Packard 58L-P8 Tires

Packard 58L-P8 uses two tire sizes in 1958: 710-15 and 800-14. The 710-15 size fits 15-inch rims, while 800-14 fits 14-inch rims. Available 710-15 products generally call for 5.00 to 5.50 inch rim widths, and available 800-14 products generally call for 5.00 to 6.00 inch rim widths. Both sizes are offered in bias-ply construction, with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall choices depending on the product.

The important point is that those two sizes are not interchangeable, because the rim diameters differ. A 1958 Packard 58L-P8 owner should begin by checking the actual wheel diameter stamped on the wheel or verifying against trusted vehicle paperwork, then select the matching 14-inch or 15-inch tire size. Whitewall width can then be chosen to suit the car’s presentation, but the wheel diameter must be right first.

On a Packard 58L-P8, 710-15 is an older numeric bias-ply tire size. The 710 represents a nominal section width of about 7.10 inches, and the 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. The products offered in this size are bias-ply tires for 15-inch rims, with most listings showing suitable rim widths of 5.00 to 5.50 inches.

That makes 710-15 the correct direction only for a Packard 58L-P8 already equipped with 15-inch wheels. It is a period-correct late-1950s format and is available in several sidewall treatments, so the final choice often comes down to whether the car is being restored toward a restrained blackwall appearance or a fuller whitewall presentation. Check the wheel itself before deciding.

A 1958 Packard 58L-P8 has two listed tire sizes because the model appears with two different wheel diameters: 710-15 on 15-inch rims and 800-14 on 14-inch rims. This is a rim-diameter split rather than a simple alternate tread choice. Both sizes are bias-ply, but they fit different wheels and should be treated as separate configurations.

That means year alone is not enough to choose a tire for a Packard 58L-P8. If the car has been restored, re-bodied, or had wheels changed over the years, the present wheel diameter matters more than assumptions about what a similar car may have used. Measure the wheel or verify the original equipment specification for your exact car, then match the tire size to that wheel.

Packard 58L-P8 tire choices here are all bias-ply numeric sizes, and a tube is required. That applies to both 710-15 and 800-14 in the available offerings. Even though these are later collector-car sizes rather than brass-era dimensions, the listed products are built in traditional bias-ply form and should be treated accordingly when planning a complete tire installation.

A Packard 58L-P8 owner should think of the tube as part of the tire system rather than an optional extra. Proper tube fit, correct flap or liner practice where needed, and clean wheel condition all matter to reliability on a collector car that may spend long periods parked. Tube-related details are especially worth reviewing whenever wheels have been repainted, restored, or stored for many years.

A 1958 Packard 58L-P8 can take either 710-15 or 800-14, so the correct size is confirmed by the wheel diameter on the actual car. If the car has 15-inch rims, it takes 710-15; if it has 14-inch rims, it takes 800-14. The available products also point to typical rim-width ranges, with 710-15 generally paired to 5.00 to 5.50 inch rims and 800-14 generally paired to 5.00 to 6.00 inch rims.

Start with the wheels already on the car, not just the model year. Collector cars can change over time, and a Packard 58L-P8 may have had wheels swapped during restoration or service life. After rim diameter is confirmed, use the year listing and the sidewall style options to narrow the choice to the appearance and stance you want for touring, local driving, or a more formal restoration presentation.

Packard 58L-P8 tires are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. Both 710-15 and 800-14 include blackwall options, and both sizes also appear with narrow and wider whitewall treatments depending on brand and series. That gives a Packard 58L-P8 owner room to choose a more understated look or a stronger late-1950s whitewall presentation without changing the underlying size.

For a restoration-minded Packard 58L-P8, sidewall style affects the car’s visual character almost as much as the wheel covers. A blackwall can suit a restrained look, while narrow and wide whitewalls can shift the appearance toward a more upscale period impression. Choose the sidewall style only after the correct size and wheel diameter are established, since appearance should never override the basic fitment requirements.

Packard 58L-P8 tires in these sizes are offered by BFGoodrich, Firestone, Universal Vintage Tire, US Royal, and Goodyear. The 710-15 size has the broadest brand spread, while 800-14 is available from BFGoodrich, Universal Vintage Tire, and Goodyear. Series represented include Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Universal Classic Bias Ply, US Royal Classic Bias Ply, Super Cushion, Super Cushion Deluxe, and Custom Super Cushion.

Brand choice on a Packard 58L-P8 usually comes down to the look you want and the exact sidewall treatment that suits the car. Some owners prioritize a particular period brand name, while others care more about matching whitewall width to the car’s trim and stance. Once the correct 14-inch or 15-inch size is identified, comparing available series and sidewall styles becomes the most useful next step.

A Packard 58L-P8 should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept clean, properly inflated, and away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and petroleum contamination. Electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and solvent vapors all shorten tire life on collector vehicles. If the car will sit for long periods, rolling it occasionally helps prevent flat spotting, and support methods should avoid concentrating weight on one part of the tread for months at a time.

Bias-ply tires on a Packard 58L-P8 respond best to steady storage conditions rather than frequent temperature swings. Owners who keep the car indoors for winter or long off-seasons should inspect the wheel and valve area as carefully as the visible tread and sidewall. Good storage habits preserve both appearance and service life, which matters on a collector car that may accumulate very few miles each year.

