The 1937 Packard 120CD sits in the middle of Packard’s important prewar period, when the marque was balancing prestige with broader market appeal through the One Twenty line. Buyers and restorers are usually looking for a tire that supports that refined late-1930s character rather than simply filling the wheel opening. This model uses a 700-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, so the decision centers less on size and more on presentation and intended use. Blackwall, wide whitewall, and even military-style options appear in this fitment. That makes wheel confirmation, appearance goals, and road-use expectations especially important before choosing a tire.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1937 Packard 120CD
The 1937 Packard 120CD uses one primary tire size: 700-16, a bias-ply fitment for a 16-inch rim. The covered 8 Cyl. sub-model uses that same size, so the main choice is not between multiple fitments but between sidewall style, tire series, and whether the car is being equipped for restoration-minded presentation or a more specialized use.
A 700-16 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size in which the 700 refers to an approximate 7.00-inch nominal section width and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1937 Packard 120CD, this is the primary bias-ply fitment and it preserves the traditional construction associated with a prewar luxury car. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall versions from brands such as Lester, BFGoodrich, and Firestone, along with several distinct tire series. That gives owners room to match the tire’s appearance and character to the car’s restoration style, driving plans, and wheel setup.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1937 Packard 120CD sub-model. The tire size remains consistent, so checking the sub-model mainly helps confirm that the car still has its expected 16-inch wheel and a setup that matches the original style of fitment.
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1937 Packard 120CD 8 Cyl.
The 1937 Packard 120CD 8 Cyl. uses the same 700-16 bias-ply tire size associated with this model line. That keeps the selection focused on choosing the right sidewall appearance and tire series, while also confirming that the car has not been altered with different wheels or a non-stock stance.
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 1937 Packard 120CD Tires for Sale
Available 700-16 choices span Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA, with blackwall and wide whitewall presentations across several bias-ply series. The product grid also includes specialty military and truck-style options, so appearance, tire series, and rim-width compatibility are the main comparison points.
These FAQs focus on 1937 Packard 120CD tire size, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply construction, sidewall and series choices, and the checks that matter before road use on a prewar collector car.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1937 Packard 120CD?
The 1937 Packard 120CD uses a 700-16 tire size. This is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and the covered 8 Cyl. sub-model uses that same primary size rather than a separate alternate fitment.
That makes the selection process more about choosing the right type of 700-16 tire than sorting through multiple factory sizes. Before purchasing, confirm that the car still has 16-inch wheels and has not been modified with different rims, suspension changes, or body alterations that could affect tire clearance or overall fitment.
What size rim does a 1937 Packard 120CD use?
The 1937 Packard 120CD uses a 16-inch rim with its 700-16 tire fitment. Several available 700-16 tires in this application also show rim-width compatibility in the 4.50 to 5.50 inch range, which is useful when checking wheel fit before selecting a product.
Rim diameter should be verified first, especially on a collector car that may have seen wheel changes over the years. A tire can share the correct 700-16 size code yet still need the right wheel width and overall wheel condition, so inspect the wheels closely before mounting new tires.
Does the 1937 Packard 120CD 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1937 Packard 120CD 8 Cyl. uses the same 700-16 bias-ply tire size as the model covered here. There is no separate primary tire size for that sub-model within this fitment group.
That consistency simplifies tire selection, but the car still needs to be checked as it sits today. Older Packards are often restored, stored for long periods, or updated with replacement wheels, so confirming the actual wheel diameter and wheel width remains just as important as knowing the nominal tire size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-16 tire for a 1937 Packard 120CD?
Start with the correct 700-16 size and the proper bias-ply construction for this fitment. From there, compare sidewall style, tire series, brand, rim-width compatibility, and whether the tire is aimed at a passenger-car look or a more specialized military or truck-style use.
A wide whitewall can support a more formal prewar presentation, while a blackwall changes the visual character immediately. It also helps to compare weight and maximum load figures where shown, especially if the car is driven regularly, carries passengers often, or has wheel requirements that need a closer match.
What sidewall styles are available for 1937 Packard 120CD tires?
The 1937 Packard 120CD has 700-16 tire choices in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Those two appearances create very different visual results even when the tire size and bias-ply construction remain the same.
Wide whitewalls usually suit a restoration-oriented or formal prewar look, while blackwalls give the car a more restrained presentation. The best choice depends on the way the Packard is being finished, the wheel and trim combination on the car, and whether the goal is a show-focused appearance or general road use.
What brands offer tires for the 1937 Packard 120CD?
Available 700-16 tires for the 1937 Packard 120CD include Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA. Those options span classic passenger-car bias-ply lines as well as military and truck-style offerings in the same nominal size.
Brand alone should not drive the decision. Compare the exact tire series, sidewall treatment, load specification where shown, and intended visual character of the tire, since two products in 700-16 can serve very different purposes on a prewar Packard depending on how the vehicle is being used.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1937 Packard 120CD?
A period-style 1937 Packard 120CD usually starts with the correct 700-16 bias-ply size and then narrows by presentation. Passenger-car bias-ply series from Lester, BFGoodrich, or Firestone keep the tire visually aligned with a prewar Packard, while military or truck-style patterns create a much different look.
The right choice depends on how closely the car is being restored and the visual theme of the finished vehicle. When exact originality matters, compare the tire’s sidewall treatment and overall style against marque-club guidance, period photos, or restoration records rather than relying on size alone.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1937 Packard 120CD?
On a restored 1937 Packard 120CD, keeping the 700-16 bias-ply construction preserves the traditional stance and visual character associated with this prewar fitment. Construction affects more than ride behavior; it also influences the way the tire looks on the wheel and fills the fender opening.
Sidewall style matters just as much as construction. A wide whitewall can emphasize the Packard’s formal luxury presence, while a blackwall gives a subtler appearance, so restoration buyers usually weigh tire construction and sidewall treatment together instead of treating them as separate decisions.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1937 Packard 120CD?
Yes. Even though the primary fitment is 700-16 on a 16-inch rim, wheel changes, suspension work, altered ride height, and body or fender repairs can all affect how that size sits on the car. Older collector cars often differ from their original setup in ways that are not obvious at first glance.
Check the actual wheel diameter and width, then inspect steering and fender clearance at full lock and through suspension travel. A Packard that has aftermarket wheels, non-original brake components, or changed spring height should be measured carefully before assuming any 700-16 tire will suit the current configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1937 Packard 120CD on new tires?
Before road use, inspect wheel condition, lug hardware, valve stems, tire pressure, and the tire’s overall seated position on the rim. It also helps to look over steering, suspension, and brake components, since a fresh set of tires cannot compensate for looseness, rubbing, or mechanical wear elsewhere on the car.
A short test drive should include listening for interference and checking that the car tracks cleanly without unusual pull or vibration. After the first miles, recheck inflation, look for any signs of sidewall contact, and inspect the tread surface to make sure the Packard is settling into the new tires properly.
How should 700-16 tires on a collector 1937 Packard 120CD be maintained?
Collector-car 700-16 tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age as well as tread depth. Bias-ply tires on a prewar Packard often spend long periods parked, so cracking, flat spotting, air loss, and sidewall deterioration deserve as much attention as miles driven.
Storage conditions matter more than many owners expect. Keeping the Packard away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and moving the car periodically can reduce stress from long stationary periods. Any sign of bulges, cuts, or persistent pressure loss should be addressed before road use.
