The 1934 Packard 8 Cyl. came from an era when Packard stood at the center of American luxury motoring, blending refined engineering with the formal road manners expected of a prestigious prewar automobile. Tire choice on a car like this is part fitment decision and part presentation decision, because the stance and sidewall treatment shape so much of its character. This Packard uses a 700-17 bias-ply tire on a 17-inch rim. Available choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles in series such as Firestone Balloon and Ensign B5. For restoration-minded driving, the key is matching the proper size while keeping wheel compatibility and the car's intended appearance in view.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1934 Packard 8 Cyl.
The 1934 Packard 8 Cyl. uses one primary tire size: 700-17. That is a bias-ply fitment on a 17-inch rim, and the same size carries across the covered Base sub-model. The main decision is not which primary size fits, but which 700-17 tire best suits the car's appearance, wheel setup, and intended road use.
A 700-17 size is a vintage numeric bias-ply designation, with the leading number indicating an approximate nominal section width of 7.00 inches and the final number indicating a 17-inch rim. On a 1934 Packard 8 Cyl., that sizing preserves the type of tall, substantial prewar tire profile associated with the car's original era. Within this size, choices include Firestone and Ensign offerings, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall sidewall treatments available. The right selection depends on whether the goal leans more toward a restrained touring look, a stronger restoration-style presentation, or compatibility with the wheel width currently on the car.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1934 Packard 8 Cyl. sub-models. The tire size remains consistent, so the main task is confirming the car still has the expected 17-inch wheel setup and choosing the sidewall style and tire series that suit the restoration or driving plan.
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1934 Packard 8 Cyl. Base
The 1934 Packard 8 Cyl. Base uses the same 700-17 bias-ply fitment that defines this application. That makes tire selection more about choosing the right period-style presentation, series, and wheel-width compatibility than sorting between different primary sizes.
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 1934 Packard 8 Cyl. Tires for Sale
Available 700-17 choices include Firestone and Ensign bias-ply tires, with Firestone Balloon and Ensign B5 series represented. Buyers can compare blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall presentations, along with wheel-width specifications and other vintage-tire details in the product grid.
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Bias Ply
Firestone Balloon 4.25 Inch Double Whitewall | 700-17
Common questions for the 1934 Packard 8 Cyl. usually center on the 700-17 tire size, 17-inch rim fitment, sidewall appearance choices, and what to inspect before putting a prewar Packard back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1934 Packard 8 Cyl.?
The 1934 Packard 8 Cyl. uses a 700-17 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment mounted on a 17-inch rim, and it is the primary size for the covered application, including the Base sub-model.
That makes the next step less about choosing between multiple primary sizes and more about selecting the right 700-17 tire within the available styles and series. Before ordering, confirm that the car still has the expected wheel diameter and that no later wheel change, brake conversion, or chassis modification has altered the fitment.
What size rim does a 1934 Packard 8 Cyl. use?
The 1934 Packard 8 Cyl. uses a 17-inch rim with its 700-17 tire fitment. Product options in this size are built around that 17-inch wheel diameter, so matching the tire to the correct rim diameter is essential.
Wheel diameter is only part of the check on a prewar car. It also helps to confirm the actual wheel width on the car, especially if the vehicle has been restored over many decades or fitted with replacement wheels. A correct 17-inch diameter does not remove the need to verify overall wheel condition and tire-to-wheel compatibility.
Does the 1934 Packard 8 Cyl. Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1934 Packard 8 Cyl. Base uses the same 700-17 bias-ply tire size as the covered core application. That means the fitment itself stays consistent rather than changing by sub-model within this listing.
Because the size remains the same, the buying decision shifts toward appearance and wheel details. A Base model owner can focus on whether a blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall presentation suits the car, while still checking that the existing wheels match the tire's rim-width requirements and remain suitable for road use.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-17 tire for a 1934 Packard 8 Cyl.?
Start with the correct 700-17 size and the car's 17-inch wheel setup, then compare the tire's construction, series, and sidewall presentation. On this Packard, available choices stay within bias-ply construction, so the real distinctions are brand, visual style, wheel-width compatibility, and related vintage-tire specifications.
