Re: Balloon tires

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Luxford
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Re: Balloon tires

Post by Luxford » Fri Feb 27, 2026 6:41 am

The only balloon tires mentioned over the years appear to be the normal 21 inch variety.
But there were aircraft style balloon tires also available in the T era. In 1923/24 the balloon tire was taking hold. The makers of Buffalo wheels had available larger section baloon tires. Here is an ad from Ford Owner Dealer January 1924 it mentions 30x 3/12 wheels so they were obviously offering them to Ford owners.
These wheels in disc form were adopted by the Army and the Marines on vehicles they were adapting for use over rough ground.
Something they began looking at after WW1 before the Jeep was developed when WW2 arrived.
Has anyone come across such disc wheels on a Model T or the remains of one?
Attached a photo of the Army's version in tests in 1926.
the Owner Dealer ad from 1924 and close up of mention of the tire sizes.
Attachments
disc wheels 01.jpg
disc wheels 01.jpg (114.52 KiB) Viewed 26 times
disc wheels 02.jpg
disc wheels 03.jpg


Dan Hatch
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Re: Balloon tires

Post by Dan Hatch » Fri Feb 27, 2026 7:00 am

TT had a larger front tire size that was either aftermarket or an option. If I remember correctly it was the size listed in the ad.
Was not a clincher. Just regular tire. The rim fit a standard 30x3.5 wheel. Only have seen one set. Sold the rims to someone in Luray Va many moons ago.

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