So why did Ford go from 21" wheels to 19" wheels?

[Eccentric Old Guy]

My search on the internet gave no indication of why the switch to the smaller wheel in 1930....

I can make a guess that the roads were improving, and the larger diameter wheels weren't as much needed.

(Back in the days of the horse drawn wagons, the larger wheels went over rough roads better than smaller wheels.)

Here's some related info on the wheels:
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/the-t...928-1935/28813

[chrs1961815]

Keep in mind they changed the way the edge was designed too, from the rolled over open 28-29 to the seamless 30-31. I consider it one of the many design improvements to 30-31 models.

[GeneBob]

I suspect it had to do with tire technology. As the bigger side wall sizes became more easily produced, it provided a smoother ride. The bigger sidewall height on a smaller diameter rim absorbed smaller bumps better to give a smoother ride. Go forward into the 1960's and 1970's and the luxury cars had big tires on 15" wheels to provide a smooth ride.
Just a guess.

[lrf]

Reading what I have about Henry Ford, reducing the cost anyway he could would be reason enough to downsize the rim size. 4 wheels X 2 million cars could be a substantial savings. He was a financial genius.

[JoeCB]

I think a styling issue (improvement? ) to enhance the "lower" sleeker look of the 30 -31 body.

Joe B

[Richard in Anaheim CA]

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The trend continued. 18" in '32, 17", in 34, 16" in '35, 16",

Richard 15" in '49 and 14" sometimes after that.

Now the trend has reversed.
Richard
Anaheim CA

[40 Deluxe]

Originally Posted by Richard in Anaheim CA

The trend continued. 18" in '32, 17", in 34, 16" in '35, 16",

Richard 15" in '49 and 14" sometimes after that.

Now the trend has reversed.
Richard
Anaheim CA

14" came out in '57. The first Falcons were 13", I believe.

[updraught]

It's so the vibrations and rattling come on board faster.

[nkaminar]

As Richard stated it is now back to 21 inch.

[rotorwrench]

Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone were relatively close friends. As new innovative tire designs were emerging, I'm sure that Harvey made sure that the Fords knew about them. Tires with lower and wider profile would increase the comfort level of passengers in cars so equipped. Roads were getting better but speeds were also increasing.

[Jim Brierley]

'48 Fords had 15" wheels.

[rotorwrench]

The 15" wheels were standard on the Mercury of the post war era but likely optional on the Ford cars.

[Eccentric Old Guy]

Well, I guess we've not definitively answered the question of why the model A went from 21" wheels in 1928-29, to 19" wheels in 1930-31. I thought the answer to that would be common knowledge, but I guess not!

Probably has more to do with engineering and cost related things, than anything to do with changing road conditions.....like I originally opined.

[rotorwrench]

Henry drove one of the first model A prototypes over a rough ground course. After he finished, he told the engineers to install shock absorbers. Mr. Ford wanted good cars to be sold at low prices so it wasn't always about the cost analysis. He knew that short falls could be more than made up for by mass production and sales. After the bottom fell out of the economy in late 1929, most industrialists knew that they had to keep up with the Joneses so improvements were always being made to the product even in hard times. The new type rim holds the tire on better and the 19" wheel and cap had a more modern look to them. It was a win win change. I don't know what other answer there would be.

[Ivan in southeast va.]

And...better centrifugal force.

[updraught]

Originally Posted by nkaminar

As Richard stated it is now back to 21 inch.

That is due to the huge brakes for the Autobarn and low profile tyres.

[ericr]

was it simply a styling adjustment?

[katy]

Probably just downsizing like everybody else was.