The 1935 Packard 1200 Series came from a period when Packard balanced prestige, refinement, and road manners in a way that still defines the appeal of prewar American luxury cars. A car of this era depends heavily on the right tire size and sidewall presentation to preserve both stance and character. The 1935 Packard 1200 Series uses a 700-17 bias-ply tire on a 17-inch rim, keeping the fitment rooted in traditional prewar sizing and construction. Available choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles across Firestone Balloon and Ensign B5 offerings. For restoration-minded owners, the decision is usually less about size and more about appearance, road use, and staying faithful to the car's period feel.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1935 Packard 1200 Series
The 1935 Packard 1200 Series uses one primary tire size: 700-17, a bias-ply fitment for a 17-inch rim. The same size also carries across the covered 8-cylinder sub-model, so the main decision is choosing the right period-style tire within that size, including sidewall appearance, tire series, and how closely the finished look suits the car's restoration or touring use.
A 700-17 size is a vintage numeric bias-ply designation in which the first number refers to the tire's nominal section width, about 7.00 inches, and the second number identifies the 17-inch rim diameter. On a 1935 Packard 1200 Series, that means a traditional prewar tire construction that helps preserve the car's original visual character and roadgoing personality. In this size, available choices include Firestone and Ensign products, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall sidewall styles offered across the Firestone Balloon and Ensign B5 series. The practical choice comes down to matching the tire's appearance and rim specification to the Packard's wheels and restoration direction.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1935 Packard 1200 Series sub-models because the same primary size is used throughout. Checking the exact sub-model still matters so the tire choice stays aligned with the car's wheels, appearance goals, and intended road use.
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1935 Packard 1200 Series 8 Cyl.
The 1935 Packard 1200 Series 8 Cyl. uses the 700-17 bias-ply tire size, keeping fitment consistent with the broader model range covered here. That makes tire selection more about choosing the right sidewall style and tire series for a restoration-oriented look or regular collector-car driving.
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 1935 Packard 1200 Series Tires for Sale
Available 700-17 choices for the 1935 Packard 1200 Series include Firestone and Ensign bias-ply tires in Firestone Balloon and Ensign B5 series, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall presentations. Rim-width specifications and load ratings are also worth comparing when narrowing the right prewar-style option.
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Bias Ply
Firestone Balloon 4.25 Inch Double Whitewall | 700-17
These FAQs focus on 1935 Packard 1200 Series tire size, 17-inch rim fitment, bias-ply construction, sidewall appearance choices, restoration-minded selection, and the key checks to make before putting a prewar Packard back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1935 Packard 1200 Series?
The 1935 Packard 1200 Series uses a 700-17 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply size for a 17-inch rim, and it is the primary fitment for the covered model range here, including the 1935 Packard 1200 Series 8 Cyl.
That means the main fitment question usually is not choosing between multiple sizes, but choosing the right 700-17 tire for the car's wheels and intended look. A buyer should still confirm the actual rim diameter on the car, especially if the Packard has been restored previously or has replacement wheels from another period setup.
What size rim does a 1935 Packard 1200 Series use?
The 1935 Packard 1200 Series uses a 17-inch rim with its 700-17 tire size. Product fitments in this size are built around that 17-inch diameter, so rim diameter needs to match before any tire selection makes sense.
Rim diameter is only part of the picture on a prewar car. Wheel width also matters, and available 700-17 tires can call for 4-inch rims or a 3.5-to-4.0-inch range depending on the product. Checking the wheel itself before purchase helps avoid forcing a correct-size tire onto the wrong wheel specification.
Does the 1935 Packard 1200 Series 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1935 Packard 1200 Series 8 Cyl. uses the same 700-17 bias-ply tire size as the covered 1935 Packard 1200 Series fitment overall. That keeps tire selection relatively simple because the size itself does not change within the sub-model coverage shown here.
With size consistency across the covered sub-model, the real choice becomes which 700-17 tire best suits the car's use and appearance. Owners usually compare sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility rather than searching for a different diameter or alternate primary fitment.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-17 tire for a 1935 Packard 1200 Series?
