Packard 740 & 745 Series Tires

Packard 740 & 745 Series cars in 1930 use two listed tire sizes: 31X6.75 and 700-19. The 700-19 size fits a 19-inch rim, while 31X6.75 is an antique diameter-by-section size in which the code gives the overall tire diameter and section width rather than the wheel diameter.

That means year alone is not enough to choose correctly for a Packard 740 & 745 Series. Check the actual wheel diameter on the car, compare it with the existing tire size if present, and verify against the car's original paperwork or a Packard specialist before settling on either the 19-inch 700-19 fitment or the larger 31X6.75 format.

On a Packard 740 & 745 Series, 31X6.75 is an older diameter-by-section size. The 31 refers to the tire's approximate outside diameter in inches, and the 6.75 refers to its nominal section width, so the code does not directly state the wheel diameter the way a later size such as 700-19 does.

That distinction matters because many buyers assume the first number must be the wheel size, and on a Packard 740 & 745 Series that would lead to the wrong conclusion. Treat 31X6.75 as a sizing system from an earlier tire convention, then confirm the actual rim on the car before choosing a replacement tire or tube.

A 1930 Packard 740 & 745 Series has 2 listed tire sizes because the fitment split is tied to different wheel and tire specifications within that single model year. One option is 700-19 for a 19-inch rim, while the other is 31X6.75, an antique size whose wheel diameter must be confirmed separately.

Owners should treat that split as a real configuration difference, not as two interchangeable modern equivalents. The safest way to sort it out is to inspect the wheel, note any markings on the existing tire, and match the car's equipment to the correct size before deciding between available replacement styles.

Packard 740 & 745 Series rim diameter depends on which of the two listed sizes the car uses. The 700-19 size uses a 19-inch rim, while 31X6.75 does not reveal its wheel diameter in the size code because the 31 refers to overall tire diameter, not the wheel itself.

On a Packard 740 & 745 Series, that makes direct wheel inspection especially important. Measure the wheel, check any stampings, and compare the current tire size before choosing replacements, because a car set up for 700-19 should not be treated as interchangeable with one fitted for the 31X6.75 format.

To confirm the correct tire size for a 1930 Packard 740 & 745 Series, start with the wheel on the car. A Packard 740 & 745 Series fitted with 700-19 uses a 19-inch rim, while a Packard 740 & 745 Series fitted with 31X6.75 uses an older diameter-by-section tire whose wheel diameter must be verified separately.

A practical check includes reading the sidewall of any existing tire, measuring the rim, and comparing the result with factory literature, restoration records, or Packard club guidance. That extra step matters because the two 1930 Packard 740 & 745 Series sizes come from different sizing conventions and should not be assumed to interchange.

For Packard 740 & 745 Series tires in the available 700-19 products, sidewall styles include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. Those choices appear within the bias-ply offerings for the 19-inch fitment, giving owners several visual directions for a restoration or driver presentation.

The right look depends on how the specific Packard 740 & 745 Series is being finished and what period appearance you want to emphasize. A conservative restoration may lean toward blackwall, while whitewall and double-whitewall options can better suit a more formal luxury presentation if they align with the car's historical configuration.

The listed Packard 740 & 745 Series 700-19 tires come from Firestone and Lester. Firestone appears in both Balloon and Classic Bias Ply forms, while Lester is represented by its Classic Bias Ply line.

That gives Packard 740 & 745 Series owners a choice between brands and also between different period-style product families within the same general size. When comparing them, focus first on matching the correct size and wheel diameter, then consider sidewall appearance and the type of restoration or road use the car is meant for.

Packard 740 & 745 Series tire offerings in 700-19 include Firestone Balloon, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, and Lester Classic Bias Ply. All are bias-ply tires, but the Balloon series reflects the period balloon-tire style, while the Classic Bias Ply lines provide another traditional bias-ply option in the same nominal size.

For a Packard 740 & 745 Series owner, the choice among series is usually about visual character and restoration direction rather than switching to a different construction type. Once the 19-inch wheel fitment is confirmed, compare the series by sidewall style, overall appearance, and how closely they match the era and presentation of the car.

A Packard 740 & 745 Series should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, heaters, and sources of ozone. Keep the tires clean, maintain proper inflation, and avoid letting the full weight of the car sit in one position for very long stretches if the car is not being driven regularly.