A restrained blackwall can suit a more understated touring appearance, while a wide whitewall or double-whitewall can create a stronger restoration-oriented look. It also helps to check the actual wheel width before deciding, since 700-17 offerings in this application are not all built around the exact same rim-width specification.
What sidewall styles are available for 1934 Packard 8 Cyl. tires?
The 1934 Packard 8 Cyl. has 700-17 tire options with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall sidewall styles. Those choices can change the visual character of the car significantly even when the primary size and bias-ply construction remain the same.
Sidewall style should be chosen with the car's restoration direction in mind rather than as an isolated detail. A more formal presentation may call for one look, while a simpler road-use restoration may point to another. If historical accuracy matters closely, compare the tire appearance against period photos, marque references, and the way the car is being restored.
What brands offer tires for the 1934 Packard 8 Cyl.?
Available 700-17 tires for the 1934 Packard 8 Cyl. come from Firestone and Ensign. The main series represented are Firestone Balloon and Ensign B5, all within the bias-ply construction used for this application.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It makes more sense to compare each tire's sidewall style, wheel-width specification, and the type of presentation it creates on the car. That approach helps narrow the field between a simpler blackwall touring look and a more formal wide-whitewall or double-whitewall appearance.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1934 Packard 8 Cyl.?
A period-style 1934 Packard 8 Cyl. should begin with the proper 700-17 bias-ply size on a 17-inch rim. From there, the most relevant choice is the tire's visual presentation, since blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall versions all create a different prewar look while keeping the same basic fitment.
For a restoration-oriented car, appearance should be considered alongside wheel compatibility and the way the car will actually be used. If originality is being judged closely, compare the tire style against marque-club guidance, surviving photos, and restoration references rather than assuming any one sidewall treatment is correct for every Packard.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1934 Packard 8 Cyl. restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1934 Packard 8 Cyl. because the tire's size and shape strongly influence the car's stance, wheel-to-body proportion, and overall prewar character. Staying with the proper 700-17 bias-ply format keeps the tire visually aligned with the era of the vehicle.
Fitment also matters mechanically, especially on an older restoration or a car that has seen wheel changes over time. Even when the size is right, the wheel diameter, wheel width, and tire condition still need attention. A restoration that looks right but ignores those details can still create avoidable road-use problems.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1934 Packard 8 Cyl.?
Yes. A 1934 Packard 8 Cyl. may be intended for 700-17 tires on 17-inch rims, but wheel changes, suspension work, brake conversions, or body alterations can affect what actually clears the car. Even on collector vehicles, decades of restoration history can change the wheel and tire setup from what the fitment expects.
That is why the current wheel diameter and width should be confirmed before selecting tires. Steering clearance, fender clearance, and overall wheel condition also deserve attention, especially if the Packard has non-original wheels or sits differently than stock. A quick inspection now can prevent expensive surprises after mounting.
What should I inspect before driving a 1934 Packard 8 Cyl. on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage, corrosion, or age-related issues and make sure the new 700-17 tires are mounted on suitable 17-inch rims. It is also smart to check valve stems, inflation pressure, lug security, and whether the tires seat properly and clear suspension and body components.
A prewar Packard should also be evaluated as a complete running vehicle rather than only as a tire installation. Steering play, brake operation, and suspension condition can all affect how new tires behave on the road. After the first short drive, recheck inflation and look for any signs of rubbing, shifting, or air loss.
How should 700-17 tires on a collector 1934 Packard 8 Cyl. be maintained?
Collector-car tires such as 700-17 bias-ply fitments should be inspected regularly even if the Packard is driven only occasionally. Keep them properly inflated, watch for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and slow air loss, and do not assume low mileage means the tires are still road-ready.
Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage on a seldom-driven prewar car. Long exposure to sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources can age the rubber before the tread is worn. Periodic inspections, careful storage, and routine pressure checks help preserve both the tire and the car's road manners.
