The 1938 Packard 1600 Series came from an era when Packard balanced prestige, refinement, and road manners in a way that still appeals to restoration-minded owners today. Its long-hood pre-war presence looks most convincing when the tire choice matches the car’s proportions and period character. For this model, the primary fitment is a 650-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim. That opens the door to traditional blackwall and wide whitewall choices, along with several period-style bias-ply series from brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Garfield, Lester, Excelsior, and others. The key is choosing a tire that suits the car’s intended appearance, wheel setup, and road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1938 Packard 1600 Series
The 1938 Packard 1600 Series uses one primary tire size: 650-16, a bias-ply fitment for a 16-inch rim. The covered 6 Cyl. sub-model uses that same size, so the main decision is not which primary size fits, but which version of 650-16 best suits the car’s appearance, tread style, intended use, and wheel width.
A 650-16 size is a numeric bias-ply designation in which the 6.50 refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter. On the 1938 Packard 1600 Series, this is a traditional bias-ply fitment that preserves the tall, upright tire profile associated with pre-war cars. Within this size, the available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall styles, along with series from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Lester, and Excelsior. Choosing among them comes down to the look you want, the rim-width range your wheels require, and whether the car is being restored for display, touring, or mixed collector use.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1938 Packard 1600 Series sub-models. The shared tire size keeps selection focused on appearance, series, and wheel compatibility rather than sorting through multiple primary fitments.
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1938 Packard 1600 Series 6 Cyl.
The 1938 Packard 1600 Series 6 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire size as the overall model line covered here. That means the selection process centers on choosing the right blackwall or wide whitewall presentation, tread style, and rim-width compatibility for the wheels currently on the car.
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 1938 Packard 1600 Series Tires for Sale
Available 650-16 choices span BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Lester, Excelsior, STA, and Tornel. The product grid is useful for comparing blackwall versus wide whitewall presentation, classic passenger-car series versus truck-style tread patterns, and rim-width compatibility within the same primary size.
Owners of a 1938 Packard 1600 Series usually want clarity on 650-16 fitment, 16-inch rim compatibility, sidewall and series choices, and what to inspect before putting a pre-war car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1938 Packard 1600 Series?
The 1938 Packard 1600 Series uses a 650-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment for a 16-inch rim, and the covered 6 Cyl. sub-model uses that same primary size.
That makes the first step fairly simple: confirm that the car still has 16-inch wheels and then choose the version of 650-16 that matches your goals. Some owners prefer a blackwall for a more restrained look, while others want a wide whitewall for a stronger pre-war presentation. Wheel width and overall tire condition on a collector car still deserve a close check before road use.
What size rim does a 1938 Packard 1600 Series use?
The primary tire fitment for the 1938 Packard 1600 Series is built around a 16-inch rim. The 650-16 size itself confirms that wheel diameter, and the available tires in this size are intended for 16-inch applications.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a pre-war car. Several 650-16 options are matched to rim widths around 4.50 to 5.00 inches, while some are suited to narrower 4.00 to 4.50 inch wheels. Measuring the actual wheel before choosing a tire helps avoid a mismatch, especially if the car has replacement wheels or older service parts.
Does the 1938 Packard 1600 Series 6 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1938 Packard 1600 Series 6 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire size as the overall model coverage here. There is no separate primary size for that sub-model within this fitment group.
That means the buying decision shifts away from sub-model differences and toward the tire’s presentation and construction details within 650-16. A traditional blackwall, a wide whitewall, or a different classic tread pattern can change the car’s visual character without changing the core fitment. Confirming wheel width remains worthwhile before settling on a specific tire series.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-16 tire for a 1938 Packard 1600 Series?
Start with the correct primary size, which is 650-16, and then compare the tire’s intended character within that size. The available choices are all bias-ply, but they vary by brand, sidewall presentation, tread style, rim-width specification, weight, and in some cases load capacity.
