 17.5 in ....do you use a 17 tire or 18 does that mean 17 or 18 inches diameter? can both these fit on a wheel?

[Mart]

Frank, the wheel diameter is measured at the base of the rim where the tyre sits. 33/34 wheels are 17" rims and take a 17" tyre.

Mart.

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by Mart

Frank, the wheel diameter is measured at the base of the rim where the tyre sits. 33/34 wheels are 17" rims and take a 17" tyre.

Mart.

Thanks....
Good to know...Are there any proper tires available in Europe for these cars

[FrankWest]

Original Ad photo for selling tires. Nice Tires

[koates]

Frank, If you have the book "THE CLASSY FORD V8" by Lorin Sorensen, It has many factory and period photos of fords 1932 to 1953 with very good detail on original tires. As DavidG has said the tires made today are not exactly the same as pre war tires. I have looked through several current tire catalogs and it seems that especially 5.50 x 17" size there is not a lot to choose from and nothing that looks exactly like a pre war tire. All appear to have fairly straight tread patterns with little or no provision for water to exit the sides. Another thing to watch for in different brands is the overall outside diameter or rolling circumference of the tire. Firestones are full size but some others are smaller and this will increase your engine RPM at any given speed. The sidewall script name on the firestone tire is quite large and looks good compared to some other brands. The brands I have found in 5.50 x 17" in my catalogs are :- Firestone, B.F.Goodrich, Lester, Excelsior, Dunlop. Coker do not appear to make this size. Excelsior also make a racing tire with a great looking tread with water grooves to the sides but it might be a softer compound for grip and long wearing life might be less. Take your time and check them all out. Regards, Kevin.

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by koates

Frank, If you have the book "THE CLASSY FORD V8" by Lorin Sorensen, It has many factory and period photos of fords 1932 to 1953 with very good detail on original tires. As DavidG has said the tires made today are not exactly the same as pre war tires. I have looked through several current tire catalogs and it seems that especially 5.50 x 17" size there is not a lot to choose from and nothing that looks exactly like a pre war tire. All appear to have fairly straight tread patterns with little or no provision for water to exit the sides. Another thing to watch for in different brands is the overall outside diameter or rolling circumference of the tire. Firestones are full size but some others are smaller and this will increase your engine RPM at any given speed. The sidewall script name on the firestone tire is quite large and looks good compared to some other brands. The brands I have found in 5.50 x 17" in my catalogs are :- Firestone, B.F.Goodrich, Lester, Excelsior, Dunlop. Coker do not appear to make this size. Excelsior also make a racing tire with a great looking tread with water grooves to the sides but it might be a softer compound for grip and long wearing life might be less. Take your time and check them all out. Regards, Kevin.

Thanks for your help...
David is a genius and knows this stuff inside and out...
And is a very kind individual..
I will take photos of the tires on my car. I think they are at least 30 years old... or more.
But, I guess I will have to live with what is available..
and make the best of it....I guess we should be thankfull that they make any tires at all for these 80 year old cars

[DavidG]

Amen to those thanks (that we have a choice at all).