525/550-17 Excelsior Bias Ply Blackwall Tire
Excelsior Tires offer beautiful European styling and design in an extensive range of beaded edge and straight side wall sizes. Excelsior tires feature durable nylon cord construction. These tires feature authentic antique tire tread designs and sidewall markings and are an excellent choice for antique restorations. Please note that dimensions listed tread width, section width and overall diameter are non-scientific and based on an inflated tire, mounted on a wheel. Dimensions may vary due to rim width and inflation pressure.
Blackwall Tire
Since the introduction of carbon black rocked the tire industry, the original recipe for most tires has been a solid black sidewall. For classics and collector cars alike, it's hard to beat the no-nonsense appeal of a classic blackwall style tire. British sports car, classic truck and even hot rod enthusiasts love the way a nice period correct blackwall tire looks on their vehicles.
Bias Ply Construction
Bias ply tire construction is a method that was used from the 1900's through the 1970's on passenger cars and light trucks. Bias ply tires feature ply cords that run at a 45 degree angle to the bead, and overlap in a crisscross pattern, depending on how many ply layers are used. This creates a strong tire, but bias ply tires have a tendency to follow breaks or ruts in the pavement. Bias ply tires are the most authentic choice for classic car restorations and traditional hot rod builds. Coker Tire offers a huge variety of bias ply tires for many applications.
Excelsior Bias Ply Tires
Excelsior bias ply tires offer hard-to-find sizes and styles for a wide variety of American and European classic cars. This size selection includes fitments for metric rims, and other unique European sizes.
Excelsior Vintage Tires
Excelsior tires feature vintage designs that are excellent for restored race cars, hot rods and custom builds. The Excelsior Roadster Radial is an all new Bias Look radial designed to look exactly like a bias ply and still provide great radial performance. This revolutionary tire works for both the Hot Rod and Restoration enthusiast segments. The Stahl Sport Radial is extremely popular with hot rodders who love to drive their cars, both for their stylish good looks and for their long-wearing performance on the road. From authentic Bias ply tires to cutting edge innovations for collectors, there's an Excelsior tire for your Antique application.
Please Note
- Tire mounted on wheel for demonstration purposes only. Wheel and other accessories are not included. Please note that dimensions listed (tread width, section width and overall diameter) are non-scientific and based on an inflated tire, mounted to a wheel. Dimensions may vary due to rim width and inflation pressure. Please note Chemical Guys Tire and Rubber Cleaner and Adams Polish Tire shine has been linked to Whitewall browning and should not be used. We recommend using our line of tire care products.
| SKU | 64765 |
|---|---|
| Weight | 18.000000 |
| Availability Date | 2026-10-30T00:00:00Z |
| Sidewall Style | Blackwall |
| Tire Construction | Bias Ply |
| Construction Ply | 4 PLY NYLON |
| Tire Series | Excelsior Bias Ply |
| Speed Rating | P |
| Rim Diameter | 17 inch |
| Tube Type or Tubeless | Tube Type |
| Product Size | 525/550-17 |
| Width Bias Ply | 5.25/5.50 |
| Brand | Excelsior |
| Load Index | 80 |
| Section Width (IN) | 4.5 |
| Rim Width (in) | 3.00 - 3.25 |
| Overall Diameter (IN) | 28.5 |
This Excelsior comes in the 525/550-17 size, suitable for the classic and collector vehicles listed below.
About the 525/550-17 Tire Size
The 525/550-17 is the tire size associated with this Excelsior tire, and it is a vintage bias-ply size used on classic and collector vehicle applications. For shoppers viewing this product, that makes the 525/550-17 designation the key connection between the tire on this page and the vehicle applications tied to this size. For more detailed information on this tire size, explore the 525/550-17 tire on Coker Tire Fitment Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fitment & Compatibility â–¼
Will the Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire fit my antique or classic vehicle setup? â–¼
The Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire is designed for antique restorations, classic vehicles, hot rods, and builds requiring a vintage 17-inch tire size. Fitment depends on the vehicle’s original tire specifications, wheel dimensions, and available clearance. Owners should verify the required tire size, rim width, and suspension space before installation to ensure proper mounting and operation.
Because the Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire uses authentic bias ply construction, it is best suited for vehicles where period-correct appearance and traditional driving characteristics are priorities. Checking steering clearance, fender space, and wheel condition helps ensure a successful installation.
Can the Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire be installed on original factory wheels? â–¼
The Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire may be appropriate for original wheels when the wheel size and specifications match the tire requirements. Since the product page identifies this tire as a vintage 17-inch bias ply application, owners should confirm their wheel width and condition before installation. Original wheels should be inspected for cracks, corrosion, or damage before mounting new tires.
