Packard 1701 & 1702 Series Tires

Packard 1701 & 1702 Series models use 700-16 for 1939. The available products in that size are built for 16-inch rims, and several listings also specify a rim width range of 4.50 to 5.50 inches. Within that single size, there are passenger-car bias-ply tires in blackwall and wide whitewall form, plus military and truck-style tires that share the same basic size but serve a different look and use case.

That makes size selection straightforward, but application still matters. A restored sedan meant to look like a formal prewar Packard will usually call for a classic passenger-car tread and sidewall style, while a military or truck-pattern casing can change the appearance and feel substantially. Start by confirming that the wheels on the car are in fact 16-inch rims and then match the tire style to the Packard 1701 & 1702 Series you are trying to present.

On Packard 1701 & 1702 Series applications, 700-16 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 700 portion refers to a nominal section width of roughly 7.00 inches, written without a decimal, and the 16 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. It is an older sizing system used widely on prewar and early postwar American vehicles, and it should be read differently from modern metric radial sizing.

Knowing how to read that code helps prevent a common mistake: treating all 16-inch tires as interchangeable. Section width, casing shape, tread type, and intended vehicle use still vary even when the rim diameter matches. On a Packard 1701 & 1702 Series, the code gets you to the correct basic size, but the final choice should still reflect whether you want a wide whitewall touring look, a blackwall factory-style appearance, or a more specialized military-style tread.

Packard 1701 & 1702 Series models in this year group use 16-inch rims with the listed 700-16 tires. Several available products also note a recommended rim width range of 4.50 to 5.50 inches, which is useful when checking original or replacement wheels. There is no year-to-year rim diameter change within this model group because the listings cover only 1939 and only one size.

The practical step is to verify the wheel actually on the car rather than assuming it remains original after decades of service or restoration work. A Packard 1701 & 1702 Series may have had wheels swapped long ago, and that can mislead a buyer who goes only by model name. Measuring the wheel and comparing it to the tire’s required 16-inch fitment is the cleanest way to avoid mounting problems.

Packard 1701 & 1702 Series tires in the listed 700-16 size are bias-ply products, and a tube is required. That applies across the classic passenger-car choices as well as the military and truck-style options shown in the same size. Tube use is typical for this period and construction type, especially on collector vehicles running older wheel designs.

Tube service should be treated as part of the full tire installation rather than an afterthought. The wheel condition, valve stem opening, and any rust or roughness inside the rim should be checked at the same time so the new tube is not damaged in service. On a Packard 1701 & 1702 Series that sees limited annual mileage, a properly fitted tube setup helps preserve reliability and keeps the tire performing as intended.

For a 1939 Packard 1701 & 1702 Series, the listed size is 700-16 on a 16-inch rim. That narrows the fitment quickly, but there are still multiple tire types within that size, including classic passenger-car bias-ply tires and military or truck-style patterns. Sidewall style also varies, with blackwall and wide whitewall choices available.

The best approach is to verify the wheel diameter on the car, then compare the current wheel width and the car’s intended use. A judged restoration, a tour car, and a display car may all wear the same basic 700-16 size but look most appropriate with different tread and sidewall treatments. Original literature, surviving car photos, and marque-club guidance can help settle the final style choice for a Packard 1701 & 1702 Series.

Packard 1701 & 1702 Series tires in 700-16 are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. The wide whitewall choices come from classic passenger-car lines, while the military and truck-type options are blackwall. That gives owners room to choose between a more formal prewar luxury-car appearance and a more utilitarian look.

For most Packard 1701 & 1702 Series restorations, whitewall versus blackwall is as important visually as the size itself because it changes the whole character of the car. A wide whitewall often suits a fully restored Packard with bright trim and a period presentation, while blackwall can feel more restrained and closer to a plainer factory or service replacement look. Match the sidewall style to the restoration goal before deciding among brands.

The listed Packard 1701 & 1702 Series tire brands in 700-16 are Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA. Most of those offerings are classic bias-ply passenger or utility tires, while some Firestone, Tornel, and STA entries represent military or truck-style patterns in the same nominal size. The brand mix gives collectors a broad choice of appearance and intended use without changing basic fitment.

Brand choice should come after the core fitment questions are answered. Once the wheel diameter and preferred sidewall style are settled, compare the brands by tread character, restoration presentation, and whether the tire is aimed at passenger use or heavier-duty service. On a Packard 1701 & 1702 Series, the right brand is usually the one whose casing style and visual profile best suit the specific car rather than the one with the most aggressive pattern.

Packard 1701 & 1702 Series tires are offered in several series, including Lester Classic Bias Ply, Traction Mileage, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Military, Tornel Classic Truck, and Military NDT. All share the 700-16 basic fitment, but they are not the same kind of tire. Some are classic passenger-car bias-ply lines meant to preserve prewar appearance, while others use military or truck-oriented tread designs for a more utilitarian purpose.

That difference matters because the series affects both appearance and driving character. A Packard 1701 & 1702 Series restored as a formal road car will usually look most natural on one of the classic passenger bias-ply series, especially with the appropriate sidewall treatment. Military and truck series can fit the wheel, but they carry a different visual message and may be better suited to specialty projects than to a traditional Packard restoration.

A Packard 1701 & 1702 Series should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and prolonged contact with petroleum products. Bias-ply tires on collector cars do best when the car is parked on a clean surface and moved occasionally so the same section of the casing is not loaded in one spot for months at a time. Proper inflation during storage also helps preserve the shape of the tire.

Long periods of inactivity are often harder on collector tires than careful seasonal use. If the Packard 1701 & 1702 Series will sit for extended stretches, many owners reduce stress on the tires by repositioning the car periodically or using storage aids that lessen flat spotting. Storage habits are especially important on a heavy prewar automobile because casing deformation can affect ride quality and the way the car tracks when returned to service.

