The 1910 Packard Model Thirty comes from the brass-era period when Packard built prestige automobiles for owners who expected refinement, durability, and imposing road presence. Cars of this age rely on tire fitment that looks unusual by modern standards, and that makes size interpretation especially important before any purchase. The 1910 Packard Model Thirty uses bias-ply antique inch beaded-edge tire sizes 36X4 and 36X4.5, with each size tied to a different wheel diameter. Available choices include traditional blackwall and all-white presentations, along with period-style series such as Firestone High Pressure and Silvertown Cord. For restoration-minded touring, the key is confirming the wheel setup first and then choosing the tire appearance that suits the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1910 Packard Model Thirty
The 1910 Packard Model Thirty uses two primary tire sizes, and the first step is confirming which wheel diameter is on the car. Although both sizes are brass-era bias-ply beaded-edge tires with a 36-inch overall diameter, 36X4 and 36X4.5 are not the same fitment. Once the wheel setup is confirmed, the decision shifts to sidewall appearance, tire series, and the level of restoration-oriented presentation desired.
In a size like 36X4, the first number refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter in inches, while the second number refers to its section width. This is a brass-era beaded-edge bias-ply format rather than a modern rim-first sizing system, so the tire's wheel relationship must be confirmed carefully. Within 36X4, available choices include Firestone, BFGoodrich, Diamond, and Universal Vintage Tire, with blackwall, all white, and wide whitewall presentations across series such as Firestone High Pressure, Diamond Smooth Tread, Silvertown Cord, and Universal Classic Bias Ply. This size is worth considering only after confirming the car carries the matching 28-inch rim setup.
A 36X4.5 tire uses the same antique diameter-by-section logic, with 36 indicating approximate outside diameter and 4.5 indicating a wider section width. It is also a brass-era beaded-edge bias-ply fitment, making wheel compatibility more specialized than later clincher or modern drop-center applications. In this size, available options include Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Universal Vintage Tire, with blackwall and all-white sidewall treatments in period-style series such as Firestone High Pressure and Silvertown Cord. This size becomes the correct path only when the Packard is fitted with the corresponding 27-inch wheel arrangement.
Fitment for the covered 1910 Packard Model Thirty sub-model is straightforward in one sense and critical in another. The Standard uses the same two primary tire sizes, so the real task is confirming which wheel setup is actually on the car before selecting a tire.
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1910 Packard Model Thirty Standard
The 1910 Packard Model Thirty Standard uses 36X4 and 36X4.5 bias-ply beaded-edge tire fitments, with each size corresponding to a different wheel diameter. That makes wheel confirmation more important than trim identification, after which the buyer can focus on sidewall style, tire series, and restoration-oriented appearance.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1910 Packard Model Thirty Tires for Sale
Available 1910 Packard Model Thirty tires center on 36X4 and 36X4.5 bias-ply beaded-edge fitments from Firestone, BFGoodrich, Diamond, and Universal Vintage Tire. The product range gives buyers a choice of blackwall, all-white, and wide whitewall presentations across several period-style tire series, with some made-to-order options included.
Common 1910 Packard Model Thirty tire questions usually come down to antique sizing, wheel diameter confirmation, beaded-edge fitment, sidewall appearance, and what to inspect before putting a brass-era car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1910 Packard Model Thirty?
The 1910 Packard Model Thirty uses two primary tire sizes: 36X4 and 36X4.5. Both are antique inch bias-ply beaded-edge tires, and both carry the same approximate 36-inch overall diameter, but they are different widths and correspond to different wheel diameters.
Choosing between them starts with the wheel, not with appearance or brand. The 36X4 products use a 28-inch rim, while 36X4.5 products use a 27-inch rim. On a brass-era car, that distinction matters immediately, so the wheel dimensions and tire type on the vehicle should be confirmed before selecting a replacement.
What size rim does a 1910 Packard Model Thirty use?
A 1910 Packard Model Thirty can use either a 28-inch rim with 36X4 tires or a 27-inch rim with 36X4.5 tires. Both are antique beaded-edge applications, so the wheel diameter must match the tire size exactly rather than being estimated from overall tire diameter alone.
That point is especially important because both tire sizes begin with 36, which refers to approximate outside diameter, not wheel diameter. On an early Packard, the safest approach is to verify the actual wheel before ordering any tire, especially if the car has been restored long ago or parts may have been changed over time.
What does 36X4 mean on a 1910 Packard Model Thirty?
On a 1910 Packard Model Thirty, 36X4 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size. The 36 refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter in inches, and the 4 refers to section width. It is a bias-ply beaded-edge format used on brass-era vehicles, not a modern rim-first size convention.
