1933 Packard 8 Cyl. Tires

The 1933 Packard 8 Cyl. belongs to an era when Packard stood near the top of the American luxury market, blending refined engineering with the substantial road presence buyers still appreciate today. Tire choice on a Full Classic from this period affects more than drivability; it shapes stance, proportions, and overall presentation. This Packard uses a 700-17 bias-ply tire on a 17-inch rim, keeping the fitment firmly in prewar territory. Available choices include traditional blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall treatments across Firestone Balloon and Ensign B5 offerings. The real decision is balancing restoration-minded appearance with wheel compatibility, tire construction, and the kind of road use the car will actually see.

Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1933 Packard 8 Cyl.

The 1933 Packard 8 Cyl. uses one primary tire size: 700-17. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 17-inch rim, and the covered Base sub-model uses the same size. That means the main decision is not which primary size fits, but which 700-17 tire best suits the car's appearance, wheel specifications, and intended road use.

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700-17Numeric bias-ply
Fit(s): Base
Construction: Bias PlyRim: 17 in

A 700-17 size uses the vintage numeric bias-ply system, where 7.00 refers to the nominal section width in inches and 17 identifies the wheel diameter. On a 1933 Packard 8 Cyl., that keeps the car in its proper prewar sizing convention and traditional bias-ply construction. Available 700-17 choices include Firestone and Ensign products, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall sidewall presentations, plus Firestone Balloon and Ensign B5 series options. Choosing among them comes down to the look you want on the car, the wheel width you have, and whether the Packard is being finished for restoration display or regular touring.

Explore 700-17 Tires

1933 Packard 8 Cyl. Sub-Model Tires

Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the covered 1933 Packard 8 Cyl. lineup. The Base sub-model uses the same 700-17 bias-ply size, so the main task is choosing the right tire style and confirming the wheel setup on the car today.

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1933 Packard 8 Cyl. Base

The 1933 Packard 8 Cyl. Base uses the 700-17 bias-ply tire size on a 17-inch rim. That keeps tire selection focused on appearance and wheel compatibility, especially when choosing between blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles for a more restoration-oriented or touring-focused presentation.

Associated Tire Sizes

Important Fitment Notes

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:

  • Wheel modifications (wider rims, offset changes, aftermarket wheels)
  • 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 1933 Packard 8 Cyl. Tires for Sale

Available 700-17 tires for the 1933 Packard 8 Cyl. include Firestone and Ensign offerings in Firestone Balloon and Ensign B5 series, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles. The product grid is most useful for comparing appearance, bias-ply construction details, and wheel-width compatibility.

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Bias Ply

Firestone Balloon 4.25 Inch Double Whitewall | 700-17

Firestone - Firestone Balloon

SIDEWALLDouble-Whitewall
RIM DIAMETER17 in
RIM WIDTH4 in
WEIGHT35 lb
MAX LOAD1480@36 psi
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Bias Ply

Ensign B5 Blackwall Tire | 700-17

Ensign - Ensign B5

SIDEWALLBlackwall
RIM DIAMETER17 in
RIM WIDTH3.5 - 4.0 in
WEIGHT30 lb
MAX LOAD1,901 lbs @ 36 psi
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Bias Ply

Firestone Balloon 4.25 Inch Whitewall | 700-17

Firestone - Firestone Balloon

SIDEWALLWide Whitewall
RIM DIAMETER17 in
RIM WIDTH4 in
WEIGHT31 lb
MAX LOAD1480@36 psi
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Bias Ply

Firestone Balloon | 700-17

Firestone - Firestone Balloon

SIDEWALLBlackwall
RIM DIAMETER17 in
RIM WIDTH4 in
WEIGHT28 lb
MAX LOAD1480@36 psi
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Frequently Asked Questions

Owners of a 1933 Packard 8 Cyl. usually need clear answers on 700-17 fitment, 17-inch rim compatibility, sidewall appearance, and the condition checks that matter before putting a prewar Packard back on the road.

Tire Size & Fitment

What tire size fits a 1933 Packard 8 Cyl.?

The 1933 Packard 8 Cyl. uses a 700-17 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply size mounted on a 17-inch rim, and the covered Base sub-model uses that same fitment.

That makes size selection fairly direct, but the correct choice still depends on the actual wheels installed on the car today. A restored Packard may still have its original-style wheels, while a long-stored or previously rebuilt car may have different rims, so wheel width, tire condition, and overall clearance should be confirmed before mounting new tires.

What size rim does a 1933 Packard 8 Cyl. use?

The 1933 Packard 8 Cyl. uses a 17-inch rim with its 700-17 tire size. Product fitments in this size also show rim-width compatibility in the prewar range, including 4-inch and 3.5 to 4.0-inch applications depending on the tire.

Rim diameter is the first number to confirm, but width matters too when comparing actual tire choices. A tire that matches the 17-inch diameter still needs to suit the wheel width on the car, so it is worth measuring the rims and checking for any wheel changes made during earlier restoration or service work.