Tires on a Packard 58L-P8 should be inspected before every drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals during the season. Check inflation, sidewall cracking, tread separation, uneven wear, valve condition, and any signs that the tube or casing may have been stressed while the car sat. Because collector cars often spend more time parked than moving, age and storage effects matter as much as mileage.

A Packard 58L-P8 that only sees occasional fair-weather use can still develop tire problems that are easy to miss from across the garage. Hands-on checks are worthwhile, especially after winter storage, long trailer transport, or the first warm-weather drive of the year. If the car feels different on the road, wanders more than usual, or shows new vibration, inspect the tires and wheels before assuming the issue is elsewhere.

Packard 58L-P8 tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, impact damage, separation, or prolonged storage deterioration makes them questionable, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector tires often age out long before they wear out. A tire can look respectable on the outside and still be unsuitable for road use if the casing, tube, or bead area has deteriorated over time.

That is especially important on a Packard 58L-P8 because a low-mileage collector car can hide tire age very well. Replacement decisions should be driven by condition and inspection history, not by tread depth alone. If an older tire’s age is uncertain, a cautious owner should treat it as a candidate for replacement before regular driving, since appearance is not a reliable measure of remaining serviceability.

Packard 58L-P8 appears with two period-size fitments for 1958: 710-15 and 800-14, both in bias-ply form. Available series for those sizes include Classic Bias Ply offerings along with period-style Goodyear Super Cushion and Custom Super Cushion lines. That tells a restorer that more than one correct-era tire approach exists within the Packard 58L-P8 range, rather than a single universal answer for every car wearing that model designation.

To narrow an individual Packard 58L-P8 to the right original-style tire, compare the car’s wheel diameter, surviving paperwork, and restoration goal. A factory-authentic restoration may call for matching the exact wheel and sidewall presentation the specific car carried when new, while a touring-oriented restoration may prioritize the correct size and period appearance first. Marque literature and original photos are the best tie-breakers when several period-correct options exist.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Packard 58L-P8 is judged and how convincing the finished restoration appears. Wheel diameter, tire size, construction type, and sidewall style all influence stance and period correctness. A Packard 58L-P8 wearing the wrong 14-inch or 15-inch tire combination may still roll, but it can look visibly off to knowledgeable judges and enthusiasts who understand late-1950s proportions.

For owners restoring a Packard 58L-P8 toward concours or club judging, tire choice should be treated as part of the car’s visual specification, not a last-minute accessory decision. Matching the right size to the right wheel and selecting an era-appropriate whitewall width can make the difference between a merely presentable car and one that looks properly finished. Marque clubs and original sales material remain the best references for final presentation details.

Packard 58L-P8 restoration tires are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. Any of those can suit a 1958-era car depending on the exact presentation being recreated, but whitewalls are especially associated with the period’s upscale American styling. The key is to keep sidewall choice aligned with the wheel diameter and tire size the car actually uses, whether 710-15 or 800-14.

A restorer choosing for a Packard 58L-P8 should look at the car’s trim level, color scheme, original photography, and the overall tone of the project. Blackwalls can produce a more restrained appearance, while narrow or wide whitewalls can move the car toward a more formal luxury look. Selecting the sidewall style after the fitment is sorted usually leads to a more authentic result than choosing purely by visual preference.

A properly selected and properly installed Packard 58L-P8 tire in the correct 710-15 or 800-14 size can be suitable for normal collector-car road use when the rest of the car is mechanically sound. These are bias-ply tires, so they should be approached as period-style equipment with the ride and response characteristics that go with late-1950s construction. Safety depends on correct size, wheel match, tire condition, inflation, tube condition, and the overall mechanical health of the vehicle.

Driving a Packard 58L-P8 on public roads should be done with realistic expectations for a collector car on bias-ply tires. Steering feel, tracking, braking behavior, and sensitivity to road crown can differ from modern radial-equipped cars. Before regular use, confirm the car’s suspension, alignment, brakes, and wheel condition are all in good order, because even the right tire cannot compensate for a chassis that needs service.

Before driving a Packard 58L-P8, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and that the tires match the wheel diameter on the car. On this model, that means making sure the car is consistently fitted with either 710-15 on 15-inch wheels or 800-14 on 14-inch wheels. It is also wise to look for irregular wear patterns that may suggest alignment or suspension issues.

A short walk-around on a Packard 58L-P8 can prevent the most common collector-car tire problems from becoming roadside problems. If the car has been sitting, pay special attention to flat spotting, age cracks near the bead area, and any change in how the sidewalls look under load. For a car used only occasionally, these checks matter every time, not just at the start of the season.

A Packard 58L-P8 on period-style bias-ply tires should be driven at moderate speeds appropriate to the tire type, the condition of the car, and the road environment. Even with fresh tires, a late-1950s luxury car on bias-ply construction will not feel the same as a modern car on radials at sustained highway pace. Conservative speed is especially wise if the car is newly restored, recently awakened from storage, or still being sorted mechanically.

The practical approach for a Packard 58L-P8 is to build speed gradually, evaluate how the car tracks and brakes, and stay within the limits of the entire vehicle rather than chasing modern traffic flow. Bias-ply tires reward smooth inputs and steady driving. If the car feels unsettled, wanders, or develops vibration, back off and inspect the tires, wheels, alignment, and suspension before continuing.