The 1939 Packard 1705 Super belongs to Packard’s late prewar luxury era, when smooth road manners, formal styling, and substantial chassis design were central to the marque’s appeal. Buyers restoring or maintaining one today usually care as much about stance and presentation as they do about basic drivability. This Packard uses a 700-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, which keeps the fitment conversation focused and traditional. Within that size, there is still meaningful choice in brands, tire series, and sidewall appearance, including blackwall and wide whitewall designs. The right selection depends on whether the goal is a restoration-oriented look, general collector road use, or careful preservation of period character.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1939 Packard 1705 Super
The 1939 Packard 1705 Super uses one primary tire size: 700-16 in bias-ply construction on a 16-inch rim. That keeps basic fitment straightforward, including the covered 8 Cyl. sub-model, so the real decision is choosing the right tire style within that size, whether that means a traditional blackwall, a wide whitewall for a more formal prewar look, or a specialty tread pattern that suits how the car will be used.
A 700-16 numeric bias-ply size uses the leading number to indicate an approximate 7.00-inch nominal section width, while the final number identifies a 16-inch rim. On a 1939 Packard 1705 Super, that format matches the vehicle’s primary prewar-style tire construction and preserves the character expected from a large luxury car of the period. Available choices in this size include BFGoodrich, Firestone, Lester, Avon, Tornel, and STA, with blackwall and wide whitewall options across several series. Choosing within 700-16 comes down to appearance, intended road use, and confirming that the wheel width and overall vehicle setup remain suitable.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1939 Packard 1705 Super sub-models because the same primary tire size is used throughout. Checking the exact sub-model still matters as a good verification step before comparing sidewall style, tread type, and other product details.
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1939 Packard 1705 Super 8 Cyl.
The 1939 Packard 1705 Super 8 Cyl. uses the same 700-16 bias-ply fitment as the model core, keeping size selection simple. The main choice is how you want the car to present and drive, whether that points toward a formal wide whitewall appearance or a more understated blackwall bias-ply tire.
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 1705 Super Tires for Sale
Available 700-16 choices span brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Lester, Avon, Tornel, and STA, with blackwall and wide whitewall presentations. The product grid also includes several bias-ply series and specialty military or truck-style tread patterns, so comparison should stay focused on appearance, intended use, and rim-width compatibility.
These FAQs focus on 1939 Packard 1705 Super tire size, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply selection, sidewall appearance, and the practical checks that matter before putting a prewar collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1939 Packard 1705 Super?
The 1939 Packard 1705 Super uses a 700-16 tire size in bias-ply construction. That is the primary fitment for this model, and the covered 8 Cyl. sub-model uses the same size, so the basic tire-size question is more straightforward here than on vehicles with multiple factory fitments.
Once 700-16 is confirmed, the next step is not choosing among different primary sizes but selecting the right version of that size. Sidewall treatment, tread style, brand, and wheel compatibility all matter, especially on a prewar car where stance and appearance are a large part of the ownership experience.
What size rim does a 1939 Packard 1705 Super use?
The 1939 Packard 1705 Super uses a 16-inch rim with its 700-16 tire size. That rim diameter is central to fitment because the tire must match the wheel diameter exactly, even when comparing different brands, sidewall treatments, or specialty tread patterns in the same nominal size.
Wheel width should also be checked before choosing among available 700-16 tires. Several options in this size call for a 4.50- to 5.50-inch rim width range, so a vehicle with replacement wheels, altered wheels, or long-ago service changes deserves a quick measurement before new tires go on.
Does the 1939 Packard 1705 Super 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1939 Packard 1705 Super 8 Cyl. uses the same 700-16 bias-ply tire size as the model core. That means sub-model selection does not introduce a second primary tire size, and the fitment path stays centered on one traditional prewar sizing format.
That consistency simplifies the purchase decision, but it does not make every 700-16 tire the same in character. A buyer still needs to compare blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, standard passenger-style tread versus specialty patterns, and whether the existing wheels remain appropriate for the tire being considered.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-16 tire for a 1939 Packard 1705 Super?