Start with the correct primary fitment: a 700-17 bias-ply tire on a 17-inch rim. From there, compare the tire's wheel-width specification, sidewall style, and series so the choice matches both the Packard's wheels and the kind of presentation you want from a prewar luxury car.
Load capacity can also matter, especially on a substantial car from this period, and available 700-17 products show different maximum load figures. A restoration-focused owner may lean toward the sidewall treatment that best suits the car's visual era, while a driver-focused owner may prioritize wheel compatibility and overall tire specification first.
What sidewall styles are available for 1935 Packard 1200 Series tires?
The available 700-17 tires for a 1935 Packard 1200 Series include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall sidewall styles. Those choices can change the car's overall visual impression significantly, even when the tire size and basic bias-ply construction remain the same.
A blackwall usually gives the car a more restrained, service-oriented look, while whitewall and double-whitewall treatments create a more formal prewar presentation. Since sidewall style affects appearance more than fitment, the key is choosing a style that suits the Packard's restoration direction without overlooking wheel-width and load-capacity requirements.
What brands offer tires for the 1935 Packard 1200 Series?
The available 700-17 tires for the 1935 Packard 1200 Series come from Firestone and Ensign. Within those offerings, the Firestone Balloon series and the Ensign B5 series give buyers more than one way to approach a period-style replacement in the correct size.
Brand choice should be viewed alongside the actual product details, not as a shortcut to the final answer. Comparing sidewall treatment, rim-width requirement, weight, and load figure will usually tell you more about which tire suits a particular Packard than the brand name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1935 Packard 1200 Series?
A period-style starting point for a 1935 Packard 1200 Series is the correct 700-17 bias-ply size on a 17-inch rim. From there, the strongest visual distinctions come from the tire series and sidewall treatment, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall options all available in this fitment.
The right choice depends on how the Packard is being presented. Some restorations look best with a restrained blackwall, while others call for a more formal whitewall presentation. When exact originality matters, compare the finished tire choice with marque references, period photography, and vehicle-specific historical guidance before finalizing the look.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1935 Packard 1200 Series restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because size, construction, and sidewall treatment all influence how a 1935 Packard 1200 Series sits and reads visually. A proper 700-17 bias-ply tire helps preserve the car's prewar proportions in a way that modern-looking substitutes often do not.
Restoration fitment is not only about appearance. The wheel must also suit the tire's rim-width requirement, and the tire's load capability should be appropriate for the car's use. Even on a carefully restored Packard, those practical checks are just as important as getting the visual presentation right.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1935 Packard 1200 Series?
Yes. Even though the primary fitment is a 700-17 bias-ply tire on a 17-inch rim, modifications can change what actually works on the car. Replacement wheels, altered wheel width, brake updates, suspension changes, or body and fender work can all affect usable tire fitment.
A Packard that has been restored over many decades may not still be on its original wheel setup. Measuring the wheel diameter and width, then checking steering and body clearance at full movement, is the safest way to confirm that the chosen 700-17 tire matches the car as it sits today.
What should I inspect before driving a 1935 Packard 1200 Series on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for condition, verify the rim diameter and width, and make sure the tires are seated properly and inflated appropriately for the application. A prewar Packard also deserves a careful look at suspension, steering, and brake condition before new tires are put into regular service.
New tires cannot compensate for worn mechanical parts or damaged wheels. It also helps to check that there is no rubbing at full steering lock and that valve stems, tubes if used, and mounting components are in sound condition. Those steps make the first drive more predictable and help protect the tires themselves.
How should 700-17 tires on a collector 1935 Packard 1200 Series be maintained?
Collector-car tires in 700-17 size should be inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and air loss, even if the 1935 Packard 1200 Series is driven only occasionally. Prewar cars often spend long periods parked, so condition checks matter just as much as tread depth.
Storage practices make a difference too. Keeping the Packard away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires over time. Short visual checks before each outing, along with periodic pressure and wheel-condition checks, go a long way toward safer and more dependable collector-car use.
