The 1940 Packard Super sits in the final prewar era when Packard was known for substantial luxury automobiles with formal styling and smooth road manners. Whether the car is an 8-160 or 8-180, tire choice plays a major role in preserving that long, dignified look and proper stance. This Packard Super uses a 700-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, keeping the fitment squarely in traditional prewar territory. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall presentations across several classic bias-ply series. The real decision is matching the tire to the car’s intended personality, from restoration-oriented appearance to regular touring use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1940 Packard Super
The 1940 Packard Super uses one primary tire size: 700-16. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and that same size is shared across the covered Super 8-160 and Super 8-180 sub-models. That means the main choice is not between multiple primary sizes, but between sidewall style, tire series, and the kind of traditional bias-ply presentation that best suits the car.
A 700-16 tire uses the vintage numeric bias-ply sizing system, where the 700 refers to an approximate 7.00-inch nominal section width and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1940 Packard Super, this is a traditional bias-ply fitment that matches the period character of a substantial prewar luxury car. Within this size, there are blackwall, wide whitewall, and specialty military or truck-style tread options from brands such as Lester, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Avon, Tornel, and STA. Choosing within 700-16 comes down to the appearance, tire series, and intended road use that best match the car.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1940 Packard Super sub-models. Both the Super 8-160 and Super 8-180 use the same 700-16 bias-ply size, so the sub-model check mainly helps confirm consistency before comparing tire style and series.
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1940 Packard Super 8-160
The 1940 Packard Super 8-160 uses the same 700-16 bias-ply fitment found across this Packard Super application. That keeps the selection process focused on whether the car needs a formal wide whitewall look, a simpler blackwall presentation, or a more specialized tread style for its intended use.
The 1940 Packard Super 8-180 also uses 700-16 bias-ply tires, so there is no primary size split between the covered Super variants. Tire choice is therefore more about appearance and series selection than about sorting through different fitment dimensions.
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 1940 Packard Super Tires for Sale
Available 700-16 choices span Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA, with blackwall and wide whitewall options as well as classic passenger, military, and truck-style bias-ply series. Several 700-16 products also share a 4.50 to 5.50 inch rim-width range, giving buyers useful points of comparison in the product grid.
Common 1940 Packard Super tire questions usually center on the 700-16 fitment, 16-inch rim compatibility, bias-ply construction, sidewall appearance, and what to inspect before putting a prewar Packard back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1940 Packard Super?
The 1940 Packard Super uses a 700-16 tire size. This is a vintage numeric bias-ply fitment, and it applies across the covered Super 8-160 and Super 8-180 sub-models, so the primary size question is straightforward for this application.
Once the size is confirmed, the next step is choosing the type of 700-16 tire that suits the car. Buyers usually compare blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, the tire series offered in that size, and whether the Packard still has its original-style wheel setup or has been altered over time.
What size rim does a 1940 Packard Super use?
The 1940 Packard Super uses a 16-inch rim with its 700-16 tire size. Several available 700-16 products also call for a 4.50 to 5.50 inch rim-width range, which is a useful reference point when checking wheel compatibility.
Wheel diameter is only part of the fitment picture on an older car. It is worth confirming the actual wheel width stamped or measured on the car, especially if the Packard has replacement wheels, later service parts, or long-ago restoration work that may have changed the original wheel setup.
Do all 1940 Packard Super sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1940 Packard Super sub-models, including the Super 8-160 and Super 8-180, use the same 700-16 bias-ply tire size. There is no split here between different primary sizes or rim diameters.
That consistency simplifies shopping because the decision is less about fitment and more about presentation and intended use. A wide whitewall can support a restoration-oriented look, while a blackwall or more specialized tread may suit a different driving style or a car that is not being restored to a formal period appearance.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-16 tire for a 1940 Packard Super?
Start with the correct 700-16 size and the fact that this Packard uses a traditional bias-ply construction. From there, compare sidewall style, tire series, and whether the tire is aimed at classic passenger-car use or a more specialized military or truck-style application.
Appearance matters on a 1940 Packard, but so does the wheel setup on the car today. Rim width, load capacity figures where stated, and the type of driving planned all deserve a close look, especially on a large prewar automobile that may now see occasional touring rather than static display.
What sidewall styles are available for 1940 Packard Super tires?
The available 700-16 tires for a 1940 Packard Super include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That gives owners a meaningful appearance choice while staying within the correct primary size and traditional bias-ply construction.
A wide whitewall usually delivers the more formal prewar luxury-car presentation many Packard owners want, while blackwall tires create a plainer, more understated look. The best choice depends on how the car is being finished, what historical look is being pursued, and whether visual authenticity or simpler utility is the higher priority.
What brands offer tires for the 1940 Packard Super?
Brands available in 700-16 for the 1940 Packard Super include Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA. These options span classic bias-ply passenger tires along with some military or truck-style offerings in the same basic size family.
Brand alone should not decide the purchase on a prewar Packard. It is smarter to compare the specific tire series, sidewall treatment, rim-width compatibility where stated, and the overall look the tire gives the car, then match those details to whether the Packard is being restored, shown, or driven more regularly.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1940 Packard Super?
A period-style 1940 Packard Super starts with the correct 700-16 bias-ply size. From there, the strongest visual decision is usually between a traditional wide whitewall and a blackwall, depending on the character you want the car to project.
Many restorations lean toward a wide whitewall because it complements the formal prewar Packard profile, but exact originality can vary by how a car was delivered and later restored. When precision matters, compare the tire choice against marque-club guidance, period photography, and any surviving vehicle-specific documentation before settling on the final presentation.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1940 Packard Super restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1940 Packard Super because tire size and construction shape the car’s stance, side profile, and overall period impression. Using the proper 700-16 bias-ply format keeps the restoration grounded in the way a prewar Packard was meant to look.
Even when the tire appears visually close, an off-size or noticeably different construction can change proportions and distract from otherwise careful restoration work. Correct fitment also helps avoid unnecessary wheel and clearance issues, so the tire should be treated as part of the restoration package rather than as an afterthought.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1940 Packard Super?
Yes. A 1940 Packard Super may use the correct 700-16 size on paper, but modifications can still affect real-world fitment. Wheel replacements, changes in rim width, brake conversions, suspension work, or body repairs can all alter how a tire sits and clears.
Older collector cars often carry decades of service changes, so it is wise to inspect the actual wheels and available clearance before mounting new tires. Steering travel, fender space, and the position of suspension components deserve attention, particularly if the car has been restored in stages or updated at some point in its life.
What should I inspect before driving a 1940 Packard Super on new tires?
Before driving a 1940 Packard Super on new tires, check wheel condition, lug hardware, valve stems, and basic tire pressure, then confirm there is no interference at full steering lock. A visual inspection of suspension, steering, and brake components is also worthwhile on a low-use prewar car.
The tire itself is only one part of road readiness. Look over the car for cracked rubber parts, fluid leaks, uneven ride height, and any sign that the Packard has been sitting for a long period, since dormant collector vehicles can reveal fitment or handling issues only once they are back in motion.
How should 700-16 tires on a collector 1940 Packard Super be maintained?
Maintain 700-16 tires on a collector 1940 Packard Super by checking inflation regularly, inspecting for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and air loss, and watching tread wear for signs of alignment or suspension issues. Routine visual inspection matters even more on a car that is driven only occasionally.
Storage conditions have a major effect on tire life in collector use. Keeping the Packard away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and occasional checks during storage can catch age-related issues before they become a problem on the next road outing.