Start with the correct size and construction: 700-16 in bias-ply form on a 16-inch rim. From there, the meaningful choices are sidewall appearance, tread style, brand, tire series, and whether the tire’s rim-width specification matches the wheels currently on the car.
A wide whitewall often suits the formal look many owners want from a prewar Packard, while blackwall options create a more restrained presentation. Specialty military or truck-style patterns also exist in 700-16, but those should be chosen carefully so the tread style and use case still make sense for the vehicle.
What sidewall styles are available for 1939 Packard 1705 Super tires?
The available 700-16 tires for a 1939 Packard 1705 Super include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That gives the buyer a clear appearance choice without changing the primary size, rim diameter, or basic bias-ply construction that belongs with this Packard fitment.
Sidewall style can change the car’s visual character significantly, especially on a large prewar luxury automobile with full fenders and substantial body mass. The right choice depends on whether the goal is a more formal restoration-oriented presentation or a simpler traditional look for touring, showing, or long-term preservation.
What brands offer tires for the 1939 Packard 1705 Super?
The 700-16 size for the 1939 Packard 1705 Super is available from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Lester, Avon, Tornel, and STA. Those choices include classic passenger-style bias-ply tires along with some specialty military or truck-oriented offerings in the same basic size.
Brand alone should not decide the purchase. It is more useful to compare each tire’s sidewall treatment, series, intended use, rim-width compatibility, and any available load information that applies to the specific product. That approach helps narrow the field without assuming that every 700-16 tire serves the same purpose.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1939 Packard 1705 Super?
A period-style approach starts with the correct primary fitment: a 700-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim. From there, the most restoration-oriented choices usually revolve around sidewall style and overall presentation, especially when comparing a traditional blackwall against a more formal wide whitewall design.
The right visual choice depends on how the car is being restored and the look the owner wants to emphasize. When exact originality matters, period photos, marque references, and vehicle-specific historical documentation are worth checking so the tire’s appearance supports the broader restoration rather than just fitting the wheel.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1939 Packard 1705 Super?
On a restored 1939 Packard 1705 Super, bias-ply construction helps preserve the visual character associated with prewar tire fitment. The tire’s shoulder shape, sidewall presence, and traditional sizing format all contribute to how the car sits and how authentic the overall presentation feels from a period-style standpoint.
Construction is only part of the look, though. Sidewall treatment has just as much influence, and a wide whitewall can create a more formal luxury-car impression than a blackwall. Matching construction, sidewall style, and tread character to the restoration goal usually matters more than focusing on brand name alone.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1939 Packard 1705 Super?
Yes. Even though the primary size is 700-16, wheel or chassis changes can alter whether a given tire remains a sensible choice for the car. Replacement wheels, changed wheel widths, suspension work, brake conversions, or body and fender adjustments can all influence practical clearance and compatibility.
A Packard that still carries its original-style wheel setup is easier to evaluate than one that has been altered over time. Measuring wheel width, confirming the 16-inch diameter, and checking steering and fender clearance before installation are worthwhile steps whenever the car’s history or current configuration is not fully certain.
What should I inspect before driving a 1939 Packard 1705 Super on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, lug hardware, and overall mounting condition, then confirm that each tire is properly seated and inflated for its application. It is also smart to look over steering, suspension, and brake condition, since a large prewar car depends on the whole chassis working together.
After installation, recheck for air loss, rubbing, or any unusual contact at full steering lock and over suspension movement. A short initial drive followed by another inspection can reveal issues early. On a collector vehicle, tire fitment should always be considered alongside the car’s broader mechanical readiness.
How should 700-16 tires on a collector 1939 Packard 1705 Super be maintained?
Collector-car tires need regular visual inspection even when mileage stays low. Check the 700-16 tires for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and gradual air loss, and keep them properly inflated so the sidewalls and tread are not stressed unnecessarily during storage or occasional road use.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as driving conditions on a prewar Packard. Keeping the car away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, excess moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber. Rolling the car periodically and inspecting the tires before every outing are sensible habits for infrequently driven vehicles.
