Packard 1801-A-120 Tires

Packard 1801-A-120 uses 700-16 for 1940. The available products in that size are built for a 16-inch rim, and several of the listed tires specify a compatible rim width range of 4.50 to 5.50 inches. Every current option in this application is bias ply, with passenger-car styles offered in blackwall and wide whitewall, plus several military or truck-style alternatives in the same nominal size.

That means the first job is not choosing among several year ranges, but confirming that the car still carries its original 16-inch wheels and selecting the tire style that matches how the Packard will be used. A restored road car usually calls for a passenger-car bias-ply tire, while truck-pattern or military tread designs suit a very different look and purpose.

On Packard 1801-A-120, 700-16 is a traditional numeric bias-ply size. The 700 designates a nominal section width of roughly 7.00 inches in period sizing practice, and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. In the listed products for this application, that size appears on 16-inch tires intended for rims commonly noted at 4.50 to 5.50 inches wide.

Modern buyers sometimes expect more detailed information from the size code than older systems actually provide. On a prewar Packard, the code gives the core fitment, but sidewall style, tread pattern, and duty category still matter. Matching the size alone is not enough if the goal is an authentic restoration appearance or the proper visual stance for a formal 1940 Packard.

Packard 1801-A-120 uses bias-ply tires in the 700-16 size, and a tube is required for this application. That applies across the available passenger-car and military or truck-style products listed in this fitment group. Tube-type construction is consistent with the period and with the way collector cars of this era are commonly serviced.

Inner tubes should be treated as part of the tire installation rather than an afterthought. If the wheels have been repainted, restored, or stored for a long time, make sure the rim surfaces and hardware are clean and suitable for tube-type service. Careful mounting and proper inflation matter on prewar cars because ride quality and durability are heavily influenced by correct assembly.

For a 1940 Packard 1801-A-120, the listed size is 700-16 on a 16-inch rim. Several available tires also call out a 4.50 to 5.50 inch rim width range, which is useful when checking the actual wheel. Since every product in this fitment family is bias ply, the main differences are sidewall appearance, tread style, and whether the tire is intended for passenger use or military and truck service.

Start by reading the size already on the car and measuring the wheel diameter if there is any doubt about what is fitted. Then compare the car's purpose with the tire type: wide whitewalls for a more formal restored look, blackwalls for a plainer period presentation, and military-style patterns only if that appearance or duty cycle is truly intended.

Packard 1801-A-120 tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles within the 700-16 size. The listed wide whitewall options include Lester, Firestone, and BFGoodrich offerings, while blackwall choices appear across passenger-car and military or truck-oriented tires. That gives owners a clear visual choice without changing the basic size or rim diameter.

For a 1940 Packard, sidewall style has a major effect on the car's character. Wide whitewalls typically suit a high-end prewar luxury presentation, while blackwalls create a more restrained period look. Choose the style that matches the restoration goal, the trim level of the car, and the way the finished vehicle is meant to appear at shows or on the road.

Packard 1801-A-120 tires in 700-16 are offered by Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA. Those brands cover several different tire series, including classic passenger bias-ply tires, traction-oriented commercial-style tires, and military-pattern designs. All are listed around the same core 16-inch fitment, but they serve different visual and functional purposes.

Brand selection on a collector Packard usually comes down to the balance between appearance, tread style, and intended use rather than simple size alone. A whitewall show car may point one way, while a more utilitarian touring or service presentation may point another. Looking at brand together with sidewall style and tire series will narrow the field more effectively than the name alone.

Packard 1801-A-120 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. The classic bias-ply series are the closest match to a traditional passenger-car presentation, while the military and truck series use more utilitarian tread patterns and service-oriented positioning. Traction Mileage also stands apart from the whitewall-focused classic passenger options.

The practical choice depends on whether the Packard is being restored for authenticity, driven on tours, or styled with a more commercial or service look. Passenger-car series are usually the natural place to start for a 1940 Packard sedan or touring car. Military and truck series fit the same size and rim diameter, but they create a distinctly different appearance and driving impression.

Packard 1801-A-120 should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and large temperature swings. Bias-ply tires on collector cars benefit from clean floors, correct inflation, and protection from long periods of weight sitting in one spot. If the car will be parked for an extended time, moving it slightly from time to time can help reduce flat spotting.

Long-term storage habits matter because prewar-style tires often see very low annual mileage and can age long before tread wears out. Keep the car clean, avoid petroleum-based dressings, and inspect the sidewalls regularly for weathering or cracking. Proper storage protects both the tire investment and the way the Packard feels when it returns to the road.

