1937 Packard 138CD Tires

The 1937 Packard 138CD uses a 700-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment mounted on a 16-inch rim, and it is the primary tire size for the model covered here, including the 8 Cyl. sub-model.

That means the first step is confirming that the car still has 16-inch wheels and has not been changed to a different wheel or tire package over the years. After that, the decision shifts from size selection to choosing the right 700-16 tire style, such as blackwall or wide whitewall, and matching the tire to the vehicle’s restoration goals and driving plans.

The 1937 Packard 138CD uses a 16-inch rim with its 700-16 tire fitment. Several 700-16 bias-ply products in this size also reference rim-width compatibility in the 4.50- to 5.50-inch range, which gives useful context when checking the wheel setup.

Rim diameter should be verified before any tire purchase because a 16-inch tire must match a 16-inch wheel. On a collector car, it is also worth measuring wheel width and inspecting for older replacement wheels, since appearance, tire profile, and mounting compatibility can all change if the car no longer carries its original-style wheel dimensions.

Yes. The 1937 Packard 138CD 8 Cyl. uses the same 700-16 bias-ply tire size as the model core. That keeps fitment simple, because the main tire decision is not between multiple primary sizes but between the available tire styles and series within 700-16.

Even with shared fitment, it still helps to confirm the actual wheel and tire combination on the car, especially if it has been restored or stored for many years. Once that is checked, owners can focus on whether a blackwall, wide whitewall, or more utility-oriented 700-16 better suits the car’s appearance and intended road use.

Start with the correct 700-16 size and the proper 16-inch wheel, then compare the tire’s intended character. In this fitment, choices include traditional passenger-car bias-ply lines as well as military or truck-oriented 700-16 designs, so the visual style and use case matter as much as the size itself.

A restoration-focused Packard often calls for attention to sidewall treatment, overall presentation, and wheel-width compatibility. Load figures, product weight, and construction details can also help separate options when two tires look similar, particularly if the car will be driven regularly rather than used mainly for display and short-distance touring.

The 1937 Packard 138CD has 700-16 tire options in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. That gives owners a clear appearance choice, from a restrained all-black presentation to a more formal whitewall look that suits many prewar luxury-car restorations.

Sidewall choice affects the car’s visual balance more than many buyers expect, especially on a tall bias-ply tire with a substantial side profile. Buyers concerned with historical presentation should compare the car’s trim level, photographs, and restoration goals before choosing, while also making sure the selected tire still matches the wheel dimensions and planned use.

700-16 tires for the 1937 Packard 138CD are available from Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA. Those brands cover several classic bias-ply series, along with some military and truck-oriented options that share the same base size.

Brand selection is most useful when paired with the specific tire series, sidewall style, and intended application rather than treated as a ranking exercise. A wide whitewall passenger-car tire creates a very different result from a blackwall military-style tread, even though both may carry the same 700-16 size and fit the same 16-inch rim diameter.

A period-style 1937 Packard 138CD generally starts with the correct 700-16 bias-ply size and a tire design that preserves the tall, formal prewar look. Within that fitment, traditional passenger-car bias-ply choices are usually the most natural starting point for a restoration-oriented presentation.

The finer decision often comes down to sidewall treatment and how the car is being finished, especially if the Packard is being judged, shown, or presented as a historically sympathetic restoration. When exact originality matters, marque-specific photos, club guidance, and surviving vehicle documentation are the best references for narrowing the final appearance choice.

Tire construction has a strong effect on how a restored 1937 Packard 138CD sits and reads visually, because a tall bias-ply tire contributes to the car’s upright, substantial prewar stance. On a Full Classic-era Packard, that construction is part of the vehicle’s overall period presentation as much as a mechanical fitment detail.

Appearance is only one part of the decision, but it matters more on a car with visible sidewall height and formal proportions. Owners balancing show presentation and driving plans should consider construction alongside sidewall style, tread character, and wheel setup so the finished car looks coherent from the curb as well as on the road.

Yes. A 1937 Packard 138CD may use the correct 700-16 tire size on paper, but aftermarket wheels, changed wheel widths, brake updates, suspension work, or body modifications can all affect how that tire mounts and clears once installed.

Even on an older car with one primary size, fitment should be checked at the vehicle level rather than assumed from the catalog size alone. Owners should verify wheel diameter, measure wheel width, and inspect clearance at the fenders and steering components, especially if the car has been restored in stages or carries parts that differ from its earlier configuration.

Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and overall mounting condition, then make sure the tires are properly inflated for the setup in use. It is also wise to check for any rubbing at full steering lock and to confirm that the spare and service equipment still match the car’s wheel and tire arrangement.

A collector-era Packard also deserves a broader safety look before it goes back into service. Brake condition, steering play, suspension wear, and wheel integrity all influence how new tires perform, and any sign of wobble, uneven stance, or persistent air loss should be addressed before longer driving rather than after the first road test.

700-16 tires on a collector 1937 Packard 138CD should be checked regularly for pressure, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and signs of air loss. Because many prewar cars spend long periods parked, tire age and storage condition often matter as much as tread depth.

Good maintenance includes keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources when possible, while moving or driving it often enough to avoid long-term flat spotting. Periodic inspection of wheel condition and inflation habits helps protect both ride quality and appearance, especially on a heavy classic with tall bias-ply tires.