Packard 138CD Tires

The listed tire size for the Packard 138CD is 700-16, used for 1937. All available products for the Packard 138CD in this fitment are built around a 16-inch rim diameter, and several specify a compatible rim width range of 4.50 to 5.50 inches. Every listed option is bias ply, although the catalog includes both traditional passenger-car styles and military or truck-pattern alternatives in the same basic size.

That means the main fitment task is not choosing between multiple year-specific sizes, but confirming that the car still carries the correct 16-inch wheels and then selecting the tire style that matches the car’s intended use. A restored road car usually calls for a classic passenger-car tread and sidewall treatment, while blackwall military or truck patterns should be chosen only when that appearance or service type is specifically wanted.

On a Packard 138CD, 700-16 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 7.00 indicates the nominal section width in inches, using the older convention that omits the decimal point, and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. For the Packard 138CD, the available products in this size are all bias-ply designs intended for 16-inch rims.

Modern buyers sometimes assume every older size works like a current metric radial, but this format belongs to an earlier sizing system and should be read on its own terms. When replacing tires on a Packard 138CD, match the 700-16 size exactly, confirm the wheel diameter on the car, and treat sidewall style, tread design, and rim width compatibility as the next decisions rather than substitutes for the correct base size.

Packard 138CD tire options in 700-16 are bias-ply tires, and a tube is required. That applies across the listed passenger-car, military, and truck-pattern products in this size. The tube requirement fits the period construction style associated with a 1937 Packard 138CD and should be considered part of the tire package rather than an optional accessory.

Tube condition matters just as much as tire condition on a collector car that may sit for long periods and then return to service. When fitting new tires to a Packard 138CD, use proper tubes and inspect the wheel surfaces carefully so the complete assembly supports reliable inflation, smooth running, and correct restoration practice.

Packard 138CD tires in 700-16 are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. The listed wide whitewall choices include Lester, Firestone 4.00 Inch Whitewall, and BFGoodrich 4.00 Inch Whitewall, while blackwall options appear in passenger, military, and truck-pattern forms. That gives the Packard 138CD buyer a choice between a more formal luxury-car presentation and a more utilitarian look.

For most Packard 138CD restorations, sidewall style should be chosen with the car’s intended appearance in mind first, then with tread pattern second. A wide whitewall usually suits a full classic prewar Packard restoration, while blackwalls can be appropriate for a plainer period look or for special-purpose applications where the military or truck-style tread itself is the deciding factor.

Packard 138CD tires in 700-16 are offered by Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA. Within those brands, the available series include Lester Classic Bias Ply, Traction Mileage, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Military, Tornel Classic Truck, and Military NDT. All are built around the same 16-inch fitment but differ in sidewall treatment and intended service character.

That brand spread gives a Packard 138CD owner room to prioritize authenticity, appearance, or tread purpose without changing the core size. The useful next step is to narrow the selection by deciding whether the car needs a classic passenger-car tire, a wide whitewall show presentation, or a military or truck-pattern tire for a specific visual or operational reason.

Packard 138CD tires are offered in several series, including Lester Classic Bias Ply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Traction Mileage, Firestone Classic Military, Tornel Classic Truck, and Military NDT. The classic bias-ply series are the closest match to a traditional passenger-car restoration theme, while the military and truck series use more utility-oriented tread concepts. Avon Traction Mileage also stands apart as a commercial-style 700-16C entry within the same basic wheel diameter.

For a Packard 138CD, the series choice shapes both appearance and driving character more than the size choice does, because the size itself remains constant. Most restorations will gravitate toward the classic passenger-car series, while truck or military series are better reserved for owners who specifically want that tread pattern, load-oriented specification, or visual style.

A 1937 Packard 138CD uses the listed 700-16 size, so the confirmation process centers on wheel diameter, tire type, and presentation rather than sorting through multiple year-specific sizes. The wheel should measure 16 inches, and several listed products are intended for 4.50 to 5.50 inch rim widths. From there, the real choice is between classic passenger-car bias-ply tires, wide whitewall versions, and military or truck-pattern alternatives.

Start by inspecting the wheels actually on the car, since collector vehicles sometimes carry later substitutions. Then compare the car’s restoration goal with the tire style: wide whitewalls for a more formal period-correct look, blackwall passenger tires for a restrained appearance, or utility tread patterns only when they suit the specific build or use of the Packard 138CD.

A Packard 138CD should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and large temperature swings. Proper inflation matters during storage because underinflated bias-ply tires can develop flat spotting and sidewall stress more readily than a regularly driven modern car tire. Clean floors and protection from petroleum products also help preserve both rubber and whitewall finish where fitted.

Long storage is easier on a Packard 138CD when the car is moved periodically or its weight is managed with good storage practice. Many collectors inspect inflation monthly, roll the car enough to change the contact patch when practical, and keep the tires clean so cracks, bulges, or sidewall discoloration are caught early rather than after the car is returned to use.

