Re: Balloon tires

[Luxford]

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.

[Dan Hatch]

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.

[TXGOAT2]

The term "Balloon tires" in the T era typically referred to any low pressure tire, including those which look very skinny to us today, such as the 4.40/4.50 X 21 tires. Prior to around 1928, tires were usually 3" to 4" in nominal width, with tread around 3" wide, if any tread was present, and tire pressures were typically in the 50 to 65 PSI range. Balloon tires, besides being wider, and of somewhat different construction, could be run at pressures in the 25 to 30 PSI range. All sorts of aftermarket and specialty tires and wheels were on the market, but most of them never came into wide use. A look at Ford's advertising in the late T era will show what Ford offered as standard and optional wheel and tire equipment.

[speedytinc]

Low pressure 30 x 3.5" tires do/did exist.
I know of & have seen a(ONE) local 23 touring wearing 30 x 3.5" non clincher SPLIT rims.
Are these considered "balloon" tires? They can be run with lower pressures (high 20#-low 30#) With the soft ride of 21's.
Since being aware of such rims, I have been looking @ swap meets for these rims. I have not found any yet.

A fellow that frequents Argentina & the T club down there claimed they are/were quite common down there.

Thirdly, A few years back I purchased, in haste, a set of NOS non clincher 30 x 3.5" firestones, made in Argentina.

[TXGOAT2]

Big tires do not work well on stock Ts driven on the public roads. If you use your T for rock crawling or as a sand buggy or for mud hogging, the sky, or your wallet, is the limit.

[Kevin Pharis]

One of the surviving French built Montier T racing cars has Buffalo wire wheels fitted with 23” lock ring rims and 30”x3-1/2” straight side balloon tires. The wheels are beautiful! If only tires were still available…

Buffalo wheels with 21” rims are somewhat rare, and seem to be mostly found on speedsters. I had a set of 21” Buffalos on my ol ‘27 roadster and loved em! Tried a set on my ‘15 touring and hated the look.