Packard Model S Tires

Packard Model S uses two tire sizes in 1906: 34X4 and 34X4.5. The 34X4 size matches 26-inch rims, while 34X4.5 matches 25-inch rims. Both are brass-era bias-ply fitments in antique diameter-by-section sizing, so the size code does not directly state the wheel diameter the way a modern radial size would.

The practical step is to inspect the actual wheel before choosing a tire, because both sizes appear in the same model year. Once rim diameter is confirmed, the size choice becomes straightforward, and you can then decide among available sidewall appearances and tire series that best match the car's intended restoration or driving use.

A 34X4 tire on a Packard Model S is an antique-style size code that describes the tire's outside diameter and section width. In this case, 34 means the tire is about 34 inches tall overall, and 4 means the tire section is about 4 inches wide. On available Packard Model S products, that 34X4 size mounts to a 26-inch rim.

That distinction matters because many modern buyers assume the first number is the wheel size, but it is not on brass-era tires. If your Packard Model S has 26-inch rims, 34X4 is the size to investigate further; if the car carries 25-inch rims, the correct path is the 34X4.5 size instead.

A 1906 Packard Model S has 2 tire sizes listed because the fitment split is tied to wheel diameter. One size, 34X4, is built for 26-inch rims, while the other, 34X4.5, is built for 25-inch rims. The difference is not simply a cosmetic sidewall variation; it changes the wheel the tire is designed to fit.

That means year alone is not enough to choose correctly for a 1906 Packard Model S. Check the rim itself, compare the mounted wheel diameter, and then match the tire size to that wheel before considering sidewall style, series, or other restoration details.

Packard Model S tires are tube-type in the sizes listed here because both 34X4 and 34X4.5 are bias-ply brass-era fitments in antique sizing. These tall, clincher-era style tires are not modern tubeless radial designs, and the available products are all bias-ply offerings intended for period-correct fitment practice.

When fitting a Packard Model S, plan the tire, tube, and rim combination as one system rather than treating the tire by itself. A proper tube setup supports safe inflation, proper seating, and correct service on a low-speed collector car where wheel and tire compatibility matter as much as the size marking.

The correct tire size for a 1906 Packard Model S is confirmed first by wheel diameter, not by the outside tire number alone. A Packard Model S with 26-inch rims uses 34X4, while a Packard Model S with 25-inch rims uses 34X4.5. Both sizes appear in the same model year, so the year tag by itself does not settle the fitment.

Start at the wheel and verify the rim diameter on the car, then compare that measurement with original restoration records, surviving tires, or marque references if available. After the rim size is settled, choose the tire series and sidewall appearance that best suits whether the Packard Model S is being restored for touring, display, or period-style presentation.

Packard Model S tires are available in several sidewall styles across the listed products: blackwall, wide whitewall, all white, and all gray. Blackwall appears in both 34X4 and 34X4.5, while wide whitewall and all white are also represented. All gray appears in 34X4.5 as a made-to-order option.

That variety gives a Packard Model S owner room to match the car's restoration character rather than choosing by size alone. A more restrained touring presentation often leans toward blackwall, while white or gray sidewall treatments may better suit a highly styled brass-era restoration or a car prepared for show-field authenticity and visual impact.

Packard Model S tires in these sizes are offered by Michelin, BFGoodrich, Firestone, and Universal Vintage Tire. Those brands cover multiple period-style series within the 34X4 and 34X4.5 fitments, including high-pressure, cord, classic bias-ply, and vintage race-oriented offerings depending on the exact size selected.

Brand choice on a Packard Model S often comes down to restoration goals as much as size. Some owners prioritize a particular tread or period appearance, while others want a specific construction style that aligns with how the car will be shown or driven, so it helps to compare the series characteristics after the wheel diameter is confirmed.

Made-to-order on a Packard Model S tire means the product is built as a special-production offering rather than a standard catalog specification that appears across the rest of the fitment group. In the sizes listed here, the made-to-order example is an all-gray 34X4.5 tire, which sets it apart from the more common blackwall, whitewall, and all-white choices.

For a Packard Model S restoration, that matters mainly as a planning issue and an authenticity question. If the car is being finished to a particular brass-era visual standard, a made-to-order sidewall treatment may be the right answer, but it should still be matched carefully to the car's 25-inch rim requirement and intended use.

Packard Model S should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and petroleum contamination. Because Packard Model S uses tall brass-era bias-ply tires, long static loading can create flat spotting and additional stress on the casing if the car remains parked in one position for extended periods.