Tires on a Packard 138CD should be visually inspected before every drive and examined more thoroughly several times each year, even if the car is used only for shows or occasional touring. A prewar bias-ply setup deserves close attention to sidewall condition, tread separation, tube-related air loss, and any wheel or bead issues that may have developed during storage. Collector-car mileage is often low, but age and inactivity can still work against the tire.

That inspection routine should include inflation, valve condition, signs of rubbing, uneven wear, and any change in how the Packard 138CD steers or tracks on the road. Periodic hands-on checks by a shop familiar with vintage wheels and tubes are especially helpful, because early warning signs are easier to correct before they become a roadside problem or damage a restoration-quality tire.

Tires on a Packard 138CD should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, impact damage, bulging, repeated air loss, or structural deterioration appears, even if the tread still looks deep. On a collector car, low mileage does not prevent rubber from aging, and a handsome sidewall does not guarantee internal integrity. Tube-type bias-ply tires deserve especially careful age-based judgment because they may spend long periods carrying weight while seeing very little heat cycle or road use.

The practical rule is to treat condition and age as seriously as tread depth on a Packard 138CD. If there is any question about an older tire’s serviceability, especially one that has spent years on a stored car, have it assessed by a vintage-tire specialist and replace it before regular driving rather than trying to stretch use from a tire that simply looks presentable.

The listed fitment for the Packard 138CD is 700-16, and the available replacement products in that size include classic bias-ply passenger tires as well as military and truck-pattern alternatives. Multiple series are available today, including Lester Classic Bias Ply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, and other utility-focused series. That means the size itself is clear, while the exact period-correct brand or tread for a particular restoration should be matched to Packard-specific reference material.

For restoration work on a Packard 138CD, the most important authenticity step is getting the 700-16 size and appropriate overall tire style right first. After that, owners concerned with concours accuracy should compare sidewall treatment, tread appearance, and brand preference against factory literature, period photography, and Packard club guidance for the specific car being restored.

Correct tire fitment absolutely affects how a Packard 138CD is judged and perceived, because tire size, sidewall style, and tread character are highly visible on a formal prewar luxury car. A 700-16 tire in an appropriate classic bias-ply style supports the right stance and period impression, while an obviously utility-oriented military or truck pattern can change the visual message of the car. Judges and experienced enthusiasts notice those details quickly.

For a Packard 138CD aimed at serious restoration standards, tire choice should be treated as part of the car’s presentation, not as a finishing accessory. Marque clubs, restoration photos, and period sales literature are useful references when deciding whether the car should wear blackwalls or wide whitewalls and whether a passenger-car tread is more appropriate than a service-oriented alternative.

Packard 138CD tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles, and either can be relevant depending on the restoration goal. Wide whitewall choices are offered in the 700-16 size, while blackwalls appear in both passenger-car and utility-pattern forms. On a prewar luxury Packard, sidewall style has a strong effect on the car’s visual period character.

A Packard 138CD restored as a formal, upscale road car will often look most at home on a proper wide whitewall, while blackwalls can suit a more restrained interpretation or a specific historical presentation. The best approach is to match the sidewall style to period photos, original sales material, and the exact persona you want the finished Packard 138CD to project.

A Packard 138CD can be driven on public roads with properly fitted, sound-condition tires that match the car’s wheel diameter and intended use. The listed 700-16 options are all bias ply, but they are not all the same in purpose: some are classic passenger-car tires, while others are military or truck-pattern designs. Safe use depends on choosing the right style, fitting tubes correctly, and making sure the rest of the chassis is equally roadworthy.

Public-road driving in a Packard 138CD should be approached as vintage motoring rather than modern commuting. Before any regular use, confirm the tire condition, wheel condition, steering and brake health, and inflation settings suited to the chosen tire so the car is operating within the limits of prewar design and collector-car maintenance standards.

Before driving a Packard 138CD, check tire inflation, sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and the wheel itself for cracks, rust, or bead-seat problems. Because the Packard 138CD uses tube-type bias-ply tires in 700-16, any sign of air loss, shifting on the rim, or uneven wear deserves attention before the car moves. It is also wise to confirm that all four tires match in size and general type.

That tire inspection should be part of a broader pre-drive routine that includes brakes, steering play, wheel-bearing feel, and suspension condition. A Packard 138CD may cover very few miles each year, but long rest periods can hide problems that only appear once the car is rolling, so a careful walkaround and short initial test at moderate speed are always worthwhile.

A Packard 138CD should be driven at speeds appropriate to a 1937 luxury car running on bias-ply tires, not at the pace expected of a modern vehicle. Even when the tires are new and properly fitted, the handling, braking, and tracking characteristics of a prewar chassis remain very different from a contemporary car. The available 700-16 tires support vintage driving, but they do not change the underlying limits of the Packard 138CD.

The practical approach is to keep speeds moderate, leave generous following distance, and build pace gradually as the car proves itself mechanically. If the Packard 138CD is fitted with utility-pattern tires rather than classic passenger-car tires, road manners may also feel different, which is another reason to drive within the car’s period character instead of trying to treat it like a later high-speed touring machine.