I know tire size has been a topic on this forum in the past, but what is the VCCAs take on tire size to replace the original 525-18 tires for a 1933 Chevrolet Master?
The closet options are the 525/550-18 and the 550-18. I would have thought the 525/550-18 would have had dimensions that are the closet to original, but the data I got off of the major tire suppliers like Lucas Vintage Tires, Coker, and Universal contradict with my original thoughts were.
Example: Compare the diameter of the Lester 525/550-18 to all the other tires.
See the attached graphic for a comparison of tire dimensions. Since their was no 525-18 tires to use as a comparison, I took several 525-21 tires and reduced the diameter by 3 inches and kept all the other dimensions for those tires to include Section Width and Tread Width the same as the 525-21 tires. Not sure how accurate that would be, but that is the best I could come up with. I have a letter from the Chief Judge of the Antique Automobile Club of America that states they allow the use of 550-18 tires as replacements for the 525-18.
The size of the tire doesn't make much difference unless the vehicle has fender mounted spare tires. If that is the case measure the width of the well and select a tire that will fit the well when inflated. Of course the road speed will be increased a bit (at a given engine rpm) if you select the largest circumference tire. I prefer Firestone or BFG as they were manufacturers at the time the cars were built. So was Goodyear and a few others. But I tend to be a little anal about representing history as accuarately as practical.
Clipper, interesting you said that since I am going with either the BFG or Firestone 550-18s when I buy the next set of tires for my 1933 Chevrolet in the next few months.
At the moment i am leaning towards the BFGs, but I have a while to make up my mind. I am also switching from White Walls to Black Wall tires for two reasons. First I am getting tired of keeping the white walls clean and second I just don't like the look of white walls on the 1930s Chevrolets. Also, ever since 1971 when I bought my 33 Chevrolet, have never seen a factory photo or original literature showing a 1933 Chevrolet with White Wall tires.
Vila, I have Firestones on my '28 Chevys and BFG on my '31 Phaeton with fender wells. Went with BFG because they fit better (a teensy bit narrower) in the fender wells. Sure hope I don't have a flat on the road as the fit is plenty tight. Filled to 35 psig while mounted in the wells. Don't know if they will come out fully inflated. Of course neither are 18" tires and the fender wells on '32 & '33 are wider than '31.