Good practice is to maintain proper inflation, roll the car periodically, and reduce sustained load when the car will sit for long intervals. Owners who preserve a Packard Model S for shows and occasional operation often use careful storage routines as part of the overall conservation plan for wheels, tubes, and tires together.

Tires on a Packard Model S should be inspected before every drive and given a more thorough condition review several times during the year, even if the car covers very few miles. Brass-era bias-ply tires deserve close attention to sidewall condition, tread separation, bead area integrity, tube-related air loss, and any changes in the way the car sits or steers.

Frequent inspection matters because age, storage, and infrequent use can affect a Packard Model S more than simple mileage does. A careful owner will also watch the wheels themselves for rim damage or corrosion, since proper fit on a 25-inch or 26-inch wheel is central to how these antique tires perform.

Packard Model S tires should be replaced when age, cracking, casing distortion, recurring pressure loss, or any sign of structural deterioration appears, even if the tread still looks serviceable. On a brass-era car, visible tread depth is only one small part of tire condition, and long periods of inactivity can age a tire out well before it appears worn.

That conservative approach is especially important for collector cars that see parade, tour, or show use rather than regular mileage. If an older Packard Model S tire has an uncertain service history, replacement should be considered part of the car's mechanical preservation, not simply a cosmetic refresh for the wheel and fender line.

Packard Model S originally used brass-era tire types in 34X4 or 34X4.5 sizing, depending on whether the car carried 26-inch or 25-inch rims. Available replacement series for those sizes include Firestone High Pressure, BFGoodrich Silvertown Cord, Michelin Milltown, Universal Classic Bias Ply, and a vintage race-oriented Firestone Indy offering in 34X4.5.

For an exact restoration, the key is to match the Packard Model S not only by year but by wheel diameter and the style of restoration being pursued. Marque literature, surviving photos, and club knowledge can help narrow whether a high-pressure or cord-style presentation best reflects the individual car.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect the value and judging presentation of a Packard Model S because brass-era cars are judged heavily on visual proportion and period accuracy. The right outside diameter, section width, rim diameter, tread style, and sidewall treatment all influence whether the car looks mechanically and historically coherent.

A Packard Model S wearing the wrong 1906 size or the wrong wheel diameter can look subtly but noticeably off, even to a non-specialist. Owners preparing for serious show judging should compare their tire choice against marque-club standards and period imagery so the restoration supports both authenticity and overall stance.

Firestone High Pressure and Silvertown Cord represent two distinct period-style tire series offered for Packard Model S sizes. Firestone High Pressure appears in both 34X4 and 34X4.5 and reflects an early high-pressure brass-era approach, while Silvertown Cord appears in both sizes as a cord-style offering from BFGoodrich, including blackwall and wide whitewall versions.

For restoration work, that difference affects both appearance and how closely the chosen tire reflects the character you want the Packard Model S to present. A careful choice between series can help align the car with a very early touring look, a later replacement-era look, or a specific show interpretation rooted in period tire technology.

Packard Model S tires in these brass-era sizes are intended for antique vehicle use, and public-road driving should be approached conservatively. Bias-ply antique tires can serve well within the design limits of a properly sorted Packard Model S, but they do not deliver the braking, grip, or heat tolerance of modern passenger-car tires, and the car itself belongs to a very early motoring era.

A sensible Packard Model S owner treats road use as occasional, low-speed, mechanically supervised operation rather than ordinary traffic duty. Tire condition, tube condition, wheel integrity, steering play, and braking performance should all be checked together because safety on a brass-era car is a full-vehicle question, not just a tire question.

Before driving a Packard Model S, check inflation pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread security, valve stems, and whether each tire is correctly matched to the wheel diameter on the car. A Packard Model S also deserves a look at wheel fasteners, rim condition, steering response, brake operation, and any signs that the tube or casing has shifted after storage.

Those checks help catch the kinds of age-related issues that appear on collector cars long before mileage would suggest a problem. On a brass-era Packard Model S, a short pre-drive walkaround and slow test roll can reveal irregularities early and help prevent strain on rare mechanical parts and hard-to-replace wheels.

Packard Model S should be driven at very modest speeds on period-style tires, with the car treated as a brass-era machine rather than as a modern traffic-capable automobile. The available tires are antique bias-ply constructions meant to preserve the correct form and function of an early car, not to support fast sustained road use.

In practice, Packard Model S road use is best limited to gentle touring, parade speeds, and short-distance operation where the driver can leave a wide safety margin. If the route includes modern traffic, hills, or long heat-building stretches, slower speeds and frequent condition checks are the prudent way to protect both the car and its tires.