Packard Clipper Tires

Packard Clipper uses three listed tire sizes across the years covered here. The 1946 and 1947 Packard Clipper use either 6.50-15 or 700-15, while the 1957 Packard Clipper uses 760-15. Every listed size fits a 15-inch wheel, but the section width changes from one size to another, which affects the overall look and the wheel width range used by the tire.

Year is the first filter, but it should not be the only one. On a 1946 or 1947 Packard Clipper, check the existing wheel and any surviving factory paperwork or restoration records to see whether the car was set up for 6.50-15 or 700-15. On a 1957 Packard Clipper, focus on 760-15 and then choose the sidewall treatment that best suits the car's presentation.

A 700-15 tire for a Packard Clipper uses the older numeric bias-ply size format. The 700 portion indicates a nominal 7.00-inch section width, and the 15 indicates the rim diameter in inches. For the products listed in this size, the wheel is a 15-inch rim, and several options are shown for rim widths around 5.00 to 5.50 inches.

That code is easy to misread if you are used to modern radial sizing, because it does not show an aspect ratio or an explicit construction letter. On a Packard Clipper, 700-15 is a traditional bias-ply fitment and should be matched to the car's actual wheel and intended use. If the car already wears 700-15 tires, that is a strong clue, but wheel measurements are still worth confirming.

A 1946 Packard Clipper has two listed sizes because both 6.50-15 and 700-15 were used in that year. The same split appears in 1947 as well. Both sizes share a 15-inch rim diameter, so the difference is not a wheel-diameter change but a fitment variation within the model range.

That means a 1946 Packard Clipper owner needs to identify more than the year before choosing tires. Compare the current tire size, measure the wheel if needed, and review any original paperwork that identifies how the car was equipped. If the car has been restored or modified over the years, the wheel and tire combination on it today may not be the one it left the factory with.

The listed Packard Clipper sizes here are all traditional numeric bias-ply sizes, and the fitment should be treated as tube-type unless a specific tire and wheel combination clearly indicates otherwise. Products in 700-15 and 760-15 are bias-ply, and one 700-15 transport tire is specifically identified as tube type. On restored postwar cars like the Packard Clipper, inner tubes are the normal expectation with these older style tires.

Tube choice should match the exact tire size and the valve stem arrangement of the wheel. If the wheels are original or older restorations, inspect them carefully for rust, burrs, or prior repairs before fitting new tubes and tires. A clean, properly prepared wheel is just as important as the tire itself for reliable service on a collector Packard Clipper.

A 1947 Packard Clipper can use either 6.50-15 or 700-15, so the correct choice depends on the specific wheel and configuration on the car. Both are 15-inch sizes, but they are not interchangeable by assumption because they differ in section width and intended fit. The first step is to compare the current tires, wheel measurements, and any surviving service or restoration records.

If the car is an older restoration, do not assume the tire size on it now is automatically the right one. Confirm the wheel width, look for markings on the rim, and decide whether you are preserving an established restoration or returning the Packard Clipper to a different period-correct presentation. Once the size is settled, then choose among blackwall or whitewall options according to the look you want.

Packard Clipper tires in the listed sizes are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. The 700-15 offerings include blackwall and wide whitewall choices, while the 760-15 offerings include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and several wide whitewall variations. That gives buyers a useful spread from understated driver presentation to fuller mid-century whitewall appearance.

Sidewall style affects the car's visual character as much as the tire size itself. A blackwall Packard Clipper tends to look more restrained and utilitarian, while a wide whitewall pushes the car toward a more formal postwar American luxury look. If the goal is restoration authenticity, compare the sidewall width to period photos of your exact Packard Clipper year before settling on the final appearance.

The listed Packard Clipper tires come from Firestone, BFGoodrich, STA, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, and Goodyear. Brand availability varies by size, with 700-15 offering products from Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA, and 760-15 offering products from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, and Goodyear. Each brand also appears in different series and sidewall combinations.

Brand choice usually comes after the fitment decision, not before it. Once the Packard Clipper size is confirmed, compare brands by the look you want, the tread style offered in that size, and whether the car is being restored for show use, occasional touring, or a more utility-oriented presentation. On collector cars, visual correctness often matters just as much as the brand name on the sidewall.

Packard Clipper tires here appear in several distinct series, including Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Military, Super Transport, Transport Highway, Traxion, Coker Classic Bias Ply, Universal Classic Bias Ply, and Goodyear Super Cushion Deluxe. Most are classic bias-ply passenger car lines, while others lean toward military or truck-style service with heavier-duty appearance or tread intent. All remain period-style bias-ply constructions rather than modern radial alternatives.

That split matters because not every 700-15 is aimed at the same kind of Packard Clipper use. A wide-white passenger series suits a stock-looking restoration, while a military or transport series changes both the visual character and likely the ride feel of the car. Decide first whether the goal is authenticity, utility, or a particular period style, then narrow the Packard Clipper choices by series.

A stored Packard Clipper should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and large temperature swings. Bias-ply tires can flat-spot if the car sits in one place for long periods, especially on heavy postwar American cars. Clean tires and wheels before storage, and keep the inflation pressure consistent with the tire's intended service.