Wheel compatibility is especially important with older vehicles because many antique applications use unique wheel designs and dimensions. Confirming proper bead seating, wheel width compatibility, and clearance around suspension components helps ensure the Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire performs as intended.
Tire Size Equivalents & Conversions â–¼
What modern tire size information should I compare when replacing tires with the Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire? â–¼
The Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire uses an older vintage sizing format, so owners should compare key physical measurements rather than relying only on modern tire labels. Important factors include overall diameter, section width, rim diameter, and the intended vehicle application. These measurements help determine whether the tire maintains the correct proportions for the vehicle.
When replacing existing tires, owners should compare the Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire against the current tire’s mounted dimensions. Matching overall diameter helps maintain vehicle stance, speedometer accuracy, and available clearance around suspension and body components.
What measurements matter most when converting to the Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire? â–¼
The most important measurements when converting to the Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire are overall diameter, section width, wheel diameter, and wheel width compatibility. These measurements determine whether the tire will fit correctly and whether it will preserve the intended appearance and driving characteristics of the vehicle.
Owners should also consider secondary effects such as steering effort, suspension clearance, and speedometer changes. Because the Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire uses traditional bias ply construction, the final driving experience depends on both the tire dimensions and the vehicle setup.
Performance & Use Case â–¼
How will the Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire drive on the road compared with modern tires? â–¼
The Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire provides the traditional driving characteristics expected from a vintage bias ply tire. Bias ply construction typically delivers a period-correct feel with a softer, more flexible sidewall behavior compared with modern radial designs. Drivers restoring antique vehicles often choose this type of tire to maintain authenticity in appearance and road feel.
Owners should expect handling characteristics that differ from contemporary tires, including more noticeable tracking with road surfaces and a different steering response. The Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire is best suited for enthusiasts who value original driving character alongside classic styling.
Is the Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire suitable for highway driving? â–¼
The Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire can be used for normal road driving when properly installed, inflated, and matched to the vehicle. However, drivers should understand that a vintage bias ply tire will not handle exactly like a modern radial tire during extended highway use, especially during high-speed cruising or changing road conditions.
Highway performance depends on vehicle condition, alignment, suspension setup, and tire maintenance. Owners using the Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire for longer trips should maintain correct inflation pressure, inspect the tires regularly, and drive according to the characteristics of a traditional bias ply design.
Construction, Durability & Load Capacity â–¼
How does the Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire construction affect durability? â–¼
The Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire uses traditional bias ply construction with nylon cord layers arranged in a crisscross pattern. This construction method was widely used on passenger cars and light vehicles from the early 1900s through the 1970s and provides the authentic structure expected for vintage restorations.
Durability depends on proper application, inflation, storage conditions, and vehicle use. The Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire is designed for enthusiasts seeking period-correct performance rather than the construction characteristics of modern radial tires. Regular inspections help maintain long-term reliability.
What advantages does the Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire offer for restoration projects? â–¼
The Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire offers the advantage of combining authentic appearance with historically appropriate construction. For antique vehicles and restoration projects, using a correct-style tire can significantly improve the overall visual accuracy of the finished build, especially when original-style wheels and components are retained.
Beyond appearance, the bias ply design provides the traditional driving feel associated with older vehicles. Owners choosing the Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire should understand that its strengths are authenticity, vintage styling, and proper era appearance rather than modern radial-style handling.
Installation & Maintenance â–¼
How should I prepare my wheels before installing the Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire? â–¼
Before mounting the Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire, owners should inspect the wheels carefully to ensure they are suitable for use. Vintage wheels may have corrosion, cracks, bends, or other damage that can affect tire mounting and operation. The wheel should also match the required diameter and appropriate width for the tire.
Proper wheel preparation helps the Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire seat correctly and perform as intended. Checking bead areas, valve stems, and overall wheel condition before installation reduces the risk of vibration, air loss, or uneven wear after the tire is mounted.
What long-term ownership factors should I consider with the Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire? â–¼
Long-term ownership of the Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire requires attention to tire age, storage conditions, inflation maintenance, and driving habits. Collector vehicles often accumulate fewer miles, but tires can still be affected by time, environmental exposure, and periods of inactivity.
Owners should regularly inspect the Excelsior 525/550-17 Bias Ply Blackwall Tire for visible aging, damage, or changes in condition. Maintaining proper care helps preserve the tire’s vintage appearance and supports safe enjoyment of classic vehicles during shows, cruises, and road use.
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