Because a Packard 740 & 745 Series is a heavy pre-war luxury car, long stationary periods can create flat spotting and extra carcass stress in bias-ply tires. Rolling the car periodically, using good floor surfaces, and checking inflation before and after storage will help preserve both appearance and service life.

Tires on a Packard 740 & 745 Series should be inspected before each drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals even if the car sees only occasional use. Look for cracking, weathering, sidewall deformation, tread separation, uneven wear, valve condition, and any sign that a tube-equipped assembly has lost air unexpectedly.

Pre-war Packard 740 & 745 Series cars often spend long periods parked, and that kind of low-use service can hide age-related deterioration. A routine inspection schedule is especially important on bias-ply tires, where a careful visual check and pressure check can catch problems early before a tour, local drive, or show movement.

Tires on a Packard 740 & 745 Series should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, distortion, repeated air loss, or any structural concern appears, even if tread depth still looks usable. Collector tires often age out long before they wear out, particularly on cars that accumulate little mileage over many years.

That rule is even more important on a heavy Packard 740 & 745 Series because old-looking but intact bias-ply tires can still have weakened internal structure. If a car carries long-stored tires, or any period tire of uncertain age, specialist evaluation is wise before the car is driven beyond display, loading, or very limited movement.

Packard 740 & 745 Series fitment in 1930 is represented here by two size conventions: 31X6.75 and 700-19. The available 700-19 products include Firestone Balloon, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, and Lester Classic Bias Ply, which shows that more than one period-style approach exists within the correct general size range.

For a Packard 740 & 745 Series restoration, the exact original tire choice should be matched to the specific car rather than assumed from the model name alone. Factory literature, Packard club materials, and surviving unrestored examples are the best way to determine whether your car should wear the 19-inch balloon-type fitment or the larger diameter-by-section alternative.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Packard 740 & 745 Series is viewed in restoration judging and by knowledgeable collectors. Size, overall profile, sidewall style, and whether the car wears a believable period-correct construction all contribute to how authentic the finished automobile appears.

On a Packard 740 & 745 Series, getting the wheel diameter and tire format right matters first, because 700-19 and 31X6.75 do not present the same stance or visual character. For a car intended for judged events, compare the tire choice against Packard reference material and recognized marque experts before finalizing the restoration.

Available Packard 740 & 745 Series 700-19 tires include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall sidewall styles. Any of those can be historically plausible in the broader pre-war luxury era, but the most correct choice for a specific Packard 740 & 745 Series depends on the car's exact configuration, trim character, and restoration target.

A formal Packard 740 & 745 Series restoration may justify a more decorative whitewall treatment, while a more restrained presentation may call for blackwall. Owners concerned with authenticity should use period photographs, marque references, and the car's intended judging standard to decide which sidewall look best suits the restoration.

A correctly fitted, properly maintained tire can make a Packard 740 & 745 Series suitable for careful public-road use within the normal expectations of a pre-war collector car. The available options shown here are bias-ply tires, so the driving experience will reflect older tire behavior rather than the feel, tracking, and response of a modern radial.

Safety on a Packard 740 & 745 Series depends on the entire car, not the tires alone. Before regular road use, inspect the wheels, tubes, brakes, steering, suspension, and alignment, and keep speeds and route choices appropriate to the car's age, weight, and handling characteristics.

Before driving a Packard 740 & 745 Series, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and whether the tire size on the car matches the wheel it is mounted on. On a model with both 31X6.75 and 700-19 listed, confirming that the wheel and tire belong together is an essential first step.

A Packard 740 & 745 Series also deserves a broader pre-drive inspection that includes wheel fasteners, brake response, steering play, and any sign of rubbing or clearance problems. That is especially important after storage, after restoration work, or when the car has recently changed hands and its tire history is not well established.

A Packard 740 & 745 Series on period-style bias-ply tires should be driven at moderate speeds consistent with the limits of a large 1930 luxury car and the condition of its mechanical systems. Even when the tires are new reproduction bias-ply designs, they are meant to preserve correct appearance and manners rather than deliver modern high-speed touring behavior.

The sensible approach with a Packard 740 & 745 Series is to build speed gradually, pay attention to tracking and braking feel, and avoid treating the car like a modern highway cruiser. Smooth secondary-road driving and conservative pace are more appropriate for preserving both the tires and the car's overall roadworthiness.