If the Packard Clipper will sit for months at a time, move it periodically or support it in a way that reduces prolonged loading on one contact patch. Avoid parking on bare concrete if possible, and keep petroleum products away from the sidewalls. Good storage habits protect both the appearance and the structure of collector tires, which matters even on low-mileage hobby cars.

Tires on a Packard Clipper should be visually inspected before every meaningful drive and examined more thoroughly at least seasonally, even if the car covers very few miles. Bias-ply collector tires deserve regular checks for cracking, cuts, bulges, tread separation, air loss, and uneven wear. The wheels, valve stems, and any fitted tubes should be part of the same inspection routine.

Short, careful inspections are especially important because collector cars often age their tires by time rather than mileage. A Packard Clipper that looks ready for a casual outing can still have a tire issue developing from storage, old wheel surfaces, or underinflation. Catching those problems early helps preserve the car and reduces the chance of roadside damage to scarce trim or sheetmetal.

A Packard Clipper tire should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, impact damage, or structural irregularities appear, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector tires often age out long before they wear out. Visible sidewall distress, recurring air loss, vibration, or a change in the tire's shape are stronger replacement signals than tread depth alone on a lightly used Packard Clipper.

That time-based approach is especially important on a car that spends much of its life parked, displayed, or trailered. Tread can remain cosmetically good while the casing deteriorates with age and heat cycles. If a Packard Clipper has sat for years on older tires, treat them as suspect until they are professionally inspected and, if necessary, replaced before any regular road use.

The Packard Clipper sizes listed here are 6.50-15 and 700-15 for 1946 and 1947, and 760-15 for 1957. The available products are all bias-ply offerings, which suits the period character of these cars. Because more than one size appears in the earlier years and several series are offered across the range, the exact original fitment for a specific Packard Clipper should be matched to year-specific factory literature or marque references.

That distinction matters most when a restoration is being judged for authenticity. Tire size, sidewall style, and the overall stance of the car can all influence how correct a Packard Clipper looks. If originality is the goal, use the listed sizes as the starting point, then verify the exact combination against period photos, sales literature, and Packard club guidance for your body style and year.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect both judging and perceived value on a Packard Clipper. Judges and knowledgeable buyers notice whether the size matches the car's year range, whether the sidewall treatment suits the era, and whether the overall tire profile supports the proper stance. A car wearing the wrong width or an obviously mismatched style can look subtly off even to a casual observer.

That does not mean every Packard Clipper must chase the same appearance. A touring car may reasonably prioritize durability and presentation differently than a concours restoration. Still, when authenticity matters, confirming the right size and choosing an era-appropriate blackwall or whitewall style can make the difference between a car that looks merely restored and one that looks truly sorted.

Packard Clipper tires in these sizes are offered in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall forms. Blackwall and wide whitewall choices appear in 700-15, while 760-15 also adds narrow whitewall. Any of those can be visually appropriate depending on the exact year, trim level, and the presentation you are trying to recreate, because postwar American cars often varied in sidewall treatment.

The best approach is to match the Packard Clipper to period photography and original sales material for the specific year rather than choosing by preference alone. Wide whitewalls usually create the most formal and upscale look, while blackwalls can suit more restrained or utility-leaning presentations. Narrow whitewalls on a 1957 Packard Clipper can also help capture the later decade's changing styling taste.

The listed Packard Clipper tires are traditional bias-ply products intended for vintage vehicles, and they can be suitable for public-road use when they are correctly sized, properly mounted, and fitted to sound wheels. Safety depends on the condition of the tires, the age of any tubes, the state of the wheels, and the overall mechanical health of the Packard Clipper itself. A correctly prepared car on fresh, properly maintained tires is very different from a long-stored car on aged rubber.

Even with good tires, drive a Packard Clipper within the limits of an older bias-ply-equipped automobile. Steering response, braking, and tracking will not feel like a modern radial-tire car, so smooth inputs and conservative speeds matter. Before regular road use, inspect the entire chassis and braking system so the tire choice is part of a complete safety picture rather than a stand-alone fix.

Before driving a Packard Clipper, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and any signs of air loss or shifting on the rim. On bias-ply collector tires, also look for flat-spotting after storage and make sure the car is sitting level without one corner carrying a visibly distressed tire. If the car uses tubes, pay attention to slow leaks that may not show obvious external damage.

A short pre-drive walkaround can prevent damage to both the tires and the car. On a heavy Packard Clipper, an underinflated or aging tire puts added stress on steering effort and braking behavior, especially at low speed in parking situations and during longer runs. Pair the tire inspection with a quick look at wheel hardware, brake feel, and suspension condition before heading out.

A Packard Clipper on period-style bias-ply tires should be driven at moderate, sensible speeds that respect the design of both the car and the tire. These tires are meant to preserve vintage driving character, not to turn the Packard Clipper into a modern high-speed cruiser. The appropriate pace depends on tire condition, inflation, wheel condition, alignment, and the general mechanical condition of the car.

In practice, smooth touring speeds and a generous safety margin are the right mindset. Avoid abrupt lane changes, hard braking, and sustained high-speed driving unless the Packard Clipper has been carefully sorted and the tire setup has been thoroughly checked. Collector-car road manners are best when the driver lets the car settle into the rhythm these bias-ply tires were built to support.