Tires on a Packard 1801-A-120 should be inspected before each drive and more thoroughly at regular service intervals. On a collector car using bias-ply construction, check inflation, sidewall condition, tread wear, and any signs of tube or rim-related trouble such as uneven seating or slow pressure loss. Prewar cars deserve close attention because they are often driven infrequently and can develop age-related issues between outings.

A careful walk-around before moving the car is one of the best habits an owner can develop. Look for cracking, cuts, bulges, or changes in stance that suggest a pressure problem. If the Packard has been sitting for weeks or months, the first inspection should happen before the engine is even started, since aged tires can deteriorate quietly while parked.

Tires on a Packard 1801-A-120 should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, deformation, or repeated air-loss issues appear, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector tires often age out before they wear out, especially on cars that spend much of their time parked. Visible tread depth alone is not a reliable measure of serviceability on a prewar Packard.

Age-related replacement decisions are best made conservatively because old rubber can fail without much warning. If a tire shows sidewall checking, ride harshness from hardening, or signs of internal deterioration, remove it from road service. Any older period tire that appears unusually old should be evaluated with extra care before continued use, even if the car is driven only occasionally.

Packard 1801-A-120 is listed here with a 700-16 fitment for 1940, and the available replacement choices are all bias-ply tires on a 16-inch rim. Within that size, current offerings include classic passenger series, commercial-style traction designs, and military or truck-oriented patterns. The fitment itself is clear, but the exact original tread and sidewall presentation for a specific car can vary with restoration goals and surviving factory references.

For a historically faithful restoration, use the 700-16 size as the foundation and then compare sidewall style and tread design with period photos, factory literature, and marque-club guidance. A senior Packard deserves that extra step because the visual difference between blackwall, whitewall, and utility-style tread can significantly change how authentic the finished car appears.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect the presentation, credibility, and judging outcome of a Packard 1801-A-120. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the car carries the proper overall size, rim diameter, sidewall treatment, and tire type for its era. On a 1940 Packard, a correct 700-16 bias-ply fitment supports the proper stance and period look in a way that mismatched modern alternatives often do not.

Value is influenced not only by mechanical condition but also by how coherently the car reflects its period. Choosing a wide whitewall or blackwall style that suits the restoration theme can strengthen that impression. If the car is being prepared for concours or marque judging, club standards and period photographs are the best final check before the tires are selected.

Packard 1801-A-120 tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall form in the correct 700-16 size. Either can suit a prewar restoration, but they communicate different period looks: blackwall is more restrained, while a wide whitewall creates a more formal and upscale presentation. Military and truck-style blackwalls fit the size, yet they are visually quite different from traditional passenger-car restoration tires.

The right choice depends on how the specific Packard is being restored and what reference standard is guiding the work. Luxury-oriented prewar American cars are often associated with whitewall presentation, but the car's trim, surviving photos, and judging target should decide the matter. Sidewall style is one of the most visible tire details on a restored Packard, so it is worth choosing carefully.

Properly installed, correctly inflated, and well-maintained bias-ply tires in the correct 700-16 size can be suitable for operating a Packard 1801-A-120 on public roads in the manner appropriate to a 1940 collector car. That said, these are period-style tires for a substantial prewar automobile, so the driving experience is different from a modern radial-equipped car. Steering response, braking feel, and lane behavior should all be approached with vintage-car expectations.

Road use should begin only after the tires, wheels, tubes, brakes, and steering system have all been checked carefully. Collector cars that have sat for long periods deserve especially cautious recommissioning. Even with fresh tires, a prewar Packard should be driven smoothly and conservatively, with plenty of following distance and an understanding that its chassis dynamics belong to another era.

Before driving a Packard 1801-A-120, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, wheel security, and any signs of leakage or distortion at the rim. On a tube-type bias-ply setup, an underinflated tire or a wheel issue can quickly affect drivability. Also look at the age and general condition of the tires, since collector cars often spend long periods parked and can develop problems without accumulating many miles.

A sensible pre-drive routine also includes checking the rest of the chassis, especially steering, brakes, and wheel bearings, because tire safety is tied to the whole vehicle. The first few miles should be treated as a systems check rather than normal driving. If the Packard pulls, vibrates, or feels unsettled, stop and inspect it before continuing.

A Packard 1801-A-120 on period-style 700-16 bias-ply tires should be driven at moderate speeds that respect both the design of the tire and the capabilities of a 1940 automobile. Even when the tires are new, the car is still operating on vintage suspension, steering, and braking principles. Safe speed is therefore determined by tire condition, road surface, weather, load, and the mechanical state of the entire vehicle.

In practical use, smooth touring speeds and conservative cornering are the right approach. Bias-ply tires generally do not reward abrupt steering inputs or sustained modern-highway pace the way contemporary radials do. Treat the Packard as a historic road car rather than a modern cruiser, and let the condition of the car and the confidence of its behavior set the upper limit.