The 1939 Packard 1700 Series came from an era when Packard still balanced prestige, engineering refinement, and dignified road manners in a way that set it apart from many American cars of the period. For owners today, tire choice plays a major role in preserving that prewar character, because the car uses a 650-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim. Within that size, there is still meaningful room to choose among blackwall and wide whitewall presentations, along with several classic tire series and brands. The key is matching the tire to the car’s intended use, wheel setup, and restoration style before putting the Packard back on the road.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1939 Packard 1700 Series
The 1939 Packard 1700 Series uses one primary tire size: 650-16 in bias-ply construction on a 16-inch rim. That fitment carries across the covered 6 Cyl. sub-model, so the real decision is not which primary size fits, but which version of 650-16 best matches your Packard’s appearance, wheel width, and intended driving use.
A 650-16 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size in which the 6.50 designation refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches, while 16 identifies the wheel diameter. On a 1939 Packard 1700 Series, this keeps the traditional prewar bias-ply construction and overall look associated with the car’s original-era tire presentation. Within this size, there are choices from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Lester, Excelsior, STA, and Tornel, with both blackwall and wide whitewall styles available across several series. Choosing among them comes down to restoration appearance, wheel-width compatibility, and whether the Packard will be used as a touring car, show car, or more utility-oriented driver.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1939 Packard 1700 Series sub-models, with the same primary size carried across the lineup shown here. Checking the exact sub-model still matters because it confirms that you are selecting within the correct 650-16 bias-ply fitment family before comparing sidewall and series choices.
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1939 Packard 1700 Series 6 Cyl.
The 1939 Packard 1700 Series 6 Cyl. uses the 650-16 bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim. That makes tire selection more about choosing the right blackwall or wide whitewall presentation, brand, and series than sorting through multiple 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 1939 Packard 1700 Series Tires for Sale
Available 650-16 tires for the 1939 Packard 1700 Series span classic brands including BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Lester, Excelsior, STA, and Tornel. Buyers can compare blackwall and wide whitewall styles, several vintage bias-ply series, and rim-width compatibility that varies by product.
Owners of a 1939 Packard 1700 Series usually want clear answers on 650-16 fitment, 16-inch rim compatibility, bias-ply tire selection, sidewall appearance, and the inspections worth making before regular road use or longer prewar touring.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1939 Packard 1700 Series?
The 1939 Packard 1700 Series uses a 650-16 tire size in bias-ply construction. That is the primary fitment for the covered vehicle, and it is the size associated with the 1939 Packard 1700 Series 6 Cyl. sub-model as well.
Using the correct size is only the first step, because 650-16 tires are offered in several series and sidewall styles. Before choosing one, confirm that the car still has 16-inch wheels in an appropriate width range for the tire you are considering, especially if the Packard has been restored, stored for many years, or fitted with replacement wheels.
What size rim does a 1939 Packard 1700 Series use?
The 1939 Packard 1700 Series uses a 16-inch rim with its 650-16 tire size. Product fitment in this size commonly supports rim widths around 4.50 to 5.00 inches, with one 650-16 option sized for a narrower 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim.
Rim diameter needs to match exactly, and rim width should be checked before settling on a specific tire. A Packard with original wheels, restored wheels, or replacement rims can look correct at a glance yet still benefit from a width check, particularly when comparing among touring-oriented tires, wide whitewalls, and heavier-duty 6-ply style products.
Does the 1939 Packard 1700 Series 6 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1939 Packard 1700 Series 6 Cyl. uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire size as the main 1939 Packard 1700 Series fitment. That keeps sub-model selection simple because there is not a second primary size to sort through here.
Even with shared sizing, tire choice still affects how the car presents and how it is prepared for use. Once the 6 Cyl. fitment is confirmed, the next decisions are whether a blackwall or wide whitewall suits the car better, which tire series fits the restoration style, and whether the wheel width matches the product being considered.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-16 tire for a 1939 Packard 1700 Series?
Start with the correct 650-16 bias-ply size and the car’s 16-inch wheel setup, then narrow the choice by intended use and appearance. Some 650-16 options are oriented toward classic passenger-car presentation, while others carry military, truck, or utility-style tread patterns and higher-pressure load specifications.