That means the code cannot be read the same way as later numeric or metric sizes. A 36X4 tire is built for a 28-inch rim in the available Packard fitment choices, so a buyer should confirm both the wheel diameter and the wheel type before moving on to brand, tread style, or sidewall appearance.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 36X4 or 36X4.5 tire for a 1910 Packard Model Thirty?
Start with the correct size and wheel diameter, because 36X4 and 36X4.5 are not interchangeable just because both share a 36-inch overall diameter. After size is settled, the main comparison points are sidewall style, tire series, construction details tied to brass-era use, and whether the tire suits a touring car or restoration-focused presentation.
Product differences also matter. Some options carry stated load capacities such as 1050@60 psi in 36X4 or 1252@60 psi in 36X4.5, and some are marked made to order. Once the wheel setup is verified, compare the tire's look and specifications against how the Packard will actually be shown, stored, and driven.
What sidewall styles are available for 1910 Packard Model Thirty tires?
The 1910 Packard Model Thirty has several sidewall presentations available, including blackwall and all-white styles in both covered sizes. A wide whitewall option also appears in 36X4. That gives the car owner a meaningful appearance choice even while staying within the proper brass-era tire sizing family.
Sidewall selection changes the visual character of an early Packard more than many later cars because the tires are tall and prominent. A blackwall tends to keep the look more restrained, while white-side treatments stand out strongly on an open or formal brass-era car. The final choice should follow the wheel fitment first and the restoration goal second.
What brands offer tires for the 1910 Packard Model Thirty?
Tires for the 1910 Packard Model Thirty are available from Firestone, BFGoodrich, Diamond, and Universal Vintage Tire, depending on size. The available series include Firestone High Pressure, Silvertown Cord, Diamond Smooth Tread, and Universal Classic Bias Ply, which gives the buyer more than one period-style path within these antique sizes.
Brand choice should come after the fitment is narrowed correctly to 36X4 or 36X4.5. Once that is done, compare sidewall appearance, series character, and any stated specifications such as load capacity or weight. On a vehicle this old, the right visual presentation and correct wheel match usually matter more than chasing a brand name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1910 Packard Model Thirty?
A period-style choice for a 1910 Packard Model Thirty begins with the correct beaded-edge size, either 36X4 or 36X4.5, matched to the wheel diameter actually on the car. From there, period-oriented options include series such as Firestone High Pressure, Silvertown Cord, Diamond Smooth Tread, and Universal Classic Bias Ply.
Appearance can then be tailored through blackwall, all-white, or wide whitewall treatments where available. For a highly exacting restoration, tire choice should also be checked against marque references, surviving photos, or vehicle-specific history, because a period-style tire can look right on the car without necessarily duplicating every original delivery detail.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1910 Packard Model Thirty restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1910 Packard Model Thirty because the tire is such a dominant visual and mechanical element on a brass-era automobile. Using the proper 36X4 or 36X4.5 beaded-edge format preserves the car's stance, wheel relationship, and overall presentation far better than treating it like a later vintage fitment.
The right size also affects whether the tire properly matches the wheel diameter on the car. Since this Packard can use two different wheel-and-tire combinations, restoration decisions should begin with measuring and confirming the existing wheels. After that, sidewall style and series can be chosen to support the look the owner wants to achieve.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1910 Packard Model Thirty?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1910 Packard Model Thirty, especially if the car has received replacement wheels, later restoration work, or changed wheel hardware over its long life. Because this Packard uses antique beaded-edge tires, even a small mismatch in wheel type or diameter matters more than it would on a later collector car.
The most important checks are wheel diameter, wheel design, and whether the car is set up for 36X4 or 36X4.5. Steering clearance, body clearance, and overall condition also deserve attention before road use. On an early vehicle, assumptions based on appearance alone can lead to ordering the wrong tire for the wheels actually installed.
What should I inspect before driving a 1910 Packard Model Thirty on new tires?
Before driving a 1910 Packard Model Thirty on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, mounting condition, and the tire's seating on the rim. A brass-era Packard also deserves a careful check of steering components, suspension condition, and any signs that the tires contact nearby parts when the wheels are turned or the car is loaded.
Tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, and any early air loss should be watched closely during initial use. Because these are tall antique tires on an early chassis, the first miles should be treated as a settling-in period rather than a long-distance tour. Rechecking wheel security and tire condition after the first drive is a sensible precaution.
How should 36X4 or 36X4.5 tires on a collector 1910 Packard Model Thirty be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1910 Packard Model Thirty should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Tall brass-era tires should be examined for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss, especially because many early cars see limited seasonal use rather than steady weekly mileage.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as road use. Keeping the Packard away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition over time. It also helps to inspect the wheels and tires before each outing, since a car stored for long periods can develop issues that are not obvious until it returns to the road.
