VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1933-1936 Chevy tires of the thirties

What brand of tires did Chevy use during the 1930's on their new cars? I have an original 1933 Chevy with just under 37000 miles and will replace tires soon. I would get the correct brand if they are still available. Thanks.

In 1931 Cevrolet used Good Year Diamond Tread tires.
Thru the '30's they dropped Good Year and used US Royal and Goodrich and later Firestone also.

In 1932 the specifications book shows that they used Goodrich Silvertowns. You should check with the 33 TA.

I missed the 1933 and was thinking 1931. In 1933 they used Goodrich and US Royal (Uniroyal today)....Dominion Royal in Canada.
Those brands will not have a 1933 tread design today.

Still good info Chev Nut! And I have always wondered what happend to US Royal.

The name changed in 1961.
IN the'50s 75% of the GM cars came with Us Royal with Goodrich and Firestone doing the balance.

Wow, thanks for the info!

When I clanged the tires on my 33 just before Flint in 2011 I bought the BF Goodrich tire from Coker. The white walls turned yellow in about two to three weeks. I sent them back and they sent me another set of four. Same think happened. I sent them back and switched to the Firestone tire. Three of them do OK but one yellows in about a month. Not sure I would buy any more tires from Coker.

Here is what the car looks like with both tires, the Firestone gives it a more "spindly" look.
BF Goodrich


Firestones

Are the tires made in China?

Interesting about the yellowing. I have had old tires before that still looked pretty good and some newer ones that yellowed pretty quick.

Also, what about inner tubes, any recommendations on those?

Hey Dale!

A little bit about the reason your tires are turning yellow or also brown, all depends on how you look at it. It's the chemicals that are in our tires these days to make them so call last longer. This yellow/brown stuff that you're seeing is intended to help protect the tires from UV light. If you leave your everyday car tires a long time you will see the same thing happen. Knowing Chip he will know a lot more about what I'm talking about. The reason that we see it more on the old cars is because we don't drive them as much or wash them as much.

As to it being Cookers fault, I don't think so. It's the rubber compounders and engineers that are causing the problems. Cooker just contracts out to tire manufacturers to have their tires made. Also, they need to follow DOT rules are requirements for making tires.

Also, I have found a guy that makes this amazing stuff that cleans your tires and the yellow/brown goes away! He sells it at the Turlock swap meet. I'll take you over to him this January. When I used the stuff I have, it was last July and have just washed the tires with soap and water since and they still look great!

Bruce

I think they're made in Mexico. Next time I need tires I will definitely look at other manufactures or dealers.

The original set of tires I took off I think we're Lesters? And they were put on in 1974 or five when the car was a restored. They were bright white never had to worry about them. They were just old.
I would love to see how the car would look with black walls on it.

You might want to look at my landau, it's about the same colors and I think black walls look great on it!

When I wear these out I will consider going to black walls. I like the white wall but these are a pain to keep nice.

easy solution- put blackwalls on

Agree

When I got my new 1956 Chevrolet it had Royals on it. Lasted almost 12K before the threads begin to show. No abuse either, the 265 would never spin a tire. I thought about putting the "Power Pack" assemblies on it but didn't have the extra cash.

Charlie