A restoration-oriented Packard often calls for a tire that complements the car’s period appearance, while a vehicle used more regularly may lead an owner toward a different tread style within the same size. Matching the tire to the actual wheel width and the way the car will be driven usually matters more than simply picking the first 650-16 available.
What sidewall styles are available for 1938 Packard 1600 Series tires?
The 1938 Packard 1600 Series has 650-16 options in both blackwall and wide whitewall form. That gives owners a meaningful appearance choice while staying within the correct primary tire size and traditional bias-ply construction.
A blackwall generally gives the car a more understated, utilitarian look, while a wide whitewall creates a stronger pre-war luxury presentation. Sidewall style does not replace the need to confirm the underlying fitment, so it still makes sense to compare rim-width compatibility and the specific tire series. For restoration work, period photography and marque references can help narrow the most appropriate visual direction.
What brands offer tires for the 1938 Packard 1600 Series?
In 650-16, the 1938 Packard 1600 Series has choices from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel. Those options span classic passenger-car lines as well as some truck-style bias-ply offerings in the same size.
Brand is only one part of the decision on a car like this. The more useful comparison is how each tire is presented within 650-16, including blackwall versus wide whitewall, classic road tread versus more specialized patterns, and the wheel-width range each tire suits. That approach helps narrow the field without assuming every tire in the size serves the same purpose.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1938 Packard 1600 Series?
A period-style 1938 Packard 1600 Series should begin with the correct 650-16 bias-ply size. From there, the most suitable choice depends on whether the car is being presented with a more formal blackwall look or a more dressy wide whitewall appearance.
Tire series and tread character also influence how convincing the finished car looks. Because pre-war restoration standards can vary by body style, trim, and owner preference, exact originality should be checked against marque references, photos, and vehicle-specific documentation. Staying with the correct size and a traditional bias-ply profile is the strongest starting point for an authentic visual result.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1938 Packard 1600 Series?
On a restored 1938 Packard 1600 Series, tire construction affects both stance and visual character. The 650-16 fitment here is bias-ply, and that construction maintains the traditional profile and period-style presentation most buyers expect on a pre-war Packard.
Appearance is not only about sidewall color. The way a tire fills the wheel opening, the shape of the sidewall, and the tread style all influence whether the car looks convincingly pre-war. Even when the goal is road use rather than show judging, keeping the correct size and a traditional-looking construction helps the finished car look cohesive instead of visually out of era.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1938 Packard 1600 Series?
Yes. Even though the primary fitment is 650-16 on a 16-inch rim, changes to wheels, suspension, ride height, brake components, or body clearances can affect how that tire works on a 1938 Packard 1600 Series. Older collector cars often accumulate service changes over time.
A practical check includes measuring the wheel diameter and width already on the car, then looking closely at fender, steering, and suspension clearance. Previous owners may have installed replacement wheels that differ from original specifications. Confirming the actual setup before mounting new tires helps prevent problems that are easy to miss when a vehicle has been modified or repaired over many decades.
What should I inspect before driving a 1938 Packard 1600 Series on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and the general condition of the suspension and steering components along with the new tires themselves. On a 1938 Packard 1600 Series, it is also wise to confirm that the mounted 650-16 tires have proper clearance at full steering angle and through normal suspension movement.
Collector vehicles often sit for long periods, so a short inspection routine matters. Check inflation, look for rubbing marks, and make sure there are no issues with wheel integrity, uneven ride height, or brake drag that could affect the tires early. After the first few drives, recheck pressure and visually inspect the tread and sidewalls to catch any setup problems quickly.
How should 650-16 tires on a collector 1938 Packard 1600 Series be maintained?
650-16 tires on a collector 1938 Packard 1600 Series should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly, and protected from long storage conditions that accelerate aging. Even low-mileage bias-ply tires deserve routine checks for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss.
Storage habits matter almost as much as mileage on a pre-war car. Keeping the vehicle away from prolonged sunlight, excessive heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires between drives. It also helps to look over the tires before every outing rather than assuming they are road-ready just because the car has not been driven much since the last inspection.
