Wheel sizes: why we went from 42-Inch wheels to 10-Inch – and back again

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Since the invention of the motorcar, the size of its wheels and tyres has gone through some remarkable changes. From the early wooden cart wheels of 32 inches or more, the trend quickly moved towards smaller diameters. Taller sidewalls on these smaller tyres offered better cushioning over rough roads, improving comfort. The downsizing continued right through to the late 1950s, with the Mini’s famous 10-inch wheels marking the high point – or perhaps the low point – of this miniature era, while still being capable of high speeds.

From that point on, the trend reversed. By the 1970s tyre sidewalls were shrinking rapidly, while wheel diameters started growing again – a trend that continues today. Even the smallest modern car would look absurd riding on 10-inch wheels now.

The developments in the first decades of motoring – the era that interests us most here at PreWarCar.com – are beautifully illustrated in this promotional photograph from Oldsmobile, dated 1937.

On the left stands a wheel from a 1910 Oldsmobile Limited, measuring an impressive 42 inches. Such massive wheels lifted the car far higher than usual, giving the Limited a commanding presence simply through its height. To climb aboard, passengers needed two running boards.

On the right we see a brand-new Oldsmobile Six of 1937, riding on much more modest 16-inch wheels and tyres. It’s probably fair to say that sourcing a set of 16-inch tyres today is a far easier task than finding replacements for those gigantic 42-inch Limited wheels.

Words: Jeroen Booij
Picture: Oldsmobile PR

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