The 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series represents Packard at the close of the prewar luxury era, when long-wheelbase prestige, smooth road manners, and formal styling still defined the upper end of the American market. Tires play a major role in preserving that character, because this Packard uses a single primary 825-16 bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim. Within that size, the choice centers less on fitment than on presentation, with both blackwall and wide whitewall versions available in BFGoodrich's Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line. For restoration-minded owners, the real question is how closely the tire's look and construction should match the car's intended appearance and road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series
The 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series uses one primary tire size: 825-16, a bias-ply tire fitted to a 16-inch rim. Since fitment stays consistent for the covered sub-model here, the main decision is choosing the right version of that size for the car's appearance, driving expectations, and overall restoration direction.
An 825-16 numeric bias-ply size uses the leading number to indicate an approximate 8.25-inch nominal section width, while the final number identifies a 16-inch rim. This is a traditional bias-ply construction suited to the prewar character and visual stance of the 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series. Available choices in this size include BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires in both blackwall and wide whitewall form. That makes 825-16 the size to evaluate when the goal is preserving original-era proportions while still selecting the sidewall treatment that best matches the car's finish and presentation.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series sub-model, with the same primary tire size carried across it. Checking the exact sub-model still matters, but the buying decision here is mainly about tire appearance and restoration direction rather than sorting between multiple sizes.
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1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series 12 Cyl.
The 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series 12 Cyl. uses the same 825-16 bias-ply fitment found across this covered application. That keeps tire selection focused on staying with the proper period-style construction and choosing between blackwall and wide whitewall presentation.
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 1707 & 1708 Series Tires for Sale
Available 825-16 tires for the 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series center on BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply options. The key visible difference in the product grid is sidewall presentation, with both blackwall and wide whitewall versions offered on the same 16-inch fitment.
These FAQs focus on the 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series tire size, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply construction, sidewall appearance choices, and the inspection points that matter before putting a prewar Packard back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series?
The 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series uses an 825-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment built for a 16-inch rim, and it is the central size to use when replacing tires on this Packard application.
That makes the next step less about comparing multiple sizes and more about confirming that the car still has the proper wheel setup. On a collector car, it is also worth checking whether the current wheels, suspension height, or body clearances have changed over the years before selecting a new 825-16 tire.
What size rim does a 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series use?
The primary tire fitment for the 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series is built around a 16-inch rim. In available 825-16 products, the usable rim-width range is 5.00 to 6.00 inches, which is an important compatibility point when choosing among replacement tires.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed on the car before purchase, especially on a prewar vehicle that may have seen wheel swaps during restoration or long-term ownership. Rim width matters as well, because staying within the intended range helps preserve proper tire shape, appearance, and clearance around suspension and body components.
What does 825-16 mean on a 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series?
On the 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series, 825-16 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 825 portion refers to an approximate nominal section width of 8.25 inches, and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches.
That older sizing format is common on prewar American luxury cars, so it helps to read it differently than a modern metric radial size. Understanding the code keeps the search centered on the correct type of tire and avoids confusion with later radial formats that may share a similar width but follow very different construction and fitment conventions.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 825-16 tire for a 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series?
Start with the correct 825-16 size, then confirm that the tire is a bias-ply design suited to the Packard's original-era fitment. From there, the main choices are sidewall appearance, rim-width compatibility, and details such as load capacity, with available 825-16 products carrying a maximum load of 2030@46 psi.
A restoration-oriented car may call for a different visual presentation than a driver-focused Packard, even when the size stays the same. Matching the tire to the wheel width, overall appearance, and intended use helps narrow the field without treating every 825-16 tire as exactly the same in look or setup requirements.
What sidewall styles are available for 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series tires?
The available 825-16 tires for the 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series come in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Both choices use bias-ply construction, so the difference is primarily visual rather than a change in the base fitment format.
That appearance choice can significantly affect how the Packard presents, especially on a formal prewar car where tire sidewall treatment is highly visible. A blackwall tends to give a more restrained look, while a wide whitewall creates a stronger period-style presence, so the better choice depends on the car's finish, trim, and restoration goals.
What tire series are available for the 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series?
The available 825-16 products for the 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series are part of the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. That keeps the series choice simple, with the main difference shifting to sidewall treatment rather than moving between several unrelated product families.
Even within one series, it is still important to compare the visible details that matter to a prewar Packard owner. Sidewall style, tire weight, rim-width range, and the overall look of the finished car can all shape the decision, especially when the goal is maintaining a traditional stance and period-style presentation.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series?
A period-style 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series should begin with the correct 825-16 bias-ply fitment, since both the size format and construction align with the car's prewar character. Staying with a traditional bias-ply tire helps preserve the visual proportions and road-going personality expected from this era of Packard.
After that, the choice usually comes down to presentation rather than fitment. A blackwall creates a more understated look, while a wide whitewall gives the car a stronger formal luxury appearance, and owners pursuing exact historical detail may still want to compare that decision against marque-specific restoration references.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series because tire size and construction strongly influence the car's stance, visual balance, and period presence. Using the proper 825-16 bias-ply format keeps the restoration anchored to a size system and construction type appropriate to the vehicle's era.
That does not mean every tire with the same nominal size will create the same finished result. Sidewall treatment, wheel width, and the overall condition of the chassis all affect how the car sits and looks, so restoration-minded owners should treat tire selection as part of the vehicle's full visual and mechanical presentation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series even when the intended size remains 825-16. Changes such as different wheels, altered rim widths, suspension work, ride-height adjustments, or body repairs can all influence how a replacement tire sits and clears.
A Packard that has been restored over many decades may no longer match its original wheel and chassis setup exactly. Checking wheel dimensions, fender clearance, steering movement, and suspension condition before mounting new tires helps avoid fitment surprises and keeps the car's stance and road manners closer to expectation.
What should I inspect before driving a 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall mounting condition, then verify inflation and look over the surrounding suspension and steering components. On a large prewar car, tire condition alone is only one part of safe and stable road use.
It also helps to confirm that the tires clear the fenders and steering components through their full range of movement. A slow initial road test can reveal vibration, pull, or rubbing, and it is wise to recheck pressure after the first few drives as the tires settle into regular service.
How should 825-16 tires on a collector 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series be maintained?
Collector-car 825-16 tires should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss, and protected from long exposure to heat, sunlight, and ozone sources. Those steps matter on a 1939 Packard 1707 & 1708 Series because many collector vehicles spend more time stored than driven.
Regular inspection is especially important after long periods of inactivity, since age and storage conditions can affect tires even when tread wear is minimal. Keeping the car on a sound suspension, rolling it occasionally during storage, and checking the tires before every outing helps preserve both appearance and roadworthiness.
