VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 Was this something they often did?

Did they really change the tires to make the cars look better?

Have a look:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1929-Chevrolet-...316QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Solan yes they did. They were called balloon tires at the time. See the link
http://www.firestone100.com/history/first_pop2e.html

Also I have several vintage Shrader tire pressure gauges with the specific laballing " for balloon tires."

As early as 1925, that I am aware of, there was the option of Balloon Tires offered by the factory for Chevrolets. This was a $25 option - 5% of the cost of the car. My '25 Roadster was so equipped. This bought you a 4.25" x 21 tire on a smaller diameter, wider wheel - versus the standard quipment 30 x 3-1/2" (which - not a coincidence - was the same size as worn by the Model T F*rd).

This reported offered a significantly better ride. My Grandfather worked in the tire industry for 47 years in Akron Ohio. He fondly recalled the Balloon Tire of the 20's as a Giant Step for Mankind.

Also interesting to note - the document on eBay that Solan has linked to above is the corporate 'newsletter' of General Tire, one of the pioneers of the Balloon Tire.

Thanks for the information.

In Norway our National association (LMK) has repeatedly refused to accept "wider" tires (than the diagonals mounted when new) as originals, if you want their best/cheapest car insurance.

Are radial tires a later substitute for those balloons?

Is there a list of corresponding sizes between ordinary and balloon tires from that period? Do they make balloon tires now?