Tires on a Packard 1701 & 1702 Series should be inspected before each drive and given a more thorough check at regular service intervals during the season. A proper inspection includes air pressure, sidewall condition, tread wear, signs of cracking, valve stem condition, and any evidence that the tube or flap may be causing trouble inside the casing. Bias-ply tires can age quietly on low-mile collector cars, so appearance alone should never be the only guide.

Routine inspection matters because a collector Packard may spend long periods parked, then be expected to run at road speed with little warning if a tire has deteriorated. Looking over the tires before every outing also helps catch wheel-related issues such as rust, damaged beads, or irregular wear from alignment and suspension problems. A Packard 1701 & 1702 Series that is exercised carefully and inspected often will usually give clearer warning before a tire problem becomes serious.

Tires on a Packard 1701 & 1702 Series should be replaced when age, cracking, casing distortion, repeated air loss, impact damage, or internal deterioration appear, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector vehicles often accumulate very few miles, so tread depth can remain deceptive while the structure ages out. On a prewar car, the tube, flap, wheel condition, and the tire itself should all be judged together.

Replacement decisions should be conservative because a large, heavy Packard places real demand on its tires despite modest annual mileage. If the car carries an older specialty tire whose service history is unclear, a knowledgeable vintage-tire inspection is worthwhile before continued road use. Replacing on condition rather than tread alone is one of the simplest ways to protect both the Packard 1701 & 1702 Series and the people riding in it.

Packard 1701 & 1702 Series models in this year group use the 700-16 size, and the available replacement offerings are all bias-ply designs. Within that size, there are multiple series and sidewall treatments, including classic passenger-car tires and more specialized military or truck-oriented versions. The listed fitment establishes the correct size direction, but not every tread or sidewall style would suit every restoration goal equally.

Originality questions on a Packard 1701 & 1702 Series usually come down to presentation details such as sidewall style and tread character rather than basic size alone. A restorer aiming for high authenticity should compare the car against period photos, surviving examples, and Packard club references to decide whether blackwall or wide whitewall is most appropriate. That extra step helps ensure the tire looks right in proportion to the body, trim, and overall character of the car.

Correct tire fitment can affect both judged presentation and market appeal on a Packard 1701 & 1702 Series. Judges and knowledgeable buyers notice whether the car wears the proper 700-16 size, whether the sidewall style suits the era, and whether the tread pattern looks appropriate for a prewar Packard rather than a truck or military application. Tires influence stance, wheelwell fill, and the visual balance of the entire car.

That does not mean every Packard 1701 & 1702 Series must wear the same tire to be enjoyable, but it does mean the choice should be intentional. A touring driver may accept a less formal look than a concours restorer, while a preservation-class car may call for a more exact visual match. Marque clubs and judging standards remain the best reference when the goal is maximum authenticity and value preservation.

Packard 1701 & 1702 Series tires are available here in blackwall and wide whitewall form. Either can physically fit the listed 700-16 application, but they create very different visual results on a 1939 Packard. Wide whitewalls tend to emphasize the luxury character of the car, while blackwalls produce a more restrained period look.

The correct choice depends on the specific Packard 1701 & 1702 Series being restored and the standard of authenticity being pursued. Factory literature, period photography, and marque-club judging guidance are the right references when appearance matters as much as fit. Many restorers decide this point before choosing a brand, because the sidewall style is often the first tire detail people notice when they see the completed car.

A properly selected, correctly mounted, and well-maintained tire in the listed 700-16 size can be suitable for public-road use on a Packard 1701 & 1702 Series, provided the car itself is mechanically sound. All of the listed options are bias-ply tires, so they should be evaluated as part of the complete chassis package, including steering, brakes, wheels, and suspension. Tire type also matters because a passenger-car tread and a military-style tread can behave differently in normal road driving.

Road use should be approached with the expectations appropriate to a 1939 luxury car rather than a modern automobile. Keep speeds reasonable, allow extra braking distance, and make sure inflation, alignment, and wheel condition are sorted before any longer outing. A Packard 1701 & 1702 Series in good order can be an enjoyable road car, but safe use depends on the entire vehicle being prepared to the same standard as the tires.

Before driving a Packard 1701 & 1702 Series, check tire inflation, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and any sign of rubbing or uneven wear. Because the listed tires are bias-ply and tube-type, it is also wise to watch for slow pressure loss that may point to tube or rim issues rather than tread wear alone. Wheel fasteners, brake response, steering free play, and suspension condition deserve the same attention on a prewar car.

That pre-drive walkaround matters because collector cars often sit longer between outings than modern cars. A Packard 1701 & 1702 Series can feel stable one month and develop a tire or wheel problem the next simply from age, storage conditions, or reduced use. A few careful minutes in the garage before departure can prevent a roadside problem and also help preserve valuable original or restored components.

A Packard 1701 & 1702 Series should be driven at moderate, sensible road speeds consistent with a heavy prewar automobile on bias-ply tires. Even with fresh tires in the correct 700-16 size, the handling, braking, and lane stability of a 1939 Packard are not the same as those of a modern car. The safest approach is to let road conditions, tire condition, and overall mechanical health set the pace rather than trying to match contemporary traffic habits.

Owners usually get the best experience by treating the car as a touring machine, not a high-speed cruiser. Smooth inputs, generous following distance, and caution on crowned roads, grooves, or rough pavement all help a Packard 1701 & 1702 Series feel more composed. If the car is newly restored or newly fitted with tires, begin with shorter drives and build confidence gradually as the entire setup proves itself.