A show-focused Packard may call for a wide whitewall and a more formal prewar appearance, while a more utilitarian driver may lean toward blackwall styling. Wheel width matters too, since some products suit 4.50 to 5.00 inch rims and others are intended for narrower widths, so matching the tire to the actual wheel is just as important as choosing the correct size.
What sidewall styles are available for 1939 Packard 1700 Series tires?
The main sidewall choices in 650-16 for a 1939 Packard 1700 Series are blackwall and wide whitewall. That gives the Packard owner a clear visual choice between a more understated look and a brighter prewar presentation that can significantly change the car’s overall stance and character.
Sidewall style should be chosen with the car’s restoration direction in mind rather than as a simple cosmetic add-on. Wide whitewalls can complement formal prewar styling, while blackwalls can suit a restrained touring look, but the better choice depends on the Packard’s trim, finish, and how closely the owner wants the tire appearance to reflect a period-style presentation.
What brands offer tires for the 1939 Packard 1700 Series?
Tires in 650-16 for the 1939 Packard 1700 Series are available from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Coker Classic, Garfield, Lester, Excelsior, STA, and Tornel. Those brands cover several classic bias-ply series, with differences in sidewall treatment, rim-width specification, load figures, and intended style.
Brand alone should not make the decision. A better approach is to compare each tire’s sidewall look, whether it is aimed at passenger-car or truck-style use, and whether its rim-width range suits the wheels on the car. That keeps the choice centered on proper fitment and period-appropriate appearance instead of treating every 650-16 as the same product.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1939 Packard 1700 Series?
A period-style 1939 Packard 1700 Series usually starts with the correct 650-16 bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim. From there, the most appropriate choice depends on whether the car is being restored toward a formal prewar passenger-car presentation or prepared as a more restrained road car.
Wide whitewall options can create a distinctly prewar luxury look, while blackwalls present a cleaner and more understated character. When exact originality matters, it is wise to compare the tire choice against marque references, restoration photos, or surviving historical documentation so the final appearance supports the Packard’s era without relying on guesswork.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1939 Packard 1700 Series?
On a restored 1939 Packard 1700 Series, bias-ply construction is a major part of the visual result because the car’s primary fitment is a 650-16 bias-ply tire. The profile, stance, and overall prewar presentation all depend heavily on keeping the tire in the correct vintage construction style.
Appearance is shaped by more than size alone, since sidewall treatment and tire series also influence how formal or understated the Packard looks. A restoration-oriented buyer should think about the complete visual package of wheel, trim, and tire sidewall, rather than selecting a 650-16 tire only by brand name or load figure.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1939 Packard 1700 Series?
Yes. A 1939 Packard 1700 Series may still call for a 650-16 tire, but wheel changes, altered wheel width, brake conversions, suspension work, or body modifications can all affect how that tire sits and clears the car. Even a correct nominal size should be checked against the actual current setup.
A Packard with replacement wheels may require closer attention to rim width, bead seat condition, and clearance at the fender and steering components. That is especially important on older cars that have changed hands several times, because modifications are not always obvious until the tires are mounted and the car is driven.
What should I inspect before driving a 1939 Packard 1700 Series on new tires?
Before driving on new 650-16 tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter, suitable width, and sound condition at the bead seats and rim flanges. It also helps to check steering travel, suspension condition, and whether the tires are inflated appropriately for the product being used.
Collector cars often sit for long periods, so the rest of the car deserves the same attention as the tires. Look over wheel fasteners, brake operation, alignment behavior, and any signs of rubbing once the car is on the ground, then take a short test drive and recheck the tires for pressure retention and clearance.
How should 650-16 tires on a collector 1939 Packard 1700 Series be maintained?
A collector 1939 Packard 1700 Series benefits from regular tire-pressure checks, periodic visual inspections, and careful storage habits. On 650-16 bias-ply tires, watch for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, and signs that the car has been sitting under load in one position for too long.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as miles driven. Keeping the Packard away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the sidewalls, and moving the car occasionally can reduce flat-spotting. Any tire that shows age-related deterioration should be evaluated before the car returns to regular road use.