Does the 1933 Packard 8 Cyl. Base use the same tire size?

Yes. The 1933 Packard 8 Cyl. Base uses the same 700-17 bias-ply tire size as the core fitment for this vehicle. There is no alternate primary size shown for the covered Base configuration.

That keeps the fitment question simple and shifts attention to tire style and wheel details. Once the Base sub-model is confirmed, the next step is comparing blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall presentation and making sure the wheel diameter and width on the Packard still match the intended 700-17 tire.

Choosing the Right Tire

What should I consider when choosing a 700-17 tire for a 1933 Packard 8 Cyl.?

Start with the correct 700-17 size, then compare construction, wheel-width compatibility, and the kind of appearance you want on the car. Available choices stay within bias-ply construction but vary by brand, tire series, sidewall treatment, and product specifications such as load capacity and weight.

A Packard built for formal show presentation may call for a very different sidewall look than one prepared for regular touring. It also helps to inspect the actual rims before choosing, since some 700-17 products suit a 4-inch rim while others span 3.5 to 4.0 inches, and that can influence which tire is most appropriate.

What sidewall styles are available for 1933 Packard 8 Cyl. tires?

The 1933 Packard 8 Cyl. has 700-17 tire options with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall sidewall treatments. Those choices create noticeably different visual impressions even though they share the same basic size and bias-ply construction.

Sidewall style matters on a prewar Packard because the tire is a major visual element of the car's stance and trim balance. Blackwall tends to give a more restrained presentation, while whitewall and double-whitewall options create a more formal period-style look, so the best choice depends on the restoration theme and how the car is finished.

What brands offer tires for the 1933 Packard 8 Cyl.?

700-17 tires for the 1933 Packard 8 Cyl. are available from Firestone and Ensign. The product selection includes Firestone Balloon and Ensign B5 series options, all within traditional bias-ply construction.

Brand choice should be considered alongside sidewall style, wheel fit, and the overall character you want the car to present. Rather than treating the decision as brand alone, compare how each available tire lines up with the Packard's visual theme, rim width, and intended use as a restoration display car or a road-driven collector vehicle.

Restoration & Appearance

Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1933 Packard 8 Cyl.?

A period-style starting point for the 1933 Packard 8 Cyl. is the correct 700-17 bias-ply size. From there, the visual character changes with the available Firestone Balloon and Ensign B5 offerings, especially when comparing blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall sidewall presentations.

The right choice depends on how the Packard is being restored and the look you want it to carry at a glance. When exact historical authenticity matters, marque-specific references and restoration documentation are worth consulting, since a proper size alone does not prove that one brand or sidewall treatment matches the car's original delivery.

How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1933 Packard 8 Cyl.?

On a 1933 Packard 8 Cyl., staying with the correct 700-17 bias-ply construction preserves the traditional prewar tire profile and overall visual character. Construction affects more than the sidewall itself; it influences how the tire sits on the wheel and how the car's stance is perceived.

That matters on a Full Classic where wheel-and-tire proportions are part of the car's identity. Even among bias-ply choices, sidewall treatment can shift the presentation from understated to highly formal, so appearance-minded buyers should consider tire construction and sidewall style together rather than treating them as separate decisions.

Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use

Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1933 Packard 8 Cyl.?

Yes. A 1933 Packard 8 Cyl. may call for a 700-17 tire on a 17-inch rim, but later wheel changes, brake work, suspension repairs, or body adjustments can alter how that size sits on the car. Even a correct nominal tire size should be matched to the vehicle's current setup.

A prewar car that has been restored over many decades can differ from one Packard to the next, so it is smart to inspect wheel width, steering clearance, and fender space before mounting tires. Cars with non-original wheels or altered ride height deserve especially careful checking to avoid rubbing, poor seating, or an awkward visual stance.

What should I inspect before driving a 1933 Packard 8 Cyl. on new tires?

Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall mounting condition, then verify that the tires are seated properly and inflated appropriately for the application. It is also wise to check for brake drag, steering play, and any interference that might not be obvious while the Packard is standing still.

A short, careful shakedown drive is a sensible next step on a prewar car, especially one that has spent long periods in storage. Recheck pressure afterward and look for signs of contact, uneven settling, or hardware issues at the wheel. That extra inspection helps catch mechanical problems that are unrelated to the new tires themselves.

How should 700-17 tires on a collector 1933 Packard 8 Cyl. be maintained?

700-17 tires on a collector Packard should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and protected from long exposure to heat, sunlight, and ozone sources. Collector vehicles often age their tires through time and storage as much as through mileage.

Periodic checks are especially important on a car that is driven infrequently, because age-related deterioration can be easy to miss until the Packard is back on the road. Clean storage conditions, routine pressure checks, and visual inspections before each outing do a great deal to preserve both tire condition and road confidence.